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Mental notes become vague with age. I still have a really good memory, can remember well back into my babyhood. Short term memory? Totally different matter. Maybe it's because I have three kids and have so much going on all at once at times. Maybe it's the hormones. Who knows? The day my youngest was born, my brain became mush on some issues. I'm not alone at least, and I've met other fellow Mothers with "Mommy Brain."

I laugh at myself a lot now. Some things are really simple to remember. Other more complex things, I tend to piece it together in my head almost like I'm assembling a toy on Christmas morning. My husband will giggle at me if I know there is something I need to remember that I forgot. I'll go back and do whatever it was I was doing, like retracing my steps. Doing the hand motions (if applicable) and everything and nine times out of ten I'll get my light bulb moment. Even with music, if I was immersed in thought or came up with an idea, a few days later when I listen to the song again, there will be that mental note right where I left off.

Officially, I'm now one of "them." I'm one of those people that if it's important, I have to write it down. No more trusting that I can pull up quick mental notes on the fly. I can tell you what color my Grandmother's bedspread was when she was changing my diaper when I was a baby, but Lord help you if you want me to remember what you said about Twilight the Movie. Don't even ask me how old my kids are. I mean, I know their ages but they are so close in age. Their ages always seem to blend together. Mommy brain. You'll say "How old is your son?" My brain does a crash better than any Bill Gates Windows OS, and there I am, looking upwards, willing myself not to use my fingers as I'm silently cussing myself for not paying better attention in Math class. 'OK...he was born in 01 and so it's 2009 now...um..' Yeah, you get the picture. My oldest is 11, and yes I DID IT! 'She was born in...OK, I was married in 95, she was born in 97...it's 2009 now...'

Sad, I know. I'll make a mental note to work on that.

Learn more about this author, Bobbie Sandlin.
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