Mommy Brain

I have found myself in a few situations recently that I believe qualify me for "Mommy Brain."  It's the scattered thoughts, forgetfulness, not being able to connect all the dots in my life.  I am someone who tries to stay on-top of things and keep organized, but lately it has been an up-hill battle.

A few weeks ago, I was grocery shopping in the neighboring town.  It was in the evening and I was by myself.  I purchased my groceries, bagged them, loaded them, and returned the cart.  I drove home and as I walked through the door, Monkey Toes greeted me with, "the store just called and someone found your purse in a cart in the parking lot."  I have two things to say about that:  1.  Thank God for good Samaritans, and 2.  Thank God we live in a small town where we know one another.

Second incident:  This is a picture of my coat and Pumpkin's coat.

A few days ago, the two youngest and I had a few errands to run.  I took my coat off the hook and put it on Pumpkin.  She yelled, "this is not my coat!"  Her words did not register with me.  I kept attempting to put the coat on and zip it up.  As I looked at the sleeves dragging on the floor, it hit me that this definitely was not my three year old daughter's coat.

Incident Number Three:  This morning before leaving for church, I was cleaning out my purse.  I realized that my bank card was missing.  I emptied all the contents out and still no card.  I started my family on a hunt.  They were looking in cushions of furniture, searching through the garage, tearing apart the van.  Still no trace of the card.  I retraced my steps from yesterday.  The last place I used it was at our local gas station.  On our way to church I stopped in to inquire.  They hadn't seen it.  The kids and I prayed all the way to church, calling upon Jesus, Mother Mary, and St. Anthony - all the big guns of lost things.  We came home after Mass and I remembered going to Walmart (after the gas station) to pick up pictures from the photo center.  My photos, however, had not yet been ready, and so I never used my card.  But I called anyway and sure enough, they had my card.  I drove back to Walmart and went to Customer Service.  I knew the woman working behind the desk.  She just chuckled and shook her head when she saw me and said, "it doesn't get any easier the older you get!"

A dear friend of my mom once told me that this mindlessness shouldn't seem unusual.  Many days I am thinking for 7 and sometimes 8 other people.  So I'm going to go with that.  I'm not losing my mind, I'm just loaning it out!