If I only had a brain, you're laughing WITH me, right?

I'm a day late, but I do hope you felt appreciated and loved yesterday for whatever your role is in the lives of your children, or your family members, or your friends. Also, I'm thinking of everyone whose mother has passed away. 

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I've had some brain power lapses lately. 

I won't be surprised if the Jewel strawberries that didn't make it home with me a few weeks ago eventually show up somewhere in my car. 

I went to the store last week. This shouldn't be a novel concept, but yet I don't make dinner as often with less kids home and I also don't have a regular grocery day anymore. This has wreaked havoc on menu planning and life in general, but I haven't corrected the situation yet. 

A few days after the grocery store, I was in the back of Great White, buckling kids in the way-back car seats. I happened to glance into the trunk area where I have a buggy. *groan* 

I'd forgotten to unload the $20 of chicken thighs and a bag of apples that I'd placed in the stroller on the way home from the store. The apples were fine. The $20 was lost, sadly. I wanted to kick myself, but my oops from a few weeks prior deserved an even bigger self-kick . . . 

Unrelated - unless we want to give me credit for having the brain power to walk to my parents' house and NOT lose any of the 9 children in my care on Tuesdays. My aunt was at Mom's and she LOVES little guys. I brought my peeps and a parachute and we played games with the two, delighted elderly ladies. 

When I bought Tank his round trip airfare to Ireland, I paid a little extra for a ticket that was flexible. We weren't sure when finals would be, or if he'd want to travel a bit at the end of his Ireland semester. My brain translated this flexible ticket to a purchased seat any 'ole day he chose to travel:  I'LL JUST MOVE HIS TICKET TO A DIFFERENT DAY ONCE HE DECIDES. 

As you know, there were distractions and issues while Tank was over there. It never felt pressing or pertinent to insist that he lock into an end of year travel plan. Finally he and I mapped out what he would do at the end of his semester. As I prepared to call Aer Lingus to adjust his flight, I felt a little queasy. 

Duh, it suddenly clicked with me. In order to change his May flight home in April, I'd have to pay somewhat last minute fares. I cringed as the lady shared the difference in flight. $400. Ouch. 

I texted Tank and told him we would have to split the cost. When I told Mom about my oversight, she said she'd pay for half of it, which was very generous of her. 

I took a deep breath and ultimately decided to let myself off the hook. It can't be helped. The good news is that Tank has overcome his mental health crisis with the help of medication and that he's looking forward to seeing Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and Berlin before he flies home on May 28th. 

I wish that was the only brain fart of late. Nope. 

I got a ton of texts la few weeks ago on a Thursday, all at the same time. Updates on Uncle from my sibs, etc. I was busy and kept reminding myself that there was a message I still needed to read. I ran to the library after tot-pick up, made a few of Ed's banners, and then realized I hadn't made dinner. Dang. I mistakenly convinced myself that I still had time to make the dirty rice before I had to drive Curly to b-ball, which was the exact opposite direction of my college book club. 

I requested Curly's help to stir the meat and veggies as I chopped more veggies. She complained that the pan was overflowing, so I got out another frying pan and we dumped some in it. In the process a few vegetable chunks fell under the pan. Curly said something was burning, but I told her it was just the man-overboard veggies.

I was making brown rice. I was charbroiling brown rice without realizing it. When I covered the pan, I must've forgotten to turn down the burner. I was inhaling the smell of the chopped onion, peppers, etc. and I didn't notice. I could not believe I did that. 

We were running late for basketball - on a night when I vowed to get her there early so I could get to book club on time. I hired Becky's daughter to pick up Curly, because Reg and Coach were in South Carolina for basketball. 

As Curly got out of the car, I felt like she was forgetting something. I glanced around. Nothing. I had a feeling she'd be calling me, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out why. Two minutes later, she called me. 

There was no practice. The gym was set up for a party or something. Then I remembered the one text I never opened. It was from her AAU league's group chat alerting everyone that there was no practice. 

Now I had to bring her all the way home before going to book club. It was fine, not the end of the world. but this was one of those times I really didn't want to have to drive to basketball in the first place and it turned out I DIDN'T NEED TO GO THERE. It's 25 minutes from home. I called and told Becky's daughter that I wouldn't be needing her, but I'd hire her another time. Curly offered to hop out at the corner and walk through the church parking lot to our house, so I could shave off a few minutes to get to book club. 

YOU CAN JUST DROP ME AT THE GAS STATION WHERE WE USED TO WALK TO GET SLUSHIES. 

OK. DO YOU WANT A SLUSHY?

UM, YEAH SURE. 

As she got out of the car with money I gave her to buy a slushie, she thanked me, then stopped herself. UM, THANKS? 

I've got a few things on my mind, but it would be nice if my mind would agree to juggle the usual load and handle the new 'situation' without me doing dumb stuff. 

Have you done anything dumb lately? Did it cost you as much as a slushy or as much as a flight home from Ireland?