Uh, would you repeat that? I forgot what you asked.
No, for some reason my memory functions well, as opposed to the rest of my brain!

I need a notepad & pen around my neck because I forget before I can get one!

Oh yes...the more years that pass, the more things that I remember. I have found that the calendar is now my best friend. I have a calendar that I keep on my fridge and I also have a planner that I carry with me everywhere. It has a calendar with plenty of space to write things down.

Yesterday on TV I heard a good discussion about how our memory works, and declines as we get older. Very interesting

At the time.

I don't remember now though what they said!

Sue

Yes, ten minutes ago my DH asked me to bring up some butter from the freezer. I forgot, he had to remind me, so I brought it up right away.

What was the question?
JoanMN/fL

Oh, I forget everything. I use the outlook "notes" at work to keep track of things that don't go on the calendar.

You betcha. I think my hard drive needs de-fragged....that's my story and I'm sticking to it! Thank heaven for technology, I put appointments and deadlines in my blackberry. But if anything ever happens to that little gizmo I am lost.

Not a lot. If I do, it is something I need to pick up at the store and forget. I usually have three or four things in line to do, so I don't forget the main things. I am not as good at remembering phone numbers, etc., that I used to be, but not as bad at forgetting things as I was when I went thru menopause.

I feel better for having read this thread. I am starting to forget everything! I have note pads around the house and I write everything down at work too. I know we all laugh about that being a sign of getting older, and it is funny but I tell you there are times when I get sad thinking the way it used to be (multi-tasker both verbally and mentally).

Susan

That's an understatement.

Honestly, since I had Grant, my memory is horrible. So horrible it scares me sometimes. I really think I also gave birth to half of my brain.

Not really, but one thing that happens, though, that is so irritating is, I'm talking to someone, and about to say a name and by the time the thought gets to my mouth, the name escapes me. I usually remember it a short time later, but other than that, my memory is pretty good for someone almost 73. My DH, age almost 80, can remember phone numbers like crazy. Dottie

I almost hate to talk sometimes, as I forget a single, important word or name in my thought. I hate that! I am not that aged, so I can only wonder in 10-20 years if I will even be able to speak up in normal conversation.
There are so many things in life I would love to forget, but, they just seem to stay with me forever...lol

Trin

It is so bad that my memory is becoming a sad joke around school!

I feel like part of my Brain died when I retired. So, I have started volunteering, reading, and working puzzles. Main Man and I both. We were always so very active, retirement hasn't been good for us.

I signed up today for "automatic payments" on some of my Mother's Bills because I kept forgetting them.

Guess I'm different. I'm like my mother. Don't forget. There ARE some things I need to forget, though!

Gayle, that is a great way to keep your mind active. I read on another thread that you mentioned playing Scrabble. I remember my great aunt doing crossword puzzles and other word games into her 90's. Her mind was sharp until the day she died.

A friend of mine claims we have too much to remember but I think I rely on electronics too much.....

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. When I was young, I could easily memorize huge chunks of text. This meant that I could usually attain high grades in college just by reading the material (for the first time) the night before the test. I don't confuse this with actual intelligence, but it was a serviceable substitute.

Now, though, I don't even have that. I decided a few days ago to retrain what's left of my mind, and I'm memorizing as much poetry as possible. I love doing it. Wish I could muster up the self-discipline to exercise this flabby body, as well!

It gets frustrating. I'll start telling somehing to someone and forget where I was. For a lot of things I use a LOT of notes and carry a digital recorder for notetaking. It seems to go in streaks though. Sometimes my mind starts racing, trying to remember a lot of things or a lot of points I was trying to make without interrupting someone and that's the worst time.

How many times did I go I have to write that down or record it or I'll forget and by the time I get the recorder, computer or pen and paper.... oops. D@#%!

At least I still remember to breathe.

I have a good memory and it drives my sisters crazy lol. Poor girls forget things but I think they need to slow down and concentrate on what they're doing. When I put something away I say it out loud and then I remember hearing where it was put. It's a good trick.

Yes. I've found that I get side-tracked so easily and am often not really paying attention when I am doing something, so I forget it later. I am trying very hard to be "in the moment" and not try to do so many things at one time. In the meantime, post-it notes are my best friend!

Sheryl

I have noticed, and have been acused of always interrupting conversations. I think it is because if I waited I would not remember what I was going to add to the conversation.

About 15 or so years ago, I went through a streak of time (at least a year) when I would not be able to recall real simple things -- like what year it was. I could be writing a check and get the month and day, but not be able to come up with a year. I mean I didn't know if it was in the 60's, 70's or 80's absolutely no idea. I would frantically look around the store for a clue. Another day I could forget where to find a particular thing in my kitchen. That was a very scarry time, but it has passed. My memory is better now then it was then.....
BUT....

This old Nag needs a Defrag!

I work a lot of puzzles (crossword, sudoko, etc.) to try to keep my brain active, but I'm not sure it's working. I have a calendar, of course, for appointments, but I have to use several other memory aids as well. I make notes of things to do on yellow stickies and stick them to my place at the breakfast table where they stay until I do what is on them. Also, I do a lot of gardening. I'll see something that needs doing while I'm in the middle of something else or I'll see a plant that needs moving and then end up forgeting to move it. I don't want to have to stop and make notes while my hands are dirty so I carry a tiny digital recorder in my pocket. When I see something I want to remember to do, I record it. These methods don't cure all my memory lapses (like people's names), but they have proved helpful.

I'd be lost without my calendar on which I record everything and my card file of addresses and phone numbers, yet I can remember so many people's names, their kids and pets names.

Yes. I even forget what I'm saying mid sentence. Plus I have to catch myself when driving and I get distracted by something. Sometimes I forget I'm driving!

Pretty much everything. I can't imagine what I will be like as I get older.

Thank goodness, no!

Not usually but a few weeks ago I was typing something and for the life of me I couldn't remember how to spell the word "minute" I thought for sure there was another i but it just didn't look right. I called my friend Vicki on the phone and said "mark this date down somewhere" LOL "I have the start of Alzheimer's". We laughed ourselves silly because I couldn't remember how to spell the darn word. Still didn't look right to me after she gave me the correct spelling. LOL My head hurt.

Anne