I mentioned in my first blog about my sticky note obsession, and where it came from. Although I have  incorporated my journals (a birthday gift from my friend Amanda!) for writing, I still use a lot of sticky notes. At work (the day job), I sat at my computer and counted the sticky notes within view. 16 sticky notes in yellow and pink, in three different sizes. And I need every one of those notes! I am a little upset about the range of colors I have though. I think I may need to branch out a bit.
These little notes are, for me, little chunks of memory. They help me remember those tiny details I would otherwise forget. I don't write down inconsequential things, either. These are vital notes that I need to remember for days, weeks, or months. That is the nature of the "work" notes, though. My "book" notes, I have mostly converted to my writing journal or small writing pad. Those notes are even more vital to me, and I really shouldn't risk losing them on a sticky note.
Right after my horse accident, I realized how injured I truly was when I struggled with the basic level Sudoku, when I usually worked the Super Expert level. You know the one. It has two pages for you to work with and is usually at the back of the book. It was quite the hit to the ego when I had to flip backward through the Sudoku book to get to ones I could handle. The doctor had ordered me to work my brain, so that's what I did. Sudoku was a great brain exercise! It took a few months, but I was able to work my way back up to my high levels and stay there.
Of course, Sudoku isn't really about memory, but about problem solving. The brain is a strange thing, though. It needs to be exercised in various ways, just like every other muscle. If you only ever exercised your arm by doing arm curls, you may have great biceps, but the rest of your muscles would look small and strange in configuration. The brain needs the same variety.
To help, I have tried a few things over the years. First, I take Fish Oil pills, when I remember. It may sound childish, but I take the gummies. They don't make you burp annoying fish taste, and the taste is decent. I also started playing Lumosity. I must say, I think it is well worth it!
The full version has a variety of games to help with memory recall, spacial recall, problem solving, attention and so much more. I have a hard time remembering names, and there is a great game devoted just to that! More than just helping with memory, this helps you become aware of areas you may struggle with. And honestly, if you're going to exercise, you might as well make it fun!
So, whether you do Lumosity, Sudoku, Logic Puzzles or Crossword puzzles, it's all worth it. Don't let anyone criticize you for "playing a game", when you're really just exercising! And let's face it, exercise of the mind and body are both vital to longevity.

Yesterday there was a terrible April Fool's joke. Around 3 in the morning, a fire broke out at a high school in Albany, OR, destroying a building that housed the cafeteria, band, choir and other rooms. I know many people who went to this school, including my husband. While an arsonist has been arrested in this case, it doesn't fix the damage.
While the devastation to the building itself is terrible, what really strikes me is how it hurts these kids, teachers, employees, and alumni. Choir music that had been collected for years, gone. Band equipment, gone. Dance and cheer uniforms, gone. These kids who explore the arts will be some of those hurting the most. Rumor is the drummer for the band, Journey, is going to donate a large sum to replace lost band equipment! That is truly wonderful, and a small light at the end of a dark, fire-damaged tunnel. Parents will be struggling to replace personal band instruments. I played saxophone in high school and I feel for these students. Music is a treasure, and musical instruments are not cheap!
Aside from the music programs that are hurt, there is the entire cafeteria gone as well. South Albany High School not only fed students at their school, but several other schools in the city. The other schools with kitchen facilities scrambled to help out, and several businesses even jumped in to donate food, but this will be a long-term problem.
The kids will go back to school next week, and I hope they can look past the charred remains and see hope instead of devastation. No one was injured in the fire, and things can always be replaced. The community has come together, and a tighter bond may form because of this. Pray for these students to keep strong, for the faculty and staff to keep brave, smiling faces on, and for the alumni to cherish their memories.
Funds have been set up to help the school recover.
You can donate at: http://www.albanypublicschoolsfoundation.org/
View the Albany Democrat Herald article here: http://democratherald.com/news/local/fire-destroys-south-albany-cafeteria-band-and-choir-rooms/article_3c1568c5-9bc2-5bfb-850f-5f5c4e3a7579.html