Improving Your Memory

Well, it it seems lately my memory has been slipping and I have been repeating myself a lot and stuff. So I decided that I should research the subject on how to improve memory. I found tons of stuff.
First off I found that games can help improve memory. Though the games I usually play, like cards, aren't helping my memory. One site I found suggests:
1) Puzzles 2) Quizzes 3) Try to remember a set of random numbers, alphabets, names etc. 4) Take a number and start continuous addition or multiplication with itself, in your mind only.
Also I found it useful to know what kind of memory there is to use.
Sensory is the first type. Basically when you see, hear, touch something briefly. It can't be improved, because it is only when you see some thing briefly.
Short-Term is the second type. Short term can also include some sensory memories and it is when you are briefly exposed to something up to a minute or two.
Long-Term memory is the final type. This is where you are able to recall things in the past such as old phone numbers and things of the such. Long term memory is stored in a different part of a persons brain. Using repetition you are able to store and recall this information for a life time.
On another note, other information I found was that a lot of our memory retention is based on how much attention we are paying at the time to what we are retaining. Sites suggest repeating things either a loud or in your mind if you find it important to remember them later on. Especially peoples names, try to repeat them in conversation. Then as you set things down such as car keys, you should make a mental note of where you put them. Reminding yourself as you do things will help you to recall it later on. If you have problems remembering things during certain times you should think about how many things you are doing at once. Multitasking slows down your retention rate and makes it harder for your mind to recall things it may have just seen or done.
The next few methods I thought were rather interesting. First off talk yourself through it. If you are worried you will leave the stove on or misplace your shoes, then as you do things say them aloud. This might now be the method for you if you have lots of people around, because they might think your a little crazy. Now the next method is picture yourself doing it before doing it. Have you ever gotten up to get something, then get in the next room and have forgotten why you are there?? I know I have done it, and I know my mom has too!! So visualize your self looking or getting that item or thing done before you even get up to do it. Then the final method I suggest is called spread the word. The best way to remember things is repetition, and even if it is just telling some one what you did that day, or mentioning the friends you saw or talked to lately. Just recalling the previous day to another person or teaching someone something you have just learned, is a great way to help your memory.
By far the easiest things to do to help your memory are the following:
1)Get Some Sleep! The brain needs a rest, at least 6 to 8 hours so it can get fully rested and work well.
2) Do Aerobic Exercises. The increased blood flow to the brain helps the brain sharpen and work at it's best.
Well, I feel like I found lots of information that I can use and hopefully my memory will improve. There is a good chance though I may forget to use it!

Today was a pretty good day! I went to the gym with Jeremy and tanned while I was there. It was fun to have some one to go with. Then I got this awesome package from swap bot. It had this great book about dragons, I gave that to Justin. He really liked it. Then I had to work, and I had a good night there. I hauled the trash to the curb when I got home. I got the most awesome deal on tupperware. They had all sizes of the four packs for only 75 cents each, and they were originally like $3.29 each. So I am happy about that. I went through my cabinet and got rid of all the old stuff. I am taking it over to moms and what ever she doesn't want, I am giving to the salvation army. I need to get rid of stuff, so I am giving it away. Some of it has lids and stuff, it would just be easier to have a all matching set. I love the color too, they are clear and burnt orange. It is a pretty fall color. I love fall. I almost have all the stuff cleaned out of the basement. But that brings me to the realization that all the Christmas stuff I had got ruined in the flood. So I will have to get new stuff as I can afford it.

Today was a pretty good day in the end. I got to spend a lot of time after work with Justin. Jeremy and me both have gym memberships now, so we can work out together. Which will be fun. Justin got some of his Christmas shopping done and I am going to wrap more presents tomorrow. I have to make a bunch of phone calls about jobs and my one credit card. I tried to use it for a small purchase and it got denied, which is weird because I have a good amount available on it. SO I am gonna call and figure out what the deal is. Then I need to call my other card company and have then reissue me a card, because I have miss placed it around the house and I want to use some of it. I haven't used them in months. Then Justin has to call the one company he goes through and change his rates. In three days I will have worked at WalMart for two months. I am not doing swaps for a while, but when the opportunity arises I pick up things really cheap for my swaps. Like I got wind up sushi for a quarter a piece. Sounds weird, but I think it will be a good trade gift for on swap bot. It has been snowing like hell here and the roads suck.

I got this new bottle of face wash. It is the Clean & Clear Morning Burst facial scrub. I really like it. It smells really good. It exfoliates and doesn't burn the way some scrubs do for me. I need to get a new lofa, my old one was eaten by dogs. Love them, but they are a pain in the butt. If I don't wash my face enough then it itches. Which wouldn't be so bad, but I itch it at work, and don't realize I am doing it at all. Then some one will point out that part of my face is red. Justin is sweet, he keeps me from itching or chewing on my nails. I don't really bite them, but they have been breaking off so much lately, that when they get jagged I bite them. So I have to watch or I will completely chew them off! I have never had some one watch out as closely for me as Justin does, it can be wonderful( though some times annoying.) I wouldn't trade him for the world.

I didn't get anything done around the house today. Justin did, he is amazing. He cleaned instead of sleeping for work. We broke our drain plug for the sink and we are having a hard time finding a new one that fits right. So dishes keep getting postponed. I got a awesome deal on some tupperware tonight. They were only 75 cents for two really big bowls, and a tiny one. They were in sets like that, so we got two. I need to organize my tupperware and get rid of stuff with no lids or bottoms. They have some other tupperware on sale and I will see if they have any more tomorrow.

Asia ripped into one of the Christmas presents. I will have to re-wrap it now. I don't mind too much because she didn't hurt the present. I rearranged the dinning room and the little brat can jump and climb on more stuff then Garth and Coco can. So she is a pain. She can be really smart too and knows how to get around things. I had to put a baby lock on the cabinet under the sink because she figured that one out! But she is a sweet dog, and still just a puppy. She just turned five months old a few days ago.

Remodel Update

YAY!! I am so happy! We finally have our new stove and fridge outlets! That has been one of my biggest hassles because no one knew how to run them! But this really awesome guy named Dustin from work came out and ran them for me! I am so happy. So I finished removing the trim in the closet and swept it out. He did look at the water heater too and it looks like it may be broken. I am really bummed about that, but oh well, off to the gym to shower. Below are the only remodeling pictures I have so far. They are in progress ones. We still have a lot of work to do.

This is Krystal scraping up floor tile. She helped all day on this, what an awesome friend!

This is after I laid some of the new floor down, it looks much nicer then the old tiles.

Then ths is the bathroom, the wallpaper had air pockets that held water and molded. I have to scrub abd bleach the walls, then paint.

Then this is what the bathroom floor looks like right now. It had carpet and we ripped it all out. I am putting in the same flooring that it is in the kitchen. I can't wait!

Remodel Update

Well, everything is well under swing. Krystal came bright and early on day one. Which was awesome. We finished tearing up the kitchen floor first thing on day 2. The entire time the dogs are running around like OMG. Now they seem to be used to it. They loved seeing lots of new people though. The bathroom is going alright, but we are stuck because I need a hack saw. We haven't started any painting yet. I think we may have accidentally buried the rollers in the garage. So far Krystal, Jeremy, Nathan, Kyle, Sam, Bryan and Nathans cousin have all come out and helped. Not all at once, but over the last two days. All the good stuff is out of the basement, and all the bad stuff is ready to be hauled off. Upstairs is a disaster, lol. Have the new kitchen floor has been laid down, but we are having to take our time, because we are having to weight each tile down until it drys, and we have only so many heavy objects.

I went to the gym to tan tonight and take a hot shower to relax my muscles after working on all this. We got the bathroom door reversed too. Which makes the bathroom feel huge now. Basically we have little things left to do, all the major stuff is done. I have to work tonight, so I will write more later!

Late Night Gym Trip

I left and went to the gym at 1 am. I love my gym I really do. It is open 24 hours a day, and has awesome equipment. I was there all by myself and it was so nice. I love to jog, and their machines are so nice. They have cable tv on every machine. So I can get lost in a tv show while I work out. It makes it much more enjoyable when your sweating your butt off! Plus their weight machines make it easy to change weights, and I think I am doing good improving my muscle mass. I am mostly focusing on upper body, because I don't have a lot of arm strength.

I know I should be sleeping now instead of writing this blog, but I can't help it. I am just not tired. I didn't take a nap today either. I was up all day doing things. I even went to Altoona today to drop off a bunch of bikes I gave to a lady for her daycare. By the way, I love my van! It is a big ugly thing, but it is the best! I need to do some work to it, but that's OK. I still think it is worth it. I went to Story City the other day, and got a entire van full of free stuff!