Being stupid, much like crime, doesn't pay.

I don't know if it is the lack of sleep, the hormones, my age, how busy I am, or just a combination of all of it, but I have become stupid. I used to be intelligent. Absolutely top of my class. Now, I can't think of words like "chair" and where I left my shoes.

For the most part, this has been a minor annoyance. It takes me three times longer to do anything because I have to remember what I am doing first. Then, I have to find whatever I need to do it. But, overall, I have just rolled with it.

But, now, it is a problem.

First, I start a new job on Monday. I really need to be sharp. The new job is challenging and will require me to really be on top of things and put in a lot of effort. Being an idiot is not an option.

But even worse is that I am starting to lose money over my stupidity. And, we're not talking chump change. I forgot completely about a check for $4700. Who on earth does this?!? I forgot that it was sitting there and forgot to put it in the bank. Now, I have an expired check for $4700 sitting here. What's worse? When I called the company about it, the guy on the phone said, "oh, this happens all the time."

Seriously? There are enough people out there stupid enough to forget about almost five thousand dollars that this happens all the time? Who are these people? I am just incredibly stupid. This amount of money is nothing to sneeze at for me. This amount of money is a major life experience for me. Hell, this amount of money is my life for a good amount of time. Now, I feel like a schmo for thinking it is so important. Obviously the rest of the world thinks a few thousand dollars isn't such a big deal. Me? I cried when I saw the check had expired.

I also lost $70. I know what you are thinking at this point: "Don't hand this woman any money!" And, I totally agree.

It wasn't cash, mind you. The $70 was in the form of one of those certificates that you have to use at the store during a certain time frame. Fine. Its still $70. And I had plans for that money. I was so careful with it. I refused to move it an inch for days so I would know right where it was. Then, I decided to move it to someplace to that I wouldn't lose it. Ha! Now, it is gone forever. I can't find it anywhere. I guess the location I picked is incredibly secure.

So, whatever you do, do not trust me with cash.