Just when I think I've got it all together and I'm keeping all the balls in the air, something like this morning happens.

I'm still not sure how it happened, but it probably has something to do with the fact that we had Monday off (President's Day) which is not a big deal for me because I have every Monday off (I work a four-day, 10-hour flex schedule).

BUT, when we have a Monday holiday off, I have to "un-flex" that week which means that I work regular hours 8:15 to 5 p.m. the rest of the week.

So, this morning I woke up late, glanced at the clock which clearly read 6:05 a.m. Dang, better get a move on...at least I'm only 5 minutes off schedule and I don't have to be to work until 8:15, I thought.

I went to the basement to do my requist 90 minutes on the treadmill. I walk (rather than run) on Fridays, so I was reading a parenting book because I want to interview the author for a story in Her Times (so, you could say that, technically, I was working).

ANYWAY...the kids came downstairs (not unusual), I put a video on for them and thought..hmmm...it's awfully light outside. Then, I noticed the Today show was on and turned that on while I was on the treadmill.

Now, at this point, I should've realized something wasn't right, but I don't know where my mind was this morning.

I get in the shower...all the time thinking I'm right on schedule until my mother calls (she watches the kids) and says "where are you?"

I -- still oblivious to the time -- say, "what do you mean?"

She says "Well, you're so late today."

I say, "I'm unflexed this week, I don't have to be there until 8:15 today."

She says, "It's 8:15 a.m. now"

"What???? Oh My God...it is! What is WRONG with me? GIRLS, get your shoes and coats...let's go, let's go, let's GO!"

Yup...I went through this whole morning not realizing -- and ignoring all the signs -- that I had woke an HOUR and 5 minutes late.

Maybe mommy-dementia is setting in early.

TGIF