Three days in a row

This is the third weekday Chol HaMoed day in a row that I've forgotten to remove my tefillin before Hallel. And I keep forgetting and saying at least one of the brachot/blessings, as well, though my husband's minhag/custom is not to say the brachot for laying tefillin when using them on Chol HaMoed.

There's an old joke: "Make sure brain is engaged before putting mouth in gear." Maybe I should make sure my brain is engaged before putting prayers in gear (or putting arm and head into or out of "gear," as the case may be.)

In case you need any further proof that my brain is turning to mush, I keep doing the ritual hand-washing after using the ladies' room and then forgetting to make the brachot, or scratching my head three minutes later and asking myself, "Did I say the brachot or didn't I?". Oy. If this is my brain at 60, can you see me at 80?