PAT ON THE BACK TIME | ADHD Information

Okay - who would like to start a weekly tradition in this forum??????

Once a week I suggest we post one thing we did this week that we achieved in spite of our ADD.

I will begin - and please follow - lets encourage ourselves by not only voicing our fears / concerns/ failures - but let us also show the world what we can do regardless of how small.

Mine for this week is - Getting the kids to school before the bell every day

Good Idea, Rae. That would give us all something to strive for and hopefully be successful.

Nothing for me this week, but don't count me out for next. (like maybe a job interview that goes GREAT). You did good! Now if I could just be on time myself!

Wish I could be on time for a whole week!!  [QUOTE=Chazinmo]

Cleaned my office (I still have a desk under there). And actually made all the phone calls I was supposed to!

EEEEHAAAA, back on Concerta!

[/QUOTE]

Chaz - I think you deserve the Special Achievement Award for the week

And everybody else - GOOD ON YA ALL - Hip Hip Hooray!!!!!

Rae7038221.0336921296

Great idea Rae...talk about a pick me up!!!  Let's see, this week I managed to actually start to understand what is going on in my mind about everything from my past to now, and I actually figured out and managed to accept without analyzing it to no end why the man in my life has acted the way he has for the past 3 years...simply to show me that I'm not the stupid, fat, ugly, etc...person I was told I was all my life, and now I can say that I'm not afraid of loving him anymore...no more emotional running, no more confussion or doubt oh what he says.  The most important thing though is that I actually learned for the first time in 38 years that this wonderful man believed in me and knew I was worth all the time that this has taken, and that really helped the self esteem, self confidence and self worth. 

 

I actually paid a couple of bills my hubby wanted me to pay. I had the donut tire on my car replaced (after forgetting about it for over a week), and got a refill of my meds, despite waiting until I had taken the last one. I was supposed to see the dr before she would give me a refill but she switched to a different office and the new guy gave it to me. Maybe that doesn't count then. Still, I got things done I had been putting off!

Well, I told my parents about my suspicions, and my dad (who is a public health consultant), agreed to check out a few of the private consultants who might be able to see me.

Have my appointment on 3rd September - am otherwise in limbo, with little energy to do any work atm, so not much else to congratulate myself for. Xavier, is France even worse than the UK?

hmmm, this week i told my mother i had ahdh (i'd alreay told her a few months ago but she's forgotten) because she was blaming me for not looking for a company for my training period. We decided to see a doctor, but the trouble is that adhd is not officially recognized here so i wait and see.

get up, stand up, don't give up the fight

Cleaned my office (I still have a desk under there). And actually made all the phone calls I was supposed to!

EEEEHAAAA, back on Concerta!

After several weeks of doing nothing, I've finally started going through the text which I need to keep my main website growing. Have about 50 new pages to add, fortunately I've been able to delegate the task of writing the stuff to other people Okay, who did something great this week? Don't be shy! Finally talked to my doctor yesterday about this sleep problems I've been having...he prescribed some Xanex and I'm proud to say I finally slept like a baby...and was able to be outside cutting up with my neighbors last night...lol  Sad but true...

I actually have 2 things I am proud of this week.

First - I bought an e-book over the weekend called "The Motivated Mind"  Wow!  Awesome book!  I have completed 4 chapters already AND I have done all of the "exercises" in the book so far.  I always get these self help books, never do the exercises and then wonder why the book didn't help.    I am now printing out chapter 5 so I can start reading that. 

Second thing - I started a life drawing class at the local college this week.  Something I've been wanting to do for a very long time!

I credit my meds to being able to successfully accomplish these things!  6 months ago neither one of these things would be happening. 

 

I enlisted in the job search phenomeun.  doing well.  I applied for about 40 jobs and have knocked back 2 interviews because my kids are sick.  Got offered one job as an administrator in a  pub in a bad area - and well i dont feel like finding trouble. 

But I do believe (if i really have to) I should have a job soon.

I was spose to go for an interview today,  my first in 12 years, the thought of it gave me such an anxiety attack that I nearly threw up.  I cancelled.

I have had lots of success finding interview, getting my foot in the door, now just have to be brave enough to follow through - maybe next weeks achievements - lol

I shared my fears with another person this week.

Good job, everyone!

  This week I gave an oral presentation to parents at school orientation. I didn't hyperventilate or stumble over my words and actually felt comfortable doing it. 

~~dede~~ 

I got most of studying done since the beginning of the semester, read about 100 textbook pages and took notes something that was impossible for me to do before my meds.  I'm actually keeping up for once and I didn't procastinate once.  I'm also going to be starting a job soon if I can keep with the job and still keep on track with college my year is made. hehe

dieburnbot38233.7372453704

Ok - Here goes my accomplishment -

I CLOSED MY CHECKING ACCOUNT!!!  HANDED OVER BOTH CREDIT CARDS (to my husband)!!!  AND (drum role please!) - I HAVE KEPT TRACK OF MY FINANCES (EVERY PENNY SPENT AND EARNED) FOR A WHOLE WEEK!!!!!!

Let's hear an applause please!!!

I now have relinquished all control of money over to my husband (and I sure like to have control - and money - so this task was NOT easy)!!!   He now will be giving me a weekly allowance and be paying all the bills.. I even had my checks directly deposited into HIS account!!!!   AAAHHHH!

By the way - Hi everyone!  My name is Laura - I am 22, a massive animal lover (4 dogs and 5 cats - all adopted from shelters - Can we say ADHD before diagnoses and meds???).  I am married to a wonderful and VERY understanding man (Phillip), we are in the Air Force (well, he is, I'm just taking advantage of the benifits!!!)  I am involved in everything I can think of (like I had to tell you that!!!!) and I have a horrible habit called Compulsive Skin Picking (it is where you pick your skin - anywere on your body - usually at tiny little blackheads or something and can't stop picking.. By the time you are out of the picking trance, you have destroyed your skin and feel horribly guilty.  Don't worry though - I am working on that too and am involved in another message group to fix that problem... So we won't let that ruin the accomplishment stuff!!!!!) I love to chat and talk and I pride myself on knowing quite a bit about this ADD thing - so if anyone wants to talk - don't hesitate to email me!!!! Bye

Congrats on all of the good things everyone else has done!!!
Laura

 

 

 

Kimo, it's terrific to hear you really love your parrots b/c so many ppl just tolorate them. Thats sad.But after reading that last night, I LOL'ed soooo loud, that husband made me shut the computer down! unless you've known a Grey, and heard them swear, not even another ADD/ADHDER would get it. When we lived in Phila for a short time, my friends Grey bit me and wouldn't let go. My response was "ouch, you little mother f**ker" than she repeated it in my voice, and never forgot it! Also you said " I swear quite a bit and well" and so does the Grey. Thats what ended my computer time. I've have headr other Greys say just about every cuss word imaginable, so I could just picture yours. Parrots are awesome!

Venturess, great job! You must really love teaching. I hope your students appriciate what you are doing. Kimos right. Teachers don't get the respect they deserve. Your shaping the future generation. keep up the good work!

Hi & congrats to y'all! I just started posting again last night b/c of the herrican AGAIN here in fla. and I have a couple of "pat on the backs" to share.

After I lost my last job, I knew we needed money real bad! As some of y'all may know, I'm owned by a 22 yr. old Amazon Parrot, Tequila. My husband and I take her to the beach to get her picture taken w/ppl of all ages for tips. My husband said I should do it alone some nights months ago. Just the thought of doing this alone terrified me beyond belief! Having to drive over a causeway at night, be responsible for my "daughter"(ppl steal parrots like her), the equiptment, "tip bucket"and having to talk to many ppl. YIKES!  Well two weeks ago, I woke up really late on day,b/c I was depressed. But heres the great part! My mind seemed to go on "auto pilot". That night I took Tequila to her "job", kept her safe, watched the money closely, talked to ppl, took pictures(a task I always my husband do)b/c everyone comes with their own camera, each a little different. We worked 4 hrs & made over 0! Us "girls" did good! I drove home and than I realized I CAN do this & I loved it! Now I hope nobody has a heart attack, I WAS TOTALLY ORGANIZED & CONFIDENT! I amazed myself at the inner strength I found in a time I truly needed it. God was with us. We're starting again tomorrow night. I can't wait!

Now my next pat comes from "keeping a cool head" during the storm and realizing surviving is the most important thing. I really thought we were going to lose the house. We got lucky again. Also Rae, thanks for starting this thread and it was you ( and others) after the last herrican who set me straight about wanting to survive, even if nothing was left but our loved ones.

I'm striving to do something I consider "impossible" on a regular basis. Good luck to everyone else trying to do the same!

Thanks Kimo & Laura for the positive feedback. No one else could understand why I was so afraid of taking Tequila to the beach myself! "She's just a parrot" was a common responce. And ppl say WE say the wrong things?! How insensative! And if they could be me for ....oh let's say 1 wk, they wouldn't bitch about the simple stuff they can do w/out problems that we struggle with. Maybe I'm not being very nice, but some ppl should get a "smack on the back"!

And you both should give yourselves many pats. I'm an animal lover, but I'm not sure I could handle all of those! They are sooo special when you adopt them.

Kimo, I don't mean to get off track, but aren't parrots the most wonderful pets? Most ppl don't understand them. Sometimes b/c me & Tequila are "pair bonded" I think we can read each others minds. It took my husband a while to understand. Tequila won't tolorate any other pets in "our house". That must be a hand or shoulder full, an African Grey & Macaw! I cuss to much to have a grey! Tequila is a better pet than a talker. She does say "orit"when she drops a toy or food. Her attempt at sh*t!

Also y'all might want to check out what I had to say in the thread Venting. Some bad luck there, but we are over it now & back on track!(just want my Grand Am back)!

Again, thanks, and we'll get through this ADD/ADHD thing one week at a time!

Latina - Awesome accomplishments!  First, getting through the hurricane for one thing!  And second, going it alone to your "job!"  That took a lot of courage on your part and I am very proud of you!  And what an awesome way to make some money!  I have 2 parrots myself.  An African Grey and a Severe Macaw. 

Congratulations!!! 

Laura - good for you!!!  I'd be terrified of handing over the finances to my husband!  Not sure what he would do with them.    I, too, have recently put on my "goals" list to do better with the finances.  Just installed Quicken this morning.  Waiting on a pin number from my bank so I can sync the accounts and start using it. 

I also have 2 dogs from a shelter.  Oh, and a stray parakeet a lady at work found sitting on her car at lunch. 

My accomplishment is that I bought a personal organizer over the weekend, small enough to fit in my purse.  And I actually started using it this morning!  I have 6 "to do" items for today and 5 are done with the 6th item being done when I log off here.  I took a vacation day today to try and start my "organized" life on the right foot. 

 

Kimo-

You will have to let me know how the Quicken works for you.  We are still doing good here with the finances.  It is a MAJOR reliefe to have someone who knows what they are doing keep track of everything.  I just bring my tips home (I am a waitress) count them, record them on a sheet of paper taped to the wall and hand them to my hubby.  I get 40 bucks a week as an allowance for gas, presents, Starbucks, etc!!! 

I too am taking a "personal" day today....I have to finish this project (a big 6 foot cat condo) I have been working on for three days!  If I don't finish it tonight I think I'm gonna go nutz!!!  Oh wait - I'm there already! 

I want to know how the personal organizer thingy works for you.  I am highly considering one!!!

Latina-

Great job on the leap of faith forward with the "job".  That actually sounds fun but also scary!  I love animals so much and I love talking, so I think that I would be good at it once I got going, but getting going is the hard part!!!  Congrats!

Laura

I made it through my first day of school as the teacher.  I cover most of what I wanted to, stuck to the schedule and wasn't even that nervous!!!.......

I've only used the organizer for one day so it's hard to tell yet.    But actually I have been using a day planner at work for a couple of months now and it's been a HUGE help to me!  I don't know how I got anything at all done without it now.  The only problem is that if I don't write it in the day planner, it won't get done.  I totally rely on it at work to know what I need to do.  So if I forget to write in it something I need to do, well, it doesn't happen! 

Latina - yes - I love my parrots!  Actually, Hitchcock (the Severe) has bonded to me and Bugsy,  the Grey, has bonded to my husband.  And trust me - the Grey sure knows how to swear!!  Unfortunately I swear quite a bit and well, so does the Grey.   

Hitchcock attacks the dogs.  He has no fear whatsoever!  He has also attacked my husband.  In fact, he doesn't seem to like anyone but me.  I did a bad job of socializing him. 

Congrats Venturess!  Teachers just don't get the credit they deserve.  They are so taken for granted.  Good for you! 

 

I voted today and didnt get too confused by the ballot papers. many thanks rae for thinking up this board. so often posts are pessimistic and depressing albeit for very good reasons. it is so so hard for us to remain positive for any length of time when the 'simple' everyday tasks of life overwhelm us. one thing which never surprises me though is the sheer tenacity and determination which people have, the courage and the will to find answers and solutions. i like to think that it is the fact that deep down inside of ourselves we know that we are 'special' and have so much to contribute if understood and given the chance. sadly the world does not appreciate our often untapped potential yet.
but they will!
i am determined to bring us to 'their' attention with my autobiography which is my achievement. no more being ashamed and hiding in corners with our heads down.
since beginning ritalin a month ago i have written more than i have done in the last year and am ready to send samples of my trilogy off to be read in the near future.
my last book in the seiries is titled 'too lazy to live' - this was one of the last things my mother said to me before she died, she also called me a coward.
well mum - you should see me now!
we all have so much creativity, innovation, empathy, insight,[i could go on and on], lets keep focusing on our talents and remember that our 'difference' makes us special!
i have been let out of a prison of 49 years length and there is not way i am going back in.
do you think we could set up an innovations/creative page for people to contribute to? i know that there is just so much talent of all kinds amongst all of us.
keep the faith everyone - it is so good to read of all your achievemdnts in every aspect of your lives.
we are all precious!
jhaz

Um, can I try this?

This week I brought home some file folders from work. They were in the recycling. I have them already in my filing cabinet and half sorted. I'm going to do the rest when we pay the bills. My husband and I do that together on the computer so that we can both see what we have done with the money. Now I can open the drawer and actually find stuff!

 

pjcofer127
Senior Member



Joined: 25 February 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 253 Posted: 07 October 2004 at 9:33pm | IP Logged

Hi, I've gotten in touch with the administrator for this site,

Dear Jhaz,

I dont know how pjcofer found the Almighty Administrator, but PMing pj may get you in communication with the 'AA'

I think it is a great idea and have thought of it also.  Even Rayndrop (who is a young contributor occassionally here) has set up a forum for young children and teenagers called http://additup.proboards21.com/index.cgi and these kids have started a gallery.  My son is on this forum and is called lightningbolt.  He enjoys it all very much.  In the mean time have a look at my little boys art http://www.busywomen.com.au/lightening_bolt.htm

 

Rae7038269.2608796296

Hi everyone,

I haven't been around here much but that's cuz I've been pretty busy accomplishing a couple things! 

I'm taking a life drawing class at the local college.  This is something I have wanted to do for YEARS!  I'm having so much fun with this class!  After the first night, once I got over the fact that I was drawing someone who was nude, the class became really fun.  Now I look at the human form pretty much as nothing but a bunch of lines, curves and shadows. 

Also, I have started writing a childrens book.  Again, something I've wanted to do for years.  I created a character 5 years ago and quite a few people told me I should do something with him.  Well, I'm finally doing something with him!  I'm writing a poem about him and then I am going to illustrate each verse of the poem.

Oh, and I signed up for an artist workshop next weekend up in Michigan.  It's a 2 day workshop on the exact technique that I want to use to illustrate my book . . . watercolor with colored pencil and pen and ink.  I can't wait . . . 2 whole days of nothing but art . . . no cooking, no cleaning, no grocery shopping, no laundry . . . I can't wait!

Latina - I guess the reason why parrots pick up swearing so easily is because swear words are usually said with "gusto" and they love words like that!    Also, so far so good with the quicken.  I really don't have to do much.  Just download my transactions from the bank, run a reconciliation and you're done!  Of course, the hard part is getting around to downloading the transactions.  Let's just say I haven't been quite on top of that. 

Rain - congrats!  Just remember something I read about organizing paperwork . . . keep it as simple as possible so that you will use the system.  If you make it complicated you will not use it. 

Rae - good for you!  Our voting is next month.  I'll see if I have the same success as you. 

 

hello everyone!
is it just monday or is it me?
i'm sorry pjcofer127 but i don't understand why you got in touch with the administrator. have i doone something wrong?!
kimo you sound like a kindred spirit! i too have felt the urge to pick up my drawing pencils again even though i have no talent and only doodle i find it a great way to block out everything else.
i'm becomimg bogged down with paperwork now and having great organisational problems ie it comes out of the pprinter and resides on the floor, the desk, filing cabinet, table, long suffering cats etc. etc.
i,m telling myself that my reduced dosage of ritalin is making me less organised but the plain truth is - i just don't like doing it!!!! i feel a wobbly coming on----.
i think i'll go for a walk now and see if that clears my pathways and then i might think about hoovering 'cos i haven't touched it for 4 weeks now and it's beginning to show somewhat.
on the positive side i am responding to emails and i am taking good care of my diabetic cats who are a bit unstable at the moment.
tomorrow is another day, after all.
oh, i did bring in my neighbour's dustbin this morning - unfortunately it was before it had been emptied and he doesn't know yet!
take care,
jhaz
This morning, I applied for several job on line! I usually don't have the patience. What ever happend to the good "old fashion" one on one interviews? Applying on-line is so impersonal! I could have 3 heads for all they know!

Latina-

Good job on the applications.  Now you just need to kick my butt to do the same thing!!!  Let's see... This week I finished several projects that I started a million years ago.  It is so nice to actually have stuff "DONE"!  I usually don't finish my projects, just get them about 90% done.  SO....I have to go now to finish some more!!!

Laura

Aninalnutzo, consider yourself KICKED( I wish i could find a foot!) It took many a kick in the butt to make me perservere! Go for it!

Congrats on getting your projects done. They seen to have a way of piling up, don't they?

 

"...we all have so much creativity, innovation, empathy, insight,[i could go on and on], lets keep focusing on our talents and remember that our 'difference' makes us special! "
"...do you think we could set up an innovations/creative page for people to contribute to? i know that there is just so much talent of all kinds amongst all of us...." jhaz

Oh yes!!! That would be wonderful. I just got here, so I don't feel qualified to vote really, but it sounds like a great idea. Very helpful for focusing energy too. I hope it can be done. Rainraven

"...Oh, and I signed up for an artist workshop next weekend up in Michigan.  It's a 2 day workshop on the exact technique that I want to use to illustrate my book . . . watercolor with colored pencil and pen and ink.  I can't wait . . . 2 whole days of nothing but art . . . no cooking, no cleaning, no grocery shopping, no laundry . . . I can't wait!" Kimo

Oooo! Sounds loverly Kimo. Congratulations on your creative endeavors too. Rainraven

 

I think Rae meant to see about setting up an innovation/creativity page. That was a good suggestion.

Rainraven

thanks rainraven,
i'm very new to web sites [only since starting ritalin have i been able to navigate a bit] but i still get confused by the language eg what does lol mean?
my dyslexia is mainly visual spacial difficulties and processing problems ie i can be quite 'slow' on the uptake and this makes me feel quite stupid.
today is a bad day.
i think i am stupid. lazy and crazy!
but - i have set myself one task which is to try again with my synopsis and letter to agent which is all that is holding me up.
wish me luck!
jhaz