ADHD

I hear a lot of people saying that ADHD is an invalid diagnosis, and that people just need a little more self discipline. So, since I have been diagnosed since my twenties, and don't take medication for it, I thought I would give people a small look into the afternoon of a person with this "imaginary" mental condition.

This morning, about 11AM, as I was pulling back my shower curtain rod, it broke. Now, for anyone else, I am sure this would be a situation easily handled, go to Target, buy a new one, put it up. Voila! Fixed. But for the ADHD impaired this turns into a big deal.

So, I had to go to Best Buy anyhow, which is why I was showering to begin with. There was a linen store next door to the other store, so it was killing two birds with the proverbial single stone. I obtained the shower curtain rod easily, without any extra items, a miraculous event for my walking into a Bed, Bath and Beyond, I assure you. I had high hopes for getting home, fixing it, and doing my Spanish homework.

I came home, and proceeded to put the shower curtain on to the new rod. Then, I noticed, the shower curtain was looking a bit dingy. So, I took out all the hooks, and picked up my bathroom rug to put into the washer with it. As I was fussing with the lace curtain, that hang over my shower curtain, I noted it was looking a bit dirty too. So, I took that down. Of course I had to remove the matching lace curtain over the window next, because if one was clean and the other was not, how would that look?

I then looked at the pile of clean towels and noticed the ones on the bottom looked a bit dusty as well, so, I got those out to wash too. I took the entire lot down to the washer, and was feeling good about this burst of motivation I had just experienced. I came back up, and went to use the now denuded of any fabric hanging bathroom, and noticed, since there was nothing hanging on the walls, the whole thing looked grungy.

So, I wiped up the floor first, I know, wrong order, but it was bothering me the most. Then I went to do a cursory shower clean up and found the toothbrush I use to scrub grout, and took to scrubbing the corners of the floor with it, because darned if those did not need some attention. Then I noticed the caulk between the shower wall and the linoleum was deteriorating, so I went to look for some caulk and a caulk gun which I know I have somewhere, but could not find it. While I was looking for the caulk I decided to sort my mail, and pitch the junk mail. All the while worrying to the point where my stomach was upset, that the water would find it's way through and seep into the floorboards immediately. Back I came upstairs, sans caulk.

So, as I opened the cupboard in the bathroom to obtain a cleaning supply, I noticed that the cupboard was messy, and had to straighten that up, and throw things I was not using away. Mind you, I had not yet cleaned the sink or toilet, and we were well over an hour into the project. Finally, I managed to clean the porcelain things, and finish the cleaning. This was 2 hours now.

So, I put the newly cleansed shower curtain back, on the new rod, after messing around with the little hooks endlessly, to make sure they were all fastened properly. By this time, the lace curtains were done drying, towels were still damp, so I put the nice and clean curtains back up, and then noticed a gigantic cobweb, so, off I went to find the duster, which was of course, not where it was supposed to be, and a hunt for that ensued. Of course, as I was carrying the duster, I had to stop at every speck of dust on the wall, and tiny cobweb on the way to and from the spot where it was supposed to be. Hour three was well underway.

I went down to get the clean towels from the dryer, and started to make Emmy's school lunch, then realized I promised to let her help me, so I did actually make it upstairs, the towels got folded, and placed neatly on the back of the toilet. As I looked around, I realized I desparately need to paint my bathroom, since when we did it the first time, we ordered semi gloss enamel, and the can said it was semi gloss enamel, but the paint is a bit dull, and does not clean easily.

I realized at this point, I had not fixed dinner, so off I ran to do that. After coming back upstairs, I made a list on my palm pilot of all the things I need to do to the house, caulking, painting, etc.

All today, I was supposed to be doing homework. it's almost 9, and I am only half done. I did manage to finish part of it, and the results of the break I took to reward myself, you see here.

People wonder why it is hard for me to clean house, I know why. I cannot stay on one task at a time. It becomes an endless progression of things I notice while I am doing something else, which I stop doing, to do the new thing. I have gone like this all day, and never finished one thing that I began. At the end of the day, I have 40 half done tasks, and I then begin to berate myself for my lack of being able to follow through on any one thing.

Now, this is a trip through my afternoon. I did leave some things out and sadly, while this seems rambling and odd, I actually did more than this.

You tell me, is this a normal brain? Is this how normal people do things? I somehow doubt it, because they finish their projects.

When I worked in an office, the ability to juggle multiple tasks was valued. They did find the 20 sticky notes on my computer monitor, reminding me to finish the projects I began, rather curious, but it worked for me. Perhaps I need to institute the sticky note system at home.

My first week and a half back in school

Well, after much trepidation, it has begun. I feel very pressured to do well, because now my kids are watching me, and I am simply not used to to the workload and the amount of forced reading. I usually read for my own pleasure, and not textbooks. I am just not used to this much directed thinking after lo, these many years.

I have discovered some interesting things about myself since beginning school this term.

I will do anything to avoid my algebra homework. Now mind you, I have to pass this class, but it gives me a headache. It is not even that hard... I just can't bear to look at it. All those little numbers and letters. I like math I can use, and the algebra only remotely qualifies.

Spanish is problematic. You just don't retain as much information as when you were young. Don't get me wrong, I love the class. I adore the teacher. Honestly, he is the cutest little thing I have ever seen, and he has a wonderful sense of humor. I just can't remember the verb conjugation and word order. I admit this now, my mother was right in high school. I should have taken this class. The French and German have been totally useless. Now that she is dead, I feel safe in saying this.

Developmental Psych, is going to be a walk in the park. The teacher is witty and makes the material interesting.

My son's girlfriend, brought us a kitten. She had come close to running it over in her car and stopped and fished it out from underneath the car. We already have custody of her other cat, Onyx. I do so love kitties, and doggies, but so far no dog. I won't let the kids have a dog, because they will not clean up the doggie bombs in the yard. Like Onyx, this cat will eat anything, and climb up on anything to eat it, but instead of being attracted to a kindred spirit, Onyx despises him with the red hot fire of a thousand sons. Our other kitty Domino, could not possibly care less. Sundae, our guinea pig, ate his little wicker house. Ben and Mal bought him a plastic house, and he is already chewing on that. I suspect it is time for a chew toy or two. Maybe I need a chew toy as well.

New Orleans... Welcome to the Muddy Gras!

Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulez!

Are you telling me that The Great Hurricane of 1780, The Galveston Hurricane of 1900, Hurricane Camille, and Hurricane Andrew are not Bush’s fault? No way! I cannot believe this! I am sure somehow, someway, he caused it with his oil friendly policies.

Watching the White House press conference today, I was appalled. Reporters, nitpicking, relating the war effort to the lack of response for flood victims. It is unheard of, in this country to mount a rescue for 100,000 people, it is going to take a few days. In a matter of moments, half of a state, has turned into a third world country. This is going to take a while...

I am not sure exactly how the hurricane coverage has morphed into what Bush is somehow perceived as having done or not done and away from the monsters, who are looting, shooting at rescuers, raping, and pillaging. People are complaining about the dead bodies laying around, I say hey, it's triage. Get the living out of there, then deal with the dead.

Some Federal Emergency Management rescue operations were suspended in areas where gunfire has broken out, Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said in Washington. “In areas where our employees have been determined to potentially be in danger, we have pulled back,” he said.

“This is a national disgrace,” said Terry Ebbert, head of New Orleans’ emergency operations. “FEMA has been here three days, yet there is no command and control,” Ebbert said. Hey, isn't that supposed to be his job?

Federal Emergency MANAGEMENT Agency - Their own website stresses that they work with city, state and Federal agencies to help in disaster preparedness planning and training. They coordinate the efforts. They do not maintain huge fleets of vehicles, helicopters and people ready on a moment's notice to drop from the sky and instantly make everything right again. Your city and state and folks like the Red Cross are supposed to do brunt of the work. The governor can ask to have the National Guard called. In fact, it is up to the local government to request help, for the feds to jump in uninvited is not their mandate.

I look at this disaster and I compare the behaviour of the thugs in New Orleans, to the heroic and quiet dignity of New Yorkers after 9-11. Amazing. Nagin is no Giuliani.


Kudos to the citizens of Houston, they have stepped up to the plate, volunteers cooking and serving 5,000 people, 3 meals a day. The state of Texas, has agreed to take in 73,000 refugees. You go Governor Perry! Oh wait, isn't that the evil, heartless state?

Oh, and speaking of looting... click here and read this.