Before I dash off...

Hi. I'm so ready to be able to sit down and tell you all that's been going on. The drama, the angst, the grace, the bullsh*t....You know, life. But, alas, I'm on my way out the door after a 13-hour day. I'm not sure when we're gonna have the luxury of the internet back at the homestead. I'll try to sneak out to the library tomorrow so I can fill you in a bit.
1. Still employed. Learning a LOT about "Lateral Hostility". Wow. and from a "Christian".
2. The boy's "dad" is recovering (still) from his liver transplant. So far, so good.
3. Thanks to the recent decision to give the child medication for the AHDH, he's doing GREAT at school. I'm very proud.

Gotta run. Love and hugs~
Abs

Taking a moment to say thanks...

It occurred to me, that I've not gotten much interaction from my "followers", and I know that if I want to see something happen, oftentimes *I* need to step up. 
So, I appreciate you!! I know that many of you have similar struggles to mine, and others have loved ones who have been or are in my shoes. I just hope that you get some useful info or encouragement from this blog. 
I've been slacking in posting personal stuff lately, b/c I'm running on about half of my usual meds, and it makes for an emotional situation... My Sweety says I'm quicker to point out the negative in any given circumstance, which I equate with sounding more like my Mom...(ugh) and that's something I DO NOT want to do.
I'd imagine that the majority of people in my position have played the "I don't really need to be taking X, Y or Z! I can handle this" game, and stopped taking the medications prescribed to them. I personally have done that several times over the years, and although it's not always been purposely (Insurance & pharmacology being what it is), it has always ended with me seeing the difference in how my kids respond to me, and realizing that I can do better for them. This last time I was med-free, I told the Big Guy that if it were just ME, I might just go w/o them, to see what happened. However, it's NOT just me, so part of my caring for my family entails finding the humility to follow directions, even MORE. 
As we are still on the edge of the insurance abyss (Do we have it? Do we not?), I'm feeling my way w/o what the Dr.s say is necessary for my peak performance. I guess I'm willing to do what they say, when I can, For the simple fact that I know it makes life easier for my kids and my sweetheart. 
Someday, who knows?
Anyway, I am so very grateful for you coming over and doing life with me. Please leave a comment so I know who you are. :)  

Stigma of Being Branded Bad Parents - HealthyPlace

Wonder if this is what Little Bit's teachers will be talking about now, since our meeting last week.

Stigma of Being Branded Bad Parents - HealthyPlace

Mental Illness: Do Not Diagnose Yourself (pt.1)

Greetings and salutations! I've been reluctant to do any writing this past couple of weeks, primarily because I've been transitioning, and I'm not sure how lucid my thoughts are coming. Today the packet came in the mail saying that we are once again insured, and so I'm very hopeful that chemical balances will become more balanced soon.  (LOL Did you see how I did that? Totally caught it after I'd written it all. SO WITTY when somewhat....whacked.) And this morning I woke up with the eye infection trying to come back & hacking up great stuff. So, yeah, it's getting pretty REAL up in here. This too Shall Pass. Here's some good info for us to keep in mind as we go out there, today.

Mental Illness: Do Not Diagnose Yourself (pt.1)

A Top Ten List : )

Hello, all! I was running through my email in order to get to actually WRITE something here, and I came across this list on one of my favorite sites (http://www.momswithadd.com/), and thought I'd share it with you.
Depressing? Maybe a bit. Encouraging to know you're not the only one? Yes, I think so.

Top Ten New Year's ADD Resolutions

1. I will check the pantry before buying a 10th bottle of Ketchup.
2. I will check my shopping list before heading to the mall so I don't buy my husband slippers, gloves and scarf instead of the wallet he asked for (this really happened- talk about holiday distractions!).
3. Next time I lose my keys, I'll first look in the freezer before calling a family Code Blue.
4. I will make an appointment with my hairdresser before my roots reach my shoulder.
5. I will remember to get my kids' ADD meds refilled before their Finals, band concerts and grandparents' visit.
6. I will write down where I park next time I shop at the mall.
7. I will remember where I wrote down where I parked (mental note: ink on skin works well for this)
8. I will smile when I get an invitation in the mail for a wedding, dinner party, shower, etc. instead of immediately freaking out that I have nothing to wear.
9. I will cook at least one meal per month without completely destroying the kitchen.
10. I will look at my mail before throwing it into the garbage so I won't have to embarrass myself for the no-shows at doctor appointments, school events and important meetings.

P.S. I didn't yet acquire the Netbook I was hoping for, for Christmas, so I'm still unable to r-e-l-a-x and write my thoughts much. It will happen, but just not now.
Love and hugs~
Abbie
p.s.s.
Per #7: DON'T you judge me for using my PALM (get it? Palm?!) Pilot!
 Hee hee I crack myself up. But yes I usually have something important written on me.

Are Psychiatrists Inventing Mental Illnesses to Feed Americans More Pills? | | AlterNet

Are Psychiatrists Inventing Mental Illnesses to Feed Americans More Pills? AlterNet

Now THAT's something to think about. What do you think?

ADHD & Creativity

Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) could be more creative than other people.     Holly A. White from the University of Memphis and Priti Shah from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor studied 60 people, 30 of whom had ADHD. They found that the adults with ADHD had higher levels of real-world creative achievement and displayed higher levels of creative thinking on a test of creativity. People with ADHD showed an inclination towards idea generation while those without ADHD were stronger at problem clarification and developing ideas.