Bad Hippie, No Patchouli!

Question: Should I be concerned that the vast majority of ADHD books stocked by my library are currently checked out and/or listed as lost?

Either the whole town has ADHD, or one ADHD individual keeps checking books out and misplacing them! Lord help the rest of us, who are just as likely to misplace the books once we order them from the inter-library loan program. At least now I have an excuse to explain away my chronic and running tab at the library. I mean, really now -- how hard is it to return a book on time? Pretty hard, I guess, if you're me!

Here's a gratuitous beauty shot of Stinky P. Boo, cat extraordinaire, to hopefully make this long-winded post a bit more appealing.

In other, not-joking-now-about-ADHD news, my doctor has added a stimulant to the mix. Zoloft wasn't cutting it for me...made me sleepy and almost comatose. Sure, it calmed me down, but anyone can be calm when they're ASLEEP! I'm now taking an Adderall-based stimulant, which I split in two and take twice a day to avoid crashes. Aside from the one funky day I spent getting used to it, I am amazed at how well it works. I'm awake! And focused. And not jittery. I guess I never realized that I couldn't sit still...I'm not exactly the type to bounce off the walls and run around distracting other people. But the wiggly legs, constant yawning, and propensity to talk were just ways to keep me up and stimulated while my brain was crashing. To just be able to sit still and focus on the task at hand (even if it is boring) is a true revelation. Not to mention my new-found ability to keep quiet. HWSRN particularly enjoys this new development.

It's incredible to have energy throughout the day. To wake up, do the stuff you have to do during the day, and still have the desire to go running or play soccer in the evening hours. Before, it was a battle of wills to get to activities after work -- i.e., me vs. my tired brain. Now, running after work is a joy. (It helps that I now have a running partner, too!) Soccer at 9 p.m.? No problem! Not that drugs have improved my game, but they certainly are allowing me to focus a bit more and not get distracted! But -- if you do know of a drug that improves foot skills, please let me know. I'll have the doc write a script, pronto! I'm also happy to report that the new drug regimen is helping curb my sugar cravings as well as the tendency to shove food into my mouth when I'm feeling stressed or sad -- or even bored. All together, a huge improvement!

Interestingly enough, however, the drugs aren't the only part of the equation. The doctor, while a fan of medicine, also is encouraging me to set three goals -- a personal one for myself, an "outside" goal, and a relationship goal. Once I name these goals, I should focus on them each day (through meditation, walking, praying -- whatever works for me) and then -- get this -- work on "growing my neurons out." Yeah. I'm not sure what that means, but I guess the ADHD can shut parts of your brain down and keep them from working to their full capacity. Your brain may have all the correct pieces and parts, but they aren't switched on. Growing the neurons out switches the non-functional parts back on and allows you to finally become a complete, fully-functioning individual.

Yeah. I alternate between trying to grow my neurons out and laughing at the concept. Do you think a t-shirt with a big brain plastered across the front and a bunch of little dangly neurons growing out would be a hit? Well -- I'd wear one, at any rate!

In other news, we've reached the end of the school year. The Beavis has survived his first year of high school with little to no problems, and has graduated to the rank of a sophomore. Next up -- his temps. Think of me on June 13, people. I'll be at the local BMV, signing away permission for my son to learn to drive. In my car. On a real road. With other real cars flying by. Please...send hair dye. I'm gonna need it to cover the gray.

While driver's ed is not a good way to grow your neurons out, gardening sure is. After reading way too many books on the subject, I'm taking my first stab at the home garden. The Beavis helped me build a couple of raised beds (I'm a bit scared of power tools) and we've planted lettuce, swiss chard, spinach, bush beans, carrots, onions, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and some basic kitchen herbs. I'm rather surprised and pleased to report that stuff is actually GROWING in my mess of a garden -- despite my best efforts to either over- or under-water it. See? I even have proof:

Strategic placement of the paving stones as garden pathway compliments of HWSRN. Mainly because I am a weak-ass girly-girl.And a harsh task master.

And here's a shot of the second bed:

Sadly, the heirloom tomatoes I grew so carefully from seedlings are looking a little bit peaked. I'm not sure if they're going to make it, but we've given them some fertilizer and will see what happens. Yes, I do have visions of eating a full salad from those tiny lettuce plants some day soon, and possibly putting away some beans for the winter. And perhaps making some spaghetti sauce for the cold months. A girl has to have dreams, you know. Even if they are a bit far-fetched.

The feline members of the Hippie Household aren't that concerned with the progress of the family garden. They'd rather hang out and enjoy the various sun spots we have scattered across the house:

Ziggy says: "I wonder if I should pounce on Stinky? Nah...I guess I'll just stay here in this sun spot and rest. I can bug her later."

Ruby, on the other hand, seems pretty focused on growing HER neurons out:

Ruby says: "Ommmmmm..."

Either that or she's focused on her next meal. Who really knows?