Edit: 3/15/19 I can’t believe how old and dated this post is! Still, you might find a useful tip or two. And the “My Chingo” has been replaced with a chat box where you can leave me a message. Bottom right of your screen.

I’ve just discovered a cool new toy for my website: it’s called My Chingo. You’ll find it on the right hand sidebar – look for the bright green box. What it does is allow you to leave me a 2 minute audio comment – voicemail, if you will – as an alternative to emailing me. (It also lets you add a short written comment.) All you need is a microphone on your computer. Give it a try!

I do have a love for gadgets. In fact, I’ve had to restrain myself from adding too many to this site. And it isn’t just cool stuff for my website that fascinates me, but anything that’s new and different and makes my life easier (or just adds a little fun). I’m not sure if this is an ADD thing; it could just be a Brenda thing.

One of my all-time favorite gadgets is my Palm Pilot. This particular gadget is one I recommend for anyone with Attention Deficit Disorder, but I think it’s especially useful for ADD moms, because in addition to keeping track of our own lives, we often have to keep track of everyone else’s.

A Palm Pilot is a PDA, or Personal Digital Assistant. It is basically a handheld computer (sometimes referred to as a Pocket PC). Palm Pilots operate on a Palm operating system; handheld PC’s use a Windows format. You can also get a PDA that uses the same system as a Mac. Other than the operating system, they all do basically the same things.

Let me tell you a little about how I use mine:

Last spring, my dad lost his eyesight unexpectedly. I am an only child, and my mom had passed away the previous summer, so it was up to me to handle everything. I had to deal with numerous doctors and tests, as well as my dad’s insurance and long-term disability. Eventually I had to coordinate the sale of the house and the car, as well as moving my dad out of state.

The paperwork generated by my dad’s experience filled a set of files 6″ thick. I needed hard copies on many of the papers, but I didn’t have to carry them around with me. I had all of the information I needed stored on my Palm Pilot. It’s compact, it reminds me when I need it to, and I always know where things are because I always put them in my Palm. (If it’s something I can’t put in it, like tickets, I make a note about where I put them, so I don’t forget.) No more 5 lb. planner to carry around, with bits of paper falling out left and right.

I hope you can see how this little gadget can help manage ADD and ADHD symptoms. There is so much more that a Palm is capable of, but as usual, I’ve written way too much. Maybe more another time. Do you use a PDA? If so, leave me a “Chingo”.

Tell me what you think!

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