Can't Live Without Them
I love finding things that WORK and work well, so I decided to compile them in a page for you. If something works for you, too, let me know (you can comment at the bottom of the page). If you find a glitch, let me know, too, OK?
To capture my wild thoughts
Digital recorder
Olympus digital recorder 210S
Cheaper than its big brother Olympus and conserves battery power far better, this compact recorder costs about $50 at Staples.com (with free delivery if you have an account) AND has a USB plug built in -- just pull it apart (after you press the magic button) and plug it into your computer. Perfect for use with Dragon Naturally Speaking, voice recognition software.
DO NOT be seduced into buying a cheaper Olympus recorder...get the one that has the USB port that pulls apart. No cords to lose which is a lifesaver for ADDivas.
For my computer
(disclaimer: I am a Mac user so these tools aren't necessarily PC friendly)
Email chaos
Postbox
http://www.postbox-inc.com/
I just found Postbox, an application that is still in beta, but looks like a winner!
Mac Mail is still a little clunky and I had...28,000 unread emails in my inbox. Yep, that's right. (In all fairness, I download my five email accounts to four different computer so when I delete it on one computer it still lives on the others....mail sync anyone?)
Task management
Things
http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnifocus/
I spent years waiting for another competing program to catch up with my needs, but finally gave up and bought OmniFocus. It rocks my world. Based on the Getting Things Done philosophy, OmniFocus allows me to stay on top of projects, errands, etc. And of course there is an iPhone and iPad version. Bliss.
Organizing my life
Find One Find All
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Find One Find All
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The best invention I've EVER seen to keep track of keys, camera, cell phone. I have five or six of them (you need one for each device you want to find.
The trick is that if you can find ONE of the items with a FOFA (Find One Find All) then you can push the button on the one that is missing and it will beep.
Saves me SO much time ... often my keys are just hiding under a few papers, but finding them the old fashioned way would have taken AGES. This works so well it's scary. Sold in packs of two key chains ($25) or one flat for wallets, cell phone, purse $13) and worth twice the price!
Brother labeler
Costco, Staples, Office Depot, etc.
There is nothing, absolutely NOTHING that has helped me get and STAY organized like this labeler (bless you Erica the organizer for introducing me to it). Over the past five years, I have learned to label everything from file folders (obvious) to light switches (not to obvious) to my FOFA (see above).
The reason this is such a breakthrough for me is that 1) my handwriting sucks and even I can't read it; 2) labels allow my brain to NOT memorize trivia and let me read it instead; and 3) the labels are usually repositionable so I can move them when I need to fine tune my organization system.
People have told me that they just use pieces of masking tape and write on them but that doesn't work for me because of my handwriting, but also because my anal-perfectionist side wants uniformity in my labels. If they are different sizes and colors and ink is different, my ADD brain will get sidetracked trying to figure it out again. Then, what's the point?
A side note: the labeler itself isn't too expensive -- usually even a fabulous one that hooks to your computer is about $70 - $100 - often much less when at Costco or another discount store. BUT the labels are terribly expensive...like $20 a roll. So I order mine online from Costco where they are a mere $10 a roll -- four to a package. the T3 is the one I use most -- 1/2 inch. They also have wider and narrow but I've tried them and always go back to the standard 1/2 inch.
Household stuff
(I cannot believe I am posting about this, as much as I hate housework)
Get Serious
http://www.getseriousproducts.com/
Available online or from PetSmart stores
The best spot carpet cleaner in the universe (and with two dogs and several puppyhoods, I have tried them all). This kinda silly looking bottle (hot pink and lime green) has some super charged liquid inside. The process is different from the scrub and clean and scrub again I've done in the past.
First you squirt some Get Serious on the spot (after removing any, uh, solid material) in a zig-zap pattern - don't soak it or saturate the carpet. Then take a stiff brush - not a grill brush, but a kitchen brush like a vegetable cleaner or a brush you'd use to wash dishes). In a circular pattern, work the Get Serious into the carpet until it foams and bubbles. Keep doing it a little longer (should take less than a minute).
Then be ready to blot the spot with an old towel (several thicknesses, please, so it really sucks that stain out completely). I even put my weight on top of the folded towel to help things along. Leave the towel in place for at least half an hour. When you pick up the towel, the spot is gone!
If you have a really touch spot, you might need to repeat the process or Get Serious recommends heating the liquid for stubborns stains.
Warning: this stuff cleans so well, it might make the rest of your carpet look dirty! Be prepared to shampoo regularly (but you do that anyway, right???).
Highly Personal
Venus razor
Costco sells mega-quantity at great prices
Grocery store prices are lots higher, but still worth buying
Never EVER thought I would rave about a razor, of all things,but this one is the best thing since, well, safety razors. I bought mine from Costco when they were brand new and fell in love. Lightweight and contoured for my hand, the razor literally glides over my legs without a nick or cut! And wow, does it do a great job!
Best ADD-friendly feature: the razors come with a shower or rub hook that opens to store two additional refills! Wow..somebody was really thinking when they designed this. Whew!
The Venus comes in disposable versions too, but stick with the refills ...easier on the environment.
Coming soon ...
the BEST bluetooth headset for your cell phone
the BEST wireless headset to free you from your land line
the BEST summer sandals to support those aching arches
