Showing posts with label Fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fun. Show all posts

Friday, March 13, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME- 32 Things plus an inside joke!!!

Well I am turning 32 on the 14th !!! I thought I would write this list type of thing which includes facts from the past/present, goals, and even buckets list. There is also an inside joke about me and if if you read through it you will discover what I did ....and what I will likely do again once again.

So hopefully this will be on the funny side.... however, my humor is often a hit or miss an leaning towards the miss side.... yep kind of an odd sense of humor here....

Image found on Google Free Images


Happy Birthday To Me

1. My Mom said they were actually prepping her for a c-section because I was not progressing after her water broke. Then she said had an urge to poop...my dad running to get a nurse and I was born. I always told her "Nice Mom!".  The funny part is it was not until I had Caydance did I not relate to having the poop feeling and having a kid. Caleb was born via c-section.

2. I looked like nothing like my mother skin tone wise. I was very dark toned so if my Daddy was not around (He was in the Army) they actually thought I was mixed baby and my Mom and their friends/neighbors who were African American in Germany the husband was my Dad. They actually had a baby around the same time I was born. I have seen the pictures.

3. I am very paranoid of people in full costumes. Like Mickey Mouse, Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and clowns.... I need to see their faces.  I always feel like they are up to no good if I cannot see their faces. 

4. I was a very girly girl when I was little! I use to dress up before I went to bed. I am talking the full effect. I put a belt around my night gown, put on my jellies, and rocked the look. I was such a product of the 80's. I did out grow the stage though.

5. I played softball for many years. One day I forgot to wear my sliding shorts and it was the day I slid into third (which was the position I played) and I had biggest strawberry on my butt/upper thigh. If you have seen league of their own that is what it basically look like. It stung very bad when I got in the shower. Lets say I never forgot my sliding shorts again. 

6. I once got my pants stuck on a fence and was just hanging there while  my brother just laughed at me. I had the ultimate wedgie.... I was probably there a good 5 minutes until my brother picked himself off the ground from laughing to help me. 

7. I truly hate peas! They are little balls of green nasty. I force myself to eat the nasty little boogers so my kids will. 

8. My mom use to hate to take me to the produce section because I use to make boob references with fruits. I am about 32 and I still do it! 

9. I have an addiction to school supplies...  I mean seriously it is not healthy 

10. I steal my kids juice boxes when they are not looking. It is the perfect amount to swallow my pills...LOL

11. To just recently I had no clue how baby chickens were made...yes I know they come from eggs... but I am talking about the mating process. I was even a bio major in college,,,is that not sad? I seriously thought it was like how fished spawned...pretty sad.... 

12.  I will tell you straight out if I liked something you made food wise and if I don't like it I won't eat  it. I will however, try anything at least once because you never until you try it. So I actually like a lot of stuff... my main things that I have yet to find a yes to our cream based soups.

13. I tend to over analyze children shows. I do not do it out loud but in my head.... 

14. I love all my fur babies past, preset, and future but by far my one of my favorite was my pet rat named Stinky I rescued him. I was not sure how old he was when I got him but I had him all through middle and high school. I cannot wait to get another pet rat or two. 

15. I am the queen of unfinished projects! I am still working on a crocheted blanket for my husband that started back in 2004. In my defense he should have not wanted that thing a size of a king bed!!!

16.  I love to spoil people and theme out like it is cool...or not cool... I have no idea what is cool anymore.

17. I love Halloween and when I was younger I always wanted to be a punk rocker. Once again a product of 80's but when I look back at it... I am not sure I really knew what a punk rocker really was until I was way older. However, my parents dressed me up as one.

18. I liked vampires before they were cool and before they ever sparkled! 

19. I was such a book worm, nerd, geek, and so on by the time I was in middle school and high school my parents never asked me if I had homework. I just did it... and only came to them if I needed help which was usually math. I also enjoyed school readings and did my homework on Friday.

20. I actually failed the 11th grade with straight A's and one F! I was horrible in Algebra and no matter how much I tried and my parents helped (not the teacher-she was horrible) I could not get it. I earned that F!!!! However, since math was a required class it was an automatic fail. So I had to go summer school to go the 12th grade. The F cost me graduating with honors but I did letter in academics..... so I think it is still a win in my books!!!

21. One of greatest friends in my lives is a guy! No he is not my husband or gay... I met him in the 9th grade and still friends to this day. He is actually the only friend I still talk to from high school. He actually bit me in the 9th grade claiming he was a vampire. I should have slapped him... however, out families get a long great. You would think my hubby and him actually were the friends first but it is the opposite. He was also a bridesman in my wedding. He also has an amazing wife!!!! 

22. I love to nap.... napping is one of my favorite things to do. So if my kids are napping so am I ;)

23. I hate talking on the phone. I am guilty of screening phone calls. I much rather text.... sorry

24. I do laundry like I am still using a laundry mat.... so basically when I have no panties left or when hubby runs of out undies I will do laundry. However, that means we do not wear the same thing over and over again.

25. I am addicted to shoes but because I am so tall I end up wearing a lot of flats. My brother use to hate me wearing heals because it would make taller then him. He is barely an inch taller than me. I am 5'10 /11 depending on the doctor...and if I wore heals I was a giant.... does not matter with hubby because he is taller than me.

26. I am clumsy and test gravity all the time.

27. When I was 27 I actually thought I was 28....no joke! Most women like to think of themselves as younger. I made myself an entire year older. It was my Mom to correct me and I even argued with her!

28. I actually turned 28!

28. I will actually probably think I am a year older at some point again in my life.... lets just hope this when I am older and truly cannot remember and just not a brain fart.

29. I am pretty sure I am raising a mini version of myself and Christopher with our two kids. 

30. I am in love with a couple of celebrities! Morgan Freeman- That mans voice !!!!  Alan Alda- Do I need to say more? Angie Harmon- she is my female crush 

31. I may be an introvert but for some reason I am not afraid to dance in public.

32. I am turning 32 on the 14th the day of Pi but the ultimate day of Pi.... 3.14.15 9:26:53 the day to be irrational... got to love it!!! 

Friday, February 27, 2015

Snow Day- 2015

Well the weather has been saying it and there was tons of false alarms but this Bipolar Mom and her little ones got her snow day! As soon as Caleb woke up and realized something was different outside he was ready to go outside and explore the white coated world!

Winter Wonderland 2015: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So I got their clothes and got them ready for an adventure outside... As I was getting them ready I had a flash back to when I was a little girl getting ready to go outside and play in Alaska and how long it took with all the layers and putting them on properly.

We got outside and away they went. I think Caydance really liked how the snow sounded under her feet while Caleb was determined to remove the snow off the car. I could not get them to try the snow which is shocking because my billy goat of daughter always has something in her mouth that she not suppose to have....I mean seriously!

There was running, playing, and slipping....

Caydance exploring the ground:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caleb Jumping:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Cleaning Snow off The Car:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life



Snow Day:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life


The hardest part of the day was getting them inside... if they would have it they would have played all day until their fingers, toes, and nose would have fallen off.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Three Point One Four Creations: Geekish Love!


Do you ever come across a page, store, blog, and so on that you just love? I have a few pages, stores, and blogs that I love to follow but then among those few pages, blogs,  and stores that I really love!!! One of these pages/stores that I have fallen in love with is Three Point One Four Creations.

Property of Three Point Four Creations Permission  To Use On For Bipolar Mom and Her Daily 

Three Point One Four Creations is a craft business that is a unique among most other craft businesses. They are not bow makers (which are cute), not crocheters (which are awesome), and not jewelry makers (which are are amazing).Three Point One Four Creations  specializes is geekish crafts. What are geekish crafts?

Well let me start with this if you or know someone who is into gaming, nostalgia, secretly or not so secretly a brony, go larping on the weekends, or just love characters such as Wolverine, Mario, Trunks, My Little Pony, Princess Peach, and so on this place is for you. They specialize in creating geek and nerdy love into a new an amazing form of art!


Property of Three Point Four Creations Permission  To Use On For Bipolar Mom and Her Daily 

I love how they describe themselves as Geekish Mister and Misses who create wooden dolls and perler bead creations based of Geeky Fandom. I love all of their work but I must admit I drool over their perler bead creations! Does anyone remember perler beads? I remember messing with them a long time ago making hearts in elementary school. However, what these two can do with perler beads goes beyond child's play and lets your inner geek shine through!!! I am constantly on their page snooping to see what they have created next.

First I want you to meet you the owners of Three Point One Four Creations!!! These are the two masterminds behinds these amazing creations.


Property of Three Point Four Creations Permission  To Use On For Bipolar Mom and Her Daily

These two artistes surprised me with my own perler creation!!! So for a thank you I am writing this sort of review of my creation. At no point did Three Point One Four Creations ever ask for a review in my gift so this more of a huge shout out to a page I really like!!!

I would like you to meet my perler creation.... RAINBOW DASH!!! I am at least 10% cooler for now having my own perler creation from Three Point One Four Creations!! I have her on my bookshelf where my other prize items go besides my sweet love of books.

Meet my perler creation Rainbow Dash hanging out on Bookshelf! Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

However, I could just not just show you my sweet Rainbow Dash so they gave me permission to show a couple of their amazing pieces! So it was hard for me to choose but I picked a few of their perler and wood doll creations!!!! These pictures are the property of Three Point One Four Creations and I have prior permission to use them in this blog post.

So here are some examples of their amazing work!!!!


Property of Three Point Four Creations Permission  To Use On For Bipolar Mom and Her Daily


Property of Three Point Four Creations Permission  To Use On For Bipolar Mom and Her Daily



Property of Three Point Four Creations Permission  To Use On For Bipolar Mom and Her Daily


Property of Three Point Four Creations Permission  To Use On For Bipolar Mom and Her Daily

If you want to show them some Geekish love or just want to check them out you can find them on a couple of places!!! Get in contact with them they are up for a challenge and are always expanding!!! 

How to contact Mister and Mistress of Geekish style crafts!

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ThreePointOneFourCreations

ETSY: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThreePointOneFourCre

TWITTER: @314Creations 

INSTAGRAM: @three_point_one_four_creations

EMAIL: ThreePointOneFourCreations@gmail.com 




Wednesday, January 7, 2015

A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life! : Christmas Eve Box

A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life! : Christmas Eve Box: I know this is late but I still wanted to share this Christmas Eve Tradition! I have seen this idea floating now for several years now on ...

Christmas Eve Box

I know this is late but I still wanted to share this Christmas Eve Tradition!

I have seen this idea floating now for several years now on Facebook, Pinterest, and other social media websites....the Christmas Eve Box. When I saw this box a couple years ago this is something I knew I wanted to do with my children. This is the first year though I have actually put Christmas Eve Box Tradition into action because I wanted to wait until my children were old enough to enjoy the box and hopefully have some understanding of what this tradition is and will be about.

You can go Pinterest and I am sure other social media websites and Google terms like Christmas Eve Box you will find tons of ideas an how you would like to do you to do your Christmas Eve Box. There are tons of ideas out there but I thought I would show how we did our this past Christmas!!!

My husband and I wrapped up a huge box with some Christmas Wrapping Paper. Than we decided on the items for the box.

~Items is the Vaughn Christmas Eve Box~

The first ever Vaughn Christmas Eve Box! : Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 
* New PJ's for the family 
* A couple of movies (Christmas themed one and the new Ninja Turtle Movie)
* Game
* Coloring Books
* The Books "Night Before Christmas" and "Christmas Story" 
* Hot Chocolate 
* Slippers for the kids
* Reindeer Food (See a special Thank You a little later to a wonderful shop owner) 
* Cups for the kids 

About 3pm we presented the Christmas Eve Box to the kids! To see their eyes and reactions to the box was surely entertaining and heartwarming enough! With Caleb's saying "wow" and "what's that?" to Caydance climbing in the box!

Caleb and Caydance- The Best Picture I got: Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life
So we had them change into their pjs, played games,ate junk food, watched movies, and read stories! I have no idea why these pictures kept coming out like this!!! However-here are my little ones in their new Christmas Jammies!


Caleb: Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caydance: Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

One of the special moments of the night though is when we went to place the reindeer food! Now before I continue I must send out a wonderful and huge thank you to the lady who sent this wonderful gift to my children! The owner of The Sweet Season  sent my children this amazing reindeer food and it just added such a special touch to their night! They make wonderful handmade goodies so I really encourage you to check out her shop and check out her amazing and drool worthy items. I have been trying to find a way to thank her and wanted to share this with her! I know I do not have a lot of followers or readers but if you check out The Sweet Season  I promise you will not be sorry!  I put their contact information down at the bottom of this post!

Reindeer Food- Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Reindeer Food: Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So to round out the evening we put on our coats even though it was raining and sprinkled the reindeer food so Santa surely would find the house!

Caleb messing with the lights: Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life
Caleb getting the food from his Daddy and Caydance missing a slipper! Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

This will be a tradition that will be going strong in our household! I am sure we will adapt and make changes as our children grow and get older. I however, know I will be loving this for years to come!!!

The Sweet Season Contact Information
Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/thesweetseason
Email: thesweatseason02@gmail.com

The Sweet Season - Gourmet Hand-Wrapped & Dipped Chocolate Covered Cherries are the specialty of the house. Other items include specialty breads, cakes & trifles. No designer cakes here...just made from scratch goodies like grandma used to make!



Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Caleb is Turning 3: Part Two -Family Birthday Party Justice League of Vaughn

Caleb's birthday falls just a few short days of Christmas so I am sure it will make celebrating it very interesting as he gets older but that will be for another time and place. We were originally going to celebrate Caleb's third birthday at my parents so he could run wild with his cousins playing super hero games. However, Christopher was being transferred back to his old unit so his leave and everything that we had planned was thrown up in the air (it is the Military not much we can do) . So we decided to celebrate here throwing a small family super hero party here.

So a couple of days before the 21st we picked a day to celebrate little mans birthday. This day included playing in the park, silly string, balloons, a special cupcake, presents, and make your own pizza!

 I stand by the fact that you do not need spend hundreds of dollars to have a great party! Money does not make the memories.

The day started at the park! Where Caleb and Caydance could start their super hero training. We ended up going to a park that had a little climbing wall where Caleb could practice his Spiderman training. There was also swings where little man tried his hardest to learn to pump his legs like his Daddy, sand to play in, a purple dinosaur ride, and slides to shoot down.

Caleb climbing the wall at the local park: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

The purple dino: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

Caydance trying her hands at the wall:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 


After the park we went home but instead of going inside we took the little ones to the back yard for a silly string fight. I was telling Christopher when I first purchased the silly string this was a waster of money but in reality it was the best $8 spent on junk we ever spent. Caleb and Caydance giggling and laughing as they sprayed each other with color string! Mommy and Daddy laughing just as hard getting the string out of each other hair. So Spiderman training I believe was a huge success.

Silly String:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 
Mommy teaching Caleb how to use the silly string:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

Caydance being covered in the silly string:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

Caleb and Daddy playing with the silly string:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

When we came from the silly string fight. We had had a snacks which included green hulk juice (Green Hawaiian Punch). After snacks were done we decided to turn Caleb into the Hulk! The previous night I blew up twenty balloons and grabbed one of Christopher's work shirt. So Caleb put on his Daddy's shirt and then stuff balloons in the shirt until the Hulk appeared. It made us laugh so much and of course what Caleb did Caydance wanted to do as well so we turned her into the She Hulk (which I guess is a real thing).

After turning the kids into the Hulk we decided little man could open his gifts! As you could imagine paper was flying as he unwrapped his new treasures! So the next hour was mainly opening his new treasures and figuring out what they did and how to operate all the super heroes! I swear toys these days are getting more complicated but to see Caleb having a blast with his new additions. With the new toys and the previous excitement! Caleb's side kick Caydance was ready for her power down nap so we put her down for a nap so Caleb could play with his toys undisturbed without extra hands that we would have to share with that instant.

The Caleb Hulk:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

The Caydance She Hulk:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

So instead of going out to eat and trying to wrangle to kids in a restaurant even a kid friendly/themed place we decided to make our own pizzas! One of Caleb's favorite things to do is help me in the kitchen and making your own pizza was the perfect opportunity for my super hero to help me in the kitchen! I am just upset that there were no pictures taken of this. We topped his dinner off with an ice cream cake and his special Spiderman cupcake! Which I think Caydance may have liked more than Caleb because she basically look like she ate a smurf!

Even his bath time consisted of party fun! We made them shaving cream DIY Bath paints! Where they painted the bath tub in multiple colors! Here is the link to my previous blog post on how to make your own DIY Bath paints... do not worry they will not stain your tub and your kids will love them! DIY: Bath Paints!

The last event of evening was to catch the bad guy! So we took two rolls of crepe paper and trying to wrap Daddy aka the bad guy up! Caleb also though thought he wanted to be the bad guy as well!

Capturing the bad guy:  Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life 

So all in all I have to say even though it was just the JUSTICE LEAGUE VAUGHN it was a great 3rd birthday for Caleb!

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Thanksgiving Was Wonderful and Beyond Blessed


Image Found on Google Free Images
This family went from planning nothing special to make last minute plans and drove to my parents to celebrate Thanksgiving. I am always thankful for the holidays and family but this by far has been one of the best Thanksgivings in a long time. A lot of times the holidays can be so stressful and overwhelming and for this Bipolar Mom it can become stressful very fast. My Mom and I decided that a low key no fuss Thanksgiving. No turkey, no holiday trimmings, no obligated holiday traditions..we just let Thanksgiving take us to a new place of blessings.

My Nephews Turkey He Made At School :Property Of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

My husband and I loaded up our little family the day before Thanksgiving and headed out towards my parents. This was probably the most stressful part of the trip but it was to be expected on the busiest day travel. Well at least that is what the statistics says. It took us twice as long to get where we are going but we arrived safely to our destination which is always huge blessing when everyone is trying to get to their destination as fast as they can.

Traditional Holiday Travel ;) I hope everyone got there safely:Property Of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life
We got settled in the guest bedroom and snuggled in for the night. It is always comforting to know that we can call this place home when we our always on the move as a military family. My kids were up and early playing with the Grandparents and I woke up to the smell of fresh homemade cinnamon rolls. Is that not one of best smells to wake up too? I am sure I truly woke up with traditional my mother let me sleep in hair! As we sat around the table just chit chatting there was no final prep of the turkey and setting in the deep hours of cooking but rather.... my mom telling my daddy make sure the steak count is right, JT decided on a pork chop, and of course Shelly's chicken breast. You heard me right the Franklin house hold decided instead of turkey or ham we would once again go nontraditional (last year we did traditional German meal) and do steaks on the grill! YUMMY!!!! So the next thing was waiting for my brother to arrive later on in the day.

Image found on Google Free Images 
When my brother arrived with his brood the house was filled with Grandsons and Caydance running back and forth. There was small talk, big talk, in depth talk, silly talk, sports talk, and so on.. in this household you never know what you are going to get when it comes to conversation. Dinner was easy to put together and we taught Shelly (my brother's wife) how to make pull-a-parts (sorry not sharing the yummy drool worthy recipe). We gathered around the table, said grace, and shared what we are all thankful for. I always say something serious and not so serious because I think it is to be thankful about the little things as well and in this case Caydance finally letting me putting her hair up!

Image found on Google Free Image

After dinner is always a joint clean up with my brother making an excuse to leave for about ten minutes to go do something and of course Mom says nothing ever changes and I am like he plans this! My mother, Shelly, and I did something that we thought we would never do in a million years well two things actually. The first thing that we are always against is going anywhere or shopping on Thursdays and promote being with friends and family. However, after weighing are options for this certain reason we decided to play our odds and head to the Radio Shack to see if we could purchase a laptop for my sister-in-law. My sister-in-law has been out of work but hitting the ground hard looking for a job. She finally landed an amazing opportunity but was in desperate need of a new laptop to help wit on call jobs instead of borrowing her boss's computer all the time. So we bundled up and I was stretching outside my truck making typical Black Friday jokes but when we arrived at Radio Shack there was no one there. I guess they were all at Target, Walmart, and other big places that choose to open up on Thursdays. When we entered there was older couple in there warning us not to go to Target we simply smiled and said we had no intention of going there or any other big store and this was a rare exception. Well come to find out this Radio Shack did not sell laptops... I am not sure why but the gladly looked it up for us and found then nearest one and called to hold it for us. So as people were probably pushing, shoving, and possibly getting a black eye we drove to an equally quite Radio Shack this one across Walmart. You just do not find wonderful customer service at all like that!!! At this Radio Shack they had the Christmas music blasting and my favorite silliest Christmas song came on..."I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" so I busted out in a dance and singing lyrics and of course my mother just shakes her soon-to-be 32-year-old daughter is doing this in the middle of Radio Shack, This might explain why she surprised me with a pretty cool of purple headphones from Radio Shack as well ;) . She bought a couple of more little things from Radio Shack and headed back home and joked about we have no idea what people are complaining about this Black Friday shopping it was super easy. We however counted are blessing in this rare exception of going out on Thursday! The rest of the night was filled of a couple of board games and the kids watch the first Christmas shows of the season. We also talked about shopping on Black Friday and going to Lights at the Zoo.

So before I continue I would like to thank the Staff at these two Radio Shacks that had to work on Thursday night. Your Customer Service was beyond amazing!!!

Radio Shack- http://www.radioshack.com/

Columbia-Garners Ferry (Near Target)
6070 Garners Ferry Rd
#F
Columbia, SC 29209

and

Columbia-Forest Drive (Near Walmart)
5496 Forest Drive Unit G
Columbia, SC 29206

The next day Shelly, my mother,  little Caydance, and I prepped for the first time in a long time to go Black Friday shopping. Okay not really we got up like 9 and left the house at 10 there was no rush, no hurry, and no need to get item. We were so blessed for the rare exception of that previous evening. I guess you still have to call it Black Friday shopping because it took place on Black Friday. On the shopping list were winter jackets, clothes, and shoes for the little ones. This is probably the first year that probably everyone in the Franklin (maiden name) clan that everyone was in need of something vs any want. My kids were in desperate need of clothes even little Caydance. I also asked if Mom and Dad would help out with the winter jackets this year. My Mom and Dad love to help out with sport fees, school supplies, fundraisers, and so on just besides spoiling their Grandbabies. Well because I live a little bit aways and my kids are not in school yet or a lot of activities I often forget to ask or they come up blank in areas on the needs. So it is often help fill the gas tank and groceries when they are here which I am so grateful for!! So we headed to Burlington Coat Factory to check out the coats. I do not have one of these stores close to me and it is a store my Mom forgets about. The first stop was the little girl coats and come to find out my daughter loves to try on and model coats well up to third one. We settled on one that she can grow into so we should hopefully get a couple of years out of it unless she has a massive growth spurt and with kids you never know. Mom found this little purse for her carry like the big girls and you would thought she was carrying gold and because of this little purse I have found her trying to steal my car keys. When we were also there we found Shelly a couple of business suits, Caleb his jacket, my brother a jacket, and my mom surprised me with a new winter jacket as well! My mom told me I could that I was finally feeling good about myself in general and wanted to treat me :) . I also picked up a couple of stocking stuffers for my kids, slippers for  and bought one of Daddy's favorite candy for a just because treat for him. So I got a lovely black winter jacket that will be easy to clean (not fleece) if the kids and likely will if the kids get something on it. The day of shopping wrapped up at the Fort Jackson PX where we had lunch and talked to some troops to see if they were going home for the Holidays.

When we got home briefly discussing our day of shopping we could only take a small break for the next adventure. Mom and Daddy took the entire family to Riverbank Zoo to the Lights Before Christmas! Which is where the zoo basically covers itself from head-to-toe in Christmas lights. I have been a couple of times through my life in South Carolina but the last time I think I went was in 2004 right before my husband and I got married.Christopher and I treated the Nephews and are two to light up toys that all the kids were running around with. It was a little overwhelming for Caleb at first but he really loved where the fake snow was falling and thought the pony that he could touch. I guess the only down side was they use to keep the aquarium part open but he did get to see the gorilla and a koala bear that he thought was neat. Caydance took forth and was in thralled with just about everything the lights, sounds, fake snow, and the hot chocolate! The trip was topped off with a visit to the gift shop where Grandpa and Grandma bought something to remind them of this adventure. The boys all picked out something similar and Caydance ended up with this cute stuff animal monkey that ended up being as big as her because it was on sale and cheaper than the smaller ones. We got home and everyone passed out except for Caleb. This often happens when he becomes over stimulated so I stayed up with him just having Mommy and Me time but he could not have had made his Grandma's night for when she asked for a hug goodnight he grabbed her face with his little hands and gave her a great big kiss!

Lights Before Christmas :Property Of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life
Caydance playing on the statue and both of us rocking are new winter jackets... Thank you Grandma/Mom :Property Of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

J2, JT, Caleb, and Caydance aka The Franklin Grandkids at the Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia South Carolina Lights Before Christmas :Property Of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life
The next day we woke up exhausted and planed to take it easy. I however, to run out and get a oil change for our truck and make an Aldis run since there is not one close to me. So Shelly and I loaded up in the truck ran to Starbucks and went to oil change place where you can sit in your car while it is being serviced on. We had a great chit chat and counted all the Gamecock vs Clemson fans working there (all the rivalry games going on that weekend) and wondering what we were going to do during the Ducks vs Beaver game. It is not that we do not like football it is just not our life and I rather much be reading a book or crocheting just saying ;) . So we finished up the oil the change and Aldis and headed back towards a day of football talk. So during the big game there was also a big fire where I could I listen to fire and my nephew JT could tell me that this was "favorite" song about every other song. I was not able to make it through the night and curled up with Caleb who kept me up the previous night.

Caleb and JT hanging out by the fire with me during football breaks :Property Of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life
On Sunday we woke up early waiting for my brother to come by from his Sunday service to help load up the truck and say goodbyes. I always hate saying goodbye and hate when are visits to come an end. We ran by Daddy's work to say goodbye because he had to work most of the time we were there. For a final nature surprise there were huge perfect pine cones!!! So I collected several pine cones for crafts projects!!! As we hit the road our kids are out like lights so I put on my music and chill for the ride home!!!

 I love being and so does Christopher being around my family they have taught me over the years it is not where you live, how much you have, and so on what family is truly about. So as you can see as I type and share this Bipolar Mom's Thanksgiving was non-traditional, last minute, fast paced, but wonderful and beyond blessed!!!

Just me :Property Of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life


I hope you guys had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!



Wednesday, November 19, 2014

What My Page and Blog Is Really About...



What is your page about?

What does this have to be with being bipolar?

Are you really Bipolar? 

You seem to positive all the time do your moods ever change?

Your Page Is Not Like Other Bipolar Pages?

I am a mom, wife, and daughter but I am also diagnosed and live with two health conditions bipolar and PCOS. However, these two sole thing do not define my life or are "me", there are numerous things that make me. That is why I created the blog "Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life" and then after the Facebook page. Now the overall purpose/goal of this blog and page is show people that you can live, strive through the obstacles that you face, and accomplish so much through in ones life. 

I can achieve this with a small amount of education of mental illness and PCOS but also how I live my life with these two health issues. So what does this have to be with being bipolar? I ask you how is this not related to being bipolar? I am me! I live my life! I do not wake up going "How is this going to be a bipolar day?" but instead think of what I have to do that day and if my moods happen to go off like a light switch or I feel myself going up or down then I do it what I do when it comes to being bipolar. As I stated before being bipolar is only aspect of my life. So on my blog and page you will discover in many aspects I am just like anyone else! Who would have thought! I love to craft, cook, diying, and everything else in between. I take care of my household which includes a handsome Marine and two beautiful miracles. So why not share it? It is my daily life! If  I share my experiences through my page and blog of my music therapy, crafts, my journals, routine, books, doctor appointments related to my mental health or PCOS and end up help just one person then I have reached my purpose of this blog and the forms of Social Media I created.

I was questioned the other day are you really bipolar? You seem to be to positive do your moods ever change? At first I was taken a back but then laughed to myself about this question. I guess I do not super show it on my page but I choose not express my 24/7. If I did express my mood like that on the page I would never get any sleep and you would likely get sick of my page and think of my page nothing more of attention seeker. Instead I love to express myself through humor, sayings, quotes, inspiration, and so on. This type of expression would also include areas of my health as well. However, this page is about Bipolar too so there are times I will and have focused on my mood. I believe it is important to let people who follow my page that I do go through downs or not feeling well. It is something I need to be open about because it is apart of my life. I do not however post or blog about all my downs or mood shifts because I do not believe that serves the overall purpose/goal of my page and blog. It is often very hard to explain mood shifts especially the downs because I just don't know. I can educate you mood shifts and what it is like to fall down the rabbit hole but I like to show you how I pull myself out of that hole as well. I also believe to much negativity can be a very bad thing not only to purpose/goal of pages in your actual life and it is something I would rather not have on page or blog every day but instead replacing it with overcoming whatever that negativity is one life. 

Why doesn't your page look like other bipolar pages? How is my page and blog suppose to look? I follow many mental health pages and I can tell you each of us are unique each bonded together by some sort of mental illness. Some of these pages are pure educational, just personal blogs, focused on a certain mental illness, and so on. My page simply speaks for me as their page speaks for them hopefully. 

What I love about my page and blog I think it goes beyond just some one who lives with bipolar and PCOS. I have already met so many wonderful people through the page and blog growth. Of course I met other people like me who live with or know someone with a mental illness but I have met crafters, business owners, farmers, homesteaders, cooks, just for fun communities, bloggers, and so on! One of the best things that have happened though through this page and blog though are the people that have come forward with their own struggle with mental illness but never shared it with anyone for multiple reasons. 

I am not sure where my blog or page is headed or how big it will become. Am I afraid of unknown? Very much so but it is no different from a lot of the other unknowns. In life I know there will people I will come across people who do not care for me or how I run my page or blog. The fact of life is we will not be everyone' cup of tea. I can promise you though I will always promote respect, no drama, bullying, or bashing! I am a very open minded person and respect peoples values, morales, religion, and opinions. I ask you extend the me the same because I can tell you now my page will be far from being politically correct. So I will tell you Merry Christmas, send you prayers, and have post that specific overtones. You can tell me whatever you want, send positive thoughts and I will like your posts if I like them or can relate to them as long their is mutual respect. I will continue to focus on what this page and blog is becoming and getting to know other people and pages. I have already learned so many wonderful things from so many people and pages.

So this is Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life and this what her blog and page is really like! 


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

When One Door Closes, I Will Go Through A Window :The Closing of Gifts By Vaughn but The Birth Of A New Venture!!!

I am not exactly how to start this post off so I will just start typing...

I am a crafter and I have been dabbling in crafts ever since I could remember. Well a couple of years ago I decided to open a small craft business and sell my handmade goods just like many others have done. So I picked out a name got my first round of crafts made and GIFTS BY VAUGHN was born! 

Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life


Business was slow but slowly trickling in. I however was full of ambition, ideas, and complete confidence this would be a huge success!!! I had support from my family and friends but I learned very quickly with all that in ambitions, ideas, confidence, skills, and support from family and friends it was hard. There were things I had to learn very quickly the business side of the craft world. I had to learn about advertising, policies, shipping, time schedules, watermarks, inventory, bills, and book keeping (the list really could go on). I had the hardest time trying to figure out why it seemed to come easy to others and I was struggling to make sense of it all. I had the passion... didn't I? 

Yes I had the passion for the love crafting but not the passion for the business. Which I discovered you need have equal parts to make your business successful! If could never get them balanced and the more I tried the more passion I lost in crafting... and that is something was truly heartbreaking to me. Crafting is something I love to do and here I am dreading to have to crochet a hat or make another bow. I should not be loathing something I love to do....

So the question I had to ask myself is it worth it? 

Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The short answer is no... owning/running a small craft business was not worth it. I was losing to much of my self in the process. So I made choice to close down GIFTS BY VAUGHN. At first I had mix feeling about this but the more I thought about it I knew I was making the right decision. I knew I could still do private sales but I knew I would be free to be truly creative again. That is truly what happen... I started feeling like me once again in the creative side and wanting to get in my craft room once again. 

Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

There was something that I did miss on my page and that was daily interaction on my page. So I decided to open to along with this blog a Facebook Page : A BIPOLAR MOM AND HER DAILY LIFE which can be found here https://www.facebook.com/bpmomandcrafter83?ref=hl . When I first open this page in September I had slight reservations on how people would accept or receive my page. However, the response has been overwhelming and positive!!!! I had no idea that opening up this page would grow as fast as it did and the people who come just to follow and support me. More importantly people have come to me since the page has open about their story or just needing to talk. It has been just amazing what this page has done already and I am excited to see where this page is headed. I can only hope for continue positive growth. 

So as I sum this up... yes one door may have closed.. but I closed that door  and decided to go through a window instead! 


Trick or Treat A Little Late BUT tons of pics!


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I am a little behind on my post but I am still getting use to trying to maintain a regular blog my Bipolar world and daily life. It is a lot harder than I thought. So huge props to the ones that have really successful blogs I know they put a lot of work in it!

My House On  Halloween! Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life


So Halloween has come and gone in this household but it was sure an event in this house! We usually go all out in this household but because Christopher was and is still recovering from knee surgery there was a limited stuff that we could do for Halloween like going to a corn maze, festivals, pumpkin picking and so on. So it required me to do a lot of thinking of what can we do here! 

As I stated in my last post we did tons of family movies nights and not mention pumpkin carving and painting. You can read about that here Weekend Wrap Up ....

Pumpkin Carving : Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life


Something that we allowed this year was let Caleb pick out his Halloween costume. So we all went to a Halloween store and he walked up and down the isles taking in everything it was a little bit overwhelming but he decided to be one of the cutest pirates ever. I also decided that whatever Caleb decided to be for Halloween I would make Caydance's costume to match it or pair it off it! So I decided she would be Tinkerbell and I would make it! So I set off making a Tutu Dress. I have only made a tutu skirt before but it was fun overall and I would do it again. I am not sure when we let Caydance pick out her first costume probably when she ask because I am having fun making them.

Caleb in his pirate costume 2014: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Start of Caydance's costume: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caydance's Tinkerbelle Costume: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The day of Halloween I was not feeling the best but I made sure to put on my best face because I would have to take the kids around the neighborhood. We got the kids ready and let them play outside as we finished up the outside and pull out the wagon for me. I do not think we could have asked for better weather!!! It was perfect not hot or cold the best Halloween weather ever:)

Well I loaded up the kids in the wagon and we headed off to explore the neighborhood! We live in military housing so we live in a huge housing community. Actually two housing communties are back to back. I have to admit I was a little nervous being by myself and how my little ones would react for a couple of reasons. 


Playing in the wagon Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

More wagon fun: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Taking turn with the wagon: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life


1. This was the first time I was out on my own. Last year my Daddy help take the kids around while my Mom and Hubs manned the house because hubs was also recovering from a procedure. The previous year was Caleb's first Halloween so we only went to like three houses for pictures ops then manned the house the rest of night.

2. I am not sure what is about the Military but we really get into our holidays and Halloween is no exception! I think it is because a lot of military service members often miss out holidays, special events, birthdays, milestones, and annevessarys that we tend to go all out for them. We are no different and love to decorate and just love to have a great time and have fun!!! However, just like many parents I am not sure even though you try to teach them the people walking around the decorations around are not real even if they seem scary. 


One of the most decorated houses in the neighborhood: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life
3. Finally this reason is not so much a reason of being as nervous but rather to see the progress my son has made. Caleb has a speech delay and when he is in a new situation he often will not speak until he is comfortable. Even though he gets really comfortable really fast and he will start talking in his language or say words I was unsure how trick or treating would go. We did practice tons at the house :)

Caleb: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

When we first started I think they were just enjoying the wagon ride more than anything. The first couple of houses. I had to walk Caleb to the first couple houses and take him to hold his pail out. No matter how much we practice he would not say "Trick or Treat". He did say Hi, Bye, and signed please. I had to explain to a couple of people when he did the sign for please and others stood it right off the bat. I assume they either know some who is deaf, baby signs, or speech therapy. It is always nice when you do not have explain what your child is not doing when he is communicating :) . Caleb was also very good listening to directions very well by not reaching into the candy buckets and waiting his turn. He also grabbed two pieces of candy one at a time for his sister and him when there was just a bucket left out. He also was not afraid. I am not sure if it was the conquest of candy or he realized it most of it seemed fake and fun there was "nothing" that could really get him. I mean  I was shocked of some of the stuff he walked up too. NOTE: Most people here take off their mask to let them know it is just a person underneath but this year no need too. The only thing that freaked him out was this large type talking doll but in all fairness that thing freaked me out too! He also did an awesome job not eating the candy! I was seeing kids left and right just stuffing candy in their mouths and not that I do not let my kids have a piece from their haul (just like I did when I was little) I want to check it properly (I am not saying that parents do not check it there I just prefer to wait to I get home) when I get it home he also held onto his sisters bucket and only handed it to her next house.
I am not sure Caydance really thought about it all except loving her costume. As soon as the costume came on she knew she was a little fair/princess and the twirls and dancing begun. She also was trying to find her feet under all that tulle. She is always an amusing site for sure. I do not think this year she was really into trick or treating. She is still a little on the young side to understand she is almost 15 months but most people thought she was just about to turn 1 and this is her second Halloween. I cannot believe she was just over 3 months last year <3 . Caydance basically wanted to keep getting in and out of wagon and just walk! She got very tired of the whole trick or treating real fast! However, I noticed that among that a lot of young ones passed out in strollers or being carried by their parents. I always enjoy the sites of Halloween. So I ended up taking Caydance back to hang out with Daddy which she had a lot more fun running around the yard and checking out the costumes.

Caydance's shoe would not stay on this is are flower bed: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caydance and the wagon: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life
Caleb and I parked the wagon and set out for a little more trick or treating! With having two kids it is often hard to spend quality time with just one of them. I enjoyed every minute of it walking with my little man holding my hand. He was even talking to me and holding a small conversation. It was sure a memory that I will always have with him. We actually called Grandma that night :-) he was actually telling her about that night of what we could get out of the conversation. He kept telling her Mommy and me! Then patting me... it was like he was proud of just me and him.

Well the night ended with a light meal, showers, and each picking a treat from the bucket.

Even though the next day was the first day of November it was still Halloween weekend. So we spent most of the day outside enjoying the weather. However, I decided to a Halloween fun meal for my little ones. Which included bloody spiders, purple green beans, banana ghost, and bread bones (sorry no pictures of the bread bones they came out a little...umm naughty like).

Halloween themed dinner : Bloody spiders, mac and cheese, purple spiders, and banana ghost: Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Between baths and picking up the living room the kids decided they would find new uses for Halloween buckets besides putting candy in them....

I am proud to be their mom:Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Only my two! They were putting them on and then head butting each other :) :Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Proud to be their mother! : Property A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life


So that was our Halloween Weekend.... hope you guys had a great one!