Sunday, April 21, 2013

A Bipolar Mom and Daily Life! : Never Enough Time (BP Related) and a Couple of Thi...

A Bipolar Mom and Daily Life! : Never Enough Time (BP Related) and a Couple of Thi...: When you are a busy Mom (whether you work or are a SAHM) it seems like there is never enough time.  I feel like this a lot and then it can b...

Never Enough Time (BP Related) and a Couple of Things I Do About It!

When you are a busy Mom (whether you work or are a SAHM) it seems like there is never enough time.  I feel like this a lot and then it can become overwhelming (the joys of Bipolar) and then I have to stop and make sure my moods are okay because the last thing I would ever want is to go into a down or up. However, do I learn from becoming overwhelmed? The answer is not really and the cycle that repeats itself time and time again. I try numerous things to help this like schedules and routines but to be honest only a few have stuck (but I keep trying them). A huge problem when you suffer from Bipolar Disorder is that your brain cannot tell what is okay to hold off of and what is needed to be don. I give you an example/experiment I was told to try a couple of years ago by a counselor.

I was told to write a list that consisted of two columns "A" and "B". Column A is for what I considered that needed to get done on a priority basis while column B was for things that I thought could be held off on a day or two. Can you see where this going? My column "A" list was extremely long and not likely to be completed in a 24 hour period (if you did not sleep). However, like I stated my brain just really does not know the difference! Now I cannot personally do an "A" and "B" list because then everything would be always on the priority column. With having a hard time not knowing when to stop or distinguish what is an actual priority I have devised my own style of list that has been working for a couple of years now. What I use is a spiral notebook (usually a 3 subject or more) and this is my things-to-do list book. I write down things that I need to do to include appointments to needing to wash my windows. The only difference is that instead of making it a daily list I give myself a block of time. Usually it is a week to two period. I love doing this because I can write and organize what I need to get done in that "time span". For some reason me just seeing the dates makes me feel less overwhelmed and tend to manage my time a lot better. I also mark things off once they are completed and I just love seeing those marks!  The key for me is to make sure I stay focused on it because if I do not, I feel like there is just not enough time in the day and then I become overwhelmed.

Another thing I do is stayed focused on my son (and when my daughter gets here). This is not any kind of list or what not but my personal goal to be a great mom. I know if I do not care for myself then I am no good to my family and for me that is worse then feeling like my bipolar disorder has taken over (which thankfully has never happened and I plan to keep it that way!). I know I was put on this Earth to take care of my family!

There are numerous articles and research that suggest someone who is bipolar like me needs to keep routines in able to help their disorder. I do agree with this completely but unless you actually suffer from the disorder you may not realize how hard it is can be for someone. One of the best things that someone can do that suffers from the disorder is a sleep schedule (which is my next goal). Just for the same reason that you give your kids a bed time is the same reason you need a bed time. So many adults whether they suffer from the disorder or not take sleep for granted. Most studies suggest that the average adult needs 7-9 hours asleep a night. When you are bipolar you tend to sleep less or way over the recommended amount of sleep which disturbs the body's natural rhythm. So I am hoping to find a schedule that works for me and that I can feel rested (I know I am 5 months pregnant so it may be a little harder). The key like to most goals is to stick to it. I have discovered the longer you stick to something the more natural it becomes.  

Friday, April 19, 2013

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/7107251/?claim=wk4z77579q7">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

A Bipolar Mom and Daily Life! : Meet Hooty! My Crochet Owl Plushie!

A Bipolar Mom and Daily Life! : Meet Hooty! My Crochet Owl Plushie!: So I finished my crochet owl this morning! I got most of him done last night and put on the finishing touches this morning (no clue why I am...

Meet Hooty! My Crochet Owl Plushie!

So I finished my crochet owl this morning! I got most of him done last night and put on the finishing touches this morning (no clue why I am referring to it as a "him"). I actually used two patterns for my inspiration! I used the one pattern that I posted yesterday mainly for the decoration ideas and the wings. While I used another pattern idea for the body! I will post the two links to the free patterns at the end of this post. Without anymore talking here is HOOTY!


I did not like the eyes in either of the patterns so this is something I whipped up myself from several hat patterns. He is actually only made from two main pieces. The multicolor yarn and the purple yarn is all made from Red Heart. I lost the little papers that come on the skeins so I cannot tell you the exact color. I would have to say the hardest part of the project was sewing on the wings while he was stuffed. Everything else was done before he was stuffed but I did not like the placement of the wings unstuffed! I do want to try to make smaller versions of him. Please do not get me wrong I like him but if he does not sell I am not sure what I would do with him.

Well here are the two links to the two patterns that I used for my inspiration of my owl.

 http://mymerrymessylife.com/2012/10/crochet-owl-lady-amigurumi-free-pattern.html

http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Crochet-Amigurumi-Patterns/Cute-Crochet-Owl#

Also if you are on Pinterest and type in "crochet owls" you will see a lot of fun and cool ideas!

I do have a problem though... what to do next? I have been trying to stay away from hats right now because the weather is getting warmer...

Thursday, April 18, 2013

A Bipolar Mom and Daily Life! : Crocheting Something New Today

A Bipolar Mom and Daily Life! : Crocheting Something New Today: There is a symptom that in Bipolar disorder that is often a huge blessing (sometimes a curse) and that is my mind really never shuts it self...

Crocheting Something New Today

There is a symptom that in Bipolar disorder that is often a huge blessing (sometimes a curse) and that is my mind really never shuts it self off and I am constantly thinking of new ideas and a lot of those ideas are crochet or craft related! I started crocheting since I was about 8. I have been crocheting when it was not the hip thing to do and now that is hip I am still doing it. The thing about crocheting is that is still very much expanding and I am constantly learning new things! I am actually waiting for a couple of books to get here so I can explore new ideas! 

The one thing that I love about crocheting is a lot of people can self-teach themselves! There are tons of books out there that offer great lessons not to mention YouTube (I have used it when I need a stitch refresher)! Now I was am a half and half. I was taught the basics by my mother and grandmother but I have expanded my own skills through self-teaching. In fact I learned a lot of my crafting skills from self-teaching. There is such amazing talent out there when it comes to crocheting it just amazes me. So if you are wanting to learn how to crochet all you have to do is a little research and you will be on your way!

I am currently crocheting something very similar to this

*Picture is from "my Merry Messy Life" blog do not post as your own work* Found on Pinterest April 18, 2013 link is included below

Is this not the cutest! I found this pattern on "my Merry Messy Life" blog. Here is the direct link to her pattern http://mymerrymessylife.com/2012/10/crochet-owl-lady-amigurumi-free-pattern.html . If you are wanting to do this pattern make sure you give credit to the person that developed the pattern. Now the one I am doing has my own touches! I will make sure I post my picture of my completed owl! I am about half way done now!



Out of all my crafts crocheting is the one thing that I have always had the passion before! Here are a couple of my favorite pieces that I have done recently and from a couple years ago! You can fine a lot of my work a https://www.facebook.com/GiftsByVaughn?ref=hl


These first one is a hair piece. The top one is my own creations! I like to call them BBB or Big Beautiful Bows! I do wear these I have one in black that is my favorite! You can find them at my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GiftsByVaughn?ref=hl as well as the rest of my crafts that are for sale! Then I have included two of my hats and a blanket! I really want to learn how to write my own patterns but that for right is just a distant goal! Hopefully, one day I can post my patterns and maybe even sell them! So check out my Facebook page I am still growing!




Aqua BBB bow

Frog Hat!






A ladies hat!










Kind of looks like the Gamecock colors!