Category: Bipolar life

27 August 2023 Favorite Recipe

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, Home, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What’s your favorite recipe?

Hello to you. I’m just back from church. I wasn’t sure if I was going to go but forced myself. I’m not having an easy time of it right now with sleep. It feels like I’m tossing and turning the whole night!

My Aunt sent me this as we love Maxine – this is so true!

One of my favorite recipes is my Moms Red Devils Food Cake. It stays so moist and tastes so good. No eggs are required either!

Easy Red Devils Food Cake

3 cups flour, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 2 cups sugar, 2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt

2 cups cold water, 1 cup oil, 2 Tbsp vinegar, 2 tsp vanilla

Mix and put in 9×13 pan bake 35-40 min at 350 degrees. Cupcakes 15-20 min.

Romans 15:13New International Version

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

26 August 2023 Excitement

by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, Health, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Tell us about the last thing you got excited about.

Hello to you. How are you today? I’m feeling tired. I got up several times in the night again and this was without taking the new medications. I’m so tired of this struggle with getting the right medications!

I can’t really remember the last time I was excited about something. Excitement for me really translates to gratitude for me. The last time I was really grateful was when I purchased this house. Getting it how and when I did was definitely a God thing.

Going and getting Link from my friend Erin 8 years ago was a time of excitement!

Psalm 37:4New International Version

4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

24 August 2023 Name

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, drawing, history, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Where did your name come from?

Hello to you. I’m just back from the Thursday prayer meeting and getting groceries. We had Savanah, Pastor Jason’s daughter with us which was really nice. Apparently her school day started with the school smelling like gasoline! Jeannie was able to come again – she’s so sweet.

Last night I drew a couple pictures. They aren’t my best work but just what I had come through to draw:

Not sure what’s going on with this one
Door in the sky of spirits – open
For the first time in awhile I just picked up my drawing pad and pen

So where does my name come from? My name was from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She was many years before I was born but still an inspiration to my parents I guess!

Matthew 16:13-20New International Version

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist;others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

23 August 2023 Motivation

by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, photography, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What motivates you?

Hello to you. How are you doing? I’m doing ok just really tired and groggy. I’m sitting outside on the porch with Link writing to you to clear my head.

Todays prompt makes me think of a phrase I’ve said many times before agreeing to do something – “check your motives at the door.” Ask yourself why you are doing something before you agree to do it. Are you doing it just to get something in return? Are you making a debt to be paid? When I do something for someone I’m not expecting anything in return. A thank you would be nice but not expected. When I put expectations on the things I do I get a resentment if my expectation is not met.

There is a lot we can learn from our pets about motivation and perhaps that’s why we love them so much – their motivation is pure. They just want to give and receive affection without getting anything in return.

I just love you

Proverbs 16:2New International Version

2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord

21 August 2023 Writing

by saymber, posted in Art and Poetry, Bipolar life, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What do you enjoy most about writing?

Hello to you. How are you? I’m doing ok but tired.

What I enjoy most about writing is it’s been with me nearly my whole life. Like an old friend. We’ve gone through poetry and short story phases, traveling phases and just ordinary life phases. I started writing at a very young age. I have a trunk full of my written accounts of my life and those I have shared life with. It’s a time capsule of family history even through two divorces. I kind of stopped keeping written diaries in 2015. My trunk is full and it’s heavy! I have contemplated throwing it out several times but decided against it. May be some day someone will want them.

Psalm 103:1-5New International Version

Psalm 103

Of David.

1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

19 August 2022 Positive Emotion

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Television, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What positive emotion do you feel most often?

Hello to you. How are you ? I hope this finds you well. I am doing ok. I had my first dose of Ambien last night and it didn’t interfere with my sleep which was a good thing. It sometimes takes awhile to see what different medicines will do.

The positive emotion I feel the most is gratitude. I’m so grateful to God, the people and animals that are in my life. So much of how my life is right now is thanks to God. My life is manageable and not more than I can handle.

“ the attitude of gratitude turns a frown upside down”

Psalm 107:1-3New International Version

Psalm 107

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.[a]

Ephesians 5:18-20New International Version

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

18 August 2023 Goals

by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, Health, Home, Mental Health, Nature, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

How do you plan your goals?

Hello there, how are you? I’m doing ok. The pest control people came out this morning and took care of a large wasp nest. I feel kind of bad but more than likely they were they were the ones trying to build a nest in my weed wacker – the ones that stung me. My hand is still itchy and swollen!

The new medication, Ambien, showed up today. It will be interesting to see how my body reacts to it. It’s another bed time medication. Hopefully it won’t interfere with my getting and staying asleep.

So how do I plan my goals? I used to be much more organized and a planner – a worry wart. Now bring retired and Bipolar 1 so long I hardly plan at all! The best thing for me is my calendar. I keep organized and am able to have short term goals using it.

Jeremiah 29:11New International Version

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

16 August 2023 Word Usage

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, history, Home, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, photography, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What is a word you feel that too many people use?

Hello to you! Yesterday Uncle John came and changed out my three fire alarm batteries so no more worries about that for a couple years! I should of asked him to let me clean my windows that are out of my reach but I forgot. We just got it done quickly because Link was so scared he pooped in the house again. He has seriously loose bowels and I think has doggy PTSD. He and Spot endured a lot during my episodes in Texas.

What word I feel is used too often by myself and others is the F word quite honestly. It’s just one of those words that is so easy to fall back on. It’s so common to hear it on television and other programs and that never was the case in times past. This video cracks me up every time I hear it:

https://youtu.be/fJd9izGFveM – Definition of the F Word

Matthew 7:12New International Version

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

15 August 2023 Peace

by saymber, posted in animals, Art and Poetry, Bipolar life, drawing, history, Home, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Nature, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What brings you peace?

Hello to you. How are you? I’m doing ok. Todays prompt is thought provoking for me as it’s rare that I am at perfect peace – relaxed. It feels like I’m always thinking and worrying about “what’s next.” Sometimes food gives me peace, sometimes it’s the company of someone, sometimes my spirituality gives me peace. It’s not a consistent thing. Last year, before the episode that landed me in the the hospital, what gave me peace was long walks in nature and praying for everybody next to the water canals down the street before they tore everything up.

Some of the beauty that existed next to the water canals.
A drawing I did in honor of Sam our cocker spaniel – how I imagined he looked as a human in heaven. I’m sure he will be one of the first angels I see when it’s my time and he’ll be a dog. I have had several dreams about him since he passed and he always looks so healthy as a dog. I was at peace when he was here with us.

What used to give me peace was creativity – drawing, singing, painting both on canvas and on t- shirts and making jewelry. What happened is I became self conscious. I realized everything I was doing had an environmental impact – especially our water. It takes water to make the paints and water to use the paints. I started paying attention to where my supplies were coming from like metals I was using for my wire jewelry – Pakistan! Hardly anything from the USA. There was a hefty price for my fleeting peace. I haven’t been doing any of it.

I tried to draw in chalk here but it just wasn’t the same as having the privacy of my backyard.

John 14:27New International Version

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

14 August 2023 Early Morning Wake up

by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, Home, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well. I just finished an online seated workout through the VA and it was good. I actually got tired and felt it! She wants us to work out on our own at least once this week – strength training.

In this home they put the fire alarms way up on the ceiling!

This morning began really early. The notification of a low battery in my bedroom fire alarm went off. It literally scared the poop out of Link. Poor little man just ran around the house pooping. Eventually it stopped chirping. What sucks about changing the batteries on these is the height of where they put them on the ceiling. My Uncle is coming over today to change out the batteries – I hope he will be able to reach! I’m so grateful for my Aunt and Uncle – otherwise I was going to have to hire somebody. I don’t own a ladder anymore!

What’s wild is before bed I had one of my doubting Thomas conversations with Jesus, my Guardian Angel and Spirit Guide. I asked for a sign of their presence and sure enough something like this happened. Of course they are watching over me! I need to quit asking dumb questions. My rational self thinks this was more than likely just a coincidence but it’s interesting that only my bedroom battery got sucked and not the other two.

I guess this could be an opportunity for a public service announcement – when is the last time you checked your fire alarm batteries?!! They take 9 Volt batteries.

1 Kings 18:38-39New International Version

38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”