Hobbies that make the days go by...

Hello, :)


I thought today's blog would be about hobbies, they're good for any spare time, enjoyment and relieving stress. Especially when your ill, finding your hobby is a good distraction and a great time passer. As i've mentioned before my hobbies are photography and jewellery making. I also love doing post to cheer people up when i have the energy. :) I'm still learning new things every day about my hobbies, you don't have to be already fantastic at something for it to be a hobby. Find something that really captures your attention and go for it. :) If you have the passion for it, your most likely gonna stay interested in it. :)

Lytham Windmill. :)

Lytham beach anchor. :)

Found this picture,
What matters most is how you see yourself!
This is appt for illnesses and photography! (You
can make a picture beautiful, it just depends on how you
see it!) 

I find photography quite low energy and very rewarding. :) I think with alot of hobbies you just have to mess around with it, work on them and then develop. I've got a canon power shot sx30is bridge camera, i intend to really master that and then eventually upgrade and keep working my way up. I've got my pictures in a couple local magazines, nothing major only the ones that get posted through the days to advertise the area but still i see it as a start. With photography you can almost find something that everyone takes for granted and really make it special. Like with alot of things i think it's how you see it is really important, if you see something as ugly and uninteresting and then that's what it becomes. But if you find something, anything at all you like about something even if it's not the whole thing, then you've found something with potential and promise. :) 

Pretty flower. :)

Love the look of this picture. :)

Ladybird Bracelet i made. :)

Unusual pretty bead
necklace i made. :)

Liquorice necklace i made. :) 

Quirky love, wooden heart bracelet,
i made.

 Jewellery making is such a great and popular hobby, for me sometimes when it get's fiddly and doesnt work out i get so frustrated! I almost have to be in the right mind set for making jewellery, but when i make a nice piece of jewellery it's nice and it's feels like i've made a use out of my day. I know how boring the days can be, but once you get a focus, even a tiny one it's make a difference! I've got so much to learn about jewellery making it's a real learning process, i've started going to my auntie's friend who's a really creative craft person and great at making jewellery! So hopefully i'll get some tips and come back and wow you all. ;) But until then i'm carrying on with what i know and picked up. :)

Basic Jewellery equipment when starting out:

. Jump rings (needed for bracelets, necklaces and sometimes even earrings! And great for attaching beads with!)

. Tiger wire (for bracelets and necklaces.)

. Pliers (i got a great pair in a jewellery making kit, they're multi functional ones. ;))

. Lobster clasps (for necklaces and bracelets so they can fasten into place. ;)

. Head pins ( Used for everything, to attach beads and charms on all jewellery!)

. And of course the main ingredient beads!

Once you have these your own your way to making some pretty jewellery! Practice makes perfect! :) (In upcoming blogs and when i've learnt lots more new things, i'll do some tutorial pics to show you. :) 

You've read about my hobbies, what are yours? When you find your hobby/ies it can soon become something that gives you pleasure and achievement everyday. :) Sometimes when ill finding hobbies you can pick up as and when your able can stop a whole load of boredorm and give you well needed boost. :)

http://www.facebook.com/Louslazydayzjewellery - like my jewellery page to keep up to date with new jewellery designs that i hope to keep coming up with. :)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Life-is-like-photography-we-use-negatives-to-develop/223164891103538 - Like my photography page to see what continues to capture my eye in what i hope turns out to be a beautiful picture. :)

Photo of the week:

Teapot cloud!! I keep finding some
awesome clouds! :P Cloud's are so pretty
and great for working on your imagination. ;)

Love Becca
xox.

Panic stations...

Well hello :)


I thought today's blog would be on anxiety, its a really common thing but not that known about or explored by people. Also it can be really hard for friends and family to understand/ cope with as they don't know how your feeling. To them it's irrational, to the person with the anxiety it's your trapped normality...


What is anxiety?
I'm not gonna say a big fancy medical term of what anxiety is,instead i'm going to tell you from my personal experience. There's so many different sorts of anxiety, it can be the terror of a spider being in your room or getting really anxious over an exam. Mine is going out, seeing people or should i say people seeing me... To me anxiety is a world of feelings all be; terrible!You feel scared, nervous, terrified, worried, afraid and shockingly alone. All those over whelming feelings and thoughts can lead to panic attacks; hyperventilating, shaking ("legs like jelly" is the literal feeling but not just your legs but everywhere!), stabbing pains in your head, feeling like your going to collapse and feeling like you can't breathe and even being/feeling temporarily paralysed. - That is the very worse one when you work your body into such a state that it just literally freezes...


What anxiety leads to?
When you have anxiety you feel like you need to get out of the situation straight away. This then leads to you avoiding the situation and that can lead to a pretty vicious circle... You associate situations with panic and feeling "unsafe" so what do you do when your scared... panic and run. Anxiety can also lead to OCD, wanting everything in order and no germs. It's like a triple edged sword...


I remember when i was kid i was so afraid of dogs that i would literally go in the middle of the road to avoid them! Obviously over the years and a few near "accidents" it eased. This only really happened when my friend got a dog as a puppy, i became used to it and kinda fond of it. ;) It took time but this even led to me wanting my own dog which i now have; my "baby" Alfie. ;) 


How does anxiety start?
Well a bad experience can start it, e.g. when i was a baby i remember the dog from across the road come running into our house and jumped up at me, it was a big dog and i was a little baby so it kinda terrified me. So that's where i think that started... Or anxiety can start from becoming unfamiliar with situations. Take me i missed 3 and half years of school and interaction with people. Being ill meant i couldn't/ can't go out that much and so you get into a cycle of being reclused from the world outside, and home being the "safe place." You get so used to being in your own company and only interacting with family and friends that everything is feels daunting. 


How to kick the anxieties butt?
This one isn't so easy... i've not cracked the code on that one yet. There's some things to make it easier to manage like; breathing techniques and breaking up scenarios into little sections so everything doesn't seem so big. Familiarize yourself again so going on little trips little and often. Obviously with anxiety you tend to want to avoid the situation because you know when you go there, the feelings and thoughts you get and assume the worst. So often family and friends have to give you a little encouragement but it's also knowing your limits and what YOU feel comfortable with. I mean some people just assume that you should be able to snap out of it or to really push you out of your comfort zone and then you will be fine. Anxiety doesn't work like that if there was a stern word i could say to myself to make seeing people easier , i would of done it by now! I know you have to push yourself a little even though i hate to admit it but to me i find every "normal" outdoor trip, me pushing it. For many people it's not a big thing but to me and the person feeling anxiety its HUGE. It's a tough one breaking the cycle and on days i wonder if i ever will but i have supportive friends and family and whole lot of dreams i want to fullfill. :)


Anyone who has anxiety that stops them doing things will know that it feels like a trap, your own little jail in your head. There's so many things you want to do but don't want too no can't do because you feel too scared to and for me the fear of people looking at me and seeing me over rules my want too. E.g this example could be used for the M.e and anxiety... imagine having zilch energy and trying to climb a mountain every step feels a mammoth task and any progress you make can drop you back to the bottom when the wind comes and knocks you for 6! And when you have illness it makes a double whammey!! It makes it easier to get out of the "life loop" and not have the energy to bother. 


Family and friends who have to cope with your anxiety also have the battle, they remember what you were like before, they can do everyday normal things without to much thought so anxiety can become an alien concept. They have to get used to listening to you and manoeuvring you out of situations your uncomfortable with. Knowing when to push you and knowing when to stand back. It affects their life to because you can't do all the things they want and seeing you so distressed is distressing for them! It's a real learning curve, but the best advice i can give is to tell them how your feeling. I don't expect my friends and family to understand but more accept that i have limits and i'm trying my best even when it looks like i'm not trying at all...

So yeah anyone with anxiety little steps and you'll get there, :) and i hope i will too. <3


Photo of week:

Love this pic of my beautiful wifey!!
 Looks a right model picture, such a good model for me!!
And whilst we are on the anxiety subject, this girl
is always around to give me a kick in the butt ;), yet
be patient with me. So thankyou! <3 <3

Before i go here's a link for my facebook page i've set up to show the jewellery i've been making. You know what to do... CLICK THE LINK! ;) - http://www.facebook.com/Louslazydayzjewellery


Bye for now,
love Becca
xox

New York New York...

Dream <3

Today's blog seems a little bit scary... ok so i figured i would do a blog post on creating your own fantasy holiday. I have so many dreams and ambitions for the future and although i can't fulfil them tomorrow i hope one day that yesterday's fantasy will become tomorrows reality. Why's this scary you ask... well i can dream thats something i can do but actually believing it will happen is something i'm working on... I was trying to pick where i would do my blog post on, there's too many amazing places in the world and i wanna go to as many as i can. My obvious choice is Disney World as people who know me or have read my blogs will know thats a number one dream of mine. But instead my friend suggested i do New York, and my first reaction was WOAH probably one of the busiest tourist attractions holidays to go. And that was precisely her point, for me to fulfill any of my dreams as well as the illness i have to kick the anxiety. So yeah that's the big scary thing that is probably not thought about all that much but with many debilitating illnesses it kinda of goes hand in hand. Even the thought of going to new york scares the crap put of me ;) but like Hans said if i ever want to live my life, the anxiety is gonna have to be small stepping stones to my very big dreams... so here it goes, my itinernary for 7 days in sunny new york new york...


Day 1 - Arrive at the hotel settle in and then have a wander around the big city, of course shopping is a must! i'm no big shopper but come on it's new york! ;) Go in macy's!!!!  I think a little trip to the top of the rocks to see the wonderful views would be in order! After that back to the hotel for a rest and then get ready and go for a really relaxed fabulous meal to... Mc Donalds! ;) Haha you can't go to america and not have a maccy's!! Seeing new york at night would definately be AMAZING!!!


Day 2 - Famous tourist attractions day!! - But first start off with some nommy american pancakes for brekkie!! Then onto... Empire state building, the big apple, the statue of liberty, Grand Central terminal! A dream of mine is to see the New york sky line too! After that i think dinner at the hotel and relaxation at the hotel is being called for.


Day 3 - Picnic in central park!!! - Ahhhhhhh so wanna do that! ;') And of course see where friends is filmed!!! Then at night off  for a pre theatre meal then onto see a broadway show!! - Perfect Day!! <3

BEAUTIFUL!!

Day 4 - China town!! Exploring the world of china town sounds fun!! To finish off the day maybe a helicopter tour of New York!! :) Pizza/ pastiere for tea!

China Town!!

Day 5 - Museum day today!!  metropolitan museum of art and the museum of modern art. Sushi bar at night!


Day 6 - The american museum of natural history would be brill to see! And the
  Ellis Island Immigration Museum. :) - sad true life stories so my thing. ;) Steak house for tea. ;)

Day 7 - Last day :(, before i leave i think the Staten island ferry would be a nice way to finish before heading to the airport.

Of course along the way i would of picked up loads of new york memorabilia, t shirts, hats you name it. ;) And it goes without mentioning MILLIONS of piccies will of been taken throughout that process. ;D Travelling by subway and the yellow taxi's ;)

So there's my fantasy holiday, better get saving hadn't i?! What's yours? :) 

Photo of the week:

Love Alfie's ears on this... totally
crazy just like him!!

Whether it's the 7 day luxury New York fantasy is another thing but to be able to get New York and live the American dream if only for a day or even an hour is a dream i'm gonna keep alive. :) Believe in yourself and most importantly never stop dreaming!! Afterall dreams are what keep you alive, so you better keep dreaming. <3

Love Becca.

xox

The missing link...

Today's blog is about missing people/things. There's so many different types varying from; seeing your best friend everyday to suddenly not so you miss them because you've got used  to it. Missing someone thats away for a while, it's a sudden change and let's face it nobody really likes change. Missing someone who you speak to everyday but don't see - long distance friendships/relationships. Missing someone that's died , missing your old school or if your someone that's ill or had an accident; your old life. Every single different missing brings out a different emotion, you can be angry for someone for leaving you or dying even when its not there felt its an emotion that crops up. Or you blame yourself, wishing there was something you could of done. When does it go from thinking about someone every single day to just the odd day when you hear a song or see something that reminds you of them, even a smell can bring someone to mind! I know that i still miss people every day! You can miss someone so much it actually hurts! ;P Sounds weird but yes you have so many different emotions and every one of them is because you care and love the person/ thing! 


I've felt all the different sorts of missing someone and i don't think any sort is nice because in some cases its like a part of you isn't all there , you just feel incomplete. It makes you so sad but surprisingly sometimes hope and courage comes from that! And why, well if someone has passed away you hope that there still around watching over you.  I not sure what i believe in but all i know is that i really hope that there's something afterwards and you are reunited with your loved ones somehow some way. 


Hope maybe can come from when someone has suddenly gone away and you want to see them again, hearing from them, anything that tells you that there is hope there and you will see them again. When you put a belief into something or someone and you love them, then you will find even when life tells you its all over you still have that little bit of hope left at the bottom of the barrel when you thought you'd scraped it. 


I miss my old life but i don't want it to be how it was, i miss what i'm stopped into becoming. I always imagined and almost planned how i thought everything would be, it just goes to show you cant really plan for life because its like rolling a dice you never really know what you're gonna get. I think i will always plan subcontiously because that's just who i am but maybe i should live more for the moment so disappointment doesn't strike. Although ironically wheres there's disapointment there's hope. Hope is what makes you never give up on a dream, a person or a principle. When you want something you can miss it although you never actually had it! It's like missing a dream! Sometimes it's that hope and  want from missing that forces you to make a change and not to give up. So maybe its a good thing in some ways but not in others. In life we don't have the choices, we don't have the answers, we don't want things to change but they will we don't want some people to leave but they do. We have to adjust, keep going and cherish the time you do have with people or lifestyles because you never know when it's gonna change. 


Me missing my past and my future makes me not give up but i still hope one day i will get better and become a child psychologist or primary school teacher, go to Disney world and do all the things i feel i've missed out on whether it be something as silly as jumping in a puddle to a day at university! Me missing my friend who i talk to everyday but don't see makes me do a concious effort to see them and make every visit special. Me missing a friend thats away suckssssssssss but i will never give up on them or the hope of seeing them again. Me missing loved ones that have died makes me hold onto the memories and hope that although its the end, them being in my life isn't over because they made a difference to who i am and what i turn into. And that in another place another time another world! i will see them again. 

Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about. Love life and the ones in it. I know as most my friends will know i've not been on a total love life spree at the moment ;),  but no matter what i say i still hope that one day the life i miss and the people i miss will turn out the way i hope. I know it's not just gonna happen and its down to me and shall we say destiny ;) I don't have it figured out and i don't think i ever will but i hope i'll never stop trying and neither should you! ;)


Photo of the week:

My amazing and talented friend Sarwahh
drew this of me and i think it's so
fantastic!!! Definite deserver
of photo of the week!! :D


Love Becca
xox

I believe in a thing called L.O.V.E.

Today's blog is on a Mahoosive thing called LOVE. You may of heard of it. ;)

The idea came from my friend Sarwahh when we were talking about Take me out. ;) Love that show!! ;) And it got me thinking does love have to happen in conventional ways? Everyone has their own idea of perfect whether things turn out how they're planned is another thing...  Is it right when you can't find love in all the conventional places, should you then try a less conventional route? E.g Dating websites or say a certain dating show *cough cough, take me out.* Me being a hopeless romantic would love to have a fairytale love story. But let's face it i don't think i'm gonna find my prince charming whilst i stuck in my four walls, he ain't just gonna walk past the window see me and fall to his knees and we live happily ever after. ;) I can but dream. ;) Does finding your Mr/Mrs right be any less special the way we find to how we've been bought up to believe it should be. From a young age everybody is brought up on fairytales and love conquering all. Yada yada yada and although it would be brilliant if thats the way it was its not like that all the time. Let's face it nothing or no one in this world is "normal" because what is normal? It's everybodies own definition and with the billions of people on the planet that's gonna vary. ;) So yeah i'd love for it all to run smoothly but i don't see thayt happening if it does than yay but if it doesn't the end product is still the same. Who's to say my journey is any less perfect to the next persons. <3


I don't think you'd find me on any dating show but hey thats me and if the end result is love and gives me a bit of entertainment on a saturday night how can i disagree? ;)

N'awwwwwwwwww <3

When you say love, i'm guessing you automatically think of people in relationships/ dating but to me i think of all my loved ones like my friends and family. Yes yes that's probably because i'm a sad singleton ;) but love is much more than one thing. To me when you love someone, they make you happy, you can be your complete self round them and they love you for it. You can't imagine your life without them and want to protect them, lots of lovely feelings of safety and secureness too. :) You feel a warm fuzzy feeling around the heart area. Some people that may just be heart burn at work, haha but for the most its love.


 Love is literally all around us, it's probably the strongest and most common bond in the world. When you love something its the best feeling in the world. whether it be a boy/girlfriend, parent, a pet, a friend or a dvd. I wouldn't necessarily think you could use the description i've said of love for everything because to me thats the blanket area of it. It varies like i'm not gonna get a warm fuzzy feeling over a dvd like i would say as cuddling my dog. But still i love them both just in different ways. They both make me happy and i want them both in my life but i feel a deeper bond with my pet than i do with titanic. Although that film gets me every time, what a love story that was. ;)

I guess what i'm saying is don't lose hope on love just because you haven't met the love of your life yet doesnt mean you never will. Infact you are surrounded by it already... all you need is love der der der der der dem... ;) Don't be so close minded on love because you could be holding out for perfect when perfect is already there because it's what you make it to be.<3 


Well now i've ranted about my idea of LOOOVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEE, here's a classic chat up line i heard on last night's advert for take me out i just have to share; "Have you got a plaster cause i cut my knee falling for you!" ;')

Photo of the week:

In the theme of love, this seemed pretty
app. ;) <3




Cherish the ones you truly love because there the ones that  look after you when the world's going crazy around you. <3

Love
Becca.
xox

10 things to do in a dilemma... :)

Heyyyyy,

Thought today's post would be some tips for when life hits a snag... ;)

1. Keep calm... yes your probably stressed as hell but it tends to be when you get stressed and wound up everything seems about a million times worse! And everything tends to go wrong because your body is just so hyped it then it starts to make mistakes.

2. Tell a confidant... this can be a trusted friend or supportive family member. They will most likely calm you down, give you some advice and generally support you all the way. :)

3. Chunk it up into little steps... this is a really good technique that could be used for most things whether it be; anxiety, getting stressed or a long busy day. When everything is put together it all seems massive, scary and undo-able. But if you chunk it up into little sections everything seems more manageable.  Just focus on that one step and forget about the rest, "why worry about tomorrow when you're still living today." For example if you were nervous about performing in a show... just focus on learning your lines, simple as that then take it from there before you know it, doing the little steps has equalled you doing the whole thing!

4. Get a distraction... everyone needs a distraction every now and then and when better if you're a bit fed up or worried and need to have a bit of fun. Do something that you love, whether it be going out with a friend, eating your favourite food or starting a new project. :)

5. Step back... not literally ;) but sometimes you can become too involved in a situation so the best thing to do is step back. Think it through clearly and return to the situation when it all seems clearer. That way you can gain back the control... don't let whatever the problem take a handle on you. Grab the bull by the horns so to speak. ;) 

6. Stay positive... this is a particularly hard one to do but it's something that just has to be done! I saw this quote once and it made me lol... "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." Haha ;) Of course you have to allow yourself to be upset and feel all your emotions, we are only human afterall! But then decide to use whatever life has thrown at you or what mistakes that  have been made as something to learn from grow and strengthen you because of it. Just because something isn't happening right now or going wrong doesn't mean it will always be that way. 

7. Relaxation.. A bit of relaxation is always good, get your candles out, oil burner and listen to some calming music. Sometimes you just need to chill and breakaway before or after you face an issue! Hummmm ;)

8. Stop the thought process... if you think about it we tend to have everything set out in our head. Certain expectations, if you don't know someone you create your own picture, trying out a new recipe - you already have it all decided what you think it should taste like and how it should be. Same for dilemma's anytime anything bad happens we always think the worse or pysch ourself out to how we think the situation will turn out. Instead of a dream catcher... a thought catcher. ;) Anytime you notice a bad thought coming into your head bin it you don't need it and its actually hindering you rather than helping. Once you work out what's making you so scared or bothering you then you can work on that and really think what it is that actually troubles you about it. 

9.Look for inspiration...  whether it be in a quote, a pep talk from a role model, your religion or listening to a song. The answers always out there somewhere you just have to search for it. :) 

10. Finally... make a decision and stick to it... nobody knows how you feel better than you so once you've thought it all through make a decision and stick to it. It's always best to listen to your first instinct. :)

Thought i would start a photo of the week each blog can be from the internet, a picture i've taken or something that has inspired the photography eye. ;)

Photo of the week:

It's a photo i took at a place called Fairhaven lake,
it got printed in a local magazine this week. :D

Love Becca.
xox

Finding that perfect balance...

Hello again, :)


I've decided today's post would be about what i believe on mind over matter, inspiration and still being you with an illness. There's so many people that think in illnesses that positivity will beat it all. And if  you believe you have no pain then the pain will vanish. I believe it too a certain degree.I believe that if you aren't positive, if you aren't determined then you wouldn't even get up in the morning. I also agree if you focus on something it makes it worse and can strengthen the feeling. BUT that doesn't mean if you have an illness and you have pain its because of any other reason than you having that illness. Everyone has their own way of dealing with pain and emotions to what suits them. Personally for me its about having a little moan and rant to friends, them being understanding and offering some words of encouragement. After that its down to you whether you give up or let what's happening strengthen you. 


I heard a true story yesterday about a girl who i think was a quadruple amputee who only had little movement in her hand. Doctors told her parents to put her institute; to give up on her and that she'd never achieve anything. Of course her parents didn't listen to them and decided to got their house equipped for her. All that time the girl kept determined and never gave up.She eventually through a lot of hard work and determination got qualifications and went to university!! The way this girl stayed so positive was through imagining herself to be dancing even though she was totally paralysed. This really inspired me, to never give up on anyone because there's no one to "broken beyond repair". <3 


This status from my lovely friend Kate also inspired me;  "been so nice playing with the bunnies, ballet talk & learning about an AMAZING dancer who's recovered from ME :D I've also decided for my birthday I want some tap shoes! even though I'm not well enough to dance , I'm going to sit on the end of my bed when in well enough & do the simple things but sitting down until I can stand for longer! ;) ♥". - If you know her then you know she's an amazing ballerina and i know in all honesty that she will get better and dance again one day. She is a fighter and so determined and i know she will beat this and full fill her dreams. :) <3

Somebody who's already there at the finishing line of M.E and gives me absolute inspiration and hope every day, is my friend Hanna. (A.k.a Bff padlock;She's been a regular mention in my blog post so you've heard of her before ;)) She had M.E and was bed bound for years yet she too was determined and put in so much hard work to get better. And she did it, she's so positive. And even now when she's still battling with medical problems; she's one of the most kind, determined and selfless people i know. So thankyou for being a true inspiration to me Hanna. :)

 I write them in hope that someone whoever, who is reading this can smile and know that there's always a reason somewhere to smile. :) Unless with close friends or fellow AYME'ers i don't really like to talk about my illness too much. I get embarrassed going out in the wheel chair or looking pale or holding on to my friend or parents down the road hardly being able to walk and having extra help with things. People say it's nothing to be ashamed about and it's NOT. It's just sometimes you want to be known as yourself not the girl with the illness or somebody sick. You don't want pity. Your still you, just a fairy with a broken wing waiting to fly again i like to think. ;) I tend to want to be "normal" down to the very last detail, the make upped face, the in fashion clothes anything to fit in the mould and not be noticed or be different. That's down to a lot of things not to just my illness but then i've only just come to realise what is "normal"? Is it if we don't see someone crying, we assume their fine. Or if we see someone smiling or laughing their life is perfect. How do we know, because let's face it nobody knows how you feel except you. It's brilliant when you say your ok but you have them certain people who just instantly know your not. There there for you through it all and treat you like your you, support you and don't even have to ask for help or say your not well they just know. True friendship. <3


In life it's all about finding that perfect balance between knowing your limits but having that determination that lets you know everything will work out in the end because you're gonna make it. <3

Love Becca.

xox