Season 2 - More Real life as a carer, mum, crafter and writer - what is it like?

Hello and welcome back to Season2.  

We are kicking the season off with a quick welcome, what Covid lockdowns meant for us as a family, how migraines have been affecting me and why.  More on Pathological Demand Avoidance and how the lockdown helped my daughter build a relationship with her brother through Minecraft.  lastly setting up a livestream on Minecraft and how it can benefit my children and my business.  Oh, and word of the week - starting where we left off, the letter E.

I am thrilled to be back.  I am aiming to make these podcasts every week, but fortnightly may be easier.  I will work it out as I go along.  To start off with I am aiming for them to be uploaded on a Monday morning.

Feel free to ask me questions and I will try to discuss some of the issues raised in today's podcast.

Take care and stay safe.

Carrie Brady, aka CJSCRAFTS, aka CJSGOOSE

A friend may need one of these songs so I said I would quickly record them.  I hope you like the traditional versions of Auld Lang Syne and Sweet Afton by the wonderfully talented Robbie Burns.

I will re-sing these for Burns night in January, and if I am really lucky I might even find my old backing tracks which make the songs much better, although I do love singing acapella, all of my errors are easily discovered!!

Deepest apologies for the error in the middle, my glasses kept slipping and the words would go blurry, and I ended up re-singing the second verse.  I stopped and re-sung.  As you can see this is completely un-edited and sung live in my lounge.

Take care everyone and stay safe.  I may yet make another Christmas recording, but otherwise I will be back in January.

Image is of one of my bookmarks - 2 for Joy, Magpies. - Hopefully a larger range of this product will be coming next year.

Carrie

Hi, this is a really difficult one for me, Episode 13, with an episode that lasted 13 mins and 13 secs!!  I told you in an earlier episode I am trying to forget my fears of the number 13 which has become overwhelmingly debilitating as I attempt to avoid it in every way possible.  So this is either a good thing or a terrible thing!

This episode is just me singing a few Christmas Carols (please ignore the terrible First Noel!), these are unrehearsed and no fancy equipment, just my cheap microphone and laptop, no special effects for reverb etc. 

I hope you like them and I look forward to speaking to you again on January 4th 2021.

Picture is of my Christmas real egg baubles. 

Take care, Carrie, CJ's Crafts

This year has been tough for us all, but I have spent most of it migraine and headache led which is causing me many issues.  I have masses of important paperwork that can no longer be neglected so I will be signing off for now and aim to return on January 4th 2021.  I will leave you with a few Christmas Carols, they are off the cuff and sung acapella, so please forgive the many errors.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and New Year and my heart goes out for all of the families caught in the turbulent world that is Covid.  Nothing can replace the loved ones lost forever or heal the wounds left open by long Covid.  I am thinking of you all, let us hope the vaccines complete their trials well and we can begin to move towards a brighter 2021.

Thank you all for listening and I will speak to you again on the 4th January 2021, (hopefully).

Carrie, CJ's Crafts.

Welcome back to you all and thanks for your continued support.  This week is a little faced paced and changing of topic quicker than normal (too many things to discuss).  I talk about playing the piano again - hurrah!, more stupid migraines, but hopefully with a solution, pda, the word of the week - we are on letter D - so what will it be (ok, sorry).  I discuss the swing incident and please help support me with the auction of my egg shown in the image.  I am trying to raise as much money as possible for the RBL.  Finally I discuss my commission tapestry which so far I am actually really happy with.  Fingers crossed I can finish it in the way I want.

Apologies for the delay this week, the migraines were just too bad and I couldn't get all the jobs completed I needed too.

Welcome back to episode 10 - many things have happened this week, DJSkyra is trying to change - a little touch on that,  Alex's temper tantrums have plagued the week.  I have had more migraines / headaches to deal with and tricked the children with the clocks going back (ooopsy!).  

Work continues on the tapestry - check out my Facebook page for videos showing progression.

A reminder that my auction item is up for sale on 1st November - 11 November pop over to my sites for full details.

My Facebook page is @Cjscrafts2019

This week I discuss a meltdown my ASD / PDA daughter had during the week, and how it affects us both now and a few years ago.  More as a carer too.  I eventually manage to discuss the tapestry I am working on, but my migraine is playing havoc with my brain and everything is being muddled - apologies in advance.  

Later I discuss Tigers and Migraines.

Lastly a reminder of my upcoming Auction on Ebay for one of my unique goose eggs (picture shown).  Listing is live from 1st - 11 Nov - please come along and bid.

Thanks again to all my listeners, you are all awesome and amazing. x

Wow this is a packed one.  I discuss Stig of the dump a fabulous book and theatre production - check out links on my site for more information (posted by Tuesday).  How PDA affects a child in overload after the theatre and the lack of safe handling sessions to aid parents with SEND children.

A slight issue occurs when Master Alex wakes up coughing, I have to abandon you for a few moments - oh and apologies for the knocking over of the microphone!

I discuss how episode 7 and possibly a few more are of me singing.  I love singing - this one is for mental health awareness and is solitaire by the carpenters - please do check it out, it is only a few minutes long.

My daughter loves the number 13 and I detest it - and am freaked out when I think of it.  I am trying to turn the tide and embrace the 13!!

Yay! I have a tapestry commission so it is to work with the old one on the frame so I can begin the next. - Watch this space

A new addition for any writers, Dictionary Weekly, a quick word of the week!

And promoting my auction item - money raised to be gifted to the Royal British Legion. - information to follow on my website

cjscrafts.co.uk

questions to: cjscrafts2019@outlook.com

Thank you to all who tune in, it really is appreciated and amazing!!

Take care, and Stay Safe,

Carrie

This is just a quick addition to the normal episodes for mental health week.  I love to sing and should have pursued it, but the bullies won over me, reminding me daily how useless I was and couldn't sing.  I sadly listened, and it is only over the last 10 or so years I have finally told myself I can actually sing, but sadly now I can't very often.  My allergies are very difficult to manage and require several medications, which dries out my vocal chords.  I have not yet found a way to sing for any length of time and often my throat hurts despite not being a throat / nasal singer.  I had considered taking a singing exam recently, just to prove to myself, but with our situation I cannot.

Try to never let the bullies get you down, Karen Carpenter helped me through so many moments, her songs will always be poignant to me.  It is so sad what happened to her and that she was finally on the road to recovery,  but so much damage had happened, she couldn't cope.  Please please remember to talk about your problems, to anyone who will listen.  I never did and came from a time when metal health issues were brushed under the carpet and it forever scarred me.  I went though several boughts of starving myself and refusing to eat food as a teenager, thankfully for me, I did not have enough determination to carry out anything longer than a week, and at 16, I met Mal who helped me through those dark times pulling me through - like a shining beacon in the dark.  I remember sadly upsetting a lady called Anne - she was a wonderful lady and both Mal and I worked with her for years.  At the time, I was nearly a size zero!!  I didn't mean to be, I just was after having medication issues that turned out to be an allergy.  Only after the second time it was discovered, but I went from a plump 16 to an 8!!  Back then I walked everywhere it was quicker than the bus - miles and miles a day to and from work a few villages away.  I was 7.7st, and 34" bust and hips with a 24" waist!  I can't  believe it now, but I was for years - and guess what, I used to tell this lovely lady how fat I was!!  She was quite insulted by me, even at my protestation and nipping my tummy to show her my inch of fat (skin).  I never understood then.  Mal used to call me a waif and yes you could see and feel all my hip bones, they really jutted out.  I still remember it though like it was yesterday - honestly believing I was fat.  Now I do need to lose weight!! But I know now, I didn't then.  Sad how our brains trick us and we believe them.

Please do talk about mental health issues, and if possible seek therapy, it can honestly be helpful.  I had two lots donkeys years ago and I take what I learnt then and it carries me forward.  I also try to check myself and keep my life in proportion to others.  Sadly, there really are many more people in this world far worse than you and I.  We need to learn to embrace what we do have.  I am thankful for my children every day.  I know without them, my life would be very different.  Please raise awareness of Mental Health issues talk to your children and loved ones.  I do with my children all the time.  They need to know they can trust me if they are struggling.  I will always be there for them no matter what.

Thank you for listening, apologies for the crackles and rubbish voice, but I wanted to pay tribute to such a wonderful person.

Take care and stay safe.  Carrie

Apologies, Episode 6 is another tough one.  A week plagued with illness, a migraine and a sad film.  This week is about memories, memories of school, nearly all bad, but when going back through my reports for the image, I did win two prizes at the  end of High School which I neglect to mention in the Podcast.  Memories of my hubby who I miss dearly, so sadly another moving episode with many tears shed.  Lastly I have discovered how to add categories to the Blog on my site, so I can now introduce 'The Art of Knitting' - working on the differing blocks and how I manage each one with images.

WOW! Another Jam packed week and too much to discuss.

This week the bed arrived - woohoo!  

Sadly, my son is struggling with bereavement and learning to live without daddy - sorry, another tearjerker! Wanting to learn football (that is him, not me - but I need to learn to help him (save me!).  

I continue knitting and constantly make mistakes, and explain more about my thinking board and the book ideas.  A quick discussion on Roald Dahl, one of my favourite authors, and some more insider knowledge on living with PDA.

Thank you to those that are listening, I can see many of you are state side too, how amazing!  Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Don't forget, feel free to ask me questions, drop me a line and ask away.

*Note - my image states 'writing board' - not 'thinking board' - not sure what I was doing, but I flattened the image and can't amend so apologies for that confusion!!*

cjscrafts.co.uk    cjscrafts2019@outlook.com

Stay Safe,

Carrie

Welcome back to episode 4, I can't believe it has been a month already!!  This week I discuss my name, and how I came up with CJ's Crafts.  I become tongue tied with the word 'different' and despite trying not to, I continuously use it as it is stuck in my head!!  What I am trying to explain is that although I am only 41, I was raised in a tiny village in Norfolk UK which happened to be white with what I believe to be one BAME family who attended a different school in my area growing up (I cannot be certain this is fact, but I certainly do not remember any BAME families then personally).  I had been informed my local school was penalized by Ofsted for not being diverse or inclusive enough when I was a teenager.  But it wasn't because they didn't want to, just because the only family included in the BAME category chose another school.  It was only when I attended Huddersfield University that I discovered how diverse our population is.  I try to explain how other countries can have flamboyant sounding names and at that time, the area I grew up in had not become accustomed to it.  My real name is Caroline - that is pronounced Caroleeena Louise 'Brady' (My married name), my maiden name is Yugoslavian.  Having a Czechoslovakian first name, with the spelling akin to an English one did not come easy, and try as I might to help people understand, I became Mrs Bucket (Bouquet to those that know what I am talking about).  Fingers crossed that ties up my terrible description with 'different'?

I move on to the disgusted stage, how can humanity stoop so low?  Someone has to speak out, so I may as well be that person.

I discuss my children a little more, being poorly this week, breakfast in bed and trying to organize my home continues.  

My website is getting there, and I mention a little about my eggs that I decorate.

The Stoneage Round (square) house also continues with the 'daub' process and I run out of time right at the end.

So, thanks for listening, please don't forget to share, send me messages about any questions you may have and head on over to my cjscrafts.co.uk website to see more of my makes as I continue to build that.

Take care, CJ    ..... p.s. be prepared for a few more tears...... (sorry)

Today's episode, is a tough one.  I really wanted an upbeat, happy podcast, but life doesn't always grant a good day, and sadly today was not such a good day for me.  I reflect on Autism, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), Sensory Vestibular and the effects it has on both the children (one with all and one NT (Neurotypical)) not to mention the effects on myself.  Days like this mean I don't get to be mum, I need my carer hat on, and I need to forget that she doesn't feel in the same way as I do.  It won't take her long and the day will be forgotten completely, but for me, I will always remember and have to shake it off and carry on like nothing is wrong.

We discuss the health benefits of Alex returning to school, parents wearing a face mask at school or rather not.  Later... his homework sounds amazing and we have lots of ideas planned.  The Stone Age and beginning of civilization as we know it.  We are going to make our own paint for our cave art, build our own loom and weave together with wattle and daub.... our own miniature round house!!!  So stay tuned for more information on those topics and I will be placing information on them all on my website. cjscrafts.co.uk

Apologies for being a day late, I just ran out of time this week and then ran into technical difficulties uploading!

Take care and thanks for listening. 

x Carrie

Welcome back to episode 2 - Podcast by Carrie at CJ'sCrafts.  This week it is all about the new beginnings...

Returning to School and Home Education

Building the website

Mr Pumpkin

Should I restart?? - several times over

An incident with the new swing.

And a new venture of products

I hope you enjoy this episode.  Don't forget to send me your questions and if you would like a particular podcast about a craft, do please let me know.

Take care,

Carrie

Welcome to my very first Podcast - wow that was fun and scary.  After heaps of editing we are a go - literally just to remove thought gaps with the incessant' errrrrms, and's & so's - I can't believe how many I used!! 

This first ever Podcast is 'All about me'.  Whilst discovering a little of me we also learn about and discuss the following;

To compartmentalize!

My writing 'A Carers View: 4 Years living with a heart attack, cancer and autism' Blog.

The word 'interesting'

Why I am 'a claustrophobic mum'

Please say 'hello' to a carer and make them tea!

Accidental crying

The thinking board

Rediscovering 'interesting'

My education and working

The Execution of Lady Jane Grey - painting by Paul Delaroche 

The Hallucinogenic Toreador & Abraham Lincoln - paintings by Salvador Dalí

William Morris

Life drawing

Gouache Paint

And the two things I couldn't remember are Technical Drawings & the Agfa camera!!  

To accompany my Podcast when discussing paintings etc.  I will add a link to my website so you can discover more about them.

https://www.cjscrafts.co.uk/podcasts

I aim to be podcasting weekly on a Monday - Hopefully from either 7th or 14th September 2020 keep looking out.