Has it been that long?

September 17, 2018September 16, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.4 Comments

Well yes it appears it has been a month since I managed to get to my blog. Mid September already, the long hot beautiful Summer is already becoming a memory as we drift into the cooler days and shorter evenings of Autumn.

It has been busy, as usual. Caring really is a full time, 24/7, no days off, no night off, profession so I take my breaks when I can. As you know the past five months Dad has experienced illness after illness after illness. It has been so tough on him, on Mom and on me. Dad has gone from being able to do quite a few things for himself and his chosen jobs around the house to not being able to do very much at all, so it has fallen to me.

We’ve had a great run again of getting to bed at night, 42 nights in a row broken only the other night when Mom decided to stay up. So we start counting again. 42 nights is amazing, it has been years and years since we have had any good run of getting to bed and we’ve had two good runs so far this year. I’m aware that Sundown season is approaching but fingers crossed.

Over the past two weeks Dad has slowly, and I mean slowly, started to show signs of improvement. He has managed to eat small amounts regularly which in turn has assisted with keeping that dreadful gunk he was coughing up all night and day, at bay. He still has the cough and the gunk but it is vastly reduced. He is managing to get some sleep at night, another benefit. He is feeling a bit better in himself, he is chatting more, watching the news again and has even reached for his diary and prayer books. These are all good signs of Dad feeling a little better in himself.

Mom bless her has been so supportive of him, caring for him, advising him and trying to help him in her own way. Sometimes she has been very frightened when the cough and gunk has been in full flow. Somehow we have managed to come through the past five months. I thank God every night for giving us another blessed day together as a family.

In the meantime, I have lots to share on the music front, some of which you may have seen on my social media which I have stepped up a gear. I will update the music blog as soon as I can. I have been reading your blogs as they come through on my email, when you are up at night and you need to stay awake they make excellent reading and I love them, they make me feel connected, thank you.

A few photo’s from the past month or so, with love and sparkles xxx

A random lunch with one of my friends and yes I had that dessert again but we did share. Love my cup of coffee in the mornings.

Delighted that my Shamrock has started to grow again after the heavy snow and frost had killed it off earlier this year. My little tubs and baskets didn’t do too badly either this Summer.

And Snapchap still makes me giggle and does away with the wrinkles…Go Snapchat!!!

The Music Sparkle.

Here it is!

August 17, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.5 Comments

I wrote in my blog post yesterday that I would share my cover version of the Randy Crawford classic “Almaz” so here it is…

https://youtu.be/G89N3onMDJY

I’m both excited and nervous about sharing this, there is something a little scary about putting yourself out there but I love singing and I just wanted to share this beautiful song. I really hope you enjoy it.

With love and sparkles xxx

The Music Sparkle.

This is like work!

August 16, 2018August 15, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.1 Comment

Well a quick update, actually can I do a quick update? A quick update for me is something like 1,000 words!! I’ll do my best, honest.

There has been much going on, on the singing front. The singing it appears is the easy bit, it all the other bits that take the real effort, organisation, research and time oh yes that precious commodity time. So far we have the tracks recorded and all bar one is completed. Everything is on course at the moment for the video shoot at the end of August. I’m very lucky to be working with Rivermade Films Mulk is so easy to work with, he is aware of my restrictions as a carer with regards to location being close at hand in case I get a call to come home, keeping things simple yet effective and listening to my thoughts on the songs and turning them into a vision. Mulk has already provided me with lots of information on his thoughts and plans for the video shoot and every time I read them I get goosebumps. Mulk has such vision and creativity and I’m so looking forward to the day and also nervous about how I will be in front of a camera.

I had a very insightful and useful hour with Paul Dunphy Esq Paul is a Social Media Curator who I “met” on Twitter some years ago. His knowledge is incredible and to anyone looking for advice on how to use social media for their business or hobby I would highly recommend Paul. Paul advised me to just be me, don’t bother with a separate Facebook page or Twitter account for the music, just use what I have already, be me. Paul pointed out that as a full time carer I won’t have time to keep two lots of accounts going so keep it simple and keep it sparkly.

I told Paul I am not very confident in pushing myself forwards, self promotion but he put me completely at ease with this. As Paul says, most people are nice, most people like to engage with people they like, people want to know more about the person, the back story behind the music or whatever passion it is you have. My Instagram is already filling up with pictures of me. It still doesn’t sit quite right but I would love to share the music with as many people as possible and this is the way to go.

I have been researching the various licences I require in order to release a couple of my tracks commercially. This is time consuming as I want to be 100% sure of what I am signing up to. I have done hours of research over the weeks on music aggregation and I have narrowed it down to two organisations. Digital music is changing all the time it seems and having the correct licences for what you want to do is very important. I’m still hoping to release “Summer Love” by the end of the Summer, it just all depends on how fast people get back to me, how quickly license applications are handled and how fast the music aggregator will work once things are in place. I probably could have done this quicker with more time to hand but I don’t have that luxury so dipping in and out of things is how I’m getting things done.

I have located the Musicians Union website and located it is all I have done so far. I switch the laptop on in the morning, access a website and then sometimes get no further and I end up switching the laptop off before I go to bed. Just depends how the day goes caring wise.

I know the above all sounds like hard work and I suppose it is but I am really enjoying learning all about this industry and what you need to do if you want to do anything at all with your music. I have scribbled a few songs, sudden inspiration would hit me and I’d reach for the phone to record the tune and lyrics whilst it is fresh in my mind. I was brave enough last week to play two to my guitar tutor and he said they were good!! I was amazed. He has given me the guitar chords to the tune in my head so that I can practice. It just is so exciting and it does give me an escape in my head to the stresses of the day and I think too brings peace to my soul.

I’m hoping to upload a song to You Tube this weekend. It’s my cover of the Randy Crawford classic “Almaz”. I love this song so much. There isn’t a video, just a photo of myself. I will do a quick post to let you know when it has been uploaded.

My chap has been practising his photography skills taking some photo’s of me in the garden, for social media purposes. I have included some below, I do hope you like them.

With love and sparkles until the next musical update xxx

Life Sparkles

How long has it been?!!

August 15, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.7 Comments

Mid August already!! How is this possible? I have come to the conclusion that the reason I am on the go all the time and still don’t get everything done is because time is just moving too quickly these days…or am I just getting old?

I have a “to do” list a mile long but I have missed writing my blog so I’ve made myself a cup of coffee and decided to do a quick catch up post. Thankfully I receive emails updates from my favourite blogs so I have kept more or less up to date with your lovely blog posts and of course I have my comments to make…that’s on the “to do” list.

Well since I last wrote poor Dad has been unwell again bless him. We had that slight improvement and then things went downhill. Once again the throat played up and we have a vicious circle going on. Dad has no appetite as he has no taste on the food and his throat is sore. Because he is not eating so well he is weak, frail and has a mixture of reflux and other acid forcing it’s way up in the most awful coughing I have ever heard.

Another attack of Thrush or so we thought but after a week of treatment the white patches were still there. The Dr tried another medication which has helped clear up the patches, reduce the soreness and in turn Dad has persevered to eat more substantial food which in turn has meant that the acid is reducing, the cough is reducing and he is getting some sleep at night. I feel for him, this bout of illness, one thing after another, has been going on since just before Easter. He is wore out.

In my last update I was celebrating a run of 33 days of going to bed, Oh I spoke too soon. July ran at two nights a week no bed and also into the start of August, we are having a good week this week…shhhh. Mom is such a little darling though, she has been amazing looking after Dad in her way. All that nursing knowledge is still there. So beautiful to watch them sitting hand in hand watching the TV and singing along with You Tube. One night when I was tucking her into bed she thanked me for caring. I said “Mom you don’t have to thank me at all” and her reply was that it isn’t everyone that would give up their life to look after two old spirits. I could have just wept there and then. I don’t feel I have given up my life. Undoubtedly my life has completely changed but I have to say that I have an inner happiness and peace now that I didn’t have whilst on the corporate daily slog although I enjoyed that. Such importance is placed on meetings, deadlines, payment times, performance reviews etc in that world but to me, in the grand scheme of things, those things don’t really matter to life. I don’t miss the stress and anxiety of the corporate world.

In the midst of all of this, it was my birthday and we actually had a lovely weekend. My chap was over for the weekend, I was so lucky to receive so many cards and some beautiful gifts. Himself even bought me flowers which he never does and oh yes, I asked him what he had done!! I have a few photo’s to share with you below. There is much happening with the singing at the moment which I will write in another post. I’m hoping that this is just the busy period, setting everything up and once it’s done, it’s done and I can get back to just singing when I can.

With love and sparkles until the next time xxx

A simple thing but I really love the Twitters birthday balloons!

My chap and I actually got out for a birthday meal together and this was my dessert and I enjoyed every single mouthful. Meringue, Strawberries, Chantilly Cream, Pistachio’s, absolutely delicious and it was like a holiday. The carer sat with M & D and I had a whole three hours out.

img_7804-1

My beautiful flowers from himself.

The snapchat fun photo – is anyone else missing the heatwave? I loved the hot weather especially for getting the washing dry…we have loads of washing in this house!!

The Music Sparkle.

Recording!

July 9, 2018July 5, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.6 Comments

I can’t believe it is just over two weeks ago already, but I actually fulfilled a dream to record some songs. What an experience. The week before I was suffering with a sore throat, achy bones and felt I was definitely coming down with some horrible bug. Why that week?!!! Why the week I was due to sing my heart out?!!! I lived on paracetamol, honey and lemon drinks, Lemsip (which is gross even with added honey to sweeten it) and some of Dad’s throat spray as advised by the Doctor. I had ordered some VocalZone pastilles under recommendation. They didn’t arrive until the day of the recording and I was advised not to take them on the day I am due to sing. Happily my throat had recovered somewhat by Thursday evening. I didn’t sleep a wink Thursday night I was so excited and also full of apprehension.

Friday morning I felt my throat was totally constricted, “just nerves” I kept telling myself. My boyfriend arrived early; he was going to look after M & D whilst I was singing. My Guitar tutor arrived with his mobile recording studio and we made a sound booth with two music stands and a duvet…amazing. Then my vocal coach arrived. I wanted her to be there plus she was very interested in how the recording would all work out at home.

I was really nervous but we got started with the songs that are easier to sing. It was weird to hear myself singing in my own ears alongside the backing track. To stop and start. to break in later in the song, to rephrase a lyric, to put my own sound on it. In two hours we had managed to record seven tracks; some Irish, some Country and some from totally different genres…all will be revealed in due course. I was hoarse afterwards and I was on a high. This was one huge tick off my “dreams come true” list. I am very lucky that I managed to choose such wonderful people as Christine (Vocal Coach) and Roger (Guitar Tutor).

A week later I received the unedited tracks to listen to. They sounded amazing, I really can’t believe that it is me. The sound quality is excellent, you’d never think we recorded the songs at home.

Over that weekend my boyfriend took some photographs in the garden with a camera, rather than a mobile phone, so that I could start on my music social media work. I had been out the night before to see John McNicholl so a tad tired looking but I do like some of the photo’s and have used them for my Music page. I’ll use them for the You Tube channel when I get that up and going. There is so much to do and so limited time to do it. However, I have no great expectations of ambitions. Singing and music is my respite, my stress buster from the caring role which takes up the majority of my time. This is my hobby. I have a lot to research regarding licensing, commercial obligations, royalties, CD’s etc but it will all have to be done in my own slow available time.

I also have the opportunity later in the year to make a video or two for a couple of the recorded tracks. I’m very excited about this and yet this too will pose problems to get around. I can’t not be at home in the morning so a full day out is out of the question. I will need cover whilst I am out so I’m looking at £20 per hour before I do anything with a video. Location is another question, I can’t be too far from home in case I need to get back quickly. I want to keep things as simple as possible as I don’t have people who want to appear in videos and I don’t want to have to hire rooms, theatre’s, bars etc. So before I start I have some obstacles to overcome but as the saying goes, where there’s a will there’s a way.

I spotted some dresses on Instagram in June and when I visited the website I was amazed that they were so reasonably priced, plus there was a sale and a first purchase discount. So I bought two, one in Black and one in White. They arrived at the end of last week…from China. The Black one is huge but I can work with it, that’s what we have clothes pegs for 🙂 The White one is a perfect fit. These are for photos and also for wearing in the videos. How exciting life has become. I am so grateful and blessed to be getting the opportunity to do these things albeit at a very slow pace.

Dad made me laugh the day after the recordings when he asked me what was going to happen to him and Mom. I asked him why he asked that question and he said now that I’ve recorded the tracks things will change. I laughed and said that I had only recorded a few songs, I didn’t think I would be taking on a World Tour next week and in any case, him and Mom are my priority. I’m here 100% for them and that won’t change, global stardom will have to wait.

Pictures are mine or via Pinterest.

With love and sparkles xxx

The Music Sparkle.

New Music.

July 6, 2018July 3, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.2 Comments

We have some fantastic new Summer tunes from my favourite Irish Country music stars. I’m waking up each morning humming one of these, the tunes are so catchy and the video’s are excellent.

First up is the lovely John McNicholl with his song “The Brightest Road” written by Derek Ryan. I was lucky enough that on the release day, June 22nd, when it was number one in the Irish country charts and number five here in the UK country charts, to hear it performed live as John was appearing in Birmingham that evening. It was like a huge party at the dance as we all celebrated the single being number one. So proud of John and happy for him to reach the number one spot, a fantastic song.

Next up is Michael English with his summer tune “Then it’s Love”, I absolutely love this. Unfortunately Michael didn’t sing this one at the concert I attended at the end of April (that’s another blog post I need to do), the video is very summer like. I find myself singing this one almost all day long, I really need to learn more of the lyrics though than just the chorus, I’m driving folk crazy repeating the same thing over and over 🙂

Derek Ryan just keeps rocking out those hits, here he is with another country/pop type of tune “Hayley Jo” which has got folk dancing up and down the country, he really is just pure class. I really like this one, I just can’t work out who is Hayley Jo in the video?

My last selection for today is from our homegrown, Irish country music superstar Nathan Carter. Self penned with his singer/songwriting manager John Farry “Give it to Me” is a sure fire summer hit for Nathan. Great song, fun video and Nathan Carter, what’s not to love?!!!

I hope you have enjoyed these fab four summer hits from some of my favourite Irish music stars. I have a few more to share which I will leave for a future post.

With love and music sparkles xx

Life Sparkles

Dear diary…

July 3, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.10 Comments

…as usual it’s been a while since I have managed to update my blog. So much seems to be happening and for a change, most of it is good, WHOOP!

Thankfully Dad continues to improve. The Doctor was correct when he said it would be a slow process but I don’t care how slow it is as long as Dad is improving. We are still battling away with the cardiac water cough, lack of appetite and regaining strength. Sleep has much improved, Dad has started to eat proper food again and he looks much more like his usual self. Mom has just been the most amazing little fairy, the love shines through and her nursing returned to her. I have been so happily surprised at how she has been looking after Dad, it has been beautiful and emotional to watch.

Another plus point…oh I wish I had a fan fare here…we have managed a whole month of going to bed every single night. We haven’t done that for almost four years…FOUR YEARS!! I still have bags under my eyes but at least they aren’t Black anymore.

We are experiencing the most fantastic Summer weather we have had in years here in the UK. I love it. Apart from ensuring that “The Kids” are kept cool I am loving this sunshine. I’m not getting out in it much but just the fact is there is just wonderful. Long may it continue. This was a sunset from my bedroom window a couple of weeks ago. Such beautiful colours.

I’m doing my bit in these lovely long, bright, Summer evenings to try and keep the garden as Mom and Dad used to. You can see how scorched the earth is through the lack of rain. I’ve bought myself a watering can. I’ve done quite well with some small tubs of flowers and it’s actually quite therapeutic a little bit of gardening.

Last Friday one of my forever friends came over to see us and I had booked the carer to cover for me for a couple of hours so that we could escape to a local pub, sit outside and eat a late lunch/early dinner and enjoy a glass or two of Prosecco. After not being out for such a long time it felt like a holiday. It is so true that carer’s need a break!!

I have news to update you on the music front which I will do as soon as I can. There’s a lot of work involved now with the setting up, music aggregation, licences etc and finding time is difficult as I’m always on the go. But find time I will!

A little snapchat filter to close off for today…gosh if only I could get my make up like this!!

With love and sparkles until the next update, thank you for checking in with me xxx

The Music Sparkle.

Musical Vibes.

June 11, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.7 Comments

Somehow, throughout the last three months of illness here at home, I have managed to keep some music going in my life. Music is my respite. I can escape into it. It brings me peace, harmony, balance and happiness. Even if I am wallowing in the saddest of songs, it brings me comfort. I can dance around the kitchen to trance music and lose myself in the words of a country love song or the lyrics of old Ireland. I am lucky that my guitar tutor comes to me for my lessons and I have been having my vocal coaching sessions online also.

So, the story so far…

I have all the backing tracks I require in order to record seven tracks. It has been a steep learning curve so far. License agreements – the two companies I have bought my backing tracks from work very differently. One based in the UK has far superior tracks, a one off fee and job done, I can use it. The other, head office in France, has excellent backing tracks, no charges initially, I think I need 100,000 downloads from Facebook…can you imagine that…I’ll be ecstatic if I get one download from anywhere!

I’ve been practising when I can, I need to be note perfect plus I need to come in on que. I do have a habit of getting lost in the intro music and forgetting to sing. I’ve also been making a list, which is becoming a never ending list of things to do. I think of one thing which leads to another, then another and another. All things which I know little or nothing about and with being a full time carer, time is premium and these items on my to do list need to be researched fully and properly.

Mom, Dad and I decided that my “Professional” name will be Dawn McDermott Music. I already have cousins in Ireland using my surname professionally so we chose another family name for my foray into music. Last weekend I set up my Facebook Music Page

There isn’t much content yet of course and I think I mentioned before, self promotion is not my thing. After much thought about this I decided that in the end, I just have to be me. I can’t let the unknown scare me. I have no grand expectations of overnight stardom, number one on iTunes etc. I am doing what I love as my hobby and respite. I am making a few dreams come true for myself. I just want to sing the songs I love and if in turn they make people happy then that will be such a huge bonus for me.

I have also set up my Twitter Music Account. If you would like to follow me on my musical journey on either Facebook or Twitter I would love that. Thank you.

All being well, recording date is set at 22nd June and again I am fortunate in that my guitar tutor has a mobile recording studio and can come to me. My Vocal Coach will also be here and my chap has taken the day off work so that he can be here to help with Mom and Dad whilst I am recording for two hours. I would think the recording will be ready two to three weeks later and then hopefully I’ll be shooting a couple of video’s in late Summer. Even as I type this it is all unbelievable.

A very good friend for many, many years is shooting the video’s with me. He is a fabulous short film maker and this is a new project for him also and we are both really excited about this. Check out some of Mulk’s films here Mulk Raj.

And so for now, that is where I am with the music hobby/project. Still lots of research, broadcasting licenses, iTunes, Amazon Music, CD’s etc…once you start these things you realise there is a lot more to it than you originally thought. I’m just going to go with the flow and do things as and when time allows. Thank you for your support so far and I hope you will continue to support me as I travel along this path.

Pictures via Pinterest.

With love and sparkles xx

Life Sparkles

Strep Throat is the Pits!!

June 2, 2018June 2, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.2 Comments

Poor Dad, what a horrible, horrible, horrible infection infection Strep Throat is. Since my last update where he was just starting the antibiotics, we have had over two weeks of what I can only describe as an absolutely horrendous time. After a week of treatment the Strep had started to break up within the throat, which is good. The downside was that in breaking up it leaves lesions on the throat and tonsils which made it impossible for Dad to eat or drink. Everything he tried, including water, hurt. Not only did it hurt but it immediately caused an almighty coughing session, bringing up what I have officially classed as “Strep Gunk”. We’ve had nights of continuous coughing and all I could do was be there to support him. I wanted to stop the cough but I was yet again helpless.

Week two of Strep Dad was feeling so bad one evening he asked me to ring the priest. Fr Michael was here very quickly. Such a lovely, kind man, he calls every month to visit Mom and Dad. He gave both Mom and Dad the anointing of the sick sacrament. There was an incredible feeling of energy surrounding their chairs, you could almost touch it.

Two weeks on and we have at last started a recovery. Dad is starting to eat again, the coughing is decreasing and we have less all night coughing sessions. Dad has lost over a stone in weight and is quite weak. Not surprising after almost three weeks without proper food. The Dr supplied us with protein shakes which have helped enormously. What was starting to happen over the last week was that the lack of eating and drinking was having a knock on effect on Dad’s existing health issues. It really does feel like one step forwards and two backwards at times.

It’s been nine continuous weeks of infections, with the Strep Throat period being worst of all. The past month has felt extremely solitary in ways. More than once I just sat and cried. Exhaustion, anxiety, fear and a feeling of inadequacy just spilled out. Better out than bottled up I suppose.

Mom has been amazing, she is such a sweetie. Very caring, advising Dad, tucking him into bed and checking on him. The nurse within her returned and only one all nighter which kept me fit up and downstairs to keep an eye on them both. I am now hopeful that we have at last turned a positive corner and that slowly recovery will continue.

Needless to say I haven’t left the house very much at all in the past month. From now though I really must try to go out again as I think I could easily fall into the trap of thinking that I can’t go because I’m needed plus Dad has already said he doesn’t want me to go out because he feels safer when I am in. Although he has also admitted this wouldn’t be good for me. The three of us need to get used to the carer being here to give me a break.

I have one concert to blog about, which I attended at the end of April plus I have managed to keep my guitar lessons and singing sessions going, all within the house and I have news on the singing front. I’ll get these written as soon as I can.

A few pictures that more or less cover my last couple of weeks…that new granola from Kellogg’s is delicious.

With love and sparkles x

So very true...

New favourite breakfast.

The Music Sparkle.

Concert Time – Nashville.

May 18, 2018May 14, 2018 Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.4 Comments

With everything that has been going on at home, I didn’t think I would make it out to the various concerts I have had tickets for for months. It was touch and go as usual and I just made it in time for the start, but make it I did to the Nashville Farewell Tour. These guys are incredible, such fantastic musicians, wonderful vocals and they can act as well. Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Chris Carmack and Jonathan Jackson. What a team of performers with almost tangible love and respect for each other. I think they are all brilliant but I do have a favourite, Jonathan Jackson has one of the most amazing vocal ranges I have ever heard. His version of “Unchained Melody” dedicated to his wife, was just perfect.

I have a few pictures and video’s to share. It was a super show and of course now I’m hoping for the “Nashville Reunion Tour” at some point. I’m only half way through series four of the TV show so hopefully I’ll have caught up by the time of another tour!

Jonathan Jackson. — Jonathan Jackson – Avery in Nashville.

Charles Esten and Clare Bowen. Deacon and Scarlett in Nashville.

I love these guys so much, the happiness, the music, the TV show, they have brought so much to our family. This is the only TV show that Mom will now watch all the way through without issue and that in itself is worth millions to me. I’m not that good at taking video’s at concerts but I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

I wish you all a life that’s good with plenty of sparkle xx

All photo’s and video’s on this post are mine.