Author: Dawn - The Sparkle Diaries.

Singer, Songwriter, Blogger and Chatterbox. Part Diva, Part Hippie, All Sparkle.
Life Sparkles

Race for Life!

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It has been a while since I found some time to update my blog.  Like everyone, life has its busy times; home, work, study, hobbies it has been a very busy period all in all.

Thankfully the studies are over for now.  The exam was pants (don’t ask), three more weeks until the results, I am expecting a re-sit on this one.  I take heart that the majority of people on the course also felt the same over the questions set. Fingers crossed I might just have done enough to get through.

Life continues very much the same on the home front, we have good days and not so good days.  We have great days and some terrible days but such is life and you just have to get on with it.  I can be very tired for days and other days full of energy. On the whole, things have been much easier of late, I’ve put this down to the long Summer days and the lovely bright days, even if we aren’t getting what you would call long, hot, Summer days…I still live in hope for some of those during July and August.

I am pleased to report that I completed the 9 week Couch to 5K podcast and I cannot express how pleased I am with myself that I can run for 30 minutes.  What an achievement when in February I couldn’t run for 30 seconds.  Yesterday I completed the 5K Race for Life for Cancer Research.  I am so proud of my medal.  It was a fabulous experience, 2284 women, all in various states of Pink either walking or running 5K.  A minute of silence was held before the race started and it was very emotional, I could feel tears in my eyes thinking about the reasons we were all there, raising money for such a worthwhile cause. Really, is there any family untouched by Cancer of some sort?

I intend to keep up the running, I do have a love/hate relationship with it.  It is an effort to get ready to go out after a day at work and it is an even bigger effort to start running whilst you are out there.  But you know, once you get going, you feel so good, the music plays from the iPod, the wind blows, the sun may shine, it may even rain on you but that feeling of wellbeing, freedom in the mind, exhaustion and yes a few aches, is unbeatable.  Sometimes you just need that half hour to escape the real world.

Here are a couple of pictures of me from the Race for Life yesterday.

 

Thank you for reading my Blog. I hope to be updating it on a much more regular basis from now on 🙂

 

The Music Sparkle.

Musical Dreams and Keeping it Country.

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Recently I have been lucky enough to attend the gigs of three of my favourite Irish singers, John McNicholl, Nathan Carter and Derek Ryan. I grew up listening to Irish country music, Mam says I was trying to sing long before I could talk and used to pull myself up in my cot to wiggle to the music, long before I could walk. My uncle was in an Irish Showband and after playing in Birmingham on the night of my christening, the whole band arrived at my parents flat and played all night. 

I was always singing around our home, my parents used to ask why I couldn’t learn my schoolwork like I could learn the top twenty. I suppose I just loved songs and singing. Visiting my family in Tipperary as a teenager, my cousin and I were allowed to the dancehall in Dundrum to see the Irish Showbands on a Friday night. Tony Kenny, Red Hurley and my absolute favourites, Gina, Dale Haze and The Champions.  Once home I would pretend I was Gina, I sang to their records, bought a tambourine like Gina and our lounge was my stage.

  
When I was 19 an Irish music promoter telephoned to call me for an audition but my parents didn’t tell me, for three years!!! I was mad as hell but looking back I can see they were looking out for a very niave young girl.

As life moved on, I grew away from my roots and started to go clubbing, I loved dance music and dancing but I hardly ever sang. I lost touch with the top twenty, with my roots, my culture. Life was work, work, work and dance music. Dancing on a Friday night released the stress and pressure of the week. Housework was done to dance music, that trance beat had an euphoric affect on me and still does. A little bit of Swedish House Mafia is good for the soul.

Three years ago I joined the choir at Mass. I love it, it has compleltely enriched going to Mass for me. I always enjoyed singing the hymns but being part of the choir is just awesome. Around the same time, Mom was reading the Irish paper and seen John McNicholl so we decided to look him up on YouTube. Within a flash I was right back to my roots, I think it was lying asleep, like Sleeping Beauty, ready to be awakened by a handsome man, John McNicholl was that man!!

From there we discovered the other new, exciting and fabulous singers and now we listen to Irish Country Music all the time. We watch Irish Country Music shows on TV and when I can I attend the dances and concerts when our favourites are in town.

Last year I decided to have some vocal coaching, to see if I do actually have a voice. I love it!! I love it with a passion. Singing and songs have again taken over my mind and with life as it is currently, this is a huge escape from the anxieties, stresses and worries of the day. I have learnt so much about pitching, resonance, different voices, breathing…I am once again dreaming of being on that stage singing my heart out.

Below are some pictures of me with my gorgeous Irish music stars, I think you’ll guess my favourite 😉 Look their music up on You Tube, they are so talented, each different to the other and all brilliant.

Thank you for reading my blog 😀

   
Derek Ryan.

 
John McNicholl.

  
Nathan Carter.

  
Making dreams come true 💖

Life Sparkles

Pick yourself up and keep going!

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As you know, I started running this year. You also know how surprised everyone was that I did this. Me? Running? Totally unheard of. I loved it and hated it at the same time. Because I was following the “Couch to 5k” podcast I was regimented, eager for the walk/run day to arrive. Hating that it rained too heavy for me to venture out. Loving that feeling of achievement, freedom and rosy red cheeks because it was icy cold outside but I had gone out there and tried.

  
I complete each week of the programme twice to ensure I have the stamina to progress to the next week of walking/running. At Easter I felt so good about my progress, I signed up to take part in the Cancer Research UK “Race for Life”, the 5k race. I was about to start week 5 of “Couch to 5k” which would start me training to run for twenty minutes and then…then I fell over in the city whilst walking to work. Crash. Straight down on my knees. I almost passed out with the pain. Three lovely gentlemen came to my aid and helped me up and made sure I was ok. 

As I struggled to the office, I was shook up, embarrassed, sore and feeling sorry for myself. I thought I was going to cry so I rang himself who once he knew I was ok, made me laugh. Then it hit me, I couldn’t continue on my walk/run until these knees healed.

That was a month ago, I have finally made it out for one walk/run where my knees held up to the session without adverse reactions. I plan to go again today. My fitness level has dropped, to be expected I suppose but I am determined to complete the programme and complete the race. 

I noticed that whilst I was regularly on my walk/run, I lost the craving for sweet things, I was feeling better in myself in many ways, health wise, less anxiety, able to cope better and I ate healthier. However, the past month I feel I have eaten my body weight in chocolate and biscuits!!

  
Currently there are 64 days to my race, 41 days to my module exam and 8 days to submit an assignment. Alongside work, home and parent care. Life is never boring and as the song says “The heat is on”.

Thank you for reading my blog 😀

Pictures via Pinterest.

Life Sparkles

Caring. Who Cares?  

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Who cares? Was the first chapter in one of my study modules a few years ago. The actual point of the chapter is not so much about the person requiring care but about the caregiver. Who cares for the caregiver?

Over the past seven months I have become more and more of a caregiver to my Mom after her fall and breaking of her hip. The hip has healed just fine, Mom walks more and more without the walking frame but Mom has changed. Before the hip fall, for about four years, we experienced very black days, Mom’s mood was nothing short of scary. However since the hip fall, those moods have given way to something else. 

It appears that Mom had very little Iron in her body and has been taking Iron supplements which have really improved a number of things; mood, stability, concentration and confusion, normal Mom has returned!! That’s all great but now we experience ‘Sundown Dementia’ which it appears affects people who do not have, or have not been diagnosed with dementia as well as people who do have dementia. Mom does not have dementia, this is not me saying so, the healthcare teams have confirmed this. Sundown Dementia affects people’s body clocks, especially in the Winter time when days are dark most of the time. My father and I have spent many a night awake and with Mom as she tries to break out of the house to go home. She accuses us of keeping her prisoner. I get called all names you can think of and then some. It switches on and off like a light switch and we experience an all nighter about once every three weeks. I am not liked at all by my Mom some days and that hurts a lot, but the next day, the next hour, all is well, till next time. We can get smaller sundown moments during the day but we have found that if sufficient water is drank, it is almost a miracle cure!! Getting Mom to drink water is another story…

I’m lucky that my boss is so understanding and I’ve been allowed to work from home and phase a return to the office. This has worked well at home but still causes me anxiety as I await a phone call that something is wrong with either Mom or Dad. I’ve suddenly become responsible for almost everything from healthcare to shopping, cooking to entertainer, cleaner to, well, carer. It’s hard. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem doing this for my parents. Sometimes though I wonder where have I gone? How has every minute of the day become consumed with items on my ‘to do’ lists.

Lack of sleep, stress and anxiousness lead me to the doctor myself. I cannot be ill. Who cares for them if I’m not here. After some tests the doctor was satisfied that my symptoms were all stress related. I had to find some ways to relieve some pressure and get some me time.

If you’ve read my blogs before you know I do Zumba once a week, I’ve taken up running following the ‘Couch to 5k’ plan (that’s a whole other blog post), I love to sing and am visiting my vocal coach each week and if I get the opportunity to see my b/f now and again it’s a bonus. These things have truly helped me to escape, in mind, body and spirit, even for half an hour. I never thought that a fifteen minute soak in the bath would ever become a rare treat for me. That a day out walking with himself was so special because I can’t go missing for a whole day anymore. I feel sad, anxious, depressed and tearful and yet I also feel happy, joyful and I’ve not lost my sparkle. After all, you just have to paint on that smile and get on with it. My parents gave up time and effort to bring me up, it’s payback time.

  
Picture via Pinterest

Thank you for reading my blog 😎

Life Sparkles

Running? Me?!! Yes I do…

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No-one is more surprised than I am that I have started to run. Seriously, even as I write this I cannot believe I’m writing about running! For a while, on and off, I’ve been trying to think of, investigate, decide to take part in, an exercise that will make me feel good, benefit my health and body and not cost a fortune. Running has crossed my mind and was immediately dismissed. Apart from running for the train or bus, I don’t run. I hated sports at school which involved running and I have kept my distance from all running activities since. 

I love walking, I really enjoy getting out in the fresh air, walking up hill and down dell, (down dell is preferable, always huffing and puffing uphill). Even a walk around the block seems to clear my mind and put things into perspective. I love my weekly Zumba class. It took some time but now I can hop and jump about to the moves quite well. 

Due to home circumstances I haven’t done much Country Walking for well over a year. That middle age spread appeared to be just not shifting and those of you who read my blog know that even though I’m fruity smoothie breakfast girl for the past six weeks, I find it very difficult to stay away from the biscuits and chocolates.  The fruit smoothies have already made me feel less sluggish, I have more energy in the morning and I actually look forward to getting up and making them.

Running has kept flirting with my thoughts…it was on emails, tweets and even suggested pages on my FB newsfeed. One email I received had a link to the NHS “Couch to 5k” app and website. The app aims to get you off the couch and running 5k in 9 weeks. I kept going back to it and then I took the plunge, I downloaded it to my iPod and went out and had a go.

You start with a 5 minute brisk walk followed by 60 seconds of running, followed by 90 seconds of walking and so it continues for 20 minutes ending with a warm down 5 minute walk. The first 60 second run was awful…I struggled, I panted, I wondered what the hell I was doing…I managed 30 seconds of it…but I kept going. Same happened with the second and third bouts of 60 seconds running but by the fourth time, I did it!! And the fifth, sixth to the end. I ran for five minutes! Not only had I achieved that, I enjoyed it!!!

My muscles ached where I’d never ached before but I found myself looking forward to the next session. (You have a rest day inbetween). The third time out I managed to run the whole 8 minutes. I have now completed the 8 minute run three times and will do the last day of week one again tomorrow before I move on to week two and slightly increased running time. It might take me longer than 9 weeks but I am determined to get there.

I am slow, I get out of breath and sometimes I wonder if the passengers in the passing cars feel sorry for me. However, one quote runs through my mind…

  
Picture via Pinterest 

And this quote keeps me going. I have such a sense of achievement, I’m enjoying it, I feel good and breathlessness is decreasing. I shall take it slow but I will get there.

Thank you for reading my blog 😎

Caring – small treats to care for you.
Life Sparkles

Caring – small treats to care for you.

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One thing I have noticed over the past few months is that time for me has more or less disappeared. I was always busy; work, studies, time with my b/f, attending Irish dances/Country Music shows, Zumba…you get the picture…life was busy although not without anxiousness, stress and worry about my parents and I was taking on more and more at home.

Since Mom’s fall and her good, albeit slow recovery, everything apart from home has taken a back seat. Slowly I have been able to re-introduce a return to Zumba, my time with my b/f has drastically reduced, I’m always far behind on the studies but things eventually get done.

There was however no time for me, no time to look after myself and I am regularly reminded by friends that I am no good to anyone if I don’t take care of myself. 

I’ve built myself a small ritual twice a day when I wash and moisturise my face. It’s almost like a mini treat and it makes me feel good but doesn’t take me any longer than usual. I’ve done this firstly to give myself a little boost for the day but also to use up all the bottles and jars of beauty products that have built up in drawers and cupboards over the years. So a double whammy really!

Firstly I have been washing my face with Aveda Botanical Kinetics which has the typical Aveda aroma of  coconut, jojoba, lavender and camomile and has the benefit of waking your senses up first thing in the morning and yet also soothing you before bed.

 

I’m a recent convert to L’Occitane – absolutely love their products and their shops. I had bought some Christmas Gifts from there and purchased a gift box at a specially discounted price in order to try the products myself. So, the next steps after the face wash is the facial spritzer spray.

  
This is beautiful and light on the skin, no heavy perfume and the face feels silky to the touch once applied. Next to the moisturiser which is again from L’Occitane.

  
This is just heavenly and I have noticed a real softness to my face and neck over the past couple of weeks.

Spending almost two weeks in hospital with Mom after her accident had completely dried out my skin. Once home I tried some facial oil I had been given as a tester, the results were fabulous. Within a couple of days my facial skin was regaining moisture and elasticity. It worked so well I now use it at night before bed and have since purchased some for future use. This skin miracle find is by Tropics Skincare and is named Elixir.

  
Now and again I take the rare opportunity to soak aching muscles in the bath. Again, L’Occitane, a find from the box of treats purchased to try out. The Lavender aroma is so soothing and the water feels so silky and soft. Even a fifteen minute soak does you the world of good.

  
The responsibility and caring for others can really take it’s toll on you in so many ways. I have found that these twice daily facial wash rituals have given me a lift, some self care and made me feel like I’ve had a small skin treat. They set me up for the day and help me to settle at night.  It is worth trying something new or finding something that doesn’t take hours of time you don’t have, to give yourself a little lift. You deserve it. 

Thank you for reading my blog 😎

Pictures via Pinterest and product websites

Life Sparkles

Tailspin!

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Looking back on the last week that’s how life has felt, like I’ve been in a tailspin. I’ve felt tired, I’ve experienced feeling envious of other people’s lives, I’ve asked myself “why not me”? I’ve felt anxious to the point of feeling my heart beat pounding in my chest and telling myself to “get a grip”. I got up Wednesday morning unable to put weight on my right knee walking downstairs, today the pain has moved to the right hip!!! What is going on? This is not me? 

A little time of silence and quiet thought made me think back over the past months and how a lot of what was my normal routine has changed completely. I am now responsible for my parents healthcare, wellbeing and that’s scary. I am now in charge of the home, I go to work, I’m trying to keep up with my studies and to follow my passion for singing along with finding time to see my lovely boyfriend and be in contact with my friends. Thank goodness for social media 😎

I’m not alone in this, I understand that people all over the world find themselves in the same situation as I am in. But it has taken my tailspin of last week to appreciate how lucky I am to be given the role of looking after my parents and all the other components of my life. Yes, it isn’t without stress but it is also an education, more life experience and a story of love in many guises.

I’ve realised too that by feeling unwell I need to pull myself together and start eating healthier more often. The breakfast smoothie is a winner but not if I spend the evening picking at chocolate and shortbread biscuits. I need to walk more. I need to lose that stone. I need to have more energy and feel better if I am to carry out my numerous roles properly.

I have three concerts/dances coming up in March and April, my favourite Irish country music stars will be visiting my city. I want to have the energy to sing and dance and immerse myself in the night out.

That’s an awful lot of wants and needs but you know what, it starts now.  I truly believe there is nothing we can’t do if we set our minds to it. Mind over matter. Self belief. Self Confidence. Ignite the sparkle in your heart and soul and go for it ✨

  
Picture via Pinterest 

I’m about to head off for a walk…thank you for reading my blog 💖

Life Sparkles

Fruit Burst.

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Amazingly I’ve kept the Fruit breakfast momentum going for fourteen days. I’m loving it!! I’m enjoying experimenting putting the different fruits together and finding it hard to decide upon a favourite. So far I have two – one with a hint of coconut and one without. Although my blog isn’t strictly about health/food/fruit, I thought I’d share my various blends in case you’d like to try them.  

I don’t know if I have lost any weight, this isn’t about weight loss but it is about trying to be healthier and looking after my body. What I can tell you is that I don’t feel bloated anymore and fourteen days in, I’ve noticed an increase in my energy levels so I must be doing something right.

  
Pineapple, Strawberries, Banana, Red Grapes and a handful of chopped fresh coconut. (I bought the coconut already prepared). This is one of the two favourites- delicious!!

  
Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackcurrants, Banana, Red Grapes and a handful of coconut. Really enjoyed this one.

  
I’ve not quite cracked it yet with the Vegetable  blends, this one contained Carrots, Cabbage, Leeks, Tomatoes and Beetroot. It tasted fine, strongest flavours were the Beetroot and Leeks. Not sure I’d blend this mix again though.

  However, good old Marks and Spencer to the Vegetable blend rescue. I found these yesterday, two for £3.00 – definitely worth a try!!

  And for today, Strawberries, Raspberries, Pineapple, Blackcurrants, Blueberries and Red Grapes. Don’t forget to add liquid to your blend. I’ve found 100 ml of juice and 100 ml of water works well as I like a thicker smoothie. Trial and error really.

I didn’t take a picture of my yesterday blend – Pineapple, Mango, Banana, Apple and Red Grape with the last of the coconut – this is my other favourite, it tasted so good!!

I’ve kept my shopping receipts so that I can work out how much I’m spending on fruit, how many days I’m getting from the fruit and if it is more or less expensive than what I was eating before. One thing is for sure, I’m feeling much better within myself although I’ve still not managed to step away from the chocolate.

Thank you for reading my blog 😎 

Life Sparkles

Easy on the Spinach!

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I did it! I gave in. Over twelve months of deliberations, I purchased a Nutri Ninja in the post Christmas sales and I have to say, I LOVE IT!!!!

I’ve obviously lead a sheltered life as I have never owned a blender/juicer before. I am totally converted. My Ninja is my pathway to eating healthier which is the plan for this year.  I’m still learning about quantities, what goes together (apples, blueberries, strawberries) and what doesn’t (easy on the spinach girl) but it’s a great journey and I have to say that in just over a week of Ninja breakfasts, I can feel a difference to my overall body. The sluggish, lack of energy feeling is reducing. That feels good!!

So, I thought I’d share a recipe or two with you in case you’d like to try out some blends yourself.

My favourite so far for breakfast is my Ninja blend of banana, blueberries, blackcurrants, strawberries, red grapes and 200 ml of pure apple juice. 

 

Blend for 45 seconds and…

  The finished blend!

Variations of these fruits have become my breakfast and I’ve been very surprised at how full I feel.  It has stopped me snacking before lunchtime.

I have tried a vegetable version using carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach and a hint of fresh ginger with 300 ml of water. First time it tasted ok, the second time it was so bad I had to throw it away. Not enough water and far too much spinach. It will be trial and error to find what I like and I am stocked up with enough fruit and vegetables for at least a week. I will keep you updated.  I’d love to hear about your blends especially if like me this is a whole new experience 🙂

Now, if I could just leave the chocolate and the nuts alone… 

Thank you for reading my blog ✨

Life Sparkles

New Year – Another Fresh Start

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Happy New Year and welcome to 2016!! How fast the years roll by these days. 2015 appears to have gone by in a flash. Did you keep your resolutions? You remember those? The promises we made to ourselves of all the things we were going to do for the new year. Nope? Me neither. I don’t remember any specific resolutions although I’m sure I made them, I always do.

I have heard lots of folk say “you don’t need to wait until New Years Eve to make resolutions, you can start over any day”. I agree with that, we can decide to swap and change our goals at anytime but I think there is something different about making our fresh starts at the beginning of a fresh new year. January 1st holds such promise of the year to come. Our hopes and dreams and also our worries and concerns. We for the most part think positive and decide what it is that we want to do, to change, to improve, to make happen.

Once again I will start a healthy eating plan and I have already shopped, loaded my fridge with fresh fruit and vegetables and ordered a Nutri Ninja which I am now impatiently awaiting delivery of. I know of numerous people with Nutri Bullets and Nutri Ninja’s who all love what they can do and some of these people have kept to their healthy eating plan all year!!! What an achievement 👏👏👏. My difficulty will be suddenly avoiding the chocolates, biscuits, cakes and goodies still in the house from Christmas. No point in easing myself out of them…time to turn cold turkey.

  
Picture via Pinterest

My next new plan is to set aside some time each week for some self care. I totally understand how and why folk say “you can’t look after another person well if you haven’t taken care of yourself”. I have two people to look after and I hope that my swap to healthier eating will not only benefit me, but them also. I need to feel better, more energy, less pains and aches…Nutri Ninja I’m expecting serious results.

As you know I commenced vocal coaching last June, took a long break from August due to caring responsibilities and then returned to it a few weeks ago. I have no hesitations or issues getting around to my singing homework and I hope that this year, even if it takes until December, that I will get the confidence to sing on stage, maybe even do a whole gig!!!

  
Picture via Pinterest

Although I enjoy my Open University course, there is so much reading and research now I’m at level three, I’m struggling to find time. Today I am five weeks behind with twenty three days to go before my next assignment is due in. Yes, I need to knuckle down. I only have one more module to study after this one so time must be found to get up to date and stay there. I can always find something more sparkle igniting to do instead of this reading, it is usually singing.

So, there are my resolutions for the year. Have you made any this year? Are they similar to mine? Whether you have or not, I’d like to wish you all a very Happy New Year, may all your dreams come true.

  
Picture via Pinterest

Thank you for reading my blog 🙂