Top 10 Significant Moments of My 2010

Since 2010 is almost at a close, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to reflect on the top 10 significant moments of my 2010.  

1. Death of my Grandmother - Death of the grandparent I grew up knowing most from infancy to adulthood taught me a lot about life, mortality, family and love. Lesson Learned: LIFE IS SHORT, MAKE THE MOST OF IT.
2. Youngest child starting school - Realization that my kids are growing up. Both my kids are now in their school years. Lesson Learned: TIME FLIES BY, CHERISH MY CHILDREN NOW.
3. Eldest child starting grade 1 - Has required me to teach my child more about relationships, studies and life in general. I have had to give more of my time to help my son. Lesson Learned: THE BEST THING I CAN GIVE TO MY FAMILY IS MY TIME.
4. Family Christmas gift project - Making a Family Calendar that incorporated almost 50 people required communication with extended family, diligence and a lot of thoughtful reflection. Lesson Learned: BE GRATEFUL AND APPRECIATE THE FAMILY YOU COME FROM AND THE ROLE THEY PLAYED IN MAKING YOU THE PERSON YOU HAVE BECOME.
5. First High Tea with my daughter - Maybe the most meaningful time I have had with my daughter ever. Lesson Learned: BOOK TIME TO BE ENGAGED WITH MY KIDS. BEING A MOM CAN BE LOTS OF FUN!
6. Going back to full-time work hours - Regained some semblance of independence, feeling a sense of purpose other than the role I fill for my family. Lesson Learned: BALANCE IS IMPORTANT.
7. Acceptance - A general moment that has occurred to me many times this year. Accept the things I do not like. Lessons Learned: ACCEPT SITUATIONS THAT ARE NOT IDEAL, MOVE ON AND DON’T DWELL.
8. Family Vacation to Las Vegas, San Diego & LA Area - Forced our family out of our usual safe routine and booked an action-packed vacation. Lesson Learned: IT’S GOOD TO PUSH YOURSELF OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE; IT HELPS YOU GROW.
9. Casey James - Through becoming a fan, I made friends around the globe and for the first time ever got to interact with and meet a celebrity I admired. Lesson Learned: FRIENDS CAN BE MADE AMONGST PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WITH DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, CULTURES AND AGES. FOLLOW A PASSION AND SEE WHERE IT LEADS YOU.
10. Friendship - Continued to develop meaningful friendships by getting together regularly and making lots of effort, as I do for my family. Lesson Learned: DO NOT LET FRIENDSHIPS JUST FALL TO THE WAYSIDE, BEING A FRIEND MEANS MAKING EFFORT AND BEING ENGAGED.

Casey James Band !!

It’s been a long time coming! My favourite up and coming artist’s official website has been launched along with his official Facebook page and MySpace page. I first fell in love with the musical talents of Casey James when I saw him on the auditions on last season’s American Idol.  Since religiously following his growth on the show, finishing third place and getting to perform an amazing duet from then-recovering Brett Michaels on the show stopping finale, I’ve seen Casey live and in person, met him, spoke with him, tweeted with him several times and continue to follow this amazing talent.

Through him, I’ve met an amazing bunch of ladies from all over the world who I still keep in touch with from the 2010 summer craziness over the Idol tour.  Casey has since been busy working on his album and relocating to Nashville, TN as he signed with Sony Nashville (YAY Casey!) which is a perfect label for him to span his broad wings of rock and country roots. 

Casey has been noted as the most talented guitarist/musician to ever grace the stage of American Idol contestants.  In addition, he has over a decade of performing experience in his native TX and comes from a very musical family, including his bassist older brother BC (Billy James, who you can find on FB) and his super talented mother Bybee D. James (Debra, @BybeeDJames on Twitter).  

I’m happy to announce the launch of Casey’s official website www.caseyjamesbandofficial.com !!  From there you can link to his new MySpace page, twitter @CaseyEJames and FB page.  A lot of excitement is brewing amongst his die hard fans in anticipation of his soon to be released album. Finally, his music will be heard on a much larger scale and it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving and humble guy!

Some other good resources for Casey James include the following:

Official Site: www.caseyjamesbandofficial.com 

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/caseyjamesband

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/caseyjamesband 

Twitter Official: @CaseyEJames

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CaseyJamesBand 

@ShariGeller Blog: http://burnthismedia.wordpress.com/

FB Group: Casey James Homecoming

FB Group: Casey James Cougar Club (and NO, you do not have to be a cougar to join - just a terrific resource for everything Casey)

My favourite performance of Casey’s American Idol performances:

Every Rose Has It’s Thorn with Brett Michaels,

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhvNsXXkgcc

Jealous Guy,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p_5kRKageQ

What's for Dinner?!

Feeling under the weather.  I usually get hit with a horrible cold in Spring, Fall and Winter. The one I have now is manageable, but coupled with a sinus headache that is just lingering for days. I find myself at dinner time yet again dreading the usual question at this time of the day, ‘What should we eat for dinner?’

I have to admit, this responsibility lies alone with me in my household. When everyone else gets sick, I take care of them. When I’m sick, does anyone cook for me? The answer is usually “no” at least for supper. 

How I wouldn’t love to just nap all day and feel better quicker, with someone to just take care of me for a change. Ya right....who am I kidding?  I’m a Mom. While I’m grateful to have my family and home, it would be nice to just have a break when I need it.

Times like these, I wish I had a cook. So you ask, “What’s for dinner?” The answer is pizza and wings for delivery, once again.  Too bad convenience doesn’t come with many healthy options.

Who Hates Christmas Shopping? I Do! I Do!

I’ve officially decided I really don’t enjoy Christmas shopping. Once upon a time when I had a lot more disposable income and cash flow, not to mention lots of time on my hands I would shop for presents as early as September. Due to circumstances, I now shop in the month of December.  

Something about the sheer volume of presents that I have to buy totally sucks the joy  and thoughtfulness right out of Christmas shopping. I feel the pressure, the shops are packed, parking is far from plentiful, the ease of shopping is unpleasant holding tons of heavy bags, dealing with complaining kids, feeling hot from all the winter gear I am wearing. 

One could say that I could perhaps ‘make’ my presents, but in all reality with everyday life unfortunately at this time I have no time or energy to do so. 

I much prefer shopping for the one-off birthday or non-Christmas occasion gift when I have only one gift to take care of.  I look forward to the day I actually have time to thoughtfully craft my gifts once again. Until now, what I most look forward to is simply just spending time talking and having fun with my family and celebrating!

iPad Fun

I've gotten my whole family hooked on the iPad. I admit, it's a PRICEY toy, but hey, in it's own way it makes life that much better and more fun!  A great and fun app that I'm loving is Jumbline. You are given a series of letters from which you have to make words from.  There are variations of the game with the app that are all lots of fun time wasters, while exercising your brain at the same time!  Give it a try. :)

Speaking of which, I think I'll play now!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jumbline/id307356673?mt=8

Family

Over the last couple of weeks I've been in and out of the palliative care unit visiting with my dying grandmother. As sad as it is to know her life with us is coming to an end, there's something great that has come out of this whole experience.  For whatever reason, I feel a real sense of peace and comfort when I'm at the hospital.  Although my grandmother is weak, in a way she's at her strongest, bearing what I'm sure must be physcially painful with barely a complaint. Her faith in God shines through as she has expressed numerous times that she is ready to leave her life here on earth.

This whole experience has awakened the kind spirit in all of us family members. We are taking time out of our busy personal and work schedules round the clock to ensure my grandmother is never alone. We are taking the time to express our gratefulness for the hard work of others.  Everyone has kindness in their minds and in their hearts and everyone wants to help in their own way.

I come from a fairly large extended family. While this can pose it's own challenges with so many people and so many opinions, it is a great thing. The amount of support your family can provide when someone is in need is tenfold. We have been pooling our resources to gather old photos, letters and memories of family here and gone. For some, this whole experience is pulling us out of our regular routines and bringing us truly closer together as a family. During our many extended visits at the hospital we are given the time to have meaningful conversations with each other, share meals, share sorrow and happiness.

Today I feel so grateful to have an amazing family and despite the circumstances, I am grateful for this whole experience.


“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family” --Anthony Brandt  

Palliative Care

Definition: Palliative care (from Latin palliare, to cloak) is any form of medical care or treatment that concentrates on reducing the severity of disease symptoms, rather than striving to halt, delay, or reverse progression of the disease itself or provide a cure. The goal is to prevent and relieve suffering and to improve quality of life for people facing serious, complex illness. Non-hospice palliative care is not dependent on prognosis and is offered in conjunction with curative and all other appropriate forms of medical treatment. (wiki)

When a loved one is ill, it kind of prepares you for the inevitable to come. Somehow when the term ‘palliative care’ comes into play it really hits home that the end is near. It becomes more real, sadness sets in and you find yourself remembering back to better times with your loved one, which brings you more pain as you realize that your journey with that person is going to end soon.

You recall all the special moments spent with your loved one, all the kind things they’ve ever done for you and all the special moments ahead in your life that they’ll miss out on. But there’s comfort in knowing that suffering will end, that reunions of the soul will happen and happiness will resume.

So we sadly wait for what’s to come…

Vampire Diaries Interesting Tidbit

Since reluctantly reading and immediately falling in love with all four books in the Twilight saga within one week, wanting more I began watching Vampire Diaries.  It's a TV series loosely based on the books.  It has become a weekly Thursday night ritual to watch this show.  The show is full of gorgeous talented young actors and actresses, one of whom I have become increasingly curious about. 

How old do I feel when I look up the actor who plays Jeremy Gilbert on Vampire Diaries to discover he was born in 1988?!  I discovered his real name is Steven R. McQueen, grandson of 'the' Steve McQueen (actor) and Neile Adams who is a Filipino-born actress. His Stepfather is a retired Canadian NHL Hall of Famer.

You learn something new everyday. 

In Flanders Fields

By:  Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Beady Eye's "Bring the Light" - Free Download TODAY

To all you Oasis fans, there is a free download today for Beady Eye's single "Bring the Light." http://www.beadyeyemusic.co.uk/ 

Beady Eye is an English Rockband formed in 2009 by the Gallagher brothers of Oasis. Since then, big bro Noel has left, but Liam is still the front man.  Optimistic for some great music, but wishing these duelling brothers would hang up the boxing gloves and just get along!

Don't you love free downloads?!

Revival

After a long period of inactive blogging and the eventual removal of my blog site, I'm back! I've been feeling the itch to start up again, so here I am. Stay tuned for random thoughts from yours truly....