One Year Later: #365DaysofThanks

A year ago my Twitter pal and Bro Joel challenged his followers to a year of giving thanks everyday instead of one day a year. He asked me to join him and spread the word, I wrote this blog  and started on the journey of being thankful everyday instead of one month a year.

Joel Phillips ‏@Reasons2Ride22 Nov 12

I'd like to ask for your help, I want 2 start a trend #365DaysofThanks, thn 2day & every day the rest of the yr make an I'm thankful 4 tweet

Somedays were easier than others. What I enjoyed most about this challenge was that when I was having a really bad day it MADE me look for something good in the day. My personality is an emotions based personality that can get the better of me at times. A blessing and a curse, when I am happy, I am happy and when I am sad, I am really sad. So on the sad days, I would work on being thankful and it turned the day around in an instant.

This year I am doing the challenge again and pushing myself to have an attitude of gratitude everyday in the next #365days. Working hard not let the little things get me down. I cannot wait to see what the next year holds for our family.

Here is a look back at some of my #365daysofthanks and wonderful gifts of the past year:

Julie ‏@Julesmpg24 Apr

#365daysofthanks For every tweep who tweets their workouts, rides and races. You inspire me to be a better me and be fit. Thank you.

Julie ‏@Julesmpg12 Apr

#365daysofthanks Thankful iron sharpening iron, challenges that cause you to grow, reflect and change.

#365Daysofthanks Thankful for kind friends. It is mind blowing sometimes that I am blessed witb so many amazing friends.

Julie ‏@Julesmpg28 Dec

#365DaysofThanks I missed yesterday so this one is just for my bro @Reasons2Ride who encourages me, supports me and makes me smile.

Julie ‏@Julesmpg26 Dec

#365DaysofThanks I am always the encourager of others. Today I am thankful for those who encourage me and support me.

Julie ‏@Julesmpg30 Nov

#365DaysofThanks So thankful that so many of my dreams came true this year.

Julie ‏@Julesmpg21 Nov

#365daysofthanks thankful for waking up to beautiful answered prayers.

Julie ‏@Julesmpg19 Jun

#365Daysofthanks thankful for friends who love me even when I'm having a moment or two.

Julie ‏@Julesmpg13 Jun

#365Daysofthanks thankful for laughter. Nothing better than a good laugh.

Julie ‏@Julesmpg4 Jun

#365DaysofThanks Cool breeze, sun, birds singing, laughter and a day off

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Julie ‏@Julesmpg25 Apr

#365Daysofthanks for the little old lady at the pool who said,"you swim so pretty. I was watching you. I wish I can swim like you"

Julie ‏@Julesmpg22 Apr

#365daysofthanks Thankful for those who understand that I am deep water and choose to swim through life with me even though its tough.

Julie ‏@Julesmpg1 Mar

#365DaysofThanks Thankful for my Twitter family. I have sisters, brothers, Unee, surrogate parents and I get to be a mom to many. So fun!

Julie ‏@Julesmpg27 Feb

#365DaysofThanks So thankful to have accomplished so much in two weeks. It feels like a month but it has only been two weeks!

Julie ‏@Julesmpg18 Feb

#365DaysofThanks So thankful for a new job, a new home, old friends, new adventures, a fresh start and opportunities.

Julie ‏@Julesmpg26 Jan

#365DaysofThanks Thankful that my kids had a good time saying goodbye to friends this weekend. Momma is glad sleepovers are done.

I'm Turning Fabianese

I'm turning Fabianese, I'm turning Fabianese, I really think so.

Have you ever wondered what is Fabianese?

Ever wondered why I mispell words in tweets with the hashtag #Fabianese?

In 2010, I followed one of mine and Conner's favorite cyclists on Twitter. I had a locked account, didnt follow anyone cycling related besides a few riders. Fabian was my first rider that I followed on Twitter, his tweets had the effect of bringing me pure joy and laughter. You see, Fabian Cancellara is a smart man who speaks seven languages. He is a rider from Switzerland who is very fast, so fast he once was accused of having a secret engine in his bike. Fabian is pure class, style, he isn't called Fabulous Fabs for no reason.

Fabian's tweets would make me laugh. I would save them to read later because they made me so happy. Then I opened my Twitter and started following cycling fans, I mentioned my love for Fabian's tweets and they told me, ''Oh that is called #Fabianese by other fans on here''  and so I started following #the Fabianese hashtag.

Fabianese is fun. It's basically all seven languages he knows rolled into one sentence and tweet at a time. Add in his special Twitter hashtag love and you have a Twitter goldmine

 Even Fabian himself loves the #Fabianese hashtag and often plays into the fun. A few months ago, he had a Twitter question and answer session. I had a burning question, one that had often nagged at me. Was Fabian okay with us speaket #the Fabianese and was it okay if we did? I hear they could hear me screaming in California when he answered me.

I got permission to speaket #the Fabianese as long as I don't make too meany( many) mistakes. 

He also told me I could have a #suissequality American fan club. Evericing is posible

The same day he apologized to #canada for being more popular than it on Twitter. #truestory

Evericing is possible, that is #the Fabianese theme song for those who don't know.

3/4 of the fun of Fabianese is trying to figure out what he is saying or meaning in his tweets. My friends Maiko, Deb, Mary, Caroline, Beth, Naomi, Jen, Dot and Heidi and I all have fun trying to figure it out. Maiko is #Fabianese go to gal, she knows of where to find old Fabianese tweets. We just have fun and as long as he doesn't care we are having fun then even more fun is to be had.

We love speaket to each other in the fabianese. We lovet to decipher the Fabianese. We lovet the Fabs and the Fabianese.

When I am sad or having a bad day, I will go back and read old Fabianese tweets for fun.

My all time favorite Fabianese tweet and one of his very first:

he no wonna airco

The infamous planket tweet

The famous beginning of #unclass. How could a hotel not have a stocked minibar?

Don't worry he found it! Too bad he didn't have coins.....

I am no expert, I didn't coin the term but I sure do love talking about Fabianese with my friends and laughing while we do. I love that Fabian loves it himself and has just as much fun with it.

Heidi @heidimo6 recently compilete a list of the Fabianese. This is a very small list of the meanings, she gave it to me to share on my blog. Thanks Dave #fastinationperfectimous

It is a start of a list. If anyone has anything to add just leave a comment for it to be added. What is your favorite Fabianese tweet?

Fabianese Compilet

meany = many

busparking space = refers to stage 1 of 2013 TdF

#iamexcite = excited, with a hashtag

#the = the, made special with hashtag

defently = definitely

twitterfreaks = (self-explanatory)

normalo = normal

#askFabian = because Fabs is all knowing

evribody = everyone, all people

maket = made

hole, hohle = whole or entire, also can mean an opening in the ground, interchangeable

tiered = tired, exhausted

evricing = everything, all of it

fullgas = putting forth a great effort

unluck = the opposite of luck, not lucky

unclass = the opposite of class, not classy

 unwin= not winning, bad, not good

excitet = see “iamexcite”

#WorldRankingLeader = Fabian on the UCI rankings

shure = sure, certain

#paininthelakes = sore legs, with a hashtag & lakes in place of legs

befor or bevor = before

startet = started, began

one ball wonder on fire = Markel Irizar

beasy = busy

littel = little or small

Pink = songwriter, one of Fabian’s favorites

disturbet = disturbed

#legendmovie = Dumb and Dumber

gratulation = congratulations

belive = believe

#tetrapak = something purchased at a store, acceptable with milk but not with wine #badwinefoshure

eny = any

menschen = mention

explodet = exploded

bustoillette = where flies like to hang out

obligation = something done in the bustoillette

#pizzaofen = creates bad smell in the house when #fullgas is on

woack = woke

large hail = comparable to eggs

terrasse = terrace

#happyeastern = hashtag holiday greeting

#emptyminibars = see #unclass

hugh = huge, very large

#thatwasasteepfu = climbs of 18% or more

perfectionismus = perfectionism

planket= blanket, preferably one not stolen by Stuey O’Grady

wona= want to

gona= going to

airco= Air conditioning which is bad in Fabian’s world

fullgaspaininthegamba= going so fast you hurt your legs

fastination perfectiomous= yeah, we are still trying to figure that one out!

Dedicated to my unee Maiko who makes Twitter fun and is my Fabianese soul sister from another mother. Thank you for teachet me and always finding my favorite fabianese tweets for me.

Y'all are Jealous of My Auntie Em!

I have a family on Twitter.......a complete made up family of friends who've become a part of my everyday life and I love them like family. This past summer when I hit the wall, they were there to pick me up because we interact on a daily basis.

I've got sisters galore, besties, a couple of brothers, an adopted mom and dad. Then a few hundred friends on top of that!

Auntie Em is one of my favorites, she is my Tennessee neighbor and friend. She was introduced to me by the famous Anita, who is my TN tweep as well. I moved to East Tennessee with a whole Twitter family. I have my Auntie Em, Dad Burnett, Sister of the heart Anita and my southern momma Jane. I am a very lucky girl and many will attest to this fact.

Auntie Em often gives me blog ideas, heck she and her husband recently gave me a title for my book that I am writing next year! She is just awesome, she prays for me, sends me scripture, listens to me on the phone when I need her. She is like a mom, older sister and aunt all in one. She has become a mentor to me and I rely on her greatly.

She has even sent me little care packages. Came to visit me at work and hug on me!

The best is when she, Kay, Debbie and I go back and forth with Jeff ''DadBurnett'' because we end up often saying, ''y'all aint rite'' to each other!

Tonight, she and our ''little'' Dot, one of the sweetest girls on Twitter and I were going back and forth about what I should blog about. Then it hit me, I got the sweetest package( again ) from Em in the mail today and she has given me many blog topics. She is one of my biggest blog supporters and she deserves a shout out!

If y'all aint followin @IamAuntieEm on Twitter, then you're missing out on a blessing!

Truly one of my things to be thankful for this past year is Auntie Em! So it is high time she get a blog braggin on! Just another one of the many reasons to love Twitter!

A/N I wrote this in a TN accent just for her.

Wrestling with Life, How I Hit the Wall and Bounced Back

Sometimes, life becomes an inner psyche wrestling match. August and September were inner turmoil months for me. We finally hit some hard realities of our move, nothing bad but obstacles to be overcome. At the same time, I helped some good friends through some really tough things. A huge door was thrown open for me that left me with a extremely difficult decision. Nothing major in the scheme of things but enough to throw me for a loop internally. I basically spent two months in near constant prayer for myself and others. It was a short time of great growth personally.

August first came in with a bang, a conversation with a friend turned out to be the last before life changed for us both drastically. I would spend twelve days wondering what happened to that friend only to find out the friend was seriously injured and life had changed forever. This friend was a huge ministry for me in the past eight months and I was devastated. On top of that, several other friends were facing difficulties and I was heavily in prayer and help mode for them as well.

Then we found out some things with both Marty's health insurance and pay. It was tough, something we weren't expecting and really took us out. Marty also was involved in a rather bizarre incident with a car at school as well. We wondered why us? but knew God was in control of these things. It became a match of trust and worry. One second the ball was in the court of worry only for something to happen to make us trust.

 We also knew our schedules weren't working with our long term homeschooling arrangements. As a family, we were focused on getting through while making changes and plans for the future. E is still trying to find her way, new friends and re-starting life in Knoxville. Conner is in high school, work is getting harder, we are looking toward driving, college and the future.

August is a month where I normally struggle with my looming birthday of 9/11. So add all of this together and it was UGLY. Thankfully, I was already on a path of confiding in several close friends, they upped the ante and really picked me up, listened and started helping me through. These women are my rocks and I am so thankful for all of them. The listened to a very ugly me for 60 days.

It was during this time E challenged me to a two week Twitter break. It was a good idea, it helped me focus on all the things I needed to deal with and made a quiet time for me to reflect, refresh and renew.I love it when the 13 year old knows best. It was during this time, that a lot of things started to happen.

Two friends asked to take me to lunch for my birthday. We sat out by the water, talked about life and suddenly a door opened. They told me I would be a great fit at their national company, the job description was every single thing I needed at the moment. I had to think about it though, it would mean leaving my friends Lee and Flavia. I decided to apply, had a list of five things I needed in this job and went to prayer.

The doors started flying open for me. The day I got the job offer, every single thing was on the list and I knew, I had to accept the job. So I did and the battle began, it was the first time, I knew that I had to do something for myself and family over helping someone else out. I wanted to stay working for Lee and Flavia but knew that I couldn't. In the end, after struggling, I finally was able to tell them and have a peace, they will be blessed too. Something good will come out of it for all of us. We are lucky to be friends and be able to support each other. I can still go in and work in the store, helping out on holidays and weekends.

I am really excited about my new job, it is a huge opportunity and career path for me. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I am so thankful for the opportunity to move to Knoxville, to spend time with Lee and Flavia helping grow their business, to be able to have made new friends that led to this job.

Oh, I thought you might like to know, I got this job in a roundabout way because of Twitter and New Kids. I was introduced to Abbie by Lori when I moved to Knoxville. Abbie introduced me to Melani and Sherri, who are all fellow New Kids fans, we bonded and love each others company. So there you have it, make fun of Twitter and New Kids all you want, it was beneficial in other ways!

I feel a huge peace, burden lifted and a return of my happy go lucky ways. I am so thankful to those who stood in the gap for me, lifted me up and kept me going. You all know who you are and how much you mean to me. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, you know that I will always return the favor.

Marty, you are my rock. You put up with so much wild and crazy from me. Thanks for listening, lifting me up and helping me through. I know that I wasn't easy to live with and you listened to the same things over and over again. So thankful for you.

Still would love prayers for the transition, praying for the little details that need prayed over. Excited to see where I am headed and excited to be able to be home with the kids again during the day. God is so good!

Happy Birthday Friend Series: Buon Compleano Dave a.ka. Heidi

I know we all make fun of my love of Twitter but Twitter has brought me some of the very best friends in life.  Heidi and I met through our mutual love of cycling on Twitter. One night a group of us were talking about the AMGEN Tour of Ca and I invited her to come stay with my family for the next years race. We had known each other a few months at the time. I know that sounds crazy but when you know a kindred spirit, you just know.

The next year, Heidi and our friend Jen, came and took me up on my offer. It was great to have them come stay with my family. We laughed, met riders and had the best of times. In fact, she is the one who made my picture with Christoph Riblon happen!  Heidi and Jen became friends for life that week and we had an amazing time. I was so sad to see them both go.

Heidi and I get along very well, we both have the same outlook on life and people. She is a golden rule kind of person and a great listener. During my challenge of self awareness this year, she is one person I have chosen as a confidant. She really has stepped up to the role and been a great email sounding board for me. Very thankful that she has entrusted me with the very same role in return.

The best part about Heidi is she is just as wacky as me! I love her love of all things Italian, men, the language, the wine, she has immersed herself in Italian culture and it makes me smile. A few weeks ago, when I was on my Twitter break, it came to me. Heidi is our very own Dave!

Who is Dave you might ask?

 

Now I lovingly call Heidi ''Dave'' with a smile and laugh. It is fun to have great friends like Heidi, who my whole family loves and calls friend. She brings a lot of happy and joy to the kids and I via Twitter. It is people like her that make me love cycling more.

I used Google Translate, it is most definitely probably wrong but it's the thought that counts....right?

Grazie Heidi per essere un buon amico. Ho soprattutto vi ringrazio per avermi aiutato gli ultimi due mesi. Sono contento che siamo in grado di sostenersi a vicenda e sollevare un l'altro come sorelle del cuore fanno.

The Great Adventure 2013: The Final Leg of the Trip

Lovely readers, I hope you forgive me for going silent the last week, It has been completely overwhelming since Saturday. Hope this post isn't too long and fills you in on the adventure so far.

Saturday morning, we woke up in Memphis,TN and headed out to sight see before hitting the road. Conner begged to go to Sun Studios. Many of you may not know but Conner has been a Johnny Cash fan since he was five years old. He has longed to see the Sun studios for all of those years. We found it quite easily and decided to take the tour. Definitely well worth the twelve dollars,it is one of the places you walk into and feel the history around you. They take you into the actual studio and let you walk around, it is in original  condition. Truly amazing to stand where Elvis sang for Sam Phillips, where Johnny Cash got his start and where Jerry Lee played the piano. Conner was giddy and grinning ear to ear.

Sun Studios, Memphis,TN

Conner and Marty sitting in the recording studio at Sun Records

the front office of Sun Studios

After Sun Records we headed off to Graceland. I missed the ducks at the Peabody because we took the tour and so we decided to just see those another time. Graceland is quite the tourist trap and in my opinion over priced. We just went to the gift shop to find the tackiest souvenir we could find and found a place to eat  bbq while we were there. The food was great and we found our tacky souvenir easily. We walked across the street to take a picture in front of the wall before hopping in the car to get on the rode.

We hit the rode to Nashville. Along the way one of my blog readers and friend Rebecca stopped us and gave us the most wonderful gift bag of ''welcome to Tennessee" goodies. It was so thoughtful and kind of her, it was amazing to my family. 

Thanks Rebecca for the lovely welcome!

We hopped in the car and headed to the Grand Old Opry to meet up with my cousins and their families. They drove down from their home in TN to see us and welcome us to the state. My kids loved seeing their cousins Anthony, Geoff, Peyton and Parker once again. It was our first time meeting baby Parker who is adorable. We visited for a little bit before getting in the truck to head to our final destination of Knoxville. 

Conner and his cousin Anthony

We plowed along through middle TN in the dark, trying to make it to our new home to park the moving truck. Thankfully it wasn't a long drive and we made it by 11:30 pm. We didn't know our new home is well off the beaten path on a tiny gravel road. The moving truck didn't fit so well on said road especially with low hanging power lines and trees. Needless to say,the pitch black,tiny road, trees and power lines made for a disaster and 26 feet of moving truck and 10 feet of car trailer ended up stuck in the mud in the farmer's field across from the house. We had to leave it there overnight and headed to a hotel to sleep.

We woke up the next morning,called Penske to come rescue our family once again, met up with our friend Lee and toured our new home. We got the moving truck into the driveway with the help of Lee's dad ( our new landlord) and Lee. Liviu Sr, the crazy Romanian helped us unpack the moving truck in less than one hour! It was a whirlwind of activity but well worth it. We were ready to be rid of the moving truck and the hassles of moving. 

Good news, our little goldfish survived the long car ride in an ice cream container and earned themselves a new 5 gallon tank out of the ordeal. I must thank Shannon and Margaret for helping me move the fish across the country with their information.

the fishes moving container

Happy fish in their new home

It was so nice to sleep in our new home on Sunday night and start settling in on Monday morning. We went out to dinner on Sunday night with our friend Lee and met his wife Flavia for the first time along with his daughter Nora. So nice to finally meet them in person.

Monday afternoon, my dear tweep Anita stopped by with BBQ from her mother in law Jane.  I loved meeting Anita for the first time. It was so wonderful to not have to cook dinner and eat amazing TN BBQ! I am so grateful to them for the lovely welcome to TN! Jane is an amazing cook and I cannot wait to meet her.  This is truly an amazing family who have all been helpful in our move especially Anita's Dad Jeff. He kept us updated with weather and instructions along the way.

My mom was here to help me unpack and get organized until Wednesday afternoon. She helped me unpack boxes and find homes for everything. We didn't get completely unpacked but have made huge headway in a short time.

On Thursday morning, I started my new job at Fig and Company . Lee and I met when we were twelve years old, going to Jr high, high school and college together. It is truly surreal seeing him everyday once again, he hasn't changed that much over the years. I am truly enjoying getting to know his lovely wife Flavia as she trains me in store. We found out on the first day we are kindred spirits and very much alike in many ways. I am enjoying working with them and learning the ropes while giving them fresh perspective. They have built an amazing business in a short time.

We are starting to get settled. We are all loving the area, the dogs are happy in their new home, the kids are looking for ways to get involved and Marty is helping hold down the fort while I am working. We all are so glad we made the jump and took a leap of faith. We've been greatly blessed so far!

Thanks for all of the encouragement, messages, gifts and support. I am deeply touched by the support our family has received from everyone during this move. It was as if you carried us along the way on a wave of goodwill. We hope to be able to share that support and give it back someday.

Solo Road Trip Weekend

I rarely leave my family and venture off on my own. This weekend I hopped in the car and made a six hundred mile round trip drive by myself. I was headed down to San Diego for a memorial service for my friend ALE originally. I made plans to meet with some friends along the way, it turned into a wonderful weekend of the unexpected.

My friend Janet had been asking to get together and was right in the direction of where I was headed. We met for a girls day of shopping and fun. I loved meeting her mom and kids for the first time. We had fun shopping and spending time together. She is truly one of a kind and to know her is to love her even more. Her kids are so sweet and really touched my heart when they started calling me " aunt Julie" on their own. I was sad to leave them at the end of the day.

I planned to stay with my dear friends the Fitz's, they live near San Diego and were a good stopping point on the first day of driving. I hadn't seen them since 2006 when my grandparents passed away. Jim has been a family friend for thirty years, since I was six years old. He is like a brother, second dad, crazy uncle, friend all rolled into one. When he married he gave our family his dear wife Jen, who has been like a big sister and mentor to me throughout the years.

When I was in high school, I babysat their kids Kevin and Caiti until I was married. They were like my first children and I love them as my own. Kevin remembered me while Caiti knows that I am special but really doesn't remember our times together. We had a fun night of reminiscing through stories and pictures. I had a girls night with Jen. Spent time with Kevin and Caiti separately before I headed home

What a wonderful experience to stay in their home and spend time with them again. It was really wonderful and I am so glad that I did. .

Jen and I

I spent a lot of time on this fire phone in High school

Jim and I

Kevin and I

beautiful Caiti and I

Then I made my way to San Diego to have breakfast with two other women who were friends of ALE. None of us had ever met except on Twitter, one I had spoken to on the phone previously and had become friends with about a year ago. The other I met the week that ALE passed away, she has been very kind and helpful during this hard time.

 We had a lovely breakfast remembering our friend together. The memorial was rescheduled to a time that I cannot attend. So this would be my one time to meet together with other friends of ALE. It was truly wonderful and I walked away feeling peace,love and joy.

ALE loved tweeting food pics, we tweeted pics of our food in her memory

Then I started the long drive home. I decided to stop in my hometown to see my Mom's new car and visit my Dad. He just happened to be at my cousin Rissa's house which meant that I got to see Baby Drew. Oh who I am kidding? I just went to see Drew, I am a sucker for babies.

Gerber baby cuteness!

I then quickly drove home to my family that I missed. It was fun to see so many people in a short time and find closure on the loss of a dear person who I knew for far to short a time. I am thankful to have had the opportunity.

Guest Blogger Lori: Jordan Hill "Someday at Christmas" Interview

My Super reader Lori asked me if she could do another guest blog for Just Jules and I agreed quickly. She has quickly become a great asset to this blog and I would do anything for her. She wanted to help one of her favorite musicians promote her new Christmas single and do a interview. A big thanks to Lori and Jordan Hill for giving me this opportunity. Check out Lori's interview after the picture

You may know of Jordan Hill from her song "Remember Me This Way" from the Casper movie soundtrack (you know, that song that "real life" Casper danced with Kat to?). It's always been one of my favorite songs!




That song feels like a lifetime ago, but I've personally kept up with Jordan's career since way back then. These days with the power of the Internet, independent artists such as Jordan Hill have gained the ability to keep in touch with their fans, whether they are working on a new album, sharing new tracks or planning a gig, it's amazing how the Internet has allowed these artists to keep their fans informed and up to date!

Over the years, she has worked on putting out new material and a new album, and that time will be coming very soon, but in the meantime she has recorded a Christmas track to release first - "Someday At Christmas".

"Someday At Christmas" is a cover of Stevie Wonder hit Christmas song and is available to for purchase on iTunes, with all proceeds being donated to Children's charities!

I got to ask Jordan a few questions about the track, Someday At Christmas, and her NEW upcoming Pop album coming out in 2013 - check it out!


Me: I'm guessing that Christmas is favorite holiday - what do you love about the Christmas season?

Jordan: Yes it is!! I love everything about Christmas! The decorations, the music and the excitement and happiness that everyone feels during that time of year! I really love seeing the joy of giving. That's the best part. When you see someone so excited to give, or when you  see someone so appreciative when they receive.

Me: Do you have a favorite Christmas tradition?

Jordan: Christmas Eve has always been a BIG deal in my family. We do it up BIG! There are 60 plus family members that get dressed up and enjoy an amazing sit down dinner together. We  read the Christmas story, play games, open presents, and have a huge fireworks display! Christmas Eve is my favorite night of the year! I love being able to see my family together and happy!  Its so special!

Me: What made you choose this song specifically to cover?
Jordan: Well "Someday At Christmas" has always been one of my FAVORITE Christmas songs! It was originally recorded by Stevie Wonder. And I am a huge fan of the Motown Era. So I just had to record this song!

Me: Which charities are you planning to donate the proceeds to?

Jordan: We are working with  The Children's Angel Tree, Children's Hospital, Childhelp USA, and St Jude's.

Me: What artists or music inspire the music you create yourself?

Jordan: I am a HUGE fan of all music! I listen to just about everything from Pop, rock, R&B,Gospel and Classical. I would say the artists that most influenced me are Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.

Me: When did you start singing / when did you know that it is what you want to do with your life?

Jordan: I have been singing my entire life! lol I cant remember when I wasn't sing! We have recordings of me from when i was less than a year old and I was singing full songs before I could speak full sentences. I just connected with music from an early age. The first time  performed in front of an audience I was 5. I remember how excited I was! And when I got off the stage, I knew from that moment on.... I was going to sing and entertain people for the rest of my life.

Me: How would you best describe the type of music that your upcoming album will be?

Jordan:  My new album will be a combination of different styles. Pop,R&B and Rock. I like to call it universal, because there is something for everyone!

Me: When might we expect the first single from the album?

Jordan:   We are shooting for Summer of 2013 ! I cant wait for everyone to hear it! This has been a long time coming and I'm so proud of the music! It's the best music I've ever recorded!



There you have it!

Jordan's song "Someday At Christmas" is available now on iTunes and Amazon. She is also releasing a  version of  "This Christmas" on December 1 ,that will also be available for Download on Itunes!

By downloading a copy of "Someday At Christmas", you can have a chance to win a FREE IPAD MINI! Email your full name, and proof of purchase from Itunes of "Someday At Christmas", to Enter@ jordanhillcontest.com to be entered! A winner will be chosen on January 1, 2013.          
 
  Here's the link to Download "SOMEDAY AT CHRISTMAS"  NOW!!   Someday at Christmas - iTunes

Be Sure to like Jordan Hill Music on Facebook and follow Jordan on Twitter

A huge thank you to Jordan Hill for being a part of Just Jules!

Let Jules and I know what you think of the song in the comments below.

365 Days of Thanks

My friend Joel over at Reasons2Ride wrote a blog on Thanksgiving yesterday. This has led him to start a new Twitter project 365 days of thanks. His idea is why do we just spend one day being thankful? We need to be thankful 365 days a year.

He is challenge others to live with a attitude of gratitude daily. Instead of focusing one day, week or month out of the year on thankfulness, why not focus daily? It is a practice that I have long tried to adhere to myself. I used to focus on the negative and worry constantly. A few years ago, I decided to practice positivity instead. It changed my life drastically and I am so thankful that I started doing it.

Joel asked if I would share this and ask my readers to join the challenge. Simply add the hashtag #365DaysofThanks to a tweet everyday with something you are thankful for. Join the challenge for the next year and follow along.

I have found that a little bit of positive goes a long way. It encourages others to do the same and soon we have more good to focus on than bad.

Today I started the challenge and hope you do too!


Read Joel's blog on Thanksgiving: http://blog.reasons2ride.org/?p=324#comment-36
Tweet Joel: https://twitter.com/Reasons2Ride

When a Book Becomes More

A few years ago, my bowling partner told me to read the Twilight Books. I had heard of them on television and knew my twelve year old cousin Alex was reading them. I really don't like vampire stories and was reluctant to read them.  Marty once took me to see Interview with a Vampire on a date and lived to regret it. I showed up to my grandparents house at five a.m. the next day terrified. I like to read anything but Sci-Fi, Horror, Westerns, or Suspense. I really like biographies, romance and historical fiction.

I am really big on not judging a book by it's cover for people but often will skip over a real book. I totally judged the Twilight books. So I took our bowling partner Tammy's advice and I read the first book. I read it so fast I was calling my friends teen son to bring me the next book. I read the entire series cover to cover in seven days. I had just missed the first film in theaters and had to wait for it to come out on DVD.

I loved the story of true love waits and conquerors. I loved the characters and it really took me back to all the feelings of being a teenager. These aren't the best books ever written and in fact, the last book is so over the top that most cannot stand it.

It was during the wait for the DVD of the first film I started reading about the actors in the films. I at first didn't like the casting and felt several of the actors were all wrong. This story is a great visual story and you definitely have a clear picture in your head while reading them. During my search for info on the actors I came across a small website dedicated to them. Through this website I was introduced to women all over the world.

I became part of a club of sorts. People who felt passionate about this story, the films and a couple of actors in the films. It led me to reading original works of fiction that were based on the Twilight characters. From this I met several talented writers some of whom have gone on to re-work and publish their stories.

I have been supported by these women, supported these women. We talked life, family, kids, prayed for them and shared some great memories. When Marty was sick, this franchise gave me a much needed outlet and distraction. I often feel like the diversion saved me from a nervous breakdown.

 Today as I sat in the theater watching the films, I was filled with so many emotions. I saw Twilight for the first time on the big screen and finally came to love it.

I remembered waiting for all of the films to be finished and seeing set pictures and leaks with friends. I remembered the days of wondering if Rob and Kristen were a couple and the search for information on that.

This became about so much more than a book, a film or a story.

From sitting in lines for a midnight showings with my friend Heather three times. Sharing it with my friends kids and my friend Sam. I've never so anxiously awaited a film from books that I loved. We loved watching them together and dissecting them to nitpick whether the film makers got it right or not? For me, I really have never loved one of them until today. Tonight for the first time, I walked out of the theater happy about the film. The second part of Breaking Dawn had a lot to capture and they got it right.

If I hadn't of read the books? I would have missed out on so much. Most importantly, the countless friendships around the world this book brought. Fanette from France? met via Twilight. My beloved friend ALE? met via Twilight. The list of names goes on, someone from every walk of life from countries across the globe.

This book became more than a book. As the last scene played out tears fell down my face. Tears of sadness the series has ended, tears because I wish ALE were here to see it, tears from so many wonderful memories since 2008. I am so glad that I took a chance and left my comfort zone, I would've missed out.

I've often hidden this little secret hobby of sorts but today I feel the need to share. Call me silly, call me a nerd, call me a dork, judge my choice of reading material, do whatever you like. This is purely a Just Jules sort of moment. I am who I am and not ashamed to say it.

"Everyone Has Their Opinion"

My Mom came to visit for Conner's upcoming birthday this weekend. They went out for the day yesterday and one of the stops was to get frozen yogurt. As they were walking in he noticed some cyclists sitting in the front window eating frozen yogurt. He pointed them out to his grandma and told her they likely were coming back off a long ride.

The kids and mom walked in and one of the cyclists looks at Conner who was wearing a RSNT hat he got at the last  ATOC. He is a Jens and Fabian supporter so he still wears that hat and more than likely just grabbed it to throw on. He's fifteen for goodness sake and if he hair isn't done in his normal pompador he wears a hat. Usually it is his Hincapie Sports hat that he got during our visit to Greenville,NC last year. If we had been on a ride he would have been wearing his BMC cap under his helmet.

The cyclists calls out, "Hey are you a cycling fan?" to which Conner replied "Yeah, I am a cycling fan"

This is always exciting in our small town, there aren't many pro-cycling fans in this area. There are many cyclists though and we see them often. Usually on the road while riding ourselves. We've never gotten heavily involved in the cycling community around here because most of the riders we encounter aren't very friendly. We are however involved with the cycling community around the world on Twitter and over at Loving The Bike.

Back to the encounter, the cyclist then says to Conner "A Liquigas Cannondale hat might be a better choice for you." Conner said, "Yeah, I like Liquigas too." The cyclist says to Conner "What's your favorite team?" and Conner replied, " BMC is my favorite team"

The Cyclist then says "I guess that I can like BMC now that Hincapie is retired. I don't like tattle tales and he tattled taled on my hero! It's not cheating if everyone else is doing it." Conner was taken aback, it is rare for him to actually get to talk cycling in person and this was a normally exciting opportunity for him. Because of our involvement in the cycling community, he is well versed in the doping scandal. Probably thanks to Neil Browne and Dan Wouri among others.

 Conner came back with "Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion." turned and walked away. I am proud of him for being respectful to his elder and not getting into a heated debate. My kid has opinions and could have thrown down but instead he walked away.

Grandma who was listening said, "well I like Jens Voigt" instead to diffuse the situation and it did. The guy smiled and said "Yeah, he's a beast."

 Local Visalia cyclist whoever you are, you made a big mistake and shouldn't have said that. Good thing his momma wasn't with him. I would have gone off probably and it wouldn't have been pretty more than likely.


 It's not cool to fight with a young cycling fan over doping. Instead talk about the future of the sport, talk about what kind of bike he rides? invite him on a ride but don't tell him that cheating in any form is okay. I am appalled and floored by this part. When is it okay to tell a fifteen year old that cheating in any form okay? What a missed opportunity for good to happen. I am saddened by this encounter and thankful that I wasn't there.

What I am thankful for is the many cyclist and cycling fans who have positive interaction with @CycFanby on Twitter. Thankful he has met wonderful people in person such as Mary R, Mary T, Sean, Heidi and Jen who have talked cycling with him and encouraged his love of the sport. I am so grateful for that!

Cycling fans and cyclists, let's encourage the younger generation instead of sparring with them. It just makes you look bad and is discouraging to a young kid.

NaBloPoMo 2012: Tweet Others as You Would Like to Be Tweeted

 Today the writing prompt is what is your favorite quotation and why? I love the Golden Rule, it is my favorite quote "Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself" which is words that I live by. It also for me goes hand in hand with "Speak when spoken to" both things I grew up being taught. I live out these words in my daily life though I admit the practice of the second is a bit dodgy at times.

For five years now Twitter has become a big part of my life. It has seen me through dark times, brought me new friends across the world, brought me countless amazing opportunities the past year and introduced me to new things.

My Twitter bio said "Treat others as you want to be treated yourself" until one my Tweeps @WeezyRider (Benjamin) told me it should say "Tweet others as you wanted to be tweeted yourself" and I immediately adopted the saying.

Lately, I have noticed a disturbing pattern on Twitter of this lacking on Twitter. People ignore tweets, don't tweet back, or even saying unkind things. It is rampant, everywhere I look on there it is happening. I've even seen people being bullied or made fun of. The simple solution is to unfollow those who bug you and move on. It's not right for adults to be making fun of other adults. The world has enough problems and this is a easy one to fix.

For me, it doesn't bother me what others think of me. Putting yourself out there on Twitter, blogging or any form of online social media puts you at risk. If someone online wants to be rude, then so be it. Really not worth wasting time on.

Simply saying, we could all easily bring a little kindness into the world of Twitter or the real world by being kind to others, not thinking more highly of ourselves over someone else and being kind. It's not hard to do and the benefits you reap are worth it. I know it has benefited me greatly over the years and I have many a friend in the world. In fact, some would say that I have too many friends. I say nah, there is always room for one more.