Wednesday, November 30, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 30

I am thankful for the opportunity to share my blessings every day this month.  This exercise has helped me realize how blessed I am.  It has helped me to find blessings in the little things.  I am also thankful for those who have shared with me their 30 days of thankful.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Yet another trip to the denist (vlog)

After taking part in the You Can Do This project, I started thinking of other parts of my life that sometimes get ignored or make me feel overwhelmed.  The dentist was pretty high up on that list.  I'm great at getting my kids to the dentist twice per year, but I hadn't gone in quite a while.  People with diabetes need to be on top of their dental health just as much as watching blood sugar levels and going to the eye doctor.  I finally said enough is enough and I've been going to the dentist on a pretty regular basis to get all the work done (thankfully, not as much as I was expecting). I am proud to say that I am almost done and it hasn't been that bad.  I found a dentist with a wonderful staff that I really like.  To me, bedside manners are as important (if not more) than qualifications. Here's a short video that I made after this morning's appointment.  You'll be happy to know my face is no longer numb and I was able to eat lunch without much issue.  However, I think it's now time for a nap.

30 Days of Thankful - Day 29

Today I am thankful for the privilege of dental care. I realize that I am lucky to live in a country where we have dentists available.  I am also lucky to have a husband who has good dental coverage.  (They may take forever to pay, causing dentist to now ask for at least partial payment up front, but overall the coverage is good.)

Monday, November 28, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 28

Today I am thankful for the teachers and program assistants that I work with and sub for. They are amazing people who make subbing such an awesome experience.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Saturday, November 26, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 26

I am thankful for the month of November and Diabetes Awareness Month.  I am thankful for Blue Fridays. I am thankful for the IDF and World Diabetes Day.  I am thankful for the American Diabetes Association and Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes.  I am thankful for the Big Blue Test.  I am thankful for the You Can Do This project. I am thankful for anyone who is a Type Awesome.  I am thankful for the DOC

Most of all, I am thankful for LIFE!  Thank you, God, for granting me the opportunity to be part of your wonderful creation!

Friday, November 25, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 25

Today I am thankful for the privilege of having a house and the honor of having extended family visit here.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 24

Today is Thanksgiving and I'm thankful for... EVERYTHING!  My family, friends, my pets, my jobs, the DOC.

I'm also thankful for my spare meter since I found the screen on my regular meter, umm, had issues. Someday I'll be thankful for a cure!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 23

Today I am thankful for family - those I see on a regular basis, those traveling to see us, and those far away.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 22

I am thankful for holiday traditions and being able to invite new people into our lives.  Today we put up the Christmas tree.  We usually do that the day after Thanksgiving, but this year we're having company on Friday.  Our family decided to put the tree up a little early - something almost unheard of here.  We also for the first time had a non-family member put the angel on the tree - my high schooler's boyfriend.  We had a lot of fun and I enjoyed relaxing in the recliner watching them work.

Monday, November 21, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 21

I am thankful for the chance to be an advocate in the diabetes community.  I am also thankful for the opportunity to educate those around me.  Diabetes isn't a "one size fits all" type of disease, regardless of the type.  Add a lot of the old wives tales about diabetes and there's a lot of misunderstanding to clear up.  I have learned so much from other PWDs (people with diabetes).  So much so that I realize how much more there is yet to learn.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 20

Today I'm thankful for memories. Of events past. Of people who have touched my life. Of pets that have not only been companions, but keepers of secrets. Yes, some memories are better kept in the past, but there are so many I want to share with my children. Some day, God willing, my grandchildren.


Saturday, November 19, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 19

I am thankful for my five great kids. They may not always do what they're told. They may like to argue. They may make a mess that isn't always cleaned up. However they bring us so much joy. I couldn't imagine my life without them!


Friday, November 18, 2011

30 Days if Thankful - Day 18

I am thankful for a great husband who takes care of me when I'm not feeling well.


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Pizza is a vegetable???

According to this article, Congress is considering calling pizza a serving of vegetables for the school lunch program even though the amount of tomato paste is less than a serving of tomatoes.  I believe they are also planning on doing this with french fries as well, claiming ketchup as a vegetable.

I'm coming down with a cold and plan to go to bed in just a few minutes, so I can't fully articulate how absurd I think it is that a frozen food company is dictating to Congress the definition of a vegetable - and that Congress is agreeing that it's a PIZZA!

Now if that pizza looked like this, I would possibly back down from my argument:

However, we all know that society has already convinced our children that this type of pizza is to be avoided, if not feared.  Children learn at an early age from society that the only vegetable they are to like is the ketchup they dip their fries in or the sauce that is between the bread and cheese on their pizza.

Now I will admit that I'm ok with pizza in general.  As a matter of fact, my family had pizza for dinner this evening. (Talk about irony!) 

However, I don't serve pizza to my children and say, "Here, kids! Eat your veggies!" 

30 Days of Thankful - Day 17

I am thankful for the musical talents of my children.  Four of the five are playing or have played in a handbell choir at our church (youngest will in two years). My oldest three play other musical instruments (percussion, trumpet, flute/saxophone), with the youngest two not far behind.

Music has become such a part of their lives that my oldest is currently a music major in college and my second one is considering it.

I am thankful for the men and women in their lives who have helped develop that musical joy and passion. 

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 16

I am thankful for a pre-arranged substitute teacher assignment starting this afternoon that goes through the end of the week. I will be teaching P.E. for grades K-3. What a fun age!

I am thankful for the opportunity to work as a substitute teacher. I love it!

(A picture of me on World Diabetes Day 2011 at one of my sub assignments.)

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 15

Today I am thankful for great test results. In March 2008, I was diagnosed with diabetes and had an A1c of 6.9 - a great number for someone newly diagnosed, but definitely diabetes.  Well, today my A1c was.. *drumroll* an amazing 6.1!!!!  This is the best number I've received since my diagnosis!  WOOHOO!!!!

My triglycerides are high, actually higher than last time, but that's something I can will work on.  Having the A1c result so much closer to non-diabetic numbers (under 5.7, according to the lab) made my day. My goal for the next six months: Get my A1c into the 5's!

Monday, November 14, 2011

World Diabetes Day!

Today is World Diabetes Day!  Why on November 14th?  Well it seems that today marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients. (source)


To celebrate this momentous occasion, I wore blue (of course).  A blue button up blouse. I actually was able to sneak in this special day with two classes I substitute taught today.  One of their spelling words was "illuminate." As an example I told them how buildings all over the world were illuminated blue in honor of World Diabetes Day.


When I went to the Y this afternoon, I changed into a blue t-shirt and blue jeans.  Thankfully the blue made me feel festive, not the sad type of blue.  My younger two also wore blue today.  I think everyone else had some blue on, just not as obvious as a blue shirt.  That's ok.  Their emotional support is more important to me than the color of their clothing.


Happy World Diabetes Day to all!  May we someday be able to turn this day into a holiday to remember when we used to have diabetes!  Praying for a cure today and always!

30 Days of Thankful - Day 14

I am thankful for the DOC and World Diabetes Day!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 13

Today I am thankful for days to relax with my family.  Although there's things to do, it's nice to put some of them off and just snuggle (with the kids that are willing to snuggle) and chat with them.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 12

Today I am thankful for my warm bed. It been a good day and I'm looking forward to snuggling up under the covers with my cat at my feet and my husband at my side.

Friday, November 11, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 11

Today I am thankful for the veterans in my life... friends, my dad, my father-in-law, aunts and uncles, cousins, and my wonderful husband.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Don't Stop Believing

Every day I pray for a cure. There are days when I am so frustrated. Sometimes to the point of wanting to throw up my hands in surrender. Diabetes is an invisible disease where society tends to blame the patient. "You ate too much sugar." "You're just fat." "If you'd exercise, you wouldn't have this problem."

However I still have faith that we will find a cure. I have to believe. If I stop believing, I'll lose my momentum to keep myself healthy. Hope for a cure keeps me on the patient advocacy path. It is my purpose.

This cartoon has been going around Facebook and inspired me today. Don't stop believing... in a cure!


30 Days of Thankful - Day 10

Today I am thankful for the men and women who gave their lives so I can live free.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 8

Even though I don't like being cold and wet, I am thankful for the rain we've had.

Monday, November 7, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 7

I am thankful for my comfy (and warm) bed. I'm also thankful for a roof over our heads to keep us dry.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 6

I am thankful for the freedom to worship.  My faith, religion, and denomination (yes, they are separate things) are very important to me.  It's hard to even imagine not being allowed to worship in the way of my choosing.

I am thankful for the opportunity to work with the children in our congregation.  This summer that extended to the children in our community through my work as director of our Vacation Bible School program. What a wonderful opportunity! The children bless my life!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 5

Today I am thankful that we are able to buy food for our family to eat. Sometimes we need to stretch the budget, but our children have never truly known hunger. Thank you, God!


Friday, November 4, 2011

Are you wearing blue?

I am! That must mean that it's FRIDAY!  November is Diabetes Awareness Month.  The diabetes online community is asking everyone to wear blue every Friday during the month of November as well as November 14th, World Diabetes Day.  (If you need a reminder, watch this video.) 

Also, don't forget about the Big Blue Test!  Need more information?  Check out this video which will tell you more about the program and how it benefits several charities to help people who can't afford supplies and medications.  You don't have to have diabetes to help!

I will wear blue to raise awareness and dissolve stereotypes. Wear blue!

30 Days of Thankful - Day 4

Today I am thankful that I have the medical resources to take care of my diabetes.  Not everyone has access to test strips, medication, and insulin.  I am also thankful that at this time I am able to control my diabetes with diet and exercise.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 3

Today I am thankful for the wonders of nature. I saw two whitetail deer after dropping off hubby at work. Thankfully they stayed at a distance.  On a related note, I'm thankful for my husband's safety, barely missing a deer on his own travels yesterday.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 2

Today I am thankful for friends to chat with in the morning when I'm trying to avoid housework.

Do the Big Blue Test: Help Yourself, Help Others

From the YouTube video (seen below):

"The Big Blue Test takes place every November leading up to World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14. The campaign reinforces the importance of exercise in managing diabetes. People with diabetes are encouraged to do The Big Blue Test any day between November 1 and November 14 at midnight Pacific Time, by testing their blood sugar, getting active, testing again, and sharing the results online at http://BigBlueTest.org.

In 2011, in connection with the number of people that DO The Big Blue Test, a donation from Roche Diabetes Care will benefit more than 8,000 people with diabetes in need. Five nonprofit organizations focused on helping underserved areas with a high incidence of diabetes in the United States will each receive $10,000, while $25,000 will go to support the work in Latin America by the International Diabetes Federation's Life for a Child Programme for a total of $75,000 in Big Blue Test grants to be funded."

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

30 Days of Thankful - Day 1

I'm thankful for my amazing husband and wonderful children. My Type Awesome support team.

Remembrance

On this All Saints Day which is also the first day of Diabetes Awareness Month, I am posting here a blue candle to remember those we have lost to diabetes. May God bless them!