So Busy

Saying life as a mom of five is busy... well, that would be an understatement. Summer doesn't seem to slow things down much. Summer camps, mission trip, swimming lessons, part time job, craft business, driver's ed hours, etc. On top of that I'm looking into starting graduate school this fall. How do I find time for *me*?

It's not always easy. I've learned to love the term "pockets of time." As I type, hubby and #4 are in the kitchen making dinner. I'm letting them have the time together while I sneak into my room, using the Blogger app on my phone. It's not the easiest way to type, but it's peaceful.

Finding time here and there for reading or blogging has gotten easier as the kids have gotten older. From my lack of recent blog posts, I guess I've done more reading than blogging. Blame my new Kindle Fire for the renewed reading addiction.

I still need to work on finding time for exercise. Yard work, housework, and running kids around have been most of my "exercise". I did mow the front yard this week. It's a job I rarely do, but I wanted some exercise and it sounded good at the time. Unfortunately we're now experiencing a heat wave which limits my time outside. Going to the Y is difficult with the kids' schedules. Ok, I am realizing that I'm good at excuses.

Is there anyone out there who would like to join me, taking advantage of those pockets of time, and stepping up the exercise routine or even starting one? Comment below. All comments need approval, so let me know if you want your comment to remain private.

Ever Have a Day...

I'm anxiously awaiting to hear about my graduate school application. Thinking about that and all the uncertainty going back to school entails is a little stressful.

Have you ever had a day when you just need to hear a particular song? Yeah, today was one of those days.

My Diabetes Hero (#dblogweek)

Today's D-Blog prompt: Let’s end our week on a high note and blog about our “Diabetes Hero”.  It can be anyone you’d like to recognize or admire, someone you know personally or not, someone with diabetes or maybe a Type 3.  It might be a fabulous endo or CDE.  It could be a d-celebrity or role-model.  It could be another DOC member.  It’s up to you – who is your Diabetes Hero??

My hero when it comes to my diabetes management is my wonderful hubby.  He is my Type Awesome. He's been the one to keep me focused. He never gets upset if I need to change what we're doing because of my glucose levels. Yesterday we were working in the garden. He noticed I was shaky and encouraged me to go inside to take care of myself. Today he didn't complain during my many breaks. He is my motivation. He is extremely understanding and devoted!




Photo credit: Image found here.

My Day in Pictures (#dblogweek)

Today's D-Blog prompt: Back for the third year, let’s show everyone what life with diabetes looks like!  With a nod to the Diabetes 365 project, let’s grab our cameras again and share some more d-related pictures.  Post as many or as few as you’d like.  Feel free to blog your thoughts on or explanations of your pictures, or leave out the written words and let the pictures speak for themselves.

Bacon! It's what's for breakfast

Tired dog after running around in the back yard while I was gardening.

87 and dropping. Normal activities such as gardening can be scary for a PWD!

Added sugar to my iced tea and had a banana to deal with a gardening-induced low

...and where are we going?

The peppers and cucumbers are planted

What I'd Like You to Know (#dblogweek)

Today's D-Blog prompt: Today let’s borrow a topic from a #dsma chat held last September.  The tweet asked “What is one thing you would tell someone that doesn’t have diabetes about living with diabetes?”.  Let’s do a little advocating and post what we wish people knew about diabetes.  Have more than one thing you wish people knew?  Go ahead and tell us everything.

There is so much I'd like to tell people about diabetes. Not the physiology of the disease - the ins and outs of insulin resistance for a person with Type 2 diabetes. That's only a minor part of the disease. For me there are blood checks throughout the day as well as lab work a couple times a year.  Yearly check-ups with my doctor, more if necessary. Watching carbs. Watching activity level (insulin resistance can suddenly backfire, causing sudden lows). The mood swings. Fear. Wondering if I'm going to need to use the bathroom at an inopportune time.

What is the number one thing I'd like people to know? Don't judge. Shortly after my diagnosis, I was talking to an older gentleman. Not realizing it, I had actually started off in my advocacy calling right away. I started talking to him about my new diagnosis, to which he replied, "We're watching our weight so we don't get diabetes." Did he just call me fat? To set the record straight, I am slightly overweight but not in the obese category that society would consider "at risk." I was also in my late-30s. Also not an "at risk" category.

Was he judging me? I feel he was. My diabetes was not caused by lifestyle, rather genetics. Do I blame my mother and her blood line? Not any more than I blame my father for my mousey brown hair that gets a little color treatment now and then. It is what it is. I love both of my parents dearly and thank God for all they have given me - including my hair color and my diabetes.

Those who have read my blog before know that I see my diabetes as part of a calling to reach out to others. I've had the opportunity to reach out to children with Type 1 diabetes locally. Even though I have Type 2 (and they know it), we still have a bond of sorts. Whenever we see each other, they know that there's an adult that gets it, even if just a little. And of course I ask them if they've been behaving. They know I don't just mean behaviorally.

Living with a chronic disease, especially an invisible one, is extremely difficult and often lonely. Thankfully I have an awesome support system at home that tries to understand, plus the DOC that totally gets it.

Before you judge or blame, remember that first and foremost, I am a person. Yes, I am a person with diabetes, but that doesn't make your judgements alright. Blaming my lifestyle means you haven't gotten to know me, only society's misconception of what causes Type 2 diabetes. I don't sit around all day eating bon bons. (I'd like to see you keep up with my five kids while working two jobs! What's a couch?)



Photo credit: Image found here.

Fantasy Diabetes Device (#dblogweek)

Today's D-Blog prompt: Tell us what your Fantasy Diabetes Device would be?  Think of your dream blood glucose checker, delivery system for insulin or other meds, magic carb counter, etc etc etc.  The sky is the limit – what would you love to see?

Hmm...  Like Rachel at Tales of Rachel, it's really hard for me to think of something. I'm a diet and exercise controlled Type 2. Maybe something to get me to exercise. Or a device that will play pre-recorded answers to all the common diabetes questions. Honestly, one currently used device I would like to have would be a CGM (continuous glucose monitor). But how to convince insurance to pay for a CGM for a diet and exercise controlled Type 2. HA!

One Not So Great Thing (#dblogweek)

Today's D-Blog prompt: Yesterday we gave ourselves and our loved ones a big pat on the back for one thing we are great at.  Today let’s look at the flip-side.  We probably all have one thing we could try to do better.  Why not make today the day we start working on it.  No judgments, no scolding, just sharing one small thing we can improve so the DOC can cheer us on!

In my last blog post, I basically mentioned a few things. "I'm not on top of checking my blood sugar or exercising all the time like I should. I try to watch my carb intake, but every once in a while my plate looks like the diabetic denial meal. Thankfully I don't need to take meds. I try to carry a small snack with me at all times in case of a low, but sometimes I forget to replenish said snack."


Probably the biggest thing I need to work on is exercise. I used to be on top of it, going to the gym once (or even twice) just about every day. Then my schedule changed and I just haven't adapted my exercise schedule. This is what I need encouragement about the most.