Monday Rocks!

Okay, not every Monday rocks, but this one does. After fighting highs all night long (literally up in the 300s and my CGMS waking me every hour) I got up and went to work. After having 5 days off, I felt spoiled and really didn't want to go in, but that's the life of someone who isn't independently wealthy. :)

Last night, I had made some muffins from a recipe listed in one of my new cookbooks that Kathy sent me. My co-workers were very grateful for white chocolate berry muffins with cinnamon streusel. I thought they were pretty darn good myself. I had 2 for breakfast. Sure, it's not the healthiest breakfast, but there was fruit. And pecans. And chocolate comes from a bean, right??? :P

Surprisingly, my blood sugar actually has run LOW all day long. I've been drinking juice boxes and eating peanut butter crackers for a vast part of my day already. Now one would typically think that a day full of lows would make for a bad day. But after chasing highs since last Tuesday, this is actually a welcomed change.

While I was working this morning, I checked my Twitter account, only to discover that I WON!!!! Again! I was one of the three grand prize winners for the Holiday Survival Sweepstakes over at Diabetes Mine! I've won a Starter Membership to fit4D.com, which can help you with your nutrition, exercise, etc and is ALL related to diabetes! This is an area I need help in sooo much. I don't exercise because I have such trouble with my blood sugars during and after. Maybe this will help me get on the right track.

I love that Amy did this sweepstakes! It's nice to win something once in a while, but the best part was seeing all the different survival tips. It gave me some wonderful new ideas, and also let me know that I was on the right track in alot of areas.

At this point, my day was already looking wonderful. I live only 0.2 miles from work, so I headed home for lunch and on my step was another box.... apparently my Secret Santa's gift didn't all come in the same box. Inside this box was Cupcakes from the Cake Mix Doctor. Another cook book that I will use ALL the time. In fact, I made some muffins last night from the Chocolate Cake Mix Doctor. I just have to say that Kathy ROCKS!!!!! She has to be one of the coolest Secret Santas ever. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Secret Santa!

I spent the morning with two of my best friends (and a tag-a-long husband) this morning. We were having out Christmas. It's always been rough for us to get together, but since one of them got married this summer and moved, it's even harder than before. One lives two hours south-east of me and the other (and her husband) lives 4 hours south west.

But, this morning we were able to get together for a few hours and have breakfast and celebrate. It made me very happy. I hope we can do this every Christmas, but I know it's only going to get harder as we marry and start families.

Of course, my friend and her husband and I did a little shopping after the other friend had to leave to go to work. We went to store after store. While it was fun, I am totally BEAT! And ready to take a nap.

When they dropped me off at home, all I could think about was getting up my stairs and taking a rest....until I got to my door. Where there was a package waiting on me! From my wonderful Secret Santa!

I am so glad we got to do a Secret Santa this year. It was so much fun picking out stuff and who doesn't like getting extra presents?? Thanks to Allison for getting this thing together.

Turns out my Secret Santa was Kathy, also known as Araby62 over at Trying To Be Human. She completely ROCKS! I got two books, The Cake Mix Doctor and Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor. Two recipe books that let you take cake mixes and make them so much better than any boxed mix could ever be. I am sooo excited.

Yeah, it's kind of a weird gift for a diabetic, but I asked for it. And since my current hobby of choice is cake decorating, it couldn't have been a more perfect gift.

Check out some of these recipe names:

Chocolate Midnight Cake

Pear and Chocolate Terrine

Guatemalan Wedding Cake

Pumpkin Spice German Chocolate Cheesecake

White Chocolate Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel

Marbled Cream Cheese and Kahlua Brownies

Lemon Lovers' White Chocolate Cake

Snickerdoodle Cake

Plum and Cardamom Cake

Easy Tiramisu

Hummingbird Cake

Pumpkin Pie Crumble Cake

Fresh Lime Cheesecake

Orange Almond Angel Food Cake

Tomato Soup Spice Cake

Can you believe some of them?? I can't wait to try some of them out, though there's supposedly 150 in each book, so I don't know how I'll ever try them all.

Thanks so much to Kathy, who ROCKS! If you don't read her blog, check it out. I linked it in this blog post as well as it being on my blog roll on the right side of the page.

Winning and Christmas and Catching Up

I've not had the time or energy to post much in the past few days. I have such good intentions, but I never seem to get around to it. So this is my catch up post.

I WON!!!!!!!!! No really, I did. :P Amy T, over at Diabetes Mine, has been having her great holiday contest. Not this Monday, but the last, I won one of the great prizes. My prize: a great medical ID bracelet from HAH Originals. It had lots of room to personalize and great ideas for info to put on the bracelet.

Now, since I started wearing an ID bracelet on a regular basis (about a year ago), I have been wearing one of the generic $5 ones you pick up at Wal-Mart that simply says Diabetes on the back. It served it's purpose, but I really had been meaning to get another one. This one is great. I was able to put important information on the front, like that I am a Type 1 diabetic on an insulin pump and that I use CGMS. On the back (I don't want everyone seeing all the info, unless they are looking for it) is my full name, date of birth, month of diagnosis, and my emergency contact person and phone number.

Here's a picture:

The best part about it was that it was engraved and shipped the same day I ordered it. I had it in 3 days. Great customer service. HAH Originals has a great selection of bracelets, and if I order a new one, they will certainly be at the top of my list.

Also, Christmas has come and gone. It was rainy and warm here in Tennessee. Kind of sad, since I was hoping for at least a little snow. But, it was still filled with family and love and LOTS of great food (I'm still fighting my blood sugars! Yikes!). Christmas Eve I headed to my dad and grandma's and started dinner. My dad and I cooked most of the day to get a turkey dinner ready. It was pretty good, considering I'd never mad a turkey before...and neither had my dad! My brother and his wife and my nephew and my sister-in-law's son all came over and we had good food and then exchanged presents.

I'm not sure how my brother does it, but almost every year he gets me something that I love but would have never picked out myself or even thought to ask for. This year it was a cool set of bookends (I read ALL the time) that came from Tractor Supply. I'm dead serious. They are really cool though and they look like they have barbed wire on them. Not to mention being heavy enough to chunk at someone's head and kill them. :)

My dad got me some new Christmas ornaments that I needed. No lie. I needed new Dale Earnhardt Jr stuff. I don't have anything with his new number on it... but now I do. :) Pictures below.

Christmas morning I was up early and headed to my mom's to celebrate with her, my step-dad, my baby sister, and my step-grandmother. It was nice. My mom cooked a ham (I LOVE ham!) and I don't get to eat her cooking nearly enough. Though that's probably a good thing for my waist-line. :P My step-grandmother gave my sister an electric organ that she's had for years. It may not seem like much, but it was perfect for my musically talented sister. She was thrilled and even cried (how many 12 year olds do that over a Christmas present?).

I got a radio for my car! Yippee!!!!! I've been without a radio in my car for over a year now. The other one just died and I had never had the money to replace it. It's not usually a big deal since I live so close to work, but on trips out of town it's nice to have. My step-dad and I installed it in my car yesterday before dinner, so I am no longer music deprived. :)

Also, I have been truly blessed this year with Christmas cards. I hang them on the back of my door. The picture I am posting below is actually from a couple of days ago. I have even more now. They are almost all the way to the floor. :) I love Christmas cards. Several of them are from those of you in the Diabetes OC. Thanks for them!

Also, on Christmas Eve I got home from my dad and grandmother's and I checked my mail. Inside was a package. No, it wasn't my Secret Santa package, but it was a package from Jill and her family over at Diabetes Sweeties: My Crazy Life. It was full of fun stuff. Beautiful, handmade jewelry made by Jill herself, and a tee-shirt from their JDRF walk that they did this year! Kacey is even getting awarded the Golden Sneaker for raising $2500 for their walk! How fantastic is that? Jill says the award ceremony is January 11th, so we should all be thinking and praying for them that day.

I know this post is very long and full of information, but I wanted to be sure I didn't leave anyone or anything out. I hope everyone else had as blessed a Christmas as I did.

Merry Christmas

A much lengthier (is that a word??) post will go up, hopefully later today. But for now, I am getting ready to head to my mom's, loaded down with Christmas presents.


I hope everyone in the OC has a great day filled with family and love (and maybe even some gifts).

p.s. This is not snow from today. I have no white Christmas. It's currently 48 degrees. :( So I put the picture up instead. :)

What Happens When A Diabetic Eats Too Many Cupcakes....

I found this picture and this post on a great blog called Cake Wrecks. You can see it's the only non-diabetic blog on my blogroll. I am a cake decorator in my hobby time. I love the act of creating (though if you ask me to draw my cakes, it's a disaster!) this kind of art. I'm not fantastic at it, but I am learning.

Anyway, this one was found on Cake Wrecks just yesterday. When I saw it, I laughed and had to let the rest of my D-buddies know what will happen if we get carried away this holiday season. :)

To Request or Not to Request....That is the Question

I am planning on taking another Praxis test in a couple of months. The Praxis, for those of you who don't know, it the test you take to get your teaching license. The first license I got had only one area of endorsement and took 3 tests to get the license.

I am working on another area of endorsement right now and working toward my Master's degree. There are 2 additional test to get this endorsement. One test I took shortly after I went on the insulin pump. All the previous tests, I was on MDIs.

I have never, ever asked for special accommodations for testing. Not even when I was in school taking the Assessment Tests they make you take as a kid.

I, however, have never taken a test while on CGMS. I am confused about what to do. I may have no problems whatsoever. The last test I took, I was in a car accident on the way to the test, still got there in time and took the test and PASSED! I was on the insulin pump, tested before going into the room. I was pretty high from the adrenaline rush from the wreck, so I corrected, took the test and never had any other problems.

With my CGMS, I am afraid I may have some problems. What happens if it starts to beep during the test (even if I have it on vibrate!)? Will they think I am cheating if I reach in my pocket to make it stop? Or what if I need to test because it is low or high? What if I need a juice box?

With CGMS, I tend to be more consumed with my diabetes care. It makes me uncertain. Should I request special accommodations? Basically, the right to have my juice and meter if needed? Will this mean I have to test in another room?

I have heard so many horror stories of people having the pump ripped out my test administrators. I DO NOT want to risk that. But I fear giving up my "normalcy" by requesting special accommodations.

What do I do? Diabetes OC, things have changed so much since I was a kid. And my diabetes care has changed so much since I took my last standardized test. Do you have any suggestions? What should I do?

Christmas Tree

George beat me to the Christmas Tree post. And he did a vlog. How cool! Well, I still don't vlog, but I did take some pictures last night to share with all of you in the Diabetes OC. I, like George, don't have a themed tree. I just have a random collection of ornaments that I have collected over the years. I quit using garland and changed to ribbon. I have my first Christmas ornament and many that have been given to me as gifts.
By my Angel that sits at the top of my tree, I always thought it made it look kind of country. Being from Tennessee, this is okay. :)

I also wanted to share with you my totally country stocking. I bought it several years ago. It's made from a pair of Wranglers jeans. Patch and all. Very country, but it comes from growing up in the South and being around horse shows and rodeos so much.

The little fellow sticking out at the top is a horse purchased in the gift shop at the Dixie Stampede (Christmas edition). Sadly, since it's just me, that little guy is all that will go in my stocking. That is one thing I miss about being a kid. My stocking was always so fun to open. Almost better than the other presents.

I also wanted to share an ornament with you. This is one of my newer ones. I bought it for myself two Christmases ago. Go VOLS! :) This also comes with growing up in Tennessee. As we say in Tennessee: I bleed Orange.

Anyway, I hope you guys weren't too bored with my totally non-diabetic post. I just wanted to share some of my Christmas with all of you.

The Bad Side of CGMS...

Occasionally you get a bleeder. This one was the worst one I'd ever gotten. It was like a scene from a bad horror flick. There was blood all over my bathroom floor. Kind of gross, but very true. These pictures are from six days after. Before taking the sensor out and after.

The first night having the sensor in, it kept throwing bad sensor alarms at me and I kept restarting it over again. I was being stubborn. I figured if it was going to leave that kind of a mark on me, I was going to at least get my 6 days out of it. And I did.

So Cool!

Okay, so a couple of weeks ago I got an e-mail from MiniMed requesting I take a survey. I usually try to do this because I want them to keep improving on what they already have. I think it's important to let them know what they need to improve.



At the bottom of the e-mail it said that by responding you would get a $25 Amazon.com gift card (for the first "x" amount of responses). I figured I wouldn't get one, since I usually am late at everything I do.


But this morning in my e-mail was a message with the gift card/code for Amazon.com.


HOW COOL! :D So, I got to spend it this morning purchasing a book I'd been wanting for a while now, but was way too cheap to buy myself (cut me some slack! I'm on a budget!). I got it for $4.70 after the gift card. Thanks MiniMed!



Also, I've uploaded a clip of my little sister singing in our fair's talent show back in the fall. Let me know what you think! We are pretty proud of her. We're just trying to convince her to dance. :) Keep in mind, she's only 12.

Frustrations

November is over and since NaBloPoMo is no more, I decided to go back to my couple of times per week posting. As I said before, blogging is a full time job!

Work has been crazy, family has been busy, and the Christmas season is upon us. I have almost all my Christmas shopping done, which takes away some of my stress, and overall, I am doing okay. Give me a couple of weeks and I may be singing a different tune.

I tell you all this to give you some background info. For the past week or so, my blood sugars are running okay during the day. Then, around 9 or 10 p.m., I start rising. Having not eating since 6 or 7. And they rise and rise and rise. My CGMS was waking my up 2 or 3 times a night to correct. I finally started setting a temporary basal at 110% at night, which keeps me below 200, but still in the high 100s.

There's no reason for this. No (unusual) outside stress. No sickness. No weird foods. Just unexplainable high blood sugars at night. It's gotten so bad that I've been taking almost 60 units of insulin every day. Sometimes more.

It's kind of scary. This hasn't ever happened to me before. I am giving it another week to straighten back out (maybe I'm fighting some sort of infection or something) and then we are looking at a major basal rate overhaul.

I'm hoping it's just a fluke. Or the alignment of the planets. Or something. Apparently I'm not alone in my problem right now.

Any suggestions? Any tips? Anyone else going through this too??

p.s. I found this in my bed when I pulled back the sheets.

Christmas Meme.

Christmas meme! Thanks to Lora!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. I like it to match if I can do it and I put curly ribbons on all of my Christmas presents

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial. But only cause I don't want to have to carry a real tree up the stairs to my apartment

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually right after Thanksgiving. I actually put my tree up last night.

4. When do you take the tree down? Right after New Year's day.

5. Do you like eggnog? Never tried it. I can't bring myself to.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? The Barbie 57 Chevy I begged my parents for. I didn't have any Barbies...I just wanted the car. :) I still have it, broken windshield and all. :P

7. Hardest person to buy for? My brother.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My sister.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? I have 3.

10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Christmas cards! Hey, if anyone wants a card, send me an e-mail w/ your address and I'll send one out. :) beth2027@yahoo.com

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A box of old magazines. I kid you not.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story

13. When do you start shopping? It depends. This year I'm already almost done. I have a couple of things left to buy when I get paid next.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? That's telling....if I would though, I would wait a year. :)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Everything!

16. Lights on the tree? White lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Do I have to pick one? I like 'em all...except The Little Drummer Boy...that one just kind of annoys me.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I stay local. I go back and forth between my mom's and my dad and grandma's.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? An angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve with my dad and his family, Christmas morning with my mom.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People being all stressed out.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I'm not picky.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A new radio for my car. I'm tired of singing to myself. :)

P.S. Just thought I'd share a scene from my Favorite Christmas Movie. :)

I Did It... Unofficially.

I Did It... Unofficially. This is my 30th (actually 31st!) blog post for November. I didn't sign up for NaBloPoMo because I honestly didn't know if I could do it. And I hate to not finish something I start.

I'm pretty proud of myself. :) I feel like I can officially sign up next year. :P

My Coolest Cousin

My family lives all over the country. Both my mom's side of the family and my dad's side. I've never lived closer than 6 hours away from any of my first cousins.

Currently, most of my cousins reside in California. I have one in Missouri (who is much much younger than me), and my 2 cousins in Texas. One of my cousins came in from Texas to visit our grandmother for Thanksgiving. I don't think I've seen him in about 4 years...maybe longer.

It's sad, but everyone is so busy and so broke all the time, that it's just not happened. I was thankful to get to visit with him for a few days. I have vowed to make a trip to Texas in the next year or so to visit, and he and my other cousin are going to both try to come back to Tennessee pretty soon.

It is nice to have family. And I think I appreciate them more because they live so far away.

The Day After Turkey....

My grandmother is in the hospital. She went in the day before Thanksgiving. There's nothing seriously wrong with her (we think), but the doctors are all on vacation so she has to stay until they can come back and do the procedure that they need to. So she will probably be in there until Tuesday.

It's kind of sad, since her son flew in from Texas to surprise her and brought my cousin with him. I hate that they haven't gotten to spend much time with her.

I did get to cook Thanksgiving dinner, although it was somewhat sad because my grandmother wasn't there. We wanted to take her some food, but she was on a liquid diet. :(

My uncle and cousin leave to go back to Texas tomorrow.

My niece, who has cancer, is also in the hospital. She is having another type of treatment done and has been in there for over a week and has to stay for another. Sadly, I can't even visit her over this holiday weekend since she lives in Michigan.

These are two of my family members who have had to spend Thanksgiving in the hospital. It makes me sad.

I have always hated hospitals. The smell funny and I have too many bad memories as a child with diabetes and a few trips with DKA.

The one thing that I do remember is the hospital gift shop. No matter what hospital it was, there was always a gift shop. And I learned, at a young age, the bigger the hospital, the better the gift shop. I had a knack for suckering my parents into buying me something from the shop any time I was in the hospital. In fact, my troll/bee came from a hospital gift shop.

Today, I was visiting my grandmother at the hospital and couldn't help but look in the windows of the hospital gift shop. I saw this cute little guy, and thought in the spirit of the holiday, that I would post his picture here. It's a nice thought from a not nice place.

Happy Thanksgiving

It's officially Turkey Day! I am posting late due to a day full of food and family. It's nice to have time to just be a family together.

In the true spirit of the holiday, I am going to share with all of you what I am thankful for:

-My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without Him, I am nothing. Without Him, I would not be.

-My family. They are disjointed, and slightly dysfunctional at times, but they are mine. I love them and they love me.

-My church family. They keep me together and focused on the true meaning of life and love.

-My friends. Sometimes I feel as if we grow farther apart as time passes, but I know that I could call any of them right now and they would do whatever was in their power to help me. God has truly blessed me with some fantastic people in my life.

-My job. It's not my dream job. But I have a job. And it's got great health benefits, which we all know is so vital to our diabetes management. Right now, I feel like it is where I belong.

-My friends in the Diabetes OC. Even though I've only personally met one of my fellow bloggers, I know that I have been blessed by you all. I feel like I know so much about you and your lives, and I'm thankful for being allowed into your life.

-My country. I feel so blessed to live in this great nation.

Getting Desperate

I'm getting desperate....for posts.
I've spent the evening early cooking for tomorrow. My uncle flew in from San Antonio to surprise my grandmother for Thanksgiving. We knew he was coming...he didn't tell us he was bringing his son. :)
My favorite cousin is here! I've not seen him in around 3 years. Actually, it's probably been longer than that.
What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish, bloggers?

Vacation

I'm not really on vacation. But I am spending the entire week at my mom and step-dad's house. They, and my baby sister, went to Missouri to see my grandmother for Thanksgiving. I opted out to be sure that my dad and other grandmother had someone to cook Thanksgiving dinner. And in doing that, I am dog-sitting for my mom and step-dad.

It makes my drive to work in the morning about 10 minutes longer, but that's not a biggie. It's just weird not having all my stuff around. And having to remember to get diabetic supplies to bring here in case I need to change a pump site, or a sensor, or whatever.

Any time I actually go on vacation, it's like a huge production. I have a list of all the supplies I need...not to mention the fact that I over pack in the clothes department too. After all, you never know what you might need.

I always make 3 lists, anytime there's a trip that would last more than 3 days.

List one = Clothes

List two = Bathroom supplies (i.e. make-up, hair, shower)

List three = Diabetic supplies times 2. (I'm always afraid I'll run out. Or have a string of bad pump sites).

Do any of you guys have a rule of thumb when it comes to packing diabetes supplies for a trip?

Secret Santa

Check it out! Thanks Allison. I can't wait for this first Diabetes OC Secret Santa.

Twitter

I have joined the dark side. I still don't know how to find people too well on this thing, so if you want to add me, find me. My name on there is cerichards21. I am trying to follow people right now, but I swear it's so confusing. :(

Food Meme.

Thanks to Lee Ann for the meme. It's desperation time in the land of NaBloPoMo. :)


1. Can you cook? If yes, do you like to cook?


Yes, I can cook. And yes, I like to cook.





2. When do you eat with your whole family?


Well, I live alone, so eating with my whole family doesn't happen very often. Maybe at holidays. But if you are counting just the family that lives in your home, all the time. :)





3. What do you eat for breakfast? Cereal or a piece of wheat bread and peanut butter.



4. When, where and how do you eat on weekdays?


Usually breakfast is between 7:30 and 8:00, lunch at 12:00, and dinner between 5:30 and 7:00. Most of the time I eat a home. As for the how, well I guess I eat like everyone else does. Chewing is usually a good thing. :)



5. How often do you eat out (in a restaurant)?


Does this include drive-thru? If so, about 2 or 3 times a week. If it's actually sitting down in a restaurant eating, probably only 2 or 3 times per month.



6. How often do you order delivery/take-out?


A few times per week I do drive thru.





7. Regarding no. 5 and 6: Say there weren’t financial reasons would you do this more often?


Possibly. I like to eat out in restaurants, but it's not always healthy.





8. Are there any “standard dishes” you serve regularly?


Spaghetti. Hamburger helper (I know it's not really cooking, but it's quick and easy for just me). I love to make soup and chilli, especially in the winter time.



9. Have you ever cooked for more than 6 persons?


Last Thanksgiving I believe there were 7 people. My grandmother isn't able to cook anymore, so I cooked for my dad, brother, his wife and 2 kids and myself. This year I am cooking again, but there will be less people there. Only 4 of us this year.



10. Do you cook every day?


An actual meal? No.



11. Have you ever tried recipes from blogs?


Nope



12. Who cooks more frequently at your home?


Me. Cause it's just me.



13. And who cooks better?


Me. Cause it's just me



14. Do you cook totally different compared to your mother/parents?


Somewhat. Some things I do exactly the same. Others I think I am more health conscious about.



15. If yes, do you nevertheless eat at your parents?


I eat there sometimes. I love my mom's cooking.





16. Are you a vegetarian or could you imagine being one?


Not a vegetarian. I don't know that I could be either. Sometimes I just crave a steak!





17. What would you like to cook which you haven’t dared to make yet?


Does it count for baking cakes? I have a couple of types of icing that I haven't dared yet.



18. Do you prefer cooking or baking?


Baking.





19. What is your greatest misery in the kitchen?


The lack of space to put all my cake decorating stuff. And the lack of counter space. Oh, and the pink and blue pineapple wallpaper that I can't take down because I rent. :)



20. What do you dislike?


Not big on super spicy foods.

Movie Review

I went to see Twilight last night. It was pretty darn good. There are mixed reviews on the internet. Some say it's great. Others say it's not. Personally, I think they did a great job with the small amount of money (only $37 million = very small in movie terms) they had to film. Not to mention the fact that the book is extremely descriptive, which can be hard to capture on screen.

It was worth my money, and worth my time. I intend on seeing it again when it comes to my small town.

Weirdly enough, diabetes visited me while I was waiting at the theater last night. It was advised (since several of the shows were selling out) to show up pretty early to the theater to get in line, since the seating is first come, first serve, even if you had your ticket early like I did.

The movie started at 7:30 and I was at the theater by 6:20. There were about 30 people in front of me waiting in line. Since I was by myself (and feeling a little dorky to be by myself at a movie) I had my mp3 player going in my ears. My pump started to vibrate. My blood sugar had shot up to 202. Gave a correction bolus and really wanted to get a bottle of water, but there were about 20 people behind me and there was no way I was going to give up my spot in line! :) So I suffered through. And came out of the movie at 78. Pretty good for me.

I have also officially hooked my friend/secretary at work on the Twilight series.... oh, and I've gotten to Jill too. :)

Family Effects

We all know that diabetes affects everyone in the entire family. It affects friends. It affects jobs. It affects every aspect of life as you know it.

Lee Ann wrote just the other day about how it affects her husband and how much it can affect a relationship

Kerri wrote about how ingrained in our lives the little bits of diabetes are.

Our blogs, our lives, our family, our work seems to revolve around diabetes.

We get together and raise a fuss when TV tries to incorrectly portray our disease. We get Disney to change their minds.

We are powerful. We are all different. We are all special. We all have things in common (other than diabetes). For some, it may be a common TV show we like to watch. For some, a common hobby.

One of the biggest things I have learned since finding the Diabetes OC, is what my parents went through. I see parents like Mark and Paige, Naomi, Jill, and Lynnea, I realize I am getting a small glimpse of what my parents dealt with. I am seeing a tiny sliver of the fear, worry, guilt, and life that my parents got handed when I was diagnosed with diabetes.

Is it bad to feel guilty for making my parents angry when I wouldn't eat? Or worry when I ended up in the ER (many, many times)? Or for making them be scared for my future, and what that future might hold?

I do feel guilty sometimes. My dad and I were talking with my aunt the other night. She's in visiting from California. She wasn't around for all of my childhood, so we could only tell her stories. We talked for about 30 minutes. My dad and I taking turns telling story after story of stressful situations and hospital visits. Some of them I remember. Some of them I don't.

I hate that my parents had to go through so much with me. Sometimes I hate it even more so because I am adopted. They knew nothing about diabetes. It didn't run in the family. And I got it. They got me healthy, after an initial scare of being born 1 month early with a heart valve that didn't want to work at first. They didn't really sign on for a sick kid. But yet they got one. And, if I can say so myself, they did a fantastic job handling it.

I know that there were things I didn't see. Breakdowns I never heard. Tears I never saw. But overall, they did a fantastic job of taking care of me and helping me learn to take care of myself. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't without incident. But I came out the other side unscathed.

Sometimes I worry about getting married. Or even getting in a serious relationship. I am a lot like Allison in my lack of relationships. And I wonder how diabetes will take a role in any relationship I might have. I worry that someone will get in and then decide they don't want the trouble of dealing with diabetes (I know he wouldn't be worth it anyway, but it doesn't change the rejection factor). I know that this isn't an issue for some people. Kerri's article Love Me, Love My Diabetes always makes me feel better.

But that fear is still there. It takes a special parent to raise a diabetic child. The choice is not voluntary. Diabetes visits your life and doesn't give you a choice.

But as an adult Type 1, a person can have to choice to enter my life, or to not enter it. So I am beginning to think it takes an even more special person to marry a diabetic. That is voluntary. They do have a choice. And yet they chose to do so anyway.

I am truly sorry about the slightly rambling post. But I have a lot on my mind today. This post is kind of a reflection of my thoughts.

Up and Down and Down and Up...

Blood sugars have been crazy all day. I woke up this morning at 190. Did a correction bolus. By the time I ate breakfast I was 112. Dropped to 63 a few hours later. Drank a juice box. By lunch I was still only 79.
We had Thanksgiving at work today. Since I was only 79, I got my food and started eating. I ate for a few minutes and then did a dual wave bolus. 50% now 50% over the next 2 hrs.
After I finished eating, I was sick (I really try not to overeat, but it's so hard when it's Thanksgiving). After eating, I went back to my desk and I was not feeling well. I thought it was just my stomach overeating. After a few minutes I realized that I couldn't focus on what I was reading, so I knew it was a blood sugar thing. Sure enough, I was hanging out in the high 50s. I knew if I waited a little while it would be coming up (I had eaten a piece of my pumpkin spice cake = 60 grams). But being patient was not easy.
My instinct to panic eat started to kick in. So to ease my instinct, and still not over do it too much, I went and got a spoon full of whipped cream that was left-over.
Within about 30 minutes I was up in the low 100s. Much better.
Around 4:15 I was high. I knew it. My sensor didn't catch it as quickly as I did. Sensor said 171 and rising quickly. I tested: 202. Did a correction bolus.
An hour later, 273. Another correction bolus. Skipped dinner.
An hour after that, 138. Snacked a little. Bolus.
Currently hanging out in the 130s. After a day like today, that's okay with me.

Thanksgiving at Work

Too busy to blog tonight. I am making a pumpkin spice cake with pumpkin filling and cream cheese icing for Thanksgiving at work tomorrow.

Blogging is a Full-Time Job!

Okay, I have decided that blogging could really be a full time job. Even if I don't blog every day, like I am this month, I am often thinking about things to blog about or things I've read on other blogs.
Seriously, if someone would pay me (and offer me top-notch insurance, of course) I would just blog full time. I would travel to meet all of you fellow bloggers and blog about that. Then I would travel to meet famous diabetics and interview them and blog about that. And then I would travel to fun things like WDD in another country, or the Children With Diabetes conference (of course, blogging all the way).
Anyway, I was just thinking that I needed to go to bed and realized I hadn't posted yet today. And the fact that blogging can be a full time job popped into my head....and onto this blog.

And, I know I'm pathetic, but I am super excited to go see Twilight on Friday night. Sadly, I am going alone cause I have no friends (that live around here anyway) that have read the books or have the desire to go see the movie. But that's okay. I am treating myself to a girl night. I am going to get my hair done, go see the movie, and maybe even take myself out to eat.

Watch the Trailer on Yahoo! Movies

Cold and Snowy...

I hate Monday nights. I have class an hour from my house. I leave work as soon as I get off and just get there in time for class to start. Most of the time I don't have time to stop and eat. Class ends at 8:00 and I can sometimes stop and grab something then. It isn't good for my diabetes because I get so hungry and then my blood sugar likes to rise. Not to mention the later I eat, the harder it is for me to control my blood sugar (because I'm asleep when it starts rising!). I know I could pack a dinner, but I always forget...or maybe I'm just too lazy.
But, the good news is, that on the way home it was snowing. :) It probably won't stick, but it's still cold enough to snow. And that means there's always the chance of precipitation. But, hey, a girl can dream, right?
My class I am taking this semester is Sign Language 2. I took Sign 1 last semester. I LOVE it. I find myself signing songs on the radio. This is fine, as long as I'm not driving. :) Does anyone out there in the diabetes blogosphere know any sign language? Just a curious question.

This is what I woke up to this morning....

Not much. But it was some snow. :) It's gone now... :(

Stupid CGMS...

Not wanting to work right. :( My readings have been off for the last 24 hours. I just ripped it out. Going to try a new one today.

Happy World Diabetes Day?

Today's the day folks. And while I'm glad there's a day to bring awareness to this disease that effects so many people, I'd much rather just not have diabetes. I'm sure that most of you agree with me.

Often people ask, "What will you do when there's a cure?" I don't think about that very much. Mostly because diabetes has been with me for so long. I believe a cure is possible. I believe there will be one....someday. But for now, that hope for a cure is so deep inside me that I forget about it.

And like it's said every year, I hope this one is the last. But in all reality, I think it is probably not the last World Diabetes Day. So those of you who live close enough to somewhere that you can participate in the WDD activities, please do. And post your pictures and stories so I can be jealous. :P

Living in the middle of nowhere, there's nothing going on for WDD. So instead, I am getting up this morning, getting ready, and heading to work. Where my co-worker's husband is a T1 and my supervisor's daughter is a T1, another co-worker is a T2 and two other co-workers' husbands are T2. In a small office of about 15 people, there are at least 6 of us that are directly effected by this disease.

Here are so sobering facts that were sent to me in an e-mail from Diabetes Daily:

First, let these numbers really sink in:
-Every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes.
-Every 10 seconds two people develop diabetes.
-Over 250 million people live with diabetes worldwide. In 2025, this figure will reach 380 million.
-More than 200 children a day develop type 1 diabetes.
-In developing countries, close to 75,000 children live with diabetes in desperate circumstances.
-Type 1 diabetes is increasing fastest in pre-school children, at a rate of 5% each year.
-Type 2 diabetes has been reported in children as young as eight.
-Type 2 diabetes affects children in both developed and developing countries.

Trying...

Okay, as I've mentioned before, I am unofficially trying to do the NaBloPoMo. This weekend may be the breaker for me.

My church has an intensive 3 day program that they do a couple of times per year. It's called Encounter. And I am going to be there this weekend. So posting may not happen.

I'm going to try, but you never know.

I am going to try to make it a point to post tomorrow, since it is World Diabetes Day. I figure that's the least I can do.

Monday Again??

All day today, it's felt like Monday...again. After having yesterday off for Veteran's Day, I had to go back to work. As much as I am glad that we have a holiday to honor Veterans, I HATE having a day off in the middle of the week. It always seems to throw my internal clock all out of whack.

I fought high blood sugar almost all day yesterday. Today, it's only been slightly better. I think I have discovered that weekends and off days mess with my blood sugar. I am going to have to figure this out.

My job is not an active job. I sit at a desk all day long. But for some reason, on weekends, my blood sugar likes to run higher. And even when I bolus for food, it seems I never bolus enough.

Does anybody else have trouble keeping the blood sugar in check during the weekend?

On a lighter note, I have a quote of the day for you:

"Some people are like Slinkys. They aren't good for much, but they make you smile when you push them down the stairs."

If any of you watch the Biggest Loser, I have a couple of slinky people on the show this season. **cough**vicky**cough**heba**cough**

Veteran's Day

This day can mean different things to different people. For some, it's another vacation day. To some, it's just another day to work. But for veterans and their families, it can mean so much more.

Both of my grandfathers, my dad, my uncle, and my brother served in the armed forces. I have a host of great-uncles who also served. I grew up in a home filled with pride for the armed forces. My dad served in Vietnam, and while he does talk about the war itself, he always mentions support of our troops and our country.

More recently, in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I have many people in my own town who have served in these countries. One is a person whom I consider one of my oldest and dearest friends. Two others that I went to high school with were injured.

I was reading, on a page on the History Channel's website this morning. Trying to find something to write about on this day that means so much to me. On this "fact page" there was a statistic (from the census bureau, according to the bottom of the page) that I felt like I should share with all of you. Yes, the election is over now, but this statistic blew me away:

The number of veterans who voted in the 2004 presidential election was 17.4 million. Seventy-four percent of veterans cast a ballot, compared with 63 percent of nonveterans.
14 million veterans voted in the 2006 congressional election. Sixty-one percent of veterans cast a ballot, compared with 46 percent of nonveterans.

Immediately, I knew the reason for this vast difference in percentages of voters. The people who served in the armed forces (and their families) see the reasons to vote. In some ways, I think they see it more clearly than those of us who haven't served.

Arlington National Cemetery

Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers

World War II Memorial

The Vietnam Memorial (The Wall)

Iwo Jima (USMC Memorial)

And 9/11. Not a monument yet, but a reminder of a day that our security was taken away from us.

Today, the two veterans that I am closest to both have to work. I think it's sad. My dad has never gotten a Veteran's Day off. It's kind of sad that I sit here at home right now, in my pajamas, taking a day off that I feel like I don't deserve.

Regardless of what your stance is on the war in Iraq or Afghanistan, support the people who are serving and have served at any time in the Nation's armed forces. They have seen and done and sacrificed things that no person should ever have to. And if you know a Veteran, give him or her a call today, or send an e-mail and let them know you appreciate their service to this country. You may brighten their day.

Nothing to say...

This is one of those days when I wish I had a meme. I have nothing to say. I don't really know why, but it is what it is.

I do want to say THANK YOU to all of you who posted yesterday! It was a record for me for most comments on a blog post. I was truly touched. If I didn't post on yours, I'm sorry, but be sure I appreciated your comment very much.

I LOVE YOU GUYS!

D-Blog Day

Well, today is D-Blog Day. I have to say that I've been at this blogging thing for over a year now and it's become a very productive and important part of my life. I've made new friends, found kindred spirits, and been blessed in more ways that you can even begin to imagine.

From some, it's been a kind word. Others, a care package, or a card in the mail. And some of you just bless me through my reading your blog. There are days when I think diabetes may drive me crazy, or just make me want to cry. But then I can turn to you and I feel like I have support to go on for another day.

There is a song by Watermark, a Christian group, called More Than You'll Ever Know. In a lot of ways, you guys out there in the OC fit this song. The lyrics are posted below the video if you can't listen to the song for whatever reason.


So, this is for all of you who mean more to me than you'll ever know.





More Than You'll Ever Know - Watermark (All Things New)

Something brought you to my mind today
I thought about the funny ways you make me laugh
And yet I feel like it's okay to cry with you
Something about just being with you
When I leave I feel like I've been near God
And that's the way it ought to be...

Chorus:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah

You had faith, when I had none
You prayed God would bring me a brand new song
When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing
And all the while I'm hoping that I'll
Do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me
And that's the way it ought to be...

Chorus:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah

You have carried me
You have taken upon a bruden that wasn't your own
And may the blessing return to you
A hundredfold, oh yeah...
A hundredfold, oh yeah...

Chorus:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah

Stupid Me

As often as I test my blood sugar, you would think I would remember to put a new bottle of strips in my meter case when I empty the first one.... I forgot this morning.

In the midst of running around trying to find my script for the Veteran's Day program my kids at church are doing, and going to get two of the kids to bring this to practice this morning, I completely forgot.

Thank goodness for CGMS since I ended up being gone from my house for almost five hours (including having lunch).

But I survived without too much trouble.

Ah, such is the life of a forgetful diabetic.

Every Day

Okay, so I am unofficially trying to do the NaBloPoMo thing. I'm not committing officially, since this is my first attempt and I don't know if I can actually make it through the month. But we will see.
Diabetes related stuff...what happened today....well, other than having my CGMS go completely crazy (reading from 180 to 91 back to 190 within 20 minutes) when my blood sugar was pretty much steady, not a lot happened today. Basically, my blood sugar was high today for the afternoon (no idea why), but then my CGMS went crazy with it. So I spent a lot of time this afternoon making my pump STOP BEEPING!!!!
It was one of those times I almost just wanted to turn the darn thing off.
Maybe it will be a more normal day tomorrow. We can only hope.

On another note, how many of you have read the Twilight series by Stephenie Myer? Just curios. I have gotten hooked. And now the movie is coming out this month! I am excited. (See my WeeMee at the top of the page?)
If you've read them, let me know what you think.

I should be nice to you....

I had the most interesting thing happen to me over the weekend. As most of you know, I live in an extremely small town. Until I was in high school, the whole county only had 2 stoplights. A few years ago, when I was college, our town was blessed to have 2 ethnic restaurants move into our town. This would have been unheard of when I was younger. The closest thing we had to ethnic was the Taco Bell we got when I was in high school!! :D

One of the restaurants, my brother helped with the construction and I frequent at least a couple of times per month. The brothers who run it are very nice people. As often as I am in there, in combination with them knowing my brother, they know who I am.

I never hide my diabetes. I guess part of having a pump is naturally discrete. When I was in there over the weekend with a friend of mine, I got out my meter to test right before eating. As one of the guys who runs the restaurant came up, he was shocked, wanting to know what I was doing. He wasn't rude, just curious. I explained that I was diabetic and I was on an insulin pump.

I took out my pump to bolus and showed him that it had medicine in it.

He asked several questions, the biggest one being "How long?". When I told him that I had been a diabetic for years, he was shocked. He had never known that I was in all the years I've been coming in there.

I got up to go get my food (buffet style) and came back to my table and he said to me, "I should be nice to you." Keep in mind that this guy makes it a habit to pick on me when I'm in there. It's just something he does. And it's kind of funny cause I give back as good as I get.

It shocked me a little when he said that he thought he should be nice to me. So I said, before I thought too much about it, "Don't be nice to me 'cause you feel sorry for me."

The conversation ended at that point because my friend and I were eating and he was working, but that stuck in my head. I haven't had anyone say anything like that to me in years. It's a little disheartening to think that people might treat me differently due to my diabetes.

Has anything like this ever happened to you?

History

I am currently reading a book for a college class. Brown v. the Board of Education. I am glad to see how far our nation has come in comparison to these times I am reading about now. The results of this election proves that in America you CAN truly be whatever you want, regardless of race or gender. But I am also disheartened. I know a majority of you in the Diabetes OC are over the moon about the results of yesterday's election. To you, I say congratulations.
While I am thrilled that our nation can pick an African-American to be it's leader, it's the choice of man I call into question. I feel he is a man we know nothing about, who refuses to produce his birth certificate, and who surrounds himself with people of questionable character. Time and time again, people would bring up these subjects, only to have the media and Mr. Obama, ignore the questions or give an answer that did not satisfy, only pacify.
As we enter a new time in our history as a nation, I ask, regardless of how you voted, that you pray. For Mr. Obama, the people who were elected and sit in the House and Congress, and for this nation as a whole.
We are entering a time of uncertainty. The economy has taken a hit, people are loosing their homes and livelihood, and now we have elected a man to the most high office in the nation, who on average has not voted "yay" or "nay" while serving as Senator, but voted "present". If a man cannot make a decision as simple as yes, or no, I pray that he surrounds himself with people who can advise him wisely and correctly, as he now holds the fate of our great Nation in his hands.

On that note, this is more than likely the ONLY time I will post anything political (as far as sharing my beliefs) on this blog. I understand that others have a different opinion than mine. But please, I ask you, do not be harsh and cruel in your comments, as I will never be in yours. The right to have a difference in opinion is what makes this Nation the greatest in the world.

Differences

That's what this country was built on. The fact that we could all be different and still have a voice. So, please, if you are a registered voter, GO VOTE! I early voted this year, so I've had my say.

No matter your beliefs, Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, your voice is important. Don't let someone else speak for you.

Remember the line "A government for the people and by the people." Make sure your government is BY you!

Disney Channel!

Okay, apparently all our voices worked. Disney pulled the episode of Hannah Montana to "re-evaluate" it.
I found this out reading a blog over at dLife. Carey Potash, a parent of a child with diabetes, posted about it here.
Sadly, I couldn't find the letter that he said was listed on the Children With Diabetes website. But as far as I'm concerned, that is okay.
Maybe we made some head way on stopping the misinforming of our youth. Let's just hope so anyway.

Operation Christmas Child

My church does gathers boxes for Operation Christmas Child almost every year. This year is no different. Last week we had spoken a little bit about it. This week we did again. They showed a video today that really touched my heart.
For those of you who don't know what Operation Christmas Child is, it is an outreach by the organization Samaritan's Purse, which was founded by Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham. With this organization, people pack shoe boxes with items for children and they are taken to countries that are in desperate need of the most basic items. The children there often have no toys at all. Some have very little food, no electricity or running water. They are in war torn areas, or areas that are often overlooked.
The video shown this morning was about a woman named Lejla Allison, who was born in Bosnia. To see this video, you can go to this website and scroll down to The Lejla Allison Story. Perhaps you will be touched like I was.
I have also posted a video below that shows some of the work in the Ukraine.



If you are interested in packing a shoebox, go to the Operation Christmas Child website. They will help you locate a drop-off point. Instructions on packing the box are located here.
Times are tight for everyone right now. But when you see how these children live, you will feel truly blessed and want to give back.

One Word Meme.....

A New Meme....it's been a while. :)

1. Where is your cell phone? Desk.
2. Your significant other? None
3. Your Hair? Brown
4. Your Skin? Light
5. Your mother? Wonderful
6. Your favorite thing? Music
7. Your dream last night? Sad
8. Your favorite drink? Diet
9. Your dream/goal? Happiness
10. The room you’re in? Kitchen
11. Your ex? Absent
12. Your fear? Spiders
13.Where do you want to be in 6 years? Somewhere
14.Where were you last night? Home
15.What you’re not? Athletic
16.Muffins? Yummy
17.One of your wish list items? Mixer
18.Where you grew up? Tennessee
19.The last thing you did? Groceries
20.What are you wearing? Jeans
21.Your TV? On
22.Your pets? Fish
23. Your computer? Slow
24. Your life? Boring
25. Your mood? Bored
26. Missing someone? Sure
27. Your car? Mine
28. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
29. Favorite Store? Books-A-Million (the dashes make it one word!!!)
30. Your summer? Boring
31. Like someone? Sure
32. Your favorite color? Orange
33. When is the last time you laughed? Dinner
34. Last time you cried? Tuesday
35. Who will respond to this? Someone
36. Who’s answers are you anxious to see? Everyone's

Hallelujah

Every year, on our town's trick-or-treat night (which happens to be October 30th), my church does a Halloween alternative program for kids, teens and adults called Hallelujah. They have programs, skits, music, a costume contest, and they give away candy to the kids. We've done this for many years now. I think around 16 years.

Each year it is different and fun. This year was no exception.

Our youth did the "Thriller" dance. It sound quality on my camera isn't great, and sometimes the lights made the camera go out of focus, but it was so cool. I wanted to share it on here, but I can't get it to upload. If I figure it out, I will post it later.

Also, I had to share a picture of my favorite little Spider Man (my friend's baby boy, whom I adore).

And, my own costume, which has a back story. Since I was an infant, my much older brother has always referred to me as Cara-boo. I have no idea why. I'm not even sure he knows why. But, that's what he's always called me. About three years ago it suddenly occurred to me that Cara-boo and caribou sound like the same word....so this year I dressed up as Cara-boo....complete with antlers. :P

I hope you all enjoy.

Hannah Montana

November approaches us very quickly. Diabetes Awareness Month is all the buzz in the diabetes community. This is the time of year when it's much easier to get our word out and to educate those on what it is like to live with diabetes. There are activities, World Diabetes Day, and events like the National Luminary Lighting Event. There will be spots on television talking about diabetes and statistics and things that can be done to prevent diabetes (hopefully they will metion that Type 2 is the one you can prevent).

Sadly, there is still VAST misinformation in the mainstream community and the media continually helps to feed this misinformation. This is a subject that all of us here in the Diabetes OC tend to mention on a fairly regular basis.

Today Kerri posted an interesting blog post about an upcoming episode of Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel. If you even know of a child under the age of about 14, you know who Hannah Montana is. On Kerri's post she linked the bootlegged copy of the episode that someone had sent her. After watching it myself, I was highly disturbed.

In the episode, Oliver, Miley's best friend, gets diabetes. At first he tried to hide it from Miley and Lilly but they find out by accident from the school nurse. Afterwards, they spend the whole show trying to keep Oliver from eating any sugar. At the end, Oliver is talking to them about diabetes and saying how he really wants a cupcake, but he just CAN'T have it. Basically, it is mentioned several times that diabetics shouldn't have much sugar. While, I agree that NO ONE should eat a ton of sugar, the whole episode is made out that Oliver can't have ANY sugar.

I know that parents in the Children With Diabetes community are raising a fuss. I, myself, went to the Disney site and left a message. I posted it below.

While I find it highly unlikely that Disney will pull this episode, I thought I had to at least let my opinion be known.

Hannah Montana is a hugely influential show on the young people in America. And Disney is misinforming an entire generation. While we in the Diabetes community fight constantly to bring more awareness to this disease that affects so many people, Disney seems to be able to come in, in one swift motion (or one 30 minute episode!) and destroy what we are working so hard to build: AWARENESS

As I'm sure you are aware, November is National Diabetes AWARENESS Month. Awareness being the key word here. And while I admire the attempt at adding a character with diabetes to the show, Hannah Montana, you have gotten it WRONG! Diabetics can and do eat sugar! A person with diabetes does not produce insulin. Insulin is necessary in the body for the carbohydrates that are consumed. And while sugar is a carbohydrate, 1 Snickers bar will raise my blood sugar just as much as 3 slices of whole wheat bread. Period. By having an episode in which Oliver is not supposed to have sugar, you are misinforming an entire generation of young people in what diabetes really is like. Not only do you make them think that Oliver can NEVER have sugar, you also never show a blood sugar meter, insulin, a shot, or an insulin pump. This is a GROSSLY inaccurate presentation of Type 1 diabetes. As for my credentials in writing you on this subject...I have been living with Type 1 diabetes for 23 years. If that ain't enough knowledge, I don't know what is. I encourage you to pull this episode immediately. Re-write it. And give an accurate description of diabetes. Thank you.

Bad Sensor

I put a new sensor in a couple of days ago. About 1/2 the time since, I've had it turned off. Because when it's on, I can't seem to get it to work right. I think I have officially come across my first "bad" sensor.
There have been no calibration errors. But time after time I will check and it will be 100 to 150 points off! I will try to reset it and then in 4 or 5 hours I test again and the reading is off in the opposite direction.
I am taking it out tonight. It's been a while since I've taken some time off from the sensor. I may take a few days break. We'll see how long I last before I'm putting a new one in. I usually don't last more than 24 to 36 hours because I have gotten so used to seeing the CGMS to have an idea of where my blood sugars are heading.

By the way, since I am not walking for JDRF this year, I am posting a fellow diabetic's info so you can donate to her. This is Kacey, the daughter of Jill at My Crazy Life.

Tennessee Gathering Report

Last Saturday was our first Tennessee gathering. Despite small numbers, we had a good time and plan on doing it again. In fact, already others have told both myself and Vivian at Danieldoo, that they want to come to the next one. We had food, games (thanks for the challenge Daniel!), paddle boating, and GREAT weather! Below are some pictures that we took. Maybe you can join us next time!

P.S. My pump's new name is LOLA. A victory by only 1 vote. :)