BIG BLUE, PART 2

I'm well aware that I have never been without any medical supplies.
Growing up my dad had amazing health insurance coverage and we had closets (yes, plural) filled with supplies.
Now grown up and on my own insurance,
I am again, blessed with everything I need.

* All it took was a phone call from my doctor to get set up with sensors and my continuous glucose monitor.
* My pump just ran out of warranty in August.
* One phone call and I was upgraded to the newest model.
* I even got to choose the color I wanted (pink!), and it was sent to my work just days later.
* My insurance was so good in fact, that after turning in my old pump, I had a credit of money on my account...so essentially, I got paid to go on an upgraded pump.

Not everyone is as fortunate
and some even lack a basic needle and vial of insulin they need to keep them alive!!!

BUT...many people and various organizations have come together to make it possible for children with Diabetes in some of the poorest countries to receive the insulin they need.

And to make it happen, all you need to do is watch this video:



Up until November 14th (World Diabetes Day), money will be donated to this cause.
Read the press release here to find out more info:
Thanks for doing your part.

GO BIG BLUE!!!!   :)

BIG BLUE

You know when you're watching football on tv and they announce the players?
Not at the beginning of the game where they run onto the field, but when a little square pops up at the bottom of the screen and a video plays.
Each player says his name and where he went to college.
Know what I'm talking about???

Football season is big around our home and if you were to sit down and watch a game with Derek and I, you'd hear me start to giggle when these videos pop up.
Some of the guys say some funny stuff or refer to their college as THE such and such.


Derek's Graduation, TIU, May 2003
(I graduated later that December).
[We were just friends here :) ]



It's funny, but that's not why I'm laughing.

I'm laughing, because I'm getting myself ready to keep a straight face and ask Derek how he'd say our college if he were an NFL player (playing for the Bears of course).

Being the great husband that he is he plays along...

"Derek Enger. BIG BLUE, TIU".

Yes, those were our Halloween costumes!
Derek was a Chicago Bears football player
(the pants and socks were actually worn by real Bears players,
bought at a fan convention) and I was a fan

I don't know if anyone else refers to Trinity International University as the Big Blue...but we do.

This month BIG BLUE has a much greater meaning as November is Diabetes Month...(and blue is the official color that is associated with it).
But more on that later...

HAPPY FRIDAY EVE!!!

SOME WEEKS ARE HARDER THAN OTHERS...

I turned the lights off and crawled into bed last night (MUCH later than I had wanted), while an episode of Fresh Prince of Belair played in the background.

He knew I was upset, so despite being exhausted, he stayed up and waited for me to come to bed.

I'm sure he heard me crying just a few rooms away, as I sat on the pantry floor, putting in a new needle, after discovering problems with my current infusion site.

“Are you ok?” he asked.

"Yeah" (I lied).

“Are you crying?”

"Yeah", I sniffled as snots came pouring out of my nose.

“Do you wanna come over here and cuddle?” he asked (I could hear the smile on his face), as he pulled me toward him, forcing me to cuddle.

"ok" I whispered, like a little girl, beginning to uncontrollably weep.

He wrapped his arms around me tightly, making me feel safe. "Did you get a new needle in?" he said calmly. I knew he was trying to help me see something good at the moment.

"yeah" I whispered again.

"Then everything is going to be ok," he calmly rationalized.

"I’m just really frustrated." I began to weep even harder.

“I understand,” he sympathized.

"I’m tired of poking myself". I whined, again like a little girl.

“I understand,” He said again.


Diabetes has been kicking my butt this week. Not so much as far as blood sugar goes. It’s the emotional side of it all that has taken a toll on me lately.

First, there was the awful news of Eilish, then going through 4 failed and painful sensors in 24 hours, and now a late night infusion set issue.

It’s weeks like this that make me feel like it’s just too overwhelming.

It’s too much work, and I’m tired of it.

I don’t wanna poke myself anymore.

I don’t wanna measure and weigh and count the carbs of every stinkin thing I put into my mouth.

I don't wanna plan out my every move, constantly thinking about where my blood sugar is at.

I don't wanna be reminded of the complications of living with Diabetes for 21 years that are possibly waiting around the corner for me.

I know I shouldn’t “give up”…and I’m certainly not…it just feels like this week, Diabetes wins.

Sometimes I just need to cry it out. I need to get mad and say, "It's not fair, I didn't ask for this, why me..." I need Derek to hold me and to listen to me while I'm upset, and to tell me he understands.

...but then I need to get up, determined to not let Diabetes upset me or stop me from doing anything I want to do.
 
So I woke up this morning, knowing it was a brand new day, and everything seemed a little bit better.

Psalm 30:5b "Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning."

LIFE GETS BUSY

I've been a bad blogger.

I've continued to read blogs each day, but I've just been too busy to keep up with my own.

Here's a little bit of what I've been busy with...







Traveling all over "France" with Carly.



Attending Renegade, an amazing craft fair, where I met the famous Elsie & Katie.

Celebrating my Grandma FINALLY retiring.

Hanging out with friends, watching the Bears win,
and eating fattening foods
in Dallas that kicked my blood sugar's butt.



Closing out the Summer at Ravinia with Dave & Jenny.



Hanging out with friends...who ALL have kids!
Yes, we were the only couple there without kids, and Yes,
we're OK with that :)



And getting blisters and black feet from walking
ALL over NYC!!!
Yes, we may have attended a football game,
but I don't wanna talk about it :(


What have you been up to lately?!?!
...off to another busy and fun weekend.



FRESH & HEALTHY

I've heard the advice that you should never go grocery shopping when hungry.
But I'm stronger than that!
I've got will-power!

...apparently not today!

An early lunch just didn't cut it today and while I was grocery shopping on my break, picking up a few last minute things for our upcoming trip to New York, I saw an item
I just HAD to get.

And so in addition to our healthy dinner of Tilapia, Organic Brown Rice, and Edemame, we will also we dining on a side of...

battered, breaded, deep fried, Buffalo-Style popcorn shrimp!!!

(An item that will do wonderful things for my blood sugar shorty after consuming!!!).

Ya know, the good stuff with ingredients like Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Modified Food Starch, Maltodextrin, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, and Sodium Bisulfite.

What?! Don't judge! The last 2 ingredients are simply to "retain moisture" and are added "as a preservative".

I guess there's always tomorrow to start fresh and healthy!!!

ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Fall is by far my favorite season...

Pumpkin Spice Lattes and colorful scarves



Zucchini muffins

Chili

Honey crisp Apples and Almond Butter

Football Games (including away games, traveling all over the USA to follow the Bears)

...more on our trip to Dallas later.

Happy Fall Everyone!!!

SOMETHING NEW

New name, new look, new feel (same websight, same author, same topics).

I was bored and needed a change.

...But the picture is HUGE!
I can't seem to get it smaller.
Can anyone help???
I spend my entire lunch break figuring out how to finally resize the picture. Oh well! It's done!

I've been so behind in blogging...and I'm not gonna catch up this weekend.

Off to see Dave Matthews at Wrigley Field tonight and then to Dallas for a long weekend to cheer on the Bears with my hubby!

What are your weekend plans???
Whatever you're doing...Enjoy your weekend!!!