How to Make Going to Work More Fun...

If you ask me what I do for a living I will tell you I am a homemaker.  Not a stay-at-home mom (unless you count Waylon as a kid!), not a housewife, not unemployed...a homemaker.  I make our home run as smoothly as possible.  I maintain our garden and animals and I strive to make our lives more sustainable.  But this post is not about what I do at home.

Since I do work at home most of the time, I don't have a reason to have fun work supplies...like cool bags to carry your computer or important work documents, or fun office supplies.  Well, I guess I do have office supplies...but it's just not the same as having them on your desk displayed in cute containers and such!  

I do have a part time job.  I work with a local center that provides college-prep support to low-income students.  Most of my hours are working from home, but once a week I meet with my students at the center.  This is my one chance to "go to work" every week...so I figured I should milk the whole "fun work supplies" angle while I can!

Our weekly sessions at the center start up this week.  So for inspiration and to channel my excitement for the upcoming year (my students are Juniors!  A big year for college prep!), I decided to make a new bag to carry my notebook and supplies.  Even though I get great enjoyment from this job and I consider it lots of fun, I figure going to work is way more fun when you have a bag you look forward to using every week! 

This bag is perfect for carrying my notebook and any other paperwork.  It has a front pocket big enough for my meter and diabetes supplies I sometimes need access to while working.  

I am so proud of this bag (sorry I have to brag a bit because sometimes I surprise myself)!

The bag is made from thrifted corduroy and the liners and appliques are made from scraps from another project!

 Front

 Back

 

I am so excited about using this bag!  Do you have something, a bag or maybe a fun office gadget that makes you excited about going to work?

Wordless Wednesday

Because Diabetes Sucks That's Why...

Today I am writing this post because diabetes sucks.  Burnout has arrived.  I am in a slump.  I am weary.  I find myself aimlessly wading through my world of finger pricks and insulin, failing pumps sites and high blood sugars, sleepless nights and debilitating lows.  I am tired of this disease and my numbers don't lie.  I am ready for a break.  A break I will never have.

The burnout and weariness is all part of this disease....like a symptom they forget to put in the handout.  Diabetes is the culprit, but not the only reason I feel a little defeated.  I am at the tail end of a 6 month stint of sickness and food allergies, food diaries and doctors visits.  Although I find myself happy to report that I figured out what was making me so sick...I shed a little tear for the loss of more food groups and the installment of an even more restrictive diet.

A recent genetic test shows that my genes have a plan of action...one I would have never suspected...they lie there ready to ambush when I least expect....my immune system playing more tricks on me.  The onset of food allergies and the dreaded news from my genetic test that I am at the highest risk possible of developing Celiac Disease.  The reality that if I continue to eat gluten in any form my body will turn on itself once again.  The stern recommendation from my doctor to remove all gluten from my diet from here on out or run the risk of developing Celiac...this is my new reality.  New news that is hard to absorb, hard to hear.

But don't yall worry about me.  Gluten hasn't been too hard to take away from my diet.  I figure if this is the worst I have to deal with, I can manage.

But if you ask me to tell you the truth...I know this is not the worst.  This is not likely to be the only complication I will ever face.  Removing gluten is easy.  Taking away nuts, soy and fish...a breeze.  It's been hard having a more restrictive diet but that just pales in comparison.  You see, this week the diabetes community lost 2 young souls.  Two young souls who were living full lives with Diabetes, two young souls who succumbed to the complications of this horrible disease.  And as I write this another struggles in the hospital fighting DKA a life threatening diabetic complication.

The reality soaks in when news of death and suffering cross my ears.  A reminder that as I sit here feeling normal and healthy, in reality I am not either of those things.  Sure, I am a "healthy" Type I Diabetic and I am as normal as any other woman my age...but I am still at the mercy of a disease that can so easily take a life or two...or mine. 

I struggle at times with this reality.  I often don't speak of these fears aloud to family and friends sometimes it makes it too real to say out loud.  I share this fear with you today because I realize how lucky I am to be here typing this, how lucky I am to have support from family and friends when this disease takes its hold on my heart and mind.  I share this with you today so you can take a moment to pray for the families of these young souls and all of the others who have been lost to diabetes.  Pray for a healing hand and a cure.  Pray for me.

Five years and a new dress

Hubby and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary this past weekend in Hot Springs, VA.  We stayed at a beautiful Bed and Breakfast, the King's Victorian Inn.  (Highly Recommended!)  We rented the small Honeymoon Cottage on the property.  It was an adorable little private one bedroom cottage next to the main house.  We had our privacy but were also able to enjoy breakfast daily in the main house.

During our visit in Hot Springs, we had a chance to explore the many historic landmarks in the area and visit a local park/lake.  The weather was beautiful and the rolling hillsides of pastures and farms made us both long for the country life.  It was a great trip and for once...nothing went wrong!

Also, I made a new dress for our trip.  I am calling it my Anniversary Dress!  It's by far my favorite one!  Here are some pictures of our trip! 

The King's Victorian Inn

 An old swing in a 100 year old Buckeye Tree...and me in my anniversary dress.

 The grounds of the Inn were absolutely beautiful!

Ha!  I actually got a picture of him smiling!

 Jackson River

 Lake Moomaw