Always Room For Improvement~D-Blog Week

Today's 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!

There are a lot of things in my life that I could try to do better and many of these are not related to my diabetes.  So when I read today's prompt and thought of all the things I wanted to improve on, I had a hard time blocking out the "non-diabetes" chatter and focusing on what I could do to improve my diabetes management.  

When I was first diagnosed, my Hubby could tell when my blood sugar was high because I was mean.  I would get so upset when I saw a high number on my meter.  And don't even think of coming near me if that high number appeared after a long workout.  I would take out my frustrations on him and anyone else who was around me.  A simple task such as helping me bring in the groceries became a blown up argument about how he NEVER helped me do anything.  Poor fellow, I am surprised he made it through those first few years (well, not really surprised because he is pretty amazing, but surprised that he was so tolerant).  Once things calmed down after the initial diagnosis, he learned to steer clear of me when my blood sugars were high and I began to learn to control my frustrations.  It wasn't anyone's fault (except sometimes mine for being careless) and I had to learn that over the last few years.

These days I don't get quite as upset when my blood sugar gets high after exercise or after I eat something that I expect will skyrocket my numbers.  But, I often find that I still get quite frustrated and upset when my blood sugar gets out of range for no foreseeable reason.  For example, the last few days I have been hovering in the upper 100's lower 200's and no amount of exercise, bolusing, etc seems to be changing that and it makes me mad and puts me in a foul mood.  

So, that is one thing I need to improve.  I need to give myself a break when my numbers are out of range.  Remind myself that all I can do is treat the high numbers, work on figuring out the cause and move on and not let it bring me down or get me upset, and I think I will start today!

One Great Thing~D-Blog Week

Today's Prompt: Living with diabetes (or caring for someone who lives with it) sure does take a lot of work, and it’s easy to be hard on ourselves if we aren’t “perfect”.  But today it’s time to give ourselves some much deserved credit.  Tell us about just one diabetes thing you (or your loved one) does spectacularly!  Fasting blood sugar checks, oral meds sorted and ready, something always on hand to treat a low, or anything that you do for diabetes.  Nothing is too big or too small to celebrate doing well! 

This is a difficult prompt because, well, having diabetes is tough and unpredictable and it's really hard to be awesome at managing something that is always throwing wrenches at you.  That said, I am pretty much a rule follower when it comes to taking care of my diabetes.  I always have supplies on hand, I check my blood sugar often, I eat right and exercise and I never skip a trip to the doctor.  I work really hard to maintain my diabetes but I guess I just don't feel like I am doing anything grand.  To me it just feels like doing what I have to do to be healthy.  

But, despite all the things I do to manage my diabetes, there are always times that I get knocked down.  Sometimes I feel like there are days where my diabetes is running me over with a truck and reversing it several times just to make sure I am really down for the count.  But I find that even on those days I can muster the strength to peel myself off the ground and find something good to focus on.  I always try to look at the other things in my life that are worth being healthy for and that helps me get through the tough days.  So I guess that is the one thing I do spectacularly when it comes to my diabetes.  When diabetes gets me down, I never let it keep me there. 

Find a Friend D-Blog Week

This week I am participating in the 3rd annual Diabetes Blog Week.  So all week you wont hear me complain about weeding the garden or what varmint keeps eating our beans.  This week is all about the 'betes.  Thanks to Karen over at Bitter~Sweet for organizing the cool "event"!  

Today's prompt is "Find A Friend", Think about the d-blogs you read that you think we may not know about and introduce us to one that you love!!    The cool thing about organizing a diabetes blog week is that so many folks who have diabetes blogs come together in one virtual place to share their life with diabetes.  In one swoop you could read over 100 blogs about diabetes.  The other cool thing about this event is that we get a chance to "meet' our fellow D-bloggers, which brings us to today's prompt.  

It is my pleasure to introduce to you Holly from *Arnold and Me*.  I have been reading Holly's blog for over a year now and I love it.  I am sure many of you are already aware of Holly and "Arnold" her insulin pump.  But I tend to be a little behind the times on catching up on blogs so it is all new to me!  Holly is currently pregnant with her first baby and following her journey has been quite exciting.  She is an inspiration and shows strength and determination in managing her diabetes.

One of my other favorite bloggers is Sysy over at The Girls Guide to Diabetes.  Sysy is an amazing person, managing her Type 1 diabetes while raising two beautiful children.  Her blog provides practical and inspirational advice for women living with diabetes.  She has become a close friend and confidant and I look to her for support when I am feeling down and defeated. 

I also love Jacquie's blog Typical Type 1.  Jacquie is so funny and really proves that a sense of humor can be great medicine.  I love reading her stories about living with diabetes.  I know I will always smile when I read her posts. 

I hope you all have found a new friend today!  I look forward to checking out all of the other links here and find a new friend too!

Mini-Vacations and Fish Tales

This past weekend Hubby and I went to Cape Hatteras for a few days.  We stayed in a quaint little hotel which sat directly on the beach.  It was a much needed mini-vacation for both of us.  This will be the last chance we get to go away for the summer since vacation season (i.e. summer) brings for us loads of work in the garden and the kitchen.  So we like to take advantage of the cooler temps and better fishing and take our vacations in Spring and Fall. 

We spent some time on the beach while Hubby surf fished and I relaxed and read my book.  We also kayaked some on the sound side of the island.  Hubby did some night fishing on the beach and caught a huge Red Drum.  The biggest fish he has ever caught and one of record breaking stature.  Unfortunately for him, he did not take my advice to bring the camera along on his fishing jaunt and he didn't even have his phone.  I mean, these days, who doesn't have their phone?  Plus, being that it was pitch black on the beach and around 11:30pm there were no witnesses (I was snug in bed!).  Anyway, so he now has a tale of fishing legend that might as well be a tall tale since he has no documentation.  And, although I am not a fishing guru or a fellow fisherman, or the guy running the local tackle shop, I believe his story and well, shouldn't that be enough?  

Anyway, here are some pictures of our trip.  It was quite a success as the weather was nice, the food was good, there were fishing adventures to be had and no one got sunburned!  

The view from our room

 Climbing Hatteras Lighthouse

 

View from Hatteras Lighthouse

 Climbing down Hatteras Lighthouse

 My view most of the weekend (Book: In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith part of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series)

 

 

Sewing and Sowing

It seems like every time I sit down to write a post, I want to apologize for the radio silence.  I just haven't had much to talk about.  But the "eb" has now become a "flow.'  I have so much going on, so much I want to share,  I could talk for days about the long list of "to-do's" that sits before me.

As the weather has gotten warmer, I have found myself drawn to my sewing room with great inspiration to master the summer dress.  Last summer, I made a few "house dresses", simple sundresses I could wear around the house while gardening and canning.  They were great, but not so much the type of dresses I wanted to wear out of the house.  Remember this?

This dress, as well as the others I made came in handy last summer and will continue to be great for this summer's gardening and chores.

However, I am practicing my clothing making skills, with the hopes of producing dresses that have more detail and don't look as homemade.  I have also been working on altering a dress for my cousin's wedding.  It is this dress from Modcloth.  I am making it longer (my dang ol' long legs) by moving the ruffle to the bottom of the dress.  I have also made a few skirts.  Plus, I have some awesome knit fabric and a really cute pattern that I want to try.  My house is successfully covered in tiny bits of fabric and thread (I am really not sure how this happens, since I do have a dedicated sewing room)!  I will be sure to post pictures as projects are completed! 

In between sewing sessions I am working in the garden, preparing the soil.  This weekend marks the last threat of frost for us around here so I am sifting compost and planting seeds/seedlings on Saturday.  I am also making a much needed trip to the local apiary for beekeeping supplies.  Our bees are going crazy with the warm Spring and we are picking up another colony in a few weeks.  So there is a lot to do in the bee department...more on that later.

Somewhere in the midst of all this I am finding time to jump start a new exercise routine and do some Spring cleaning around the house.  Which includes finishing up painting and cleaning the Master bath construction project...pictures of that soon!

I would hate to leave you with my long list of things to do without some sort of clue that I have actually made some progress.  Here is a picture of my first "real" summer dress.  I made this last week using a combination of a shirt pattern for the bodice and a simple elastic skirt for the bottom.  I then added the ruffles and fabric covered buttons for details.  I wore this dress to church on Easter Sunday with a black sweater and of course my Frye boots!  It has a small hidden side pocket for my insulin pump.

 

Shabby Apple $100 Gift Card Giveaway

If you like to sew you should check out Kathleen over at Grosgrain.  She will keep you inspired!  Also, she is giving away a $100 giftcard to Shabby Apple...which happens to be one of my favorite online dress shopping stops!  Check it out at the link below!

Shabby Apple $100 Gift Card Giveaway

Warmer Weather and Garden Planning

I don’t know about you, but I am glad Winter is almost over.  Every year around January and February, I find myself cuddled up on the couch most afternoons, wasting away my days due to sheer laziness and a touch of the cold weather blues.  Here in NC, March brings warmer temperatures and only a small threat of cold weather and this March has proved to be no different, and almost a rarity.

The last week and a half we have been blessed with sunny days and temperatures in the 70’s.  Now reaching towards the end of March, I have great hope that we will continue to see these warmer temps!  The yard is teaming with excitement.  The bees are venturing from their hive, seeking out new sources of nectar.  The chickens holler (yes they fuss!) to be let out every morning, for they know the warm weather brings the bugs out of hiding!  For me, March also brings a multitude of plans for the garden. 

Around here, mid-April is planting time, so the end of March marks the start of the garden season.  This weekend I took advantage of the warm weather to spend some time in the garden.  It was quite obvious that the weeds had taken great advantage of our warmer weather too.  I spent a few hours weeding the garden and exposing the rich soil beneath.  There is nothing that compares to getting your hands dirty after a long winter spell. 

I welcome the warm weather and the mood lifter it brings.  I only hope it remains this way and that the early warm weather is not a forecast to the type of summer we can expect.  This week we will be planting potatoes and in a few weeks we will plant the rest of our seeds (beans, cucumbers, squashes, basil) and some seedlings (tomatoes).  I cannot wait until the summer harvest starts pouring in!  Of course, ask me that again in July and August when I am up to my elbow in veggies and my kitchen is filled with hot steam from the canner!