Saturdays

I have to admit, I love Saturdays. Especially after a long week at work.

It amazes me that there was a time when we could sleep in until 9 or 10 o'clock.....we're lucky if we sleep until 7am now. Our favorite thing to do is lounge in bed and watch Saturday morning tv. Of course it's nothing close to Saturday morning tv of the old days, but the infomercials are interesting and sometimes entertaining.

Baseball is a big part of Saturday tv....today the Mets were actually on tv and that makes Walt very happy. Gotta love baseball season.

I've napped and posted on Facebook on and off all day, and I had surprise visitors this morning....Tamara and Nikki.....it was a wonderful surprise. They brought flowers...such a nice jesture and most appreciated. I'm so lucky to have a friend like her.....

My sugar dropped to 51 earlier, and that was kind of scary. Thankfully we had some candy and "real" soda so that I could bring it up quickly. I hope that doesn't happen too many more times.....it sure doesn't feel good.

I got some books on diabetes in the mail today that I ordered....and I foresee my Sunday being filled with reading and relaxing.....oh, and laundry.

Things that have made me smile today: Walt's laughter in the morning; breakfast in bed; watching the movie 16 Candles and feeling kinda old; baseball on tv; food channel programs; surprise visit and flowers from a friend; pizza; new books to read; diet dr. pepper; bubble bath; knowing I won't have a dribble problem for much longer; thinking about trip to Las Vegas; sunshine and birds in the feeders outside our window.

The day draws near....

Before I go into how close my surgery date is getting, I must first say that this weekend is a very important time to remember our fallen men/women in uniform. Being a daughter of a naval vet, I have always been a huge patriot and proud of the red, white and blue. May God bless those who have passed on, and go with those who still serve.

So the date for my surgery gets closer.....thankfully! I am so tired of piddling all over the place. It will be nice to cough and sneeze and not need a bath. Not to mention a good hearty laugh is way over due!

I would be remiss if I didn't admit that I am nervous about having surgery at all, but the thought of knowing I won't have those little (and sometimes big) accidents far out weighs my fears. I'm lucky to have a husband who doesn't mind taking care of his favorite patient, and will be there to hold my hand as much as he can.

Diabetes update: I am not taking oral insulin. Can you hear my sighs? It isn't what I had hoped for, but I have to admit my sugar levels have dropped considerably. I even feel sort of human. It's been awhile. I know that once I have the surgery (which has been foremost on my mind and a huge incentive for eating right and getting the sugar levels down), I will have 6 weeks to concentrate on getting a grip on the right diet and lifestyle. Its not going to happen over night....but I am one lucky girl to have a supportive husband friends. I couldn't get through this without them.

I'm going to get my life on the right track, and all will fall into place the way they are supposed to be.

Things I am thinking about: Memorial Day and what it really means; the sunshine today and how great it made me feel; low fasting blood sugar this morning, 127; wearing flip flops all weekend; hanging out with my handsome hubby and doing yardwork; Baseball....Randy Johnson is in town; getting laundry finished....not a great thought but worthy of giving a thought; how nice it was to see my friend's new position officially announced to our company; remembering to take medication, and on time; being as lazy tomorrow as possible......

My new life....

The last three weeks of my life have been the most challenging I've had in a long time. No only did I learn that I would need surgery to fix a small problem, I also learned that I am diabetic.

The latter was the most shocking....I hadn't paid much attention to the symptoms I'd been experiencing for months.....I knew I was a candidate by family history.....but I sure wasn't expecting this to happen to me. Shock. And denial.

Immediately, my doctor put me on a medication that is meant to help bring sugar levels down. Unfortunately, it has side effects that aren't pleasant. (nausea is one...) I made it through the first week, and my sugar levels came down. I was relieved. I had relatively no side effects from the new medication, and actually felt pretty good.

Week two wasn't as pleasant. The dosage of my new medication was increased....increasing the side effects. Part of learning about this is finding the right time to take the meds so that the side effects are minimized. I also began to feel withdraws because I haven't had real sugar or soda since the initial diagnosis. I started feeling sorry for myself because I didn't want to do this anymore. Thankfully, it didn't last long.

The third week was much easier, but not without some challenges. While, I handled the additional dosage of the new medication, stress from work began to take it's toll. Because I haven't felt like my old self, my ability to handle even simple stress was not what it usually is. When Friday arrived, I was relieved to have a stress free weekend to look forward to.

Today, I feel pretty good. I'm ready for a new week, and ready to face whatever it may bring. I continue to make better food choices, and anticipate my upcoming surgery. This will be my last full week of work for awhile. I wish that fact disappointed me....

Current favorites: our first jewelry show success; friends who sincerely care; Luna bars; sunny days; flip flops; knowing the bladder issues are coming to an end; planting flowers in my very own yard; new pedicure; sugar free ice cream cones; breaking out the summer clothes; iced tea; looking forward to Vegas trip in 1 month; my hubby's love and support.

Friends Part 2 (again)

This is the second attempt at posting this.....the first one didn't show up....this better work!

I can't imagine what my life would be like without the special people who make life so special and memorable.


Terry and Anne very special to us.....relatively new friends....but we enjoy hanging out with them and are grateful for many things in common....

This is my best friend Elena....there are no words to explain how important she is in my life....BFF is just the beginning....I am so lucky to have as a part of my life....she is family......

My Friends Part 1

This is Tamara with Walt.....wouldn't know what to do without such a wonderful friend......and man, can this chick cook.....bonus!!

This is Harald...he's actually Walt's boss, but a very good person to have as a friend. He's funny...and has a secret way of making everyone around him feel comfortable.....

Katie isn't too happy about how silly she looks with the sombrero on her head.....but what a sweet friend. (the human fellow, aka my best friend in the whole world doesn't look to sympathetic)

I am blessed.....

More to come.....

May

I sat here thinking today that it's hard to believe that May is here already. Just yesterday it was April (LOL) Seriously, this year is flying by.

So much is happening around me, that I feel like I am on one of those tilt-a-whirl rides. Most recently, I am dealing with an inevitable procedure, and a new diagnosis of diabetes.

The latter has completed turned my world upside down. I have had to completely change my way of thinking, and what I stuff in my face. Gone are the carefree days of eating just any thing I want. I still can have any thing I want, just not as much as before. Outings are forever changed, and I am on an eating schedule to help regulate my sugar levels. (no spontenaiety...at least not yet)

Thankfully I have the most awesome support system I could ever dream of. Not only are they there to comfort me, but they are there to listen, support and encourage me. They have been accomodating and understanding. I am so lucky. It wasn't even expected.....but so greatly appreciated.

So...now I add "diabetic" to my list of things that make me who I am.....don't ask what the list entails...it may shock you.

I am convinced that I can get a hold of this situation and not allow it to alter one thing about me. (well, except my weight)

Spring is a time of renewal and growth....I never imagined I'd be sitting here discussing my diabetes..but yet, here I am. I'll control it, and it won't control me. I am looking forward to the summer....the sunshine and the fun. I am blessed and so very grateful to be here....

Anyone who knows me, knows I have lists....lists for lists....to remember lists....of the list I want to remember.....you get it, I am sure.

So....here's a list of what I look forward about summer......

sunshine....BASEBALL (watching the Dodgers kick butt)....birds feeding from the feeder outside my bedroom window....the smell of cut grass.....sun tea.....longer days.....seeing Mt. Rainier more often.....evening walks.....being able to eat on the patio of a restaurant.....having the windows open at home......seeing hummingbirds.....my flowerbeds in full bloom......trips to the ocean......flip flops.....watermellon.....drive in movies......not having to wear pantyhose to work......ballpark hotdogs......sunsets......the dog park.....hiking.....evenings on the patio.....bbq-ing.....

I'm off....to enjoy the sunshine...it's Friday....and time to fly....