Woohoo! On Monday of this week Diabetes Light reached 100,000 hits on the blog! As of today we are at 101,640 hits and 62,157 page views! Not bad (in my humble opinion) for a girl from Minnesota who writes about things she likes and to help others. I didn’t really know what I was doing or much anything about blogging when I started a little over a year ago in December, 2011 but I have a strong desire to help others. I have figured things out along the way and have have found that articles turn out best when I really feel a passion within me to write. So if the mood is not there to write, I no longer force it.
Cynthia
I forgot to wish everyone a Happy Spring last week. Happy Spring!! (seven days late…). Sorry.. I think that I forgot because we are having a very chilly and winter-like spring here in Minnesota.
I was bundled up and shivering as I drove to visit my niece and her mom last Wednesday morning on that first day of spring. It was only 5 degrees out! The following morning it was not much warmer, only 9 degrees. It is finally warming up a bit and is actually 43 degrees out this afternoon—this is considered almost a heat wave here for us hardy Minnesotans. I went for a short walk with my husband and dog Jonah but still had to brave a lot of slippery ice and big melting puddles on the path. Jonah didn’t like getting his paws wet either and did his best to walk around the puddles. We may reach the low 50’s on Friday and Saturday before cooling back down into the 30’s and 40’s again. But I can guarantee you there will be people out in t-shirts despite all the snow.
So on Thursday evening of this week (just two days away!) there is a big party!! And YOU are all invited. Don’t worry, it is an online/virtual party, so EVERYONE who is interested can come. Yay!! What is the party for? Read below!! 🙂
Several months ago I found out I was nominated for several WEGO Health Activist Awards for my work with Diabetes Light. I was overjoyed. It is a wonderful feeling to learn that several members of our community went out of their way to share some positive feedback about Diabetes Light to be considered for this special award. Thank you to each of you who submitted your kind words on my behalf. I appreciate it so much!!
Editor’s note: I am reading through this poem again tonight after publishing several hours ago and feel I should explain where I am coming from. Some days living with a chronic health condition can be extremely difficult and challenging beyond belief (as you know!). I believe it is important to feel these emotions when they come up and let them out. I did this in the form of writing this poem. I was feeling frustrated Saturday morning after waking up with a high blood sugar caused by my life being busy and not having the time needed for the self-care my body requires. I was reminded once again how much I have to give each day for my health to cooperate. I do try to see the glass as half full, but I am not afraid to let go of difficult emotions as they come up. I believe this release helps one to be healthier physically and emotionally as suppressed emotions can lead to physical manifestations in the body.
I’m guessing you might be able to relate to some of my feelings?!? If so, try writing a poem or journaling about it next time. In my experience, it really helps me move beyond what I am feeling at the time and feel more positive again.
Photo Credit: www.freevector.com
Three years ago today our darling dog Jonah was born in the Southern state of Kentucky. Arriving in this world as a stray, Homeward Bound Dog Rescue brought Jonah and his family up to Minnesota where they could be adopted into a loving home. At just nine weeks old we adopted this sweet little guy (on my birthday!). What a great birthday present he was. (Some cute puppy pics of Jonah to come soon in an Almost Wordless Wednesday post!).
This is a poem I wrote last month as I was treating my low after being “stopped short” and feeling a little lot frustrated. How often does diabetes stop you short of what you want to do? It sure can be irritating when it happens..
Good morning! I am sharing with you today something I am really excited about and is a great honor for me. Some of you may have heard the news earlier this week on Facebook, but for those of you who did not or missed it while it lived it’s short life on the Facebook newsfeed, here it is!
Decade of Discovery recently asked me to share about the greatest love and passion I have ever known—the blog and Facebook community for Diabetes Light. Decade of Discovery is an incredible organization combining the efforts of the Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota to find a cure for diabetes. This amazing organization full of passionate doctors, researchers and advocates is located right here in my home state of Minnesota. Join their Facebook page to keep up to date on all of their latest research and developments!
Love… This is a picture of my Dexcom CGM (continuous glucose monitor) from today. As far as I am concerned, this is perfection. 🙂
Today was unusual for me in that I did not have anything scheduled. For months now my life has been so busy as I rush around each day often to many healthcare appointments as I try to heal both from my frozen shoulder and the car accident I was in a few months ago in addition to the busyness of my regularly scheduled appointments and life.
Photo Credit: Practicing the Presence through Mind and Meditation, a Facebook page.
As a sensitive person, this is a good reminder.
Wearing a Dexcom CGM (continuous glucose monitor) for several years, I have noticed just how much difficult emotion and hurt feelings impact my blood sugar negatively. My CGM graph can literally climb double arrows up within minutes of a challenging situation or emotion and stay elevated for hours even with increased insulin. I have been struggling with this for way too long.
Almost 13 years ago I adopted my two precious kitties, Mabel and Juniper. Although I visited a handful of animal shelters in search of an orange kitty, the moment I set my eyes on Mabel (original name Linda—weird name for a cat name, right?) I knew she was the one I wanted to adopt. And she wasn’t orange, but entirely black!
I knew I wanted to adopt two cats as I lived alone and wanted them to be able to keep each other company while I was away at work. My co-worker told me that if I adopted two that I would never have to turn on the television again as watching them play would be better than anything on TV. I agreed. As Mabel was the last kitten left from her litter, I had to try to find the perfect little playmate for her among the many other kittens waiting to be adopted.