Erma

Erma was big, and she was beautiful.But during the time I knew her, I didn’t appreciate what she had to offer in the least.To me, she was old.To me, she was too fat to take anywhere.To me, she was a complete embarrassment.I didn’t want to be seen with her. If the saying, “it’s what’s on the inside that counts” holds true, Erma didn’t count much. She wasn’t much to look at, and her personality wasn’t that shiny either.Her companionship was a necessary evil, and for a good year she went with me everywhere.Her make and model speaks volumes. Erma was a 1979 Chevy Beauville G20 Van.I took my driving test on my sixteenth birthday and pathetically failed by one point. Devastated, but not completely defeated, I returned one week later and passed with flying colors. Since I didn’t have the funds to...

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Hope, Joy and Peace: The Superheroes of 2011

HOPE: (verb) To wish for something with expectation of fulfillment. (Noun) The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for the future good, which is difficult, but not impossible with Gods help.JOY: (noun) Intense or especially ecstatic or exultant happiness. (verb) To take great pleasure, rejoice.PEACE: (noun) Inner contentment, serenity, peace of mind.The feelings of the season. We see these words flashing through the bright store windows. They are hanging on our Christmas tree. They are sung in the holiday carols at church, and on the radio and in our homes.These words embody my deepest wishes for 2011.I want to have these feelings…not just one month a year, but all year round.I want to remain hopeful come January.I want to continually find joy in the New Year and beyond.I yearn...

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I would like to thank The Academy...(That would be you. :)

A funny thing happened on the way to my blog the other day…I found out I was nominated for 3 DOC (Diabetic Online Community) Awards.(Insert a moment of shock and awe here.)I am completely grateful to those who thought my blog worthy for nominations in the following categories:Blog most likely to put you in a good mood.Best commenter.Blogger I most want to meet offline.WHOA! Let me tell you…I don't have no amazing personality or anything. I’m a normal pancreas…as pancreases go. Nothing to write home about…but I’m TOTALLY honored nonetheless!The thing is, I am nominated with some of the most amazing bloggers. Bloggers that I faithfully follow and...

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It’s in the eye of the beholder

We check blood sugars around here like…a million times a day.It is seriously no big deal. The blood…the poke…the test strips laying on the counter like wounded soldiers…it all doesn’t even faze us.But throw another person in the room, a person who is not a member of your immediate family…a person who is an “outsider” in the diabetes world…and all of a sudden that million times a day moment blares like fog horn to your consciousness.If someone else is watching us do a blood sugar check, or a set change or anything else, the craziness of what we are doing isn’t lost on us.That is because we attempt to see the moment through the eyes of the visitor. When we do something as personal as taking care of our child’s well being, it can be hard, even agonizing, to share that with an outsider. Because...

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A guest post by M on Our Diabetic Life.

I've been crazy busy getting ready for Christmas, so when I asked M to guest post for me, I was pleasantly surprised when he immediately accepted the challenge. I had no idea what he was going to write, but now that he has finished, and I have read it through...it definitely made me smile. It has 15 year old written all over it. S'upThis is the incredibly knowledgeable, handsome, and completely humble M.Yeah, I know I’m pretty great. But right now that’s not the point. Actually, I’m not even sure what the point is right now, so I guess I’m just going to wing it.I should probably explain what I’m like. I’m the kind of kid who wonders if there is a zoo exhibit in Africa titled “raccoons.” I love a good laugh and I’m relatively smart, or at least smart enough to get into some honors classes...

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'Twas the Night Before Set Changes

‘Twas the night before set changes and all through the homeEvery boy slept quite soundly, nary a moan.The monitors sat on the counter with care, Anticipating a parent soon would be there.The children’s fingers were hiding warm under their cheeksSafely hidden from needles, a welcome retreat.And I in my robe, and Ryan in his shortsHad just settled down, for a napper of sorts.When out in the hall their arose such a clatter I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.Away to the door I flew like a flash,My feet not touching the ground, a hasty worried filled dash.When what to my blurry sleep deprived eyes should appear,But one little boy staring at himself in the mirror.His eyes all glazed over, his face no emotion to showI knew at that moment my son must be low.More rapid than reindeer I...

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Is that “almost low” a threat young man!?

L has been bringing the big guns lately.He’ll check his sugar, and if he is even borderline low, he’ll say…”I’m ALMOST low! I need to eat.”And then I’ll usually say something practical like, “You are ok, dinner is in five minutes.” Or, “We will be home in a couple minutes and we’ll get you a snack ASAP.”Where he will retort, “But MOMMMMMMM! I’m almost in the 50’S! I could be in the danger zone ANY minute!” (As he throws his hands in the air and snorts impatiently.)He’s good. I gotta give him that.So what the heck is a mom to do? She can’t say, “Your being dramatic L! Lows don’t happen THAT quickly.” Because as we all know…they can.And I do make...

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Nope, not Easter...but the bunny stopped by for a visit!

Not more than a half hour ago I found this big beauty on my front porch!The boys are going to be SO EXCITED when they get home!Thank you K2~ I won this just by commenting on her blog. But between you and me, I would have commented anyway...Diabetesaliciousness is DA BOMB! Love Kelly!And Blue Bunny Ice Cream! Hol...

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Diabetes: The guy who lives in the crawl space in the attic of my brain.

Today is the last day of Diabetes Awareness Month. I have blogged for 30 days straight and everyone must wonder, “What could Meri possibly have left to say?”I wonder the same thing. But deep down I feel a small nudge. Something inside of me says there is something important left to say…and right now I am struggling to find the words.I think it is so hard, because it is so personal.The thing is…I don’t think about diabetes much.Say huh? I know you are staring laser eye darts at the screen right now wondering what the hell I am talking about, but let me tell you…I don’t think about DIABETES much.I think about blood sugars. I think about carb counts and food. I think about trends and the safety of my boys. Yes, I think about those things all day long.But what I don’t think about is what the word...

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Out with the old, and in with the new!

It has been a rocky Thanksgiving holiday…blood sugar wise.Since the first night the boys had no school…wonky city.No rhyme or reason to nothing. Blood sugars went where they wanted to go without any mind to the boluses I threw at them.A couple days in I was bolusing the boys 40% more insulin for their meals.I thought, WOW! They must really get a lot more exercise at school.I upped B’s and L’s basals too.It was getting to be too much. I’ve been so overwhelmed with it, I even haven’t had it in me to read blogs this week. Shameful! I totally know!Every day one of the boys would have an out of the stratosphere kinda number, (or two...or three.) Totally from left field, you know? And no…none of those numbers were low.I was feeling defeated.Until Saturday afternoon after we changed out the boys...

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Did someone say it was 'Special Sib to a D Kid Day?'

Today has been dubbed Special Sib to a D kid day.And as it so happens…I have one of those.M. :)M has always been just a good kid. His first grade teacher actually wrote on his report card that M was going to be a good father. All his teachers would write of his kind heart and his sweet nature. They would try to credit us…but honestly, the truth is M was born that way.That is why watching him grow up has been so hard…M is 15 and a half now. That pretty much sums it up. He is finding his way to independence and for the most part, he doesn’t look to me for emotional or academic support anymore.It seems to have happened over night. But here he is,...

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The Christmas Pickle.

One of the traditions we have in the family has to do with this little guy:Every year my husband hides the pickle on the tree. We aren't sure where this tradition started, but it began somewhere within my husbands German heritage. The first to find the pickle wins a prize. Usually a present of some sort, this year a cash prize. B has won the prize three years in a row. Today...the streak was broken!It was especially a tough find this year. They spent almost 30 minutes looking for it. :) Congrats...

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Feelin' the season.

Hope: One of the most powerful words in existence.And here we are entering the foyer of the season of hope.Step into the season and look around. Hope is everywhere; it is riding in on the frost laden breeze. It is encompassed in the dew droplets on the window sill. It sparkles on the holiday lights…it is burning in the hearts of so many. It is a profound thing to have a deep belief in happiness…in joy. It is beautiful to hope and to believe in something positive.Hope changes us this time of year. Maybe the holiday season starts in October for the bottom line of the economy…but we the people also cling to the season with such fervor…that millions of us have already began decorating for the holidays.We yearn for that feeling. It is a light inside of us that says, “Good things are coming.”...

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Blessed

Four children who call me mom and love me more than I deserve.One husband who calls me wife and promises to be mine forever.17 years of marriage, of which I wouldn’t change a day.Two in-laws who welcome us into their home day or night.One sister in law who loves our boys as her own, and is a wonderful friend.Two parents who we know will be there if ever a need.100’s of friends in the DOC who get me. Know me. Accept me for who I am.Eleven bottles of insulin sitting in the butter compartment.Fourteen boxes of test strips, so I can test my children whenever I feel the need.Three insulin pumps working day and night to keep my boys alive.One home we only dreamed of when we were young and newly wed.New friends who have shown me how to belly laugh again.A Heavenly Father who knows me, who is aware...

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Being thankful vs. being grateful

I'm knee deep in being 'grateful' today. So I'm throwing out this post from last year at this time...it's a short one, but one I that helped me through the craziness. I am thankful for a lot of things. I can list all day what I am thankful for…Everything from Family to fingernail clippers. I have so much to be thankful for it is almost embarrassing. But, I learned a hard lesson this week, and wanted to pass it on.Thankfulness mostly consists of words.Gratitude is putting your thankfulness into action.I’m all about words people. You all know that. I write for many reasons…to help others, but mostly to help me. If I am honest, my blog is mostly for me. Sometimes I feel selfish about the amount of time I spend nurturing it. It’s a place I can accomplish something…a place to be thankful. But am...

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Abe saves the day!

Holy late entry Batman! I almost didn't post today! Where did the day go????? It is minutes before midnight, and I am here! (With nothing to say really.) So I leave you with some of my favorite Abraham Lincoln quotes of all time:"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.""Whatever you are, be a good one.""Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."And my favorite..."How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg."True dat Mr. Lincoln...true d...

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Bubble Trouble?

When my boys first started pumping, we were obsessed with bubbles. OBSESSED. We constantly checked the line and more often than not, there would be an epic airline within the tubing. We would prime it out, and BAM another huge bubble would be just waiting to totally mess with the boys blood sugars.We spoke to our endo many many times about it. She was stumped. She didn’t think it should have been as big a problem as it was. But…it was.Those bubbles made our life miserable…especially our little diabetic boy who had to deal with the wonky numbers and the constant set changes.We finally resorted to reading the pump manual from beginning to end....

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J's Day.

J turns 13 today…and if you haven’t noticed from my previous “twelvish” comments…I’m not having an easy time accepting it all.You see in my eyes, J is still that little scrawny baby boy who was just diagnosed. Yes, he has grown. Yes, he is smart and funny and amazing. But, despite all that…he is still my child.Well, WAS still my child.Now he is my teenager.I had a hard time adjusting with him taking over his diabetes care. It was a long process, but he is now pretty independent in almost all he does. I finally agreed to give up counting his carbs for him…but how in the heck can I agree to let him give up his childhood?He is sitting on the...

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Been feeling edgy lately?

A few days ago my husband got out the calendar and his computer. He asked me to confirm the dates he was taking for vacation next year.No big deal right? Except we already did that over a week ago. We sat and confirmed dates and he typed things up in his computer like he was sending it to his boss toot sweet.Apparently he didn't, and as a result I got pretty annoyed. We already did this. Doing things twice messes with my tolerance levels. We went over this and I was figuratively able to take that weight off my shoulders. It was done. Finding out that it actually wasn't done...puts that load back on my shoulders. Yeah...me no likey.Why do I get...

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The 2010 DOC Awards! Spread the love!

I follow a ton of amazing blogs. I love love love the DOC! So I was really excited to find out about The DOC awards!The DOC Awards are a fun way to give a nod to your favorite blogs in the Diabetic Online Community. This year they mixed up the categories to make it even more fun:Best Blog DesignMost CreativeBlogger Who We Wish Would Blog MoreFunniest BloggerMost Likely to Put You in a Good MoodBest CommenterBest TwittererBlogger with the Best HairBlogger You’d Share a Drink WithBest PhotographerBest Use of Bad LanguageBest VloggerBlogger Most in Need of Comment LoveBlogger I Most Want to Meet OfflineNominations for each category are now being...

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A method to the madness...

Driving to the big city with a couple of D Mama's today I found out something very interesting about myself, and I thought I would share.It was an epiphany of sorts brought thoughtfully to my attention by an amazing D Mama in her own right.It all started with us hitting traffic on the freeway. We were a bit concerned we were going to be late for an appointment...but at the same time, we were not enough concerned to ruin the moment. We were three mothers...alone...on the road to the city. We were on a mini four hour vacation and we were happy as all get out. So what if we were late! We were going to enjoy ourselves! As the traffic snailed along I glanced at the clock and let my friends know...it runs seven minutes fast. (5 minutes by my boys elementary school clock.)Turns out they both do the...

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Cuz Alexis wants to know!

Alexis from Justice's Misbehaving Pancreas posted that she just wants to know! So here you go!For informative purposes: J is going to be twelvish (I refuse to say 13!) on Sunday, and was diagnosed at 8 months old. B is 9, and was diagnosed at 5 years old. L is 7 and was diagnosed at 2 years old. We also have a 15 year old son, M. He does not have diabetes.When did you guys start pumping?J started pumping 5 years after diagnosis, at 5 years old. B started pumping two months after his “official” diagnosis, he was 5. L started pumping 3-4 months after his diagnosis, at age 2.What do you use to change sites? What’s your "process"?We peel off the...

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A super short, super smart, synopsis of blood sugar patterns.

I’ve got it ALL figured out!B has been high before bed quite a lot lately. So last night I threw down the gauntlet and changed his insulin sensitivity between the hours of 5 and 9pm. When a high number popped up at 7:00pm, I gave him the higher ratio correction and he rocked awesome numbers all night long.In fact he was 123 at 1:00am. And woke up 109 this morning. Nice.But here is the deal.My husband told me that the night before B was 169 at 1am, and he was too lazy to correct him. He woke up 105 that morning. That means he dropped 64 points in 6 hours.But this morning he only dropped 14.THEN, the day before the day before…he woke up 203. And...

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It is funny to us anyway...

It is kinda’ a running joke in this house...If you do something to tick me off, or something especially embarrassing or funny, I threaten to blog it.An example of this came this morning when J and B were brushing their teeth in the bathroom. I was walking down the hall and I heard J grunting. “What’s goin’ on in there J? Are you going #2 with B in there?”J: (horrified) “No mom!” Which was immediately followed by, “Great! You’re going to blog this, aren’t you?!”Me: (Matter of factly,) “Why yes I am son. Yes I am.”And I always live up to my word. :)More often than not, my threats are empty ones. Well, lets be honest...99% of the time my threats are empty ones...but it is fun to see them squirm nonetheless.Another running joke around here is dealt out by none other than our littlest guy, L.Everyday...

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Leigh! You won Our Diabetic Life's Great PJ Giveaway!

The winner of The Our Diabetic Life Great PJ World Diabetes Day Giveaway is:Leigh from The Evans Kiddos!!!Please email me at ourdiabeticlife (at) yahoo (dot) com within 48 hours, so that we can get your cutie pa tootie PJ's to you ASAP! A new winner will be selected if the prize has not been claimed within the 48 hour window.Thank you Komar and PJs for the Cure for sponsoring this Super Sugar Bolus!If you didn't win, make sure you pop over to PJs for the Cure and buy yourself some! 100% of all sales go directly to JDRF!The following blogs will be rolling out winners from the Great World Diabetes Day PJ Giveaway hourly throughout the day. Be sure...

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My perfectly lovely, perfectly true, angel story.

It is no secret that I believe in miracles. And I'm not embarrassed to announce that I believe in angels too. In the spirit of the approaching holiday season, I wanted to share with you a very special, very true story of hope. A story that helped me through one of the darkest times. I originally posted this over a year ago. No one was really reading my blog then, so this story will probably be new to you...It was less than two months after J was diagnosed and I was a complete Zombie. Tired, worried, scared. It was such a hard time. J was on a “long acting” insulin, (I'm pretty sure it it was Lente,) of which we had to give him a “light” ½ unit twice a day. Measuring a “light” ½ unit is almost impossible in a needle, and who knows how much of it he actually got. His short acting was an insulin...

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OUR DIABETIC LIFE'S Great PJ World Diabetes Day Giveaway!

****THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED****Welcome toOur Diabetic Life'sGreat PJ World Diabetes Day Giveaway!!Brought to you by PJ's for a Cure!PJs for the Cure are specially designed women's and children's pajama sets from Komar, the #1 sleepwear manufacturer in the country.Komar donates 100% of money from the sales of these special PJs to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). 100% = AWESOMENESS! If you spend $25.00 on a pair of PJ's, JDRF gets $25.00 of that $25.oo. Generosity at its finest!Liz, the wife of Komar CEO Charles Komar was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and thus, Mr. Komar founded PJs for the Cure in an effort to raise $1 million...

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My son J: the 80 year old overweight woman.

J had is ophthalmology appointment yesterday. They took a picture of the back of his eye to make sure his eyes are healthy and strong.That is what I told him anyway.But J is older now, and he wanted to know exactly why he was there. He asked the nurse who was taking the photos, and she happily gave him this brochure that would explain "EVERYTHING."J took the pamphlet and looked at the front pictures. This is what he saw.He studied it for a minute and then looked up and gave me a raised eyebrow, "are you kidding me? This isn't for real, right?" kinda' look.I told him people with diabetes have to keep close tabs on their eyes. If they do they are...

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Random Meri Musings

* I can now type without looking at the keyboard or the screen. This comes in handy when I am in the middle of writing a thought and a boy comes in demanding my attention.* I like saying "awkward." To make others feel awkward. Especially when it comes to my parents. They will say something to me, and I will randomly say, "I wish you didn't tell me that. Really awkward." Then they automatically feel awkward. True story.* I just made the announcement that no more teenagers are allowed. J turns 13 next week. Sucks for him. Wonder how he's going to work that one out.* I like pumpkin pie. Just thought I would throw that one out there.* I started...

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