Weekend Getaway

This past weekend, we met up with some good friends for some fun in the sun.  Meeting halfway in Hilton Head Island, SC, we spent precious time with Patrick and friends.  Nearly 200 pictures... these help tell the story...

 I95 is a long long highway.

Patrick entertained himself by reading and playing with his Magnadoodle.

Our exit!

Pretty views on the backroads to the coast.

Pooltime!

Little Ellis grew up so fast!

Owen shows off his svelte body and tattoos!

Heading to "a beach!"

It's private, folks.  That means no outsiders are allowed.  :)

Our first view of HIlton Head Island.

Heading to the shore.

Ellis and I took a nap while the others played in the ocean.

We got everyone ice pops, but Patrick "traded" with me and took my ice cream.  He ate the whole thing!

That night, father and son partook in a great bubble bath.

Old friends are definitely the best friends.

Father and son discussing politics.  Or Mickey Mouse.

On the way home, we made a pit stop.

Can you guess where?

35

I always thought 30 was the magical age when life started to go downhill.  Afterall, it was right around that time my metabolism decided to take a vacation and never return.  But then 31 came, then 32.  And now, I find my self at a ripe age of 35.  Technically, I'm middle-aged, right?  However, I still (most of the time) feel like I'm in my 20s (minus the metabolism thing, of course).

Last week, I went to get a yearly physical, which meant I had to get my yearly, well, you know...  I also had to get a flu shot and a tetanus shot.  Why a tetanus shot?  Because, unbenownst to me, you need one every ten years and I hadn't had one since I went to college in 1993.

Anyway... I digress.

So yeah, I had my physical.  My other yearly test (ahem).  Then the doctor asks me if I'd had my baseline mammogram yet.  I am 35, afterall, she says.  I responded that I hadn't and she sent me to a radiologist for the exam.

I went today.

Okay, so what can I say about it?  Weird.  WEIRD.  I keep saying to myself, "you've had a c-section!  What could be worse than a c-section?"  But I think this might be right up there.  See, when I had the c-section, I had one goal in mind:  to see my baby.  Plus, I was all numb (well, after the awful feeling of the spinal tap) and didn't feel any pain until well into the next day after delivery.

Anyway, I had my test today.  And those that know me know that I am pretty well-endowed, to say the least, so of course, that makes the exam a little more challenging.  The entire process made me feel very vulnerable, very out of control, and incredibly self-conscience.  Plus, the entire room was outfitted with pink reminders of why I was there today.  It was daunting.

The entire time I was in that exam room, I kept thinking about a very good friend of mine, also 35, who recently discovered a lump in her breast.  When she had it checked out, it was a lot more than just a little lump and she's gone a very aggressive route with her treatment.  At this point in her journey, she is halfway through her first treatment and following that, will head into a second treatment of radiation.  I think about her everyday, pray with all my might for her, her husband, and her amazing two daughters who need her to fight and stay strong and positive throughout this ordeal.

It will take a few days to get the official results of my test, but the technician said she couldn't see anything that jumped out at her immediately.  For now, I'll take that as good news and hope that I won't have to do it again for another five years.

Backyard progress

We're still working on the backyard.  I think we'll be working on it for a long time to come.  But it's (ahem) fun.  :)

Our fig tree didn't make it, so in its place, we planted this deer resistant plant.  

The peach tree is holding on.

My project this week:  fencing, weeding, putting up weed barrier, and mulching.  And mulching.  And more mulching.

 

Phase 2:  mulching the back.  More weeding.

The Bermuda grass is in and looking good!

Eat Your Heart Out, Oprah!

Patrick loves puzzles.  My parents sent him a puzzle of the United States a few months ago and he loves it.  He's figured out where all the pieces go and even learned some of the states.

To view, click here.

"I do not think it means what you think it means"

Patrick, in his nearly three years, has started chattering away.  He spends many days just saying things.  Whatever comes to mind, actually.  He tells me what he eats for breakfast or what show is coming up next. He talks about cooking and daddy at work.

Lately, he's picked up on saying "I don't want (insert word here)" or "I don't like (insert word here)."

While I absolutely hate that he does this, I realized today, he doesn't exactly know what it means.

Example #1:

"Patrick, here's your lunch."
"I don't want lunch."
"Do you want to eat your chicken?"
"Yes!"

Example #2:
"Are you sleepy, Patrick?"
"I don't want to go sleep!"
"Are you tired?"
"I don't want tired!"
"Do you want Poochie (his stuffed dog used for sleeping)?"
"Yes, Mama."

(Sigh).  I'm not sure how to correct his choice of phrase.  For now, I just keep repeating, "I love lunch!" or "I can't wait to take a nap!"

I hope it starts to work soon.

A Meme - it's been forever!

I haven't done a meme of any type on this in the longest time.  I realize my posting has turned into an online photo album, and I apologize (I keep doing that, I know!), but I really am trying.

With that, I "stole" this meme from a few of the PWD's blogs that I read regularly.

A Diabetes Meme

What type of diabetes do you have: Type 1  

When were you diagnosed:  August 1993 - it's funny, most folks remember the exact day they were diagnosed.  I don't.  I just know it was the summer after I graduated from high school and a few weeks before I was supposed to report for college.  I rarely remember the anniversary, unless someone asks me when I was diagnosed and then I think, "Wow!  17 years already!"

What's your current blood sugar: According to my Dexcom, 101.  Not too bad, eh?

What kind of meter do you use:  One Touch Ultra/One Touch Mini - it varies, since I keep one in the house and another in my purse.

How many times a day do you test your blood sugar:  Now that I have a Dexcom, I check at least twice a day, to calibrate.  If I get a wacky number on the Dexcom, I'll check more often.  Prior to the CGMS, I would check 8-10 time a days.

What's a "high" number for you:  Anything over 200 mg/dl.

What's do you consider "low":  Anything under 60 mg/dl. 

What's your favorite low blood sugar reaction treater:  Orange juice.  Regular juice drinkers have no clue how absolutely delicious orange juice is.  It's so sweet and thick and full of flavor.

Describe your dream endo:  Compassionate, understanding, communicative, and part of my HMO.

What's your biggest diabetes achievement:  This little kid.  Right here:

What's your biggest diabetes-related fear:  Blindness

Who's on your support team:  My husband, parents, MIL and close friends.

Do you think there will be a cure in your lifetime:  I used to think so, but no I'm not so sure.  I don't bank on it, although it would be nice.  I'm appreciative of the advances in the last 17 years, though.

What is a "cure" to you:  The true sense of the word.  A cure would mean no worrying after a meal, no worrying about having insulin in the fridge, no worrying about making sure I have enough infusion sets, resevoirs, sensors, glucose tablets, etc.

The most annoying thing people say to you about your diabetes is:  "Type 1?  Is that the bad kind?"

What is the most common misconception about diabetes:  That Type 1 can be cured with "magic pills" or with natural remedies.  Also, that Type 1's can control their blood sugar by diet alone.  

If you could say one thing to your pancreas, what would it be:  "18 years is not retirement age.  What the hell happened to you?  Lazy ass."

Highlights from Hawaii

I was fortunate to have a husband sent away to Hawaii for work a few weeks ago. *Then*, he called and asked me to meet him there (no way!). Luckily, my MIL was gracious enough to watch Patrick for a few days, while air miles were cashed in and I took a short vacation to paradise.

It was only a few days, and we didn't do much of anything, except well... sunbathe, swim, eat like locals, and people watch.

So thankful everyday for the pleasures of life God had afforded me.

Over 200 pictures, but these are my favorites.

Enjoy!

The Duke

Sheraton Hotel on Waikiki Beach

Sunset

Palm trees and blue skies

Mikey and I

We took a sunset cruise and I snagged this great shot of Diamond Head

Hawaiian Airlines

Back to School (aka Baby Jail)

Today was Patrick's first day back to school. He hasn't been in a school/day care setting since November, right before we moved.

I have been a little worried about his reaction to a more organized structure, but he did pretty well, all things considered.

Handwashing with one of his new teachers

Circletime - the little girl called Patrick out and told him he "wasn't following the rules."

Guess Who Got a Pillow Pet?