Funky Thoracic Ribs, Roche Media Summit, Juvination Freebies, Cupcakes, and “A Major Award.”

So, I’ve been MIA a few weeks thanks to two thoracic ribs that keep dislocating. I have no ideal how it happened but it was pretty damn painful until we figured out exactly what the problem was. Basically, the two ribs are located on my back and keep dislocating, causing extreme tenderness around the Rotator Cuff area and shooting pains down my right arm.

My Chiropractor adjusted them back into place (multiple times) and STRONGLY suggested staying off-line (to be more realistic – to limit my time on the computer) as much as possible for 10 days and not to drive long distances in the car. Both requests were REALLY hard, but I did what he said.

Status: my Ribs are feeling better even if they keep “popping and locking” to the beat so to speak and no more pain in my arm.

I’m SO behind on dblogs and email. A few interesting things have made their way into my Inbox as of late.

I was invited (and am incredibly honored) to attend the Roche Diabetes Care Media Summit being held Wednesday, July 22 through Thursday, July 23, 2009 at Roche Diabetes Care in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Amy helped to organize the Summit and wrote about its purpose so eloquently that I’m linking to it!

I’m really looking forward to attending and interfacing with all my D friends and the folks at Roche. I think that we have much to discuss and I ‘ll be posting about it as it happens ;)

Gina Capone sent me the heads up on Juvenation.org, a Type 1 Diabetes community created by the JDRF. Currently their membership is at 4500, with a goal to reach 5,000-members by the end of May!
Any new members, who sign up by May 31, will receive a FREE issue of Countdown magazine online.

Plus, if you recruit the most friends and family members between now and June 15, you'll have the chance to win a FREE Track3 Electronic Diabetes Planner & Carb Counter, with a nifty carrying case.

Contest details an be found by clicking here.

Recently, Debbie of Sweet Debbie’s Organic Cupcakes commented on one of my posts.
I was intrigued by the title of her business as my love of cupcakes knows no bounds & perused her website to see what it was all about – I was impressed.
Not only are all her baked goods organic, vegan, and “are sweetened with low-glycemic sweeteners, agave nectar and birch tree syrup (also known as xylitol)”. BUT, are available in Gluten Free! Also, ALL the nutritional information including fiber and carb count is listed for each of her cupcakes, muffins, and granola.

SDOC deliver all over the county and clients range from little kiddies’ birthdays, to the Academy Awards Gala. I know that many a Diabetic and or parent of a Diabetic has celiac concerns and I thought I’d pass info along in case you were interested.

I haven’t tried the cupcakes, muffins, or granola, nor am I being paid to write about her site, but damn if they don’t look tasty!

Finally, this morning I received “A Major Award” (I’m quoting A Christmas Story folks) from Vivian over at Daniel Doo, who nominated Diabetesalciousness for “The One Lovely Blog” Award.

How cool is that? Thanks my friend!

I nominate the following to receive said “Major Award” as well:

Diane at A Stellar Life
George at The B.A.D Blog
Hannah at Dorkabetic
Lee Ann over at The Butter Compartment
And
Lora At The Diabetes and Stuff.

I think I'm only supposed to pick 5, so please don't be offended if I didn't mention your blog.

I have more interesting "inbox" projects to post about, but now I have to go to my Endo appointment with the Dr. J - wish me luck!

Interesting Signage

Thought provoking Signage in and around Philadelphia

So I'd just parked my car and was on my way to see a client when I came upon this signage @ 15 & Bainbridge.

Hmmmm, Interesting way to get your point across, thought I - and quick grabbed my iPhone & snapped a few picks.

I also wondered: Are people aware of what an A1c is and why it's so important??

But on the positive side, the term is out there for all to see - diabetic or not. And hopefully, they will go to their Dr. and seek the answer.

What the F^C& Do You Mean "I Look Good For Being A Diabetic?!"

As of late I’ve encountered new people in my life, which for the most part, is a pretty wonderful thing.

BUT, (and damn if there isn’t almost always a but) I’ve heard similar phrasing from several new folks and....the terminology pisses me off.

Almost ever time a new person (s) finds out about my and D, I inevitably hear the following phrase:

NO, REALLY? I mean you look good, ESPECIALLY for a being a diabetic.

WTF???

Look, I’m no Super Model, I’ve never claimed to be and I’ve never been mistaken for one, not even it the person was REALLY inebriated. I’m not writing this post so you’ll ‘wax poetic about my looks,” I don’t care if you think I’m a 1 or a 10. I’m just really annoyed about the statement as a whole.

SERIOUSLY, what the F^ck do you mean I look good for being a diabetic?

How would you like it if I said:

Your pretty smart for being such a f-ing Dumb Ass?

Or what if I told you:

But you seem so normal....Who knew that you were a complete and utter IDIOT!?

How's about:

Your OK looking for someone whose butt ugly?

Or,
You have High Cholesterol? BUT you look SO normal….

DAMN, you have Colitis? WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME? Had you not told me, I never would have guessed! No wonder you passed on the bean dip!

YOU’RE ALLERGIC TO TOMATOES? My God..., you look so healthy!

I mean who the hell carved in stone that diabetics (type 1 or 2) must be tragic 24X7?

Like most people,we strive to live good lives and occasionally have moments of fabulousness.

We D folk are an impressive bunch damn it!! We are a strong, tenacious group with imperfect pancreases and the likes there of.

We are people that pull ourselves up from by our bootstraps daily because we must.
Granted, some days (weeks) are harder than others, but we hang in there like it or not, Diabetes has made us tougher individuals as a whole

We educate ourselves and others regarding our diabetes because we own our disease - and thanks to the media’s constantly bombarding the airwaves with false diabetes imaging (did you see The Panic Room?) it’s up to use to clear up all inaccuracies regarding diabetes and diabetics

We have big hearts, love laughter, and we live our lives, just like everyone else.

Why be shocked if we clean up well on occasion and continue on life’s course every single day regardless how rocky the road gets sometimes?

We are the few, we are the proud, and we - every single one of us in dblogville and beyond, are the face of Diabetes.

GET USED TO US.

Why Do You Do That???

So I was on my way out the other night when my tubing got caught - not on the doorknob, but on the other side on the actual door frame where the door catches.
It caught and pulled my pump backward, which caused said pump to loudly clanked it against the wall.

" OH MY GOD, Why do you do that?" my friend asked all annoyed and stuff.

Me: SERIOUSLY? WHY DID I DO THAT? I can't believe that you just said that! It's not like it feels great on this end. I don't care if you went to grad school, sometimes you ask stupid questions.

Friend: I mean why not just tape it up or tuck it in? Why not just look around and look at your spacial boundaries.

Me: Why don't you exercise more, or make good on your threat to cut back on the caffeine??

Here's a question, How much do you way and are you happy with the number on the scale?

Here's another thought, do you really want me to answer you honestly the next time you ask, was I over reacting Kel??

Friend: Ummm, none of your business and NO.


Me: EXACTLY. Look Trixie Mcghee, sometimes It's about time management, & other times I just don't think about it. To be quite honest, every other time I tape the tubing, it ends up kinking. It doesn't always work for me. So please, just mind your own business regarding my pump and "spacial issues," please.

And then when we went out, because good friends don't hold grudges.

Not Sure If I Have "Whine Flu" OR Just Some Sort Of "Whine Funk."

Not sure if I have “Whine Flu,” or just some sort of “Whine Funk.”

I've had elevated blood sugars since Sunday (which was the day I had to force myself to swim because I felt like I was walking through JELLO, due to my high numbers); a scratchy sore throat, a general feeling of melancholy, and like most of us on the East Coast, I haven’t seen the sun in 8 freaking days.

Or maybe it’s the fact that my birthday is next week and I’m just not thrilled about its arrival.

Now to be fair, my high blood sugars may be a combo of the sore throat and skunky insulin.
I just tossed my bottle and reservoir thinking that perhaps that bottle had somehow lost its insulin spunkiness, which we all know is crucial for good numbers.

I’m now tackling that large pile of paperwork that has been screaming my name. I’m also writing a much needed post.

There’s a prediction of partial sunshine in the forecast for Saturday, but my inner voice says: Kel, don’t hold your breath on any of the above.

Enough already!!! Let’s look at the bright side folks.

My numbers are going down fast thanks to a new bottle of insulin juice.

I’m doing paperwork!

I’m writing a post!

There’s partial sunshine in the forecast for Saturday!

My mother’s health is much better.

Oprah scored us some free grilled chicken!!!

My blood Sugars are going down, along with my weight. I’ve lost 22 pounds in the past 3 years. 11 of those pounds since October.

I have some potential speaking engagements, which always rock my world and provide me with an overall feeling of happiness. Simply put, by giving, I get back more than I ever thought possible.

While I may be dreading my birthday, I am indeed living my life. I love and am loved.
I learn something new everyday, and find inspiration in many things, big and small.

And I still have hope, which at one point in my life I thought I had lost forever.

Sprigs of minty hope

Most recently my pot of Orange Mint filled me with hope. Up until 3 weeks ago looked like dead twigs and dirt. Now, it’s comeback to life with lush green sprigs that will eventually find it’s way and infuse it's minty goodness into my water bottle. Soon it will be used in cooking new delicious summer dishes, and manifesting itself into my famous Vodka Mojitos.

Now, I know Mint’s life cycle as I’ve been growing it (along with other yummies) for years. But I still get excited when I see the mint sprigs spring back to life (say that three times fast!) It still gives me hope!

Next week I will be getting a few birthday gifts, which I know are not important, it’s the thought that matters after all. But still, I’m a big baby and they will make me smile.

I especially look forward to spending time with family and friends because I love them very much. I’ll spread out those Birthday celebrations and savor those moments with the each individual I celebrate with.

I’m getting my eyebrows waxed this week. It’s the simple things folks, like having two distinct eyebrows instead of one, that make a huge difference in my over all feeling of well being.


And the last positive,...is YOU, wonderful citizens of dblogville. I love, learn and respect each of you in the D-O-C so very much.

You always understand, you never judge, always teach, and ALWAYS bring a smile (and an occasional tear) into my world everyday.

Thanks friends, I feel better already!

ipod Challenge Via My iTunes DJ

At the beginning of the week, Cara had a post called iPod Challenge & shared the 25 random tunes from her iPod in order for the DOC to get to know her better. COOL IDEAL CARA!
Since then, several others have shared and now I’m joining in.

My ipod is in the car and I'm to lazy to get it, but my mac’s iTunes DJ preference does the same thing and selected the following songs. Hope you like!

FYI: My musical tastes are varied to say the least~


1. Dirrty - Christina Aguilera: Love the “Dirrty” CD. When I first bought it, I made pretend I was buying it for my 18 yr old niece. Did not want to admit to being a fan. But then "BEAUTIFUL" hit the airwaves and I broke down & bought the CD. Now I’m happy to say I’m a BIG fan & don’t care who knows it. CA wrote all 17 songs on that CD btw
2. Holiday – Green Day: - Green Day='s AWESOMENESS
3. Rehab- Amy Winehouse: - She has an AMAZING voice. I sure hope she gets her act together
4. Stronger – Kanye West: Workout song extraordinaire!

5. Defying Gravity – The Wicked Soundtrack: First time I heard this song I cried like a baby. That’s how much it inspires me.

6. The Killers - Human: LOVE THEM
7. You Don’t know Me - Ray Charles.: Bought Ray’s Greatest Hits in college and am so glad I did.
8. Figure 8 – School House Rock: LOVE SHR and have all the tunes. My nephew sang this song to me when he was 4yrs old while we played with his Thomas the Train crack, I mean trains. That memory has kept me from committing "Bodily Harm" to him as a teen~
9. I Was Walking With Your Ghost – Teegan & Sarah: First heard this song on 88.5 wxpn & liked it enough to download it~
10. Not Ready To Make Nice – The Dixie Chicks: Felt the same way on several subjects/people
11. Fighter – Christina Aguilera :Was my theme song at one time.
12. Private Universe - Crowded House: BEAUTIFUL song, fantastic & totally under rated group who are OUTSTANDING live.
13. Mates Of State - The Re-Arranger: Big shout out to Carey Potash for introducing me to Mates of State! Thanks dude!
14. Wake Up Call - Maroon 5: Good band and vid
15. Tennessee Flat Top Box Roseanne Cash: Roseanne did a cover of her dads song & made it her own!
16. Extraordinary Machine Fiona Apple: Fantastic song, fantastic CD
17. 99 Problems Jay-Z/Lincoln Park: Have rocked out on the Eliptical to this tune many times.
18. Head Like A Hole-Nine Inch Nails: Have danced to this in more than one club, just ask my friend Mark !
19. Walk The Walk – Poe: If you don’t know who she is, by the HAUNTED Cd-and prepare to be impressed.
20. Big Spender - Miss Shirley Bassey: FYI, I sing out loud to this song & have stage moves for it as well!
21. Tricky -Run-DMC: Because "I'm tricky, tricky, TRICKY!'
22. Sparkling Diamonds - Moulin Rouge Soundtrack: GREAT MOVIE,GREAT SOUNDTRACK Baz Lerman is a GOD
23. Buffalo Stance – Neheh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi was and still is a great CD
24. PJ Harvey - Down By The Water: Dark song, but very cool.
25. Dream A Little Dream of Me – Momma Cass: SIMPLY WONDERFUL

And Three songs for good measure:
26. Wind Up- Gwen Stafani: Love it!
27. Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Madonna: Love Madonna, LOVED the Evita soundtrack. Am a HUGE fan of musicals.
28. Flight of The Bumble Bee -Bobby Mcferrin & Yo Yo Ma - they collaborated on a CD called HUSH - Download the whole cd - you'll be so happy you did!