47

 

Me - I'm still here & I love this picture.
My hairdressing took it after a cut and color.
I don't care that my mascara is running because this photo made me happy! 

Today is my 47th Diaversary - And I'm still here. 

47 years of injections; blood sugars rollercoasters, carb counting, always having low treats on my person. 

47 years of wondering; living, laughing, dealing, (sometimes not,) continually learning; doing, becoming. 

Recognizing that diabetes is a part of me - It's a part of my life - the good, the bad - the diabetesaliciousness of it all~ 

Acknowledging that diabetes burnout is not a weakness - it's real; it can be debilitating. 

  

Diabetes can make you sad and frustrated and requires us to get back up - even when we don't want to. And while living with a chronic illness can make us resilient - resilience can be fucking exhausting. 

Reaching out for help can be hard - but we are not alone and we are worth it!

I'm thinking a lot about that little girl 47 years ago - how she missed Halloween - how her parents kept on their game faces when their hearts must have been breaking - but they never let her see it. How she tried to make them laugh at the hospital, but would cry herself to sleep that night because she was scared and sad. 

I'm thinking about both my sisters who passed from t1d complications and t1 medical negligence. I wish things had turned out differently for them... for us. 

I think about how I am the girl who lived and the woman who continues to become. 

I'm grateful for my support system. My family, my friends  - my amazing diabetes family - what all you have done and continue to do for me - I would be so incredibly lost without you!

Every year I create a Gratitude List for my Diaversary - with the number correlating with the number of years I've lived the D life. 

Cheers to number 47  - in no particular order, here's my list of some of the many things in life I continue to find joy in and be grateful for.

1. My nieces and nephews  - THEY ARE MAGNIFICENT
2. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
3. Nailing the bolus for the ginormous gelato I had last Saturday night
4. The magical properties of red lipstick
5. Hoka Bondi's  - If you know, you know. If you don't, give them a try
6. Dogs. Dogs are the best
7. Music. I'd be lost without music. Currently on rotation: Black Violin, Duran Duran, Poe, The Wonder Woman Sound Track, Anything Taylor's version 
8. Speaking of Duran Duran, INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL for my friend, G gifting me 8th row tickets to see Duran Duran last Saturday night - THEY WERE AMAZING
9. Chai Tea
10. Tea in general
11. Strong coffee with oatmilk & sugar
12. Filling up my car with Regular gas yesterday that cost $2.82 a gallon
13. Cathy & Clark
14. My friends who are family
15. A Dino's sub
16. Red and white wine
17. Smart insulins
18. Grabbing my camera and shooting
19. Walks
20. Swimming in the ocean
21. The ocean
22. Going to the movies 
23. Dinner with friends
24. Dinner with my family 
25. Nailing a carb count
26. Coming pretty damn close to nailing a carb count
27. CGM & insulin pump technology
28. Making/eating soup
29. The beach
30. Shells
31. Singing - I like to sing
32. Performing
33. Writing - I've had writer's block for a while - It finally behind me
34. Naps
35. Traveling  - I love to travel
36. Jewelry in all dimensions
37. Art
38. Photography 
39. Cooking
40. Not having to do dishes
41. Diabetes Meet-ups - They are magic!
42. The men who discovered insulin and saved millions of lives - including my own!
43. My friends kids
44. Sex
45. A night out
46. Massages 
47. YOU. Everyone in the Diabetes Community - online and off. Without your love, support, lessons, laughter  - I don't know where I'd be! THANK YOU for everything. I love you and I am so fucking grateful to have found you! 

46

Selfie in front of Haunted House - not my house ;) 

Hey, it's me - back from who the hell knows, but blogging just the same. 

I can't tell you how many times I've sat staring at my screen to write an actual post, but this time I really am back. I miss blogging, I miss being a full participant in the DOC, instead of a part-time participant/and a constant lurker. 

So I'm reframing and here I am.

Much has happened - some good stuff, some NOT So good - I'm saving the deets for other posts. 

Today's post is devoted to the number 46 - NO, NOT THAT 46, BITE YOUR TONGUE!

I'm talking 46 years living my life with t1D.

A. HOW THE HELL IS IT YEAR 46? 

B. HOW THE HELL IS MY DIABETES OLDER THAN I AM? EASY, I'M A WITCH ;) 

Celebrating year 46 is different this year - As of yesterday, I've been sidelined thanks to a torn medial band of my Planter Fascia - currently sporting a really ugly ortho shoe (but oh so much more comfortable than a boot,) shiny chrome crutches, and a cortisone shot that hurt like a bitch and requires a skyhigh temp basal rate. 

So yeah, this year's diaversary will be quiter - but a celebration none less. 

Here's my Diabetes Gratitude list for year 46 - Hope you dig~

1. The color yellow. Yellow is bright and shiny and makes me smile. Quite frankly, I could use more bright and shiny in my life - YAY YELLOW.

2. Rooibos tea - If you don't know what it is, check it out and give it a try. I suggest Pumpkin, Chai, and Vanilla flavored rooibos teas.

3. The ocean: We are 3/4's salt water for a reason. No wonder the ocean feels like coming home

4. Dogs. I love dogs! Dogs are the best and I will fight you on it!

5. Nailing a carb bolus for totally bolus worthy grub!

6. Cheese. I am cheese slut. I own it.

7. The color purple. Purple is regal and beautiful and comes in multitude of shades that make me feel good and bring out my eyes ;) 

8. Shells: Shells are beautiful; intricate, sculptures from the sea that turn into sand. Without shells there would be no beach. Think about that next time you see a shell. Never overlook the broken shells - they posed a beauty all their own - gifts from the sea that are no less valuable than their non chipped counterparts. Broken shells prove time and again that broken is indeed beautiful, be it our pancreati or a shell.

9. Red lipstick.

10. Soup: I'm a Souper... dare I say a Super Souper. For real, I make over 20 types of soup from scratch - and counting. Making soup is one of my Love Languages. If I make you soup from scratch, it means I care about you very much and love you lots.

11. Diabetes Tech: I love and appreciate my diabetes tech. With that being said. It's not perfect - nothing works as well as a fully functioning pancreas. There are too many who can't afford said tech - or have insurance that won't cover (or cover enough,) for said diabetes tech. That shit's gotta change.

12 PBS: If you don't watch PBS - maybe you think it's too stuffy, or that it doesn't have shows you'd be interested in - you'd be wrong. 

My current PBS obsession is season 2 of Annika. Membership for PBS Passport is $5 bucks a month and totally worth it! Also, your monthly fee is tax deductible.

13. Reading. LOVE to read - I just wish I had time to read the books I want to read, not the things I have to read. With that being said, I make time to read and sometimes reread. I've also discovered fan fiction - VERY INTERESTING.

14. A well made leather boot with a sexy heel - which I can't wear right now, BUT SOON.

15. Manatees. Manatees are amazing and incredibly underrated. Dophins get more screen time because of their antics, orcas make the news because they show off their smarts AND bitchiness - they toss seals around like a football before they go in for the kill. GOOGLE IT. Sharks, don't even get me started. Three words: JAWS and SHARK WEEK. Whales...whales are all sorts of majestical - they deserve the spotlight... for the most part. If you love manatees - you know how smart and loving and wise they are  -  much more so than they let on... at least at first glance. If you don't know about manatees, take the time to find out abou them.

16. My nieces & nephews. I LOVE THEM. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THEM. MY WORLD IS A MUCH BETTER PLACE BECAUSE OF THEM.

17 The DOC. I love you, I am so incredibly grateful to have you in my life. You've changed my world.

18. Insulin: Without insulin I'd be dead. Actually, without insulin l wouldn't have existed because my father would have died before he had a chance to make me with my mom. With that being said, INSULIN IS STILL TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE. TOO MANY ARE GOING WITH OUT OR RATIONING TO MAKE THEIR STASH LAST LONGER. THAT SHIT'S GOTTA CHANGE.

19. The beach in the winter = MAGICAL.

20. Friends who are family - You know who you are - I love you. I am grateful for you.

21. My dishwasher.

22. Jewelry. Yep, I love jewelry. Real, fake, custom, vintage, or made from macaroni, like the necklace my nephew made me when he was in nursery school. I LOVE JEWELRY.

23. Daffodils: Daffodils are bright, beautiful, give me hope, make me happy, and remind me of my mom. Daffodils are resiliant. I try to embrace my inner daffodil whenever I can. And between you and me, I need to remember to embrace my inner daffodil more.

24. Dark chocolate.

25. Vanilla. FTR, vanilla is not boring - I love it more than chocolate. There I said it - I stand by more words.

26. Vodka: Potatoes and grains are the fruit of my people. Vodka is potatoes and or grain in liquid form.

27. Going to the movies. 

28. Broadway Musicals: I LOVE BROADWAY AND BROADWAY MUSICALS. I LOVE SHOWTUNES. And it sucks to be you if you don't.

29. Really good sex.

30. Frida Kahlo: Her art is addictive, her story is compelling, inspiring and it will break your heart.

31. Spicy food. Spicy food is my favorite. 

About half the dishes I make from scratch are spicy - it’s part of who I a. If anyone wants to buy me a Diaversary gift - I'm running out of Siriracha thanks to the 2023 Sriracha Shortage, more on said shortage can be found, HERE.

32. Spending time with friends and family. We all need more time with those we love and who love us.

33. Sleeping late. FTR, I was off today and wanted to sleep until 8AM. I was up at 5:30. W.T.F.

34. Hoka Bondi's. Like walking on clouds. The Bondis are especially good if you happen to have high arches and a wide toe box. They also fit most custom orthotics. I'm going to need multiple pairs once I'm done with the crutches. CC: HOKA.com.

35. Fresh mint in my water - or my mojito/vodka. Little things mean a lot. Fresh mint is refreshing and delish. I suggest you grow some in a pot. DO NOT plant mint in the ground - it will takeover your entire garden and strangle any and all plants and shrubs.

36. Black Violin - also Black Violin.

37. Post Modern Jukebox.

38. I love long walks.... which I currently cannot participate in - BUT SOON!

39. Halloween: I love dressing up and being someone/something else for the night. I'm a theater geek so it totally makes sense.

40. The colors green and blue and in all shades. The colors of earth and water. Also, both color spectrums bring out my eyes and since this is all about me.....

41. #Proudauntiealert in all dimensions: In no particular order, just a sprinkling of many, many, moments #proudauntiealerts can be found HERE, HERE & HERE. 

42. Bolus worthy pizza. If you know, you know.

43. Childrenwithdiabetes.org

44. Peanut Butter. I wish I hated peanut butter, but I don't. That will never happen.

45. Massages. God I love a good massage - and I've been told by HCPs that I need them. If only insurance covered them. SIGH.

46. YOU. I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU.

I'm grateful that you're here on this planet and reading my blog. Take my word that the world is much better place with you in it. YOU ARE EXCEPTIONAL. 

45

Hey, it’s been a while and I'm sorry about that. Between trying to navigate a Covid world; a move that was anything but easy, and some other stuff I’m still trying to process, blog post reserve has been drained. Burnout was and is is real. The good news: 

A. I’m working onseveral new posts, including one on my thoughts on the Omnipod 5, one on local D buddies. Happy to say that blog posts in process are very real and will be posted soon and I am so very glad and thankful! 

B. Today is my 45th Diaversary! Yep, today marks 45 years of living with diabetes. 45 years ago a little girl with a big imagination and extensive vocabulary entered the hospital on Halloween morning with a busted pancreas and was diagnosed with T1. 

This year’s celebration is quiet, mostly because it’s Monday during a week that requires a lot of juggling on my end.

 Every year on October 31st I write a list of things I’m grateful for and in no particular order. Here’s this year’s list. 

1. Cheese - in all shapes and forms
2.  My nieces and nephews 
3. Good books 
4. Tasty tea - super addicted to Rooibos
5.  Salt air 
6. Dark chocolate topped with sea-salt
7.  The color green 
8. Cheeseburger, medium rare, topped with the works - bonus points for jalapeños 
9. Vintage Costume Jewelry - I collect it 
10. “Real Jewelry.” I collect that too :) 
11. Dogs. Dogs are awesome and I’ll fight you on that 
12. Cooking for the people I love 
13. Making a tasty meal from scratch for myself. Cleaning up after? Not so much 
14. Traveling - I miss traveling. I need to travel. I have over 55,000 air miles - time to cash them in 
15.  The color yellow. I love yellow - it reminds me of my mom and daffodils and the sun. Truth be told I had a thing for yellow and purple as a little girl. Still do 
16. Really good extra virgin olive oil 
17. Exploring - going to a new place and discovering its nooks and crannies; locals and spots that make said place magic
18. Clouds 
19. Photography - I love taking pictures 
20. Spicy sushi 
21. A meal out with friends 
22. Atlantic City Italian bread. GOOGLE IT 
23. My DOC family and friends - you are my Friends For Life 
24. Swimming in the ocean 
25. PBS 
26. Peanut Butter 
27.  Manatees 
28. My friends kids 
29. Hanging out with my nieces and nephews as friends
30. The smell of honeysuckle bushes 
31. Sriracha 
32. Live theater 
33. Going to the movies
34. A horse named Stormy 
35. A dog named Misty 
36. A cat named kidden 
37. Serving my tea from a yellow porcelain teapot I bought for 10 bucks at an estate sale years ago 
38. Presecco and wine 
39. Tito’s Vodka 
40. golden hour 
41. The beach 
42. My parents 
43.   My sister 
44.   My busted pancreas, aka my diabetes dragon. FTR, I've made friends with my diabetes dragon - her name is Mabel 
45.  Me 
46.  YOU.

44

 

I'm still here :) 

44 years ago today I was diagnosed with diabetes. 

44 years of living with a busted pancreas. 

44 years that I've been here, that I wouldn't have been if insulin had never been discovered. 

As Diaversary tradition and in no particular order - my diabetes life gratitude list.

####

1. I’m still here
2. Rooibos tea - my latest obsession. Actually, I’ve been drinking it since maybe 2005, but the last few years I’ve become OBSESSED with it
3. Being an auntie to my nieces and nephews - I love them more than words can express
4. My sister Cathy
5. My family
6. The Diabetes Online Community - Finding my tribe ROCKED MY WORLD & continues to do so, each and every day
7. Sex
8. The beach
9. The ocean - there’s a reason we are three-quarters saltwater
10. I’m a kickass soup-maker with an impressive soup repertoire
11. Trump no longer presides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
12. Wide shoes that aren’t ugly
13. Theater - I can’t wait to go back!
14. Books
15. Beuno Bars - Seriously, GIVE THEM A TRY
16. Teal Green and Chartreuse 
17. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
18. Friends who are family. You know who you are and I love you
19. Dogs
20. Photography. I love taking pictures and people em to like my images. Also love learning about the history of photography and photographers
21. Peanut Butter. I LOVE IT
22. Kismet. When it happens it’s magic in action 
23. Being my mother’s daughter. Marjory was the strongest, kindest woman I ever met. Being her daughter is an honor
24. I found a hidden twenty in my wallet last week - AWESOME
25. Insulin. It keeps me alive. Unfortunately, it’s fucking expensive and people are dying because they can’t fucking afford it and that’s gotta change!
26. A bold Lipstick - it’s seriously life-changing, empowering, and energizing
27. A really gorgeous and well-made coat. Instagram #coatporn, you’ll see what I’m talking about 
28. Having a roof over my head
29. Diabetes Advocacy 
30. Purple
31. Indie coffee and tea shops
32. Diabetes technology
33. Movies
34. Pete Souza 
35. Dorothea Lange - If you don’t know about her - watch Grab A hunk Of Lightning and prepare to be inspired
36. Traveling. I miss it-can't wait to get back to it!
37. Manatees
38. Gardening
39. Having enough oat milk for my morning coffee
40. Perfectly seasoned, well-done home-fries 
41. Music
42. Reconnecting with old friends
43. Making new friends
44. Getting lost in nature - on purpose. 

Diaversary

Me embracing my inner Moira Rose on my Diaversary. Video to follow.

 It’s been quite a while since I’ve written on my blog - between COVID; lockdown, work, delaying my big COVID meltdown until end of June/beginning of July and followed two weeks late by a Lis Franc sprain at the end of July, working, and hustling for work, pen to paper and writing about myself for my own blog was damn impossible. 

 I kept promising myself I was going to write a blog post tomorrow - but then when tomorrow arrived I’d push it off again. 

But I’m writing one today!

43 years ago today I was diagnosed with diabetes and spent my Halloween in the hospital instead of trick or treating and have spent the past 43 years living and sharing good, the bad, and the diabetesalicious of it all. 

Every year I write a Diaversersary post listing things I love/ I’m thankful for and in no particular order. - with the total corresponding to the number of years I've had diabetes. 

2020, I won’t let you take that away. 

So here’s my 2020 list of 43 things that I'm grateful for and hope you can relate!

1. My people. My friends, family,including YOU. You all make my world a better place!
2. Speaking of friends - Lucy the Elephant.
3. Smart Insulin - you’ve made my life easier and my body healthier. With that being said, let's get your prices lower - people are dying because they can't afford it!
4. My garden. It made my summer, which was spent social distancing and nursing a bum ankle much easier to bear. It also made my salads much tastier. 
5. Dove Ice Cream Mini Bars, variety pack. Seriously life-changing.
6. Sex
7. Speaking of life-changing, I’m thankful for Time in Range - it’s a diabetes game changer!
8. My honest and caring mechanic  - Thanks for being honest and giving me a great price when my car was having issues  - Very much appreciated!
9. The beach. Even though I didn’t spend a lot of time on this year (because people were being idiots re: social distancing,) I’m so grateful to have grown up at the beach and to have access to it as an adult.
10. The Ocean. See number 8.
11. Being able to attend MOMA’s Dorothea Lange' Words & Pictures Exhibit this past September.
12. Dorothea Lange’s photography
13. Being an Aunt because it's a fucking gift from the heavens. I love my nieces and nephew so much! 12 unique and individual works of art.
14. Democracy. 
15. Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg - May her memory be a revolution.
16. Music. Silly to say, but music makes my heart sing.
17. Waking up and realizing that I have an hour before my alarm goes off.
18. Becoming a better baker. Thanks to my friend Pam (who bought me a beautiful and solid bundt pan last Christmas because she thought it would help me chill I made my first bundt cake from scratch a few months later. During lockdown I perfect banana and banana blueberry muffins, this week I’m attempting pumpkin :) 
19. NetFlix  - you know why.
20. Hoka ONES. Seriously comfy sneakers.
21. Schitt’s Creek: Best. Show. Ever. 
22. Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life From Dear Sugar - book by Cheryl Strayed . READ IT.
23. My camera. I bought a Canon 35 mm camera a few years ago with 300 and 80 degree lenses. LOVE IT.
24. Insulin pumps - making my life easier since 2002.
25. Dark chocolate caramels with sea salt. AMAZING.
26. My Mac laptop I bought 16 months ago.
27. CGM. It makes life easier - except when it doesn’t. 
28. Dogs. DOGS RULE
29. Homemade Soup. I have mad soup skillz.
30. The color green. It makes me feel healthy, beautiful, balanced  - and it makes my eyes pop!
31. Paper plates - Lockdown means dishes are never done. Paper plates make my life easier. The environmentalist in me struggles with this, the chief dishwasher (ME,) is thankful and works especially hard to be environmentally conscious in other areas of my life.
32. Both Sweetzels and Ivins Spiced Wafers
33. Cheese. I’m a cheese lover and self-proclaimed cheese slut. 
34. PBS 
35. Lipstick. I wear it every day and under my mask!
36. Ray Collins Photography 
37. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
38. Goldenberg Peanut Chews - Original Dark Chocolate
39. Prosecco 
40. Nature
41. Jewel color tones. I’m just not into tan -with that being said, I appreciate a warm and smartly tailored camel hair coat.
42. Jewelry. I love jewelry - whether it’s a macaroni necklace a little made me, costume, or the “real stuff - I LOVE SPARKLE.
43. The Diabetes Online Community. You’ve changed my life and life with diabetes for the better and I love you all so much!

42

ME
Photo Cred: @sweetercherise

42 years ago today and bright and early in the morning, my parents drove me to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia - after what seemed like hours, I was diagnosed with T1 Diabetes. 

Some things I remember vividly, many things I don’t remember at all. 

Life changed that day and I can’t go back, nor can I spend much time wondering about the what-ifs. 

I embrace being the girl who lived and I’m working hard on becoming the woman I want to be. 

Every year since Diabetesaliciousness began, I’ve written a list of things that I love and am grateful for on my Diaversary. 

WHY? It's a good reminder that I’m still here, still alive, and there’s so much in life to love and be thankful for.

42

1. I look fabulous in both black and jewel tones
2. My family and friends who are family 
3. Little kids laughing 
4. Rereading my favorite books for inspiration or just because 
5. Finding a new book that hits me right in the feels
6. I can still do cartwheel on the lawn and still rock a handstand underwater
7. Making homemade soup. Some people are bakers,  I’m a “soupier.” I love making soup form scratch - its my Zen time, allows me to be creative, AND I’M REALLY GOOD AT IT
8. Making soup for friends and family
9. Good Karma Hospital on Amazon Prime - I'm hooked!
10. The ocean. It makes me feel whole and I get really antsy when I’m landlocked for too long
11. October and November Skies at Sunset 
12. Traveling. I LOVE IT
13. The Diabetes Online Community - I’d be lost with you. You teach me always and bring me up when I’m feeling down. I will always fight for you and with you!
14. Diabetes Meet-ups
15. Manatees - my favorite sea mammals and I love them 
16. Atlantic City Italian Sub rolls with good butter or EVOO 
17. The Beach. See number 9 
18. Black leather boots 
19. Prosecco 
20. A nice glass of Red
21. The occasional martini
22. Daffodils
23. All spring and summer flowers 
24. My veggie garden 
25. Going to the movies 
26. Laughing from my belly
27. Nailing the cupcake carb count from a really top-notch bakery
28. My mom’s engagement ring and wedding band. Every time I wear them on my right hand I think of my parents. I love them and I miss them
29. My nieces and nephews. They own my heart 
30. Vanilla anything
31. Dark chocolate and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
32. KerryGold Butter 
33. Jewelry. Antique, family heirlooms, costume, handmade, Native American, the macaroni bracelet one of my students made me a few years ago. I LOVE JEWELRY
34. Photography. I love taking pictures - especially nature photography and candids. I'm working on my photography skills - more on that in another post
35. Photography As Art. It absolutely is and I love photographs taken by artists behind the lens
36. Music. ALL KINDS
37. Singing. I love to sing and at one time I was pretty good. I need to sing more
38. Writing
39. The sound of rain and being outside right after a storm
40. Exploring. I love to explore. Sometimes I go out on a drive, pick an unknown road/town and explore
41. Sea glassing
42. Finding treasure everyday. OK, sounds corny, but it’s been my mantra as of late.

Every day as of late I tell myself to “go out and find the treasure.” 
I’m not talking about a treasure chest filled with jewels and gold (but I’m down with that,) it’s about finding and experiencing all the good in the day and in life…. Including life with diabetes. 

Some days the treasure is right in front of me, other days it shows up in small ways and victories. And on the days when the treasure seems impossible to locate, I remind myself that there’s much joy to be found in the search. 

41

41 years ago today I was diagnosed with t1 diabetes. I remember certain things about my diagnoses and my admission memories - like social workers questioning me about a scar on my butt, a nurse dressed as a clown telling me I did indeed have diabetes, and being sad about missing Halloween. 

I’ve written about what I remember about my DX , my very first friend I met at the hospital with diabetes named Joe, my life pre and post DX. 

Every year since Diabetesaliciousness began, I’ve written a list of things that I love and am grateful for on my Diaversary - because it's a good reminder for me that I’m still here, I’m still alive, and there’s so much in life to love and be thankful for. 

Here's my list for 2018.

#########

1. I still love Halloween and I still love to dress up - It’s MAGIC

2. Little kids. Little make me smile and the majority of today’s teenagers give me hope for the future.

3. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups - I love them - I always will.

4. Dancing  - I love to dance. I haven't danced as much as of late - I need to rectify that, ASAP.

5. Really good sex.

6. The beach in the winter when all the crowds are gone.

7. Swimming in the ocean - I feel free and at home and I love it.

8. The color yellow - it makes me feel all bright and shiny.

9. Cupcakes - they  are the perfect size treats and depending on the circumference and icing thickness - I can usually guess the carb count no problem! IT’S A GIFT.

10. Traveling - I love traveling - it exposes me to different places and people and it shows me just how similar people are while appreciating the different cultures.  Diabetes hasn’t diminished my love or my ability to travel. 

11. D Meet-ups. If I didn’t have diabetes I would have a lot less friends - and meeting up with diabetes peeps in real life is pretty damn special! 

12. Old movies. I'll focus on one, this time around. The Ghost And Mrs. Muir - I love this movie - it makes me cry every time I watch it. 

13. Making soup. OK, I make like at least 18 different types of soups from scratch - It's kinda my thing - and I try to add a new soup every year.  Some people are bakers. I am a "souper." 

14. Making soup for friends - it makes me feel like I’m helping and taking care of the people I love. 

15. Dogs. I love dogs. I don’t get people who don’t like dogs. I was bit by 2 different dogs growing up and I still love dogs. 

16. Twinkle lights.

17. Purple. Who doesn’t love purple? Purple is magnificent. Also: I look magnificent in purple! 

18. Prosecco - GOD I LOVE Presecco!

19. Wild ass guessing on a bolus for a food I have no idea the carb count on and having a BINGO bg a few hours later. 

20. Movie previews. I love them - have to be there for them - so don’t make me late!

21. Movies. I love going to the movies - but I have a really tough time watching a scary, gory movie. I love comedies, love stories, thrillers, "children's movies and historical dramas. 

But I can’t deal with gore. 

22. Oatmeal cookies. They are the most under appreciated cookies on the planet. Go eat one now and you'll see I'm right!

23. Cookies in general - except I’m not a huge fan of the ones with really sticky jelly in them. 

24. A really good cheeseburger - with cheddar, jalapenos, and raw onions.

25. Speaking of jalapenos  - I LOVE SPICY FOOD.

26. Live theater - it’s pretty damn special - we need to support theater, local, regional and broadway! 

27. Outdoor showers. It’s a beach thing. It’s amazing to take a warm shower outside and under the stars - I highly suggest it.

28. The perfect shade of lipstick. Lipstick makes me happy. You will rarely see me without it’s my talisman. 

29. Meeting new friends. I love making new friends. As we get older - our friendship circle becomes smaller - I’m doing my best to buck that trend because it’s stupid.

30. The colors green and blue. I love green. It make me feel healthy and my eyes POP when I wear green. Blue reminds me of people with diabetes, the ocean, and cornflowers. Blue makes me heart happy.

31. Gifts from the sea. As in shells, sea glass and rocks smoothed over by the sand - That Poseidon knows what he’s doing! 

32. The Ocean. I am drawn to it and I am part of it. The ocean calms me and sometimes it frightens me. 

33. Photography. I love to take pictures - it allows me to see things form different angles and POV. It’s one of the ways I try and express myself artistically. 

34. Naps. Naps are awesome. 

35. Cheese. I am a cheese slut. 

36. Writing in Sketch books. I take a lot of notes - writing in sketchbooks allows me to express my thoughts outside of the lines.

37. Libraries. A building filled with books; periodicals, art, computers and neighbors - a fellowship of bibliophiles that brings communities together.

38. Music. Music is part of my heart. There’s not a genre I don’t like when it comes to music. 

39. Daffodils. Daffodils are resilient, they give me hope and they remind me of my mom. 

40. Children with Diabetes FFL Conference(s). Green and Orange bracelet magic. 

41. My nieces and nephews - Individual pieces of art that have made my life better since I first became an Auntie - at the age of almost 6.

Diaversary: It Was 40 Years Ago Today

40 years with diabetes has gone by like "THAT!" 

I plan to hang with friends tonight and tomorrow night. Initially I wanted to throw a big 40th Diaversary party - but it's been a crazy quarter. So I've decided to celebrate throughout the year!

######

14,600 days ago, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. 

It was 40 years ago, today - THAT'S CRAZY. 

Also: 40 years - W.T.F. How the heck can my diabetes be older than me?! 

So what have I learned since I was dx’d way back in 77? 

A hell of a lot and quite frankly, too much for one post. 

Diabetes has taught me to appreciate and celebrate the good days - and to acknowledge the not so great ones. 

That it’s OK to laugh at diabetes and I strongly suggest that you do - and as often as possible. 

On the flip- side, It is also absolutely OK to cry because of diabetes and I encourage it.

Keeping “it” all inside is overrated and detrimental to our mental and physical health. 

It took me almost 40 years to realize that my parents weren't mad at me - they were upset at the number on the meter. Parents, keep your game face on - kids can't differentiate.  

I discovered that diabetes guilt can be an anchor around your neck that you didn’t even know you were wearing. Get rid of that accessory, ASAP - it holds you back and keeps you down. 

Diabetes is still teaching me to choose my battles and focus my energies on things that are important.

Diabetes proved to me that I was actually good at math. 

Four decades with a busted pancreas has taught me that there are moments when you feel alone with and because of your diabetes - but that if you have a d tribe - you are never alone. 

Find your tribe and never let them go. 

Finding the Diabetes Online Community has taught and continues to teach me that my diabetes isn’t better than yours - it’s just different... and in some ways, very much the same. 

So no matter what type of diabetes you have - I got your back. 

I will stand beside you and fight for you. 

I will listen and I will defend and I will not blame. 

Life and life with diabetes has showed me that you can do everything right, and still not get the results you want - but you have to keep trying. 

Life has reinforced the fact that there are worse things than diabetes.

Things like losing your parents and the people you love.

Diabetes has shown me that words matter - and that what you say and how you say it, does indeed matter. Choose your words wisely, check your tone often.

Diabetes was the catalyst for training and developing my voice, because diabetes forced me to speak up and speak out from a young age - even when it was the last thing I felt like doing.

Diabetes made me that realize that saying “I’M HIGH,” after checking my blood sugar, can result in shocked looks from strangers. 

Also: Obviously diabetes has been a huge influence on my twisted sense of humor. 

After 40 years of life with D, my empathy skills are dialed up to 11 - and that is the gift that keeps on giving. 

And during these last 40 years, I have learned that's OK to fall down - as long as you get back up. and that ssometimes getting back requires multiple attempts. 

Finally, 40 years of living with diabetes, but mostly because I am my mother’s daughter, 
I have learned that seeing the positives in life helps you get through life..  

And every year on my diaverary, I make a list of positives and based on the Diaversary number I’m celebrating. 

here's what I came up with this year.

40 Positives

1. The color of the sky 10 minutes before the sun goes down - it’s never the same canvas and it ALWAYS takes my breath away

2. Making homemade soup - it relaxes me and clears my head 

3. Eating homemade soup

4. Clean, crispy sheets

5. Swimming in the ocean

6. Salt water  - swimming in, floating on

7. Dogs - I love dogs and dogs love me

8  Photography. I love taking pictures. Photography makes me appreciate colors and expressions, and allows me to see the little things that I might never have noticed.

9. Super sweet strawberries

10. Halloween and dressing up in costume

11. Music 

12. Not many in the DOC know this, but I love to sing. I took voice lessons for years, and in college I used to rock out on the mike. 

13. Speaking of singing, SHOW TUNES are my jam

14  Hearing/seeing my nieces and nephews sing. I love watching them perform. 

It’s in the genes and it makes me happy 

15. Nailing carb count when it comes to a crazy difficult carb meal 

16. Christmas lights

17 Clouds. CLOUDS ARE MAGIC 

18. Diabetes meet-ups - also MAGICAL 

19. The DOC. I’m damn grateful that I found the DOC in 2007 - you guys have changed my life and rocked my world

20. Diabetes technology - you’ve come a long way baby! 

Now, if we could just get the prices down!

21. My DOC and non DOC children. I don’t have bio children and that door is probably closing for good sooner rather than later- but I have amazing DOC and non DOC kids who enrich my life and make my heart happy. 
Littles, Middles, Teens, and College age. I love them, I learn from them, and I am so proud of them!

22. Children With Diabetes

23. D moms and dads who have become my friends, substitute parents, and friends for life. 

SO THANKFUL

24. The way certain shades of green make my eyes pop - Same goes for purple, turquoise, and yellow. 

25. Riding my bike on perfect day

26. Traveling - I love to travel - I need to do more of it

27. Jeans that make my ass look fantastic

28. My friends (diabetes and not,) who are family - I would be lost without them

29. Cupcakes make me happy, and for the most part - I can nail the carb count by eyeballing the circumference and thickness of the icing on the cupcake - It’s a gift, and a tasty one at that!

30. My family

31. When kismet happens

32. My parents. They are gone, I miss them terribly. 

I hate that they no longer walk this earth and the very thought of them brings me to tears. 

But I had them, they loved me, I loved them

33. Being an Aunt. No words except I love them all more than I love myself

34. Red wine, presecco, and Tito’s vodka - but not all in the same glass

35. Books. Books have been my friends since forever

36. City lights

37. Great sex and lots of it

38. The word MAGNIFICENT. It’s well… MAGNIFICENT. People don’t use the word “magnificent” nearly enough  - but I do. Learn from me. Embrace magnificent, say the word and use it often - And always let the world see how truly magnificent you are!

39. Indian Summer. Perfect weather, amazing colors and light - TRULY MAGNIFICENT, INDEED

40. Hope floats, even in the roughest of waters ~