I Wish ...

Most of you probably know that my baby girl (who isn't such a little girl anymore, even though I keep telling her to stop growing up. Kids never listen!) has Type 1 Diabetes. Since November is Diabetes Awareness Month, I thought I'd take a moment to tell you what I wish everyone, including many medical professionals, knew about diabetes. Since I'm not comfortable with putting my children's full names on the internet, we shall refer to my daughter as Bean, even though she hates that nickname. :)

I wish everyone knew, and then remembered, the different types of diabetes.

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease. There is nothing that can be done to prevent Type 1, meaning that it WAS NOT caused by poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. In Type 1, the pancreas no longer produces insulin, therefore a diabetic must always inject insulin, even if they were on a low carb diet. Someone with Type 1 can eat everything that is a part of a normal healthy diet, including fruit and sweets. We don't restrict what Bean eats; we want her to feel like every other child out there. However, certain sugary things like soda pop and candy leave her system before the insulin does, which can lead to low blood sugars, so we do avoid those as much as possible, but so should everyone!

Bean WILL NOT grow out of Type 1. Until there is a cure, Type 1 is with you for LIFE. Type 1 can also develop in adulthood, as my sister-in-law found out this past year. This is called Adult Onsest (technically LADA) and the progression is slower than when Type 1 develops in children, which means patients will not need to inject as much insulin. Some people are calling LADA Type 1.5, and it is often misdiagnosed as Type 2. If the recently-diagnosed adult is within a healthy weight and lives a healthy lifestyle, it is most likely LADA.

While Bean wears an insulin pump so she doesn't have to do several injections per day, she does still have to poke her fingers to check her blood sugar about 8 times per day. The insulin pump has a small cannula that goes under her skin, but not into a vein, and this needs changed every 3 days, which means yet another poke. Poor Bean is a pincushion. (But don't feel sorry for her; she hates being fussed over!)

She wears her insulin pump in a SpiBelt, which works perfectly for us. She puts it around her waist and it stays hidden under her clothes. I'm working with her to feel more comfortable showing her pump, but she's not ready to be as bold as Miss Idaho, who started the social media campaign #showmeyourpump   

Sierra Sanderson bravely wore her pump attached to her bikini bottom during the Miss Idaho swimuit competition, stating that "We all have something that doesn't 'measure up' to the beauty standards set by the media--and that is okay! It does not make you any less beautiful."

Other lucky Type 1ers have Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGM), which gives you a constant reading of your blood sugar, giving you better control of your diabetes. It will warn you of low blood sugars, which can prevent you from passing out, but our insurance says that a CGM is not a medical necessity. Whatevs. The drawback is that it requires another weekly poke, as well as a transmitter that sticks to your skin. It's not a perfect solution, but it's something.

Nick Jonas showing his CGM. Just so you know that he's not posing like this to show off his 6 pack: CGMs and Insulin Pumps are most commonly inserted on the stomach or upper buttocks. Be grateful he put it on his stomach for this photoshoot. Ha.

Next up:

Type 2 is most the most common kind of diabetes, and it is mostly found in adults. Their bodies still produce insulin, but the insulin is no longer effect due to years of overuse (making your body produce ample amounts of insulin to cover the carbs your body is eating, and then not burning off through exercise.) Type 2 CAN be managed through diet and exercise, but if oral medications and a lifestyle change don't work, insulin injections will be needed. Someone with Type 2 will not eat high carb foods, including many fruits. It is because of Type 2 that we have "jokes" like "I just opened a can of diabetes."

People with Type 2 do not need your judgement. They do not need your criticism. They do not need "I told you so." They need compassion. They need understanding.

Don't we all do things that we know aren't good for us? 

You don't know what physical limitations, injuries, mental illness, or other challenges they may have. 

What they need is your support and friendship. Instead of saying, "Oh yeah, you can't eat this" and then eating cheesecake in front of them, you should follow their lead and restrict some of your indulgences too. Start an exercise program with them and help them stick to it. Buy them a dog so they have to take the dog for daily walks. (Maybe ask for permission first.)

It is good to know that, with your help and their motivation, Type 2 doesn't have to mean poor quality of life and severe medical complications. It doesn't have to be an epidemic.

I'm not going to go into Gestational Diabetes since this post is already PLENTY long. But wait! I'm not done! There's more!

I wish you knew what the symptoms of diabetes are so that you can be an advocate for your loved ones when you feel that something isn't right. Medical professionals can miss the signs and not diagnosis it quick enough, as we saw in a tragic case out of Utah this past year. Our doctor, too, did not diagnosis it, and instead thought that Bean had something wrong with her kidneys. I knew he was wrong and went out and bought a meter and checked her blood sugar myself. It's so simple to check blood sugars; why isn't it done more frequently? You should check blood sugar if you/ your loved one has:

•  "Fruity" smelling breath

• Frequent urination

• Unquenchable thirst

• Rapid weight loss

• Fatigue

• Nausea

I personally think every family should have a meter to check blood sugars occasionally. They are cheap (test strips aren't cheap, however, but you don't need many) and it doesn't hurt to know your blood sugar range. (It doesn't hurt figuratively; literally, it does hurt, but just a little.) You should run somewhere between about 70-130, depending on how recently you have eaten.

I wish you knew that people with Type 1 can do anything, accomplish anything, and be anything. Movie stars, ballerinas, skiers, basketball players: you name it! Type 1 is not a death sentence: you can live a normal, long, healthy life!

I wish you knew how lucky we are to have found THE BEST medical support staff that can be found anywhere, even though we live in a small community. Finding medical professionals who specialize in diabetes, not just endocrinology, makes all the difference in the world.

I wish you knew how brave and tough Bean is. She never complains. She never lets it stop her. She never makes a fuss when she's weak and shaky from a low blood sugar. She just quietly eats her snack and then goes back to being an active, healthy kid. She doesn't let her diabetes define her.

I wish you knew what a difference it makes seeing other people courageously live with diabetes. When Bean was diagnosed (just before her 4th birthday), I was not scared and worried because I had seen my sister calmly, successfully, and diligently learn how to care for her son, who was diagnosed with diabetes when he was just 18 months old. A positive attitude makes a huge difference!

I wish you knew that even though I would never wish an illness on anyone, Bean's diabetes gives us time to connect, grow together, and learn compassion for others who struggle with challenges. You can find beauty in every trial if you only look.

I wish you knew that remarkable advances toward The Cure are made every year. We are excited about the future. You can help by donating to the JDRF. Click here to find out more. 

The Gift of Mediocrity

I had a different post halfway written, but this subject kept nagging me. I hesitate to write about it because I don't feel that I have yet overcome this particular obstacle in my life, but then I realized that maybe that's why I need to write about it--the best way to fully understand something is through explaining it to others.

So join me as I learn about ... MEDIOCRITY! 

I have ofttimes felt like I'm cursed to live a life of mediocrity. I have always had a desire to rise up and achieve greatness--in some form or another--but everything I do seems to just be so so.

So so book sales, so so hits on my blog, so so athletic abilities, so so conversation skills, so so grades in school, and so on and so on on the so so.

It also pains me to see my children suffer from so so ness. "Why doesn't the coach play me more?" "Why didn't I get a bigger role?" "Why didn't I get the best grade?"

Being mediocre is better than feeling like a failure (I've been there too. Ugh), but it's still not what we aspire to, right?

Since we aspire to do more--to BE more--it's understandable that not meeting your own expectations can bring on frustration.

What I'm about to say is going to be revolutionary ...

It's time to lower your expectations.

No one ever says that! In fact, you are told to always do your best. I agree, do YOUR best. But let go of the expectation to do someone else's best.

So what if you aren't the star player on the middle school basketball team? Did you try hard? Did you show up at every practice and give it your all? Did you contribute to your team in some way? That's all that really matters.

And doesn't the feeling of mediocrity come from COMPARISON?

One of my all time favorite quotes is this:

 

(You can copy and download for free, from me!)

I will do an entire post on comparison someday, but for now just remember one thing. Just

STOP IT

(The wise words of Dieter Uchtdorf.)

You can't be mediocre if you're only comparing your efforts to your own prior efforts.

Ask yourself if you are improving. Have you spent time and effort working on that particular skill? Did you give it your all? Then that is AWESOME, not mediocre.

This goes right along with what I have learned from Brene Brown (have you read her? She is life-changing. I'm forever in your debt, Ms. Robyn, for pointing me in her direction!) about perfectionism. As Brene says, be an aspiring good-enoughist. Focus on yourself and your desire to do your best. Know that EVERYONE struggles--we all feel inadequate from time to time. It is part of the shared human experience.

I realized recently that being mediocre can be a gift. On the kids' report cards, there is a section that is based on habits and traits where grades of E for Excellent and S for Satisfactory are given. For example, cooperation and courtesy are evaluated. The very first semester, we've noticed that the kids don't get all E's or S+'s; versus the end of the year, where the teachers seem to be more generous in giving out those high marks. Why is this? Because they want to give each kid (no matter how excellent they are) room to improve. They want them to strive--to really earn those marks. If the student feels like they are already awesome with their work habits, they might decide it's OK to let things slide every once in awhile. They won't have any goal worth achieving.

You always need a goal, and you always need to find ways to improve--but improve for your own satisfaction and not the adoration of others.

Also, think of those who have achieved great success very early in life or on their first try. What happens after the initial huge success is that nothing else they do can measure up. (At least in the eyes of the public.) Think of Stephanie Meyer and how nothing she writes can ever beat Twilight. That would make it impossible for her to ever even have the desire to write, knowing that she would be judged so harshly. Or think of Justin Beiber ... ... um never mind. But looking at success this way makes you appreciate having to work so hard and really struggle, doesn't it?

Give yourself permission to be mediocre. Put all your best effort into the things that really matter--family, faith and friends. Give others the permission to be mediocre, knowing that unrealistic expectations of them can lead to burnout and anxiety. Be more accepting of things AS THEY ARE, not as you want them to be. Most of all, remember that: 

Your personal success can only be measured with a yard stick; not a tape measure that stretches between yourself and others.

Do you have experiences with learning to be more accepting of yourself and your shortcomings? Do you have any thoughts about embracing mediocrity that you'd like to share?

Thank you for letting me talk my way through this topic: it has helped my change my perspective!

And, I've been dying to read a beautiful work of fiction. Something that is delicious and captivating and inspiring. Have you read anything good lately? Do share!

Hugs!

Back from the Dead

What's this? Is this a blog post? From yours truly? To what do you owe this punishment?

It's been a year since I last blogged. Have you been wondering what the heck happened?

So have I!

I never planned on quitting the blog; it just sort of happened. I felt like I was running out of things to say. And the things I did want to say were more of a serious nature, and I didn't quite know how to say them without sounding like a boring old lady.

I let one week lapse, then another; and before I knew it, months had gone by. Since blogging was no longer a priority, that designated writing time got gobbled up like Thanksgiving pie. Then guess what happened to my time for writing fiction? --It got Thanksgivinged too!

And when I am able to find time to sit and write a story, I sit and write nothing. I can't get the words to come.

I realized that the two are connected. Blogging helps me establish a writing routine. It helps me organize the thoughts that swirl constantly in my head. It helps me connect with others, which helps me feel happier and less isolated, which is inevitable when you spend lots of time with imaginary people who live in your head.

So I'm recommitting to blogging. I'll be here weekly. I'm thinking Wednesday or Thursday would be a good day to post, but I'm not ready to make that absolute commitment yet. (I can't get entirely rid of the flightiness that is a part of my nature, can I?)

WHAT WILL I BLOG ABOUT?

Who knows! Anything! Everything! I've decided not to stick to any one format or set niche. I'm just going to say whatever is in my head. And what has it been lately? Well, I've been doing lots of sole searching (I lost my shoes) (just kidding, I know it's SOUL searching), lots of learning, growing and developing. I've needed to find ways to be happy and feel successful, even though life is full of disappointments. I've needed to learn to be loving and accepting of myself, with all my flaws, shortcomings and failures. And that equates to being able to be more loving and accepting of others.

I hope to share some of what I have learned with you (and what I am still in the process of learning): meaning, this blog will be more heartfelt than ever before. And possibly less silly too, since it seems there's an overabundance of ways to waste time on the Internet. I hope to provide something more productive.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Absolutely nothing.

Unless I can say something inspiring/thought provoking every once in awhile. That would be nice.

I realize that the blogging movement has basically died; I personally haven't even checked up on any blogs for many months now. But I've decided that it doesn't matter if there isn't anyone left out in the blogisphere to talk to. I still want to talk. And that's all that matters. 

Oh no, wait. You matter too! Where are you? How are you? What have you been doing for an entire year? I hope you are happy and healthy! I have missed you, honestly, I have! Yes, you and you and you. And also you!

WILL YOU JOIN ME ON THIS NEW JOURNEY?

There's power in friendship, and together we can accomplish great things. I just know it. <3

Cookies and Milk Mustaches

We interrupt this hump day to give you something to be excited about ... something other than Halloween and endless candy and parties and slutty costumes and so on. (It's a good thing I'm here to give out a prize or you guys would be hopelessly bored!)

I found this funny Guess the Mustache type game that I thought would be perfect, because hipsters are known for their love of mustaches. Also because if you can easily recognize all the famous mustaches, you probably spend more time watching TV than you do talking to real people.

This is the game:

But giving you just a game would be lame, so:

I'm making BlogAway history and giving you a homebaked goodie. We LOVE pumpkin chocolate chip cookies here at my house, so I wanted to send some to our missionary son, and I thought (I know it's dangerous when I think) why not send some as a blog prize as well? I'm too lazy to take a picture, but they look just like all of these. They are delicious: I had one for breakfast so I can testify to the truthfulness of that statement. You will need milk to top them off, but I'm not going to send that via postal service: you'll have to get a gallon of milk all on your own. And then you can play Guess the Stache all over again by making famous milk mustaches. (Milk is good for your skin, so that's a win win kind of game.)

 This month's winner is comment #6: DEVREE!!!!

Get me your address ASAP so I can get those in the mail before I eat them all (the cookies, not the card game. I gave up my paper eating habit years ago.)

I probably won't post next week, but watch for a new topic sometime in November and we'll get to reconnect then. See you soon!

It's Hip to Not Care

Oh hello blog. I'm surprised you didn't vanish into the great abyss of the internet this past month while I have been MIA. ... Or did you?

I've been busy typing away on a new story. I sort of love it right now and I hope someday you will sort of really love it too! But in the meantime, I've been thinking about something:

Did you know I'm socially awkward? If you don't know this about me, it's only because you've never met me before. But since society has not only accepted nerds, but put them on a pedestal and labeled them HIP(sters), it seems to me that being socially awkward (or being a geek, as we called it back in the 80's) should be the new extrovert.

That's right: being an extrovert (aka popular and likeable) is no longer en vogue. (See how hip I am? I knew to type "en" instead of "in." Yay me!) If you are one of these friendly, gregarious types, you are going to need to switch to the now more-accepted and trendy introvert disposition. But don't worry: I'm here to help you every step of the way.

Here's my guide to being socially awkward:

1. If you see someone you know vaguely in the grocery store, by all means avoid them. Do not make eye contact! An extrovert would say "hi" and engage in friendly conversation, but remember you are no longer an extrovert. If necessary, hide your face in the deep freezer to avoid contact.

2. Although you don't want to be friendly enough to say hello, you should always, always wave back at people, even if you might not know the person initiating the wave. It's always best to return a wave when you are in a crowded location, especially when there are people standing near you who might actually be the intended recipient of said wave. And please make sure your wave isn't a simple palms up, like giving an air five. Make sure your hand looks like it is suffering from an unexpected spasm.

3. When it is necessary to speak with someone--especially someone you admire--make sure you mix up your words as often as possible. Instead of saying "Thank you," say "thankS you," or instead of saying "will do," say "will done." Don't politely shoot the breeze about the breeze (or lack thereof, or whatever the current weather condition); always discuss deeper topics, like, "Have you heard about Pluto? It's a planet again. What a comeback for the underdog, eh?" (It's also socially awkward [and therefore cool] to speak like a Canadian even if you aren't from Canada.)

4. Whenever possible, allow for long, awkward pauses in any (and all) conversations. It is also acceptable not to reply if someone is talking directly to you. Just say, "Oh sorry, I wasn't paying attention to you."

5. Reference bacon frequently.

6. Never compliment. Instead of telling someone they look nice, say, "You look tired. Didn't you get any sleep last night?" or "You're really packing it on. How much weight have you gained this week?" Also acceptable: "You would look nice wrapped in bacon."

7. Good manners are no longer necessary in order to be a part of the socially awkward revolution. You may shovel your food into your mouth with both hands. You may chew with your mouth open. You may also blow your nose loudly when in public. There's no need to stress out over perfectly normal bodily functions which were once deemed impolite or even gross. Just let your body do what it wants to do! Picking your nose, however, is only acceptable when you are in your car.

8. Every once in a while, wear an item of clothing backwards or inside out. Underclothing does not count, as it cannot be seen.

9. If you want to have clout in your community, spread word you are developing a bacon-themed video game.

10. Talk to Siri more than you talk to "real" people.

*I have tried many of these steps myself, but not all. I cannot claim to be perfectly socially awkward, but give me another ten years living like a hermit in the woods and I might achieve the pinnacle of social imperfection.

What tips do you have to help others become more socially awkward? If you are currently an extrovert, perhaps it would help you to think of someone you may know who has exhibited exemplary awkwardness, or perhaps you could mention the opposite of what your past amicable self would do. Share your inner (or outer) nerd with us!

This IS a winning week (or month or whatevs) so make sure you comment by next Tues. the 28th and I will announce a winner on Weds. the 29th. What will you win? Nobody knows! Not even me! We will all be pleasantly surprised, won't we? 

And BTW: I've missed each and every one of you (Yes, even the spambots! And the autobots! But not the decepticons.) and I hope all is well with all of y'all this fall! <3

Be Still ...

Let's be honest. Life is hard.

Busy, noisy, competitive, conflicting, emotional, exhausting.

But.

It doesn't have to be overwhelming. We can find peace. In fact, we NEED to find peace.

Within each of us is an innate desire to BE STILL.

Love this picture. I found it here, photo by blogger Cheryl.

Life, more than ever, is full of noise and distraction. It is all too easy to find entertainment in front of a screen, and it seems harder and harder to find the time to get out and enjoy life rather than just watching it. I fall for this frequently, as I want to spend as much time writing as possible, but every time I unplug and go outside, I feel as if I can breathe better, think clearer and smile more readily. I feel refreshed.

We didn't get to spend as much time hiking in the mountains and visiting different lakes this summer as we would have liked, but the time we did get to spend out exploring was heavenly. I think when we find ourselves in areas that are largely untouched by man, we find God. It is then, in the quiet, when our hearts are connected with Deity, that we find ourselves.

The trail less traveled. Mt Aeneas, overlooking my house. 
(You see those two closest lakes? I live right between them. Yup. Lucky girl)

Our lives can gain greater focus, greater purpose, greater direction, the more we are able to find time to BE STILL.

Where do you go when you want to be still? How do you make time to unplug? Where is the one place on earth that you think looks the most like heaven? Do you find a secluded place in a park to sit and ponder? Or do you clear your head while jogging through quiet streets? How do you find peace?

Montana Sky (Not the internet company. The REAL Montana Sky.)

Before you go and leave me a heartwarming and inspirational comment, I have to interrupt your thought process for a second. Do you remember how I said I want to spend as much time writing as possible? Well, I have decided that in order for that to happen, I need to spend less time on social media (which explains why I just joined Instagram. ???) and more time talking to myself. (Sounds like a great recipe for mental health, doesn't it?) I'm going to cut back on blogging, but I don't know how much. I've decided to make my blog schedule totally random. Some months I'll post several times and other months I might only post once. I will still post on Tuesdays, so if you don't follow BlogAway on a blog reader like Feedly, you can just check back weekly and see if there is a new post. I will also post links on Facebook, so you can find new posts that way. I'll let you know if that week is a prize week, but those will just be random as well, so you'll have to be on your toes pretty much all the time. (Snoozing = Losing) Alright?

AND, did you download Episode 2 of The Hitch? Did you read it? Did you have an opinion about what you read? THEN LEAVE A REVIEW ON AMAZON. (I wasn't yelling at you. I was just being enthusiastic. !!!) Now's your chance: make me see stars!

Go and be at peace my young padawan. (BTW, the movie theater I saw Star Wars in as a kid was just demolished. I feel so old. And like my childhood is being brushed under the rug! It's disheartening.) Anyway ... peace. Be still. Tell us how. Go!

The Hunt Is Over

Here. It. Is.

(Why aren't there any exclamation marks in the preceding sentences? Let's try again.)

Here! It! Is!

Episode 2 of The Hitch is now available! Download a copy of Treasure Hunt FREE Sunday through Thursday. And since I'm so generous to let you read for free: will you be so generous as to leave an Amazon review? Muchas Thankas!