Life With Type 2 Diabetes
Jul
07
By: Shirley | Discussion (1)

I am trying to cook different meals each day that everyone in the house will eat. It is getting more and more difficult. One doesn’t like salad, most vegetables or fruits. The other doesn’t like onions, sausage and some vegetables etc. I am trying to be accommodating but it is making me more frustrated. We have plenty of food in the house, each person could fix what they want to eat. The down side to that is the extra amount of dishes, pots and pans to wash all day long. I do not want to spend all my day in the kitchen cooking and washing dishes.

I have suggested a menu planning to the family, but so far that idea went over like a lead balloon. It is hard to plan with each person having different work schedules each week. Just wish each person wasn’t such picky eaters. My problem is I will eat about anything except livers, beef or chicken. YUCK! This can create other problems with myself and my diabetes, eating too much of the wrong foods.



Jul
06
By: Shirley | Discussion (0)

While driving to go pay some bills yesterday morning, I almost got hit more than once by people talking on their cell phones and not paying attention as to where they were going. Both of my daughters have cell phones with a Bluetooth headset. They both know how I feel about people driving and talking on cell phones. People have a tendency to not be able to respond quickly when one of their hands is holding a cell phone. With the Bluetooth headset headset, they can keep both hands on the steering wheel. As a parent I feel much better knowing they are being more conscious of their driving and other drivers around them. I just wish more people would be more conscious and use a Bluetooth or an ear piece so they too can keep their hands on the wheel.



Jul
03
By: Shirley | Discussion (2)

Independence Day honors the 232rd birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. It’s a day of picnics, backyard BBQs and patriotic parades and marching bands, a night of concerts and fireworks of “bombs bursting in air”, and a reason to fly the American flag. To show respect for our American flag, we need to use proper US Flag Etiquette.

I look forward to spending time with all of my family in this area tomorrow at a BBQ in the afternoon. We plan on barbequing steak, chicken, hot dogs, sausages and smoked links. Also part of the meal will be potato salad, macaroni salad, corn on the cob, baked potatoes and a birthday cake because we have two family members celebrating their birthdays. I know this type of meal is full of carbohydrates and calories, which is a big obstacle for a diabetic like me. I know my body will pay the price for eating a lot of these foods. I will have to watch my portion sizes to help with this situation.

We are not sure if the local fireworks will be set off because it is suppose to rain. We are fortunate to be able to have local fireworks, when so many areas of our country are under water or having bad wildfires or severe drought and are ordered to have no fireworks display. It is truly sad that other citizens in these areas are not able to enjoy fireworks this year. It makes me more thankful that I can celebrate Independence Day even more with the freedom to celebrate. May we all be more thankful for our freedom that our men and women in service are fighting over seas for us to remain independent.

Happy 4th of July!



Jul
02
By: Shirley | Discussion (0)

Today, was the OWLS luncheon and meeting plus the last Bible Study class with the Stonecroft Ministries women. Betty and I enjoyed the great luncheon prepared for the OWLS. We were only able to stay long enough to listen to the guest speaker that we both knew and love, Carmen. Carmen has a way of telling historical stories. She is a true story teller. Being a retired school teacher from Indiana, she has an amazing way of spellbinding you as she speaks. She is a true blessing to know.

As we rushed to our Bible Study class, Betty and I talked about Carmen and how she is a blessing to us both. We did arrive a few minutes late to the Bible Study. This was our final bible study meeting on Learning How To Pray. I have enjoyed the fellowship with other Christian women and hearing others opinions about what we were studying. I will sign up for Stonecroft Ministries bible study series that they will do in the future.

When I got home, I found out that my church bible study had been canceled for tonight. His daughter said her dad was not feeling well today. I am concerned again about my Pastor’s health, even though he did get to go to Canada to go fishing in the backwoods. He was exhausted on Sunday morning and we had a substitute pastor do the sermon.

Had a problem with my blood sugar late this afternoon. I took my blood sugar reading and it was 326. I took 8 units of Novolog. Well, I nose dived my blood sugar too fast with that many units. I started shaking and was woozy. I had to get some juice quick with the assistance of my daughter. She made me sit down in my kitchen. She was afraid of me falling. After I felt the shaking starting to stop, I asked for my glucometer to take my blood sugar level again. The new reading was 106. I know my level was much lower before drinking the juice. Thank God my daughter understood what was going on and how to help me.

Had a very nice dinner with my daughter, her boyfriend and a friend a little later. I feel so much better now.



Jul
01
By: Shirley | Discussion (0)

On top of the Social Security problems, our President signed a bill that passed through Congress with both Republicans and Democrats agreeing according President Bush’s statement on TV for another $162 Billion to fight the Iraq and Afghan wars and with no time constraint to withdraw from Iraq War. Another unbelievable act on behalf of President Bush before leaving office.

I think back to when he first went into office. I had high hopes of his presidency instead it has been a huge disappointment for me overall. The only thing that has helped me was the passing of the Medicare Part “D” cost of my over $1,100 a month prescription cost. My prescription cost was more than my monthly check that I received and had to use my precious savings of $500 to help a little bit till it was all gone.

So now, we are going to be:
1) without help on Medicare Premiums
2) living with outrageous gasoline prices
3) living with higher fuel oil prices this coming winter
4) higher grocery prices
5) living in a recession or worse a depression soon
6) sticking our grandchildren and great grandchildren with the National debt that President Bush has created due to these wars.

Shame on you President Bush! Even World War II didn’t take a financial toll on our country like this Iraq war has. By the way, have you caught Osama Bin Ladin yet that started this war on us? NOT!!



Jul
01
By: Shirley | Discussion (0)

After talking with a friend of mine this morning, I learned about the aid program for Medicare Part “B” that helps disabled and low income senior citizens pay their premiums of $96.40 a month. H.R. 6331: Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 has been rejected under the cloture motion to proceed on June 26, 2008 by . I have been fortunate that I have received some of that aid money for my premiums. I am upset that I have NOT received any notification from Social Security telling me that I will be affected by the fact our government has let the necessary funds run out to help people like me that are disabled and our precious senior citizens. This is outrageous, however they still keep funding a never ending war in Iraq. Our government is still paying for redevelopment. When is it time for US Americans to say, enough is enough? When are we going to wake up and tell our President that we can’t afford more problems that are already adding to the family financial strain. As I see around my town more and more homes being taken back by the foreclosure and the lawn are over 3 feet high and our local code enforcement unable to do anything, it makes me sick. When I drive by a bank parking lot and over half have vehicles that have been reposed sitting there on it, it makes me sick to think of all the peole who have lost their homes and vehicles. With increasing gasoline, home heating fuel oil, and grocery prices, we all can not afford anymore increases unless you are a millionaire or billionaire like some of our government officials that have made a fat profits off of us Americans. I am concerned now how I am to make my budget every month once I have to pay out the additional $94.50 out of my check each month. I don’t need this additional stress and worry, which does not help with my diabetes.

If you want to see how your senator voted on this very important matter, click on this link.



Jun
30
By: Shirley | Discussion (2)

Seems God is placing me in certain situations to help people. Aunt Cindy needs rides to go pay her bills or go to the doctor’s appointment. She has never driven and doesn’t understand about the cost of gasoline or wear and tear on a vehicle or about paying for insurance. I thought about all the money she has “saved” not having to pay these expenses over her life time. Her next door neighbor has been helping her out by paying most of her bills online to save on gasoline expense of her car. This month she told Aunt Cindy she can not take her to pay the rest of her bills in town. So Aunt Cindy asked me. I had not planned on going anywhere tomorrow as I have to drive on Wednesday for Betty’s errands and Bible Study. Being disabled and on Social Security, my money does not stretch very far. I have to be careful on excessive gasoline consumption and more wear and tear on my 19 year old van.

My youngest daughter and her boyfriend, Cody, have been asked to move from where they have been living in his mom’s house basement by his future step-father. I first hand experienced the situation of how bad a mean alcoholic man whom is to be Cody’s 3rd step-dad acted and spoke. There is NO excuse for his 51 year old behavior. He acted like a 2 year old out in the front yard in front of their neighborhood yelling and screaming at Cody’s mom. I am concerned for my daughter and Cody’s safety. After growing up in an alcoholic family lifestyle, I know all to well how quickly an alcoholic who is mean can turn violent in a heartbeat. That was the situation awaiting to happen last night. I told my daughter and Cody to come and stay at my house. I do not mind helping my daughter or anyone get away who is in a bad situation with an alcoholic in a house. I pray Cody’s mom sees the light before her wedding day in July to this man is not good for her.



Jun
29
By: Shirley | Discussion (1)

There are times in our lives that a friend is in need of our help. It felt good to learn something new while helping my friend, Connie. She taught me about using php files. I already knew how to work with HTMLs. This is an asset for working with php files. We spent valuable time teaching me about php and completing certain task she needed done. We did run into a small problem with a javascript, but we will figure out how to get it inserted tomorrow.

We both are tired and yet I feel satisfied over all. Thanks for letting me help you today Connie and dusting off the rust in my brain..lol.

I checked my blood sugar several times during the day. I was very pleased a few hours after lunch that my blood sugar reading was 98. After dinner of spaghetti and garlic bread, my blood sugar rose quickly. I am trying to get all white spaghetti noodles out of my house. I will be replacing in the future with whole wheat spaghetti noodles. More grocery stores are carrying whole wheat products like the spaghetti noodles. My grocery store carries Barilla brand whole wheat spaghetti.



Jun
28
By: Shirley | Discussion (0)

2008 has been an incredible year of bad weather. The continuous flooding of the Mississippi River and the wildfires in California are affecting many people, animals and their homes. A friend of mine went with the Red Cross crew to Iowa last week. I am still awaiting to hear from her and her experience with the people left homeless in Iowa.

We had a very severe storm come out of nowhere last Wednesday, June 25. The wind gusted at over 60+ MPH for over 10 minutes. We were watching the local news and no warning or watches were being mentioned to take cover. I was not happy with our local TV channel after I saw the devastation that took place in my neighborhood.

Our gas grill had been flipped around in the yard like a tinker toy. Our heavy rolling trash can with lid that had been up against the back of my home was found almost two streets away floating in the high water. Two sections of our fence came down. Other damage was a huge maple tree fell across a boulevard. A large family size trampoline that had been in the backyard of a house 2 streets to the north of our street ended up in my neighbor’s yard tangled in a street sign that had been ripped out of the ground. All the neighbors that came out after the storm to access the damages agreed it looked like a tornado came through our area. It looked like a bomb had been dropped they said. I told them of small potted plants I had on the back patio next to the grill was NOT even touched, but the grill was lifted and tossed around. We are lucky that we only sustained minor damage. My neighbor to the left of me had more damage. Part of her new siding came off her new porch. The passenger side mirror of their car was taken off by the flying trampoline. One of her trees split in half.

I strongly feel that God’s wrath is being shown on our earth. We all need to be prepared for His coming.



Jun
28
By: Shirley | Discussion (0)

Our Uncle Chuck died this past Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 5 AM of a heart attack. He did die peacefully in his sleep. It saddened me that he was only 64 years old. His father died when he was 64 years old too. A few years ago, I suggested that he get a complete physical because I noticed that his face was ash white in color after a big moving day for him and our aunt. He always was stubborn about going to the doctor.

May you rest in peace Uncle Chuck.