School

I have struggled a lot lately with what to do about school. I have lost the momentum and excitement. I asked for prayer at church today for God to show me what to do. Jeannie and Coach prayed with me and had some good words of wisdom (sort of a kick in the behind too!). It helped a lot and I came home encouraged. I mapped out what I need to do to have school done by Spring of 2010 so I can graduate that Fall. Your prayers would be appreciated. I will have to really keep my nose in the books to get it all done, but I know I really need to. If I finish all the course work by Spring 2010 I will have finished in my alotted time and won't owe any additional tuition. That would be a good thing too.

African Breakfast

Our church (which we be came a part of recently) has had an outreach to African kids in the area for several years. Now some of us who are new to the church are getting involved. I have agreed to provide transportation some of the time and to provide breakfast some of the time. Today Cezanne and I did breakfast. We were told they were picky eaters, but they like fruit and rice. Cezanne checked to see if Rice Krispies would work and Kathy (wife of one of the pastors) said it would.


Well it felt like chaos when they arrived, about 12 to 15 kids ages 8 - 15, all together. But we managed. They weren't impressed with Rice Krispies at all since it has no sugar on it and they really didn't want to add sugar though they finally did. I had brought several kinds of fruit. They devoured the mangos and bananas and weren't at all interested in oranges, apples or kiwi. They ate the mango with salt - a LOT of salt. They tried salt on the kiwi and decided they didn't like it with or without.

So it was an interesting whirlwind of black kids in the kitchen for about 30 minutes, talking (English and their native language), laughing, complaining, thanking us and eating. And then suddenly it was done! So I guess Cezanne and I will be doing this about once a month. I think we'll learn a lot!

Geocache

Emery was over here all last weekend and again on Thursday. I knew some of my little things were disappearing. I discovered where they have been going (see photo in prevoius blog). Bookmarks, business cards and drapery weights fit through the vent slots very nicely! So I wonder if Kevin and Jenn have been teaching her about geocaching. Perhaps people will begin showing up at my door with their GPS in hand wanting to know what treasure is buried in my living room vent. We'll see if she figures out how to post directions on the web. She can already turn my CD player with the dance music on and off whenever she wants. So I'm sure web posting is not too far behind.

Geo-cache? See my next blog for an explanation.

Alltel has no control over, and is not responsible for, the content or use of this picture or the accompanying personal message.

She won't let me feed her any more. She likes to do it herself!

Alltel has no control over, and is not responsible for, the content or use of this picture or the accompanying personal message.

How in the world did you do that?

That was Dr. Allen's reaction when I saw him today. The last time I saw him was in February. I told him I was frustrated with my diabetes and asked if I could see a diabetic educator. He sent me to one at endocrinology. As a result, on March 13 I stopped Amaryl, started on Byetta and began counting carbs. That was 52 pounds ago! He really was impressed. Apparently he has trouble getting Byetta approved for patients. He is going to call Dr. Pai (my endocrinologist) to find out his secret. He'd like to see lots of his diabetics have results like mine.

The goal for me now is 23 more pounds off. When that happens (and I fully believe that it will!), I will be down 75 pounds on Byetta, I will have gone from obese to normal weight, and I will be more than 100 pounds lighter than I was when I was diagnosed with diabetes in 1997. Amazing. I will also be littler than I ever managed to be with Herbalife or any of the zillion diets I have tried over the years.

After my experience with Byetta this year I would say that I was prediabetic for many, many years. These past 6 1/2 months it has been completely amazing to experience my body working normally in the appetite and response to food arenas. Thank God for helping someone discover this secret - in lizard saliva of all things!

A Terrific Toddler Day!

Em is with me for 3 nights and 3 days while her mom and dad are with their youth leaders in Arizona. She has been a delight the whole time. Saturday was great. After breakfast we read books. Her favorite was Finding Tigger. We watched the Curious George DVD. We went to the Post Office where she got a Junior Postal Worker sticker for her shirt. We had lunch with Aunt Tiff at Sadies.

Then we headed to Borders for the afternoon of fun for kids. I told her it was a party so she was in her car seat saying "party, party, party!" while she made her hands go up and down. We heard stories and got to color. Then of course she wanted to play in the fountain. She's so cute trying to outsmart the fountain. She cried when I told her we had to leave, it was nap time. She asked for a cookie ("Tookie?"). I told her no and then she really cried. She obviously knows that the Tollhouse store and the water fountain go together!

She took a good long nap. Then we went for a 45 minute walk. I'm sure the neighbors think I am crazy (maybe I am!). While she is here walks mean I have her in the stroller and 2 excited dogs on leashes. I am sure we make a sight.

After dinner we colored and did a puzzle and then a bath. What a day! Fun to see it all through a toddler's eyes.