Small Things...

So as my insulin levels get notched down a bit more...after 24 years...I finally know that I figured some things out in terms of dealing with Type 1 Diabetes. I do not use words like manage or control...because that just makes you feel like a failure when things go awry. And things will go awry...but that is part of the process...the key (like with anything)...is to just keep working hard and move along. You have to just deal and keep going.

Since September I have been in what I have now deemed Type 1 Diabetes Dragon Slaying mode. The work I have been putting in is starting to show...in many ways. My blood sugar, my physical form, my efficiency, my outlook but most important of all...my sparkle. It is back...and in some ways it feels like an entirely new kind of sparkle...like the me I knew I could be is finally taking shape. It is good...it is me...but better.

I am five months in and I am still at it...this has been longest span of time that I have consistently worked hard at something...other than my job. There really is no secret...but there are two key small moments that keep me driven. Two simple things really - - a smile and some telling you that they believe in you. You shouldn't underestimate the power of each of those things...they can be transforming. So, if you ever feel like doing either of those things...you should go for it. You never know what will happen as a result.

Vera Love - Island Blooms

The Spring 2012 Vera Bradley Collection was released on Thursday and I was finally able to see it live and in person today...we were one Vera Girl short today...but hopefully we did her proud. I have a hard time committing to patterns via the catalog or looking online via the interweb. I always have to see them in the store before I can declare a favorite. I was a bit dubious this morning thinking about each of the four new patterns, thinking that I was not really going to like one of them. I know, funny right? Me not fall in love with a new Vera Bradley pattern??

So, of course I did. I know, I know...shocker!! Island Blooms had me at first glance really when I looked at the book of stickers and then quickly grabbed two of them. The wheels started to turn as I thought about some Vera items that I may need to get in this new springy pattern. In my pursuit to continue to be healthier, I wanted to get a lunch tote. So I did. I also wanted to find a new diabetes bag so that I could fit my relatively new glucose meter along with insulin pens, needles, and alcohol swabs all in one bag. So I did. Vera actually redesigned the wristlet and it is even better now. There are lots of pockets for alcohol swabs and needles. Plus, a zipper pocket too. It is so perfect...it holds everything I need to have with me at all times. I mean, I have to be a good T1 Diabetic right? Vera totally helps me to be a better me. A perfectly accessorized Diavista!!

The Power of Five...

There are a few things that make me giddy like a little kid... 1) Snow, 2) New Years, 3) Glitter, and 4) My Birthday. As you can well imagine, it is no mystery that January is one of my favorite months...because all four of these things can sometimes be obtained during the 31 days of the month. I'm excited for the week ahead because my birthday is on Friday...lucky 13!! And...for the first time ever...I am taking the day off. A 4 and a half day weekend is on the horizon for me...and I am totally ready!!

My most memorable birthdays tend to always be when the number 5 is involved. My fifth birthday rocked...I had a fun party with Zio's Pizza...I got Cowgirl Boots and a Speak & Spell. I felt like Queen of the World!! My fifteenth birthday was very special because my Mommy gave me a diamond ring. It meant alot becuase it was one of the first things she bought herself when she went back to work in the early 80's...plus she got it at Garfinkles. (Note to self...I can't wait until it fits again..soon!!!) My twenty-fifth birthday was amazing...a night of fun with good friends dancing and flirting at Lulu's. A birthday can never be bad when you end up at a diner at 3am for pancakes. Oh yes...and I remember there was ice skating too.

So, as my thirty-fifth birthday approaches I am excited. I have always had a feeling about being 35...I think it is the power of five. It means that good things are happening!!

Panera - Twice in One Week

So I think I am officially back into noveldom...I have been actively working on my July Novel and it feels really good!! I am starting the new year off right...write?? It has been awhile since I have worked on it and I have a terrible memory when it comes to my writing. I have been known to forget the names of my main characters..how sad is that? I am a flighty writer!! My next step is to read it so that I can remember all the holes I need to fill. Plus, this will help me to get the mojo flowing for how I am going to wrap it all up. This is typically the point in my noveling process where things completely breakdown. It is at this point where I typically print it out and then it goes into a pretty Vera Bradley binder that then gets placed on a shelf. Will this one have a different destiny?

I am using a new writing tool called Scrivener which allows you to have all kinds of fun noveling things in one place...the text (which can be organized in infinite ways), notes, character descriptions, setting descriptions, and anything else you need to get it done. I'm excited because I think this is really going to help me with dissecting my current work in progress and breaking it down into pieces. I have already imported my July novel into Scrivener...just seeing it organized chapter by chapter is helpful. My next step is going to be reading each chapter and chunking it out scene by scene. That is something I have never done before. I'm kind of excited to see how this goes.