Reverb Day #8

Prompt: Beautifully different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different- you'll find they're what make you beautiful.

I'm of the mindset that it takes all kinds of different people to make this world work and that we should celebrate the fact that each of us is different.

I'm different because I believe that EVERYONE deserves the chance to live an extraordinary life no matter what they look like, or who they love, or who/what they worship.

I'm different because I don't like to watch America's Funniest Home Videos because it makes my heart hurt to think of people ACTUALLY getting hurt.

I'm different because I address all my e-mails with "Hi (whoever)" no matter how many exchanges we have- always "Hi."

I'm different because I got married when I was 23. To someone who I started dating when I was 17.

I'm different because I try and give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

I'm different because my body (especially as of late) has decided that it wants to not work correctly at all.

I'm different because I can remember random details about my friends' lives that they only mention once. I look crazy when I then refer to those details in conversation.

I'm different because I talk to atleast one member of my family every day.

I'm different because in almost every situation I can find a way to laugh. No matter how bad it might be.

Those things make me unique, I think. And hopefully, they make me beautiful.

Reverb Day #7

Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

In 2010, I grew even more into the community of dog owners at our old apartment building. We spent many evenings after work chatting with our neighbors and letting the pups play. We'd bring a bottle of wine out to our courtyard with a few glasses and suddenly we'd have a mini-party going.

Since our move in June, I seriously miss my apartment neighbors. We now live in a quiet neighborhood and haven't met very many people. Our new community also hasn't hosted anything as new people move in (since we live in a development that's under construction, when sections are finished, new people are allowed to close on their places and move in. We just had a new group close last week.)

In 2011, I've decided I'm going to try and get a position on the board of our newly established Home Owners Association in order to help organize some events for everyone to get to know each other. I also kind of organize events and meetings for a living, so hey! Perfect fit. Hopefully, I work in 2011 to cultivate a community when I live.

Reverb Day # 3, 4, 5, and 6

(Note: This weekend, my college roommates came into town and I didn't hardly have a minute to myself. If this were NaBloPoMo, I would simply give up and note do any of these prompts. But the prompts actually make me really happy, so I'm just going to catch up and hope that no one tells on me.)

Dec 3rd Prompt: Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year.
I'm not sure that anything this year came close to the intense alive-ness that I felt in 2009 while running my first half marathon. That, for me, was living. It was hurt-filled, want to keel over, dreadful for miles 10-13, amazing, totally great when I finished, LIVING.

I don't think anything will live up to that.

Dec 4th Prompt: Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
I'm constantly in wonder when I'm with my 4 and 6 year old cousins, K & L. Ross and I spent time with them in October and they are pretty awesome kids. They like to dance and play and they love Ross. It's always just funny kind of see things through their eyes. Kids are funny.

Dec 5th Prompt: Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?
This year, I let go of some of the friendships that I had when I moved into DC. I stopped trying to make things work, because I sort of know they just can't. It's fun to look back and remember the people that were in the picture the first few months that Ross and I lived together, especially as I glance through Facebook pictures. I tried really hard to keep alot of those relationships going, but at the end, it was alittle too much for me. So, I've let those people go. I need positive people in my life. Here's hoping 2011 brings a few more my way.

Dec 6th Prompt: Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
The last thing I made? I made some cookies and some cinnamon buns right before Thanksgiving. I have a beautiful kitchen in my new house and it makes doing those kinds of things really fun (cooking is way easier when you have more than one counter top to spread your stuff out on!). I've posted my chocolate chip cookie recipe here before (and it's easy to find since it's on the back on EVERY Toll House chocolate chip bag).

Something I want to make? I want to make the bed in our guest room beautiful. It's old, not in very good condition and a dark stained wood. Over the Christmas holiday I'm planning to paint it. I can't wait!

Reverb Day #2: Writing

Prompt: Writing. What do you do each day that doesn't contribute to your
writing -- and can you eliminate it?

Well, as you've seen in my lack of posting, alot stands in the way of my writing here on this blog. I think that it goes back to the idea that in the diabetes community, which I sort of see as the closest blog community I am a part of, I don't really feel like a part of it. I've been reading blogs for a really long time and (see this post on how I started blogging) I really enjoy writing as a creative outlet, plus it's nice to have a written account of some of the stuff that's going on in my life.

So, what do I do each day that doesn't contribute to my blog- maybe thinking that this blog isn't good enough for someone to read. Negative self-doubt that I really do try and avoid, but that sometime creeps up and says "no need to write that, other people are doing it and their voice is louder, and better."

Ugh. I can't believe I wrote that.

How can I eliminate those thoughts and work toward my 2011 word of happiness? I can write about things here that make me frickin' happy. Not focusing on anyone else and doing something that I've loved since I was a kid along with doodling, and painting, and crafting, and making things with my hands, and coloring, and singing. Letting the imagination and creativity that I have and that I feel gets smothered by my not so creative job and not so creative hobbies (tv watching and reading) show.

So I'll write to make myself happy and if anyone out there in cyberspace finds it and reads it, that's cool. And if no one does, that's fine too.

Reverb Day 1: Growth

This year, I haven't been good about blogging. I always start out the year pretty strongly, but then things go done hill during the spring and summer. I'm going to attempt the Reverb Challenge with the thought that I have more time in December this year then ever before to write (yay for two weeks off!).

Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word: GROWTH

Professionally, especially in the last few months, I feel like I've been able to grow into my position. I've been in my current role for two years, but I've really gotten the chance to stretch my wings and feel like my supervisors really trust me to take a project and run with it. One of the programs that I manage has soooo much growth potential that we're only just beginning to realize. Sometimes, when everything is going right, it reaffirms that I'm in the right place.

My personal responsibilities have grown, too. I own a house now. Holy crap. I definitely didn't expect that to happen in 2010. And with that comes alot of extra stuff. Like paying more bills and making it a beautiful place to live (something that I really put alot of energy into.)

My relationships with my husband and my family continues to grow. I appreciate little moments that I haven't before. Little things like making my husband laugh by quoting Home Alone out of the blue or text messages from my sister that reinforce that I am beyond lucky to ccount her amongst my best friends.

2011 Word: Happiness

I hope to make 2011 my happiest year yet.

NaBloPoMo Day #4- The House

In my post a couple of days ago, I told ya'll that I bought a house. Well, it's a townhouse/condo, but to me since I own it and all, it's a house. We moved in at the beginning of June and did a ton of painting and furniture buying the first weeks we were there, but have hit a major wall with the decorating.

My home office, guest bedroom, powder room, and guest bathroom are in serious need of some sprucing. I'm hoping to tackle two of the rooms this weekend and to start working on some art to go in our formal living/dining room.

I'm hoping this dreary weather goes away so I can get motivated because right now, all I want is a nap.

NaBloPoMo- Day 3

Enjoy this video explaination!

NaBloPoMo- Week 1, Day 1 and 2

Hi Everyone! Long time, no see.

As is tradition with this here blog, I can't maintain it the way I want. I fall off the bandwagon during the summer when my life gets crazy and gravitate back when the weather starts to get cooler (and holy moses, it was cool this morning!).

But, I'm going to try and do NaBloPoMo and I've decided to try and use some of the blog topic suggestions that my friend Dayle created.

So, here's day 1 and day 2 because I completely forgot yesterday was November 1st.

Monday, November 1 Introduction – Tell us about yourself! Why did you decide to start a blog or share your blog with us?

I started LS&LG in May of 2009 after getting fed up with my old blog, Tales of a Twentysomething. The Diabetes OC was the reason I started blogging in 2007. I was thinking about what I was going to write my senior undergraduate thesis on and I decided to focus on media studies and representation. I analyzed several blogs and compared them to other media accounts of diabetes (i.e. Steel Magnolias and news reports). One of the things I learned was that to do proper research, you have to immerse yourself in the subject, so I started a diabetes blog.

But, about me! I'm 26 years old and live in the DC-area. I'm married to my high school sweetheart and we've been together for almost 9 years. My day job is working for a large health care non-profit in their government affairs and advocacy division(though on this blog, you won't find much information about my job- I'm not trying to get dooced or anything). In June, my husband and I bought our first house and have spent the last few month making it our home. I have a Yorkie-Bichon pup named Tucker who I have decided is the greatest, smartest, cutest damn dog in the entire world. I love carmel macchiatos, zumba classes, Mexican food, my family and Disney World. While I've admitted to being knee-deep in a quarter-life crisis, I remind myself everyday that I am truly blessed.

(I didn't mention diabetes, did I?)

Well, it's because in the grand scheme of life, it doesn't make the list of what makes Allison Allison! I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 17 years old. I remember life before d, even though the older I get, the more memories I have that include a little black kit and glucose tabs. I currently rock the Omnipod with pride and use a Dexcom 7 Plus (a gift from my husband and his extra "life insurance" policy- romantic, right???).

Tuesday, November 2 Election Day – What issues are important to you? If you could tell your representatives one thing about diabetes, what would it be?

Issues that are important to me relate alot to funding. Funding for research (like the Special Diabetes Program, which will provide funding for type 1 research if it's reauthorized) and programs. I also totally support legislation like menu labeling. I love restaurants that have been early adopters (Hello Panera in VA!) who post the calories and fat (and will give you carb info if you ask) and allow people to make better choices (for example, should I get the panini that has 400 cals, or the soup and salad for 390 cals- duh, soup and salad!).

And if I could tell my respentatives one thing about diabetes, I would say that when people manage their diabetes really well, it looks easy and likes it's not important. But gosh darn it, it really is difficult. And it takes up some much time and energy. And will probably end my life prematurely. And I hate it. And I wish he/she would help reauthorize SDP. Or else.

And if I said everything like that, I'd likely get escorted out of my representative's office and their staff would think they let some girl out of the loony bin. But, they would probably say I have passion or something.

What bloodwork?

I went to the endocrinologist on April 24th and she wrote me a lab slip to get my bloodwork done at a lab closer to my house.

Have I done that yet?

Nope.

Do you know today's date?

July 27th.

My appointment was over 3 months ago. In fact, I'm supposed to go back to my doctor's in less than a month. I have a ton of excuses why I haven't gone and none of them are really good. (Yeah, moving, living 30 miles away, moving again, buying a house, doing house things, work, gym- all of those are pretty terrible excuses).

Why does this bother me, you ask? Because my morning numbers suck the big one. Like 300 mg/dl suck. I've tried adjusting my basals, but something isn't right.

I also own a Dexcom that I am out of sensors for. Again, bad excuses.

Well, excuses NO MORE. For the next month, I am writing down everything I eat and every blood sugar. And I am bringing it all to my appointment in August.

And by next Friday, I am going to get my lab work done.

And in other news...

So it's been awhile since I've written here and basically alot has happened since then. In fact....
- I bought a house
- I moved out of my apartment and into my in-laws
- I lived there for several weeks
- I moved into my new house
- I painted and decorated and continue to try and make our cookie cutter place look more like "us"

I also got the chance to attend the Children with Diabetes Conference, which was awesome (as always!).

Hopefully, I can get back to blogging and share with you more details about our new house and my life in the 'burbs!

Is it Friday yet?

This poem sums up my mood about work quite nicely. Is it Friday yet?

An Ode to the Job That's a Pain in my Side

My job is unfulfilling and I don't know what to do
Sometimes I think my office is more like a zoo

Hoping to pull myself out of a work-imposed funk
I filled my cubicle with smile-inducing junk

Minutes tick by and soon it is noon
I sit at my desk, and eat soup with a spoon

Dreaming of being on a beach or cruise ship
I would go for a less exotic type of trip

Doing anything but this, anywhere but here
Being a Starbuck's barista or serving drunks beer

My eyes, they glaze over, as I read some reports
And in my head I think of smart-ass retorts

"You think I'm not succeeding? And you want to know why?"
"Because in my car driving here, I break down and cry"

I don't play the game well and I don't pretend I do
But I want to feel like a person, not gum on one's shoe

Maybe I'm not cut out to be an office worker
Maybe I should just become a famous blog lurker?

Or maybe I should leave it all and go back to school-
I would be a theater major and be instantly cool

I would study acting and give 21 year-olds a run for their money
Because I know how to play a secretary, let me tell you, honey!

Or maybe I'd say "Screw it!", take math, and become a nurse
Because I know alot about diabetes & it didn't get me anything, except a big purse

But to have money to do that you have to work
Even if that turns you into a cold, heartless jerk

Being that way gets you to up the corporate ladder
But your employees are disgruntled, do you hear their chatter?

I work hard, try my best, and hope to strive
But, enough for today, thank God it is 5!

Not feeling it

I'm really not feeling the whole blogging thing right now.

And that's okay.

Because I'm out there living life and eventually I'll get around to writing about it, even if it's just for me.

January Wrap Up, even though it's almost March

I'm still trying to figure out where the heck February went. I'm pretty sure it's hiding in the 8 ft snowbank that's outside of my apartment, but I really can't be sure.

So, you know back in January where I decided to write down some of my goals for the month and I gave you updates each week? Well, over the course of the month, I did really well. I drank my water in my awesome Camelback bottle, made a birthday calendar and created an awesome card to send to my family, and visited NYC for the weekend. The whole water thing has stuck and I'm still trying to drink plenty of water each day. Also, I'm off Diet Coke (which for anyone with diabetes will tell you is tough to do). I actually got a DC last week when I went to get lunch and I seriously felt sick after drinking it. I'm not sure if it was the bubbles or not having had any in month, but it didn't sit well and is definitely motivation to stay "soda-free"

I'm happy that I completed these items from my list of 101 things and will start again with trying to knock a few off my list in March.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Pondering...

1. I've been stuck at home for the past 4 days. The federal government has been closed because of the crazy amount of snow that we've received over the last week. I need to get out of my apartment. My husband has been working from home and I've had to listen to him on conference calls most of the afternoons. Not fun.

2. I'm tempted to do some baking, but since I'm stuck inside and down to the essentials, I would likely eat everything I bake. I've hit the treadmill several times this week, but I need to get to the gym and get to a class ASAP.

3. I'm reading Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project. I'm almost finished (thanks snow days!) and will have a complete review for you soon. Interesting stuff in that there book.

4. I want carby goodness for dinner. We're going out so I can associate with more people than Ross and my dog. Even if it's just a waitress.

5. I'm ready for spring.

17. Visit New York City

Last weekend, Ross and I avoided the 1st DC snowstorm and heading to NYC with some of our friends, Jack and Kate. This was my first overnight trip to the city this year and we definitely had a great time.


We left DC at 6:30 am on the Vamoose bus. Normally, I'm loyal to Bolt Bus, but the Vamoose stop is super close to my house and left a half hour before Bolt Bus, guaranteeing more time in NYC for fun. We got to the city and made our way to Times Square to try and get tickets to a Broadway show. After cruising by the TKTS booth, we decided it was worth the money to bypass the line and to make sure we had tickets to a show, so we headed to the Richard Rogers Theater and got tickets to see In the Heights.


After a trek to our hotel to drop off our bags, we made our way over to Hell's Kitchen to get some tasty Thai grub at a place our friend Jack had read about. I had the best KaProw (chicken with basil in a chile sauce) of my life there. Lunch would not have been complete without dessert so we went to Rocco's Pastry Shop s and consumed more delicious carbs and coffee.


Since we were sufficiently full, Jack lead us to The guys consumed several pairs of beers. We hit up another watering hole, Park Bar, before heading back to Times Square, for our show.




In the Heights was everything I thought it was going to be, and more. As a theater nerd, I have nothing but great things to say about the show. It appeals to everyone (including my non-theater nerd husband who came out of the theater singing 96,000) and is such a cheerful show.After In the Heights, we headed to the Lower East Side to meet up with friends from highschool and college. We had a great time catching up with people (and eating a drunk New York slice). We realized after all of this, we'd been up for almost 24 straight hours with no 5-hour Energies to be seen, and quickly cabbed to our hotel.


Sunday, we had a great breakfast (or was it brunch? or was it an afternoon snack?) at Max Brenner's and then explored the MoMA and the Central Park area. Our final stop before dinner was Dylan's Candy Bar (LOVE LOVE LOVE) where I became sufficiently happy then a diabetic kid in a candy store. We had a great tapas dinner before Bolt Busing back to DC....all in time for work at 8:30am Monday morning.



It was a seriously awesome weekend and it was awesome to cross a trip off the 101 Things List!

Things I Love #4 Pizza

It really doesn't matter what time of day or from where, I love pizza! I would definitely go on to list it as one of my top 5 favorite foods. Unfortunately, pizza is exactly healthy and can be a really terrible on my blood sugar (and alittle crazy on my wallet too if I'm ordering from a takeout place!)

I recently picked up the new Cooking Light Way to Cook cookbook and there's an excellent homemade pizza dough recipe in it. It's not a great recipe for a quick weeknight dinner, but when I have some time (like over the long weekends we've had with the snow) it's great. It makes a 12 inch pizza, but I do personal ones for each of us (since the hubby is allergic to cheese) which is enough for dinner and lunch the next day.

Check out the recipe:

Ingredients
2 teaspoons honey
1 package active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
3/4 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 10 ounces), divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons stone-ground yellow cornmeal

Preparation
Dissolve the honey and yeast in 3/4 cup warm water in a large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes or until bubbly. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add 2 cups flour and salt to yeast mixture; stir until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 6 minutes); add enough of the remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel slightly sticky).

Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 30 minutes or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If the indentation remains, the dough has risen enough.)

Roll dough into a 12-inch circle (about 1/4 inch thick) on a lightly floured surface. Place dough on a rimless baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. Crimp edges of dough with fingers to form a rim. Lightly spray surface of dough with cooking spray, and cover with plastic wrap. Place the dough in refrigerator for up to 30 minutes.

Position one oven rack in the middle setting. Position another rack in the lowest setting, and place a rimless baking sheet on the bottom rack. Preheat oven to 500°.

Remove plastic wrap from Basic Pizza Dough; discard. Brush oil over dough. Remove preheated baking sheet from oven; close oven door. Slide dough onto preheated baking sheet, using a spatula as a guide. Bake on lowest oven rack at 500° for 8 minutes. Remove from oven.

Spread pizza suace in an even layer over crust, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Top sauce with toppings. Bake on middle rack an additional 10 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese melts. Cut into 12 wedges.

Nutritional analysis is for 1 (12-inch) pizza crust. Does not include any toppings.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 1155 (3% from fat)
Fat: 3.4g (sat 0.6g,mono 0.5g,poly 1.3g)
Protein: 33.8g
Carbohydrate: 242.5g
Fiber: 10.8g
Cholesterol: 0.0mg
Iron: 14.3mg
Sodium:n1195mg
Calcium:n49mg

Pondering...

1. Why is it that even though my office is open today, no one is here? Seriously.

2. Why did I decide to wear a skirt today, even though it's so freaking cold?

3. I decided to wear my pedometer in NYC this past weekend and walked over 8 miles in about 30 hours. My legs hurt alittle (an NYC post is in the works, btw).

4. If I could be anywhere in the USA today, I would be in Disney's Hollywood Studios with my family and husband. I would eat a few Mickey ice cream bars, ride Tower of Terror atleast 3 times, and go to Fantasmic to see the awesome show.

5. I would like to own a house soonish. I'm not sure how that's possible, but I like the idea of being able to paint a room turquoise if I want to.

January Goals Update Week #3

During the workweek, I chugged my 64 oz of water religiously. At my desk, at the gym, at a friend's house, and even out at dinner. I didn't quite make it to 64 ozs. on Saturday, and I honestly felt different. I wasn't nearly as energized, my mouth was parched (despite a blood sugar check and coming in at 140 mg/dl) and I just didn't feel good. Maybe it's in my head, but I think the extra water has helped me. I've eliminated all soda and I really don't miss it. And I'm not missing the cash I was was spending by ordering a soda when I go out to eat and those 2 liters that I was picking up at the grocery store.

I sent my first birthday card this week to my sister-in-law, so here's hoping she loves the design that incorporates my pup, Little Tuck.

And this approaching weekend marks my longer than 8 hour trip to the Big Apple! And I'm so excited! We have plans to see a show on Saturday night and explore the city with some of our seasoned NYC DC-friends.

January, you've been pretty decent to me so far. Thanks for that!

Unclutter My Life in a Week? Can I Have a Month?

I've made a conscious effort this month to really think about what I'm doing and start establishing new behaviors. Like drinking water. And sending people cards on their birthdays.

Another behavior I'm working on is turning my Blackberry off earlier and reading an actual book before I go to bed instead of browsing through the day's tweets, hearing about the world ending on CNN, or stalking Facebook. The first book I've managed to read this month is Unclutter Your Life in One Week by Erin Doland Rooney, the Editor-in-Chief over at Unclutterer.com. The book is a super easy read and focuses on uncluttering in order to lead the most remarkable life. And for some reason, I love that idea. (Confession: I am not as organized as I would like to be. In college, I lived with numerous piles throughout my room that NEVER went away. And I was okay with it. Not anymore.)

Doland breaks down the book by day and focuses on organizing just a small piece of your home or office throughout the week. One day, you might organize your closet;the next day, you'll organize your kitchen. And throughout the week, you do some maintenance cleaning so you don't spend your entire weekend cleaning your house because you've let it become a disaster area.

Alot of Doland's tips are common sense (make sure there isn't any nastiness growing in your fridge- DUH). But she goes a step further by telling you how to organize tasks so you're not wasting a bunch of time (clean out your fridge before you go grocery shopping by throwing away stuff that is bad, inventorying what you have, and then making a meal plan for the next week).

So, I'm not completely organized, YET. But, I did clean out my linen closet and bathroom vanity over the weekend and I've sorted through my scrapbooking supplies and went through some of my older computer files, arranging them in folders by topic. So that's a start.

Here I come, more remarkable life!