All these bg checks add up to great art supplies (oh and improved diabetes control… You know, the important stuff)
Wordless Wednesday
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Author Archives: surfacefine
Kindergarten
I remember my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Britton. She was a heavy set woman who wore thick lensed eye glasses. Her glasses seemed dwarfed by her face. I adored her. It was easy to see that I loved going to kindergarten everyday. I couldn’t stop skipping. I was in the big-kids school. Our classroom had a playhouse. We sat 4 to a table on tiny chairs at a round table.
I learned how to write my name in cursive while in kindergarten. I watched my Mom and then emulated her handwriting. I asked her to write my name in cursive. She showed me. Oh, all those swirling letters. A-L-E-C-I-A looked so fancy. Grown-ups wrote in this code. I would write like this! I practiced and practiced.
One day in school, when it was time to write our names on the back of our art projects, I proudly wrote my name in cursive. Mrs. Britton hung our art in the hallway. She pulled me aside. She flipped over my art. She pointed to my name. She asked why I wrote my name like that. I proudly told her and my classmates that I had learned cursive. She told me not to do it again. She firmly said I would learn cursive in an older grade and that I needed to stay with my class learning to print. She looked disappointed. I didn’t want to disappoint Mrs. Britton. I was mortified. Quivering-lip, fighting-back-tears mortified. I had done something wrong and everyone heard her say it. When I got home, I cried.
Every week, two kindergarteners were assigned the job of “turning-in” the milk money. Mrs. Britton collected the money from us, placed our money and parent form in an envelop and then trusted us to walk all the way down the hall to the office. It was a huge responsibility.
When it was my week to “turn-in” the money, I was elated. My buddy and I headed to the office. We walked carefully. This was an important job. Actually this was the most important job in kindergarten. Once we had given the envelop to the office, we began the walk back to our classroom. We were alone, 2 triumphant kindergardeners, passing the 2nd grade classrooms. We walked with pride. As we approached the 1st grade classroom, a boy stepped into the hallway. I knew him. His name was Curtis and he had been in the same nursery school with me. He was a year older. In nursery school he had a girlfriend. For the nursery school Halloween party, he was dressed as a groom and his girlfriend was dressed as a bride. I was in awe of Curtis. Now he was a first grader. I smiled at him. He sneered back. As we walked past him, he began to speak. I looked at him and he slowly whispered, “Kindergarten Babies”. I was floored! Curtis called me a baby. I was not a baby. We continued our walk back to our classroom. it was like the wind was knocked out of me. Kindergarten Babies? Kindergarten Babies! Why would he say that? We had just been in charge of the milk money. I was devastated. According to my parents, I couldn’t even tell them the story when I came home. I was crying that hard. I quivering-lip-sobbed, “He….*sob*, he… *sob*, he called me…*sob*, he said we….*sob*, were Kindergarten… *sob, sob, sob*, KINDERGARTEN BABIES!”
Every teacher after Mrs. Britton dealt with more than just me, they dealt with me and diabetes. As I listened to the breaking news today, I was dumbfounded by the horrific tragedy which occurred in Newtown, Connecticut. I listened at my desk while this senseless story developed. I walked home from work with a heavy heart. I arrived home, shut the door, sat down, hugged my dog and cried.
Those kids were indeed Kindergarten Babies. My heart aches for them and their families. I cry for those children who witnessed this travesty and I hope somehow, some way they remain just that, babies.
Twelve
I started a blog post a few nights ago about evaluating pump sites. As I wrote it, some interesting things occurred with the numbers and like I am prone to do, I was off on a tangent.
I always liked math. I loved algebra and geometry. When I was a little girl I would actually dream about math problems and shapes. Later, I took my appreciation of math and interest in art as a sign to go to architecture school. Looking back, it was ridiculous that in my extremely sheltered world, I was supposed to be picking such a specific field of study and life path, at 16 years old, however at 12 years old, I knew I wanted to create.
As long as I can remember, my favorite number has been 12. I recall a teacher saying that a favorite number should be a single digit. What did she know, right? On sports teams, I always tried to get “12” on my jersey. In architecture school I always tried to group design elements in derivatives of 12. When I write any list, I will keep adding things until I get to 12. My first and last name are both 6 letters. My career started with a company that was also a 6 and 6 name. Yep, 12. My current business is two 6 and 6 names. Again, 12. Most of the time I act like I’m 12. Twelve. What can I say, I just love it.
So in my post about pump sites, I started doing the math. I took shots for 21 years (12 backwards). I have been on a pump for 12 years. I have had a Dexcom CGM for 12 months. With my warranty expiring on both my Animas PING pump and my Dexcom 7+ in the next few days, I have been filling out paperwork to get new versions of both. “12” keeps popping up all over the place. I had to ditch the pump site topic. Twelve was calling to me.
In grade school we did the project envisioning where you will be in the year 2000. I used to change that topic to the year 2012. Flying cars and my Jetsons-esque lifestyle haven’t quite happened. Diabetes hasn’t been cured. I don’t have kids. But, I’m still here to celebrate 12.12.12. That counts, I AM HERE for 12.12.12.
Happy 12.12.12 to all of you. I hope you get a chance to make it special.
Do Good, Feel Good
Do Good, Feel Good is a phrase I say a lot. I probably tweet it even more often. It’s one of those phrases that just sticks in my head and plays over and over (kind of like The Cranberries’ Zombie or recently Kris Kross’ Jump. I’m sorry if you now have these songs sticking in your brain too). I digress. Oops. Yes, Do Good, Feel Good.
When I researched getting a CGM, specifically my Dexcom 7+, I started reading diabetes blogs in a mildly obsessive way. That was my introduction to Kim from Texting My Pancreas. Her blog led me to other wonderful diabetes blogs. When I decided to bite the bullet (well in this case, let my boyfriend attempt to insert the Dexcom into the back of my arm), we watched her video twice possibly without blinking. When I put the Dexcom in my arm the first time solo (I’ll admit it, I was scared), I watched that video two more times (this is the part where I must mention she has better gravity where she lives). Anyway, Kim was a big help to me and I frequently refer to her in my diabetes mentoring program when questions about CGMs arise.
Kim started an “event” for the month of December called Give All The Things (you really should click that to see what I’m talking about). I was immediately more smitten with her than I already was. I won second place at the very beginning of the month of giveaways. I won a small plush pancreas. Oh you don’t know what a plush pancreas is? Well you can see it here. It made me laugh but it got me thinking about Kim’s pay-it-forward idea, an idea I try to incorporate into my own life. I contacted Kim and told her a little about my jewelry design business and it’s connection to my fundraising walk teams, Alecia’s Stem Cells. I offered to give her a pair of earrings for her giveaway. Although it is not totally diabetes related, the jewelry IS made by a T1D (me) and 10% of the proceeds go to JDRF. Kim wrote the sweetest note back. It put a big goofy grin on my face.
Today Kim is giving away the earrings at Texting My Pancreas. I saw the tweet about it this morning. I immediately smiled. What started as an overwhelming day still is overwhelming, but her post lightened me. Twice I have checked the comments (which is how you enter her contests) and both times I smiled more and “may” have had some extra moisture escape my eyes (must be allergies, I certainly am not crying again, right?).
If you have some time, check out the comments of some of her other Give All The Things posts. It will immediately remind you how fortunate you are to be part of the DOC.
Do Good, Feel Good. Thanks Kim.
Wordless Wednesday, Hoarding
While searching my purse for some notes I’d taken, I found yet another secret compartment. Here are the contents: One Touch Ultra used test strip (AKA diabetes jewelry supplies), used Dexcom 7+ sensor (AKA hey-can-I-make-jewelry-out-of-this-? supply), iBGStar USB demo, 1 slightly crushed Skittle.
Standard diabetes paraphernalia, no?
We Walked Some More…
I’m a bit late on this post but it’s been one hell of a Diabetes Awareness Month for this lady! This post is the follow-up from my JDRF New York City Walk for a Cure post. Our team, Alecia’s Stem Cells, expanded again this year. On November 11th, I walked with our first EVER Alecia’s Stem Cells Los Angeles team at Dodgers Stadium (and the crowd goes wild….. Rrrraaahhhh). It was wonderful to have a 2nd team again this year filled with friends and family. I was amazed by the team spirit exemplified by my cousin, his wife (my wonderful friend), her sister, and her sister’s boyfriend. They sent walk donation letters out as a group. When I received one, of course, I cried. Their letter talked about me and used parts of my own NYC letter, but then it included a story about the beloved uncle of my cousin-in-law and her sister, who had died of complications of diabetes.
Our little newbie team managed to beat our LA team goal and raised $2,210. I was, and remain, amazed. Our NYC team had just raised $21,631.62 and I was 100% sure I had asked anyone and everyone to donate already by the time the LA Walk was on the horizon. If you doubt the power of social media, I offer you this, friends posted a zillion NYC walk team photos on Facebook right away. It was an incredibly exciting day for me and I think that comes across in the photos posted. As the LA Walk approached, I posted something about how great Walking in NYC was and if anyone felt they missed out, there was still time to help out our LA walk team. Within minutes, two Facebook friends I barely know donated! Right before I left for LA, I posted that we were $50 away from our team goal. 3 people who had already donated to the NYC walk all donated AGAIN to help us reach our goal. I’m teary just typing this! AMAZING (not the teary part, since I’m a crier, but how many people cheered us on and supported our team’s efforts).
LA Walk Day was incredible. Gorgeous weather, a new venue and fun stories. The walk route circles Dodger Stadium twice (but different paths both times) and THEN, the last lap is around the infield! There were tons of diabetes vendors to visit and lots of swag. I got samples of LEVEL Glucose Gel (the mandarin was super duper sweet tasting but very effective as I learned on the last lap when Dexcom beeped bg 87 and an arrow down) and Quick Sticks (which are freaking awesome – said me, the girl who’s never had a pixie stick ever). I also got chatty with an Animas rep and begged for the Vibe (oh I know, I know, it hasn’t been submitted to the FDA yet, but a girl can dream and ask the same question over and over, and yes, over).
About 8 years ago, I went to some sort of JDRF NY luncheon. It may have been a walk kick-off lunch but I’m really not sure. I sat next to the only other person who seemed my age at the table, and she was a fellow T1D. We became friends and she walked many moons ago with Alecia’s Stem Cells NYC. At least 6+ years ago she moved back to Los Angeles, got married and had two kids. All these years we’ve stayed in touch via Facebook and right before the LA walked she signed up for our team along with her family. It was so great to reconnect with an old D friend and meet her adorable family.
The Set-Up & Reconnecting with an old friend
I also tweeted asking if anyone in the DOC was going to the LA Walk. Although our team did the Big Blue Test, I never managed to meet-up with Mike Lawson (boo hoo) BUT, Diane from Type 1 Trip said they had a team and described their Team Julia shirts. I found them in the infield. I’m fairly certain I may have come across as a stalker, but I asked a ton of people in pink shirts who Diane was and although we were both busy with our teams, we had a few minutes to chat and I believe that was the first time I introduced myself as “Alecia, ummm Surfacefine on twitter”. We had a big hug moment and my team was off and running (well walking).
As I’ve posted before and will say here again, Walk Day is like a weird holiday for me. Its a day full of hope, promise and an incredible amount of love! It is a day near and dear to me. I can’t thank my friends, family and fellow walkers enough for their amazing generosity and supporting the ongoing efforts of JDRF.
What A Day, What A Week!
So many exciting things to blog about but short on time (it’s my theme right?… Well that and decorated Dexcom sites). Today is/was World Diabetes Day! This month is Diabetes Awareness Month! Exciting things are happening all over the place! I’m doing some exciting D stuff tomorrow, but I leave you all with this photo taken while I jumped around like a kid at the corner of my street (yes, I felt proud):
Indeed, the Empire State Building is Blue tonight in honor of World Diabetes Day (the traffic light is just an added bonus)!
STOP Diabetes! Empire State Building.
My Office – Wordless Wednesday
As seen this morning. My desk.
You walked where?
This is late but life is busy. I already told you about my trip to the ER. So now it’s time to flip the switch. Sunday arrived (9/30), I told my stomach to knock it off, and we all arrived at the walk bright and early. Here is the email I sent to my fellow teammates and supporters AFTER The Walk (with an updated total and some added photos):
What a day for a JDRF Walk! 
As many of you know, this year was our BIGGEST Alecia’s Stem Cells WALK TEAM EVER! I could not have been more excited as Sunday approached. (My friend ) D and I had our WALKS With FRIENDS themed shirts (hats & tote bags too) ready to go, we had a lot of newbie walkers, and for the first time ever, we had a whole bunch of my fellow T1Ds all walking with us too!
As my fellow walkers know, Friday afternoon turned kind of crazy when I ended up in the ER, stayed there through early Saturday morning, had to cancel my interview on our local CBS Saturday morning show (to speak about JDRF, the Walk, and our AMAZING Alecia’s Stem Cells team 11th anniversary). If I wasn’t so dehydrated, I probably would have cried a river BUT I did make it to Walk Day! I think JDRF felt sorry for me and as a cheer-up, they had the President/CEO of JDRF, Jeffery Brewer, come talk to me at our Alecia’s Stem Cells table, which was pretty awesome!
I have some other incredible moments to report to you, my fellow walkers, and supporters of our fundraising mission…as of today, we have raised a whopping $21,381.62. Incredible! WOW!
Next up….D’s incredibly cool, customizable shirts WON for BEST FRIENDS & FAMILY TEAM SHIRTS! YAY D (that’s the pic from the moment we heard the shirts won)!
The weather miraculously held-up (after some dicey weather forecasts), WE BEAT OUR GOAL, and my parents and siblings were all with us (except my nephew and sister-in-law Alysson who cheered us on and sent pics of my week and half old nephew in his Alecia’s Stem Cells gear). We had walkers travel from California, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Jersey and a 7 hour bus ride from Penn State! Friends I’ve known for 20+ years walked, new friends-of-friends I just met that day walked, and my office mates and their families walked! We had 46 team members make it to walk day and I could not be prouder!
Walk Day is like a weird holiday for me. Its a day full of hope, promise and an incredible amount of love! It is a day near and dear to me. I can’t thank you all for your amazing generosity and supporting the ongoing efforts of JDRF.
And just remember, if they don’t cure diabetes by next year, we would LOVE to have you join us in our NYC bridge crossing!
Wordless Wednesday a few minutes late!
This photo looks pretty cool (well I *may* be biased) but regrettably there were some issues with the resin setting.
“Boo hoo,” said this creative diabetic.
I’m experimenting with some patching and creating some negative space within the design, but I will need to create another (read: start over).
Test strip collecting resumes.
