Two BIG things, BIG!

• The BIG Blue Test event is happening! 
• November 11th 2012 @ Westminster ICE from 12-2pm. 
• Free skate rental to all participants, just mention the BIG Blue Test at the box office.

Please come out and participate, it's a great event that raises diabetes awareness, promotes exercise and provides diabetes supplies to those who cannot afford them. I'll see you there!

• I was accepted to the Nursing Program at Loma Linda University. I am so excited.  

Halloween Party!

I am just full of bright ideas right now! I left a hint note sitting in Mr. Harer's easy chair, listing items I would need to host a Halloween Party.

Mr. Harer actually agreed to host a Halloween party! This is a big deal, because he is very anti-holiday and refuses to dress up for Halloween. I am so excited! So here is what I'm thinking; since I know that Mr. Harer will not be happy with a costume party, I won't push my luck. I'd like to keep the front yard pretty and classy, very kid friendly. 

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Like this but, with lace covered white pumpkins, and twigs covered in spider webs instead of hydrangea.

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I am thinking I'd prefer party guest to enter through the back gate.  In the back yard I want to make it look like a haunted forest. 

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I think I can use cardboard carpet rolls to make haunted trees in the backyard. I'd like to have a werewolf hiding in the haunted forest.

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We are going to set up the big movie screen in the back yard and watch Sleepy Hollow and Red Riding Hood. 

Inside the house I want to decorate it like a witch's cabin. 

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I am still trying to figure out food details, but I know I want to serve Diet Butterbeer!

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I think it is going to be a great party, if I can get it all planned out and put together on time. I need to get invites sent out this weekend!

                

Am I Crazy?

Last year, Sister C and I participated in the BIG Blue Test, by skating at IceTown. Since then I've had the idea of hosting a BIG Blue Test event at the rink.

What I would like to have happen is, the rink would host the BIG Blue Test during a Friday night or Saturday public session. If the skater comes to skate wearing a blue shirt, they will get free skate rental, but if the skater participates in the BIG Blue Test, they will get a pass for a free public session! 

In order to make this happen, I need to;

1. Get the rink to agree
2. Find someone willing to donate all the testing supplies (meters, strips, lancets, alcohol swabs, cotton balls)
3. Find some Medical Assistants/Nurses who are willing to volunteer their time to do the finger sticks.
4. Advertise the event, via press releases, radio/tv news reports, flyers.... 

A big box electronic retailer has already said they will allow us to use laptops to log the skater's test data. 

So am I crazy? Will this work? Can I get everyone/everything necessary for a successful event? Any suggestions or volunteers are greatly appreciated! 

Fighting for balance

At the rink, I've been working on spirals, which are those lovely moves where the skater is on one leg with the other lifted behind her.

Sasha Cohen
 known for her amazing spiral

Mine look nothing like that, but they are getting closer to the passing standard, which is hip height.  

Trying to skate on one leg isn't the only balancing act I participate in at the rink. I also have to balance my blood sugars. Most type 1's know that exercise can sometimes raise blood sugars, and it is generally a bad idea to exercise if your blood sugar is over 250mg/dl. 

Skating definitely reeks havoc on my blood sugars. I've learned through trial and error, that I cannot skate if my blood sugar is over 200mg/dl, or I will end up very high. If my number is in range (120-130mg/dl) and I treat with glucose tabs, I will go high, but if I don't treat, I will go low. So whats a girl to do?

Thank goodness for my pump and CGM. I always use the capture event feature to mark my exercise, that way my endo can see any patterns that may occur while I am at the rink. I skate with a temporary basal rate, which is dependent on quite a few factors; time of day (I love 6am freestyle ice), IOB, Carbs in my system, and my blood sugar. The CGM helps me catch if my blood sugar starts to climb, or if I am going low. 

I can only skate my best when my blood sugar is balanced and I rely on my diabetes technology to help maintain that balance, the same way I rely on my blades and edges to keep me balanced on the ice.  

D-Blog Week - Saturday with D and me

"With a nod to the Diabetes 365 project, let’s grab our cameras again and share some more d-related pictures.  Post as many or as few as you’d like.  Feel free to blog your thoughts on or explanations of your pictures, or leave out the written words and let the pictures speak for themselves."


Join me and D as we recap our Saturday;

A great way to start the day!

Yes, I can eat that.

I can spell things with my BG readings :)
Pre-Skating #.

Exercise is good for me. Yes, I did run into the wall :(
See the nice pink pump on my hip, it is at 50% basal.

Housekeeping is great for lowering BG.

See?

Double down, time for a snack.

Yeah, I can eat that too.