A Bit of This and That

Friday was the boys last day of school until January. Brandon's school had a dance and he asked me to pick him up at noon, as he didn't want to attend. In the afternoon, we finished a bit of Christmas shopping and wrapped presents. Then we picked up Jordan from school and I took them home.

Today, the boys came over and Jordan wrapped his presents and then we baked peanut butter cookies. We even made some peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, which was Brandon's idea. I used Splen*da so I could have some and they turned out great.

Tonight, I wrapped most of the Christmas presents that I had to wrap and stuffed the boys' stockings. They've always had stockings here and that tradition will continue. Hubby and I don't do stockings.

Some have been asking how it's going with the insulin. It's going great. I have the insulin pen. You just put in a new needle each time and it's easy as pie. It doesn't hurt at all and you don't even know you're poking yourself. I was a bit upset when I found out I had to go on insulin, but believe it was a blessing in disguise. I already feel better but still have a ways to go to get my levels stable. They are fluctuating through the day, especially mid-afternoon. Other than that, things are going fine.

Well, not much else to talk about here. Shopping is done. Baking is almost done. Christmas wrapping is almost done. Tomorrow afternoon, hubby and I are going to visit new-found friends for an hour or two. It was nice of them to invite us and I think I'll take them a nice poinsetta.

21st Anniversary

Tonight, hubby and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 21st anniversary. The food was good and it was a rare treat, as we don't often eat out. We had beef ribs and all the trimmings. It was a nice outing and we both enjoyed it.

We were looking through some photo albums today and neither of us can believe how much we've changed in 21 years. The difference is astounding. We found some photos that we forgot we had. It was a pleasant day spent looking back.

A New Experience

I haven't been online much for a couple of days. My blood sugar levels were really high, so Tuesday afternoon, I went to the doctor. He told me that I needed to go on insulin. At first I was a bit upset, but knew that if that is what I needed to do, I had to get on with it. I had visions of taking needles like my paternal grandmother used to. She had shringes and had to fill them and give herself a shot in the thigh four times a day. That wasn't something I wanted to do.

When the doctor showed me the new insulin pen, I thought it would be much better. I was surprised how far technology has improved since those days. This morning I went to the drugstore for the pharmacist to teach me how to use the pen and the insulin.

Tonight just before dinner, I took my first insulin shot. It was a breeze. In fact the first time I inserted the needle, I took it out because I didn't feel it go in. Hubby asked me why I took it out. So, I inserted it again and still didn't feel anything. When I pushed the plunger, I knew the insulin was being injected.

The pharmacist had told me to take my blood sugar two hours after eating. At that time it was still high. He had told me to take it again a couple of hours later, so at 11pm, I took it and it was 4.5. Excellent!!!

The next few days will be experimental. I am keeping track of my blood sugar levels and writing them in a little notebook that I will take to the dr with me on Tuesday of next week. That way he can better determine what dosage is best for me. Currently I'm injecting 10 units before breakfast and dinner. The dose may have to be lowered or increased.

I think being put on insulin may just be a blessing. Several people I've talked to says it beats taking 9 pills a day and that insulin controls your blood sugar much better than the pills. So, this Christmas season is unique to me. I'm learning something new and I'm sure when my blood sugar levels are under control, I will feel much better.

If you have diabetes and take insulin, or if you have any experience with loved ones who have diabetes and take insulin, I'd love any tips or hints that might help me with this transition.

Making Candy and Cookies

On Saturday, the boys came to help make our traditional Christmas chocolates and to do a bit of baking. We made the centers for the chocolates, which takes the best part of the afternoon. They asked if we could leave the baking for another day, as they were tired. It does take a bit to make the chocolates. We were about three hours making one batch, which equalled 16 dozen. It is a large recipe. Grandma and her daughters and daughters-in-law used to make them together and then divide them between the families. I plan to share them and to give some away as gifts.

Today hubby and I dipped them. It doesn't take long once you have the semi-sweet and milk chocolate melted. Here is half of the total batch. They look so good, but not something I can have much of. I did treat myself to one chocolate and hubby also had one.

Now, back to Saturday. After the boys left at 6:30 pm, I decided to try a new recipe that my friend, Jo Ann, gave me. It was for Pineapple Snowballs, and this is the end result. Here is the recipe:

1 block of Philadelphia* cream cheese (250 grams or approximately 8 ounces)

1 can crushed pineapple, well drained

2 cups shredded cocoanut

*Soften cream cheese

*Place in mixing bowl

* Add drained pineapple

* Mix well

* Add 1 cup cocoanut

* Mix thoroughly

* Chill for 1 hour

* Form into balls

* Roll in remainder of cocoanut

* Chill for 6 hours

* Serve

These are very tasty and diabetics can partake of this treat. I used light cream cheese, but either that or regular is fine to use. Enjoy!