I have found my new creative outlet!

I want to build a house! Yes, hands on, build a house! I think I have worked up a small plan that will work for my family. 24x24! Yes, that is the size of my garage.

Love Diabetes: Tsk, tsk JDRF. Are you acting responsibly?

I love Allie! What am I going to do to help the Faustman cause? I am going to send my Christmas letter this year with a request for donations to Faustman's research. The last letter writing campaign was very successful. I hope to see the same or better success this time.

The Life of a Trailblazer

This week we, well Westin, is trying Apidra, the newest fast acting insulin on the market. We are the first in our endo's office (as usual lately-we were the first on a continuous glucose monitor too) to try the newer insulin. Mind you, it has been on the market for a few years but is yet to be approved for children. But in the type 1 world, children are regularly written off label as it could take years to be approved for kids. Our endo wasn't encouraging but he did give in to my pleads. He is good that way :) That is the same thing that happened with getting Westin on a pump at 4 years old. I didn't have to plead too much with the cgms. The apidra I asked for via email and got a no. But I took up my plea again with him in person and he relented.

I have been watching a few families on Children with Diabetes that are using apidra. I really wanted to see how it would work with Westin. It is suppose to start a little faster and peak really fast. To compare, we used Novalog before and it would peak in 2 hours and last 4 or so hours. I never figured out exactly how long it would continue to tail. (That means it has this little tail that continues to lower sugar for some time.) Apidra is supposed to peak in an hour and last 2 hours. I know from last nights correction that it is lasting 4 hours but no real tail. The fast peak is what I really enjoy. I can see corrections working faster!

So far we have made minor basal changes but nothing major. I have a lot of basal testing to do before I know that other changes aren't needed. I am ready to stock up on plenty of carb free foods to get that testing done. I really can't do any other changes until I know the basals are set.

Oh, a little off topic, but I found this interesting interview with Denise Faustman. I think it does a great job at explaining her research. Check it out! http://www.diabetesdaily.com/edelman/2008/09/01/diabetes-cure-trial.pdf

Caught Off Guard by Emotion

Yesterday, September 11th, with the 7th year of the World Trade Center, I found myself remembering, "where were you that day?" kind of thoughts. I remember that day so clearly. Sure I remember the stuff on tv. But what really stands out in my mind is that was the day my mom returned to work after being off for a while for chemo. She was NED (no evidence of disease) and had returned to work that day for the City of Kalamazoo. Being a government building they were on lock down. I remember calling her that day to see what was happening in her building. That day will always be linked to that phone call. Just a few months later she started having some problems with her back and that is when we found out that her cancer had spread.

This morning I am sitting in the basement, watching Wieland play. He came across a box of some things I had packed away. One box that he hadn't actually been into yet. He pulled out my Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls my mom had made for me for Christmas one year. I wish I could remember what year. I know I was a teen. I had said I wanted some and she surprised me by making them for Christmas. She wasn't able to get the clothes done in time so I opened naked dolls on Christmas morning. I was really surprised.

As Wieland looked them over, of course he had to see if they had "butts" and I said, "Let's look. I think Mom put something on their butt." Nope, nothing. I guess I remembered wrong. A little later Wieland was pulling up their clothes and found a heart with the words, "I Love You" on their chest, right over their hearts. I said, "I don't think Grandma thought about the fact that one day her grandson would be playing with this doll. She loves you too." Tears started to flow from my eyes. I explained she was probably watching him right now from heaven. Then of course I had to explain heaven. Now I am having to explain, in Wieland's words, "Why am I just whining?" as he wipes my tears with my shirt collar.

I am so thankful that I have these surprise moments of memories. I am lucky that she hand made me such wonderful things that will be saved and played with for generations. She left us her music so we will always have her voice. I just wish she were still here.

Homeschooling on a TIGHT budget!

So I had big plans for curriculum this year but when it came time to order, I really didn't have the money. So, here is the plan as I see it at this point.

1. I ordered "Writing Strands 3" off ebay for a total of $11 and some change, including shipping. This was one item I really wanted an couldn't get at the library.

2. I have decided to work Westin through the Math U See online printable practice sheets rather than buy the entire curriculum at this time. I think we will finish with the section that I think he would be in and then when we are ready to move on, order the actual curriculum. He is kind of in the middle of a series at this point so I feel pretty comfortable with this decision.

3. For science we have decided to make use of this great telescope my dad is letting us borrow. So we are going to be studying astronomy.

4. For history we are continuing our study of US History. We are going to be using "The History of US" by Joy Hakim. I think we will start on volume 4.

5. We just finished reading "The Indian in the Cupboard" and even watched the movie. We have discovered there are numerous sequels to this book so we plan to go through those one by one.

6. As the election approaches we are going to learn about the voting process, presidential requirements and the electoral college. Why not, it only happens like this every 4 years!

7. I will be purchasing "Mind Benders" A1/A2 software for the computer. It is a logic game. I decided on the software as I tend to give too many hints. This way the computer can control it and deduct points.

Oh, and Wieland will be right along with us for most of it! (Ask me how I feel about that in a week) I am going to start him on "The Well Trained Mind".

If you are reading this, you might be thinking, "What would Michelle like for her birthday?" Amazon gift cards!

Wow! What it is like to be on the receiving end of negativity

Today I was woken to a phone call from a member of our homeschooling group. She wanted to know if I had seen a recent email that she received. A member (now ex member) of the group completely trashed me to the entire yahoo group for our homeschool group. It was very negative. It was a complete attack. It came from a place of probable misunderstanding. It definitely came from a place of hurt, on the part of the attacker. After she left her hate message she unsubscribed from the group. Kind of a cowardly thing to do. Then another member followed her lead and left a nasty message and withdrew. So far, that is the end of the fall out, but I can't help but think there is more coming.

So how do I respond and do I need to respond, that is the question. The fighter in me wants to set the record straight. I would love to point out that she probably feels that her toes are being stepped on since we have tried to reorganize the group. She obviously feels I am the ring leader. And basically I think I just took the brunt of her anger.

Problem, by responding she wouldn't even see it as she isn't a member any more. Second, it isn't like my response is going to change her opinion of me. Third, the entire incident (email) has kind of been ignored which could be a good thing. Do I really want to bring it up? Lastly, I really think she had already stepped back from the group since the reorganization and this was her way of going out in a blaze of glory.

So do I need to respond? If so, how do I do it? I feel like I need some reassurance that her feelings are not the majority. If they are, I would be happy to step down from my position. But if they don't feel that her email was appropriate, I would like to know it.

The second girl that jumped on the band wagon I THOUGHT I had a good relationship with. So that is where I am puzzled. That is what makes me question what I have been trying to do. Who else feels that way?

Well, I think I have rambled enough. If you are reading this and you happen to have seen the emails and would like to post your suggestions, they would be much appreciated.

Winding down from the Homeschool Blast

Today was a really hot and HUMID day! I am sitting here on my couch so tired, probably from the heat. I spent my afternoon at the Homeschool Blast. It is a local gathering of homeschoolers and vendors, here in the Kalamazoo area. I should be cleaning house getting ready for Wieland's birthday party tomorrow, but I just don't want to move.

This year was much different than last year's blast. I actually felt like there were a lot of people I at least recognized! I must be really entering the "counter culture" :) Homeschoolers are homeschoolers are homeschoolers! We might all homeschool for different reasons, but we are still homeschoolers. It is always inspiring to see the homeschoolers in the area in one place. We are not alone in our homeschooling journey, though it might sometimes feel like it. There are so many of us out there, so many resources.

I also enjoyed visiting with Nikki and her family. We got to spend a lot of time together and it was enjoyable (like always). It is nice to have a family we all click with. THAT doesn't happen very often around here! :)

Okay, I am sunburned (although I swear I was in the shade all day) and really beat. I am heading to bed so I can get up and whip through this house.