Diabetes in the Family...

Owning a pet means someone to care for who will, for food, return your love. Fairly unconditional. Extremely Pavlovian. Usually that "caring for" is a simple thing. Pets are animals after all, their needs are few and not complex...food, shelter, food, things to play with, food, their own bathroom, food...

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We have two indoor cats. Jack, whose picture is at the bottom of my blog, and Lily, pictured here.

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A few weeks ago I knew one of the cats was sick, but I couldn't figure out who. I was pretty sure it was Jack so I took him into the vet. He had to spend the night there and go through a bunch of testing. The next day I was going to pick him up after I finished at school. When I returned home from school, but before I went to get Jack, I found out who was the sick cat. Lily had left me a small puddle of pee in my entry way...completely unlike either of the cats...and there was blood evident.

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I took Lily into the vet when I went to get Jack. She was checked out and given antibiotics for an infection. I needed to get a urine sample from her and a week later have some blood work done.

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Lily's tests came back positive for diabetes. Her blood glucose was at 387...very, very high although I have read that cats can tolerate a higher level of BG than can humans.

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On Wednesday of this week I took Lily back to the vet and learned how to administer insulin to her. She is now on special food and shots twice a day. I also have to regularly check her glucose level. She's a strong willed, very opinionated animal...a lot like my daughter. Michelle is Lily's owner but not her caregiver. Stress can make BG rise.

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So, a few days into this new routine and I think Lily and I have it down. Testing her BG is not too hard. I bought a home meter and prick her ear. I have been practicing on myself, my husband, my daughter and Jack. My son refuses to be "stuck" by his mother!

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Lily cooperates as much as allowable for her insulin shots. Maybe that will get better over time. What a lucky cat to live in our household!

a SAHM's hunt...

SAHM = Stay at Home Mom

What I love about being a SAHM is that when my children need something I can totally be there for them.  Whether it's to bring them a book, pick them up for an appointment or go on a hunt; I can be available without worry.   

Last week, on Friday, there was a rumor that Barack Obama would be stopping in town.  It was to be a "surprise visit".  My children are not voting age, but they talk of politics in their Social Studies classes.  How exciting to have an opportunity to see a presidential candidate up close.  

The following is something I posted on my husband's family blog:  

***the above photo was taken by my friend's husband***

On Friday, Senator Obama spoke to crowds in Columbus and Terre Haute, IN.  In between his talks he stopped by Bloomington.  What a day it was!  There was an air of anticipation around town.  Besides the fact that it was Little 500 weekend, to have a presidential candidate possibly come through town make Bloomington buzz!  

Bloomingtonians played "Where's Obama?" using the local newspaper blog entries as clues.  I swear I clicked my "refresh" button at least 300 times Friday afternoon on the HT's site.  Very little else got done at home!  

Stephen had said he'd like to go see the Senator if given the chance.  As he left for school Friday morning I told him, to keep his cell phone on vibrate - I'd text him if I knew anything.  Stephen had a field trip that day so I was able to call him without getting him into trouble.  When I finally got word that Obama was really going to stop in town, I called Stephen to let him know what was up.  Unfortunately for us, Michelle had to be at ballet rehearsal when Obama was suppose to be at the Little 500 track.  I told Stephen that after we'd drop Michelle off, I'd go on an Obama hunt with him and we'd see if we could find the Senator.  

After Senator Obama went to the Little 500 track, my sources said he was going to be at the Sample Gates (famous spot on campus) and walking down Kirkwood (a main street in town).  Those two spots do intersect.  So, Stephen and I went to hangout downtown.  A friend of mine kept me posted on our other friend's, Kim...whose husband is responsible for the great photo above, whereabouts.  I knew when Obama had left the track.  About five minutes later I heard the sirens from his police escort.  I called Chris, who was still at work to tell him the latest.  He said he was walking towards me but that he thought Stephen and I needed to get to Nick's...just a block away from where we were.  Chris said the police had the place blocked off and weren't allowing anyone to enter there.  

Stephen, his friend Harry and I went towards Nick's.  It was probably only three or four minutes before we saw a small crowd of people walking around the corner.  Senator Obama was smiling and shaking hands as he made his way towards us...yes, we all know he was really going to Nick's!  Stephen, Harry and I started to cross the street and were stopped by Chris who said the Secret Service (SS) men wouldn't let us do that.  I said I didn't care and we went anyway.  There was no crowd where we went.  The SS did tell us we needed to back up but I protested and said we just wanted to shake Senator Obama's hand.  WE SHOOK HIS HAND!!!!!!!!!!

As he approached I found myself speechless.  It's true I am a registered Republican.  I was totally crossing drawn lines.  But, this is a very charismatic, change-blazing, youthful, connecting-to-me-more-than-my-slated-GOP-candidate, individual who was walking right my way.  I was in the presence of a history maker.  I graciously put forth my hand and said, "Senator Obama, It's a pleasure."  He's so tall!  What a nice handshake too.  The moment I shook his hand seemed so larger than life.

I am glad for my children that even though I am registered voter of one party, I am not so narrow minded to keep them from being involved in history.  I do feel that no matter what happens in November, my son is on the shirttails of being a part of big changes coming our way as a nation.  It is his future, and my daughter's, I need to make a difference in.  I am raising my children to become their own individuals: free in thoughts, actions and dreams.  

Maybe someday I can put on my resume, raised a US Senator, Congressperson or President.  Regardless of those titles, I aim to raise a couple of wonderful human beings.  

For the best pictures of Senator Obama's quick visit to Bloomington check out my friend's blog:  www.twoboysandabeagle.blogspot.com

Important Times...

I dare say the most important times in our children's lives are those times we share with them.

Good or bad, they learn they can count on us; they can count on their family unit. Going on an adventure with one's family is the perfect example. That adventure may be sharing a holiday alone...no extra bodies other than your core group, a vacation to some place familiar or someplace exotic or traveling in a situation which takes you out of your comfort zone.

As a child I grew up camping with my mom, dad and brother. We started out with a tent and quickly moved into a pop-up trailer. Part of our adventure was mapping out where we would go. That task usually fell to the adults, but as children in the household we were privy to the conversations and negotiations. Once we arrived at our destination we all had our "jobs" to do to help set up camp.

But traveling to and from was the best part of the adventure for me. We always went by car which meant we had lots of time for just the four of us. Once packed into our car the "line" was drawn down the middle of the backseat. My brother and I were to stay on our own sides of the car. Air space was usually violated early in the trip which lead to threats of, "Do I need to pull this car over?" We didn't wear seat belts then...and I recall leaning my head over the drivers seat and resting my head on my mom's shoulder. She'd cradle her arm around my little head as I stood in the backseat.  If our mom had a sunburn, you could lean forward and peel her back for money. What would the police say today!

On our trip to Colorado dad was very excited because he was going to bring home the prized Coors beer for all his friends and relatives. It really was only sold west of the mighty Mississippi at that time. Driving through the mountains with a trailer in tow and ledges or cliffs to one side was breathtaking even as a child. I remember our parents pulling the car over, us being in shorts and getting out to play in the snow before we descended the other side of the mountain.

We toured the Coors factory and dad got to drink free, fresh samples. I remember my brother and I having something to drink, but it was probably just mountain spring water. Coors beer had these wonderfully ingenious "pop tops" in the day. That too was part of their sell.   Two round dots were on top and you pushed them in to drink and vent the aluminum can.  Dad bought as many cases of beer as he could stuff into our trailer for the return trip. Each night that we'd stop to camp the precious beer had to be locked into the car. One morning, as we were packing up the trailer the cases must not have been put back exactly right. As dad and mom pushed in one side of the beds to close up the trailer we heard "Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!" which was quickly followed by a "G** D*** It!!!!! Trisha quick! Kids get over here and start drinking!" Or something like that. :) Dad didn't want to waste his precious treasure.

Most of the beer made the trip home, but that memory remains strong in me.

This week my brother has been on an adventure with his wife and children. My niece and nephew are pictured above in Florida. I just wonder what wonderful memories they are building and am glad to see my brother following in our tradition!  I only wish I had a photo to share of my brother skim-boarding and the thumbs up he received.   :)

Family History...What you have is what you have...