Glucose update. :)

Hi, ladies. My new dear friend, Nancy, is praying diligently for my glucose readings, and keeps asking me how I'm doing. :D I'm glad you care!

This is my "lifeline", my meter.

It's a vampire! The biggest problem is the cost of the strips for this puppy - I'm not testing as often this week as I should, because I'm running low on funds. However, I am trying to watch it!

My readings have been really, really high lately. I've been stressed, and that NEVER does well for me. This morning, my fasting reading was still high, but lower than it has been every other morning for a week. I just tested, right after I took this picture: it's PERFECT right now, even though I feel INCREDIBLY stressed. So PLEASE keep the prayers coming!

As far as my eyesight goes, I have another check with my retinal specialist the end of this month. My left eye continues to have "episodes", and I'm in the middle of one now. I don't say anything around the house about it, because there's no reason to worry anyone. It's just something I'm going to have to live with. :)

Thank you for caring, ladies. I hope you're having a wonderful day!

New year, new blog!

Welcome to my new blog! I've been pondering doing this for a long time, and here I go!

In case you don't know me already, my name is Lori. I'm a 40-year-old married to a 60-year-old, which brings on joys and challenges of its own. :) We live in central Tennessee, attend a Southern Baptist church, and are photographers by trade. I'm a type 2 diabetic who struggles moment by moment to achieve SOME semblance of glucose control, a Stampin' Up!® demonstrator, a Kat's Coffees & More consultant, and a Christian since I was 6. I have a beautiful step-daughter, Kaisa, who got married to Jeff in May 2007. I'm an aunt to five nieces and one nephew - not to mention my fur-baby nephew and niece! ;)

There's always a LOT going on in my life, and when I'm up, I'm up - YOU know what I mean! If you're reading my blog, it's either because you're curious to see what I'm into NOW, or because maybe you recognize that some aspect of my life might be similar to yours. :) Regardless of your motivation, I'm GLAD you're reading! I'd like to become your friend, and share in your journey! My friends and family are incredibly important to me, and I always welcome new people to share - I firmly believe we ALL have something to contribute to one another!

So. My reason for starting this blog? Because I really want to make a difference in MORE than just stamping. I think that, every once in a while, I have something worth saying, or worth pondering - and thought maybe I'd find an outlet in this blog. If you have something YOU want to talk about, or any questions, or anything that might start me on a tangent, please let me know! I want this to be a safe place for you to come read, laugh, maybe cry, vent, just be yourself. :)

My heart's desire is for you to know that God loves you passionately, deeply, and eternally - and He understands your struggles. Mine, too. :) And sharing them helps us get thru them! They came to PASS, not STAY, dear friend!

I hope you're intrigued enough that you'll come back and visit. Starting tomorrow, January 1, I'll share some of my personal goals - and I'm hoping this blog will help me be accountable for keeping up with them! :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!! God BLESS you, and keep you SAFE!!!!