What happened to March?

Not only what happened to March, but what the heck happened to me, ye olde trusty blogger? I have to admit folks that I need new topics to write about because my MS is in remission, my diabetes I'm not focusing on much (which reminded me to go take my blood sugar for the first time in ten days!), and school is going okay.

In short, which is what I am for those of you who know me in real life, life is just ducky.

My MS Walk team is getting revved up and ready to go for our May 1st walk. We're a small team compared to some but we're mighty in spirit. Right now we are third for team fundraising and I am first for individual fundraising for the Syracuse, NY walk. I'm just thrilled with that even if I am behind compared to last year's amount. I know the economy is tanking and discretionary spending doesn't necessarily include donations to the NMSS. However, I am thankful to all who have been generous in time, spirit, and donations of goods and cold hard cash.

The diabetes thing is a bit of a problem because even though my A1C is dropping it's not because I have made a concerted effort to change things. Since my Dad's death in November I have been a huge slacker in this area. I rarely check my blood sugar weekly, let alone check it twice a day. I am trying to remember all my meds but often forget my Victoza shot in the morning. My other meds give me the "runs" which are oh so pleasant, especially when you already have some bowel and bladder issues due to MS.

I know this is TMI but I have lost more panties due to sudden explosions than I care to count. I just ordered some new ones online to replace the casualties. Now back to your unregularly scheduled program...

So diabetes is something I need to conquer. I can do it, was doing it, until Dad died. Then some things fell apart, like me, and the diabetes thing got lost in the shuffle. I keep telling myself I'll start to take better care of myself and then I don't. Maybe I need to write more about that. Maybe the blog needs to take a diabetes slant for a bit. I mean, I do fancy my eyesight and all my limbs and such. It would be a tragedy to survive and thrive with MS and then go blind or need something amputated in the future.

I also need to start really exercising again. I have been walking in my little apartment to get prepared for our big walk. Last year there was no turn around sign so we kept on walking extra and I absolutely plan against doing that this year. I know where to look now and plan to do three mile minimum (or less, if I can get away with it). I have people at work that tell me they don't walk and I want to tell them that neither do I on a regular, athletic basis. I know I need to but I just don't. Walking after work puts a real dent in my napping time.

It is Spring now and I am loving that. I drive to work with the sun coming up on the driver's side as I go to school. I sometimes leave in the afternoon and can open the sunroof. Oh what a joy that is! When you live in a place that snows from October/November to April/May, spring is a welcome sight, sound, and smell. There's nothing quite like fresh blades of green grass and flowers poking up through the formerly frozen ground.

Oh, the card making thing is going swimmingly also. Did I tell you I joined Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator? I was thinking about doing it, decided against it, and then completely changed my mind and did it. Just jumped in with both feet, boom. Now I am making a little bit of money doing something fun that I enjoy. Something besides teaching that is.

Speaking/typing of teaching... today is a half day for the kiddos and so is tomorrow for parent-teacher conferences. I'll be working until sometime around 6 tonight but then leaving early Friday. Then, blissfully, I will be off all next week for vacation. I'm not going anywhere, except for my Tysabri appointment and to the neurologist and a few fun side trips mixed in to work on cards and such. Sleeping in, if Edison allows it, will be fabulous.

So, in a nutshell, this nut is doing okay in spite of all the challenges that life has thrown at me for the last year. I hope you're doing well, too.

Holiday Mail for Heroes, an easy way to help others

Today's post will not be about me. I know, can you believe this narcissistic blogger can manage to turn her focus elsewhere? It does happen now and then.

I'll be copying and pasting some information here on an inexpensive and easy way to help others during this holiday season, something I'm going to be working on myself this afternoon. As most of you know, I have siblings in the military and most of you know that you can no longer send packages to any soldier like you used to be able to prior to 9/11. However, the Red Cross does offer a program that you and your family (a great project for kiddos to be involved in)can participate in where you can mail holiday cards to military personnel serving overseas, veterans, and military personnel here in the US. It's totally legit, Snopes it if you'd like.

Here's the web addy: http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/

Below will be more information about the Holiday Mail for Heroes program but please remember that cards MUST arrive by December 10th and cards do NOT need to be individually enclosed in envelopes so if you have messed up on some envelopes and have some extra holiday cards, or you can hit up the dollar store for some cards, or make some at home with the kiddos to donate to this project.

Here's the promised information about the Holiday Mail for Heroes program:

Holiday Mail for Heroes

Holiday Mail for Heroes is a partnership between the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes to deliver one million holiday cards to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world. Please send cards to this address, following the guidelines listed below:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456


Please follow these simple guidelines when sending your card to ensure it will quickly reach service members, veterans and their families.

•All cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Cards sent after this date will be returned to sender.

•If sending more than one card, please mail all cards together in ONE large shipping envelope. Cards sent in this manner do NOT need individual envelopes or postage.

•Please ensure that all cards are signed.

•Please use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.”

•Please do NOT include personal information, like email or home addresses.

•Please do NOT send letters.

•Please do NOT include inserts of any kind, including photos, GLITTER, confetti, gift cards or calling cards. Any items inserted into cards will be removed during the reviewing process.

•All cards received may be used in program publicity efforts, including appearing in broadcast, print or online mediums.

I'd love to know if anyone plans to participate out there. I have some photo cards of the cat I'm going to use up because everyone saw them last year. Thanks for helping and happy holiday season to you all.