JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes

This year, Scott and I will be taking part in JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes, along with one-half million other walkers across the country, as we try to reach our goal of raising $105 million.

We have participated in the ADA's walk for many years, but this year decided to go with the JDRF walk because more of the money goes to actual research, and it is focused on Type 1 diabetes, which is what I have had for 22+ years.

Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, is a devastating disease that affects millions of people - a large and growing percentage of them children. (I was diagnosed at age 6)

There is some good news, though. Scientists are predicting that we CAN expect to see a cure well within our lifetime! When I was diagnosed, I was told not to worry - there would be a cure by the time I reached my teenage years. Those have long since passed, and still we haven't found a cure. After quite a bit of reading, though, I'm more convinced than ever that the scientists are on to something - and with proper funding, I'm hopeful that a cure will be found, and hopefully soon!

Now, more than ever, you can make a crucial difference. Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as possible? Together, we can make the cure a reality! Donate to me here.

Or, donate to Scott here.

Thanks, and I look forward to sharing our fund raising accomplishments and hopefully pictures from the walk with you!

Belated Birthday Wishes

I've missed posting about THREE birthdays just in the past week! In chronological order, first, happy birthday to this blog! It started on Pi Day last year, and on Pi Day this year we had new flooring installed and went out to dinner - and had free Key Lime Pi(e) - Yum!

Next, happy birthday to our doggy, Corgan, who turned 3 on 3/15. On Saturday, he and his "brother", Cash and I went to Performance Dogs for some slightly soggy, but still fun lure chasing and off leash play. Corgan, as always, chased the lure until his muscles quivered. Cash preferred to chase other dogs. Both were exhausted at the end, and I think it was a good day overall. To celebrate his actual birthday, Corgan had a nasty upset stomach and required a trip to the vet that set us back a pretty penny. Poor guy. Luckily he's feeling better now.

Last but not least, Happy Birthday to Caitlin! What a year it's been since her last birthday - welcoming her not-so-little girl, Allison, into the world in July, and going from a part time working mom to a stay at home mom - fulfilling her deepest desire. Congrats to you, Cait, and I hope your birthday was fantastic (despite my belated post)!

And, just so I'm not late on this one, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My First Post

My first foray into the blogging world was as a guest poster on Being A Dad Ain't Bad (language warning). They have an open forum blog for all dads or soon-to-be dads (as is my case), and I have the distinct honor of being their first guest blogger, which comes with a door prize of a gift basket from Hickory Farms that was on super clearance. Actually, it didn't come with any prizes. Maybe I'll log in to Blogger under a different name and suggest that they give door prizes to attract more guest articles.

In other news...

The weather this weekend is GORGEOUS! Not to get all grandfathery on you to talk about the weather, but it's truly remarkable - 78*, just enough clouds to make it comfortable out, and not a rain drop in sight. It's perfect! And, by the way, there are still dirty piles of snow here and there, which is quite bizarre.

The crocus are up at church, and our daffodils and tulips are coming up in the front yard. Dare I say it...it's starting to feel a little teensy bit like spring! How exciting!

Also, we're having new flooring installed!! We've had disgusting carpet for the 3 1/2 years we've lived here, and now that the little one is coming (and my bonus check was deposited), we've decided now is the time. We're getting laminate in our main level that looks a lot like this and carpeting in the upstairs level (where the bedrooms are) that is a gray-based dark beige.

The carpet is being installed NEXT WEEKEND! Holy cow! And the laminate may very well be the weekend after that! I'm SO excited about this - it's something we've been wanting to do since we moved in, and we've finally got the resources to do it =D. We're also using a local flooring store and are happy to be supporting the local economy and a family-run business. It makes us feel good :).

Hallelujah! - wait, scratch that.

I was all geared up yesterday to write a "Hallelujah the headaches are gone!" post, but alas, they're back. The had stopped the day I wrote the last post, and showed up again last night. I came prepared to work today, bearing my Tylenol plus Codeine in the event that it worsens through the day.

I've noticed something here at work. Whenever I have a headache, someone inevitably burns toast in the toaster. Why is this interesting, you may ask? It's interesting because the smell of burnt toast makes my headaches worse (and if I didn't have one already, often GIVES me a headache). I wonder what I've done wrong that is making the universe want to punish me.