Deadlines!!!
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I've been in hiding for a bit. Deadline, February 1st, for the story I'm working on... which has no name nor an ending either. But hey! I'm almost done. Have a great week and I'll catch up with you in a few days.
Bible Study Today
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Who knew?! I actually go to a bible study now! haha. It's very unlike me.
In case you're curious about the world's state of affairs, it's already been determined.
I know, getting all thoughtful on you...
but we read today that Jesus said, "I do not come to bring peace. I come to bring division."
Huh.
That made me think. It's so easy to shake a fist and wonder what the heck is going on around here. And I sometimes wonder if there isn't some kind of solution to the debates, the wars... No peace! But I guess what it comes down to is that we weren't promised peace in this lifetime.
What we should all do is just chill then. I mean, what's the point of fighting about stuff if the divide has been set?
Let's all have a drink! Cheers!
....Have I taken this lesson too far? LOL :D
In case you're curious about the world's state of affairs, it's already been determined.
I know, getting all thoughtful on you...
but we read today that Jesus said, "I do not come to bring peace. I come to bring division."
Huh.
That made me think. It's so easy to shake a fist and wonder what the heck is going on around here. And I sometimes wonder if there isn't some kind of solution to the debates, the wars... No peace! But I guess what it comes down to is that we weren't promised peace in this lifetime.
What we should all do is just chill then. I mean, what's the point of fighting about stuff if the divide has been set?
Let's all have a drink! Cheers!
....Have I taken this lesson too far? LOL :D
Write Something Fun
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As writers, we spend time--even if it's not acknowledged as such--finding a niche, finding our voice. Making our writing special. Even the same story isn't told more than once the same way. I've had some fun playing with my voice and experimenting with stories.
When I've wanted my voice to be pretty dark, I've found that it leans toward sarcastic. Maybe not all lighthearted, but definitely not DARK. When I think of it in a visual sense, I get more of a Psych reference than a Psycho reference. :D :D
Plus, I've even written a couple of contemporary romances in the last few years that have absolutely NO MYSTERY OR SUSPENSE AT ALL. *gasp*
I know!!
Crazy. But those seem to flow really well for me...and that makes me suspicious that there in lies a strength. So, what about you? What's your strength? And if you could put your voice to TV what show or movie would it be?
Plus, I've even written a couple of contemporary romances in the last few years that have absolutely NO MYSTERY OR SUSPENSE AT ALL. *gasp*
I know!!
Crazy. But those seem to flow really well for me...and that makes me suspicious that there in lies a strength. So, what about you? What's your strength? And if you could put your voice to TV what show or movie would it be?
Miracle Monday
/
Miracle Monday
Maybe this isn't so much a miracle, but it is a blessing...
See, Matt was originally assigned to the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg. He had the option to switch with some other guys in his class. Someone with Fort Riley. Another guy with Fort Hood.
We looked at those, too.
But I know my husband and he was looking for something a little further west...
Like Colorado or Alaska.
And then he called me a couple weeks ago with this great plan!
A four way!! This is where it gets a little complicated.
It starts out like a joke.
4 guys walked into a bar...
One, on his way to Korea.
One, going to Hood.
One, to Carson.
And another to Bragg.
hahaha. Anyway, we're going to Fort Carson.
And we're excited about it...
Maybe this isn't so much a miracle, but it is a blessing...
See, Matt was originally assigned to the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg. He had the option to switch with some other guys in his class. Someone with Fort Riley. Another guy with Fort Hood.
We looked at those, too.
But I know my husband and he was looking for something a little further west...
Like Colorado or Alaska.
And then he called me a couple weeks ago with this great plan!
A four way!! This is where it gets a little complicated.
It starts out like a joke.
4 guys walked into a bar...
One, on his way to Korea.
One, going to Hood.
One, to Carson.
And another to Bragg.
hahaha. Anyway, we're going to Fort Carson.
And we're excited about it...
Where do you live?
/
You ever think about what's on the other side of the fence?
Is the grass really greener?
I've noticed, in my writing, my characters tend to live in single family homes. Even when they're single!! [why wouldn't a single person want a nice, big family home, right?] This month, I've started a story and put my character in an apartment. Yes, I did. An upstairs-from-her-cafe apartment.
My family will move again in the future.
And I'm already thinking about our housing options.
The biggest variable for military families is whether to live on base or live off.
We're off now, and I kind of like it.
Nice house, nice neighborhood, close to stores, privacy...
PRIVACY!!
I still imagine life on base as being a bit fish-bowlie.
At the same time, it would be nice to live so close to gyms and parks and work and...ya know, stuff.
So, how good is it?
I wish I knew.
I guess, I need to decide if it's worth stepping on that grass and seeing how soft and green it really is.
What about you? What your favorite thing about where you live... and what do you as the GREEN on the other side of the fence?
Is the grass really greener?
I've noticed, in my writing, my characters tend to live in single family homes. Even when they're single!! [why wouldn't a single person want a nice, big family home, right?] This month, I've started a story and put my character in an apartment. Yes, I did. An upstairs-from-her-cafe apartment.
My family will move again in the future.
And I'm already thinking about our housing options.
The biggest variable for military families is whether to live on base or live off.
We're off now, and I kind of like it.
Nice house, nice neighborhood, close to stores, privacy...
PRIVACY!!
I still imagine life on base as being a bit fish-bowlie.
At the same time, it would be nice to live so close to gyms and parks and work and...ya know, stuff.
So, how good is it?
I wish I knew.
I guess, I need to decide if it's worth stepping on that grass and seeing how soft and green it really is.
What about you? What your favorite thing about where you live... and what do you as the GREEN on the other side of the fence?
Wordless Wednesday
/
Words:
November 2007 in Virginia for the NFB (National Federation of the Blind) conference with the four cutest kids of 2007.
What I wrote in my blog,
Overcome the Odds
Good advice!
What I wrote in August of 2007
/
PEN NAMES!
How had I really come up with all these names to call myself...???
I'd been writing for 3 years and liked the idea of writing under a name. The romance. The mystery.
I actually still use my email address for Morgan St. John.
2. Rose Matthews, a combo of children's names...
3. Bailey Morgan, apparently too modern or fadish. Besides, I like drinking Bailey's so I can only imagin someone calling me a getting a 'yes please!' in reply!
4. Dakota Morgan, Does it say stripper to you?
5. Cait(y) Madison, my sister is Kate...I don't think my DH would appreciate people walking around calling me that. Love the spelling though! and love the Madison.
6. Harley Matthews, okay...it is a little tiny bit too fadish, but it's like the me I'd love to have the balls to be.
7. Tracy Pearl - NO! I shiver just typing it and wonder how it ever got on the list!
8. Magnolia, no last name...now there's an idea.
9. Fiona Baker, I do love to bake and have considered opening a pie shop but that name on one of my books? Just isn't going to happen.
10. Magdalynne, I think I have a story started with this name as a character. Seems like the only reason is would end up on a pen name list. Like the name...but for characters only!
11. RoseLee Morgan, another family name combo, a little too southern for me. Not that I won't someday live in the south. It's just as likely as me living in the midwest or the west...or the north for that matter.
12. Morgan Matthews, PHEW, a mouthful.
13. finally, the WINNER, Morgan St. John - I really love this name. Family Combo and classy to boot.
For What it's Worth, it's been five years since I started this blog. I've got an anniversary coming up in July!! I can add one more name to that list. Penny Dune.
And then, I finally decided it was too much work. :P
So here I am, just me, Bethanne Strasser... a romance writer [and wife and mother and cook and baker and chauffeur and tv enthusiast and diabetic].
*Shrug*
*waves*
Hiya.
Stick with me as I sift through old posts and plan a celebration for later this year.
:D :D :D
A1c -- What the heck does it mean?
/
Don't look away, writers. Your A1c is important to you, too! Especially if you are crossing into 40 or 50. If you've been sitting in front of your computer so long, you've put on a few extra pounds. A1c tells the doctors alot about how diabetic you've become [Type II].
I'm a Type I, Insulin Dependent Diabetic.
This pancreas ain't makin' no juice. Uh uh. No way, no how.
Even with some debate on the value of the A1c result, I like the look it gives me at how I'm doing.
A1c is a number, based on calculations, that represents our average blood glucose over three months.
Your average, non diabetic will have an A1c of about 5, with blood sugars that range from 70 to 110.
So let's look at the chart:
A1c = mg/dl
13 = 326
12 = 298
11 = 269
10 = 240
9 = 212
8 = 183
7 = 154
6 = 126
So when you go to the doctor and you have a 6.5 or a 7, and the doctor says, that's good or that's not bad. You can say, "No. I don't think so. That number puts me at about 140 mg/dl, on average. That's not going to work for me."
As usual, i'm not your doctor and there are circumstances in which you might lean on the side of caution. For example, young children who are not always as adept at identifying lows would want a sugar level that sticks as close to 6 or even 7 as possible. For sure, any changes in your care should be talked about with your doctor or caregiver. :D :D
Enjoy your weekend!
I'm looking forward to an extra day with my husband and kids, to sunny skies and relaxation.
Not to mention, I'll be writing.
With Love,
Bethanne
I'm a Type I, Insulin Dependent Diabetic.
This pancreas ain't makin' no juice. Uh uh. No way, no how.
Even with some debate on the value of the A1c result, I like the look it gives me at how I'm doing.
A1c is a number, based on calculations, that represents our average blood glucose over three months.
Your average, non diabetic will have an A1c of about 5, with blood sugars that range from 70 to 110.
So let's look at the chart:
A1c = mg/dl
13 = 326
12 = 298
11 = 269
10 = 240
9 = 212
8 = 183
7 = 154
6 = 126
So when you go to the doctor and you have a 6.5 or a 7, and the doctor says, that's good or that's not bad. You can say, "No. I don't think so. That number puts me at about 140 mg/dl, on average. That's not going to work for me."
As usual, i'm not your doctor and there are circumstances in which you might lean on the side of caution. For example, young children who are not always as adept at identifying lows would want a sugar level that sticks as close to 6 or even 7 as possible. For sure, any changes in your care should be talked about with your doctor or caregiver. :D :D
Enjoy your weekend!
I'm looking forward to an extra day with my husband and kids, to sunny skies and relaxation.
Not to mention, I'll be writing.
With Love,
Bethanne
Time Management
/
It can be done.
Everything on my list, with effort and even a minimal amount of organization, can be done.
That's what I tell myself. And today is the perfect example.
I knew, if I didn't get out right away, I might sit at my computer for an hour or two, but then I'd be stuck at the store from midday until my kids came home. So I left my computer and my coffee and my Skype friends and I ran to the store and the bible study and the bank...
When I finally got home, an hour later than I wanted to, I was able to put my little munchkin down for a nap, make coffee and sit to work for a good two hours. I've done more than the 212 words a day goal for the year, and I have hope that I can get to the 650 words a day goal for January.
I believe that time management has to do with prioritizing and guns.
Have a great week.
With Love,
Bethanne
Everything on my list, with effort and even a minimal amount of organization, can be done.
That's what I tell myself. And today is the perfect example.
I knew, if I didn't get out right away, I might sit at my computer for an hour or two, but then I'd be stuck at the store from midday until my kids came home. So I left my computer and my coffee and my Skype friends and I ran to the store and the bible study and the bank...
When I finally got home, an hour later than I wanted to, I was able to put my little munchkin down for a nap, make coffee and sit to work for a good two hours. I've done more than the 212 words a day goal for the year, and I have hope that I can get to the 650 words a day goal for January.
I believe that time management has to do with prioritizing and guns.
Have a great week.
With Love,
Bethanne
Stick to your guns! [in all you do]
Week Two
/
It was a great start to the new year.
I'm writing a new story and working on old ones, all at the same time.
My kids are ready for school [and so am I! Ready for them to go to school. haha].
What do I say? I'm thinking on a story.
Let's play a game ...let's say you're on vacation and you meet someone [imagine it, you're single]. On the coast, pick a town, any town. A local guy/gal. What do they do? Own a shop? Wait tables? Life guard? You meet... you talk...
Tell me [G-rated-like, maybe PG] about your first date. :D
Who started it? Where do you go? What is the one thing that happens on this date that makes you fall head over heels?
I'm writing a new story and working on old ones, all at the same time.
My kids are ready for school [and so am I! Ready for them to go to school. haha].
What do I say? I'm thinking on a story.
Let's play a game ...let's say you're on vacation and you meet someone [imagine it, you're single]. On the coast, pick a town, any town. A local guy/gal. What do they do? Own a shop? Wait tables? Life guard? You meet... you talk...
Tell me [G-rated-like, maybe PG] about your first date. :D
Who started it? Where do you go? What is the one thing that happens on this date that makes you fall head over heels?
I saw a Rainbow
/
I can't help it...
Struck by hope is the only way to describe it.
I wish I'd had a camera with me, but I didn't so you just have to imagine the full, double arc of color over my head when I got out of church this afternoon. With the sun filtering through the residual clouds leftover from the smattering of rain, I saw God.
What an awesome sign of promise that is!
He doesn't forget me. Not when I forget Him. Not when I've lost all sense of direction. When my husband is gone or my kids are driving me crazy, when I can't seem to write a single word or my health feels so out-of-wack, I'll have that rainbow just like Noah did after all that rain and flooding.
Have a great new week friends,
With love,
Bethanne
Struck by hope is the only way to describe it.
I wish I'd had a camera with me, but I didn't so you just have to imagine the full, double arc of color over my head when I got out of church this afternoon. With the sun filtering through the residual clouds leftover from the smattering of rain, I saw God.
What an awesome sign of promise that is!
He doesn't forget me. Not when I forget Him. Not when I've lost all sense of direction. When my husband is gone or my kids are driving me crazy, when I can't seem to write a single word or my health feels so out-of-wack, I'll have that rainbow just like Noah did after all that rain and flooding.
Have a great new week friends,
With love,
Bethanne
Netflix and a Couch Writer
/
First, welcome all my diabetes blog followers. I've officially closed my blogspot, Living With It, so you'll see a few blog posts here and there that pertain to life as a diabetic. WELCOME and enjoy your visit!
Something new in our house this year is Netflix. We've had it before then dropped it but are back on the bandwagon. And loving every minute of it. Seriously, I know Netflix took a dive this past fall, prices going up, packages changing... but when Burn Notice popped up on the streaming menu [yes, i check regularly], I couldn't help myself. It seemed like the perfect time to go back. :D hahaha. And what I do love about the new version is that I can cancel at any time.
The other show my husband and I like to watch is That 70s Show.
So, for quality time with my husband where both of us can relax and enjoy a few laughs, $8 a month seems worth it. Right now, we're watching PBS, Birds of Paradise. Oooo, fun.
This is my time to sit and write or edit or read.
Now, if it was antiques roadshow...I might be a little distracted! :D
Hey, keep writing! Keep blogging. Keep reading.
With Love,
Bethanne
Something new in our house this year is Netflix. We've had it before then dropped it but are back on the bandwagon. And loving every minute of it. Seriously, I know Netflix took a dive this past fall, prices going up, packages changing... but when Burn Notice popped up on the streaming menu [yes, i check regularly], I couldn't help myself. It seemed like the perfect time to go back. :D hahaha. And what I do love about the new version is that I can cancel at any time.
The other show my husband and I like to watch is That 70s Show.
So, for quality time with my husband where both of us can relax and enjoy a few laughs, $8 a month seems worth it. Right now, we're watching PBS, Birds of Paradise. Oooo, fun.
This is my time to sit and write or edit or read.
Now, if it was antiques roadshow...I might be a little distracted! :D
Hey, keep writing! Keep blogging. Keep reading.
With Love,
Bethanne
The Older I get...
/
The less I feel like doctors want to listen to me.
I have hit a wall in my search for a doctor who will acknowledge that I know just as much if not MORE than he does. This latest doctor is the worst! Not only is he the worst, he loves himself WAY TOO MUCH. He says that he is working with Minimed, consulting with them to change things, but the changes he suggests do NOT coincide with how I manage my diabetes. As a matter of fact, it leaves everything to the doctor [which is good for the doctor with the God complex]. It eliminates the use of 95% of the data I get from my CGM and pump. He wants premeal blood glucose levels and a bedtime one, if I feel like it.
WHAT THE YOU-KNOW-WHAT?!
Isn't that taking a step BACK in diabetes management?
"Uh, yes ma'am, it sure as hell is." <--that's me, talking to myself.
See, there's this AVERAGE in diabetes that is a statement of about how much basal insulin [basal is the ongoing rate, not based on what you eat] a typical diabetic will use. The rates, starting at midnight, rise at predawn then slowly decrease through the day. Sooo, maybe I'm not that typical, but Dr. God, on seeing my rates, shook his head and said, "This is a mess."
He then proceeded to suggest changes that replicate what an average diabetic's basal rates should be.
But, after seven years on the pump and three kids later, I can tell you, without a doubt, that my basal rates do not follow that trend. WHAT?! how is that possible?! But, again, as with my last doctor, I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. [or perhaps I just wanted to prove him wrong] But I changed my rates to his suggestions and watched my sugars go way up and stay there for three days, with just an occasional drop because of the raging corrections I made.
Now, let me set you straight. Perhaps you want to believe I'm just too obstinate or rebellious or bad. What do they call it when a patient refuses to follow doctor's orders? I don't know, but it would be easy to believe I am that patient. It's true I've changed doctors a good bit, but at this point, it has never been because I disagreed with a doctor. I just move around a lot. When I saw this new guy for the first time and he said my A1c of 6.4 was good, I knew it wasn't going to work. I've had an A1c of under 6 for over a year. I've had NO hypoglycemic episodes [low blood sugar symptoms] of the debilitating variety. My sugars are tight and that's how I like them, because we all know that the better and lower I can keep them, the less likely I am to get complications. You know, like retinopathy or neuropathy or glaucoma or appendage loss... heeellllllooooo?!?! Dude, really? Don't tell me a 6.4 is okay. Ask me if a 6.4 is okay with me.
This is the first time in 23 years, I am about to cancel an appointment with a doctor because I really dislike him alot. Part of me wants to write him a letter to make sure he knows that he is NOT helping the diabetic community. That his methods, even if they work for him or most of his patients, are not giving them the tools to manage their own diabetes, which is the ultimate freedom.
Or I could just quietly leave.
I just switched from Standard Tricare to Prime, which basically means we're going from a PPO plan to an HMO plan [another story all together], but it does give me the option of talking to another doctor and getting a feel for who out there, if anyone, can let me be in control. hahahaha.
I have hit a wall in my search for a doctor who will acknowledge that I know just as much if not MORE than he does. This latest doctor is the worst! Not only is he the worst, he loves himself WAY TOO MUCH. He says that he is working with Minimed, consulting with them to change things, but the changes he suggests do NOT coincide with how I manage my diabetes. As a matter of fact, it leaves everything to the doctor [which is good for the doctor with the God complex]. It eliminates the use of 95% of the data I get from my CGM and pump. He wants premeal blood glucose levels and a bedtime one, if I feel like it.
WHAT THE YOU-KNOW-WHAT?!
Isn't that taking a step BACK in diabetes management?
"Uh, yes ma'am, it sure as hell is." <--that's me, talking to myself.
See, there's this AVERAGE in diabetes that is a statement of about how much basal insulin [basal is the ongoing rate, not based on what you eat] a typical diabetic will use. The rates, starting at midnight, rise at predawn then slowly decrease through the day. Sooo, maybe I'm not that typical, but Dr. God, on seeing my rates, shook his head and said, "This is a mess."
He then proceeded to suggest changes that replicate what an average diabetic's basal rates should be.
But, after seven years on the pump and three kids later, I can tell you, without a doubt, that my basal rates do not follow that trend. WHAT?! how is that possible?! But, again, as with my last doctor, I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. [or perhaps I just wanted to prove him wrong] But I changed my rates to his suggestions and watched my sugars go way up and stay there for three days, with just an occasional drop because of the raging corrections I made.
Now, let me set you straight. Perhaps you want to believe I'm just too obstinate or rebellious or bad. What do they call it when a patient refuses to follow doctor's orders? I don't know, but it would be easy to believe I am that patient. It's true I've changed doctors a good bit, but at this point, it has never been because I disagreed with a doctor. I just move around a lot. When I saw this new guy for the first time and he said my A1c of 6.4 was good, I knew it wasn't going to work. I've had an A1c of under 6 for over a year. I've had NO hypoglycemic episodes [low blood sugar symptoms] of the debilitating variety. My sugars are tight and that's how I like them, because we all know that the better and lower I can keep them, the less likely I am to get complications. You know, like retinopathy or neuropathy or glaucoma or appendage loss... heeellllllooooo?!?! Dude, really? Don't tell me a 6.4 is okay. Ask me if a 6.4 is okay with me.
This is the first time in 23 years, I am about to cancel an appointment with a doctor because I really dislike him alot. Part of me wants to write him a letter to make sure he knows that he is NOT helping the diabetic community. That his methods, even if they work for him or most of his patients, are not giving them the tools to manage their own diabetes, which is the ultimate freedom.
Or I could just quietly leave.
I just switched from Standard Tricare to Prime, which basically means we're going from a PPO plan to an HMO plan [another story all together], but it does give me the option of talking to another doctor and getting a feel for who out there, if anyone, can let me be in control. hahahaha.
2012
/
Nothing like starting the new year practicing writing the date by paying bills!! Hahaha.
An uneventful start to the New Year but a good one nonetheless.
With family around, including g-parents and aunts and uncles, I went to bed at 10:30. :D
My husband starts his next round of training tomorrow at the Armor School.
And before the end of January, we'll have orders for our next Duty Station.
I'm working hard to curb my enthusiasm. Don't want to jinx anything. But I am excited.
This year... One Day at a Time.
With Love,
Bethanne
An uneventful start to the New Year but a good one nonetheless.
With family around, including g-parents and aunts and uncles, I went to bed at 10:30. :D
My husband starts his next round of training tomorrow at the Armor School.
And before the end of January, we'll have orders for our next Duty Station.
I'm working hard to curb my enthusiasm. Don't want to jinx anything. But I am excited.
This year... One Day at a Time.
With Love,
Bethanne
