You Tube Tuesday #149

Legos are awesome. Except of course when you are step on one in the dead of night when you are putting your kid to sleep. OUCH!

The Matrix is also awesome. Although the last one was lame in my book.

Put them together and you have this weeks clip. Enjoy!

Something New

A while back I had a Camouflage skin on Master P (that's the name of my pump BTW), and recently I had a Lakers skin on it.

Well check out this new skin I am currently rocking.

Pretty sweet huh? I made it on Skinit.com. What's cool about this site is that they make skins for all kinds of stuff. Laptops, phones, and even some insulin pumps! 

So if you have a Minimed pump try making one for yourself. I think it came out pretty cool and at 20.00 it was a nice little present to me. 

Check out how the bottom came out. Sweetness.

I must admit, since I have put it on I smile every time I pull my pump out of my pocket. And with the insane highs I have had all weekend, I have needed all the smiles I can get.

Next Year

One of the lamest jokes that I am guilty of using every December is "See ya next year!" I know it's lame but sometimes the corny jokes get the reaction. 

Typically, this joke is saved for the weekend before New Year's day or at least in late December. 

My first "next year" joke was already told. 

I called my medical group yesterday to find our about the referral for my endo appointment that was cancelled last week due to a "pending" approval. Here's how it went.

"Hi, my name is George Simmons and I am calling to find out about the status of my referral to my endocrinologist, since I missed my appointment last week." 

The lady on the phone was short but nice. She asked for info to make sure it was me on the phone and then she said, "I show the referral was approved on the 25th."

"Well, that's great since my appointment was for the 24th!" I tried not to be sarcastic but I mean, give me a break. The next day? Really? So I went on, "So can I just call my endo now and reschedule or what?"

"Well yeah, you missed the appointment." She was definitely sarcastic.

"Nice. Thanks." I was sarcastic without a doubt.

Without putting the phone down I dialed my endo.

"Hi this is George Simmons."

"Oh hi George!" I love it when people remember me especially when I can prove I am a type 1. "We just got a referral approval faxed over this morning."

I really wanted to call the girl back at the Medical Group but I am sure it would not have been pretty so I let it go. "Yeah I know. They approved it the day AFTER my appointment. Anyhow, can I schedule an appointment now?"

I heard the sound of fingers pounding away at a keyboard. "Well, the soonest the doctor has available is January 4th. Will that work?"

"It'll have to. I'll take it."

"Great, we will see you on the 4th at noon. Take care."

"You too. See you next year!"

Click.

I guess she didn't think it was funny. 

For the record, neither did I.

Baked

I was feeling pretty crummy yesterday and I thought that maybe it would help if I got baked!

Wait, that came out wrong. What I meant to say was...

I baked!

Back in October I made Banana nut bread for the very first time and it came out great. I decided to give Zucchini bread a try and I must admit, it came out fantastic!

Here's how it went down. I signed myself up to bring Banana bread and Zucchini bread to my sisters on Christmas morning so I figured a trial was in order. I made two loaves and they both are perfect. Moist, flavorful, and with a nice crust.

I know some of you baking types think this is no big deal but I still am shocked at how well it turned out. I am proud of myself.

And I didn't stop there.

I made cookies too!

This was a recipe I found online and they came out perfect!

They have chocolate chips, pecans (as you can see on the left in this picture),

and...

That's right! Bacon! I had to try these and I'll be honest. I think I would rather have my bacon on the side. Although my son couldn't get enough. They are good, it's just weird.

I hoped that baking would make me feel better and it did. My spirits were lifted. So now what should I try making?

My wife says I missed my calling. George the Baker. It doesn't sound bad right?

Not There Yet

I am trying to embrace this holiday season and get all "Chirstmasy with it" but I am not feeling it.

This year we may finally be able to provide gifts to the people we never get to. We may be able to pay all of our bills and enjoy the season, a first for us. Not that we can get a ton of stuff but my children have grown accustomed to not getting much, so this year should seem like a massive amount. I am looking forward to that.

What is difficult for me is the number of loved ones that are going to struggle this year. Many people I love have lost their jobs, are in terrible financial situations, or are facing difficult times right now. 

When my friends hurt, I hurt. 

I keep playing the lottery hoping I can win and send cash to all my friends, and make sure I have money to put my kids through school. I just want all of us to have a great season and right now, it does not look good. 

Two very good people I know are facing their final days on earth and it saddens me to no end. But I try to continue and be thankful for all the good stuff in the world and the blessings I hear about.

Dwelling on negative is not good indeed, but ignoring it and those who are in negative places is not good either.

When I look here at what I have written it seems as though I am working my way out of my funk on my own. That's pretty typical for me. My heart is feeling very heavy as of late and I needed to get some stuff off of my chest. 

I would not say I am "Holly Jolly" at all, but definitely not a scrooge. 

There is always hope. Even for me.