20 Signs that you ARE INDEED Growing Up

Being 29 years old has made me think about a lot of things. It's crazy to think that in a few short months I will head into a whole new decade. The 30sssssssss. It's made me think about how I've grown in my 20's. The idea of becoming an adult is so vague, so gradual, you barely realize it's happening and then suddenly you look back and think, wow, I'm kind of adultish! (Besides the fact that I STILL enjoy snuggling random puppies in the neighborhood,  and STILL have the urge to jump on hotel beds as well as  STILL thinking that a hand stand in the pool is pretty cool. I also generally need prizes to motivate me just like I did when I was a child. )

Maybe I'll write a blog next on "signs that you'll always remain a child at heart". But for now, here's the trusty signs that you are becoming an ADULT!!! Celebrate your stunning adult life!

1.    You have learned how to say no. (this is the height of luxury!!!!)

2.   You have learned how to use other kitchen appliances besides the microwave and the keurig.

3.   You know what a savings account is.

4.   You don’t plan your weekends around hangovers anymore.

5.   You don't have to be like everyone else to be happy.

6.   Dashboard Confessional is no longer your favorite band.

7.  .You don’t make jokes about gender, disability, or race. (and hopefully you never did…but now you at least know these are real issues with real wounds)

8.   Good health insurance excites you like nothing else!!!

9.   You are able to listen to other perspectives besides your own.

10.  You vote in the elections instead of complaining about the government.

11.  You know what the word empathy means and you can remember the last time you accessed it on behalf of someone else’s pain.

12.  You no longer believe you are invincible. You willingly take vitamins. Sometimes you go to the doctor. You don’t brag about “never being sick”. 

13.   You have a faint understanding of what a 401k is.

14.   Instead of using non-real adjectives to describe experiences or feelings, such as “that’s so gay” or “that’s retarded” or “I want to bang him” you put your grammar to good use and use a thesaurus when struggling.

15.   Doing laundry is now an event. You can’t go out.

16.    It is exciting to go to Target to get cleaning products.

17.     It’s a relief to go to bed by 10pm. Extra fun points for reading in bed.

18. You've figured out what you believe and what your values are. 

19.  You don't have to have alcohol to have a fun time.

20. You don't let life happen to you. You are intentional with what you are after. 

Clearly this is something adults do. 

Endocrinologist! Needles! Sprouty Bread! Oh my!

I thought it was about time I gave you all a little update on my recent pre-diabetes diagnosis. A couple weeks ago I had my first appointment ever with an endocrinologist. She had kind eyes and a way of listening that kept me talking.

She told me I didn't need medication yet to manage it, nor did I need insulin. Rather she talked about nutrition and balance. She said she wanted to re-test my H1C again in June (which spans your blood sugar levels over a 3 month time period). She didn't say anything that made me feel labeled or scared. And she did NOT mention a thing about weight much to my relief. In fact she told me if I wanted to eat cake I should. (well, she's just the best !)

She gave me blood sugar test strips, a lancet and a monitor. Scott and I have …let's just say…"convenient" fears and phobias. Scott is deathly afraid of needles. The first time I went to the acupuncturist he sat in a chair in the corner FACING the wall as if he was in a time-out corner. I do not look at his face when I give blood because usually he is cringing his face so hard it looks like he's going to crack open like dried dirt. Unfortunately I am not all that innocent. I don't' handle blood that well…specifically blood that comes out of me. I can look at blood and feel fine but something about it coming out of me makes me pass out.

Therefore this whole needle+blood thing I now had to do was quite the adventure! I am proud to say that I can now test my blood sugar without passing out and Scott can be in the same room as me and not face the opposite wall.

Progress people!

Another point of progress has been getting used my nutritionist's recommendations for my meal plan. Enter MASSIVE breakfast. Ezekiel bread. And ALL of the protein. At least that's what it's felt like to me. I'm happy to say I have actually become used to the sprouty, gritty taste of the bread AND have found I am far less shaky in the mornings. I can now have my coffee without shaking my way till lunch. Little did I know that a bowl of cereal was just not enough for me.

So there you have my update; ezekiel bread, needles and the endocrinologist. Thank you for all your prayers, continued support and love you've given me!

Needles+Blood=Grumpy Faces