LOL! Not THAT way! 😀 I know, two months go by, I send out a new post with an exciting title and…I promise, it’s not click-bait! However, I HAVE been getting out into society more these past few months, and it’s given me a bit of a kick in my step again!

A few weeks ago, I attended the Breakthrough T1D (used to be JDRF) Community Summit (used to be TypeOneNation…I know, so many changes!). It’s a conference that brings together the people and families who have been affected by Type 1 Diabetes and it always has the most interesting “classes” and presentations. We get to hear all about the latest updates and technology for us and we get to meet with all the major vendors in the industry. This year did not disappoint! I had so much fun getting caught up with many of my friends I haven’t seen in awhile and talked to a number of vendors about some of their products. I’m excited to try out a new insulin pump soon! Also, I’ve let them know that I’m planning on being on the planning committee for next year’s event! It’s funny how being in an environment you used to really enjoy makes you miss it even more. I’m really looking forward to getting buried in planning events again soon!

Another big event that I attended was the Dallas GF Market. We used to have an annual Gluten Free Expo that allowed us to try samples of all the new products and, again, learn of all the new updates in Celiac Disease research. Unfortunately, since COVID, they were all canceled and we haven’t had anything like it since. This year, some woman in Dallas decided it was time to kick it back in gear and organized a mini expo on her own! I have to say, major kudos to her because that is a LOT of work, and what was expected to be a somewhat small turnout ended up attracting more than 4,000 people! When I say the place was packed, I mean it was insane how many people showed up. The vendors all sold out of their products in one hour! Unfortunately, I didn’t get to try out most of the goodies, the lines were at least a half hour long! I AM glad, though to see so much interest! I guess it goes to show that there is a serious need for this community and it should be taken seriously! I’m hoping to reach out to the woman and let her know that I’m more than willing to volunteer my time to help her plan for another event soon. (Can you tell I’m itching to get back in the “game”? Hee…)

As for my health progress, I received GREAT news from my cardiologist! She has really liked the improvement in my heart and has notified the kidney transplant team that she approves of my moving forward with the transplant! Weeeeee!!!! I am trying not to get too excited as I haven’t yet made it on “the list”. I am fully aware that once they start testing again, they might find some other obstacle to get in my way, however, I’m choosing to be hopeful and and praying that all will be clear and I can resume life again. I truly feel it in my bones that this will be the year.

Link to donate:

Baylor Dallas – https://www.livingdonordallas.org/

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Things I’m thankful for today:

1. Learning new things. When it comes to home fix-it items, I have always been the one who very easily decides to leave most things to the pros. However, living on disability right now does not allow me the luxury of doing that every time. I’ve decided to try my hand at some DIY projects around the house to see how I do. I’m about halfway through replacing the rotted wood under our kitchen sink (the plumber has already fixed the leak), and yes, I know that replacing the wood is literally just taking the old one out and putting in the new one, but cut me some slack. I’m trying to do it right with cleaning it out, removing the moisture, sealing it to prevent future mold, etc. I’m also working up the courage to wallpaper our laundry room. Never done it before, but there’s a first time for everything! It feels good to tackle these things head-on and know that I did it myself!

2. Learning things, part 2. I have started some online classes to learn AI so that when it comes time to look for a job again, I won’t be left behind with the new technology! Turns out, it’s pretty easy, but I need to know all the ways I can use it at work to maximize my skills!

3. Spring Cleaning. I’ve been *slowly* making serious progress with spring cleaning our house. I’m talking major cleaning, organizing, and THROWING! My strength still isn’t up to normal, so I’m having to do this in small batches, but man it feels good! Who am I? Susy Homemaker? What?!

4. Ha ha ha… you thought I was going to have another food moment… nope. Just thankful that my energy has been so much better that I’m starting to “come out” more and “keep going” forward as planned. 🙂