Happy, happy 2006, All. A new year is always time for new resolve. Lots of us PWDs are surely vowing to check our BG more often, count carbs more precisely, and correct more vigorously. *Sigh* Meanwhile, I’ve been toying with my overarching resolution; last year I committed to “Enjoying Life,” and that’s a hard act to follow.

One probing post seems to beget another. Following my recent update on DexCom, I received an email from the man who started that company (!) in 1999, John Burd. He is now CEO of a San Diego startup called Oculir, Inc., developing a futuristic yet hugely exciting new technology for non-invasive glucose testing using infrared (IR) technology to scan your eyes. YOUR EYES!!

Once again, the landmark Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) has proven what we kinda-sorta pretty much thought we knew about strict control of blood sugar — that it makes a HUGE difference, cuts the risk of developing diabetes complications, and can indeed add years, if not DECADES, to your life!

Happy Holidays indeed! This will be my third year living through the food-rich and couch-comfy holiday season with diabetes. By keeping focused on regular exercise, I made it through pretty well despite eating a good bit more than usual during the 10 days or so that my kids are home and life seems to center around meals, meals, meals. What’s particularly difficult is finding wheat-free Latkes, since I do enjoy them so once a year at Chanukah. Lucky for me, I have a nice Jewish friend with celiac disease, who’s husband has perfected the gluten-free Latke based on this recipe.

It is with a mixture of disappointment and relief that I convey my latest thoughts on participation in the inhaled insulin study. I’m definitely leaning towards No. It wasn’t so much that a dear loved one looked me in the eye and said, “Why would you want to make yourself a gineau pig?”, or even that a family member who happens to be a doctor essentially advised, “Say no to experimental drug studies across the board.”

It’s the wierdest thing to hear recordings of your own voice, isn’t it? A few weeks ago I was interviewed on Janis Roszlers’ weekly radio show, Jumpstart to Good Health, which airs in Florida live on WWNN radio 1470 am every Sunday from 4-6pm. I understand my bit will also be replayed on Christmas day (with a number of reruns since they’re not expecting any listeners :).

So I struggled with my conscience for several days over whether to do the “vote for me” post. That is, nominations are in for the first annual Diabetes Blog Choice Awards — organized by our own energetic Allison Blass, thank you! — and I am moved to find I’m nominated in five different categories.

I discovered DexCom when I attended the annual ADA conference back in June. They were displaying their exciting new tubeless conitinuous monitor (CGMS) product under a glass bubble, so you could look but not touch (no kidding!); since it is not yet FDA approved, the company is not allowed to actually let the public touch and feel the thing — display mode only!

After my last post, here’s something truly encouraging: I just found a cool Australian site for young adults with diabetes. The group is called “Reality Check.” They meet regularly, organize happenings, and share their personal stories online. These guys are putting it all out there! They make diabetes look like a social club someone might actually choose to join.

This post title is the answer I got upon foolishly inquiring what my 8-year old and her friend were actually doing stuffing those popped and withered balloons with cotton, patching them with duct tape, and then drawing gnarled faces on each with a permanent marker. The result was reminiscient of the shrunken apple heads we made as kids, but more morose — and with a much longer shelf life (plastic doesn’t grow).