The Chronicles of Caniglia

Tuesday, May 29

Say Hello To Sleeker Shinier Hair

I'm a BZZAgent and you can be too.

Saturday, February 18

V-Day

After seeing a fun Valentine's Day card project on Pinterest, I took my kiddos to the mall to snap a few pics. It was a little tough getting them to cooperate, especially since the pose was so particular and a tad awkward. After a ton of attempts I gave up and just prayed for at least one good shot of each of them.

Upon completion of the editing adding words and borders courtesy of one of my favorite sites Picnik, I was super excited to show the kids my creations. To my dismay, Carson and Olivia were apparently not impressed with my creative genius because they both started rattling off a long list of what they "wish" their Valentine's included. After a few seconds of self-pity we started from scratch. They each chose a photo effect, border, saying, stickers, fonts, etc. and designed their very own cards for their friends, family and teachers.

My moping was long forgotten when I sat back and took a look at just how creative my kids are. I am so very proud of their imagination, creativity, and knack for design.

Tuesday, March 15

Another Great Abby Nein Giveaway

Abby Nein is giving away another great prize. Check it out!

Monday, March 14

Abby Nein Giveaway

Check out this adorable coffee cozy giveaway.

Friday, February 11

My Life on the D-List

Diabetes, that is. When I was pregnant with Carson, I failed my glucose tests miserably. With Olivia, I passed with flying colors, even after eating a slice of chocolate cake from the hospital cafeteria twenty minutes before my appointment. Between pregnancy two and three, I had a full blood work-up through a wellness check at work, and was very surprised to find out that my sugars were too high. I began watching my carbs because I was so fearful my kids might grow up without their mom. I guess my fright dissolved once my sugar was in a safer range because I started sliding back into my old eating habits and gained back everything I had lost previously. Early on in my last pregnancy, I was hospitalized because my sugar was so high, so I guess I should not have been too surprised with my most recent diagnosis. Sugar detection in my urine meant that something was up, and more than likely that something was my glucose levels. The doctor ordered a complete blood work up, and low and behold my A1C (measure of blood glucose levels over the past three months) was a whopping 9.2. Normal levels are between four and six, and seven is when organ damage usually begins. Although I had struggled with high blood sugar before, I was never formally diagnosed because I had always gotten the problem under control. This time, however, my A1C was the highest it has ever been and I heard those dreaded words, "You are an uncontrolled diabetic."

I cried off and on for several days partially because it was such a struggle to find something I could eat. Because I was diagnosed by my gynecologist, I was not placed on medication, so I was trying to control my sugars by cutting out all carbs not naturally found in foods; however, the main reason for my tears was because the doctor's words were exactly what I had been dreading hearing for several years. No matter the warning signs or my previous health issues I never thought such a diagnosis would actually come, so when actually faced with such a disease, it threw me for a huge loop.

After finally seeing my primary doctor, I am now taking medication to help control my glucose levels, but I am still eating very few carbs, if any. In the two months since my diagnosis, I have lost twenty-five pounds and gone down two pant sizes. I bought my first pants from the misses section in about ten years. It is so exciting to get on the scale and see that my struggles are not in vain. It is also encouraging to have my family supporting me in this complete lifestyle change. That, in itself, makes an enormous difference. With such drastic changes in diet plus the added medication, I now have my sugars under control, but it is also possible for diabetes to be altogether reversed. This is definitely the biggest goal I have set for myself.

Although I am disappointed with this diagnosis, I view it as a wake-up call. I do not want to live my life with the ill effects of diabetes such as vision loss, circulatory damage, foot ulcers, etc, but most importantly, I want to live my life. I want to grow old with my husband, see my kids graduate high school and college, get married and have my grandchildren. I want to see my sweet niece, nephew, and all those future little Delcambres, Pettys, and Piersons grow up to do great things. I want to see my parents travel on their matching pair of motorcycles and help them celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. I want to finally bite the bullet and fly on an airplane. There are so many things I have yet to accomplish, do, and see, so for now, I choose to live my life on the d-list to the fullest rather than let this ugly disease consume me.

Wednesday, January 19

Another Great Giveaway

Check out this amazing giveaway from The Bragging Mommy.

Monday, January 10

Another Great Giveaway

Check out this amazing giveaway from RMRV and Scholastic.

Friday, January 7

Another Great Giveaway

Visit The Bragging Mommy for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Fairy Wonderful.

Monday, November 15

Check Out This Giveaway

Juno Baby and Juno Jr. are fun new DVDs specifically geared for babies twelve months and up and for preschoolers. Visit the Mommy's Sweet Things blog for your chance to win.