Test Strip Bottle Art. OR "YES I'm Testing, I SWEAR!!!

Test Strip Bottle Art "Still Life Mixed Medium"

So about 9 months ago I decided to see how long it would take me to fill up a 33 ounce empty Seltzer bottle with test strip, Lancets, etc. Why?? I have no ideal – but a few reasons come to mind.

First, it was a great way to collect all my strips & lancets in one place. I was sick of finding them on the carpet, in the laundry, and other places that rarely see the light of day and shall remain nameless.

Secondly – It was mental (well obviously it was mental – who the hell does this?) Perhaps its roots are deeply seeded in childhood. When I was little (and not the best diabetic) I always had to prove to my Doctors, my family, and myself that I was “a good diabetic.”

My Doctor at Children’s Hospital always said, “Kelly, the numbers don’t lie. You need to do better. You need to test more.” I always left my visits feeling sad and disappointed in myself. So now there’s proof in my Seltzer Bottle that yours truly is testing, and testing frequently.

Thirdly – I was curious. Just how long would it take me to fill said Bottle?? Roughly 9 months – less a few weeks to be exact.

As the bottle began to fill, I was reminded of various summer camp art projects from long ago – you know the ones, where you put colored sand in a Pepsi bottle and carefully carry it home to show your parents how truly talented & gifted their child is. Counselors referred to it ans Sand Bottle Art, my parents referred to it as crap, be spectacular and rainbow hued, it was still crap!

I began to refer to the rapidly filling Seltzer bottle as my “Test Strip Bottle Art,” though there’s nothing creative or artistic about it. Obsessive and longing for test strip validation is more like it.

This morning I read LeeAnn’s post "Trash or Trophies, which was not only wonderful – but literally spoke to my Test Strip madness and my need for Test Strip validation. She copiously collects her strip in her B.S. machines side pocket and so did I!!!! And once again, thanks to the D.O.C. and Lee Ann in particular, I was no longer alone - GOD, I love dBlogville!

So I’m sharing my “Art” with you all and dedicating it to LeeAnn – who gave me the courage to share it! On a personal note: Am I a little “Coo-Coo for Cocoa Puffs??? Magic Eight Ball says “Yes, most likely.” But….aren’t all great artists???

Test Strip Bottle Art "Room for one more."