Stalker at Full Sail College

Try to picture this….

a grown man….

in a mini-van….

with a wide lens camera….

taking pictures of a college at night….

Okay, it was my husband taking pictures of a potential college he and Zachary went to visit.

The security didn't care that I threatened my husband with his life if he didn't come home with pictures of the college.

They laughed, but still escorted him off the school campus.

Remembering Nanny

September 5, 2004

Top 10 things I loved about my Nanny.

1. The way she served hot coca in a green tea cup and topped with whipped cream. 

2. Every birthday she made me a Lemon Meringue Pie (my favorite).

3. The patience she had while teaching me how to crochet.

4. How devoted she was to my grandfather.

5. She was never afraid to say what was on her mind.

6. Her fiery spirit.

7. Her rose garden.

8. Her laugh.

9. My grandfathers nickname for her. "Lovey".

10. The never ending hugs and kisses she gave to me and my sisters.

March 20, 2014

A wife, a mother, a grandma too,
This is the legacy we have from you.
You taught us love and how to fight,
You gave us strength, you gave us might.
A stronger person would be hard to find,
And in your heart, you were always kind.
You fought for us all in one way or another,
Not just as a wife not just as a mother.
For all of us you gave your best,
Now the time has come for you to rest.
So go in peace, you’ve earned your sleep,
Your love in our hearts, we’ll eternally keep.


Nanny passed away March 14th and was buried next to my grandfather on March 20th.

I miss you Nanny & Poppop! 

Cruise Animals

One of highlights of our cruise was our talented room attendant!

He made all these creatures from towels. 

Cool, right!

Birthday Bash

My niece turned 6!  

She is beautiful, quirky and has a stubborn streak you would not believe!

Our gift to her was a Brave dress up outfit 

*snicker* complete with bow & arrows *snicker*.

That's a great thing about being an Aunt and Uncle….

we can buy all those toys that make parents cringe!

Name that song!

I was in the living room enjoying the much needed quiet time, reading a book when I heard this song coming from upstairs that sounded like it came from the 1980s.  It peaked my curiosity.

I was surprised to hear this ballad coming from my son's room.  I slowly opened the door… there he was doing homework…. listening to….

BONNIE RAIT - TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART!

Dogs get Diabetes too….

Teddy is a 11 year old spring spaniel, who is the best dog ever.

It seemed like overnight Teddy wasn't feeling well.  He could no longer jump up on our bed (I have to lift him from behind). He is loosing his footing when he tries to get up and down the steps. He was lethargic, panting heavily, drinking a lot of water and even peeing in the house. I also found a lump on the inside of his right thigh the size of a grapefruit.  

I thought he may have a bladder infection.

I got him into the vet right away.  The vet thought the lump was a fatty mass and not a bladder infection.  They tested his urine to verify this.   The vet recommended removing the mass to see whether or not it would help with Teddy walking.

Next they did blood work and found that he has diabetes.  I was in shock.  

It never occurred to me that a dog could get diabetes too.

The vet called in a prescription for insulin and needles.  I went to our local CVS to pick up the prescription.  I wasn't sure what to say when I went up to the counter.  Do I ask for "Teddy Miller", or do I say "Umm yeah, I have a script for my dog".  

I explained the situation to the clerk. I was dumbfounded when he asked me for Teddy's date of birth so he could put Teddy "in the system".  

Really?  It's not like Teddy is on our health insurance. 

Anyway, I got the meds and my jaw dropped when I saw the price. $88.00 for the insulin and $15.00 for the needles. That, my friends, is for one month!

Since then, I have spoken to a friend who gets her dogs insulin from Walmart and it's a whole lot cheaper.

Every day I have to give Teddy 2 insulin shots. It has been difficult because he needs to eat a special food  before the shot is given AND the shots have to be 10 hours apart.  

Photo Credit: Purina Vet Diets

Teddy hates the new food.  

I've tried putting gravy, chicken broth and even wet dog food mixed in it.  I have to be careful what I add to the food. It cannot have too high of a sugar content.   He is rebelling!  

Any suggestions from the dog lovers out there??

Since the shots began, Teddy is doing better.  He still cannot jump up on our bed and is having difficulty walking up and down the steps.  This may be caused from the lump on his leg or arthritis.  We won't know until the lump is removed.  That operation cannot be scheduled until his diabetes is under control.

One thing at a time...

Heart murmur scare

It's been quite a few years since Brandon has played Lacrosse.  **HOLD THE PRESS** Yes, he decided to play another sport other than hockey!

To play a school sport a Sports Physical is required.  During this physical the doctor told us that she detected a heart murmur.  Wait, WHAT??  Yes. The doctor even wondered why it wasn't detected sooner.

I made an appointment at CHOP (Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania) to have an EKG and ECHO done.  CHOP is one of the top children's hospital in the area.  I felt reassured knowing that we would be seeing a heart specialist from this leading hospital.

We checked in with no problem and immediately went into an exam room. The nurse took Brandon's vitals and asked a bunch of questions.  After she was done she began to leave the room. Apparently she asked us to follow her. Brandon and I just sat there. The nurse had to turn around and tell us again.  Brandon and I just looked at each other and giggled.  We both have hearing issues and did not hear the nurse ask us to follow her.  My other children tease Brandon and I that we are 'Deaf and Deafer'.

In the next exam room my stomach was in knots and my hands were sweaty while Brandon had an EKG completed.  The nurse applied a bunch of sticky tabs on Brandon's chest.  When taking them off, Brandon commented "Good thing I don't have chest hair."  That boy has a way of finding humor during a tense moment.

Two heart specialist came into the room and spent a good deal of time listening to his heart.  They gave us the good news that they could not find the presence of a heart murmur.  

A clean bill of health was much of a relief!  But what a scare!

I would recommend this hospital to anyone. The staff, nurses and doctors were kind, considerate, professional. We had no wait time. They went over their results quite a few times so that the information was understood.  I was quite impressed.

Oh, and after all this excitement, Brandon has decided NOT to play Lacrosse!