Little Buddy

HappY BirthdaY Ethan James!

Expo!!!

Josh and I went out to the Dulles Expo for a Wine Tasting. It was awful! Looking back we were idiots for even going out there. To enter you had to pay an entrance fee and for a bracelet to test the wine. It was around $30. A bunch of Red Necks decided to get drunk! It was lovely, I'm sure 10yrs ago I would have done it with my friends and Josh agreed. We still went around tasting. And thought if we found a nice winery we would do a day trip to the vineyard. They had water to rinse your glass and spitters to empty it. It was a tasting so you don't have to drink it! Most stands had crackers to clean your palette. Josh and I have complete opposite taste buds. It usually makes cooking interesting here. I like Milk Chocolate he likes Dark Chocolate. I like chicken and fish he likes steaks...You get the idea. So of course I like sweet white wines he like dry red wine. I know now not even to try what he says is yummy-however don't trust the girl in the Nascar T-shirt either. I was at a stand and she suggested a white wine for me. . I took her suggestion, and threw-up in my mouth! I had tears in my eyes it was the worst wine I had ever had in my life! Josh still thinks it's funny. We settled on only one known vineyard that made our "Wine Bible" book. It's called "Hortons" they are a local wine. They use Norton Berry which originated in this area. I know next year not to go the Dulles Expo. I think we were spoiled from our tastings in Germany.

Almost two years ago Gary, Brig, Josh, and myself went to a Wine Tech. We did a tasting right at the end of the season. German wines is my favorite! We took a drive along the Rhine River and just got lucky. Josh drove but the rest of us had a great time. Thanks DD for getting us home safe. I should have taken a picture at the expo to show the the difference!

On Friday we had date night. We went to PF Chang's-Chinese Restaurant! It's made the list to NUMBER 1. We both loved what we ordered. I was so glad we had to hike back to the car! I needed a walk after eating everything on my plate. I loved the restaurant and the staff was really good. We just simply had a good time.

The rest of the weekend we spent running errands. We went to the grocery store and went for a couple long walks with Ju-Ju. It's a little sad because summers coming to the end. We will have a crazy fall. Visitors, traveling, and races! More to come...

Cottage

I wanted to share some pictures from "Granger Weekend" Remember we are at the cottage and that's the place where anything goes. Starting from the top: A picture of my three brothers and my dad. Second Picture is the new Granger Boys!
Cayden, Ethan, and Zane. Third picture is trouble! Gracey, Drew, and Catey. We all had a lot of fun. Come Sunday it was hard to go home. Gary was inventing "Tiffany's Toxic Tini's" Yummy! I would share the recipe but it's a Granger secret! Otherwise there just so toxic that he can't remember how to make them! They tasted like watermelon and went down like kool-aid.

The kids spent most of the time in the lake or by the fire. I saw some awesome jumps off the dock and some great swimmers. I thought it was a little chilly to swim but on Sunday I went out with Gary. He's been cleaning the lake out front of the cabin hopefully the wind will be kind and not push a lot of weeds in front of us again.

Todd and Gregg caught some nice fish. We didn't have a fish fry but I have a feeling they will soon. Gregg took Ethan and Zane fishing and Todd went out with Gracey and Drew. I didn't hear any crazy fish stories. But I did hear Brig needs to buy better bait!

Drama

Traveling makes life interesting but when you just sit at the airport it makes you crazy! I made it to WI but it was brief. I'm so glad I've surrounded myself when great people who understand that I can't always make or get time.
I was really sad Josh couldn't come and so was everyone else. It would have been nice to be with someone especially when I had so many delays and cancellations. When I was stuck in Cincinnati and had to spend the night in Kentucky, I kept thinking I've seen this in a movie before! I think there needs to be a law about staying in Kentucky-Those people are crazy!

I didn't get to catch the biggest fish. It was so windy! But I did get to snuggle up with all the kids. Hang out with all my brothers and eat snacks all day and that was what the trip is all about!
WI cheese brings WI farts. Right Granger Gang!


Josh will have more test later this week. Lots of test, not many answers. I thought it was a good idea to share and give updates, I was wrong. I'm amazed at how people react, how they care how they found out or who told who...Drama!!! I try to stay out of it.

This blog is for josh and I to share our lives. We know we can't be apart of everything and every function that our friends and family are at and do. I made several attempts in the past trying to write notes, emails, or call people certain days and it's not how life works. Everyone is busy with work, family...I was upset because usually I would write and no one would write us back! It was a pity party at our house! I always felt like I was missing out or that people forgot about us. But everyone goes there own direction in life and it's what you make of it. Josh gave me a heart to heart and I decided on this blog.

We will always be the new couple at work or in town as long as Josh has this job. And I knew that from the beginning-I didn't know that when you are the one with all the changes you are also the one that has to make a point to keep in touch even with immediate family which I still think is crazy. Now I'm getting wiser. Using the blog gives an update on us and if you are really interested you will comment, email, or even call. It was working wonders!

Now there's drama and the blog isn't that fun today. I had to make time to write about all this. This one probably wont get comments, emails or calls. But hopefully it will make some people realize that Josh and I haven't always had the walk in the park. We are busy and this is our attempt! Like everything else it takes two! Loads of people have email, phones, or pens and paper. If you care that much that we can't always tell you in person-News Flash! All the items listed above works both ways!


I'm going to continue writing my weekly notes. I'm excited Josh is keeping up with his races. I'm hoping no news is good news on all his test. I'm happy we both have good relationships with our brothers. I'm sad I didn't get to WI on schedule. And I'm pissed about the drama!

Count Down

Today Josh and I want to wish Todd E. a HaPPy BirTHdaY!!! Hope you have a good one.

This weekend I'm going to the cottage. It should be loads of fun. I've been told the the temperature really dropped the past few nights and bring long sleeves. I haven't packed yet but I will put a bag together tonight or tomorrow. Lana plans on making Kabobs, Yummy. And Brig is going to make Sunday breakfast. I'm way excited to see how tall all the kids got this year.

Last year we spent a few nights at the cottage and it was so peaceful. I plan on catching a big fish this summer again! Watch out Fishes!!!

Josh has a TDY coming up. He's going to spend a little time in the sun. I hope he brings a good book. I think next time I should go with. (Hint Hint)

Just wanted to send out a Birthday Wish today-Happy Birthday Todd!

No More Marine Biologist

Here's the scoop. Last week Josh had a TIA/Transient Stroke. Meaning he had a mini stroke. He spent several hours having loads of test done. MRI, MRA, EKG of his heart, EKG of his brain, and lots of blood work. I had to leave the hospital at 10:00pm but I knew he was in good hands. The staff at George Washington Hospital in DC were very helpful. Josh didn't get any sleep at the hospital. They kept running test thru the night and wanted to make sure he didn't have a full stroke. The following day is when they decide it was a TIA. They were concerned because of his age and he is extremely healthy. He was told he was "Healthy as a Horse" and that he was able to go home we just need to do a follow up. They had a list of reasons why he may have had a stroke Vitamin deficient, Blood Clot, Family History, Hole in his heart...and that's why he need to do a follow up appointment.

This week his first appointment was to make sure he didn't have enzymes in his blood that would make clots. He had to give 28 vitals of blood-Which is alot! First they handed him a soda because he needed fast sugars. Afterward they walked him down to Dun kin Doughnut where he got two doughnuts, juice, coffee, and a smoothie! When he called me he was on a sugar rush!

Friday I needed to go with him because he was told he would be unable to drive after his test. We got up super early to drive out to Walter Reed Hospital. Again he was so lucky his nurse was called Bunnie and explained step by step what she was going to do. She knew that Josh had never had this procedure done and took very good care of him and explained what was going to happen. A TEE is where you swallow a camera.
After he was prepped Bunnie came and let me step in and watch the procedure. Josh was extremely uncomfortable since he had a large tube going down his throat. They gave him some meds to relax and he couldn't be put under because he needed to respond to the doctors during the procedure. They were looking to see how his heart pumps the blood, if there were any clots, plaque...
Bunnie was told by the doctors to add air and saline to his IV. They did this a couple times. Josh was laying on his side and they asked him to bare down and Bunnie would push on his belly. That's when the two doctors found what they were looking for. They took several pictures and got the views they needed. It turns out that Josh has a hole in his heart!

After the procedure they explained that several people have this. When you are a fetus there is a hole in your heart a few days after birth it closes. Over 25% of the population has it happen where the hole doesn't close. The cardio doctors will share the disk with the Neurologist and we will know more next week what they will want to do if anything. Several people go on with life with a hole. Since Josh had a stroke they may want to consider closing the hole. When a clot goes thru the hole in the heart the clot goes from that chamber directly to his brain. Reason why Josh had numbness and a hard time speaking the week before. If Josh were 80 yrs old they would close it but because he is so young they aren't sure they want to place a foreign object in his heart. If they decide to close the hole they will insert a Mushroom or and Umbrella to close the hole. It will take a bit for him to recover. The doctors don't want him to change his life style-Meaning running. Not a single doctor has told him not to run and he is very happy about that.

We are a Little scared but happy to hear that this isn't uncommon.

When we asked what he could or couldn't do the doctors said he could continue his regular routine but No Deep Sea Diving! That's when Josh said "Great there goes my dream of being a Marine Biologist!" Too Funny.

He spent the rest of the afternoon having a large Milk Shake and sucking on hard candy because his throat was bruised and extremely sore. By dinner time since he had to fast for a day he wanted a steak! So we had dinner and watched the Olympics.

Saturday we went on the trail and Josh put on a few miles running and I roller bladed. We had a promotion party to go to. Scritch and his wife built a bar in the basement. It turned out really nice! On the way home we went to the "Diary Godmother" a lady from WI serves custard! Yummy-

Not sure what the plans are for today! Have a good week.

Quite Weekend

After a crazy week it's nice just to relax a bit! Thanks everyone for you thoughts, phone calls, and cards. I'm working extra hard to take care of us. Josh will continue training for Marathons-He was told he's "Healthy as a Horse" The menu at our house has changed but I was told last night I would be the best if I made triple chocolate brownies! How can you pass up being the best?

Josh and I went to the Home Expo and got a few ideas for our bathroom. We are going to remodel our full bath. It just needs to be updated. Josh reminds me this isn't going to be our house forever so I need to bring it down a notch. Which is fine because I would love to use the cash to go on vacation! I think we have the master plan all set we just need to meet with a contractor and get on the schedule.


Drew my nephew has his very own email account! He wrote me a great reply. He's playing Fantasy Football this year and got 1st pick! I think he's going to kick Gary's butt! Sorry Gar! Drew also played baseball this summer on two teams. He made us all very proud and brought home several trophies. I think he needs to get his picture taken with them, then I can post them so you can all see.

I made a trip out to the mall this weekend too. A little retail therapy goes a long way. I treated myself to a new running outfit. I now got a few miles under my belt but see no marathon in the future. But, I am going to run the 9-11 Arlington Memorial Race. It's a 5k around the Pentagon. Josh and I did it last year too!

Ju-Ju had an interesting Saturday. In the evening we got caught in the hail storm so we all raced back to the house. Ju-Ju is a chicken when it comes to thunder to add to the night we were walking him so he could do his "business" before he went to the groomers! After the storm he had to get his hair cut. Auntie Taloni said "He was a good boy and always is a good boy when he gets his hair cut. He listens so good!"
I cried at the pet store. They had cats and kittens inside. Either so sleepy or really playful. The sign read..."Last chance" Real tears! To the point I needed a hug. Josh said he's allergic and we couldn't have a cat then he reminded me they poop inside. I felt better when I saw a Cat Lady she said she already has 6 cats. I knew at that point some cats would go home with her!