Chuck

Meet Chuck. Our marina cat...

See Chuck sleep on my desk...

See Chuck sleep on me...

See Chuck sleep on Corey...

And on our chart table...

Yeah, you get the idea. Isn't he great?

Give a girl a cookie...

Well, I did it. Here I am 365 days exactly since my heart attack. As of this very moment I am a happy, HEALTHY young woman living with heart disease. It's a good feeling! The much dreaded stress test went beautifully and I'm told I MAY be able to kick some of the pills soon. Good news! Even better, the year of "bad" statistics is over. Increased mortality rate, risks of second events, more surgery. All clear. All better. After 3 hospital stays, 12 cardiologist visits, and countless tests and needles I'm finally given the go ahead. I made it out the other side! NO MORE TESTS!!!

Thanks you so much guys. Really. I couldn't have done it without you. I really gave my family a good scare but the rallied around me cheered me on. Corey has been AMAZING through all this. Here's to growing old together Handsome! As for the rest of you... I can't believe how many there are! You guys are precious. Each and every one. It seemed like every time I had a really bad day I'd get an email. I'm so grateful to know all of you. All my hearts friends out there... you're AMAZING! Hey there Reader T! To answer your question NEVER stop counting! Every day is a little more precious now. I get it! Here's to never having to reset the clock!

Now I'm going to hug my husband and head back to work. Love you guys! It's a great day!

Dr. Seuss

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish. Aaand again. Some people say count to 10 when you're pissed off. Me? I quote Dr. Seuss. My husband thinks this puts me one check mark closer to certifiable but I like it. Trust me, it has a soothing effect. Usually.

No amount of red fish, blue fish can fix this level of irritated. I've got a stress test with ECHO scheduled today (My last for a LONG time!) and I'm not looking forward to it. I HATE this stinkin' test. Worse, it's just a check up and I'm missing an entire day of work for it. Worse, worst! I can't eat or have caffeine or take my heart pills till it's done. And it's scheduled for late this afternoon. If complaining would get me out of this I would not-hafta-go three times.

The Heart Nazi cracked a Diet Coke right in front of me this morning and I about went kung fu on him. Sorry, but that's a fightin' offense. This sweet southern girl almost went redneck over a Diet Coke. One fish, two fish...

Yeah, yeah. I'm going. I'm inches from my one year heart anniversary and I need this dumb test to put me closer to in the clear. One year in the clear means my life expectancy goes up and I've proven I'm healing well. Gillian is officially living with heart disease. Bada bing! I'll be happy about it tomorrow. I'll celebrate with a caffeinated beverage. Today I'm going to have an attitude thank-you-very-much. Red fish, blue fish...

Every once in a while I'm reminded of what a lucky girl I am. I married a really great guy. Look what he spent his Saturday afternoon doing. A baby bird fell from it's nest and landed in the water. Corey always said it seemed strange for the birds to build their nests under the dock because they didn't have far to fall and this little guy proved him right. Corey noticed him floundering around and fished him out with a little bait net. Look how tiny! Poor little guy. One of the things I love about my husband is his love for animals. All animals. He says they're nicer then people and I agree. Animals have sweet, simple souls and ask nothing from us but mutual respect. They've built their home here just like we have.

Now what do we do with a tiny bird?!? He set it on the dock to dry off while he and I came up with a plan. Sadly, barn swallows aren't important enough to be picked up by animal rescue and he couldn't survive on his own. After a short discussion we decided to place him back under the dock and hope he hops back home. Mother Nature is rarely fair but we wanted to give our new friend a fighting chance.

Corey borrowed a marina dingy and scouted for nests under our dock. What did he find? Two more babies! Cute! Here's a picture of my husband to the rescue. I wish it showed how HOT it was! 110 degrees was the reading on my thermometer.

I handed down his precious cargo and Corey gently placed him close to the nest. It was the best we could do. If we touched the nest mama may not come back or the other babies may have fallen. Hopefully, the little one will find his own way. I know Corey and I are hoping hoping he makes it! As of this morning mama is flying around and the babies are making a racket. The water is clear and the baby's perch is empty. Fingers crossed!