It's almost HaLLowEEn!

Wow, costume shopping is a huge ordeal. Maybe too many choices were available, but seriously this took a couple of hours. I like them to choose things for themselves so that they develop their own personalities and not take on mine. But really, Ariel and Dora? After all the beautiful gowns and cute little kitty costumes were tried on, they went with these simple picks. Oh well, at least it's done. I've been dying to go as a coven of witches... maybe next year?

Whew, that was a close call....or was it?

I've been beside myself all week. Daisy has had this bump on her nose for about a month. I thought we should get it checked out. Right before it appeared, she had been sneezing and had a runny nose. I thought it was allergies. Then the bump. I took her to the vet on Monday to get it checked out. I suggested that maybe since her teeth were so nasty and her mouth so smelly that she had a problem with her teeth. Oh no, the vet says. This is a bony growth (never, ever a good sign). I still didn't think much of it. She suggests xrays, senior blood work and closer examination. I suggest, let's get this nasty mouth under control. She looks at me and says, "I don't think we'll get that far, but I'll go ahead and at least pencil that in for you." I suggest that maybe it's a cyst. On no, this is definitely a new growth of bone. Ok, so basically we're looking at a cancer. Yep, that's what we're looking at. She has been sick, has an infection and her abdomen is quite distended. The plan is to bring her in on Thursday, and we'll make some decisions about what to do with her. These things are aggressive and she'll suffer. F - me!! I cannot stand the thought of letting Daisy go. Equally, I cannot stand the thought of letting her suffer. I come home, sobbing. Telling the girls that Daisy might have cancer and that she'll go to heaven soon. They cry, I cry, Daisy whines and licks all of our faces. Ew, right there. But I love her and she's going to die, so the deathly smelling breath is fine. The next days I'm in a complete fog. Crying and loving on Daisy to the point that she's getting annoyed. I even have Rudy build me a box to bury her in. He pretty much hates her but takes her out to play and for a steak dinner the night before the appointment. This is such a big deal for me. It's like losing a part of me, a dare say like losing a child. So Thursday comes along, Heather comes with me for moral support. I drop Daisy off, a long while later the vet calls to tell me she has abscesses over her canines. She will be doing a lot of dental work, antibiotics and Daisy has a hypothyroid problem. This explains both the bump, the infection AND the fat belly. I've decided that the vet thrives on drama. And sees me as a complete sucker for my dogs. And gets me worked up with the worse case scenario so that when my bill is $612.87 I just pay it and leave, grateful that I have my sweet baby for a little while longer. I'm thinking follow up care is appropriate, and then finding a new vet.

Biopsy Results

Little Paiger's results came back this week. Just like I thought, negative for celiac disease. No presence of H. Pylori or lactose intolerance. Apparently, I just have a stubborn little girl who doesn't poop because it's the one thing she has control over. Well, mommy has control over diet and miralax...so she's pooping anyway. Who blogs about pooping? I DO! It's a big deal in our house for little Pete. But she's doing better. Too bad celiac disease can be so tricky. She may still have the sensitivity but the damage won't show up til later. I'd like to know for sure. She tells me that her doctor said she can have wheat. So she eats it. She usually chooses food that has wheat in it over food that doesn't. Just to be difficult, I'm sure. But that's okay, I love her anyway.



I Absolutely LOVE the Fall!

I can never decide which season I love the most. But right now it's the fall. We've had an Indian Summer this year so the season didn't go from blasted hot to freezing cold. Thank you Mother Nature. Avery is in school now and Paige has dance so every other Wednesday I get like a whole 45 minutes of mommy time. This time is spent at Cherry Springs, of course, with my favorite weinies.

I finally did IT!



My goal for the past, idk, like 3 years has been to get back on my mountain bike. I love being in the outdoors and the sweet workout you get from it so what was the problem? I had the fear factor like crazy. Too many bad experiences on my bike over the years. But this year I HAD to do it. I worked out my legs for a few weeks to at least help me up the mountain. Got the ol' mountain bike tuned up and my girl Heather to go with. She was awesome!! It's wonderful to have a supportive and patient friend. We went to Valve House and I actually made it! I didn't crash, although I was close a few times. It was a blast. I knew I could love this sport! The season is near the end, now bring on the SNOW!!!

Paige's EGD

Paige in the surgery waiting area. She has no clue.



She was sooooo hungry and thirsty.



The second waiting room.

Right after the versed.

Paige was so wasted she peed her pants.

On the way home!!!