Thanksgiving Seafood Buffet at Salty's on Alki Beach

Pepper's Health

Peggy suggested I put this on the blog. Pepper has been tested for Cushing's Disease and the test was positive.

Here is your crash course on Cushing's Disease. Things relating to Pepper (or which I feel are related to Pepper) are in bold.

Cushing's Disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is a common condition in older dogs, often mistaken for the aging process itself. Dogs gain weight, (Pepper has LOST two pounds)lose hair, urinate in the house, and make owners begin to prematurely consider euthanasia. Yet Cushing's disease is treatable and that treatment can result in a longer, more comfortable life for the dog and its owner. It can be pituitary or adrenal-based.

Causes/Predispositions: Given that tumor incidence increases with age and that tumors are the cause of Cushing's disease, it is logical that Cushing's disease is a problem seen most frequently in middle-aged or older dogs. The average canine Cushing's patient is 10 years old. (Pepper is 10 yrs old.) I have seen literature stating that there is no difference between genders, as well as literature citing that females are more likely to become Cushingoid. Spayed/neutered dogs may have a slightly greater incidence of Cushing's, as well. Although all breeds are at risk, some breeds reported to be at greater risk include: poodle, Yorkshire terrier, beagle, Boston terrier, boxer, dachshund, German shepherd dog, golden retriever, Labrador retriever, Scottish terrier and terriers in general. Pituitary-dependent Cushing's is more common in small dogs, with 75% of cases being in dogs under 20 kilograms (44 pounds). Adrenal-based Cushing's cases, on the other hand, occur 50-55% of the time in dogs under 20 kilograms (44 pounds).

The most common symptoms include:

• increased/excessive water consumption (polydipsia)
• increased/excessive urination (polyuria)
• urinary accidents in previously housetrained dogs
• increased/excessive appetite (polyphagia)
• appearance of food stealing/guarding, begging, trash dumping, etc.
• sagging, bloated, pot-bellied appearance
• weight gain or its appearance, due to fat redistribution
• loss of muscle mass, giving the appearance of weight loss - Not only does Pepper appear thinner, he actually HAS lost 2 lbs.
• bony, skull-like appearance of head
• exercise intolerance, lethargy, general or hind-leg weakness
• new reluctance to jump on furniture or people
• excess panting, seeking cool surfaces to rest on
• symmetrically thinning hair or baldness (alopecia) on torso
• other coat changes like dullness, dryness
• slow regrowth of hair after clipping
• thin, wrinkled, fragile, and/or darkly pigmented skin
• easily damaged/bruised skin that heals slowly
• hard, calcified lumps in the skin (calcinosis cutis)
• susceptibility to infections (especially skin and urinary)
• diabetes, pancreatitis, seizures - He has numerous episodes which the vet thinks are seizures wherein, when unoccupied, he stops (either standing or sitting) and begins to droop, raises up, droops, raises up, over and over again until he finally collapses on the floor and appears unconscious for several seconds.

It is generally either the increased water intake and urination or the coat changes which prompt an owner to have their dog evaluated by the veterinarian, (It was his skin infection and his apparent "seizures" as well as his lethargy and inability to walk a mile like we used to without seeming to be totally exhausted halfway through it that made me take him for evaluation.) as these dogs don't appear suddenly and dramatically ill. It is estimated that 80-85% of Cushingoid dogs have increased water consumption, drinking from 2-10 times normal amounts (normal is considered 1 ounce of water drunk per pound of body weight per day). (Pepper has always drank way less than what they describe as "normal". Now he's drinking twice what they consider normal.) 85-100% of Cushingoid dogs have skin and coat changes. 80-90% of Cushingoid dogs have an increased appetite, and 90%-95% have a pot-bellied appearance. Considered a disease of middle and old age, dogs typically display symptoms at some point after 6 or 7 years of age. It is estimated that most dogs display some symptom(s) of the disease for one to six years before Cushing's is actually suspected and diagnosed. Certainly it is harder to ignore a dog that urinates throughout the house or a dog who is balding than it is to overlook an older dog who is gradually slowing down on walks.

Proper treatment to control the symptoms (can't be cured) is very expensive so he'll probably have to just endure most of it, but, as for the testing to see if he has it or not, I had a need to know so I had the test done. We will try the less expensive medicine for a month. The vet said if he endures it (and there could be side effects) and the symptoms improve at all, we can continue it. If not, he'll just have to continue as best he can without it I guess.

If you want to know more about Cushings, just google it. I got this from http://www.kateconnick.com/library/cushingsdisease.html

Where's Waldo??

Susan decided I should have a bubble bath today...and then...she turned on the jets in the tub!!

Florida

Overall we had a great time!! The weather was really nice through most of the trip. Our second or third day, had a huge rain storm, but it eventually stopped. And our last two nights, it was cold enough that we had to wear our jackets to the parks, but overall, the weather was glorious. It was in the 80's most days. Especially our water ride days.

We visited all disney parks and universal studios, and islands of adventure. For us we preferred universal and islands. Seemed like there was more at those two parks for us to do and enjoy. Disney was nice for the experience, but don't really need to go back. Would like to go back to Magic Kingdom, because we could not fit in their fireworks show. However, we did see Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios and Illuminations at the World Showcase at Epcot. Both were amazing. At least we got to see those two.

Universals new Simpson ride is amazing. It freaked me out, but it was amazing. Its just a simulated ride, but made you feel like you were on a roller coaster doing loops and huge drops. Kind of freaky. The twister show was quite unique as well. Really felt like I was in a tornado. Accidentally went on a roller coaster ride. The Mummy. They told us it wasn't much of a ride. boy they were wrong. I screamed loud enough for the three of us in the car. At islands we did the jurassic park water adventure. Boy that's an amazing ride. Again freaked me out at the end when you drop in to a dark pit, but it was a fabulous experience. We purchased one of the photos that showed absolute freak out mode for me and Dave holding on for dear life. At Disney I think we did quite a bit at Animal kingdom. The safari was amazing. Got some fabulous pictures. The tree of life is awesome and who knew that there was a 3d show inside the tree. Kind of interesting. We also did one of the water rides that they had there.

We also went to see the Medieval times dinner show and the arabian nights christmas show. I preferred arabian nights and dave medieval, but they were both interesting and entertaining.

I will definitely update you more when I am not falling asleep in front of the computer.

T.

Hello from the Mrs...

Cake cutting!!

After pronounced husband and wife...My stepsister on the left. Pastor on the right.

The honeymoon. This was at Minnie's house.

Well-sorry it has taken so long for me to get back on the blog.

I want to say thank you to all that have supported myself and Dave through the venture of marriage and our honeymoon. We have received all gifts and are forever grateful. We will be sending our praises soon.

I will not be taking Dave's last name, but have no objections to being referenced as Mrs. Mallory.

I do not have all the wedding pics yet, but here is a sneak peak, as well as one from Florida.

Rueben Casserole

One of my quilter friends who knew I liked Rueben sandwiches gave me this recipe she found in a magazine. I tried it today for our church dinner and it was pretty good.


Rosemary's Rueben Casserole

Makes 10 to 12 servings
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes
Cool 5 to 10 minutes

3 - 12 ounce cans of corned beef (or cook a 3 1/2 lb corned beef)
1 quart (2 cans) sauerkraut, drained
1 cup salad dressing (such as Hellman's or Miracle Whip)
1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup bread crumbs

1. Crumble corned-beef and place with sauerkraut in a 9 x 13 inch pan.
2. Mix dressings together and pour over top. Cover with Swiss cheese.
3. Melt butter and mix with bread crumbs and sprinkle over top.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool 10 minutes.

Notes from my personal experience:

When ready to eat I found the Swiss cheese had hardened and was difficult to cut. I think if I ever did it again I would cook the dish for 40 min. and then add the cheese during the last five minutes and see if that worked out better.

The 1/2 cup of bread crumbs mixed with butter is not nearly enough. I'd recommend tripling that.

Hope you like it! I did.

Happy Anniversary Baby!

Well I don't have any cute pics of Alie and I on John's computer, but maybe when we get home I can add a pic here.

HAPPY 22 baby!

She Has A Name

We decided her name will be Misty Shadow Buxton. She is quite loving and is having fun terrorizing Apple.

Happy Birthday Merle!

Actually he said today that is is only 79 (again). Hope the next years are happy and healthy.

Recipes to Try

I was sitting in the doctor's office the other day waiting for Merle and looking through a Southern Living magazine. I found these two recipes that looked good and thought I'd see if anyone wanted to try them. I don't know when I ever will, but they sure looked good.

Sweet Potato Casserole

6 lbs sweet potatoes
1 - 8 oz can crushed pineapple
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup dark rum
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 cup sweet flaked coconut

Bake potatoes in 400 degree oven until soft, then peel.
Lower temperature to 350 degrees.

Mash potatoes, add pineapple and next 4 ingredients. Spoon into lightly greased 13 x 9 dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Sprinkle marshmallows and coconut on top. Bake 8 - 10 minutes longer until golden brown.

Cornbread and Squash Dressing

1 lb yellow squash (sliced)
1/4 cup butter
1 large onion (chopped)
1 medium red bell pepper (chopped)
2 celery stalks (chopped)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 - 14 oz can chicken broth
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
5 cups cornbread

Saute squash, onion, red bell pepper, and celery stalks in butter. In large bowl mix all ingredients. Spoon into 13 x 9 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

If anyone makes these, be sure and let me know how yummy they were!

Pumpkin by Fred

Apparently Fred forgot to put up the picture of the pumpkin he did for Halloween so Alice asked if I would do it while they are on vacation. So...here it is...

Best wishes for a great birthday and many more to come!

Hard to Believe.....

The time has come for Dave and I to make the trek to Bangor, so that we can finally get hitched on Saturday. It really does sneak up quickly. Especially the last week or two. We are only going to Bangor for 3 nights, but I feel like we are going for a month, with the amount of stuff that we have to carry. Decorations, party favors, dress, overnite stuff. not to mention we are picking up my maid of honor and her 5 yr old son, so we have their luggage. Oh and can't forget Dave's grooms cake. A 5lb whoopie pie from wicked whoopies.

Our trip is pretty much all planned. I appreciate all the feedback that was given. When all is said and done, our plan is this. Disney, Universal Studios/Islands, SeaWorld-if there is time, and we want to go to the Ripley's Museum. We decided to bypass Busch Gardens this time around, just because I think we will have our plate full, trying to take in the other stuff. Most of the parks are closed by 6 or7, so that leaves us the evening to go to the city walk, check out some shows, relax, all that good stuff. Although Ripley's is open until 1am. Might be kind of neat taking a late night trip to a freak show like that.

Well, I am off for the weekend. I will be online Sunday, hopefully with a picture or two to post. And then we are off, Monday morning at 5am. Sooooo exciting.

Dentist's Surprise

I went to the Dentist this morning for my periodic cleaning and to tell them that my upper left teeth were "twinging" when I chewed. Well, 2 hours later I walked out with three fillings on my left side (2 top and 1 bottom) and an appointment next week to have three more done on the right (2 top and 1 bottom again). To be fair, none of them are open-pit cavities. They're all pre-cavity thinning-enamel situations but the Dentist wanted to address them early before actual holes appeared in my teeth.

I've never had actual dental work...at least nothing that I remember from my youth...so I was very worried about needles and drills and pain. It all went very well. Some topical anesthetic on my gums numbed them up so that I hardly felt a thing when they needled my gums for the tooth roots anesthetic. There was only one "twinge" during drilling and they immediately stopped and numbed me up some more.

I opted for the ceramic composite fillings instead of the traditional metal amalgam. The ceramic is a close match to the natural coloring of my teeth and I won't be picking up radio stations in my teeth thanks to metal fillings. :-)

It was a totally weired feeling having half of my face numbed up...but I'm back to normal now so all went well. Wish me luck for next week.

Nick Jr.

Well its been awhile since any of you have seen Nick Jr.

Here is a picture from Christmas 2004 in NC.



Here is a picture from this year's Homecoming.

A New Addition

Hello Everyone!

I know I have not posted anything in a long while but I am stumped and need your assistance. We have a new addition to our little family -

She was abandoned when her family home was being foreclosed on and A New Beginnings Cat Rescue picked her up after neighbors got tired of feeding her. She came with the name of Kit Kat after the chocolate bar but she just does not look like a Kit Kat. Do any of you have any suggestions for a name for her? (I know Momma is good with naming stuff.)

So far Sassy could not care less that she is in the house but Apple is extremely curious but we are keeping her separated unless supervised so that no fighting ensues (hissing is expected).

Other than our new addition all is well with the Buxton/Overby household here in Newport News Virginia. David is working hard trying to get the USS George H.W. Bush and the USS Carl Vinson built and ready to go to sea. I have started working out in the evenings and I am doing pretty well. I started late August and so far I have lost 4 pounds and I am quite proud of myself.

Love to everyone!

Cheryl & David

My Apologies to Uncle Fred

I kept forgetting to put pictures of the new backyard retaining wall on the blog, as you requested. And now I can't find the pictures I thought I took of it earlier in the year, when the plants were vibrant and showy. Now they are just tired. And wouldn't you know, now that I am finally posting this, my camera and camcorder have dead batteries. BUT... here are a couple pictures from after the wall was done but before the plants went in. I will try to take more pics asap.