We seem to have a small backslide with Tiggs, his PCV dropped five points since last week, the first drop since he was diagnosed in July.
Natrually, we are really, really worried. He didn't eat his food last night or today, and seems more tired than normal. Dr. Lynette has a full panel of labs that will come back tomorrow, and hopefully shed some insight as to what could be causing this drop, as it's not entirely common for a dog that's been stable and had no med reductions to slide backwards at this stage. One possible theory is a reaction to one of his immunosuppressive drugs.
Please wish him well and keep him in your thoughts, we will update more as we know it.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sexy Suby
I would like to add that we bought this car from Carsnobs.com located here in Utah, and Randy Archibald is the owner. He is really fantastic, and very easy to work with. He truly loves what he does, and he is also a PA, who just happens to follow his passion for cool cars on the side. Randy has integrity and isn't a cheesy sales guy; he's a genuine guy who will help you find a car you really love. You can visit his site at www.carsnobs.com
Monday, September 22, 2008
The End of an Era
Well, with great emotion, I am here to tell you that my tacoma has been sold....I've owned LuLu for over 10 years, and learned to drive her stick shift tranny with my dad while home from college one summer, as he screamed at me constantly, "YOU'RE POPPING THE CLUTCH!!!!"
It was time, though. LuLu had 170,000 miles on her, though she showed no signs of slowing down. And yes, the flippac went with her. She is on to new adventures with her new owner who is a wildlife bio major, so she will likely get to take many more exciting and beautiful trips. And, as Obe Carrion told me during HERA, which cracked me up, "she smells like HARD LIVIN'" So true.... So what did we replace her with you ask? A sexy, FAST Subaru Legacy GT 2.5 TURBO wagon with a Cobb short shifter (read: race car), and all tan leather interior, ABS, AWD, sexiness. Now I need a radar detector! Pics coming soon.
It was time, though. LuLu had 170,000 miles on her, though she showed no signs of slowing down. And yes, the flippac went with her. She is on to new adventures with her new owner who is a wildlife bio major, so she will likely get to take many more exciting and beautiful trips. And, as Obe Carrion told me during HERA, which cracked me up, "she smells like HARD LIVIN'" So true.... So what did we replace her with you ask? A sexy, FAST Subaru Legacy GT 2.5 TURBO wagon with a Cobb short shifter (read: race car), and all tan leather interior, ABS, AWD, sexiness. Now I need a radar detector! Pics coming soon.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Skippy and Isa Come to Town
I love Skippy and Isa, and everytime they pass through town I get happy. They are some of the most positive, talented, and fun people you will ever meet. Skippy is an aspiring fashion guru, and Isa (along with Skippy) runs the AscenDance (http://ascendanceproject.com/) in the Bay area. Check out her website for some cool pics and the story of her vertical dance company. It is my dream to do this with her someday! If you ever run into Skippy and Isa at the crag, be sure to say hi and settle in for a little Southern (Skippy) and German (Isa) charm!Monday, September 08, 2008
Maple Canyon
Yesterday, Adam and I went climbing at Maple Canyon with Jaima, Kev, and Amber. It was a super fun crew, and we hooked up with Heath and Rachel S. down there. It was my second time climbing outside in 5 months (last week we went to AF, and toproped with Kev). Well, I felt a lot better this time around, and flashed an 11d, a 12a, and a 12b! Woo hoo! I guess the time off was good for me after all. But, then I was so tired and pumped, I could hardly move, so I layed around with Tiggs, and it was his first time on a climbing day out also in about 5 months. It was great to have him there, even if he wanted to try to steal food from everyone...that Pred makes him so ravenous!
I was so happy to be with my friends, my furkid, and my hubby climbing outside, it was a great day.
I was so happy to be with my friends, my furkid, and my hubby climbing outside, it was a great day.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Quicky Tiggs Update
PCV at 40! Woo hoo. Reduction of Prednisone- WOO HOO! Happy dog, lots more tail wags, longer walks, and a few more Tiggy kisses. Still struggling with weakness in hind quarters...can't jump in Saturn still, and still leaking a little bit, but each day, becoming more and more himself. Even ate his stuffed pig last night. Way to go Tiggs!
I am OCD, ADD, and ODD
Whatever, I can't sit still...and I'm back to climbing, yet I still felt the need to redecorate the kitchen. Starting with a fresh coat of crisp white paint to brighten up the cave like feeling I was having and unblock my bad chi, or whatever you want to call it.
Well, enjoy the pics. I found super cool vintage accessories at the DI thrift store...you might remember my post about my vintage yellow dishes. Now add to that the little turquoise and white bowl, and the cute little side plates on the bottom of my new (actually not new- we bought them 2 years ago for the other house and never mounted them) shelves. Also, moved my cool Lipani's bakery pic to a more visible and prominent location, and also found that cool small wood bowl at the DI- it's beautiful, even matches my big wood bowl on the side board. A good sanding, and some mineral oil really brought out the grain...not bad for a BUCK!
Go ahead, make fun of me, I know I am OCD, ADD, and ODD.
Well, enjoy the pics. I found super cool vintage accessories at the DI thrift store...you might remember my post about my vintage yellow dishes. Now add to that the little turquoise and white bowl, and the cute little side plates on the bottom of my new (actually not new- we bought them 2 years ago for the other house and never mounted them) shelves. Also, moved my cool Lipani's bakery pic to a more visible and prominent location, and also found that cool small wood bowl at the DI- it's beautiful, even matches my big wood bowl on the side board. A good sanding, and some mineral oil really brought out the grain...not bad for a BUCK!
Go ahead, make fun of me, I know I am OCD, ADD, and ODD.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Staycation 2008- Gumby Edition
Or Labor Day edition, or whatever edition you want to call it.
Holmes and I have 5 days off. Here is what we've done/will do:
*Had a terrible, overpriced Italian meal at Cannella's- NOT authentic, and NOT recommended...can you say garlic powder and too much salt? Ewwwwww....
*Went to see Batman on IMAX...MUST see on IMAX, no question- I pretty much had motion sickness the screen was so big. And, I sat right next to four good Mormon boys
*Went climbing at American Fork with Adam and Kev- first time climbing outside since April- yayyyyy. Climbing in gym too.
*Had a fun little bbq and fire pit party
*Painted/still painting hallway
*the rest is TBA because Staycation 2008- Gumby edition is still underway!!
Holmes and I have 5 days off. Here is what we've done/will do:
*Had a terrible, overpriced Italian meal at Cannella's- NOT authentic, and NOT recommended...can you say garlic powder and too much salt? Ewwwwww....
*Went to see Batman on IMAX...MUST see on IMAX, no question- I pretty much had motion sickness the screen was so big. And, I sat right next to four good Mormon boys
*Went climbing at American Fork with Adam and Kev- first time climbing outside since April- yayyyyy. Climbing in gym too.
*Had a fun little bbq and fire pit party
*Painted/still painting hallway
*the rest is TBA because Staycation 2008- Gumby edition is still underway!!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
I Love My Dogs
Tigg's may look a little gaunt and sleepy, but don't be fooled, he's doing much, much better.
Winn testing out her new floors.A Slow Return to Normalcy
Well, the last week has been starting to feel a little bit more like a normal life. I've started climbing again, albeit very slowly and only in the gym, Tiggs is acting more like a dog, and we even squeaked in a quick trip to Ikea for a little retail therapy.
We decided to rip out the nasty carpet in our loft, made a little nastier by the side effects of Prednisone, and lay some inexpensive laminate. Adam and I were kinda psyched on trying a white wood anyways, and Ikea makes a white-washed wood laminate for about a buck a square foot. We even found a couple of boxes of the flooring in the As Is room at Ikea, and voile, a little elbow grease (ok, maybe a lot of elbow grease, and a few near-marriage ending squabbles) and a hundred bucks and POOF, we have a cool new floor.
Hope you like the pics.
On the Tiggs front, blood work has been great, PCV near 40 and starting to cut the Pred a little bit. Still experiencing a few unpleasant side effects, but Tiggs is handling it all like a champ, and even rolled in the grass last night- I will never take seemingly insignificant dog behavior for granted again. We love him so much! And we love his wonderful big sister Winn, who has been kind and gentle towards him.
We decided to rip out the nasty carpet in our loft, made a little nastier by the side effects of Prednisone, and lay some inexpensive laminate. Adam and I were kinda psyched on trying a white wood anyways, and Ikea makes a white-washed wood laminate for about a buck a square foot. We even found a couple of boxes of the flooring in the As Is room at Ikea, and voile, a little elbow grease (ok, maybe a lot of elbow grease, and a few near-marriage ending squabbles) and a hundred bucks and POOF, we have a cool new floor.
Hope you like the pics.
On the Tiggs front, blood work has been great, PCV near 40 and starting to cut the Pred a little bit. Still experiencing a few unpleasant side effects, but Tiggs is handling it all like a champ, and even rolled in the grass last night- I will never take seemingly insignificant dog behavior for granted again. We love him so much! And we love his wonderful big sister Winn, who has been kind and gentle towards him.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Olympics
Is anyone as obsessed about the Olympics as I am? Well, for one, I am glued to the gymnastics. The mens team came away with the bronze medal that no one thought they would ever get, and I can't wait to watch the women's team finals tonight.
Daria Bijak of the Utah Utes competed for her native Germany, which did not qualify for the women's team finals, however, if you have a minute, watch the top video on my video bar to watch her absolutely amazing floor routine. THIS WOMAN COMPETES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH! For shitsake, she is so rad, I can't even tell you. Go to see a Utes meet this winter and you will see why we have been the NCAA runners up. The routine she is competing in the short video is her at the Olympics competing the same floor exersise reoutine she performs for her collegiate routine- the difficulty and tricks she throws are unheard of at the collegiate level. WATCH IT PEOPLE! You won't be dissappointed.
ARGHH-PS> It appears as though the video of Daria was possibly removed from YouTube...damn NBC copyrights! So, sorry if you missed it, hopefully it will repost on my video bar if and when it becomes available.
Daria Bijak of the Utah Utes competed for her native Germany, which did not qualify for the women's team finals, however, if you have a minute, watch the top video on my video bar to watch her absolutely amazing floor routine. THIS WOMAN COMPETES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH! For shitsake, she is so rad, I can't even tell you. Go to see a Utes meet this winter and you will see why we have been the NCAA runners up. The routine she is competing in the short video is her at the Olympics competing the same floor exersise reoutine she performs for her collegiate routine- the difficulty and tricks she throws are unheard of at the collegiate level. WATCH IT PEOPLE! You won't be dissappointed.
ARGHH-PS> It appears as though the video of Daria was possibly removed from YouTube...damn NBC copyrights! So, sorry if you missed it, hopefully it will repost on my video bar if and when it becomes available.
Monday, August 11, 2008
What's Up?
Just finished the buying frenzy for BD at the Outdoor Retailer trade show, what a scene! Really, how many pair of capri pants can one look at before going postal? Not really any crazy cool new products to report, other than the Mammut Smart belay device, which will be sick, and really pretty cheap at a retail price of 29 bucks. Also, I like the new BD Orbit lamp, which is a cute little lantern that fits in your pocket. Lastly, the new Five Ten Women's Daescent and Guide Tennie will be the approach shoes of choice this fall.
Other than the crazy amount of work, Tiggs is doing so well! His PCV today was between 37 and 38. We are getting lots more tail wags and taking 20 minute walks daily to get his stamina up. His weight is coming back, but his head is a bit skeletal looking from the way that the Pred causes muscle wasting.
I went to the gym last week for an easy climbing session, and felt like sheee-ottt. Now, gotta get back in there so I don't feel so bad this fall when LCC starts getting good. I did still feel the tendon, mostly in the palm of my hand. So, still a long, long road on the mend for that one. But, I think I can do some easy stuff for now just so I am moving.
No exciting house pj's currently, as all monetary funds have gone towards massive vet bills. My wood floor savings has been deposited into the Bank of Tiggs. I really wouldn't have it any other way, but I was looking forward to ripping out our carpet. Maybe next Spring...
Oh and Wendy and Dave had a baby boy Luke, and Andy and Laurel had a baby girl, Kaia. Congrats to all my friends!
Other than the crazy amount of work, Tiggs is doing so well! His PCV today was between 37 and 38. We are getting lots more tail wags and taking 20 minute walks daily to get his stamina up. His weight is coming back, but his head is a bit skeletal looking from the way that the Pred causes muscle wasting.
I went to the gym last week for an easy climbing session, and felt like sheee-ottt. Now, gotta get back in there so I don't feel so bad this fall when LCC starts getting good. I did still feel the tendon, mostly in the palm of my hand. So, still a long, long road on the mend for that one. But, I think I can do some easy stuff for now just so I am moving.
No exciting house pj's currently, as all monetary funds have gone towards massive vet bills. My wood floor savings has been deposited into the Bank of Tiggs. I really wouldn't have it any other way, but I was looking forward to ripping out our carpet. Maybe next Spring...
Oh and Wendy and Dave had a baby boy Luke, and Andy and Laurel had a baby girl, Kaia. Congrats to all my friends!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Fort Fun
They don't call it that for nothing! Ft. Collins was just what the doctor ordered, literally! Our wonderful friends Jay and Traci finally tied the knot, and dammit, my batteries were dead for their incredible wedding and reception. Trac and Jay have been great friends and climbing partners over the years, I'm so happy we could share their day.
Coming back to Ft. Collins was so good for us, it was a wonderful homecoming, and it seemed like at every turn, we ran into a familiar and friendly face, from the minute we pulled into town, until we left. Many people came back into town and my friend Rick said it best: it was a reunion of people from the heyday of the Ft. Collins climbing scene.
Many of you have asked about Tiggs, and all I can say is that he had an amazing turn around while we were there. We were lucky enough to consult with CSU vet teaching hospital, and they spent 3 hours with us. They were great about consulting Tiggs' vet here, and they agreed that his treatment is on the right track. Not only that, but his blood work was great while we were there, and his energy seemed to triple! Also, we were able to reduce his meds slightly, which will help us manage some of the less desireable side effects he is experiencing (can you say diaper pull-ups???).
Thanks for all of the well wishes with Tiggs; he keeps reminding us to take it one day at a time. His liver is enlarged from the meds that he takes, and he is at risk of developing a clot, but overall, if we stay on the right track, we are hopefully close to a balance of drugs that will help Tiggs stay healthy without too many problems.
Coming back to Ft. Collins was so good for us, it was a wonderful homecoming, and it seemed like at every turn, we ran into a familiar and friendly face, from the minute we pulled into town, until we left. Many people came back into town and my friend Rick said it best: it was a reunion of people from the heyday of the Ft. Collins climbing scene.
Many of you have asked about Tiggs, and all I can say is that he had an amazing turn around while we were there. We were lucky enough to consult with CSU vet teaching hospital, and they spent 3 hours with us. They were great about consulting Tiggs' vet here, and they agreed that his treatment is on the right track. Not only that, but his blood work was great while we were there, and his energy seemed to triple! Also, we were able to reduce his meds slightly, which will help us manage some of the less desireable side effects he is experiencing (can you say diaper pull-ups???).
Thanks for all of the well wishes with Tiggs; he keeps reminding us to take it one day at a time. His liver is enlarged from the meds that he takes, and he is at risk of developing a clot, but overall, if we stay on the right track, we are hopefully close to a balance of drugs that will help Tiggs stay healthy without too many problems.
Tiggs hoping that Ethan and Lisa's beautiful baby Cade will drop a nugget that he can have...man, that Prednisone makes you so hungry!
So cute!
My pimp, Jimmy Jam, just back from Lusaka, Zambia! Completely serendipitous to have him in Ft. Collins after he and Melissa's 3 year teaching stint in Africa! 
Da Boyz!
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