leighlo

I have been richly blessed with the life God is allowing me to live. I am married to the love of my life, "Cowboy", since 6/17/94. We have two wonderful children [Austin (15) and Ashley (14)]. We are also owned by 3 dogs, 3 cats, and 4 fish, and our neighbor's dogs are trying to get me to adopt them (a French bulldog and a Feist).

I am the oldest of four girls. Our ages range from 35 to 22.

I have been an Administrative Assistant since February 2003. I became employed as a workstudy student and walked into the job upon graduation from the Health Information Technology program. I worked in Admissions from 2001 - 2006. I made a lateral move to the Registrar's Office in 2006 - present. I know I could have applied for jobs in medical records, or even with a lawyer's office, but I enjoy working with students. The same confidentiality applies to student records as patient records.

I completed the Therapeutic Massage program in August 2007. I only completed the program so I could have a part-time job to fall back on. In this economy it helps. I have only been able to work during the summer at a local country club. My license expired in December 2010 due to health issues. I earned 14 CEUs in May and plan to obtain the other 10 soon so that I can renew my license.

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in September 2008. Once the doc found the disease, she placed me on medication that worked a short time. Since 2008 I have had about 4 months pain free. February 23-26, 2010 I was hospitalized for a flare. The docs gave me antibiotics to treat, but since I showed no symptoms of sickness they sent me home to continue the meds. Returned to the hospital March 10 - 30, 2010. Antibiotics through IV, and CT scans every week until they finally decided to do surgery March 25. The surgeon talked with me to explain everything. I was ok with needing surgery after our conversation and much prayer. I think after you take so many pictures, and nothing has changed, go inside and look.

That surgery ended up removing 18" of my small intestine and leaving me with an ileostomy bag. Planned to return July 6 to have the ileostomy bag reversed; however, my body decided it wanted to get rid of it earlier. May 27 I returned to the hospital for a blockage. My intestines fell too low and became blocked. The doc fixed the intestines so they are in the vacinity of where they should be now, and removed the ileostomy bag. I went home June 3. This was a slow recovery. This surgery is worse than the last one, but it will all be behind me soon. Cowboy was fabulous at taking care of me. He really meant it when he said, "In sickness and in health." :) God gave me a great man!

September 23 - Update The surgeon released me on Monday, September 13. I almost cried because it felt like the end of this whole journey. The GI doctor recommended I keep stress down as much as possible because that can cause IBS symptoms and prolong my internal healing. I used to keep candies in my office, just to have in case I wanted one. Now I am going to have to hide them. I have never been one to gain weight, but now I am. Everyone says I look healthier. I feel much better. What a journey! The kids are adjusting to mom being back on top of her game. :)

June 17, 2010 updated ~ I am now up to 123 pounds. I have not weighed more than 105-110 pounds since giving birth to Ashley in 1996. Checked my iron and mineral levels in March. Just found out a few weeks ago that my iron is back down to 9.9 and I need B-12 shots. Since there is a nationwide shortage on B-12 shots, I am taking a nasal spray once a week and have supplemental pills to take.

I love country music. I have met Montgomery Gentry, Brooks & Dunn, Richie McDonald and Lori Morgan.

I love gospel music. The McKamey's, The Isaacs, and Inspirations are more traditional gospel groups. The McKamey's are full of spirit when you attend one of their concerts. I listen to "The Message" on Sirius Radio, but not enough to know the names of the current contemporary Christian groups. I love the contemporary music of Nichole Mullins ("When I Call on Jesus" is my favorite). I don't understand the headbanging groups that fall under the title of contemporary Christian groups.

My children like to listen to the Sirius Hits 1 channel. I will listen to this channel and like some of the music. I like upbeat music that is clean. Anything you can dance to.

I like Richard Paul Evans when I get a chance to sit down and read. My grandmother introduced me to "The Christmas Box".

Hope Floats, Gran Torino, Alvin & the Chipmonks, Ya Ya Sisterhood, The Gameplan (almost anything with The Rock in it), The Blindside, Fast & The Furious (Anything with Vin Diesel in it), What Women Want, The Book of Eli, The Bounty Hunter, any Disney movie or old cartoons, The Bounty Hunter, Finding Nemo, Copland.

We love to visit the Drive In Theater in Tiger, GA.

Grey's Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Castle, Meet the Browns, Rookie Blue.

I collect postcards, as they are my snapshot of the world through the eyes of others that I may never be able to physically visit. I also collect cancelled postage stamps, metal tins, spoons, magnets, friendship books, ink pens, pins, scrapbooking items, stickers and angels. I store all of my angels over the kitchen cabinets, as my husband overtook the curio cabinets with his police car collection.

I would be interested in swapping with anyone, even police cars or police nic nacs to add to Cowboy's collection.

We go through southern style sweet tea really fast in our house. Making it unsweet and adding sweetner, just ain't right. :)

My favorite place to eat is a Japanese Steakhouse, and I love Outback Steakhouse (especially their baby green beans with a filet). We now have a Kobe Express in town. When it first opened, I visited at least 3 days a week. The workers have learned what we like. It is nice to talk with different ethnicities. They are from Vietnam.

I love CHOCOLATE. After surgery, I could not get enough chocolate ice cream.

I also love Worther's Original candies and grape gummies I received in a swap from Singapore.

I will NOT flake on any of my swaps! If I am ever late for any reason, I will post a notice here and try to send a PM to each partner. If you do not receive anything from me, please PM me and let me know before giving me a negative rating.

So, June 15, 2011 there was a funnel cloud that touched down on our mountain tops. A lot of people are out of power, but we are out of a home. A tree fell onto our home piercing the roof of our bedroom and kitchen. Since Cowboy is an FOP member, they have us in a Microtel room for two nights. We will hear from the Red Cross or our insurance soon about something more permanent until the house can be repaired or replaced.

God always takes care of us! This too shall pass...