Karen Leigh's Blog

I admit it, I’m hooked.

I too will be one of the thousands of fans standing in line eager to buy tickets to see the New Moon movie.

(I’ve convinced my boyfriend he’ll like the action so he’s agreed to see it with me.)

Last summer, someone mentioned to me to read the books, and from page one of the series, I was hooked.

I read one right after the other and then passed them on to my 12 year old niece and my sister.

I enjoyed the vampires and werewolves from the Twilight Saga as much as I loved the wizards from the Harry Potter stories.

There is nothing better than a book that you can truly lose yourself in.

If you’re a fan drop me a note and let me know if you too, will be at the movies this weekend and tell me who you like best……Edward or Jacob?

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you Monday.

I have yet to have my first mammogram, but it enters my mind every year as I make my doctors appointments.

Is this the year I need to get it done?

Should I risk my health putting it off for another year?

I’m fortunate that breast cancer doesn’t run in my family, but before turning 40 my sister discovered a small lump in her breast – which was scary for all of us.

Luckily, this small mass doesn’t threaten her health at this time.

What’s important though is that she KNOWS about it.

She spotted it early – and thanks to yearly mammograms – she’s able to monitor it and will catch it in the early stage if it ever poses a cancer risk.

That is just one of the reasons I was livid to hear about the new recommendations from a panel regarding the ‘frequency” of mammograms.

The panel advised women under age “50” shouldn’t get one.

What in the world?

The battle against breast cancer is beginning to pay off for so many people because of “early detection.”

How do we do that that if doctor’s offices are told to wait until someone’s fifty?

If you want one – get one.

I will not let a panel dictate my health options.

I’d love to hear how you feel about this, so please, share your thoughts.

I am so excited about the chance of a seeing a good snowfall this weekend!

The snow is one of the many reasons I’ve come to love Colorado.

My sister decided to fly in for a visit from Arkansas this weekend, so it will be such a wonderful treat for her to see those big, beautiful flakes we're so spoiled with.

Arkansas just doesn’t see much snow – ever.

I think the snow is just magical, so I hope you get the chance to get outdoors and enjoy it with your loved ones.

Have a wonderful weekend….see you Monday.

While watching the Fort Hood memorial with my boyfriend the other day my heart hurt.

It was a beautiful ceremony for those that have endured so much, but how painful to see the tears and sadness on the faces of so many?

While engaged in the memorial service, Jimmy turned to me and said, "Why don’t we do something?"

I wasn’t so sure what he was thinking…but he quickly continued saying, "Why don’t we commit to doing something for our soldiers?"

We often say we “support” them and we “honor” them, but what does that mean?

I have no family or friends serving – so for me lately – I’ve shown my support through words.

But that’s about to change.

Jim and I decided we want to start sending care packages to our troops.

I’m going to start making some calls to find the best way to do that, but if you have any ideas, please share them with me.

I’m open to any suggestions you have on ways to individually support the troops – big or small.

With the “giving” season upon us – what better time to start?

We just received our work schedules for the Christmas Holiday so as soon as it came out, I jumped on line to start searching for flights to see my family in Little Rock.

I knew flight fees had gone up lately, but I had no idea there were no bargains to be had.

There is always some carrier offering some type of deal, right?

Not this time of year – and not where I wanted to go.

I couldn’t find a flight home for the holidays for less than 450.00

I know airlines have to make money and they know people will fly during the holidays, so up go the prices.

It hurt my pocketbook paying 500 dollars for a ticket – and it’s just me – flying home solo.

What if I had kids and a husband that all wanted to fly home to see the grandparents?

I’d be out 2,000 bucks for airline tickets alone.

Here’s my thought......why don’t carriers charge more during the off season so that during the holidays they can actually offer specials so entire families can afford to fly to see their loved ones?

That would be quite the holiday gift to their customers.

It’s so sad to me that during these tough times, so many families won’t spend Christmas together because they simply can’t afford the airfares.

If airlines wanted more devoted customers – offering affordable flights during the most traveled times of the year is certainly one way to do it.

It would certainly go a lot farther than charging them an extra 15 bucks per bag.

I know why they do it – I just don’t agree with it.

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to all of you who sent me emails – cards – or comments on my blog regarding Ruby.

Your kind words and sweet thoughts regarding the loss of my dog has made missing her so much lighter on my heart.

Thank you for being so thoughtful.

It means a lot to me.

If you caught Vic’s sportscast last night – you heard the words for yourself.

If you missed it here’s a link with Gloria Neal commenting on it Tuesday morning: Neal: Fat Little Girlfriends? Oh No He Didn't.

I don’t know if it’s just his “jerky” personality – or it’s a desire to be heard nationally – whatever the reason – it’s just pathetic.

Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach was upset with the way his team played against Texas A&M so he berated the players’ girlfriends – calling them numerous times – fat.

While it never shocks me what comes out of the mouths of people – it does shock me that the school allows their Head Coach to set such an example, and not force him to apologize.

Maybe he should focus on his coaching and not so much his players girlfriends.........

In November of last year I had the pleasure of meeting and sharing the story of a remarkable woman by the name of Jolanta Stettler.

She was taking part in an experimental cancer treatment at Swedish Medical Center….one she hoped would not only extend her life, but possibly save it.

She was receiving chemo – directly to the organ with the cancer – up to six times a normal dosage.

During the day I spent with her – she called herself a “guinea pig” and laughed aloud about blazing new trails.

I’m sad to say her time with us has passed.

I received a phone call yesterday telling me that after fighting so bravely, for so long, her body had finally given up.

She was a mother, wife, friend and so much more to so many.

She had a quick laugh and bright smile…I loved her instantly.

So today, if you are like me and you are blessed with good health, will you take a moment and think of Jolanta?

Her only wish was for good health.

Read the story:  Liver Cancer Treatment Helps Determined Denverite

After a tough week it was nice to take a few days off last weekend and relax with the family.

It was just what I needed.

My boyfriend Jimmy was able to go home with me, and meet my wonderful grandmother – Jackie.

She’s just a ray of sunshine……as is my mom.

We even got to cheer on the Arkansas Razorbacks to a big win over the Auburn Tigers on Saturday.

My dad is a die hard “Razorback” so we traveled to Fayetteville to watch the game and spend some time with him.

Family sometimes is just the medicine you need to heal a wounded heart.

I know my family does that for me.

I wasn’t sure if I could write this today, but decided to at least try….so here goes.

I wrote a week ago about my Basset Hound Ruby being diagnosed with cancer.

I’m sad to share that yesterday, she passed away.

For nearly 13 wonderful years I’ve gotten to come home to the pitter patter of her paws on the hardwood floor and her tail wagging uncontrollably.

To put it mildly, she’s been a “gift” to me.

She’s been my baby.

I’ve loved her, scolded her and cried with her.

From hip dysplasia, to Cushings’ disease to most recently cancer….she’s been a brave tough girl..

I’ve known for awhile now that she was nearing the end of this journey with me, but I didn’t really want to believe it.

But this weekend, her little body just couldn’t take anymore.

It was possibly the most tearful weekend of my life….

Saying goodbye, letting go….is never easy, is it?

How do you let go of something you love with every piece of your heart?

I decided to have faith – faith that it was time – faith that she was ready to go – and faith that both she and I would be okay once we parted.

I am so blessed to have had Ruby as my pet…she filled my heart with endless love and kept the loneliness at bay..

So thank you my dear beloved Basset…..you were a dream pet…and I will miss you always.

And thank you Jim, my sweetheart of a boyfriend.

Thank you for loving Ruby too – and holding us both as we let go.