About Me
^ Me (Gina) at my one year post-op check up with my surgeon June 08
^ Cliff and me @ a U of M basketball game March 2007
I am a happy 40-something stay-at-home-wife, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, great aunt, christian, pet parent, college graduate (University of Memphis–education degree), church member (these are in no certain order). I have had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis since age 3 and have had ten operations and a testimony in that alone. The 9th operation I had November 2006 was a very simple operation to repair a broken left femur but the anesthesiologist put a breathing tube down my throat that was too large and my throat swelled and they could not get it out. I ended up in ICU for almost 2 weeks and had to have a trach. It was THE life-changing experience of my life. Needless to say, I was in critical condition and might not have made it if the Lord had decided He wanted me home but He didn’t yet.
Cliff and I live in East Memphis in a small house that is cozy and just big enough for two (literally). We love our home and are always remodeling and redecorating to suit out tastes. We have two chihuahuas that bring us so much joy. The oldest one is an obese, disabled girl named Mandy and she is approximately eleven and Tuffy is an adorable three old and so feisty. We did have a poodle named Chloe but she died in April 2007. She was 11 and almost blind and toothless so it was no surprise but we miss her terribly. We go on a “date” every Friday and we usually go out to eat somewhere and go somewhere in Memphis (there’s a lot to do here). We belong to a church where we are in the pastor’s sunday school class. We spend time with my Mom and brother and we go see Cliff’s Mom and brother and family twice a year. They live near the Arkansas/Oklahoma border so it is a nice drive through the Ozarks and feels like a vacation. Cliff is also a graduate of University of Memphis and is a psychiatric social worker. He likes to build things in his spare time. I am now on SSDI disability but before that, I worked as a Financial Case Manager who managed Social Security checks for over 100 mentally ill clients. Talk about challenging (but so rewarding). I have a lot of time to blog and surf the net which has become my favorite hobby (I never thought anything would take the place of reading but I do still love reading). I named my blog Gina’s Public Diary because I have kept a private diary since I was eleven and wanted a place to share my thoughts with all in a “public” diary. Since Cliff and I have no children, I wanted a place to record our lives for posterity. I love for people to visit my site and comment so I thank you for coming.
Thanks for visiting my site.
Sounds like you’ve had an eventful life!
Thanks for stopping by to say hi today. Your Tuffy looks like a pretty great dog! Say hi to him and Mandy for me!
Thank you for visiting my site. I live in TN, also.
I am sorry you have been so ill. I empathize. I hope you find some good days ahead.
Hi Gina,
Thank you for aking the time to visit my humble blog.
You have some wonderful posts on here
I had two chihuahua’s many years ago, one long haired and one short haired, and one passed on at 15 and the other at 17, which was a great age really for both.
Have a great week and it’s a pleasure to meet you,
Colin
hey gina,
thanks for stopping my blog! always good to have another online friend for cody bear!
Thanks for stopping by my blog…and I love the phrase “Pet Parent” because - it’s SO true….!
What a story!! Thank you for your testimony to the Lord. Please stop by again.
Thanks for stopping by Unfolding. Many Blessings
You have some nice stuff here!
I’ll come to visit again.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
I hope you don’t mind. I added your link on my site. Thanks for visiting, come back soon!!!
You and your blog are very inspiring and your pups are uber-cute!
Hey…It’s Teresa…you stopped by my blog earlier. I was trying to figure out how to reply to you, but didnt want to send it for all to read. I will include email so you can write. I had questions for you, too…Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!!!
Hi Gina!
Yes, I have family in Wisconsin. My better half is from Wisconsin and his parents, brother and sister-in-law live there.