Finding Me: Age Is Nothing But a Number

Missy has asked:

How do you keep yourself looking so YOUNG????

Well, my secret is a no fuss approach really.

65% of it is nothing more than who I am. Seriously. If you could see my dad...you would wonder what that 30ish looking dude did to turn so gray and bald at such a young age (love you Fatherson). The truth is, he is much older than 30. I mean, really, I'm 30 myself and well...you do the math (love you still Fatherson).

The remaining 35% is very simple.

I ALWAYS {always, always, always, always} use sun block. My daily moisturizer has SPF 15 in it  and if I know I am going to be outside for extended periods of time I use nothing less than SPF 50 {but prefer something closer to SPF 80).

I also cleanse morning and night, ending the day with a night cream.

The cleanser and regime I use on my skin is something I began using after reading the book The Skin Type Solution by Leslie Baumann. {Dr. Baumanns book is a MUST.READ. if you are un-happy with your skin. I read it, and it has made all the difference in the world}.

So there you have it....my fountain of youth is located somewhere between good DNA and blocking out the sun {which if you ask me, ages ones skin horribly. Just say no to the tanned-like-leather look}.

*To learn more about this series of posts, one must start at the beginning: Finding Me.

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Finding Me: How Many Kids Do You Have?

Ms. Karen has asked:

Are you going to have more children?

Well, since you asked...No. Not a chance.

There are many reasons why we have chosen to stop with our round number of 3 total {2 here with us in this existence, 1 Angel Baby*}. One of the biggest factors in making a conscious decision to not have anymore children is the fact that pregnancy and my body do not fair well together.

When I say they don't fair well, I am referring to the fact that I suffer from Cholestasis. Which {without getting into too much detail} means my liver sucks it up when I'm pregnant. Rather than playing along and doing its job, it decides to boycott the baby and play dead for 9 months. While most women don't usually experience Cholestasis until the final months, mine begins within weeks of getting pregnant, and is more intense with each pregnancy.

Where most pregnant women visit their doctor for monthly visits until about the 7th-8th month followed by bi-weekly and then weekly visits, as they approach their delivery date, I begin bi-weekly visits at 5-6 months and move to weekly visits in the 7th month. Each of which consists of blood work, blood work and more blood work. I've got so much scar tissue in my inner elbows you would think I was a hard-core-street-drug-drunkie.

Aside from  the whole event being extremely diet restrictive and totally annoying {as it causes extreme itchiness}, the disease is dangerous and detrimental to the babies. My pregnancy with my Mo-Tay was induced at the 8th month mark due to us both being in distress, while we almost lost our Mr. Mr. Gettie. The disease also gives my babies incredible coloring...if you dig the color yellow {Read: They inevitably are jaundice. So much so that they end up spending weeks in light therapy}.

It truly was a deliberate decision to limit my body's ability to carry babies. I felt it best not only for my own health, but the health of any children that could possibly fall victim to my lame liver. That doesn't mean I don't experience that occasional pang of baby desire. At the end of the day, however, I am at peace with the decisions made, knowing that my boys make this family of ours complete {at least in this existence}.

*To understand where this series of posts began, one must start at the beginning....Finding Me

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Finding Me: Hair Tips?

First of all, a HUGE thanks for the questions, topics and feedback on my Finding Me post.


Ms. Kristina asked:

I would love to know your hair tips. Your hair always looks so cute!

Umm...my immediate response is, Me!?! Ms. Kristina, are you sure you are on the right blog? If you were actually talking to me, I must say THANK YOU for the compliment!! I am flattered.

I have naturally thick, heavy, course hair, which {like most of the population}I  give life to with regular colorings.

The truth is, I do nothing special {per-say}. I do, however, use only salon quality products, especially when it comes to my shampoo and conditioner. My personal favorite is anything  Biolage by Matrix.

In direct response to your question....Wash it, dry it, flat-iron the snot out of it and hope for the best.

My current hairstyle is me giving in to what my hair does naturally..which is flip up. I hang myself upside to dry, back-comb and smooth the top, and curl the edges up for a little bit of edge..and cement it in place with hair-spray..

While I'm being honest, I tend to not only fuss with my hair incessantly, but hate it most days. Just like a girl to want anything but what she has, eh?

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Finding Me

As part of my adventure to find myself, I am looking for some inspiration. Some guidance. Some prodding even.

It's time to dust off the cover of this book I call me, and crack open the pages. But I need you, my readers, to help me out.

I need your questions.

What do you want to know {about me}? What useless information do I carry around, do you want to be privy to?

This is your chance to ask.....

To be honest, your questions will be a chance for me to reflect inward and open up a bit. I've been so closed off, for so long I need that extra nudge.

So, won't you help me out? Push me on my way?

Please, leave me your questions below {or if you prefer - topics you would like me to discuss}.

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Go Darts

Let the torture begin as we walk down memory lane. Ms Shanna of Just So has asked:

"What is your favorite High School memory...if you have one"

I have to admit, High School was not one my more favored walks in life. Despite that, I had some great friends, one even better best friend (now husband) and we all shared some good laughs.

We used to share Friday nights going to football games. Despite the fact that we had NO idea what was going on, we sang the fight song with all our heart. Having lived my High School days as a ...do I dare say it...a DART, it didn't matter from which side of the tracks your bus traveled, one thing was for sure -WE.HAD.SPIRIT- You could hear it, feel it, and touch it. A school rich in history, it brought us all together.

Although I would not choose to relive 90% of those days, I think it would be entertaining to return knowing what I know now. Be able to look at those that were cruel or unforgiving and know that it doesn't matter, that they never have and never will define ME or what I am meant to be.

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9, 40, 45, They are all Lethal

I get the feeling that Ms. Jessica G. is either scared or really gets me. I lean towards the latter as she asks:

"What is your favorite handgun and why?"

Well Ms. Jessica..it will and always will be, any caliber of Glock. I am by NO means an expert but, Team Glock I say! They are efficient durable and you can run them dirty without a second thought. Although I don't recommend it, it's always an option. I have a personal attachment to the model 19c. For those that are not partial to guns, that would be a 9mm with a compensated barrel.

Oh how I love guns. I appreciate the fact that many don't, but if you knew me..really knew me, my love for firearms would not surprise you and my reasoning for owning and carrying one would all make sense.

While we are on the topic of guns, I am going to be away for the next 5 days. I have left a mean as a junk-yard dog character guarding my house while I am away. Where am I going? You ask....to the desert to perfect my firearm skills. I have several posts scheduled to publish in my absence. No funny business while I am gone and I will see you on the flip-side of my adventure.

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A Second Chance

I have to Thank those of you that have laid before me, some incredibly thought provoking and at times, soul searching questions. This one asked by Ms. Fiauna:

"If you could relive one day, which day would it be and why? And would you change anything about it?"

Hands down, without a doubt it would be the day I gave birth to my oldest. For those of you that are new to An Eagles View, I speak of my boys Mo-tay and Gettie. Mo-tay being my oldest....boy. There was one before my Mo, our Sweet Girl -Hanna.
Life was such, that she did not make it through the birthing process and was born silently. An event in my life that has changed me and My Better Half F.O.R.E.V.E.R.

Some may wonder why, if so incredibly painful, why I would choose to relive such an event? One simple reason, because it was so incredibly painful, that I was not able -at the time, to take in the wonder and beauty that all of it was. All of that came later. I would go back. I would change my outlook on things. I would cry a little less and thank her a little more. I would also have spent a few extra minutes with her. The staff at the hospital were generous and allowed us the time we needed, but I allowed them to take her much too soon. Looking back, I would have gained a lot by spending a few extra minutes [alone] with her. A chance to make peace with her, myself and my world.
*COMMENTS OFF*

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Oh Mother Where Art Thou?

This is another GREAT question from Ms. Erin:

"What is the hardest thing about being a mom? The best thing"

I believe some are meant to be mothers. For most, we are given the blessing of a good example in our early years, giving us something to draw from -a guide if you will. The rest of us are learning as we go. I am one that is learning, with few resources to draw upon. I wage a daily war as I venture through motherhood. It's a battle against myself and my own past. I find I have been given this 'all-knowing' title which I am not equipped to handle. I guess you could say the hardest thing about being a mom for me is Motherhood. Period. And everything that comes with it. I find myself not knowing what to do next, how to interact, or how to just love.

Because of the struggle that motherhood is for me, the greatest reward is actually feeling my boys love. Sometimes it is not always palpatable, and I have to look for it under all the diress. When I do see it -shining through the long days, the struggles, and the lessons..its all worth it.

*COMMENTS OFF*

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A Visit from an Old Friend

There will really be nothing left to learn about me once this adventure comes to an end. As Ms. Lagirl has asked:

"Tell us one truth about you which you find embarassing. Please"

The truth is, I still have my childhood blanket. *Gasp* I know. For those of you, who have been paying attention you may have noticed him HERE or read about him HERE.

For the record his name is Mr. Tink. The origins of his name and how he came into existence or why he is a he is a not known. One thing that we are certain of, is that he isn't going anywhere.

There has been great debates on whether or not the blanket should be sent packing or at least stowed away. Because, you see....it still plays an active role in life. As it is kept under my pillow. I spent many years with it neatly tucked in a shadow box. But a few years ago, my mom fell ill and we thought we might lose her...out it came and has not gone back. The shadow box sits empty on the wall and my loyal friend stands guard under my pillow. For reasons unknown to even me, the blanket respresents safety and security. A safe place to seek comfort from my troubles. Laugh if you like, we all have our ways of coping. Considering the alternatives this world has to offer, I think keeping a childhood blanket near is the least of anyone problems.

*COMMENTS OFF*

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Oh So Embarrassing!

The graceful Erin and our book loving friend Kel has asked:

"What is your most embarrassing moment ever?"

I know it sounds like a cop-out, but I have to be honest..I don't have any really great stories of embarrassment to tell. Shocking I know. I of all people have probably had plenty of opportunities. But I live by the adage "Tis better to look stupid, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt". There is one experience that I would never want to re-live....
During my first pregnancy my labor was induced. Because of the situation, they decided not to break my water and waited for it to break on its own. Several hours in to labor and only minutes before giving birth, the nurse came in for one more 'check' and accidently broke my water. Causing it to literally splash all over the floor. Still several months from my due date and my baby extraordinarly small I literally leaked what looked like a gallon of fluid all of my nurses shoes, the floor and my bead. The nurse had to send someone in to mop up the mess. Literally. I.WAS.MORTIFIED.

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Fear is a Powerful Emotion

The amazing and eloquent Ms. Sally has asked:

"Whats the thing that you fear the most?"prefaced with: "no easy answers allowed, we all fear losing those we love, what has you laying awake at night, or makes you catch your breath in fear...we all have something????"

There are actually two things that truly 'make[s] me catch my breath in fear'. For all intents and purposes, I have chosen to address only one.

That being the fear of being told 'You have Multiple Sclerosis'. Just typing this truth causes my heart to race. I fear it for many reasons. I have every reason in the world to know that it could happen to me. As my biological mother, maternal grandmother and distant cousin have in fact been told just that "You have Multiple Sclerosis"

I have seen, first hand the effect it can have not only on the patient, but their family as well. Symptoms ranging from mild and almost non-existent to severe. It truly is something that lives in the back of my mind. A fear of not knowing, not being able to control when and if. Followed by the fear of how it would effect those that I love the most.

*COMMENTS OFF*

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I'm Glad You Asked...

The Queen of Blog herself, Ms. Kristina and our very own Georgia Peach Ms. Randi has asked:

"How are you able to manage so many blogs?"

The truth is I don't. I am down to just 3 blogs. The one you are currently reading, Blog Stalkers Unite, and Royal Reviews. Blog number three -Royal Reviews is slotted for immediate destruction in the near future. I am just having a hard time letting it go.

I manage what I do have, with two very important tools. A calendar and my steno notepad. The calendar I keep saved on my desktop, reminding me of BSU events (i.e. who's up next for Top Blog, Scripted Sundays topics..etc.). The notebook I carry in my purse, or it can be found in my car.

The ramblings I share on my blog (this one especially) flow from me like water. In an attempt to mop up the mess and keep my feet dry, I jot it all down in my notebook. Then late at night, after my boys have gone to bed for the night, I transfer it all to a drafted or scheduled post. I have pages and pages of things just waiting to grace my blogs front. Its all I've got some days to not push publish on 3 or 4 at a time. Because despite my quiet and reserved demeanor, I have quite a bit to say.

So there ya have it. The secrets you never wanted to know about why I have so much to say and why it takes so many blogs to contain this restless soul.

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Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Oh My!

You -my faithful readers have submitted your questions. I must honor my promise to flip open the pages of this book. Today I begin answering your questions.

The ever funny and charming Ms. Dawn has asked:

"Which do you like best...Facebook, Twitter, Blog?"

They are so different in so many ways. I like them all. I favor blogging over the rest, followed closely by Facebook. I much prefer the creativity that blogging allows me. Yet, Facebook has its own hidden treasures. Which brings us to Twitter. I like it, it was fun while it lasted. But alas, I gave it up. Especially when I discovered Facebook. It lost its luster once I discovered Facebook.

"What is your favorite time of day to blog?"

I am not biased against time, I like to blog ALL.THE.TIME. Obviously, that is not an option, although I try every chance I get. I do however prefer to blog first thing in the morning and then again before I go to bed. As for reading others blogs, I spread that out over the course of my day (if I am sitting at my desk). I read two or three blogs at a time, leave comments and then come back in a few hours. It helps to break up my day.

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