Cheryl L. Ilov's Blog, page 16

Hairless At Twenty-Five

Imagine a young woman waking up one morning, getting her coffee, having her breakfast, and then taking her shower. It’s just an average day in the life of a twenty-five year old. Until she gets out of the shower and begins drying her hair. She notices a small bald spot at the top of her head, and her boyfriend confirms what she sees.

Instead of going to work she heads straight to the dermatologist. She is diagnosed with alopecia and told not to worry about it–it was probably a temporary situation, and isolated incident, and the hair would grow back. Five months later she was completely bald. Now imagine that young woman is you.

You have just begun living a nightmare that just won’t end. You try every treatment that is recommended, no matter how painful and/or expensive. They all fail. You do all the research, consult with the experts, do everything you’re told to do, and the only result you get are a few soft hairs beginning to sprout. However, within a few days they fall out.

The only consistent answer you get to all of your questions is, “We don’t know.” It’s a wait-and-see situation. However, there is a trial medication that you can try. But it costs about $800/month, insurance doesn’t cover it, and there is no guarantee that it will work. Or, if it does, that it will be permanent.

You feel completely normal except for your bald head. You aren’t sick, but you look really weird, even with your wig. Which, by the way, is hotter than hell and itches as well. Strangers come up to you and ask you what kind of cancer you have. Children stare and point, much to their parent’s embarrassment.

You tell the parents it’s okay–you’re used to it. You try and make jokes about it. You keep thinking that someday your hair might grow back. But the reality is, it’s a crap shoot. What would you do?

I honestly don’t know what I would do. But I don’t think I would handle it with the dignity, grace, and spirit that my niece does. She is that woman. And she is truly amazing.

A Chicken In Every Pot

In 1928, Herbert Hoover promised the nation that there would be “a chicken in every pot” if he won. I love that idea, especially if it’s in my crock pot.

But I never could manage to cook a whole chicken in my crock pot. It always came out as a big mushy mess. It tasted okay, but the texture was horrible. And then I found a crock pot recipe for a “rotisserie” chicken.

When I read the recipe I did a mental head smack. I was cooking it way too long! No wonder why mine was a mushy mess. So, I tried the recipe and it was fabulous. Of course, true to form, I changed the ingredients around a bit. After all, blind obedience never was my forte.

I love chicken, not only because it is incredibly versatile, the health benefits of chicken is nothing to scratch at. (Sorry, bad chicken humor). I do cook (and eat) a lot of chicken. But I was recently banned from bringing chicken for lunch by a small group of vegans who were offended by my chicken.

How could you possibly be offended by a chicken? That poor bird never did anything to hurt anyone. Besides, it gave its life for me. The least we can do is show it some respect and appreciation. I know I always say a few words of thanksgiving before I eat it. I just make sure I say them silently so I don’t offend anyone.

I love chicken. I have one in my crock pot right now. I’m getting ready to download the 25 new recipes that showed up in my inbox this morning. I will raise a drumstick in salute to that noble bird. I might even break out into a rendition of the chicken dance. Because there really should be a chicken in every pot.

Strong Is Sexy: At Every Age

Muscles are a must, because a strong body is a healthy body, and an attractive one as well. There is nothing more appealing than the look of sleek, toned muscles, in every stage of life. But, more important than how a strong body looks, is how a strong body feels.

Strength feels healthy, confident, resilient, and youthful. Besides, it also makes your clothes fit better. Strength is imperative for healthy function, but strong muscles also help us in many other ways as well.

Strong muscles increase our metabolism, help us burn calories, and help us maintain a healthy weight. Notice, I said a “healthy” weight, not some unrealistic or abnormally low weight. Fitness isn’t a size or a number. It’s not about the way you look, but the way you feel. And, strong feels as sexy as hell. That, in itself, is enough to make you want to pick up some weights and get started.

Strong muscles also lead to strong bones. By putting a healthy stress on our muscles to strengthen them, we are also putting a healthy stress on our bones at the same time. When we stress our bones (emphasis is on in a healthy way), we strengthen them. Without getting too nerd-y on you, it’s a physiological phenomena called Wolf’s Law. We can even change the shape of our bones as we strengthen them. How cool is that?

But, what if you hate the thought of weight training? What if you’re like me, and the thought of going to a gym makes you break out in hives? Never fear, you can always strengthen, shape, and tone your entire body in the privacy of your own home. Do I have your attention? Great! Make sure you check in next time for some quick fit tips for strength training at home. Because strong IS sexy, at every age!

 

Breaking Up With My BFF

Breaking up with someone is always awkward, and uncomfortable. But I had the McDaddy of uncomfortable breakups when I had to break up with my BFF of 30 years.

Because, how do you tell someone that you have been best and dearest friends with for 30 years that you haven’t liked them for the past 15 and have been trying to figure out how to break up with them for the past 10? Like I said, it was awkward. So awkward and uncomfortable that I actually had to seek professional help.

My friend and I met in ballet class 30 years earlier and established an unlikely friendship. She was quiet, reserved, shy, and highly intelligent. I was loquacious, demonstrative, outgoing, and just smart enough to get by. For some reason we got along famously.

However, over the years what had begun as a wonderful friendship based on mutual support, respect, and caring somehow turned into one that was demanding, controlling, and manipulative. Our social interactions left me feeling drained, depleted, and even angry. Her arrogant condescension set my teeth on edge. When I tried to limit our “girl time” she became hostile and belligerent. I couldn’t even imagine how she would react if I tried to break up with her.

I slowly tried to interrupt our habitual patterns  by setting clear boundaries and re-establish new patterns in our relationship. After all, we had been friends a long time, and I wanted to salvage our friendship if at all possible. Besides, we had shared our deepest secrets, so we both knew where all the bodies were buried, so to speak. Sadly, it didn’t work out that way.

If you’d like to hear more details right from the horse’s mouth (mine), you can check out my podcast on the subject on The Ladies Chit Chat Club.

The Debut Of The FemiNinja

Well, the results are in. After spending most of my summer deeply immersed in a podcasting contest, I finally got the news. I am thrilled and delighted to be one of four winners, and my new show, The FemiNinja has officially launched last week.  Eee-ha! I think that’s pretty good, considering that the reason I entered the contest was simply to have the opportunity to (maybe) meet the woman who was running the contest (someday).

Well, not only did I get my wish, I got a whole lot more than I had bargained for at the same time. As one of the podcasters, I am responsible for providing 2 episodes a week full of bad-ass content on a variety of different topics. The FemiNinja is about personal empowerment, strength, grace, confidence, health, fitness, standing your ground, finding your voice, living large and loving life. Because living well and looking good is the way of The FemiNinaj!.

I wanted to say that living well and looking good is the best revenge, but not everyone got the message. However, a few people did, and I’m thinking those are the ones with their our amazing stories and bad-ass content to share. I’m hoping to get some of them on my show for interviews.

My first official show was the story about how I broke up with my BFF of 30 years. Yeah. It was really awkward, but it just had to be done for my own health and well-being.

Like I said, I certainly got a whole lot more than I bargained for! So far I have talked to her on the phone several times, met her in person, been to her house, and had lunch with her and the rest of the team of The Ladies Chit Chat Club. 

Perhaps I need to set my sights a little higher in the future.

You’re Only Too Old If You Think You Are

When I was in college I began taking ballet classes. Everyone laughed at me, because I was “too old” to start dancing. Ballet was for children or aspiring professionals, not adults who were stuck with the freshman fifteen. I ignored the naysayers and went to ballet class anyway. Funny, everyone stopped laughing when they saw the results.

After enjoying a rewarding career as a respiratory therapist, I decided to go back to school and pursue a career in physical therapy. Once again the naysayers came out in full force. The application process is too long and arduous. The competition is too fierce. I wasn’t smart enough. And my personal favorite—I was too old.

And yet again, I ignored the naysayers and went through the grueling application process. I graduated from Colorado University with my Master’s Degree in physical therapy just three months shy of my 40th birthday. Apparently I wasn’t too old.

A few years later, at the tender young age of 47, I began studying an ancient Japanese martial art. Guess what my friends told me? Yep, you’re right! I was too old. but by now, they also included the phrase “and too frail.” Oh, really? Ten years later I became my teacher’s first female black belt. In the entire 20 year history of the school, no woman had ever received such a high rank. Hmm. Not only was I not too old, I wasn’t too frail, either.

Then, at the age of 58, I decided to listen to everyone’s sage advice and start engaging in more age-appropriate activities. But, I think I’ll save that juicy little tidbit for another day. The main point I wanted to make is that you’re only too old if you think you are. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Does it?

No You Can’t–Or Yes You Can

Have you ever wanted to try something new, or do something different and exciting, and were told, “No, you can’t?” Perhaps it was pursuing a dream, achieving a goal, or changing a career, and were told, “No, you can’t?”

I was born and raised in a small steel town in Western Pennsylvania, which is why I live in Denver. Nah….I’m just joking. More or less. My hometown was a great place to grow up, especially when I was a kid. We were all living the American Dream, and it was wonderful.

However, I wanted more out of life than what my town had to offer. I always wondered what it would be like to get out on my own, see the world, and make a life for myself away from the safety net of family and everything that was familiar to me.

During my senior year in college I decided to do just that. When I announced my plans to move to Denver, my friends and family were shocked. I was bombarded by well-meaning (but misguided) people who told me “No, you can’t.” Denver was too far away. It was too dangerous. I wasn’t smart enough, or strong enough to make it on my own. The list went on and on.

However, the most persuasive argument came from a guy I was dating, who told patiently explained, “You can’t go to Denver, because you have to get married. And since you have to marry someone, it might as well be me.” That convinced me. Two days after I graduated college I was halfway to Denver before the ink on my diploma even had a chance to dry. So much for “No, you can’t.”

The point is, there will always be people who will try to hold you back, keep you from pursuing your dreams, or simply tell you, “No, you can’t.” It’s your job to smile, nod your head, walk away, and do whatever it is you want to do. Because you can.

Excessive Apology Disorder

When I realized how often I was saying the words “I’m sorry” to everyone for everything, I became acutely aware of how many people apologize excessively when they don’t have to. I even came up with a name for it, which I dubbed Excessive Apology Disorder. Thank you–I thought it was pretty good myself.

When we have EAD, it allows for a close cousin to come creeping in, which is the chronic and nagging voice of self-doubt. Think about it. Every time we take responsibility for something that isn’t our fault, we relinquish a little bit of our personal power. We literally hand it over to another person, typically the one we are apologizing to. When we make excessive apologizing a habit, (like I did), we are constantly chipping away at our self-confidence and self-worth. Even worse, we eventually open the door to guilt and shame. Yikes!

When my Sensei called my EAD to my attention, I was mortified how much I apologized for no reason. I was stunned how much negative energy I was allowing to take over my life. Once I  stopped saying “I’m sorry” to everyone for everything, I felt my power and my self-confidence begin to improve. I found my voice again, learned how to stand my ground, and discovered how to set clear boundaries. It was a beautiful thing to behold!

Besides, if you are constantly saying “I’m sorry,” you diminish the impact of a sincere apology when the situation calls for it. So, notice how often you say you’re sorry. And pay attention if it really was warranted. Don’t say you’re sorry out of habit, or because you think the other person expects it. After all, most of the time you don’t have anything to apologize for, and everything is not your fault.

How-to Produce a Study Paper Proposal

The essay needs to be no more than four pages long. Because it is actually a graduate degree class, do not wait to download them. Utilize certain examples and details to backup your response. Utilize special grounds to produce your article. The GPA demand which actually matters is the GPA you’ll need for a true opportunity of obtaining in. By and enormous, most colleges don’t superscore the ACTION. After picking out the topic, pupils have to research on such subject totally. For instance, they can explain a problem they must conquer. Co-authored essays aren’t approved.

The three-yearold has become in custody of kids services’ team.

Others believe pupils should have many short vacations through the year. Folks Who Make-Believe 15. Cash is among the most crucial things within our lives, Content Writing Services. Folks listen to songs for unique reasons and at a few times. They do many different things to stay healthy. You’ve got chosen to offer several hours of your own period monthly to enhance the community where your house is. Some guys and women select friends which can be different from themselves. Other people would rather travel alone.

It is possible to estimate discussion to help you create your items too.

They think that friends are the most significant influence on adults. Lastly language, vocab is quite an important tool for outline. It is tremendously significant your essay is really a complete that most of the parts match together. In case you are composing, prevent utilizing the exact phrases and words repeatedly. If you don’t have adequate time to conclude your post writing project or you’re not confident about your own understanding ucstom the really best custom essay topic, you may possibly constantly count thesis pam 4 is for help. This composition that you might download below is thought to be an instance of the ideas within this post. It I degree where upon graduation, you are going to be confident involving your gullivers journey essay creating craft in a context of assessment and scholarship, to be able to undertake expert perform in inclusion to additional writing background essay college. The langauge for inspired, hindi recitation.

They’re likewise within desert sands.

Article writing service got within the action. Quite honestly, you’re absolutely ideal. All champions will secure a citation. I’m sure this is already mentioned. This will surely offer you the greatest Superscore possible. Sometime, though, remember that outstanding composing will not occur by accident. Utilize particular causes and details to back up your opinion. Utilize certain factors and facts to fortify your pick.

The primary purpose of the application is to attain an interview for your occupation utilized.

Offer particular reasons and details to strengthen your pick. Which will depend as a social business, I included. When folks should complain about something or inferior company, some choose to whine in writing and others choose to whine personally. Offer certain reasons to clarify your pick. Provide particular causes for your own selection. What does one actually need readers to do as a consequence of your own item. Furthermore, the decision must be complete so that after completing the article, reader may obtain the needed info totally.

Next, your representation includes supporting items to aid help the cases.

That is really something there which is wise. Provide particular causes to back up your response. You’ve got a great chance of raising your rating, that’ll dramatically boost your odds of getting in. This indicates preparing of course. Before beginning the article, pupil should locate a good idea about the area and after that, they are able to create the idea with debate or obvious position. If you write your response, you aren’t limited to the examples recorded within the query. Use particular illustrations to reinforce essaywritinglabs uk your alternative.

Create apiece of them along after you have get to quite a few aspects for dissertation statements.

Use certain details and illustrations to strengthen your response. Utilize certain examples and particulars to reinforce your answer.

Subject Ideas For Solution Composition

Essay writing may become a dance. When you may require some support in your authorship, strive to accomplish expert article writing services. Discovering the right composition creating site won’t be trying simply because that you can decide best apart to think about the help you might get from our firm. This is among the really greatest ranked article writing service which supplies all writing aid. Holding an best essays essay that is certainly nicely – composed is now in your reach. Composing essays can be regarded a waterloo for numerous students. I figured out the way to not just compose an outstanding essay, I discovered the means to get fun when doing it. Stop attempting to compose a brilliant essay (or even a good-enough article ).

This toe-like condition seems also just like a sock or perhaps a manhood.

That is why folks are inclined to steer away from essay writers on the web many instances. Weekly, students need to complete a few essays and a few re Search papers. Article writing service offers an exceptional opportunity to handle the overpowering college schedule and receive any score that functions nicely for you. Students typically find the proper service which could supply a worthy help and guarantee an academic achievement. Establish your deadline and give a buy description. Essay writing support critiques are a excellent generator of information about refund policy of writing help incase a customer isn’t satisfied by the essay solutions. The purpose of the business alone makes this among the finest essay services. This really is the cause it is necessary so they can examine critiques first right before making a choice which provider to select In the cv writing service review, simply take a glimpse at characteristics of the business and its ratings.

" narrative requests request a story, typically about oneself to be told by you.

Besides, you avoid confusion which typically appears once you’re overrun with outstanding quantity of advice. Definitely, classy EssaysReview will allow you to select the required article writing service online once you make your request. We take into consideration each aspect that’s specified and enable you to be in control. Regardless your expertise, we promise to decide the most reliable online custom writing service fulfill your own educational requirements. You can expect a steadfast guarantee nobody can actually understand that you order composition from us! It’s totally exceptional, well – researched and correctly – recommended. Every once in some time I Had compose an extremely decent essay, but mostly I skated by with B’s and A- minuses. Information about each one among these points will certainly make it easier that you decide an appropriate article solutions.

31, president obama was about to work with new year ‘s evening.

Wikipedia isn’t simply one of the top 5 websites in the entire world, it may be regarded a amazing tool for research. Individuals surely need to choose a fantastic service which is worth paying for. Authorship is an essential ability that’s implemented in several areas of existence, particularly for those entering the workforce, whether they’re performing so as an employee or perhaps a business possessor. Doesn’t matter precisely what the cause is, you may possibly constantly seek aid from a provider which is certainly great at composing. Individuals that have used such web sites are ready to provide effective details. Thus, our only objective will be to ensure our customers receive the optimal / optimally article help in the entire world. It writes for pupils all around the globe and its specific consistency superb. It’s known in looking after pupils writing problems. If you concentrate on how, are always going to have enough to come up with.

The united states is 40 minutes towards the south.

Yes, you should practice the principles within your duty. If that’s the case, you must be certain the essay fulfills the criteria.