I love how Deniseann opened up this topic.  Since I lost all of my scalp hair, both eyebrows and the right upper eyelash (as well as leg and arm hair) to alopecia areata totalis last year; I don’t have the chore of hairstyling anymore. Alopecia areata is an auto immune disease where the immune system attacks the growing hair in the follicles.  The follicles are healthy, but the T-cells consider the hair as a foreign invader to the body.  Other than being hairless, I’m healthy.  The picture on the left is my residual self image. 

Actually doing my hair was never a chore, I had great hair and loved to style it.  Now, I’ve learned to enjoy the freedom of being bald.  I get lots of compliments (that I have a hard time excepting) on my Nefertiti-look.  But I miss styling my lovely locks.  So if any of you sisters hate your bad hair days and the chore of styling, stop complaining!  You don’t know how hard it is to embrace a new self image as a bald woman.

Much love to all of my sisters who have loss their hair medically or wear it buzzed by choice. I’m thankful to be healthy and whole today— after all, it’s just hair! 

I am proud to say that I breast fed for a total of four years combined.  I really loved that my body was equipped to supply sustenance for my babies.  When I went out, I used a lightweight nursing shawl for privacy. Even those times when I forgot it, I never had one complaint.  That could be luck because I did start out as a member of The La Lecche League.  Some women in the group faced some rude confrontations in public. 

I have read the posts here that admirably defend a woman’s right to nurse her child in public.  I agree wholeheartedly.  However the mom must know that some people find breastfeeding very erotic.  I know it’s crazy, but I’m convinced that a close male friend developed an infatuation for me from watching me breastfeed at home. 

Modesty with guest to your home or in public should be considered. If you are caught without means to nurse discreetly then just feed the baby.  Don’t use the baby as a political prop!  Breastfeeding is such a wonderful experience; the mom is rewarded with a superb feel good hormone called oxytocin after the initial soreness goes away.  So, you don’t want any negative energy around you when you’re bonding with your child.

Man: "Come on, how is this saving the environment?!"

I understand your sentiments deeply Shirley.  I punished myself because I did not receive the type of love and honor that I believed I deserved.  My spirit went to a desolate place and I was there for a long time.  During that time I realized that I had to change my perception of marriage.  I had to learn to appreciate what I have and not focus on what I don’t have. 

I interpret the quote you gave earlier to mean that 21st century women who have achieved fulfillment through careers and busy family lives can find themselves out of touch (disconnected) with the deepest part of their feminine sensuality/sexuality.  I could be wrong, but that’s my understanding.  Thank you for sharing your story.

I’ve lived in the city all of my life.  I’ve been to the ocean maybe a total of 5 times.  So I’m one of those people who stands and stares at the water.  I love the vast beauty of the sea, the salty smell of the air and the warm wind.  With that said, there has not been a time in my adult life where I’ve actually hung out for a day in the sand. 

Now I wonder why I’ve never hung out on the beach—ever?  I think a trip to Florida is in my future.

You’re right Barbara; I was attempting to be funny.  My approach has been open with the kids.  Maybe the girls saw a conversation with me about sex to be too intense.  Maybe I was too graphic.  I tried to explain sex plainly and I did take an opportunity to expand on some bad decisions that were made by young family members.  But in all, the girls are well-adjusted and focused.  Even if they didn’t want me to corner them about sex, I did.  So they know I’m serious about their sexual health.  And you know I’ll gladly talk to my son.  That day will be a unique and precious experience for me.  Knowing my son, he will appreciate talking to both me and his dad together.

No one had "The Talk" with me.  I learned everything at school or from reading "The Happy Hooker". So… when it was my time to instruct my oldest daughter around 7 or so, she whined that the subject was too embarrassing.  So I got her a great instructional book for young people with good illustrations. I told her that I was always available anytime to answer questions.  She never had a question. 

The middle daughter asked only once (at 6), "How does the baby get out of the mommy?"  I told her and she frowned and never asked me anything else.  Five years later she asked me to sign her permission slip for sex education.

Now up next is my son, he’s 4.  I bet in time he will be the one to want ALL of the details.  I’m going to send him to his Dad.

That’s true r t.  My real life friends and I have already established a way to communicate via email messages.  It’s now the equivalent to writing a letter.  Of course we sometimes attach pictures.  So yes, I guess some of us mature folks prefer to set limitations on the use of the technology by using it to enhance an established relationship. 

On the other hand, I have created only one Internet to "real" friendship.  A nice lady in California started out as a stranger who I frequently corresponded with at a movie website.  We talked on the phone a few months ago.  She sent me a signed autograph picture of my favorite male actor, Jake Weber and pics of her and the cast of "Medium".  So I say the Internet is a great source to make new friends, it’s just the way you use the technology.

Looks like we weren’t the only ones in deep consideration of this serious problem.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32018629/ns/us_news-the_new_york_times

The new Spin and Fluffy cycle.