fixation friday: the troops

Today's Fixation Friday is brought to you by Facebook. Today's fixation is a bit less fun and more serious. This morning I was greeted with a great message on facebook from my cousin. As you know he is in the military and is serving our country over seas. He has arrived to his base camp destination and is safe and sound and that makes me extremely happy. He seems to be in good spirits and turned all his focus to me and how I was doing, and what I was up to in his email. He even took time to ask me my opinions about the whole 'Big Ben' scandal.  Don't get me started on that... I'm still a bit disappointed in him and angry about the whole thing. Ben if you're reading this, get your ass out of the club and back to the gym and work off that extra weight - get your head in the game. We don't pay you to pick up chicks in bars and what not! {Salt, thank you for not ribbing me on this, seriously, thank you!} Both of my cousins as well as my aunt, uncle and my cousin's husband are all Steelers fans, this is where I get my Steeler Fever from, the Pennsylvania part of my blood. Oddly my father was born and raised in P.A. and yet he's a Redskins fan. I wasn't into football growing up so the Redskin burgundy and gold never transfered to me, much to my dad's displeasure I'm sure. I didn't get into football until I was probably a sophomore in high school. Funny side note: my cousin R and her husband (mentioned above) like the Steelers so much their cat's names are Pittsburgh and Steeler. Not what I'd choose for my cats but still, die hard. Anyfooseballdebil, Back to the topic at hand, it's too early for Football fixation.

I happily emailed my cousin, L back thanking him for all his services and for taking time to contact me to see how I was doing. I reminded him that I'm praying for him daily and that he's always on my mind. I thought of him last night while watching the SNL 2000's special on NBC. I cried during the 9/11 coverage. I'm so sad it happened but I'm glad that after all this time I'm still passionate about what happened, what people did to help and my heart aches for all the men and women lost in those tragic events and their families. I then started thinking about L, and how selfless he is. A father with two young daughters who are growing everyday. A husband with a wife left to forge ahead on her own in this time when he's away. Surrounded by friends and family she takes comfort in his messages and his phone calls and prays for him to return home safely to her, his girls, his family, his friends and his community. Not a day goes by that I don't fixate on his well being. I can only do as his wife and my family does and pray, and hope, and keep the faith that he will be home soon again, safely and sound.

I asked him in my replay message if he could tell a difference since the last times he had been where he is now (sorry for the lack of info, it's a safety issue, you understand right?) . I look forward to his reply. I'm interested to see how he feel things have changed from his point of view. I won't get into the politics of all of this, with the war etc., that would take ages. All I can do is hope that soon, my cousin can come home and all of our troops can do the same.

His wife recently gave me the mailing address to send him and his crew items and care packages. I was so happy so many of you expressed interest in being able to show you care. If you are still interested please email me at the address listed below my contact information and I'll send you that information. Please note that if I do not know you or talk to you on a regular basis I may not forward this information back to you. It's nothing personal but this is the troops' safety I'm concerned about.

Take some time today to reflect and think about our men and women in service. Not just the troops but the other's who help us everyday - Firefighters, Police Officers, Soldiers and all the other men and women that risk their lives everyday to make the world a little better for us. And while you're at it, say a little prayer for L and his family and for his safe return.

And when you're finished all that - remember it's FRIDAY! And you are blessed with the freedom to celebrate that. And when you raise your glass tonight at happy hour - stop for a moment, reflect again and toast to the men and women in the armed forces, their family support systems and your country and relish the delicious sip of your cocktail in their honor. *CHEERS*

via google

Happy Friday Everyone!!! 

AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

ye ole store of the south.

It's a busy, busy day for me today but I wanted to take two minutes to recognize a small town wonder here where I live. My town is small but mighty. Every day the artistic culture is growing here and across the river. I think that having a large music history and a big name in the fashion industry from here and currently running his home office here helps. Billy Reid our hometown designer, was interviewed recently by GQ Magazine. I was just alerted on facebook by a fan page for our Main Street community here of this great little tid bit. The interview/article is about The 25 Best Vintage Stores In America on that list was The Ye Ole General Store.

via www.gq.com

Billy's mention's our little diamond in the rough store as a place he likes to visit to pull inspiration from in his fashion designs. I am pretty darn excited about this. This town is small, everyone knows everyone. I will be honest since I moved here I haven't visited this store. I used to work right next to it and passed by it everyday on my way back to my apartment. Now that we don't live downtown, we make it a point to try to get out to the local stores and show our support, as often as possible. This only happens maybe once every two months. We really would love to be a part of the 3/50 project, but sometimes it's just not in the budget so we do what we can to keep our local downtown buzzing with excitement when we can. I'm happy to say that a few people we've chatted with who own businesses downtown have nothing but great things to say. Our good friend owns a bar downtown and he says business is booming (everyone needs a fix right?) But many local clothing stores and places like that have been doing really well. We are starting to see an uplifting of the community and the whole downtown full of historic buildings is starting to get a facelift. This makes me happier than I could describe. No one wants to see a small community fail, or any community for that matter, but we all have to do our part to ensure failure doesn't happen. I have made a mental note to make a visit to this store soon. The store has been there since the 40's, it's about time right? I love vintage clothing finds and this is apparently just the spot to get them in my own backyard. I just hope they have women's clothing? Most of the items I see in the window seem like they would be for men. Then again I have been in the market for some overalls for gardening.

I hope you all are having a Wonderful Wednesday!!! It's pay day for me - and not a moment too soon!

fixation friday: spf-a-holic

"Suntan lotion is good for me. You protect me tee-hee-hee. Oh the sun tries to burn me but you won't let it. Ultra violet rays bad. Lotion goooood!" - Billy Madison

via google

Today in this installment of Fixation Friday, I want to talk about my obsession with SPF protection. Spring is upon us. For most that means getting out in the sun, tanning, and getting a bronze glow. I used to be one of those people. I worked on my tan, like it was my job through most of my preteen and teen years, well into my 20's. My junior year of college I was an employee at a local tanning salon and I was dark! I was completely tanorexic. I never thought I looked that dark and I would tan at least twice a week once I got my all over glow. Stand-up booth? Used it. 15 Minute deep tan through layers of skin - rocked it hardcore. I mean come on, 15 mins, or less in a bed with air conditioning - HELL YES! I'm seriously shocked that one year didn't ruin my skin for life. (And maybe it has, not sure). All the years before that I used tanning beds before prom, or a big trip somewhere. I also worked at a beauty salon with a bed and used that puppy as often as I legally could. As far as natural sunlight goes, while at the beach I was a sun worshiper and a half. Add to that all my preteen and teen years sunning myself by our pool and you've got a person that was completely fixated with having brown skin.

Once I turned 21, I often used the tanning bed as a way to sleep off a good night of partying. I'd go into work hung over (don't practice this at home, I was a trained professional, or at least I thought I was), I would boot n' rally in the women's toilet a few times before lunch, head to the tanning salon sleep it off, grab a really, super greasy lunch and return to work refreshed and ready to finish my day. THIS was a pretty typical Thursday for me at my job. I'm shocked I never got fired. Thankfully most of the time I came in like that it was due to 25 cent draft night at the local bar and most of my co-workers were the ones buying me rounds - needless to say we all came in on Thursday mornings looking death warmed over. A lot of times, my boss was also involved in these nights out, so what could he say at that point, right? Once I started going to school 2 days a week and working 3 jobs that partying was a bit less but I still used the tanning beds to their full potential. I mean come on - that dolphin on my hip from the neat-o stickers wasn't going to refresh itself right?

Fast forward to now, it's been over 5 years since I've been anywhere near a tanning bed. The last time I recall going was before my trip to Costa Rica in 2005. I didn't want to look like a pale ghost while there so I went in for a few visits to get an all over glow. Something different happened while in Costa Rica though. I brought sunblock with me. Yes I said BLOCK. It was October at the time and I wanted to get a tan but I didn't want a burn to ruin my week in paradise. My bestie T and I spent every single day at the pool. Soaking up the sun and the frozen cocktails. I noticed that I was still getting a nice even color without the burn and I then and there became hooked on sunblock protection.  I know I was still damaging my skin by allowing the all over tanning to happen, but I was happy to not be in pain. Once home I realized just how dark I was. T and I went out for drinks with the rest of the girls and the pictures spoke for themselves. It was odd to be THAT tan, in the winter.  That next weekend was when M and I officially started dating - thankfully for me it wasn't the tan that sealed the deal with him, ha!

I moved to Alabama about 6 years ago and tanning is definitely IN here. Between pageants, proms, and girls wanting to look amazingly perfect all year long (it is the Southern Belle way) - tanning is a huge staple in most women's beauty routine in these parts. After all a string of pearls looks better with a tan neck to wear it upon, am I right? When summer comes most girls look amazingly bronzed and beautiful, well before the calendar actually reads, SUMMER. It's funny that in our country tanning is what means beauty, where others thing pale skin is beautiful, because it means you haven't been out in the fields working, and instead have been relaxing indoors. Although here a tan means you have been probably vacationing at the beach - a life of luxury or outdoors for fun.  Being in the land of bronze beauties I have felt the desire to go to the tanning bed a few times when I feel most pale, but I haven't ever gone. Shockingly, I've been afraid to go... read on.

When my mother was diagnosed with cancer many years ago I went into full freak out mode. Not only was I worried about lung cancer (which is what she was diagnosed with), I became worried about all kinds of cancer. Especially skin cancer. It's the one seriously bad habit that would lead to skin cancer and  I knew was an easy change I could make to protect myself. In the past my father had moles and sketchy areas of his skin taken off by laser for the sake of safety and possible cancer. My skin is a mix between my mothers, which tanned perfectly and rarely burned and my father's skin which will turn into a lobster shell if he would let it. I have moles and spots all over me, I always have, and freckles and other sun spots that quite frankly freak me out, and worry me. In the past I got them checked regularly and it's something that's on my long TO DO list of health check-ups I need to make.

Like I said I went into full freak out mode when I moved here. My mother started doing worse with her treatment and it seemed down hill - this really kicked me into high gear with how I was approaching things in my life in regards to preventing cancer. I have never smoked. (Ok, I tried it once as a joke and I hated it). Smoking wasn't an issue, I figured if I was going to get lung cancer it wouldn't be from that, it might be from second hand smoke or inhaling harmful chemicals. At that time I was a manicurist and from then on refused to do fake nails on people. There are too many chemicals and dust. Eventually I let my manicurist license expire - I still kick myself for this it was great money and it was REALLY stupid of me to let it go. I often think about getting it back - but I would hate to spend all that money to take the test again, and possibly a refresher course in manicuring. I started to fear anything I was doing while being a manicurist might hurt me. Like I said full freak out! 

Looking back I probably should have really started thinking about my health in terms of what I shoved in my mouth that could be harmful and cancer causing if over done but honestly that wasn't were my head was. Besides - I probably wouldn't be able to eat anything if I did that.

My mom started to feel better and eventually went into full remission. We were so happy! I kept up with my LACK of sun worshipping. If I went to visit her in North Carolina and wanted to hit the beach I loaded up with sunblock. Usually SPF 15-30. And I stopped going to the tanning bed.

I still practice this sunblock ritual today. M and I do a lot of canoeing and that leaves us out in the sun all day long. I reapply often, and make sure I'm not getting red. He's also gotten in on the action. His skin burns very easily so it wasn't hard to convince him. In over 5 years I have had only one real sunburn that I can remember (my first time at the beach in forever and I forgot to reapply) and I haven't returned to the tanning bed, at all. I can actually see a difference in my skin. Which is awesome. Most of the sunspots have faded off my shoulders and while I hate that my freckles are fading, I realize it's also my skins way of telling me I'm doing something right.

Since I was in middle school I've been using Oil of Olay face lotion. I truly think this has helped me prevent premature wrinkles and fine lines for so many years. I have started to notice the fine lines around my eyes that come with age, recently, BUT they aren't as deep as some people that I've seen that are the same age as me, so that makes me feel like I've been doing something right. Like the old Olay ads always said... "Grow old gracefully? No way, I'm going to fight aging every step of the way!"

I love that I'm in my 30's and still don't get told I look that age. It feels great. It took a while to be OK with being in my 30's but now I am embracing it. Every single time I get carded it makes me smile with glee. Do I miss tanning? Yes, sometimes. Like I said before, it was an excellent hang over cure when I was in my 20's and sick as a dog all AM at work. 20 minutes in the bed and taco bell for lunch and I was back like a champ working my ass off by 1:00 pm! I also enjoyed the benefits it gave my mood on a rainy day or during a long, cold winter in Maryland. But I know I'm better off without it.

I'm not trying to convert all my tanning bed loving peeps that read this blog. I have my own personal reason for fearing tanning, smoking and other things. My mother died from lung cancer, not skin cancer, but it took her diagnosis to make me re-thinking everything I've done in the past. My father is currently having his own battle with cancer, so it runs in my family and the reality is the fear for me will always be there. I figured the little changes I can make, to better my chances in the future and to ensure I won't have to go through this, can't hurt and can only help me personally.

Just the other weekend I received three bottles of FREE tanning bed lotion. I didn't have the heart to tell my friend's mother that I don't tan. Honestly if I went to the beach tomorrow the first thing I would do is park my ass in the sand w/ a drink in my hand and lots of SPF all over my body. I know that I'm still getting damage, because I allow my skin to turn a bit brown, but I know it's not as horrible as it used to be when I would put on tan amplifying gel and soak up the rays all. day. long. I miss the days of lovely brown skin, I always felt more healthy with a tan, how funny is that? I still get a tint of brown these days I just try to be as smart as I can about it. If I looked like the lovely Dita Von Tease, I'd never step foot in the sun and always wear ZINKA from head to toe, but I don't have her lovely skintone.

For me and the sake of my own peace of mind that's what I do. Everyday I have sunblock on my face and bronzer powder in my make-up bag and so far, it works for me. Do you have any fun SPF tips? Favorite brands? Share with us. We all want to look younger and youthful and I've found for me the best way to do that is to take these steps to protect myself, my skin and my future. I've thought about hitting up a spray tan booth, but I have a feeling I'd have an Ross Episode and that wouldn't be fun!

HAPPY CATCHING RAYS LADIES n' GENTS - safely that is! ox