I thought I'd post this picture

[ladyinred]

Let's see if this works.... :o Don't I look so serious... HMMMMM Maybe I should have smiled ,lol This was taken last year before my 46th birthday. I looked a bit healthier in this picture because I wasn't smoking and under alot less stress... Before my mother died.. I wear lipstick but no makeup... I don't want to , not that I don't have skin flaws but I just don't like to..(Could never give up the lipstick though feel naked without it..) The secret to good skin and a healthy glow.. gentle buff puff, organic products,no heavy or chemical laden creams ,drink water and less stress and and a good night's sleep and nooooooooo smoking..(Got to quit that one again.)and of course a positive outlook..

[Jennifer5]

No, it's good...:love:

[ladyinred]

perhaps you al might have some helpful tips on quitting smoking.. I quit for ten years 6months before I was pregnant with my son and took the habit up agin when I moved from Texas in 2001. For some strange reason I picked one up and couldn't stop ,I had split up with my ex husband .. although we are on much better terms now, it was not a pleasant relationship by any means. Of course I'm not going to say I didn't contribute to the problems, but it was a difficult period for me as I was struggling with my sexuality and in alot of turmoil about it..
The thing is how I handled it was to blame him ... That was my mind set at the time.. I'm not saying it was right but I was extremely unhappy in the relationship and had been for a long time. I had dated guys and gals when I was in my twenties but was basically very shy.. But I just never felt that attracted to men...and of course I was very insecure...
As far as now I still need to work on things.. and as I've calmed down I can see alot of my problems stemed from low self esteem and other things... Not only was I highly self critical but I could be very judgmental and critical of others... It is funny how we can project things onto others without knowing it... That is what I had to become aware of.. I could also be thinned skin and touchy and easily hurt by other remarks...
That is an evolving process with me to let go of the past and to build anew . And of course to be more compassionate of others and myself... I'm more easy going now... and tend to be more comfortable around people... But I try to stay away from people who are too toxic or negative...

[ladyinred]

Call me a gentled down version of my former self,lol