Hi Maryanne,
I know it has been a while...I apologize, life gets so busy. Thankyou so much for sharing. I love it when you said you can't fake sexy. Sooo true...I've tried. Hearing your story in more detail has made me feel like I am not alone. Thank you for that. So the weight thing I can totally relate. I was obese... and recently lost 80 pounds. It has made everything much better. But I didn't get the psychological results I was looking for. I still don't feel sexy, even though I got my curves back. You are right Alopecia changes the way you look at yourself. It is such a struggle to stay positive. I hope that you can be open to find someone to share your life with. I don't know that I could do this alone. Just knowing that I am loved...gives me enough hope to carry on. I will be praying that someone special comes into your life soon!!!

Yes, I paint the eyebrows on myself! I have a couple of different designs I do. People keep telling me I should have a henna or permanent tattoo done, but I like painting them on myself and being able to change the design. It was actually my cousin's idea - I first lost the hair on my head and then started losing my eyebrows and then after a few years my eyelashes. He came up with the idea that instead of painting on lines, why not have some fun with it? :) And I do. I'm actually really bad at drawing on straight lines - they come out crooked and I feel weird with just lines :D I guess the most important thing is figuring out something that you personally feel good with, right?

Hi Maryanne,
Wow!! I hope someday I can be grateful for Alopecia. You are right about findind strength whe you need it most. How did I do it?? Well in my case, I had 3 herniated discs in my lower back and had to quit working. I knew I had to lose weight to reduce the agony I was in. So I challenged myself. I told myself, "If I can't lose weight, I can't do anything." I started walking laps around the block. I gave up everything bad for me...except chocolate and cream for my coffee. I counted calories and I walked every day...up to 4 miles a day. Not having a job made it easier for me to be serious about it. It also took a long time (2 years). If you can except that it is a marathon, and not a sprint race, it becomes more attainable. I am happy I got under 200 pounds. That was my goal. I still want to lose another 20, and I will. I guess you have to really want it. Once I gave my mind a good enough reason to do it, I had the power I needed. It has made everything MUCH better. I still have pain, but no where near as much. I feel better about myself and I have more energy. I love my walks now...if you do something long enough you create a good habit. Well I will be saying a prayer that you have success in your own weight loss goals...I will be cheering you on!!! :)