Like nia, I appreciate this thread, too, Mimi. I was in panic mode last winter when I saw another thread with this title, but thought it was exclusive. Glad to see its purpose now so thanks for starting it.

[color:"blue"] What makes me feel like a Goddess?

Boots! [/color]

I'm barely 5 feet tall (and my DH is 6'4"). Nevermind I can barely walk when I wear the 5 inchers*, and they are not a healthy habit to endure on a regular basis, but feeling taller on the outside is one of the things that gives me that Goddess feeling on the inside. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Ace

[color:"green"]*Edited to add: Just measured them and they're actually only 4, but they seem like 5. [/color]

Cin,
Wonderful story of your daughter. What a beautiful moment and a good reminder to slooowwww down.

For me, in the most basic terms, being a Goddess is about respecting myself and my needs; paying attention to me, remembering how important I am, how special I am.

If that means makeup, then that's what I do. This month it was hair, part necessity, but jazzed it up for lotsa fun! Yesterday, it was trying on some of my old clothes, which was fun. Sometimes, it's hearing the call of my son, and caring for him in the ways only *I* know. It's a bunch of little things that make me feel alive and well, not just surviving.

Coming here and posting, and feeling the power in that, the aide that someone else may be receiving by reading my posts. Someone who is in the throes of surviving can read this and know that I, too, was there, and have walked thru the fire and am LAUGHING today, while I ice my tootsies. Helping others in my own way, is how I feel like a Goddess, too.

It's not all about trinkets and hairdo's, but that's a part of MY repetoire.

Hope we decided to start with exercising. I already walked 2 miles at 5:00AM IN THE DARK. Exercise always makes me feel better - I sit too much all day.

Cinders is right about waiting and listening. When we feed our spiritual side, it gets stronger. Hope all the goddesses will watch and listen today, and see what happens.

I have come here to MB countless times and had a sister (or brother) speak directly to my heart.

Mimi, great thread once I ACTUALLY read it! I didn't think I qualified...no plan B yet BUT definately in the depressed/low self esteem arena.

I'm not girly girly, wish I were,...wear makeup only on special feel like you have to occassions, and even then have to wonder if I put it on right! Normal attire casual jeans/pants. HOWEVER I have found that I feel just super after having a pedicure done. WHAT A MARVELOUS feeling. I have also found that I do like wearing heels...not the towering spikey kind but 2"ish I can walk in and not fall to often (not graceful either)! And just since this past weekend I've started wearing just a puff of perfume. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

So I'm in IF <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> y'all will help/direct this not so girly girl who needs to loose the hips,saddlebags and pouchy tummy, has no REAL clue on makeup find her way to Goddess territory.

I am bordeline Plan B. Ark and others are helping me finalize my draft. It is so hard to do, b/c at least in Plan A I get to see my WH. Crumbs, I know. It is sad.

I was just prescribed Lexapro, but haven't started it yet.
I hope it works. It is hour by hour some days.

My GODDESS is revealed with sexy lingerie, or on a peaceful night with a good book, fresh out of a bath and candles lit. Just "me" time. A good hair day never hurts either!

Well, mvg, it already sounds like you know what you wanna focus on, but haven't found the way.

Before going hog wild and jumping into an exercise program, read up on them first. One thing we all can do is WALK, even if it's at a slower pace, just walk. If you live in a woodsy area, you can convene with nature, listen to the birds, or how the rain sounds when it hits the leaves of the trees.

As for makeup, if there is a makeup counter at your local mall, go there and have them talk about makeup with you. Look it up on the web.

This is a great thread, because I tell ladies to care for themselves around here regularly. This thread describes what I mean.

WE are WOMEN, first and foremost. What makes you feel like a woman? Think outside the box. Yes, some of us like makeup, some of us like to garden, get dirty, play sports, needlepoint, sew, decorate, bake, cook, whatever it is you like.

When I have time, I love to cook, I love to bake, but I'm not great at making up recipes. I'm great at tweaking them, though, so that's what I do.

I am finding that I like to decorate and work on my house, right down to drywalling and floor laying. I feel a great sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and I enjoy my work thereafter, knowing I used my own ideas to make it beautiful. I walk into my bathroom and bedroom every day, and see the beauty i helped to create with my minds eye. Probably the same reason I like gardening, to create a beautiful palate that begins to come alive in the springtime, is just awesome.

It's not necessarily about being a girly girl.

Hey Free,

I took Lexapro for about a year. I had to actually half the dose after a while (10mg down to 5mg) but it worked well for me. I had high anxiety, and it curbed that nicely. The depression still came and went, but the highs and lows were shorter and manageable with self care.

Gotta love a good hair day!!!

MVG and SilentL,
I love home improvements - from hanging a new fan to painting to re-tiling the floor. Home Improvement stores are one of my favorite places. I would qualify for both girly-girl and HGTV do-it-yourselfer.

It is so satisfying to work with your hands and change and create and express your style.

Getting ready to knock a hole in the wall to make a new doorway. Gotta research on that one, but partial therapuetic with the hammer!! LOL!

Free, I'm much like you. I like both to be girly and to weild the hammer.

Oh my gosh!! I love doing home improvements. That's one of the things I learned from WH. We did a lot of remodeling together. Now in my condo, I'm doing minor things myself. I love transforming rooms.

Although I love makeup, great clothes, etc., the thing I love most is coming in to a beautiful house at the end of the day and being able to do what I want - cook dinner, read, etc. THAT makes me feel like a Goddess. And like Believer, I love to do the candles, bubblebath, a little vino with dinner, my beloved chai after dinner. I'm a clean freak though. My house always must be clean! Not always easy when you are doing home improvements.

Harley says that there is an emotional need for an attractive spouse. It sounds like Cinderella was a former hippie type...and quite possibly her husband preferred her to be natural...without makeup.

When I was young I went for a time trying to be as natural as possible which included not shaving under my arms, my legs, and letting my unibrow grow in. I was mistaken for a guy on more than one occasion. Well it was all in the principle back then...<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Like Mimi, I think that makeup enhances my appearance and makes me feel more feminine and presentable - less tired looking. Mimi and I are of similar ages. I also wish to conceal some of the appearances of age, like dark circles or bags that I have a tendency to be getting more of. I feel more feminine with makeup. I also feel more feminine when I wear heels and dress up...but I don't always do that. I want nothing to do with frumpy. I also don't over apply makeup preferring a more natural look. Maybe some people don't need makeup. Even my 25 yr old daughter prefers to not wear makeup every day...she can get away with it to a point...but wow...when she does put makeup on she really does look pretty..and I am sure she feels more feminine too.

My husband does appreciate my efforts to be more attractive.
I am helping to fulfill another EN.

1) Nice scented candle lit, Long, hot bath while listening to Norah Jones.

2) Glass of Pinot Noir.

3) Chinese takeout, and watch my fav. flick "Love with the proper stranger". (while tearing up a box of tissue).

4) Then beddie bye for 10 hours. AHHHH>>>>

Trix, thanks for incorporating how these Goddess like activities help to fill our FWH's EN's.

Up until about, hmmm, the age of 30, I didn't wear makeup. My skin was in better shape. Sun damage hasn't helped, not to mention the stress over the last five years, so my skin has taken a hit. I like evening out my skin tone and then applying that natural glow look.

My sister uses mineral based makeup/powder to even her skin tone, and I've heard good things about it. I may invest there.

THERE YOU GO!! EXACTLY..as Trix states!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I actually didn't start wearing makeup until age 35!!

I was into the "NATURAL LOOK"!

Actually now, you couldn't tell that I have much on...just ALWAYS the BLUSH, MASCARA and GLOSS..if not LIPSTICK!!

AGE AND STAGE are FACTORS...

I knew SL and I had alot in common...didn't realize JUST how much! LOL Now you to Free?! This is GREAT! I should've been a carpenter,home repairer I love the whole working with my hands, rebuilding, home projects gardening, etc, but I would like to be more girly.

Had to chuckle at you SL...I live in the STICKS! Malls...you're too funny! But maybe a weekend to the city would do a girl wonders!

Free I also take Lexapro, before dday I was down to 5mgs and was coming off them....not so much now! Back to the 10 mgs. It has helped tremendously. I will have the lows but I supplement with anxiety meds during those times right now. I would be in jail or rubber room without them.

Why, of course, Ladies!!

This is also about being a DOMESTIC GODDESS, creating "A SANCTUARY" (my H's phrase) for yourself and your family.

This was one of the KEYS to MY PLAN A.

He couldn't get both memories of ME as well as MY HABITAT out of his mind.

I started a RITUAL back then of my YANKEE CANDLES and now HE LIGHTS them each evening.

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Well, mvg, get thee to the city and have some fun, girl. Maybe watch some "Sex and the City" for inspiration. Also, just looking at web sites that talk about application of makeup and then experimenting with a look can be oodles of fun.

Sex and the city was one of my faves! There is a little bit of those girls in all of us.

My WH is coming over tonight to pick up our son. I plan on looking HOT when he comes to the door and baking cookies for a yummy smell, and putting on perfume and lighting candles. I love creating a home-y atmosphere and I did that a lot. This will just make him wonder...who is coming over? why aren't I a part of this anymore?

If he didn't have his other son with him, I might have put on that lingerie I love so much and the heels that have helped Ms 5' make her feel special and answered the door. Knock his socks off!!

Muuuuaaaaaaaa!!

Anything with alpha-hydroxy is suppose to help the skin stay moist, supple and slough off dead cells. I just use a moisturizer and light makeup but luckily I look younger than my 37 years.

[color:"red"]LOL!!!![/color]

My favorite fabric - cashmere

My second favorite fabric - silk

My favorite music venue - the Schermerhorn Symphony Center

My favorite cologne - Angel

My high school - private prep school

My college - conservative church based

My favorite male vocalist - Nat King Cole

My favorite female vocalist - hmmm, Patsy Cline, Norah Jones, or Diana Krall

My favorite composer - Rachmaninoff or Mahler

My favorite earrings - diamond studs or yellow gold hoops

Oh, but I do love my custom made hula hoop - hooping to Prince or James Taylor or Halfbrass is a big rush!