We Take Leadership to HeartTe Distinguished McLeod Cardiac Care TeamIn a region where cardiovascular disease is one of the most feared killers, McLeod and its unparalleledteam of cardiac care physicians stand ready to protect and defend. Within our ranks are nationallyrespected researchers, surgeons who have pioneered procedures such as valve repair and replacement,vascular surgery and those who have some of the best clinical outcomes in the country. Tis highlyexperienced team led development of the areas rst chest pain center at McLeod, and was the rst in ourregion to use drug-eluting stents that reduce the chance of blockages reoccurring in heart arteries. Teyare prepared to provide the most important heart care in the world: yours.Cardiac Program Medical Directors and Leaders from left to right top: Dr. Alan Blaker, Dr. Daniel Fox, Dr. Ian Smith,Dr. Rajesh Malik, Dr. Peter Hyman, Dr. Fred Krainin, Dr. Anil Om and Dr. Tomas LewisFrom left to right bottom: Dr. Jamie Holland, Dr. Christopher Cunningham and Dr. Gregory JonesMcLeodHeart & Vascular Institutewww.McLeodCardiac.orgGlossy 22/19/0911:40 AMPage 1The Art of StyleThe Shops of 7 Oaks 2001 Hoffmeyer RoadFlorence, SC 843.656.0399www.heywardandhanna.comGlossy 32/19/091:40 PMPage 1Glossy 42/19/091:41 PMPage 1PreciousFormalsParis byTony BowlsJovaniTeraniTeraniPreciousFormalsTeraniStudio 17Studio 17La FemmeLanda DesignsLa FemmeParis byTony BowlsPanoplyPanoplyTony BowlsJovani211 W. Main St Dillon 843.774.7646 or Toll Free: 866.421.6599Mon-Fri 10-6 Sat. 10-4 , NOW Sunday 1-4 visit us online at: www.CandCBridalBoutique.comCherry & Nicole,ManagersOne of the Top 10 PromStores in the U.S.$40 OffAll New Prom ArrivalsSelectedPromGowns3 0%Off!T E R ANI S T U DI O1 7 P ANOP L Y R I V ADE S I GNS J OV ANI L AF E MME P R E CI OU S F OR MAL ST I F F ANY MOR I L E E S CAL A T ONY B OWL S F L I R T CAS S ANDR AS T ONE F I R E &I CE AL Y CE(WHENMENTIONINGTHISAD)$100 Off Any SpecialOrder Wedding Gownwith purchase of Bridesmaids Order(Select Styles from March 1-15)LandaDesigns52/24/0912:43 PMPage 162/23/0910:29 AMPage 1Allergy Asthma & Sinus CenterWith HelpFrom Doctors who CareStephen A. Imbeau, M.D., FACP,FAAAAI, FACAAIJoseph Moyer, M.D., FACAAIDanny Douglas, M.D.H. David Stone, Jr.,M.D., FACAAITimothy Crouch, M.D.Relief forChildren & Adults from Hay Fever AsthmaSkin AllergySinus ProblemsBee & Fire Ant Allergy Sinus EndoscopyCT ScansEnj oySpring. . . . agai n T o l l F r e e : 1 - 8 0 0 - 2 5 3 - 6 6 9 7332-3191 803-934-1488 293-5000 399-9033 679-9335Carolina PinesMedical Ofc. Bldg.701 Medical ParkDr. Suite 104HartsvilleTuomey MedicalBuilding115N. Sumter St.Suite 315 SumterSouth StrandMedical Center5046 Hwy. 17 BypassS. Suite 105Myrtle BeachSeacoast MedicalCenter4000 Hwy. 9 E.Suite 240Little RiverMcLeod MedicalPlaza800 E Cheves StSuite 420Florence72/19/0911:09 AMPage 1Get your Legs ready for Spring, and Summer!Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLT)Sclerotherapy Ultrasound Guided Medical SclerotherapyMembers of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery1273 Celebration Boulevard Florence 843.669.2220www.genesiscosmeticlasercenter.comBoard Certified Mary Beth Lewis, MDInterventional Radiology & Vascular SpecialistNow available atTreat those unsightly Varicose and Spider VeinsFlorence Radiological AssociatesFree Consultation!82/19/0911:11 AMPage 1A Doctors Confession to the City of FlorenceAnd why, despite all, I still do what I doDear Friend, Confessions are tough.Realtough.But, sometimes a confessioncan set the record straight, andIwanttogivecreditwherecredit is due. Before I talk aboutmyconfession,though,letmesay a few other things first.Letmestartbyexplainingthephotointhisletter.Youknow,whenImeetpeopleintowntheyusuallysay,Oh,yeah,Iknowyou,youreDr.Strickland,Iveseenyouradwith that picture of you and thelittle boy.Well, Im the guy onthe left. Tenyearsagosomethinghap-penedtomethatchangedmylife forever.BackwhenIwasfreshmanincollege, I injured my back whilewaterskiing.Thepaininmylow back and leg was so intensethatIcouldntevenwalk,andsometimes I needed help gettingoutofbed.IwasafraidthatIdlosetheabilitytoevenwalkifthe disabilitycontinued.Aftermonthsofprescriptiondrugs,thatdidmoretodisruptmylifethaneasethepainandnumeroussteroidinjections,Iwastoldthatsurgerywastheonlyoption.LittledidIknowwhatwouldhappen.Ilostasemesterin college (6 months of my life),and was not better. But theresmore.A friend of mine convincedmetogiveachiropractoratry.Thechiropractordidanexam,tooksomefilms,andthenadjusted my spine.The adjust-mentdidnthurt,itactually feltgood.Igotrelief,andIcouldwalkwithoutpainagain.ItworkedsowellthatIwenttochiropractic schoolmyself.Now for Branton, who is thelittleboyinthephoto.Abouttwoyearsagohewasplaguedwithearinfectionsandchestcongestion.Hetookmanymedicationsandevenhadtohave tubes in his ears. Imagine,alittleboynotbeingabletoplay outside with his friends, hewasafraidofgettingsick.Afterwe started to adjust him, the earinfections and congestion start-ed to improve immediately, andnow,hisproblemsareonlyoccasional.Heisabletorunand play like kids should be ableto.Thatseemslikeasmallthing, but it makes a huge differ-ence to him.Itsstrangehowlifeis,becausenowpeoplecometoseemewiththeircarpaltunnelsyn-dromeproblems.Alsotheycometomewiththeirheadaches,migraines,chronicpain,neckpain,shoulder/armpain,whiplashfromcaracci-dents, backaches, ear infections,asthma,sinus/allergies,numb-nessinlimbs,athleticinjuries,just to name a few. Heres what some of mypatients had to say:Ihadheadachesalmosteverydayofmylifeforyears;Dr.Stricklandputan end to that in a few adjustments!- (D. Kirkland-Florence. SC)I suffered with chronic pain for over25years.Itriednumerousdifferenttreatmentsincludingmedication,physicaltherapy,andevensurgery.AfriendofminetoldmeaboutDr.Strickland.With his help, I am nowabletosleepthroughthenight.Thanks to my friend and Dr. Strickland -(H. Davis, Timmonsville, SC)Icouldntsit,stand,orevenliedown without pain. After a couple ofvisits,mylowbackandlegpainaregone!(K. Turner-Florence, SC)Severaltimesadaypatientsthank me for helping them withtheirhealthproblems.ButIcantreallytakethecredit.Myconfessionisthat Iveneverhealedanyoneofanything.WhatIdoisperform aspecificspinaladjustmenttoremovenervepressure,andthebodyrespondsbyhealingitself. Wegettremendousresults.Itsasimple as that!Being a chiropractor can be tough,becausetheresahostofso-calledexpertsoutthere.Theytellpeoplealotofthingsthatarejustplainridiculousaboutmyprofession.Butthestudiesspeakforthemselves,liketheVirginiastudythatshowedthat99%ofpatientswhosawachiropractorweresatisfiedwiththeirresults.Thats just incredible! Seventy-fivemillionAmericans nolongerhavehealthinsurance,andthosewhodohavefoundthattheirbenefitsarereduced.Thatswherechiropracticcomesin.Manypeoplefindthattheyactuallysavemoneyontheirhealth care expenses by seeing achiropractor.Anotherwaytosave,studiesshowthatchiropracticcan double your immune capac-ity, naturally and without drugs.Theimmunesystemfightscolds,flues,andothersickness-es.So you may not be runningoff to the doctor as much.This isespecially important if you are self-employed.And, an entire weekofcareinmyofficemaycostwhat you could pay for one visitelsewhere.YouBenefitfromanAmazingOffer-Look,itshouldntcostyou an arm and a leg to correctyourhealth.Youaregoingtowriteachecktosomeoneforyouhealthcareexpenses,youmayaswellwriteoneforalesseramountforchiropractic.Whenyoubringinthisarticle(byApril1,2009)youwillreceivemy entire new patient exam for$27.Thatswithx-raysandathoroughhealthevaluation.thewholeballofwax.Thisexamcouldcostyou$250elsewhere.And,furthercare is very affordable and youllbe happy to know that we haveaffordablefamilyplans.Yousee Im not trying to seduce you tocome see me with this low start upfee,thentoonlymakeitupwithhigh fees after that. Further care isveryimportanttoconsiderwhenmakingyourchoiceofdoctor.Highcostscanaddupvery quickly.Greatcare at a great feePlease,Ihopethattheresnomisunderstandingaboutqualityofcare justbecauseIhavealowerexamfee.Youllget great care at a great fee. MyqualificationsI grew up in thePee Dee and love it here. Im agraduateofPalmerCollegeinDavenport,Iowa.ThroughoutmycareerIhavewantedtoreturntothePeeDeeRegionand thankfully I was able to joinDr.McKayandDr.Skipper.IamhappytobebackwhereIbelonganddoingwhatIlove,helpingpeoplethroughchiro-practicandnaturalhealthcare.Ivebeenentrustedtotakecareoftinybabiestoproathletesthat you may know.I just havethatlowfeetohelpmorepeoplewho need care.MyassistantsareDebbie,Jessica,andLeahandtheyarereally great people.Our office isbothfriendlyandwarmandwetryourbesttomakeyoufeelathome.We have a wonderful serv-ice,atanexceptionalfee.Ouroffice is calledADVANTAGE HEALTH& WELLNESS CENTERanditisat507WestPalmettoSt.(WeareacrossfromMontessoriSchool,1blockfromtheVenusPancakeHouse).Ourphonenumberis843-669-1010.CallDebbieorLeah today for an appointment.We can help you.Thank you.-Dr. Craig StricklandP.S. Whenaccompaniedbythefirst,Iamalsoofferingthesecondfamilymemberthissameexamina-tion for only $10.P.S.S.Can you imagine not havingtowaitatadoctorsoffice?Well,yourtimeisasvaluableasmineis.Thats why we have a no-wait poli-cy.You will be seen within minutesof your appointment.92/23/0910:30 AMPage 1410 South Coit Street Florence 665.5055Member of North American Menopausal Society Member of American Bariatrics PhysiciansComplete Womens Health CareJ. Marshall Dent, M.D.HER STORY...My mom was the motivation for me to start a weight-loss program.She pickedupaSheMagazineandtoldmeshewantedmetotrytheFlorenceWellness&WeightLossCenter Program.I was ready to do anything it took to take the weight off.As a stay-at-home mom with two small children and a husband that works out of town alot, I was depressed all the time.I didnt have the energy to do everything I wanted to do withmy children.Furthermore, I was tired of having to go shopping at certain stores just to find theclothing size I needed.I hated going out with my husband because I thought I didnt look goodenough for him; I thought people were talking about me being big.At 248 pounds, I started Dr. Dents Once-A-Month Program, which is a low-carb, high-proteinplan.Iexercisedatleastthreetimesaweek,butthehardestpartisnothavinganysweets.I love chocolate!However, not having it for a while, I got used to not having it.To me,losing weight was more important than eating sweets.Goingtothedoctoronceamonthhelpedmotivatemeandkeepmeaccountable.Everyone at the Florence Wellness & Weight Loss Center is so nice and they really do care aboutme and my health.Once I started losing the weight and could see the results on the scale, I wasso proud of myself. Going places and having everyone tell me how good I look is the greatest accomplish-mentIcouldeverhave. Thebestthing,however,aboutlosingweightisIhavesomuchenergy now.I can almost keep up with my children like a mother should.Plus, I can goshopping anywhere I want to. My advice to others is if youre not happy with how you look and feel, call Dr. Dent andschedule an appointment.It will be the best call youve ever made.It changed my life inso many ways.Now, I weigh 160 pounds and I feel great!In seven and a half months, Ive lost 88 poundsand 42 inches off my body.Its just amazing!Ashley McDaniel is a 24-year-old, stay-at-home mom with a five-year-old son and a seven-year-old daughter.She and her husband of six years live in Johnsonville.afterFlorence Wellness&Weight-loss CenterNOW OFFERING FULL&MODIFIEDFAST AS WELL AS OTHERPROGRAMS TAILORED TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS underthedirectionof J.MARSHALLDENT,M.D.,BARIATRICPHYSICIAN, BARIATRIC ASSISTANTS, JEAN DICKENS & PATRICIA POWELL ANDCERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER GEORGE MCELVEENJ. Marshall Dent, M.D. is now certified by the AmericanBoard of Bariatric Physicians, making him 1 of only10 Board Certified Bariatric Physicians in SC.See Dr. Dents articleon pg.130Ive lost 88 POUNDS!Ashley McDaniels tells her story.before102/24/0910:41 AMPage 11540 American Drive. Florence,SC317.9999 1.866.646.5644www.lucascosmeticsurgery.comBeautiful, natural looking results using the surgeon's skills.AAAHC Accredited Surgical Facility Board Certified American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Board Certified Anesthesia ProvidersBeSomebody.We offer an array of cosmeticsurgery procedures includingFacial Surgeries,Breast Procedures,Body Contouring &Anti-aging Techniquesincluding Botox, Juvadermand Microdermabrasion!In the right hands, evenminor physical changes can fosterrenewed confidence, increaseself-respect and restore a positiveoutlook on life.Treat yourself or someone special to a day ofpampering with our Registered Esthetician.20% off Microdermabrasionand PCA peels Spa ServicesGift Certificates Available!112/23/0910:33 AMPage 1Contributing WritersMedical Experts18 Paige SandersonGetting Old Is Only You-Know-What IfYou Let It Be22 Melodie GriffinYoure How Old?26 Allie AtkinsonIm Just as He Would Have Me to Be30 Sandra HonakerThe Great Forty-Eight34 Jumana A. SwindlerTime Marches On36 Sharon BixlerAgeless Eyes44 Anna Kathryn PittsStill Twenty-Something48 Ouida K. Page, RN, LPCFinally, My Turn58 Rebecca J. BlairFinding New Meaning to ...And Many More60 Latrelle P. Fowler, RN, PhDStarting Over at Any Age64 Marti MillerMarching On118 Leigh Clary AbdouHis Timing126 Cookie CawthonBoogie Shoes and Boat Paddles52 Carol Adams, PhDGrowing Old Gracefully: What I Learned From my Mother54 Curt B. Charnes, MDThyroid Gland: The Tiny Titan68 Dr. Ed LeeTreating Varicose and Spider Veins102 Lea Pritchard-Boone, PhDThe Generation Gap130 J. Marshall Dent, III, MDThe Upside of MenopauseCelebrate Your AGE!Special Features76 Lindsay Martin King78-79 Dr. Anna Katherine Gibson80 Kim Puckett82-83 Mary Hayes Bryant, Ed.D84 Nancy Baxley Jordan86 Martha Davis88 Anne Poston McNair90 Suzanne Suzi Jones92 Frances B. Drew94 Mary Long Streett96-97 Sarah Layton98 Jimmie RogersIn Every Issue14 Letter from the Editor16 She mail25 Style File28 Beauty Buzz32 Shes Closet41 The World According toSobie Soles Dixon42 The Sir-Vey46 Shop TalkGenesis Cosmetic Laser Center51 WeeSheMorgan Lindsey Rolfe57 In His Own WordsJohn Isgett62 Chicks of the MonthThe Staff of Small Smiles Dental Clinic in Florence67 Chick Lit72 Purse StringsJoe Page, CPA, with Gatchell & Page, LLC100 Art & Soulby Sharman Poplava104 ThereShe Goes120 Wings for the Spiritby Sherry S. Page Atkinson122 Campus ChickMegan Rogers124 Women At WorkJana E. Longfellow128 Annie at Home132 Whos That Girl?Ashley Herb122/24/093:21 PMPage 1She Magazine March 2009 13Mel i a Flowers BerryPublisher/Editoreditor@shemagazine.comTuesday TaylorGeneral ManagerAdvertising & Graphic Designtuesday@shemagazine.comDresden TuckerGraphic Designdresden@shemagazine.comLeigh Clary AbdouProduction ManagerAdvertising & Designleigh@shemagazine.comHeather FrickInternhfrick@shemagazine.comAshley RogersGraphic Designashley@shemagazine.comBeverly Kelly -Executive AssistantRay Gasque -Distribution ManagerShe mailEmai l t o: edi t or @shemagazi ne. comMail to: 609 North Main Street Marion, SC 29571Call us: 843.423.2393 office line 843.423.9837 fax linetake us homeFor a copy to be placed in your mailbox, send a check or money orderfor $38 to the above address for a year's subscription.She Magazine is published monthly and distributed at over 500 locations throughout thePeeDee. She Magazinereservestherighttorefuseanyadvertisementorcontentwedeem inappropriate for the publication. Contributions are welcome and can be sent via e-mail or snail mail.Please include name, address and contact number. You will be contacted if we decide to print your submission. Content must be received by the 10th forthefollowingmonth'spublication.LetterstotheEditorarewelcome;however,theymayrequire editing due to space limitations. The design, editorial and photo content in She iscopyright ofShe Magazine and may not be reproduced without written permission by thepublisher. She Magazine is a registered trademark.we are SheAshley Rogers is a resident of Marion and a GraphicDesigner for SheMagazine. She is a Francis Marion UniversityAlumni and holds a B.A. in Visual Arts with a specialty in GraphicDesign. Ashley loves all types of art, but has a particular passionfor painting. In her spare time she enjoys spending time withher family. She and her husband, William have two beautiful chil-dren, Brock William (22 months) and Lexi Brooke (7 months).Thismonth'scoverwaspaintedinwatercolorandinspiredby the celebration of age. Its all about embracing your age and beingconfident in who you are.132/24/093:24 PMPage 1Ce l e b r at eWe have been taught that it isnt polite to ask a lady her age. Well, to this, I say,Rubbish!Its time to not only admit our age but to CELEBRATE IT!This month, SheMagazinebecomesseven-years-young!Tocelebrateourbirthday, wearecelebratingyours!A few months ago, I sent out the call for women who are happy with their age andmany responded willingly; others, kicking and screaming, were nominated by their friends.The result is one of Shes most exciting issues ever published.For this months feature stories, we gathered twelve fabulous women ranging inages from twenty-something to ninety-six for a photo shoot. We had a blast!That proj-ect took almost two hours as group shots and individual shots of each woman were takenwith them posed in CELELBRATE YOUR AGE! T-shirts that we had made just for this spe-cial issue. Although Ive learned many things in the seven years as Editor of She Magazine,one central thing Ive learned is that most women (myself included) do not like to havetheir pictures taken; therefore, I realized I was asking a lot of these women. Nonetheless,I was amazed at the spirit in which each one participated. Collin Smiths studio was trulyvibrating with the energy of these twelve women. From the youngest to the oldest, thebeauty of each woman radiated from inside out.The fun didnt stop there!We took our CELEBRATE YOUR AGE! Tees to thestreet, as we found over 100 women to adorn them and pose for a picture. Youll findmany of these within the pages of this issue, along with their real age and how they feelabout the number of candles on their birthday cake. (For even more real-age photos, visitour website at shemagazine.com and look for more in future issues of She.)Since I have taken this issue so boldly where a lot of women would rather not go, its onlyfair that I get a little personal about my own age. When I began publishing thismagazine, I was thirty-six years old. In many ways, I have grown up within the seven yearsthat we are now celebrating. I worked my way through the later part of my thirties andembraced my fortieth birthday with many of you cheering me on. Now, its hard to believethat Im forty-three and She is seven. Where has the time gone?I am inclined to agreewith my friend, Jumana Swindler, who writes in this issue that time is in fast-forward.WhenIthinkaboutmyage, IcanhonestlysaythatImnotbotheredaboutgettingolder. Ijustwishtherewasanicerwayofsayinggettingolder. Withallthepolitically-correct ways of saying practical-lyeverything, whyhasntsome-onebeenforcedtocomeupwith a more polite way of sayingthat?Maybewecancallit,becomingnotsoyoung?Anyway, thetruthis, Ireallyamokaywithbecomingnotsoyoung.Infact, likemanywomenmyageandolderarediscovering, thisawonderfultime of life.Myteenageyearswerenot the easiest of times for me,so I certainly would not want togo back there (except for a fewdo-oversifIcould). Ispentmytwentiesraisingthreepre-ciousbabiesallthreeborninless than four years and beingastay-at-homemommy.Needlesstosay, whileIwouldnot trade that time for anythingin the entire world, I was tired verytired!Myearlythirtieswerethetoughestyearsofmylife as I went back to work as asingle mom. At thirty-six, I tookon the mammoth task of launch-ingSheMagazine. Thefirstfiveyears of growing She took so much of my time and energy that my life outside of it wasalmost non-existent. To say that my thirties nearly wiped me out is putting it mildly (try-ing not to sound whiney I am among friends; however, so may I indulge?).I entered my forties too tired to care about the number of candles on my cake.For the most part, I was so stressed and overburdened with the demands of building a newbusiness and raising a family that I had begun to just exist. I started to see each new daynot as a blessing but as a hurdle to jump. I totally lost myself in the enormity of it all.After turning forty, however, I finally did start to realize that this disregard for myownwell-beingcouldnotcontinue. Iwasmentally, physicallyandemotionallydrained.Spiritually, I was empty. I was so overwhelmed with everything that I was not even spend-ing the time in Gods Word that I needed so badly and that He wanted of me. Slowly, Istarted the process of reclaiming myself. I knew that my first priority had to be to maketime for my Lord and Savior in my life again. From that, I began to feel a renewed strength.I began walking again and eventually going to the gym. I hired more employees and learnedtodelegateresponsibilities. IlearnedthatIdidntneedtodoeverythingandbeintheoffice every minute of the day and that even though I always wanted to set an example ofworking alongside my employees, it was okay to take time off when I needed to. I learnedthat while I should strive to never miss a deadline, the end of the world will not come if Ido.At forty-three, Im beginning to (as my children would say) chill a bit.With somuch of my life spent in fast-forward, Im excited about slowing down now. Watching mydaddy die this past year has opened my eyes to what we hear and say so often but cannottotally grasp life is short. Now, my children are practically grown. My sons are in col-lege and Haley will graduate from high school this June. My duties as mother are not over(thank God), but the hard work of raising little children is behind me. Though I miss thosedays enough to cry on any given day, the place where we are now is wonderful and excit-ing. I get to watch the payoff of a job maybe-not-so-well-done, but one that with thanksand credit be to God has produced two incredible young men and a young woman whoare ready to now embark on their own lives. I get to watch (sometimes from up closeand sometimes from a distance) as they find careers, a spouse and their own purpose inlife. Then, someday (in the not-so-near-future, please, please), I will welcome grandchildrenand get to spend the time with them that I wasnt allowed to spend with my own childrenwhile being a working mother. In some ways, I guess life does give us do-overs.The thing I wish I had realized in my younger years is that it really is to our advan-tage to try as best we can to make the right choices as we go along. Guilt over things Ishould not have done and regret over things I wish I had done have plagued much of mylife for the past fifteen years. Now, Im learning to accept Gods forgiveness and Im learn-ing to forgive myself. Little by little, Im beginning to embrace Romans 8:28, And all thingswork for good for those who love the Lord.Ive been able to see that God is capable oftaking even my mistakes and turning them into something good.Im excited about my life again. Im starting to do many of the things I have putoff for the right time, for so many years. Just this week, I hired a contractor to buildthat screened-in porch I have wanted for so long. When spring comes, I plan to spend timeon it, swinging and reading and (sit down for this one, Mother,) just relaxing. Ive writtena couple chapters in the novel that I have longed to write but could never get inspired tobegin. Im finally at the point where I can actually enjoy being at the helm of the magazinethat I love. Surviving the grueling years of building a new business, I can breathe now andI feel a renewed sense of excitement and creative energy.Personally, Im embracing who I am without excuses and can laugh at myself forall the silly little things that make me who I am my fears, my forgetfulness, my likes anddislikes. I have an iPod filled with music that I love forties big band and movie scores.Yes, movie scores thats what happens when you embrace your age; you embrace whoyou are without shame.Toprovemypointofnoshame, letmealsotellyouthatIlovetalkradio(Imaddicted to Sirius Doctor Radio), I can eat soup every single day for lunch (and I some-times do) and at forty-three, I can (and do just to make my daughter laugh) moonwalk.Thank you for sharing the last seven years of my life with me as readers of SheMagazine. It has been quite a journey and this is just the beginning. There is still so muchto explore and discover and I look forward to bringing something fun, new and exciting toyou each month in the years to come.Now, please dont think it rude of me to ask, but how old are you?CELEBRATEYOUR AGE! . . . Its a woman thing!Celebrate your AGE!from the editorMARCH 2009Personally, ImembracingwhoIamwithoutexcusesand can laugh at myself for allthe silly little things that makeme who I am 142/25/0912:03 PMPage 1She Magazine March 2009 151806 W. Palmetto St. Florence 843-662-9781F i n e F o o t w e a rPHILNOFAL S1806W.Palmetto St. FlorenceM-F9:30-5:45 Sat10-5...Walki n greatshoesthisSPRING!Van Eli J. Renee A. Marinelli La Plume Onex BCB Girls Luichiny Jessica Simpson Carlos Santana Jeffery Cambell Jack Rogers Everybody Dansko Ara Trotters Soft Spots Naturalizer Helle Comfort Tsubo Daniel Green Poetic License Ros Hammerson843-662-9781SlippersComfortTodays FashionDay & Evening Wear Selection and Service665-6410 Monday-Friday 10-6 Saturday 10-41615 W. Palmetto Street FlorenceJEWELERS AND SILVERSMITHSNew to Fisher Jewelers, beautiful copper fountains and festive firepots of different designs andsizes.Perfect for your deck, patio, orsunroom this spring!Entertain or just enjoy the soothing soundsand ambiance for your own relaxation!152/19/0911:14 AMPage 1Send an e-mail to editor@shemagazine.com or mail us at 609 N. Main St. Marion, SC 29571Wed like to hear from you!ShemailDearShe,First of all, I want to say how much I enjoy She Magazine!Itsa great magazine and I love all the articles and stories. The story about Melia Berry and her father, however, really touched me. I wasalways considered my daddys little girl (even though Im going on 42-years-old). That was fine with me because I treasured being his littlegirl. I lost my father this past May, but it still seems like yesterday. Hewas diagnosed with acute leukemia in February and died on May 28th.I dont think Ill ever completely get over it, but I have to go on withmy life because I know thats what he would want me to do. When my daddy was on his dying bed, he told me (as he always had)that I would always be his Baby Girl. I will always treasure that moment, but I didnt have to be told that because I knew it. My response to him was that I knew that I didnt have any choice in deciding who was going to be my father, but I was very thankful to theGood Lord above for choosing him.When my father passed away, I was beside him and I wouldnttake anything for that moment. Dont get me wrong; it hurt, but I wouldnt trade it for anything. He was there when I came into thisworld and I was there when he left. There is no doubt in my mindwhere Larry Yates is at this moment and I know that one day, Ill seehim again in Heaven.Again, thank you for your story. It gave me someone to relate to. You can always imagine what it will be liketo lose a parent, but no one knows unless it hashappened to them.Sincerely,Lisa Spigner,FlorenceIm a 25-year-old avid reader ofSheMagazine. Not only are the articles wonderful,I love the artwork and Im always happy when Im page-shopping through the advertisements. Theyre the best local ads around! - A huge fan ofShe, Tracy Yon, FlorenceDearShe,I loveShe Magazine!Ive been readingShesince it began. Youll have to laugh at mymethod for reading it, though. As soon as anissue comes out, I grab one quickly!I bringit home and refuse to read it!To explain, Ihave two children (six and four, whom I lovewith all my heart) and I dont like to beginreading and get interrupted. I wait until theytake a nap before I read to avoid the interrup-tions they bring. Then, I have to pace myself soI dont read it up before the month is out. Itsmisery to be finished by mid-month and haveto wait until the next issue comes out.When I picked up the issue in whichMelia wrote about losing her dad, I had to readit immediately. I was so anxious to knowabout him and afraid at the same time that Ialready knew. I cried when I read the story. Iam so amazed at how God is so good to us especially through times such as this thatwe know are inevitable.I thoroughly enjoy readingSheandMelia and the staff ofSheMagazine do anawesome job with inspiring the readers andkeeping us on edge. Thanks again for such awonderful publication!Angie Clements Eaddy, Lamar, SCWe at St. Paul United Methodist Church ChristianChild Care Center and Mothers Morning Out in Florenceabsolutely LOVEShe Magazine.We are always anxiousto see each upcoming issue and find pictures/articles ofpeople we know.We also love the wonderful and helpfulfaith-based articles and stories.Our resident creative genius, Mike Flowers, came upwith the idea of a She Board to welcome our parents,teachers, members and others into the ChristianEducation and Child Development Center.Thank you for all you do to contribute to the Pee Deearea!Roxann Wrightson - Director of Childrens Ministries & Mothers Morning Out - St. Paul United Methodist Church162/25/099:04 AMPage 1135 E. Palmetto St. Florence 843-669-5141www.TheBestDriveIn.com Fax: 843-669-5148Fried ChickenPita BurgersGreek Specialty ItemsSpecialty SandwichesSaladsSoupsSeafood DinnersWi rel essI nternetGift Cards AvailableFlorences #1 Family Drive-In RestaurantSmoke-FreeDi ni ngBu s i ne s s De l i v e r y Av a i l a b l e !Tuesday: College DayWednesday:Healthcare Day10% off with ID!She Magazine March 2009 17Be pampered while you wait with a free manicure!Ladi esDayeveryTuesday!2300 West Palmetto Florence SCw w w. f l o r e n c e t o y o t a . c o mF l o r e n c e843.669.1676172/19/0911:17 AMPage 1I had told my mother that she should celebrate her age, Iprobably would have been able to publish my own Maxine greeting card(you know, the outspoken Maxine who loves to tell it like it is about lifehappenings at least from her point of view). My mother told me for thelast ten or so years of her life that it was . . . well, you-know-what . . . get-ting old. She said that becoming forgetful was demoralizing and having abony neck was embarrassing. Lets not mention not being able to drive. IthoughtthatwasallridiculousandIhadtotellhereverydaywhyIthought so.Nonetheless, now, Im beginning to agree with her. How are yousupposedtocelebratethesekindsofchangesinyourbodyandmind?Already, I tend to have lapses in memory. My knees dont want to straight-en back out and days that I feel so tired, I dont have any drive. Im sup-posed to be happy that this gets worse?Lately, Ivefoundmyselffeelingveryancient, too. Iworkwithmostly young women in their twenties and thirties and the things that aregoing on in their lives are bringing up memories old memories. Two ofthe girls are expecting and as I have listened to the trials and tales, I findmyself thinking, Yes, I remember those days twenty-five years ago.Attimes, Imaroundstudents, too, andtheyaretalkingaboutclassesandexamsandstudying. Ireminisceaboutthosedaysthirtyyears ago. My youngest son just graduated from college and I think aboutthat accomplishment in my own life. Again, that was a long time ago. Therewas a time when I wasnt old enough to remember anything that far back.Now, it seems like all my memories are from way back in history.When we lived those times that we now just remember, we cel-ebrated all these events. How do we celebrate them now and what theymeant to us as we get older?Well, I hate to organize it for you, but I cameacross a website a few weeks ago called eHow. A person can actually getpaid to write an article on how to do something any normal life eventthatperhapswouldbenefitfrominstructions. Ifitgetshitsbyreaders,money is deposited into a personal PayPal account. I thought I might tryit for this months She topic.Letssee. First, beginbycelebratingthatyouarealive.Depending on your beliefs, the alternative may not be such a good deal.Then, start celebrating some of those milestones. Have you ever sat downand made a list of the major events in your life?Well start with the dayyou were born, the day you started school, the day you graduated, the dayyou got married or the day you had children. As you begin, it can actual-ly bring up a lot of other memories that you cherish and want to remem-ber.This can be a lot of fun as you start to fill in the gaps betweenthemajormilestones. Rememberingyourfirstcrush, yourfirstdateorthedressyouworetotheprom(andtheaccompanying70shairdo).Throw in there the first time you left the country on a trip or cruise (ormaybe you only left your home state!); but, what a memory!Celebrate it and perhaps put it in a journal or other keepsakebook. This will create another memory and celebration for yourchildren or other family members.My thoughts are already wandering to that first hayride. Do youremember those?Do kids still have them?That would have been my firstchance at a real date; but, I chickened out at the last minute because I hadno idea what to expect. I wonder how my life might have been differenthad I gone?Withyourmemories, remembertolaugh. Learntolaughatyourself, your mistakes, your blunders and all the changes your mind andbodywillmakeastheyearsrollby. Weallliketohavesomeonewhounderstands and there is someone out there who shares that most recentache, the hair that is turning gray or the mind that experiences too manysenior moments. Invite them to lunch and laugh!Alongwithyourlaughter, aswegrowolder, donttakeyourselftoo seriously. We are taught to do that when were young to be focused,to choose a school, a career, a mate. This seems to work well for a whileon that treadmill of life that goes steady and fast.Over time, however, it seems to slow down and even at times,seems to crawl at a snails pace. We dont have all those goals and deci-sions to work towards that we did when we were young. Life is slower,less eventful. Dont sweat over it!Enjoy!Rest!Relax!You earned it!Finally, I want to make a suggestion that you make special plansforyournextbirthday(ifyouhaventalready). My mother made a big dealoutofbirthdayswhenIwasgrowing up and I think it helpedme to know that I was specialand celebrated by others. Takesome time to plan a special cel-ebration of you.In these times that we nowlive, an attitude of celebration is a perfectantidote to the feelings that could oth-erwise overwhelm us. There is muchin the world at large and in ourlittle corner that we simplyhavenocontrolover.Liveeverydayatanyageincelebrationofwhoyouareandsharethe memories. I hope tohear your stories!Paige lives in Florence with her husband, Joey and two her Sheltie pups, and works part time at theCenter for the Child at Francis Marion University.by Paige ThomasIfGETTING OLD IS ONLYYou-Know-WhatIF YOU LET IT BE182/24/0911:36 AMPage 1She Magazine March 2009 192213 D W. Palmetto St Florence665-4051 1-800 -968-7947Well equip you to make smooth transitions.Lt o t he ut ur e .Fo o kf o r wa r d Walkers Scooters Lift Chairs Wheelchairs Diabetic Supplies CPAP/BIPAP (for sleep apnea) Nebulizer & Medicines Oxygen Ambulatory Aids Orthotics & Mastectomy Supplies (certified fitter on hand)FREE DELIVERY On-Call 24-7 Locally Owned & Operated We bill Medicare, Medicaid & Private Insurance Joint Commission Accredited.1923 2nd Loop Road Florence, SC (843) 662-9800www.fireituppatioandhearth.comWow your friendswhen you invitethem over to yourbackyard getaway!Custom-built firepits& Outdoor kitchensGrills SmokersAnd much moreYourBackyardRetartAwaits You!192/23/0910:35 AMPage 1Visit our website for alist of more extensive procedures.FRAXELSpecialONLYA complimentary vial of Radiesse filler- a $700 value included with your Fraxel package.$500per treatmentWe Are By Far TheMost Comprehensive Laser CenterOf Its Kind In The Pee Dee.We now offer.From a cocoon a butterfly is transformed.As Spring approaches, let us renew a fresh look for your skinand bring it back to life.Only at Genesis will you find both Fraxel: repairand Fraxel: restore.Take 5, Take 10, Take 15 years away. You choose.Discover which laser best suits your needs. Now offering Complimentary Consultations.Mary Daniels, L.R.C.- C.M.A. has the MOSTEXPERIENCEINFRAXELLASER TECHNOLOGYin the Pee Dee.20-212/23/093:58 PMPage 1843.669.2220 1273 Celebration Boulevard Florence, SCwww.genesiscosmeticlasercenter.comBoard CertifiedEdward O'Dell, M.D. - FACOGMedical DirectorBoard Certified Mary Daniels, L.R.C.- C.M.A.Medical Esthetician Laser Instructor Holding a Master Certification in Laser TechnologyCertified DermaticianOUR SERVICES:Fraxel (Repair & Restore)BotoxSmart LipoTM/Vaser Lipo Vein TherapyAcne TherapyHydraFacialTMChemical PeelsCellulite TherapyMicrodermabrasionPhoto RejuvenationPermanent MakeupLaser Hair RemovalRestylane, Radiesse & JuvdermOUR PRODUCTSJane Iredale Mineral MakeupOsmosis Medical Skin CareKiss Me / Blinc MascaraSkinCeuticalsRevitalash CosmedixRemergentMembers of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery20-212/23/093:59 PMPage 2PPractice saying this after me (looking very, very shocked):Youre HOW old? That cant be right! I always thought you were, well, younger thanthat!Good. Keep practicing for when you see me next time, in my older and wiser condition. It will make me feel better.Lordy lordy, Melodie really is forty. And by the way, if any of you use the phrase Lordy Lordy in reference to my birthday, I will beforced to inflict bodily harm.I always knew that this birthday was inevitable, but just how in the world did I get here so fast, pray tell? Just yesterday, I wasjumping up and down with glee over my brand new Baby Alive (which, I might add, did not adequately prepare me for motherhood).Just yesterday, I was carving pumpkins with my Daddy, in awe of his patience and skill. Just yesterday, I was sweet sixteen and equal-ly mortified and overjoyed by the fact that my mother showed up at my school dressed asa clown. Just yesterday, I was bawling my eyes out at every mile marker on the way to col-lege and twirling with glee the very next day at my thrilling new life. Just yesterday, I was stu-dentteaching, thenacollegegraduate, anexuberantbride, thenajoyous, overwhelmedmother. Always a daughter, always a sister, always a friend, and always a God-follower alongthe way.One artist I enjoy named Jill Phillips sings about this proverbial age in her song, TheMiddle and I quote: If I was old I might have it together; Or if I was young that would be myexcuse; But either extreme seems so easy to be; And Im somewhere in the middle. Sing it, sistah!Regardless of how I got here, the fact remains that I am here. So what am I gonna do about it? Illtell you one thing Im not gonna do. Im not gonna sulk. There are some real benefits to being this faralong in the journey.MORE FRIENDS (and more wisdom about what true friendship looks like!) Yes, I have more and morefriends with each addition of candles on my cake. They just keep on coming! I was perusing a list of e mail addressestheotherday, thinkingofeachindividualandhowIknowthem. Ismiledwiththememoriesthatgushedinandsilentlythanked God for the treasure of friends. Each day, I add more and more friends to my Facebook and its always so much fun toflip through that Rolodex of Relationships!And speaking of that popular networking site, my sister-in-lawcracked me up the other day when she was mentioning the stark difference in the advertisementsshe sees on her page, versus those on her teenage sons page. While he is receiving ads for gymmemberships, she gets ones for anti-aging cream. Sigh. Im glad they let us old people use it,anyway.MORE FUN I was speaking with an acquaintance of mine the other day and shewas sharing with me how much she is enjoying her age. She says that she actually knowswho she is now and feels quite comfortable being her! Kudos! While my childhood,teenage, college, and young adult years were full of fun and laughs, I have to admitthat the times just get better as the years pass. Hey, if nothing else, we collect moreandmorefunnystoriesalongthewayandcanspendourtimegigglingaboutthings in years gone by. Oh my, did I just reference the good ole days?MORE FAITHAs I look back over these quick forty years, one thingis certain. God has always been FAITHFUL to me. He has NOT always donethingsthewaythatIhavechosen(colossalunderstatement)andwhatagood thing that is! He is Sovereign. I am not. He sees the big picture. I donot. Hetakesallthingsandworksthemtogetherformygood. Heisfaithful. Hecanbetrusted. ThatisnotgoingtochangejustbecauseIenter a new set of tens on my age bracket!I will leave you with the words to the song I Am by the greatlyricist Nichole Nordeman. Her words convey the feelings in my heartquite perfectly.Pencil marks on a wall, I wasn't always this tall.You scattered some monstersfrom beneath my bed.Youwatchedmyteamwin, Youwatchedmyteamlose. Watchedwhenmybicyclewent down again.AndwhenIwasweak, unabletospeak, StillIcouldcall Youbyname. AndIsaid, ElbowHealer, Superhero, Come if You can.You said, I Am.Onlysixteen, lifeissomean. Whatkindofcurfewisat10pm? Yousawmymistakesandwatched my heart break. Heard when I swore I'd never love again. And when I was weak,unable to speak, Still I could call You by name and I said Heartache Healer, Secret Keeper,Be my best friend. And you said, I Am.The winds of change and circumstance blow in and all around us. So we find a footholdthat's familiar,and bless the moments that we feelYou nearer.When life had begun, I was woven and spun.You let the angels dance around the throne.And who can say when, but they'll dance again when I am free and finally headed home.I will be weak, unable to speak, still I will call You by name. Creator, Maker, Life Sustainer,Comforter, Healer, my Redeemer, Lord and King, Beginning and the End. I Am. Yes, I Am.Youre HOW old?BY MELODIE GRIFFINMelodie Griffin recently moved all the way from the Pee Dee to the Midlands of SCdue to a family job change. She travels the country to speak, sing, and share hope.222/24/099:51 AMPage 1She Magazine March 2009 23232/23/091:04 PMPage 1Take your pick of the mostfabulous shoes of the season!Photos by Collin M. Smith24-252/24/093:28 PMPage 1CYNTHIAladies fine apparel and shoes Shops of 7 Oaks Hoffmeyer Road Florence Mon-Sat 10-6 843.665.7669 (apparel) 843.661.7474 (shoes)A. MarinelliCole HaanCosta BlancaDonald PlinerFryeGinger GoffJeffrey CampbellNaughty MonkeyPoetic LicenseSam EdelmanSesto MeucciSofftSteven by Steve MaddenStuart WeitzmanToms Vaneliand more!24-252/24/093:29 PMPage 2Im certain that most of you know by now that Im a high school teacher. During my past fourteen years of teaching, I have discovered something special regarding the field ofeducation. This is not a very scientific sociological study but is based merely upon my own meager observations. Here it is: Teaching will do one of two things to you in termsof age. It will either keep you really young or it will make you very old. Think about the teachers that you know. Its true. My husbands first grade teacher still looks exactly asshe did when he sat in her classroom. I frequently have students react with surprise when they find out that Ive been teaching as long as I have; so, I guess that it holds true forme, as well. I hope that it will continue to be true for the duration of my career.I look out over the bright young faces of my students occasionally with a sense of wistfulness. I wonder if I had it to do over, would I be willing to go back to that timein my life. I had a blast in high school!But first, a little background . . .I was an extremely awkward child and Im being kind in saying that. I was never told that I was cute or pretty because I wasnt. I wore glass-es from the age of five; I mean thick, Coke-bottle glasses. But wait, it gets worse. In kindergarten, I also had to wear a patch overmy left eye in order to strengthen my right lazy eye. I also had pasty white skin due to the fact that I have Irish ancestors andwas severely allergic to pollen to the degree that I would have an asthma attack when outside for prolonged periods oftime. Add in my unruly mousy-brown hair and I was pretty pitiful. I was also smart and a smart-aleck, which mademe unpopular. I was a know-it-all if I bothered to speak at all due to my painful shyness.So, back to high school . . .Luckily, age was kind to me. By the time I was fourteen, I began to be less goofy. I decided that I could mirac-ulously see and no longer needed glasses except to read. I finally got my hair under control and learnedhow to manage it. I was thin and athletically-built, if not athletic. We moved to a new town and I wasready to emerge as a butterfly. I essentially re-invented myself at that point. I began to read teenmagazines religiously for fashion tips, makeup tricks and advice. I started the ninth grade with aself-confidence that was completely new to me.As I said, I had a great time in high school. I believe, however, that Im so much morenow. I dont really know how to explain it, but I am more of me. The confidence that Ihave now is so much better than what I had back in school. In fact, I wish desperatelythat I could go back with the me I am now. How I would love to be able to bet-ter bear the snickering and criticisms that are so much a part of the adolescentexperience.With that being said, no, I wouldnt go back. I love being in my mid-thirties!I like the fact that Im comfortable now in my own skin. Sure, Idlike to be ten pounds lighter like every other woman in America; but, mydoctor and I are the only ones who know that number anyway, so whocares? AslongasmyclothesfitwellandImhealthy, whoreallycares?Instead of worrying about the scale, Ive going to the gymand working out. Due to the increased muscle, Ive put on fivepounds. My husband, however, says I look like Ive lost ten. So,again, who cares what the magic number is?IlovethefactthatIamwhoGodmademetobe.Im not a size three and never will be. Im happy at the size Iam. Ive finally learned to style the unruly hair of my youth.Iwearclothesthatarestylishbutalsofunctionalandcomfortable. Ilovesensibleshoesandknowthatheels are not really my thing. I have really cute flats andIm blessedly tall enough to not care. My curves may be a bit smallish hereand largish there, but theyre mine and anything more or less would probablylook funny, anyway.IreallylikethequoteabovebyMadeleineLEngle. Shestates that you never lose all the ages that you have been.I agree with that statement. I will no matter what my age always havea little bit of that timid, awkward child within me. Ill also still have the moreconfident, blossoming teen to remember. Ill still have the self-assurancethat I have now even when Im a little old woman.I pray that God will continue to improve me and refine me until I am just asHe would want me to be. In the meantime, I also pray that Ill continue to remem-ber that no matter my appearance, I am fearfully and wonderfully made in Hisimage and just as He would have me to be.Im Just As He WouldHave Me To BeThe great thing about getting older is that you dont lose all the other ages youve been.- Madeleine L'EngleAllie Atkinson is a French teacher at Marion High School. She lives inMarion with her husband, Philip, and daughter, Abbie.by Allie Atkinson262/25/099:04 AMPage 1262/25/099:04 AMPage 2She Magazine March 2009 27 Organize movies,music & games Adjustable Shelves Slide out shelves for easy assess Granite countertops available817SouthCashuaDriveFlorence843-667-3626Vi s i t our Showr oomMonday- Fr i day10- 5 *Menti onthi sadandrecei ve20%offal l accessori es! Apl acef oreveryt hi ng everyt hi ngi ni t s pl ace. & Apl acef oreveryt hi ng everyt hi ngi ni t s pl ace. &FinancingAvailable!Mon-Fri 8:00-6:30Free Consultation.843-667-1120700 South Parker Dr. Suite 4 Florence In the Bi-Lo parking lot*Special based on a full service 16 week Physicians Fast program.Required nutritional supplements &medical fees, if any, at regular low prices.Results may vary.An independent physician is in theCenter a minimum of one evening a week.2008 Physicians WEIGHT LOSS centers of America,Inc.Akron, OH44333.All Rights Reserved.A Health Management GroupTMcompany.Luck of the Draw!Free trip give-away!Sign up in the month of March for anyloan and be entered to win.Rates starting at 4%**See website for details. 272/19/094:05 PMPage 1WhenCynthiacametothesalon, shehadaredpalletforustoworkwith. Inaddition, thenewgrowth(whichnaturallyisseventy-fivepercentgrey) had been previously colored.The resulting color was pink and maroon.During the consultation, it was decided that a lighter chocolate brown basecolor and caramel highlights were the solution. By using whisper-thin pieces, we could break upthebasecolorandproduceabeautifulsilhouette. Thenewhaircolorcomplimentedherskintone and made her eyes sparkle!Cynthias previous haircut was brought to a severe point in the back. In order to elimi-nate the severity, we shortened her hair to shoulder length, which give gives her movement andexcitement when she walks. The layers were soft and round. Versatility was the key. The endresultwasastylethatiscurrent, age-appropriateandcanbestyledstraightorcurly. Yea,Cynthia!Note from Cynthia:To She Magazine, thank you for such a fun day!I enjoyed being my age butlooking a lot younger. All the ladies at Stuart Laurence Salon were wonderful and friendly (even to a little red-neck like me). Ill definitely go back. They are great. Thanks for the gracious opportunity. I felt like I was onWhat Not to Wear. My before pictures look pretty lame, but the after pictures are great!I pray none of thebefore pictures broke anyones camera!To my dear brother, Jerry, thanks for nominating me for this opportu-nity. It was the most fun I have had in a long time!When Angie came to the salon, she had very long hair. The length was far belowthe center of her back. The bottom fifty percent of the length was previously permed,previouslycoloredbrownandthebangwasteasedout. Theprevioushaircutwasroughly layered causing lines in the silhouette. During the consultation, it was decidedto use a combination of soft blonde and rich caramel highlights. Again, our vision is touseextremelysmallsectionswhenhighlightingsoastoproduceaverynaturalendresult.Angie had limitations as to how much length we could remove. We agreed oncutting less than four inches off the overall length. The bangs and layers around the facewere dramatically softened to enhance her facial features. Bangs were combed straightto the side to produce a new, edgy fringe. Angie, who usually wore her hair curly, nowhas the option of a long natural look. The new look is modern and updated.Our goals for Angie as she becomes more accustomed to her new style are toembrace a slightly shorter length. This would give her even more movement and rekin-dle a soft and sexy appeal that she may have forgotten she has. Go, Angie!Color and Highlights by Stephanie McNamaHaircut and Style by Jessica Clay of Stuart Laurence Salon in Florence.Highlights and Haircut by Amanda WeaverAngie EvansCynthia A. HickeyCynthia A. Hickey and Angie EvansatStuart Laurence SalonbeforebeforeAFTERAFTERE-mail your beauty questions or suggestions for a topic that you would like to know moreabout to editor@shemagazine.com. Include Beauty Buzz as the subject.Can the right cut and color really take years off your looks?Two readers say, YES!Note from Angie: I cant thank She Magazine and Stuart Laurence Salon enough for this experience.Otherwise, I dont know if I would have ever changed. Ive had the same hairstyle for about twenty-fiveyears. (Thats a long time for anything these days.)Although it was time for a change and its takingsome getting used, I like my new hairstyle more each day. Every woman likes to be told she looksyounger, right?Thanks again for the great opportunity.282/23/095:21 PMPage 1She Magazine March 2009 29843-669-8062 M-F 10-6 Sat. 10-51641 W. Palmetto StreetFlorencew w w . p o r t e r s g i f t s h o p . c o mGifts ofDistinctionPortersG i f t S h o pStitchIt&MorePur ses Jewel r y912S.CashuaDr.Florence 843.665.6755 Tues-Fri,10-5:30Gi f t I t emsSt at i onar yJewel r yBabyI t emsMonog r a mmi ngSpring ItemsNow Arriving!1210 S. Cashua Dr. Across from Delmae School 843-667-9944 FlorenceFINE JEWELERS SINCE 19352001 Hoffmeyer Road Shops of 7 Oaks Florence 843.292.0150444 North Guignard Drive Sumter 803.775.1209292/23/0910:39 AMPage 1\I love being 48 and not just because it means Im not 50yet. Forty-eightisactuallyagreatageinandofitself.First of all, it has a lot of multiples, so I have a lot of luckynumbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48. Even though Idont play the lottery, I like having lucky numbers. My lastage, 47, was a prime number, divisible only by itself and 1,so my lucky numbers were extremely limited. Being 48makes me luckier by default.Okay, now that Ive totally outed by weirdnessaboutnumbers, letmesaythatbeing48isalsogreatbecause it becomes an acceptable qualifier for everythingI do, especially anything I do badlyskiing, for example.Iamtheworldsmostpatheticskier. Igodownthemountain in a permanent wedge--at an angle to boot--soslowlythateveryoneelsepassesme: smallchildren,wind-millingsnowboarders, shufflingzombies. EvenatthatspeedIoccasionallyfall, inaslow-motionsortofway. Yet I can get by with this ineptitude because I canexclaim with all confidence, Yes, I ski as slowly as a shuf-flingzombie, but, hey, Im48!Thosewithinhearingrangewillpatmeonthebackandtellmethatsquitegood, allowingthattobeoutthereatallatmyageisachievement enough. There is an unspoken connota-tion that if I had merely started skiing earlier, I mighthavebeenanOlympiccontenderoneday.(Actually, I did start skiing in my teens, but Ionlystartedtrulylearningtoskiinmiddle-age. When I was in myteensIthoughtsuchdetailsass t op -ping and turning were only for the faint of heart.)Anyskitripthatendswithmyhipsandothermajorbonesunbroken is a success. I can only go up from here.It probably sounds like the secret to happinessat48istohavelowexpectations, andthatspartiallytrue, but not in a defeatist sort of way. At 48, though, IvelearnedtoputdownexpectationbaggagethatIshouldnever have been carrying in the first place, and I have thewisdom now to feel no regret about it. Its in the last fewyears, forexample, thatIvebecomecontentwiththeway I look. Ive finally realized that if Ive never had thattiny, willowyfigureinthefirst47yearsofmylife, Imsurely not going to develop it now, no matter how manymilesIrun. Itistotallylogicalandnotdefeatisttoassume that my thighs are large because they are genet-ically programmed to be so, and I no longer have to carryaround the hope that I could be, and should be, physical-ly perfect. Im okay with only being okay physically, and Ino longer have to subscribe to the always false hope thatphysical perfection is around the corner if I just buy thismoreexpensiveproductorcutanother500caloriesfrommydietorreadaparticularmagazinestoptenguidetobeingtheperfectme. Orworse, havesomeexpensive and dangerous procedure done that will sup-posedly take away ten years. The face I see in the mirrorisdefinitelyolder, andsometimesIdowishIhadjustrubbedthemoisturizersintomyneckmoreoften, butits not bad. And the face is still me.NowthatImfreefromtheburdenofperfec-tion, I can focus on other things, set other goals that havenothing to do with the way I look. In fact, thats anotherbonustobeing48itreallyismiddle-age. Icannolonger lure myself with the promise of endless time, andalthough that sounds scary, limited timebecomesanexcellentreasontoset goals, and not just to have intentions. Without goalsourlivescanbecomeunfocused, butgoalsarebytheirvery nature hard to achieve, so its nice to have a goodreason to push a little harder. I have a goal, for example,to be able to run a marathon by the time Im fifty. I havegoals concerning my writing and my time I spend with myfamilyandmystudies. AndsinceIalsohavepatience,something I never had when I was younger, I have confi-dencethatIcankeeppluggingawayuntilthesethingshappen. Puttingasideotherdreamshasnotmeantanend to my dreams, but an enrichment of them.Thatsthebestpartofbeing48, intheend, iswhat I know now that I didnt before (like I dont reallycare if I end a sentence with a preposition). I have theknowledge of experience on my side, and in my experi-ence I can truthfully say that each decade has been bet-terthanthelast. Thefortieshavebeenmorefunthaneitherthetwentiesorthethirties, andthatknowledgemakes me look forward to the fifties. Ill bet those yearswill be a blast!by Sandra HonakerSandra Honaker lives in Marion with her husband Pat and her daughters Morgan and Alex.Y@X|z{THE GREAT302/23/095:23 PMPage 1She Magazine March 2009 31312/19/092:34 PMPage 1Date Night!AEDC BABohemian Dress in Carny by WishFLOSSIE MAES, HARTSVILLEB Multi-colored cardigan and shell by MadisonBELK, FLORENCECDiane Von Furstenburg Safari Wrap DressHEYWARD + HANNA, FLORENCEDBuddha BagLULUS, HARTSVILLEE Madison Sling Back Heels in Hot PinkBELK, FLORENCEAGE OF ENBRIGHTENMENTAdd fresh, youthful, brilliant color to your closet this spring!322/25/092:07 PMPage 1She Magazine March 2009 33 www.wilsonseniorcare.com (843) 393-9925TOUCHINGLIVESWilson Senior Care has beencommitted to quality healthcare for over30 years andis one of the leading providers for Shortand Long-Term Care throughout the Pee Dee Area.Medford | Oakhaven | Morrell Nursing CentersReceived Five Star Ratings by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesThe Sleeping BeautyMarch 13, 14, 15 Florence Little TheatreMarch 21 Center Theater HartsvilleThe Florence FLT Box Office will be open for ticket sales the week of the performance Tickets in Hartsville may be purchased from Burry Book Store, Hob Knob Gourmet, Lulus and Minnies GiftiqueSouth Carolina Dance TheatreTo purchase tickets online, visit www.scdancetheatre.org.843-669-3991 www.scdancetheatre.org scdancetheatre@gmail.com332/23/099:42 AMPage 1TThismonth'sShethemehappenstobe"Celebrating Your Age." Well, Iwould if I could, but time seems to be passing so quickly, that I really can't remem-ber how old I am anymore. Passed the mid-forties by nearly four years now, I seemage-conflicted, somewhatchronologicallyconfusedsinceIcanactlikeakidwhenthemood strikes, hike with the stamina of a teenager (especially after dropping some LB's thispast year) and yet sometimes still may feel weary, old and worn after only three days atwork instead of five during these longer, pre-spring weeks.My hair boasts of white streaks (between "blendings") which I sometimes pro-long as a sign of distinction -- just to create the perception that I am aging with wisdomand grace - at least around the temples. I also have memories about things that don't existanymore, likeeight-tracktapes, manualtypewriters, andmimeographpaperforoldmimeograph copy machines. (Remember those? I used to offer to make copies of worksheets for my teachers, just so I could smell, and yes, even inhale the flavor of those messythings.)Today, however, myyoungerworkcolleaguesoftenusemeforreferenceonthings that occurred "back in the day," as they say, like in ancient times before DVR's, cellphones, IPods, key-less entries and Splenda.A friend of mine has a theory. And, quite frankly, I think shes on to somethingbrilliant, although not scientifically validated.Have you noticed how time flies lately? Howwe just seem to be zooming through life, especially the older we get, she said.Yep, I responded, placing our order in the drive-thru window as we were rac-ing for lunch en-route to our next meeting. Oh, by the way, I ordered you soup in a cupso you can drink it during the presentation. I ordered my salad in a cup, too. I wont eatthe croutons so my chewing wont be that much of a distraction when you explain yourgraphs.At that, my friend frowned and brought up her little theory again.See, itsjustlikeIsaid. Ithinktheworldisrevolvingfasterandwejustdontknowit. Werelivingindoubletimeandeverythingisspeedingup. Daysarenttruly24hours anymore; maybe they're only 22 and a half. Its why were tired all the time and why,all of a sudden, its the end of the month or the end of the year and youve only just got-ten used to writing 2008, and it's now 2009, She continued on her tirade.IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS WAY!!!, she added, swiftly running through the yel-low light so we would get to where we were going at least a few seconds faster.Its like driving down the road and not remembering how you got there, justthat you made it from point A to point B while you were in deep concentration aboutsomething else. Its scary!!!!Yeah, I thought. But not as scary as you are to the drivers beside us as we zig-zagged through traffic to shave five more minutes off our lunch break just to get back toworkbeforetherestofthefolksattendingthesamemeeting. Arrivingearly gives the appearance that you are in controlof the situation, she has often speculated. Just dont let the other guys see you sweat orknow you have constant acid reflux from rushing to be first in the board room.Anyway, I understood what she meant about losing time. For instance, you areat the 25th the month and you dont know when or how the days before past. You missbirthdays, a bill or two, your hair appointment for blending out your gray and your dread-ed annual ob/GYN appointment seems to come around quicker.The only thing we cant figure out about this rapid revolution thing, as the worldas turns, (no not the Soap, just the spin) is how clocks are caught up in all this.They shouldhave malfunctioned or shown more time discrepancies, but it is apparent- - Clock andCalendar producers are all tied to this conspiracy of time snatching and season hopping.I think house and garden flag companies are in on it, too.Speakingofwhich, I'vegivenupputtingoutaflagforseasonaloccasions. Forexample, by the time I remembered to take the one for Christmas down, it was time forthe spring and blue bird hanging banner. My furry groundhog flag never saw the light ofdayandmyIrishcloverflagwasliterallyoutofluck, buriedinthedrawernexttotheValentine's one during February and March. It all passed by so very quickly this year! And, television networks are in on the conspiracy, too. Who decided that thosetelevision and movie awards shows should be in February or March, that new TV seasonsshould start at the end of September and that Memorial Day is May 25th , butis observedon May 22nd. This year, my birthday is on Monday, June 15th. But Im going to fool every-one and observe it on Thursday, June 18th.And theres a whole new language involved in this rapid revolution of the earth.Its a new millenium of text and instant messaging with incomplete words and sentences,fasterfastfoods, three-day-lose-40poundsHollywoodschemeDiets, CutandBakeCookies, internationalconnectivity24-7, newinstantStarbuckscoffee, Disney Worldexpress passes and overnight divorces.The only thing that seems to require thought and time anymore, my friend says,is tackling the crowds in the drive away from movies, college football games, or supperat the Olive Garden and getting to the end of your dog-gone She columns!To that I replied, simply: "Stop the world and let me off. I think I am getting seasick."Mathew 5:16Jumana A. Swindler, a resident of Florence, is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for McLeod Health. Her personal favorite pastimes,reflected in her writings, are RV'ing, movies,Theater, fishing, reading and spending time with her son and family.Sincerely Yours,by Jumana A. SwindlerTimeMARCHES ON342/25/0910:18 AMPage 1She Magazine March 2009 35Weekly menu includes buffet meal, dessert,salad & drink. Dessert varies daily.Mon - Sun 11am-3pm712 E. Carolina Ave. Hartsville843-383-3999 Party Platters HomemadeCakes & Pies Casseroles Breads Gourmet Salads& Desserts Gift Baskets & Much More!On Thursday, April 9, 2009Burry Bookstoreand Black Creek Arts Center areco-hosting a Book and Author Luncheonf rom12 noon until 2:00 pm. Musician, producer, and author Todd Johnson will besharing his southern novel The Sweet By and By. The luncheon will be held in the Gallery at Black Creek Arts Center at 116 West CollegeAvenue. Tickets are $35 and include the book, lunch catered byBizzell's Food and Spirits, as well as the opportunity to chat withTodd and have your book signed. Burry BookstoreDubbed as a cross between Fried Green Tomatoes and SteelMagnolias, this is the story of five women, in different stages oflife, living in a small town in North Carolina. They cross pathsand share their joys and sorrows as friendships are forgedbetween them. 130 West Carolina Ave.Hartsville, SC 29550 Call 843-332-2511 for more information oremail us at burrybooks@msn.com.www.burrybookstore.com352/23/0910:52 AMPage 1WeWe are always the same age inside - Gertrude Stein. Agree or disagree, its a mat-ter of your perspective. Once you reach adulthood, only two things seem to change circumstances and maturity. Wow!Sixty is great!I love God, my life, my familyand my job. Why is sixty so great?Because five years ago, I didnt have the mostwonderful grandson and I had a different job. But, you know what?Life was goodat fifty-five, too.Mostwomenwouldpreferthattheirageremainamystery, whilesilver-haired men seem to enjoy the esteem. Im not sure I fully understand that; howev-er, for centuries its been an accepted norm. Im guessing that a huge paradigm shiftmay soon occur. The baby boomer generation (of which I am a part) has neverbeenbenchwarmersandIdoubtwellstartnow. Changehasalwaysbeenourmodem operand (although it may not always have been for the best). One paradigmchange I hope we accomplish is to tear down the stereotype and negative bias ofageism. Since self-talk and self-concept plays into this, it is very important to knowwho you are in Christ. Ageism is already beginning to show a slow shift (watch theTV commercials); sixty or seventy is not old.Remember hearing, The older you get, the faster time goes?As a child, Irecall my old grandmother (I think she was maybe sixty) repeating that quote when-ever I was wishing time away, wanting it to be my birthday, Christmas or someother special day. Whenever she said that to me, I really thought she just was soold she didnt have a clue.What happens to us?Where did the time go? We become our moth-ers and grandmothers (and I dont necessarily mean physically, although that doeshappenalot). Idontrememberexactlywhenmyparadigmchangedprobablysomewhere between twenty-five and thirty. Yes, my birthdays continue to come andgo with certain physical changes naturally occurring.But, oh!The eyes of my soul and mind never changed; they only matured.So, as far as my chronological age is concerned, I may be sixty; but, my sight is age-less. Websters Dictionary defines ageless: 1. not seeming to grow old; having nolimits of duration; eternal.Eternal. Thatsit!Thatstheconnection. ItmakesmecontemplateEphesians3:17(Amplified), MayChristthroughyourfaith[actually]dwell(settledown, abide, make His permanent home) in your heart!And John 17:16, They arenot of the world, as I am not of the world. ThislastquotecamefromJesusprayerintheGardenofJessaminejustprior to His arrest. Verse twenty in this passage also tells us that the they are allthose who will ever come to believe in Jesus (thats you and me). Think about it;connect the dots. If Jesus lives in your heart and were not of this world, then wereonly sojourners or ambassadors here. Believe God and its not difficult to see whywe feel the real touch and draw of eternity.We are blessed with eternal sight. My walk with the Lord whether hereor in Heaven will be endless. That knowledge alone fills me with joy immeasura-ble. Have I ever had trials, bumps, doors slammed in my face?Of course, I have.Each age has brought different circumstances and maturity in different areas and atdifferent levels. Day by day, challenge by challenge, we always have the same deci-sion to make: do we make things better or bitter? I remember difficult ages priorto my receiving eternal sight; but, since Ive known God, He has always been faithful.I love sixty!My husbands and my relationship continues to deepen. Ian, mygrandson, certainly has added youth, love and laughter beyond measure to my life. (I neverknew dirt was cool!)God continues to reveal this new freedom I have in Christ. Ivealways been assured of my salvation, but my true freedom that Im finding is in Him.Ihavenointensionatthispointintimetoretireanytimesoon(besidesretirement is not Biblical). My career has been so varied as a nurse, you could thinkIm either very bad at it or I just cant keep a job. In truth, however, God has givenme not only an extremely wide variety of nursing experiences, but also many uniqueopportunities. He has gifted me as a teacher and I love teaching the many aspectsof nursing related to long-term care that Im now privileged to do. My students arejust the best and constantly bless me.God continues also to bless me with beloved friends and co-workers. Howcould I not celebrate this age?Set your ageless eyes on Him and your chronologi-calagewillalwaysbeblessed. GodmayshiftourparadigmsasHecontinuestoteach us His truths. But, where age is concerned, Im counting on eternity!Sharon Bixler is blessed to be the wife of Hal, mother of Holly (Stanley) andgrandmother of Ian. She is a Member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Hartsville.iEyes Agelessby Sharon Bixler362/19/094:31 PMPage 1She Magazine March 2009 37& Sleep CenterHartsville Furniture Co.Since 1934.Formerly The Galleries133 East College Ave M-F 10-5:30, Sat 10-3 843-332-9041Miles Talbott Rowe Sealy Bedding Lane Temple Hooker Legacy NDI Florals Uttermost Paddywax & Bridgewater Candles England Butler Thibaut & York Wallpaper ...and MANY moreAsk about our Monthly Give-Aways! Financing Available.Interior Designer on Staff146 E Carolina AveHartsville, SC29550843.332.5103At Mantissa Row, Good Taste is Never Out of Style.Soon To Be Mr. and Mrs.Deanne Tyner and Matt Frey March 28, 2009Brittany Darwin and John Wallace April 20, 2009Wendi Walden and Beau Sutherlin April 25, 2009Lindsey Thompson and Jason Dawkins May 16, 2009Brett Johnson and Justin Grant July 25, 2009Brides Receive a Free Gift With Every Registry!Now offering gift cards.1776 Cedar Swamp Rd. Kingstree, SC 29556843-382-9293UPCOMING EVENTSNew York Shopping & Sight Seeing Trip, April 3-5, 2009.$250pp (4per rm)$275pp (3 per room), $320pp (2 per rm.) Two night hotel stay 1(48 hrs.) NY City Shopping & Tour Pass, & bus transportation. Atlantic City 2 day drop off Stay$150 per person (transportation only)April 3-5, 2009Daytona Beach GetawayJuly 10-12, 2009$150(4)$175(3)$240(2) per room Essence Music FestivalNew Orleans, July 3-5, 2009$399(4)$499(2) per room.Carolina Travel & Tours372/23/0910:41 AMPage 138 March 2009 She MagazinePictured (l-r): Corine Truluck, The Womens Center; Sarah Thomas, Cardiac Cath Lab; Jill Perry, Education; and Carla Vamper, 8th Floor.Congratulations to our 2009 Palmetto Gold honorees!When it comes to nurses,Carolinas Hospital Systemkeeps striking gold.With the announcement of the 2009 Palmetto Gold nurse awards, Carolinas Hospital System continues as the only hospital in the Pee Dee to have nurses named recipients of the honor every year since the programs inception in 2002.Given by a coalition of South Carolina nursing organizations, the prestigious Palmetto Gold honors the best of the best in nursing.These four outstanding nurses bring our Palmetto Gold collection to 42, and we know there will be more to come.These nurses make us proud, today and every day.805 Pamplico Highway Florence, South Carolina (843) 674-5000 www.carolinashospital.comDiscover the Carolinas difference.382/24/093:36 PMPage 1412/24/093:10 PMPage 1Women have always had to deal with the fact that our culture acceptedmens aging (He looks distinguished!) while women just got old.Now, it seems the tides have turned as we hear, Forty is the new twentyand Life begins at fifty. Do you think this seemingly-growing trendof women embracing their age and being more confident with who theyare makes men want to keep up and do more to look younger?RYAN LONG - Hartsville1ERIC ELROD - Florence23MATTHEW NORRIS - FlorenceDAN COLLINS - Marion4In my opinion and with regards to the men Iknow and work with, men are not trying tokeep up with women. They are comfortablewith how they look.Yes, a man will get dressed up to go out and whenhe gets noticed, it motivates him and builds hisconfidence no matter what age he is.I think that men do feel a greater pressure to lookyounger. Why else would I already feel bad abouthaving gray hair?The growing trend for women to embrace their age is simply just a way for themto become more self-confident in themselves at a particular stage of life. I dontsee men having to try and keep up because most men dont have the peerpressure from other men that women seem to put upon themselves to have thebest physical appearance. Most men are simply happy the way they are. If you likehim a certain way, thats fine; if you dont like him a certain way, thats fine, too.There are men out there who dye their hair, etc., but I think most men are quitehappy aging with the distinguished look.422/24/091:05 PMPage 1She Magazine March 2009 43Small-town Friendliness with a Sophisticated Flair-Shop our Downtown, Stroll through Kalmia Gardens,and Dine in our Wonderful Restaurants...h a r t s v i l l e g o o dl i v i n g . c o m108 E. College AveHartsville843.332.5471bags.BuddhaBlack Creek Arts Council*116 College Avenue HartsvilleMerryGo Round Over 125 consignors with new & gently-used Spring/Summer childrensclothes (size NB-14), special occasion & dancewear, shoes, toys, books,baby equipment, furniture & room decor!*Art classes offered for your child each morning while you shop!Contact Bruce Douglas at BCAC for more information 332-6234Thurs3. 1 9&Fri 3. 209am-6pm*Sat 3. 21 9am-1 pm*1 /2pri cei t emsNo Refunds or Exchanges.We accept Cash, Visa or MC onlyFor more information, contact: merrygoround-resale@hotmail.comNicki Knockemus 383-9369 or Christy Feldkirchner 383-2959www.merrygoroundresale.comChildrens Resale142ECarolinaAveHartsville843.383.6381Tues-Fri10-6pmSat10-5ClosedSun&Mon432/24/0910:39 AMPage 1SSincebeingbackinschool, Ivecarriedaroundmyversionofthe handy-dandynotebook.Itspagesarefilledwithnotesfromclasses, loosethoughts, randomrecipesorideas, billsandlists-upon-lists of to-dos. I write them with rows of lit-tle boxes beside each line so I can check them off asIgo. Somearecategorizedandseparated, whileothers are just intermingled phrases, pieces of gro-cerylists, phonenumbersorwebsitesIneedtoremember. I have recently come to terms with thefact that I am a list person goal-oriented in myown very random, jumbled way.I keep lists for three main reasons. When Ihaveagameplan, ithelpsmefeelmoreincontrolofmylife, nomatterhowbusyorcrazy it may be. My list is my plan. Second, whoreally has time to do all those little things they think of during passingmomentsofinspirationthroughouttheday?Betteryet, whoevenremembersthemlaterunlesstheywritethemdown? Third, Ihonestlythinkitsahereditarytrait. Mymother is the queen of making a list!(Now, finding it is a different story altogether.)Nonetheless, I learned the true form of crafting one from her.In spite of my trusty lists, today I feel like Ive been blown all over the place.Anchored by the hope that this season of my life wont last forever, I dip and dive vio-lently while my schedule gusts by with schoolwork, personal expectations and agendasand all of lifes responsibilities in the midst of them all. Its very frustrating at times, muchmore tiring than Id like it to be. So, when I see a few moments of downtime, I try mybest to use it wisely and do some more planning. Some days, it seems nearly impossi-ble to get through it all and Id love to quit and cash in my chips, take what measly retire-ment I may have accrued and go chill out.But, quittingwouldmeanmissingoutonwhatcomesnextwhenthisseasonblowsthroughandanotheronebeginstostir(nottomentionthefactthatIdbeabsolutely in despair once I ran out of funds). If Im completely honest with myself, I lovewho I am, where I am in life, who is here to share it with me and especially the direc-tion which I am heading.Recently, Ivebeenspendingmoretimewithadearfriendofminewhohasoffered me the opportunity to talk very deliberately about this stage in my life. She andIhavealwayssharedgreatconversationsandsheiscertainlysomeoneIcanlearnsomuch from as a woman. She has a rock-solid faith, is a wife and mother of three andduring this time when so many opportunities present themselves before me, it is quitecomforting to have someone near who has been through it all and is willing to share thelessons learned.At this point in my walk, I can start to see so many exciting details are work-ing their way into place. Each one is such that it could cause a very different twist onthe direction Im heading right at this very moment. Through our most recent conver-sations, my friend has challenged me to remember that, though wearisome and taxing,this time is invaluable to me as a woman. Its important that I savor this time and use itto grow in my own faith and my close, personal relationships. Her wisdom has allowedme to see that I will never have another chance to relive this year of my life. No mat-ter what, I will never be able to get back this time of being single, dating Brandon withthe sheer excitement of wondering whats next for us or this time I have to be com-pletely selfish with my time and energy.Isharemylatetwentieswithotherswhofretaboutpushingthirty.Understandably, they worry about health risks that are increasingly associated with preg-nancy as they get older. They want the opportunity to grow their families while they aretheir most vibrant and energetic selves. I sometimes wonder if this should be more ofa concern for me, if I should be thinking more about a timeline for my life. I do envywhere they are on their own personal timelines. Having been married for several years,perhaps already with one or two children of their own, they are experiencing several ofthe things I hope and long for deep down.But, I continuously recognize that those feelings within myself are not anywherenear the surface at the moment. The desires at the forefront of my heart are those thatinclude the pursuit of personal career goals, dating and getting to know the man of mydreams and talking non-stop about the possibilities in our future. At this very moment,twenty-six years into my life, I am perfectly happy to be right where I am. As I hear peo-ple share their own stories, I can see where this contentment is quite unique for womenmy age who share similar circumstances. Believe me, not everything in my life right nowis coming up roses. Very rarely can I make it through a day without many a prayer andkind words or laughter from encouraging friends. But, all aspects good, bad and ugly are what make this time such a vital part of my journey. I celebrate this age with prom-ise and hope, comforted (yet somewhat disappointed) by the realization that it will begone before I know it.Anna K. Pitts lives in Florence where she works at the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library doing childrens storytimes. She is vigorously pursuing her Masters Degree in Library Science at USC. Go Gamecocks! St i l lTwenty-Somethingby Anna Kathryn Pitts442/24/091:18 PMPage 1She Magazine March 2009 45PROTECTINGAutoHomeLifeYour Home,Your Lifestyle, Your Family. Low Monthly Payments Low Down Payments Blue Ribbon Claims Service 24/7 Claims Reporting SR-22 or FR-19 Flexible Payment Options220 W Home Ave Hartsville 843-332-9802 fax: 843-339-9400On Your SideWalt PetersonPrincipal AgentWalt Peterson Insurance Agency, Inc.Nationwide Insurancepetersw2@nationwide.comS P R I N G M O V E - I N S P E C I A L :MOVEIN BY MARCH 30THAND SAVE50% OFFOFYOUR MOVE-IN FEE!Nothing is quite as beautiful as Hartsville in the spring. The azaleasbegin to bloom, the southern breezes start to warmand Morningsideof Hartsville is the perfect place to enjoy it all.With Morningside, both you and your parents can enjoy the best ofspringtime in South Carolina.Discoverhowourbeautifulgardens,fullcalendarofactivitiesandoutings,fineassistedlivingandAlzheimers/memorycaremakeforbeautiful living, every season of the year.Call us today to schedule your personal tour!A HARTSVILLESPRINGISMOSTBEAUTIFULAT MORNINGSIDEASSI STEDLI VI NG ALZHEI MER S/ MEMORYCAREPetFriendly1901 West Carolina Avenue | Hartsville, SC | 843-857-0159Catch 1he Hometown Spirit1Mwww.spccu.org843-332-4506 z 800-249-8459Locations in Hartsville, Darlington, Florence and BennettsvilleYou| sav'ngs |ede|a''y 'nsu|ed o a 'eas $100,000 and oacIed oy ne |u'' |a'n and c|ed' o| ne Un'ed Saes Gove|nmen1&8$Na'ona' C|ed' Un'on Adm'n's|a'on, a U.S. Gove|nmen Agency4 Safe Place tu Keep Yuur VuneySPC avo'ds maI'ng |'sIy 'oans. We maIe ' ou| ous'ness o Inow ne peop'e na we 'end money o. SPC nas oeen p|ov'd'ng nanc'a' se|v'ces o memoe|s |o|gene|a'ons. We Ieep ' 'oca' oy |e'nves'ng |'gn ne|e c'ose o nome. Some may say we'|e conse|va've. Tney'|e |'gn. We a|e. Tna's wny we'|e a sa|e p'ace o Ieep you| money.V's' a o|ancn 'oca'on |o| mo|e 'n|o|ma'on."Rated one of the nation's strongest credit anions for more than 17 vears.CONFORMS TO THE BODY FOR PROPER SPINAL ALIGNMENT ANTI-MICROBIAL DUST MITE RESISTANT HYPOALLERGENIC DURABLE PROVEN SUPERIOR INCREASED SLEEP AREA CONFORMING COMFORT MOST BREATHABLE MATERIAL452/19/0912:19 PMPage 1ABOUT US:Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center is the only laser cen-ter in the state of SC to offer SmartLipo combined with Vaser LipoSelection, which gives you ultimate results. This procedure is done inourofficeandrequiresnoanesthesia. OnlyatGenesis CosmeticLaser Center will you find both modalities of skin resurfacing Fraxel(restore) and Fraxel (repair). Each of these state-of-the-art technolo-gies has its own benefits.OURMISSIONSTATEMENT:WhereBeautyBeginsOurmission for every patient is to reveal their outward beauty using spe-cialized medical treatments provided by caring professionals in a tran-quil atmosphere and make available an everlasting inward beauty bysharing the joy of our loving God. And let the beauty of the Lordour God be upon us . . . (Psalm 90.17).STAFF:Our staff at Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center is dedicated tohelpingyoulookandfeelyourbest. B. EdwardODell, MD, isaBoardCertifiedObstetrician/Gynecologistwithovertwenty-fiveyearsoflaserexperience. AstheMedical director of Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center, Dr. ODell is certified in AdvancedFraxelLaserTechnology, CynosureLaserHairRemoval, PhotoRejuvenation, VeinTherapy, aswellasLaser TumescentLiposuction(SmartLipoand VaserLipo). HeisespeciallyinterestedinLipo-sculptingtoareasofthebodywherepregnancychangeshavenotgoneawaydespitedietingandexercise. Dr. ODellalsoinjectsBOTOXforfacial wrinkles and creases. He takes pride in facial contouring by using one of severalpopular fillers such as Juvderm or Radiesse. Mary Daniels, LRC - CMA, has over thir-ty years experience in her field of expertise. She is known as the expert in the field oflaserphysics, practiceswithlasersandlight-basedtherapies. Herknowledgeoflasersisso well regarded, she is sought after by physi-cians as a consultant on how they should setuptheirlaserpracticesandadvisesthemonwhichlaserswouldbestsuittheirneeds.Maryhasoftenbeenaskedtointerviewestheticians for physicians and give her expertopinion on whom would be the best suitablecandidate for their aesthetic practice.PRODUCTSANDSERVICES:Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center offers afull range of cosmetic procedures, prod-ucts andservices, whichincludeFraxel, Botox, Smart Lipo,VaserLipoSelection,VeinTherapy,AcneTherapy,HydraFacials,Chemical Peels, Cellulite Therapy,Microdermabrasion,PhotoRejuvenation,PermanentMakeup,LaserHairRemoval,Restylane,RadiesseandJuvderm. Visitourwebsite toview ourextensivemenu atwww.genesiscosmeticlasercenter.com. Callusandcomeinforacomplimentary consultation so we can determine which procedure will best suite yourneeds.MOST POPULAR SERVICES/PROCEDURES:Smart Lipo,Vaser Lipo Selection,Botox and Fraxel Treatments are our most popular procedures. These modalities willturn back the hands of time and give you a renewed confidence.FIND US:Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center is conveniently located at 1273 CelebrationBoulevard, between West Palmetto Street and South Cashua Drive. Our hours of oper-ation are Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Tuesdays and Thursdays, we areavailable from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM. On Fridays, our hours are 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Wecan be reached by telephone at (843) 669-2220 or by fax at (843) 669-2234.withshoptalkEdward ODell, MD and Mary Daniels, LRC-CMASabrina Street and Debbie Weaver "Patient Coordinators"Pictured below from top to bottom: Mary Daniels LRC-CMA (Fraxel Procedure)Catherine Hasty LE-CMA applying permanent eyebrows and Brook Lane, L.E. applying Jane Iredale Make-upBottom Left: Dr. ODell (Smart Lipo)Conveniently located at 1273 Celebration Boulevard, between West Palmetto Street and South Cashua Drive.462/23/095:10 PMPage 1On February 14th, KFA competed in the Miss SCBattle for the Crown dance competition inSpartanburg.Approximately half of the KFADance Company attended this competition,however that didnt stop them from walkingaway with the majority of the awards.As an added bonus Rebecca Kelley wasinvited to be a Miss South Carolina dancer andperform for the final Miss SC pageant thissummer. Alexis Kelley was chosen to be aTeen Miss SC contestant and Louise Smunk waschosen to compete for the title of Miss SC.KFA willbeginacceptingregistration inApril for the09 summerclasses and09/10danceyear. 843-374-4KFAWe are offering aTumbling Clinic on March 21st.All skill levels are welcome.843-629-0033 or 803-794-2555She Magazine March 2009 47Ca r p e tVi n y lTi l eHa r d wo o dWa l l pa pe rAc c e s s or i e sBl i ndsUarbara Uennett &_ynda Zrant1228Cel ebr at i onBl vdFl or ence, Sout hCar ol i na843. 413. 5388345 S Ebenezer Rd. Florence843-667-1844Monday-Friday 8:00 - 5:30Saturday 9:00 - 5:00Proudly serving you for 21 Years!Outdoor Kitchen Design and Installation Landscaping Water GardensOur Garden Center sells Mulch, Plants and Shrubbery, Fountains, Stone and Much More!Landscape Design & InstallationLifetime warranty on select grills.It doesnt get any finer than this - family, friends and, at the livelycenter of your outdoor living environment, the worlds finest grill.Hwy76Mari on275- 0402Let us cater your next event.472/24/093:41 PMPage 1by Ouida PageAt some point (and I cant tell you when it will be), you say to yourself that it is finallyyour turn. Its time for you to focus on you and decide just what you want to be whenyou grow up. Our society has taught us that concept and it can be a positive or a nega-tive concept for you. The people that seem to have the most fun never grow up and findthings to do that they enjoy and make them into hobbies or even a career. I have watcheda lot of older people retire from one career and start a new and different career. I alsoknow several people that have written books, as well. When you have raised your childrenand built a career, its time to focus on yourself and accomplish some of the goals and thingson your list that you want to do.I believe that one of the biggest positives of aging is wisdom. Hopefully, your experiencesand knowledge through the years have taught you wisdom. When youre 35-years-old, you realizethat there is a lot that you dont know. When youre 55 or 60, you realize that you know very little.I attribute this to knowing the difference between knowledge and wisdom. College students have lotsof knowledge, but most of them have very little wisdom. Moses and Abraham had knowledge when theywere young; but, when they became older, they had wisdom and this was when God began to use themthe most. He used them in leadership positions and used all of their gifts. God also blessed Abraham,Joseph and others financially when they were older.As we know, King Solomon also had wisdom, but he lacked self-control. As we look at these individualslives, we can learn from their experiences. In all of our lives, there needs to be a balance. As women, we needto balance knowledge with wisdom. We need to balance what types of foods we eat and we need to balance tasks andgoals with physical exercise.When my father was sick for several years, my husband and I got out of the habit of working out at the YMCA. Nowthat we are back in full swing of our workout schedule, its amazing to realize how much better I would have felt if I had neverstopped going. In other words, our mind and what we tell ourselves our self-talk is so important to accomplishing anything.I have been trying a personal experiment. Even when I dont feel like going to work out and exercise, I have beengoing anyway. What I have discovered is that if I have back pain or other pain before I go to the YMCA, after I work out, I feel muchbetter and have more energy. I think that this is called self-control. Its doing what is best for your body even when your mind tells you,No, you are tired or You dont want to go; youd rather stay home. All successful athletes have strong, determined minds and bodies. They must determine in their minds that they will accomplish theirintended goals and physical challenges. This mental