Heather Elias, thirtysomething from Salisbury, MD

I found Heather on Twitter in my random searches for LoCo stuff to do. Between her smile and the photography on her website (well, one of many!) I knew she was perfect for LoCoWomen.com. After learing more about Heather, I realized she’s a woman after my own heart. It was great getting to “know” you, Heather, and I hope to speak more with you in the future!

Do you own a website?

LoCoMusings.com is my thoughts on real estate and life in Loudoun County. LoCoMarketStats.com contains my analysis of real estate market statistics for Loudoun, and AshburnMarketStats.com, LeesburgMarketStats.com (and soon to be SterlingMarketStats.com) drill that down to the town and zip code level.

Tell me about your immediate family.

I’ve been married to my husband Mike for almost 14 years, he’s the PGA golf professional at Westpark Golf Club in Leesburg. We have four kids, twins Wil and Erika (11), Madeline (6), and Natalie (5). Pets? LOL a menagerie: cats Frodo and Dallas, a parakeet, and a gecko. (editor’s note: I don’t own a gecko, yet, but I’ve got the rest of the menagerie and kids (including twins!)… not that I’m keeping score)

What makes you a LoCoWoman?

This has been my home since 1999, and while I’m not a native LoCo’er, this is *home*. I love it here…Loudoun is in my heart now.

What are you famous for?

Doing everything, all at once…Mom to four, own my own business, travel across the country to speak to Realtors on using social media, volunteering, etc…  (editor’s note: I may have found my long-lost twin)

What is your “style,” or what defines your motivation in life

I really want to drink from the firehose. So much that I want to do, to experience, to see. Life is too short to be afraid to live it.

Where in LoCo do you love to spend your time?

Western Loudoun…I love driving the back roads, the view from the Highlands at Round Hill, the way the sun looks setting over the hills…

What do you do when you are not sleeping?

Work too much, play when I can, and goof off with my kids every chance I get

Describe your perfect meal.

My kids and my husband and I at the dinner table, a meal that everyone is enjoying, and lots of good conversation

Describe your best friend.

He makes me laugh, keeps me honest, finishes my sentences for me…and I never have to explain myself. He just ‘gets it’.

If you were to march in D.C. for a cause, what would the cause be? What kind of shoes would you wear and why?

I am not a march on DC kind of girl, for any cause. I’m more of a strap on the power heels and get in the face of a decisionmaker kind of girl. (editor’s note: I can get behind that!)

What is your passion in life?

Living each stinking minute because it could easily be my last.

Are you the same person you were five years ago?

Yes, and no. Five years ago I was just starting my business, and getting my legs under me. Now, I’ve grown into it and with that has come confidence and contentment.

What is the last thing you did just for you?

Went to Vegas with my best girlfriend and spent three days soaking up the sun next to the pool at the Four Seasons, drinking frozen margaritas and doing lots of nothing.

Favorite entertainment?

Music, music, music. Everything but jazz. I read books whenever I have time (I have a decent hardback collection these days). Movies here and there. Watch lots of sports, especially football.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Beyond my kids, I take a great amount of pride in the business that I’ve built; there is so much more that I want to accomplish with it.

What is the best thing about being a woman?

Never really thought about it, I just enjoy being me. But the experience of carrying my children and growing them inside of me was pretty damn cool..

Describe yourself as a superhero, including super powers, your costume, etc.

Hah! I get teased a lot about being a cape wearing supermom, so my powers are definitely crisscrossing LoCo in a single bound while juggling sports equipment and yakking real estate on a cell phone at the same time. I would very much love to have an invisible jet. (editor’s note:  funny, I get teased a lot about wearing crocs.)

What do you do that is “out of the box” or “breaking the mold?”

My real estate business is driven by my online marketing and social media efforts; there aren’t too many Realtors that make a living like that. (Yet) (editor’s note: webgrrls!)

How do you see your retirement?

I don’t sit still well, so if I ever decide that I don’t want to work anymore (not likely) I imagine we’ll spend a lot of time travelling.

How do you get physical?

Chasing my kids around. I do try to work out at Ida Lee at least twice a week; but I enjoy playing catch with my daughters too.

Heather, thank you for answering our questions. We love your photos on LoCoMusings and we welcome you to contribute over here at LoCoWomen.com anytime!

Tonia has been living in Loudoun County for seven years, raising her family and studying healing arts such as reiki and shamanism. Currently living in Leesburg, she has found her search for health and wellness a benefit to not only her family, but to the community beyond.

Tell us your name, age and where you are from originally.

Tonia B., 42 years old and originally from Alliance, Ohio

Do you own a website?

Calmingwinds is a place where I showcase my jewelry and share my ideas of how to give to yourself in a positive manner.

Tell us about your immediate family.

My family consists of my husband, Karl, who is my perfect partner in life.  He offers every woman’s dream; he puts his family first but also doesn’t mind helping with the household chores.  In addition, I have four boys ranging in ages from six to twelve and included in our home we have my Mother who joined us a little over a year ago but still living life well working at the local hospital and buzzing the town in her convertable bug.

What makes you a LoCoWoman?

I became a LoCo Woman in September 2002 after returning from living in Kiev, Ukraine for a couple years.  I’ve come to love Loudoun County and continue to strive to learn all the special places the county has to offer.

What are you famous for?

All over the world you will find women wearing my jewelry designs. In addition, I strive to live life with compassion for others and give my family options on how to handle medical issues.  I’m a Reiki Practitioner and when time permits, I study Shamanic Medicine and we will explore alternative methods of healing before jumping in the car to run to the doctor’s office.(editor’s note: she is also the most amazing hostess, ever)

What is your “style,” or what defines your motivation in life?

My style is “Mothering Chic,” which is finding something casual, clean and comfortable.

What is your favorite quote and/or mantra?

“Take the time to give that last kiss.”  Its my own quote because you never know if it will be the last time you see that person. Life is a journey and it should never be taken for granted.

Where in LoCo do you love to spend your time?

There are several places you can find me: often I may be found hiking Morven Park looking for milky quartz; some Friday nights you can locate me in Esoterica enjoying the drum circle and when I can sneak an extra fifteen minutes I love to enjoy a hot chocolate at Greenbriar coffee shop.  Actually all these places are located in Leesburg, Virginia. But, my favorite time is spent in my own back yard swinging while viewing my flower gardens.

What do you do when you are not sleeping?

Depends on the day and hour.  Through out the day I wear several hats. Mothering being my primary responsibility but I consider myself a jewelry designer, volunteer, tour guide to visitors, future Food Network host (just kidding) and a book critic.

Describe your perfect meal.

My perfect meal is simply a nice loaf of bread, cheese and fruit.

Are you spiritual, religious, neither or indefinable?

I would define myself as spiritual.

Describe your best friend.

Defining one person as my best friend would be difficult as there are several women in my life who I feel as though tzsshey are my spiritual sisters.  One is quite the hippy chic who won’t touch meat and will drop everything to answer my most ridiculous questions (editor’s note: damn, you’re lucky! hahaha!), another is a gardener who is put on this earth to be a guardian of the animals and gardens; and yet another can be found tracking down terrorists.  What’s best about these women is I accept them for who they are and they in return allow me to live as I am and understand my imperfections and who don’t hesitate to provide a brutely honest answer when asked.

If you were to march in D.C. for a cause, what would the cause be? What kind of shoes would you wear and why?

Most definitely would be wearing my Crocs as they are very comfortable and when I’m finished I can throw them in the wash and they will look like new.  There would be a number of causes, the first being to bring attention to children with learning disabilities. Another would be having clean water for all communities whether it be here in one of our own States or another struggling community in another country.  Water is our essential and it’s one of the few resources every human being and animal needs to survive.  However plentiful, it needs to be clean and this is an issue that needs to still be addressed by the United Nations because there are many countries still trying to provide this basic need to their people. Lastly, I would be marching for health choices.  Health is an important topic in my eyes and we should have every opportunity to make choices that fit our own lifestyle.

What is your passion in life?

Finding alternative paths of healing is very important to me.  I believe there will come a day when larger groups will be faced to return to the basics of healing.  Before there was aspirin there was a natural solution but today it’s far easier to go to the drug store for that quick bottle.  Cures, in my opinion, can be found in nature. It just takes a little time and energy to find what will work for you.

Are you the same person you were five years ago?

No, I consider myself stronger and have more knowledge to make better decisions.  In the end I would say I have grown up a lot in the last five years and I am enjoying life a little less seriously.

What is the last thing you did just for you?

I did a Native American Sweat in a sweat lodge.  Not only did it cleanse my body and mind but if challenged me beyond anything I’ve ever done in my life.

Favorite entertainment?

Most definately books and music.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Most recent accomplishment would be becoming a Reiki Master and using the skills I’ve learned and developing the opportunities to share it with others.

How do you describe yourself politically?

One who definately has opinions but prefers not to speak about them very often.  My husband is political enough for the both of us.

What is the best thing about being a woman?

You have choices, far more than men I believe.  But, the best thing I believe in being a woman is the ability to give birth and to know your totally responsible for the living being that is inside of us for nine months.

Describe yourself as a superhero.

I would live in a crystal cave and would move through time by becoming an animal.  Animals have this ability to know how to use all their senses and only take from nature what is needed for that moment of survival.  So, by day night I would be this beautiful woman living in her energized cave and by day I would turn into my favorite animal to go explore a particular part of the world.

What do you do that is “out of the box” or “breaking the mold?”

I talk to the animals.  It’s my belief that we can communicate with animals if we would take the time to learn their manner of sharing.  Ted Andrews is famous for understanding this ability and has inspired me with his books “Animal Speak and Animal Wise”.

How do you see your retirement? How old will you be, where will you live, what will you do?

You will find me barefoot and running along the beach or some form of water somewhere.  However, I also believe it’s a state of mind and can be started long before your actually moved/and no longer working.

How do you get physical?

Often my work out is running around chasing four boys but I also like to go rock hunting so you may see me hiking some hill around Virginia and I also work out daily at Curves in Leesburg.

I say that with love. Complete, total, infatuating love. My friend Megan lives down in the Virginia Beach area, but she visits LoCo from time to time and we always have a blast. She is, truly, one of the smartest people I have ever met and I don’t say that lightly.  I have very high intelligence standards. Beyond the brains, however, beats the heart of a true creative and an equally formidable woman.

Your name, age and where you are from originally?

Megan, 30, from Kailua Hawaii (O’ahu, not the Big Island)

Your website(s)?

I own Moves in Curves – a personal blog, and Durrah Belly Dance – my belly dance business site

Tell me about your immediate family.

Married almost 8 and a half years, two kids, one cat.

What makes you a LoCoWoman?

Well sometimes I visit my hanai sister up in LoCo Technically I’m in Virginia Beach area.

What are you famous for?

I’m a jack of all trades, master of none. I sew, knit, embroider, quilt, make jewelry, and try out many and varied hobbies of the crafty variety. I have been belly dancing since I was a teenager, and am the costume director of Les Fleurs Ebenes, a local tribal belly dance troupe.

What defines your motivation in life?

Style-wise, I’m pretty eclectic. I’ve many times been called a hippy or told I was born in the wrong era. My motivation is mainly to keep my brain alive. I’m constantly researching new topics for my own edification.

What is your favorite quote and/or mantra?

You can’t expect a Pisces to have just one favorite, so:

“It is setting a high value upon our opinions, to roast men alive on account of them.” — Michel Eyquem de Montaigne, 1580

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot

Where in LoCo do you love to spend your time?

I particularly enjoy biking along the power lines. The crackle of electricity in the air makes the view even better! Heh.  (editor’s note: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!) Well I don’t know LoCo terribly well, but I like to spend time chez MeliaLore.

What do you do when you are not sleeping?

Mostly I play with my kids and on the Internet. Or go to the beach.

Describe your perfect meal.

It would probably involve a whole lot of fattening foods and very little meat. Lots of cheese. And rum. (editor’s note: ARRR!)

Are you spiritual, religious, neither or indefinable?

I’m a bit religious, in a spiritual sort of way. Indefinable I suppose.

Describe your best friend.

She’s a wacky Aquarius who is about 80% flaky and 500% fabulous, and a fellow belly dancer.

If you were to march in D.C. for a cause, what would the cause be? What kind of shoes would you wear and why?

Hawaiian sovereignty. I would wear sneakers, cause I’d be on my feet all day and as a dancer I take my feet pretty seriously. I need my feet to keep going for many more years, so I don’t mistreat them in uncomfortable shoes.

What is your passion in life?

American Tribal Style belly dance. Hawaii. Archaeology. Feeding my need for knowledge.

Are you the same person you were five years ago?

No. My kids were born 5 years ago and I think that utterly changes who you are.

What is the last thing you did just for you?

The last thing I *did* rather than *bought* would probably be going to a dance class while on vacay in San Diego. I don’t really deprive myself just because I have kids. I make sure they enjoy the same things I enjoy. We hang out at the beach, we read books, we listen to a lot of music that’s not sung in English, we wear a lot of tie-dye.

Favorite entertainment?

Reading.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

My master’s degree. I’ve also finished five novels now, none of which are published, but one of these days I hope to do that as well.

How do you describe yourself politically?

Cynical. (editor’s note: nuh uh.)

What is the best thing about being a woman?

The fabulous make-up. Hey, I’m a belly dancer.

Describe yourself as a superhero.

Oh jeez. I never aspired to be a superhero. I did aspire to sleep with many of them, particularly after Hugh Jackman played Wolverine. I suppose I would have to be an Aquaman variety who could breathe underwater and had powers mainly relating to the ocean. And of course, I’d wear blues and greens in a revealing Lycra. No capes. (editor’s note: The Piscean Paladin?)

What do you do that is “out of the box” or “breaking the mold?”

I probably should say the belly dancing, but about half the people I know are other belly dancers, so that seems normal to me. Shall we say, I occasionally dress as a 14th century Frenchwoman – we play in the Society for Creative Anachronism.

How do you see your retirement? How old will you be, where will you live, what will you do?

I’d like to be cruising around the US in an RV with the husband, seeing everywhere and never staying anywhere long, and sometimes going overseas. My other possibility (because I’m a Pisces, and we never have just one answer) is that I’d be living in a small cottage overgrown with local flora somewhere on the North Shore of O’ahu. Within walking distance of the beach. And driving a 1960s VW Beetle.

How do you get physical?

Oof, laundry Olympics, yes that. Dancing mostly. I sometimes get the urge to work out, but usually I just make elaborate plans that I then never follow through on.

Thank you for your time, Megan!

Hi! I’m Chelsea, the host of LoCoWomen.com. I have lived in Loudoun County with my husband, four kids and various animals since 2003 and aside from the collective disgust at our traffic problems, I have to admit that the area has been growing on me.

I am working toward finishing up my BA in Women’s Studies (April, 2010) and I am an administrator and/or consultant of a few online communities and blogs. On a good day, I get paid for my services, including using the Internet for social networking. Now that my youngest kids are heading toward school, I want to be able to bring my online worlds into the “real world” and there is no better place to start than my own neighborhood.

Every woman has a story, and I hope you will share yours with me and the LoCoWomen.com readers.

Onto my questionnaire!

Your Name, Age (or thereabouts) and where you are from originally.

Chelsea, 34, born in Chicago. I lived in the Cleveland area for 10 years, Little Rock for 10 years, Ft. Lauderdale for about 2.5 years and now Virginia.

What are you famous for?

In the online world, I’m known for the insane number of websites I run, consult upon or dream up as I eat olives. Offline, I make a damn fine batch of toffee and some killer tie dye.

What is your “style,” or what defines your motivation in life?

I think I am “accessible” for lack of a better term. I try to be available to women who need guidance, friendship or maybe a joke or two. I am motivated constantly by a desire to change the world for the better.

What is your favorite quote and/or mantra?

Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you ~ Nietzche

I also have about 600 Tom Robbins quotes that get me through the day. He’s my hero. For a mantra, I’d have to say, “my mistakes don’t define me.” At least that’s today’s mantra.

Where in LoCo do you love to spend your time?

I spent the summer exploring LoCo and places beyond. I really have a fondness for the playground outside of the Sterling Community Center and for driving out in the wine areas.

What do you do when you are not sleeping?

Kids, my own school work, online work and/or personal projects. I tie dye (didn’t I mention that?) and I absolutely love to be in the woods, even if I never get there.

Describe your perfect meal.

I’m torn between a good sushi dinner and a good Mediterranean sampler. No meat, as “whole” as the food can be, and a Heineken.

Are you spiritual, religious, neither or indefinable?

Extremely spiritual.

Describe your best friend.

This is where I say that I’m my own best friend. I have many, many close friends for whom I would gladly cut off an arm, and I honestly cannot narrow one of them down as the supreme best friend. I’m just a lucky girl. I had to learn, however, to see myself as my own best friend since I found that I wasn’t nearly as supportive of ME as I should have been. Times have certainly changed.

If you were to march in D.C. for a cause, what would the cause be? What kind of shoes would you wear and why?

Women’s rights. There are so many injustices that women face each day because of the influence of patriarchy. Its a huge, HUGE soapbox of mine. If not women’s rights, then definitely LGBTQ equality. If I had to wear shoes, they’d be Chucks.

What is your passion in life?

Women. Supporting them, helping them grow, making positive choices, etc. Again, soapbox topic.

Are you the same person you were five years ago?

Yes and no. I’m much more open now about who I am. Five years ago, I was desperately trying to conform to an unattainable ideal of womanhood and motherhood, and failing miserably. No more.

What is the last thing you did just for you?

I threw myself a birthday party, kinda. If you post it, they will come

Favorite entertainment.

I am a music and wanna-be book junkie. I read a lot for school, and I always have music on. Even cheesy radio music. Its all inspiring.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

HippyMom.com – I found a way to give back to my “community” even when I couldn’t be enmeshed within its physical boundaries.

How do you describe yourself politically?

eXtreme Liberal!

What is the best thing about being a woman?

Our inherent connection with each other.

Describe yourself as a superhero.

Super Feminist! Hahaha. No, seriously, if I had the power to beat into people’s heads that the current male-female dichotomy is NOT working, I would. My costume would be simple: jeans and a t-shirt. I don’t care for shoes.

How do you see your retirement? How old will you be, where will you live, what will you do?

I don’t understand this word, “retirement.”

How do you get physical?

Pilates, belly dancing and regular sprinting to and from my vehicle for preschool, appointments and sanity work at Borders.

Get personal with some LoCoWomen at meetup.com! Dinners, coffee, activism, spirituality and even a few play dates for the moms kids! Join us for titillating conversation, community involvement and a whole lot of fun that only a LoCo Woman can appreciate! Do you jive with the vibe?