Cold Winter Months

A 67' Classic

Last month I turned another year older- 43...whew! (and wiser). I am still enjoying the shorter length. I have noticed that it's already starting to grow back. Will I allow it to grow as long as previously? I'm not sure. Anyway, Happy Holidays to my blogger family.

Summer Ending

September 2010
5 yrs and 5 months lock'd

The end of summer is almost here! I've had a great summer. Let's recap... in nearly 6 years, I finally took a trip back East to visit my family, added more tattoo's, cut my hair, and now, out of my 4 children; 3 have graduated and moved on, and now I have one remaining in high school. I'm still working out; toned and lost the winter weight, and still taking classes to exercise my brain. I may be rare in that I will miss the 100 degree temperature here in Texas. It did nothing for my electric bill or my grass, but I absolutely love sunshine and heat! My hair has been short for almost 2 months now and I don't miss the longer locs (so far). I am curling it a lot more, as I suspected I would. Til next month..

My First Cut in Over 5 Years

I Finally Did It! After months and months of deliberation; I got the nerve to cut my hair! I am so glad I did it. I feel like I've been freed again (if that is possible). I remember how I waited with anticipation for my hair to get long enough to put into a ponytail, or to even feel it on the back of my neck. However, the things I didn't consider would later turn out to be the reasons for cutting. The length began to weigh me down. I began to notice headaches when I'd wear ponytails because of the tension and weight. I would wake in the mornings with neck pain from tying my hair up and night. I could not keep a good shower cap that would last or even cover my hair. I also noticed that I stopped curling my hair because of it would take nearly all day to do and the curls would eventually drop because of the weight. Ultimately, my overall attitude towards my hair began to shift. I wasn't as thrilled about my sisterlocks like I used to be, but now all of that has changed! While longer locks may be okay for some, in this journey I discovered that it's not for me; at least not anymore. And who knows, this too, could change...but that's what journey's are all about...growing, discovering and changing. I embrace it wholeheartedly!

Bronze Again

Ahh, now I'm feeling more like myself again! I got my hair retightened and the color touched up! I didn't realize how badly I needed the color touched up until I started wearing my spring clothing collection. It's been about 7-8 weeks since my last retightening, which always makes me feel like I did when I had a relaxer--in need of a touch up! I found myself saying things like, "Oh Wow, I have a lot of new growth; I need my hair done bad!" My friends who are still addicted to the "creamy crack" would look at me strangely as if I was on illegal substances. It finally dawned on me that they could not understand how I could have "new growth" if my entire head is nappy-lol! New growth to them equates to nappiness; while new growth to me means exactly that...newly grown hair that needs to be tightened.

I don't know about any of my SL sisters, but even after 5 years of being locked; I still get extremely annoyed when someone makes comments to me like, "I love your dreads!" I have matured in the sense that I no longer correct them on the spot. Most times, I just smile, and respond with "thanks"! However, when the subsequent questions begin to follow like, "Where do you go to get your dreads done, or How much did it cost to get your dreads started?" It is then I curtly respond with Sisterlocks in every answer, and finally, when I've noticed that they're still confused; yet fascinated, I just refer them to the SL web site.

Interestingly enough, when I get comments like that from my family; I am more tolerable. For example, I was fortunate enough to fly home to NJ last month to visit my family. I hadn't been home since 2006. Keep in my mind my mother is almost 70 years old, half African American and half Caucasian; with Caucasian textured hair. While my hair was much shorter the last time I was home, my family saw my SL's and no one commented. However, the night before I was due to leave my mother asked, "What is that you're wearing on your head?" Shocked that she asked me this after seeing my hair locked in all this time, I responded with, "Huh?" She repeated herself. I replied, "Mom, this is MY hair; this is not a wig or hair piece-lol!" Then she said, "Well, what do you have to do to get it back to 'normal'?" All I could do was laugh at the realization that she really had no clue about locked hair; let alone any rememberance about what was considered "normal" for my hair texture! I eventually, exlained it all to her. Then she proceeded to take pictures of my hair, as I'm sure that she wanted to tell all of her friends about her baby with the nappy hair (smile)! I love and miss you mom!

Happy 5 Year Anniversary To Me!

Wow! I can't believe my 5-year Loc-Anniversary is here (14 April 2010)! My locs now reach to the middle of my back. I still haven't gotten up the nerves to cut, but maybe one day. I definitely cannot envision and do not want to grow my locks past my waist. The older I get; I just want simplicity. Much love to all...til next time...be blessed.

My First Hand Made Loc-n-Tie

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to try and make my own hair tie; as so many others seem to be doing the same. And wa-la, this is my first one that I am coining a "Loc-n-Tie". I tested it in my hair and it works just as good as the ones I've purchased online. Who woulda thunk? I hope to get better in time and I need to find supplies. I found those supplies at Hobby Lobby, which there wasn't a huge variety to choose from. Til next post...Have a great one!

Happy New Beginnings

Hair Trim

Locscrunchie Shower Cap for Long Locs

Hello Everyone! I haven't forgotten you. I've been battling some issues in my personal life and I'm just now coming up for air. Also I am guilty as charged! I've been frequenting Facebook and spend most of my journal time there. I do have some more pics to post, so stay tuned. Ms. Elaine trimmed my hair before the christmas holidays and I am loving the length now that it is a little more even. I love and miss everyone.