Penny's Locks

36 months

2011-02-01T17:29:00.000-08:00

Three years....sisterlocked

Life is Good

2010-11-14T15:46:00.000-08:00

My sister's sisterlocks

I don't have much to post about except that life is good... My hair is growing a lil bit. I need to find good setting lotion but I don't I dont like hard hair. I was thinking if I oiled it with Carol's daughter after it drys it would soften up. We will c. I will let you know. I have about 15 to 20 lbs to go to be a my weight loss goal which is going to be hard with the upcoming holidays. I am always in charge of making desserts. Lucky me! I should make Jello! that will teach them.

Updated Pic

2010-08-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

Well school justed started in the metro area...I will be busy busy busy as usual... I am also starting my doctoral program...well that is a mouthful already. Nothing to post really. My hair is just doing what it do... I still have loose ends on some but I don't know what to do about it. My new shampoo of choice is Taliah Wajidd(spelling don't feel like checking ) Black Earth shampoo. I would like to color my hair or rather add some highlights but I wan't some length before I do that.. I love my black hair and light locks... I just don't know...

My Younger Sister's Locks

2010-06-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to see Maxwell and Jill Scott.. Great concert.. I sat on a row with random ladies most of which had naturals. One had sisterlocks ( we chatted and found out we get our hair done at the same place Ms. Elaine) and the other next to me with traditional locks( who wants to cut her 2yr locks). Go figure y am I having random conversations with strangers at a Maxwell Jill Scott show. The row above me two fros and one lady with beautiful two strand twists and their was one right above me with long traditional lock. She was telling her friend.. those must be sisterlocks. I turned around and said yep..LOL.. ummm I can hear you

I didn't do a thing. I just washed my hair right before the concert and free styled. I didn't have time to twist etc..

My sister she twisted and curled. Her locks are 31 months.. They are so thick. She recently got them cut and groomed.

Go Texas! Lots of naturals in the building.. but more and more people seem to think I add hair lol

It's been a Long Time

2010-06-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

Well the school year is finally out this week! I would say time to start vacation but it looks like I will be in school all of the summer! boooooooo! Well it will all work out in the end. Life is good right now. I have nothing to complain about or whine about. Well I can but what would it matter. I haven't posted any new pics because in my opinion my hair looks the same. You know how that goes when you looking at your own hair.

My new favorite product is Jamaican Mango and Lime Lock and Set styling Lotion in the yellow bottle. It's not too heavy. I basically two strand twist and roll the ends with lock loops.I am not going to spend the time to braid or plait my hair. I don't think its long enough for that and I don't like it tight. My next re-ti is July 3. I get my hair done every7 weeks and I maintain my hairline myself and any loose ones so I can cut down on my time in that chair so my maximum time is 2 hours for $60 and a wash. I never stay for a roller set.. I am not sitting under that dryer. I like beauty shop convo too much. Well enjoy your summer. I will post after my re-ti or I may post my sister's locks.

sisterlocked 29 months

Post of My Reti

2010-02-06T13:42:00.000-08:00

Two Year Anniversary

I had my reti on yesterday.. I guess its growing...

Anyway today at my son's game this lady who was natural.. had a baseball cap on.. she came up and was like oh I love ur hair.. Is it all yours? What kind of hair is that? I proceeded to tell her its sisterlocks and told her they are locks which are not started by twisting or some product in a more traditional way. I said it's ur own hair intelocked.. she said so its not ur hair. She looked in amazement and said I will have to ask my stylist.. I looked at her and sighed .. I said google it. If she is not on the website... but then as I continued to explain she looked all bewildered like I was making the word "sisterlock" up... I think I will print Q & A and keep it n my purse.. Then she grabbed a handful and said it doesn't feel like yours.. and then further insulted me by saying "well why are your roots straight at the hairline like a perm?... WOW....called her friend over and said this is all her hair.....My hair is nothing compared to the really long sisterlocks..

I am really happy with my hair... I want it to look like others though.. not totally satisfied yet

I am really happy that this is a hair option for women who want to go natural and who may not want to do a big chop initially.. but it has to happen and the sooner the better because the permed scraggly ends have got to go.

All of my locks are unique.. no two are the same and not all of them are totally sealed because of my hair pattern which is slightly wavy..in a kinky sorta of way..

Ok its been Two Years

2010-02-02T16:55:00.000-08:00

My hair is growing I guess.. My sister celebrated two yrs in Nov.

Wow.. I have had my sisterlocks for two years now! January made made 24 months! woo hoo.. I will post more on Sunday because I have a hair appt with Ms Elaine over the weekend.. I recently purchased Dr. Bonner's Peppermint bar of soap for my hair...I think I read about this somewhere. I will post pics from two weeks ago. This weekend i will put up new pics. I have been busy with the kids and driving here and there and everywhere and of course work so no time to blog much. Thanks for stopping by...

Happy Holidays

2009-12-28T08:01:00.000-08:00

I am taking this time to wish everyone in blogger land a happy holiday!! I hope that everyone had a great Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus. I pray that the new year bring many positive changes in your life filled with love, laughter and prosperity. If 2009 was great well 2010 should be awesome.

One day at a time one goal at a time.

Happy Birthday to me December 22...

My sister and I are visiting family out of state...Long six hour drive with kids.. no need to say more..four kids( 1 yr old, 5 yr old, 7 yr old and 11 yr old)..six suitcases.. and tons of gifts...

ROAD TRIP...yeah!!!

23 months

2009-12-06T07:35:00.000-08:00

"Penny" Before work
"Penny" locked 23 months( after work)

My younger sister locked 25 months

Well I have been locked for 23 months. My sister has been locked for 25 months. I really love my hair most days.I like full hair. I need to color it again so I will do it next weekend so I will have a week for it to settle before I reti for the holidays.. I am starting to have a little problem with lint. So I will have to get a lock sock. So unattractive.. Any other ideas. My satin pillow cases wont work any more and for some reason the satin scarf never stays. I cant thank Nihu enough for the style she posted. Thats my favorite. However it does not last very long and I don't do setting lotion. I don't like hard hair.

Truthfully all of my locks look differently some are micro. I can't stand those but I look at the location and I say well that makes sense because I don't want my hair to fall out cuz it be too heavy later. If it becomes an issue I may sew it together or join it with another one. I have a few that are open and not sealed but not that many. All locks are different but I won't do like the last time and start over. This is my second time and I know what to expect. I don't trip on my hair. I take pics to monitor the progress so I can truly see the changes.Wow I am so amazed at it. I look through the pics on my computer and I am truly in awe.. Some of those early stages are a hot mess. I will keep posting until I get the length I want.

Recently I was annoyed at two ladies at the store for freakin staring at me in the parking lot. I saw all through out the store. As we were walking out the store. One lady was very curious. I saw her catching a quick glance in the store however her girl with the fake bun wasn't interested (so what). Outside they were talking like I am freakin deaf. The one who was feeling it asked do u like it( meaning my hair) I think she was trying to get her friends approval cuz her hair was short( I mean one hair cut from a big chop). Her girl said I like em on men. I stopped and looked like fool I can hear u so she got in her car. Locks are not for every one..

Day Two Twist Out

2009-10-27T14:57:00.001-07:00

After work
Before Work

I think these pics look better. U can see the fullness of the style..Two strand twist set on rollers and loc loops with water only... I will delete that other pic on the previous post.. I didn't like the way that makeup looked.. It looked white ewww like a gray pasty... minerals huh.. going back to Mac...

Thanks Nihuru!!

2009-10-26T14:50:00.000-07:00

In the morning
In the afternoon after work/Dang I look tired after work...

A back shot in the morning

Nihu gave me the best styling tip... So I posted about it.. Most of the time I freestyle but because my hair is not too short and not too long, I have limited styling options. U know how that goes.. Anyway I two-strand twisted my hair into bunches and spritz with water only last night and rolled them with sponge rollers and loc loops... I really liked the outcome because it gave me body and it wasn't super tight like those braid outs which I don't like on me at this time. I chose not to use setting lotion because it makes my hair hard and I have never liked hard hair.My hair is too short for the braid out right now in my opinion but when it gets longer I will try that style and hopefully I will like it but I am not one for putting all of tension on my hair. I love this crinkly look.. I will post an end of the day shot... Thanks Nihu...

Sisterlocked Sisters

2009-10-03T07:19:00.000-07:00

Sister before reti-- Friday morning at the Texas State Fair @23 months
Sister after reti--Friday night at Reggae Spot

She curled her hair using the lock loops. I did but didn't like it so I spritzed my hair with water to loosen them or get rid of em. Like the fullness but not the curl too much. Maybe when it gets longer

me( Penny) @ 21 months

Heck all I know is in Jan it will b 2yrs.. I am really bad about keeping up with the months.

Been really busy at work and no time to blog but I will try to post a picture..

Random Pics

2009-08-06T11:24:00.000-07:00

Recently the boys and I went to the circus.Actually I believe it was Tues. Aug. 4 which is the same day I got my hair done. Fresh parts ewww. U know I was looking at the trailer for Chris Rock's movie Good hair and it looks really interesting. It's such a taboo subject black women and their hair. In the clips they talk about relaxers and weaves and the origins of the frustration that we have. Man it's like all these famous women are coming out of the closet about their extensions. Find the clip on U tube. I will try to download it later.

In the salon this lady had a TWA and she wanted to do something quick fast and in a hurry cuz she had always worn weaves and the people at work probably didn't know what was under that weave. She was there looking for natural styles.While I was sitting in the chair, she was observing as Elaine worked her magic. She quickly stated I need that "those kind of twists". My consultant said that is permanent and they r locs. She looked and was stuck on sisterlocks.She looked in amazement so the sisterlock video was popped n. She and her adult daughter were impressed. She had sample locks put n but was in shock when she learned of the price. I noticed her mouth stayed open when the card was handed to her with a dollar amount. I injected by saying it is worth it. She left with out n e pressure. However within 5 minutes she called back and said she wanted a full installation by the end of the week. Wow just by looking at my 18 to 19 month locs !

Go Sisterlocks!

Swimming with Sisterlocks

2009-07-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

I love my hair. No hair drama. Just swim and go and when it dries it still looks good.

18 months

2009-07-11T07:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry no time to blog or type about my hair. Most of the time I am on Facebook!!. My hair is growing so I am told. I can tell by pics. Seeing is believing because to me its still the same ole same ole...I really like the new color. However my buddy Nihuru always colors her hair and its nice.. Not to over the top and nothing harsh and brash looking to look dry and if I do say GHETTO. Yes there are some colors that should belong in the crayola box and not on ur head. I become personally ashamed for black women when we don't carry our selves in a regal manner whether it be ur hair, ur clothes, ur speech etc... Represent at all times.. If that came out snooty tooty oh well its my blog. Back to Facebook!! I am addicted to that. Kick me a personal email if u wanna be friends on Facebook.

Keep Lockin

So Long Brown and "Hello Jet Black

2009-06-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

The picture in brown is before the color. The second is the end result.

So long brown

Hello Jet Black

I had to color my hair last night! I couldn't stand the brown hair on me and my locks. My natural hair is brown and when I used to have a relaxer my hair would turn reddish-brown and people thought I had a color but it was my natural color. After looking at the close up of my hair and my sisters hair last week I knew I had to color it. Dark colors in my opinion make my hair look fuller and richer. I am pleased with the finished results. I think when you have really light locks you see too many knots and imperfections. Not to say that the locks will be perfect because they wont. At least with black hair or darker hair it is camouflauged. In all honesty I saw three gray hairs in my temple area on the right side and my my sister told me she noticed my gray hair on the left. Imagine my surprise when she said that because I was only noticing one side and she pointed out that it was on both. The lil curly area in the front was gray and I wasn't having it. I am not ready for the gray hair just yet. Nope not yet!!

I used two boxes of the Textures and Tones color because the last time I colored one box is definately not enough. One box was enough when I had a relaxer but not with locks. It took me 30 minutes to apply it and I left it in for the recommended time.

Dang as I look at those pics all I can see is that dang bump that I had to go and mess with on my forehead. I scar very easily so I have to keep my hands out of my face or I will break out.

****

I locked my hair in Jan '08. I have been locked for 17 months! On lots of my posts I usually give estimates of the time I have been locked but everyone is so precise so I said I guess I should be too.

A Great School Year

2009-06-01T18:16:00.001-07:00

The school year is finally over for the kids however not for me. I will continue to work through the summer. This past weekend I went to Atlanta to see my little sweetie graduate from High School Clayton County Schools in spite of the issues they continue to have. She was in 7th grade when I moved and I promised her that I would make it to her graduation because she was always asking when I was coming back so I had to keep my promised.It was fun seeing all of my girlfriends and shopping and doing grown up things without the kids. I went shopping, went to friends homes for food and spirits(if ya know what I mean). I really miss ATL. I laughed a whole lot and got to be my true self (loud &, silly willy) . I would post pics of my friends but I am sure they do not want to be all over the internet so I won't put them out there. (ok I will call some and see if its ok)The difference between Atl and Texas to me is that in Atl people are friendlier because no one is really from their and true friendships occur at work unlike here in Texas where they tend to visit only family and talk to only family.. So lame in my opinion. I missed the get togethers. Thanks ladies for the fun weekend.

I have put pics of the boys during their awards day programs. I am so proud of them. My oldest scored commendable on all three areas of TAKS tests as he recieved honors for the A honor roll and my little one recieved an award for best grades also.

The summer should be interesting. I have never worked in the summer before so I will c how it is.

I am getting my hair re-ti on Friday. I just freestyled the whole weekend and let the steam from the shower plump them up and since they needed a re-ti they were extra thick looking. I cant stand how they look right after a fresh reti. I didn't bring lock loops cuz I didn't want to be bothered and by the late early mornings I was getting to bed I knew I wasn't going to roll any hair .

Sisterlock Sisters

2009-05-17T09:02:00.001-07:00

These are updated pictures of lil' sister's locks... Too cute! I love her hair it is so thick. She let me trim off some of the ends however this is the before look. We tried to to take pics of the after but my camera needed charging. I will post some later.She still wants to keep a little of her ends. She likes the curl it gives. If I remember to take my camera. Maybe if she comes over later to bring back my two CDs(Keri Hilson and Ciara) and my book"Never Again Once More". I know you're reading this!! You jacked my book!!! We are in a book club and she threw hers in the trash can.

Sister's locks are 17 months. She doesn't do a darn thing to her hair... I think she puts rollers( those bendable stick thing-a-ma-jigs) in the morning and two pony tails at night and thats it.... The pics do not show the true thickness of her hair. I need a better camera honestly.

Bring my book so I can be prepared for the meet up/book club... I love you!! (remember the end of Grey's Did you say it? Drink all of life in and take a look around and be grateful and thankful and remember to say it.)

** I decided to change the side of my part and I like it.. Looks fuller to me... Just wash and go...

Hair-mazing

2009-05-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

July 2008
May 2009
(The last time I wore this shirt )

I am simply amazed at how my hair grows or transforms. As a look at other ladies blogs and track their growth and changes I am speechless. Dewdrop,Chosen Vessel, and Knots and Locks and Adoration and so many others that I like... I eagerly anticipate each month to add yet another milestone. It's easy to see the current styles and looks that everyone has but look at where they started. Some pretty and others well .... others that you say I am glad I don't have that problem or glad that your hair don't look like that... Either way...Its a trip... A fun one that is full of discovery. You wake up and discover new stuff that you can do to hair.. You discover hair styles by accident and roll with it...

I have very soft hair so some of ends are curly and do not have that lock feel but no one know but me.. I will have to post some before and after pics of my sisters extremely thick locks...She hasn't cut her ends off though. I will do it for her this summer. I think she is ready. I wanted her to wait one full school year but they need to go...

Happy Sisterlocking or Locking

Penny's Secret

2009-05-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

I am no longer in denial. I am a thick girl. I decided to post some full body shots because this past year I have gained thirty pounds. I am sick of it really. I am tall so my weight looks different on me. I guess I wear it well. I am officially on a diet or should I say life change. My weight keeps me from dating among other things and since I am not dating I might as well eat but the weight keeps me from dating.... It's a crazy cycle. Bad enough I used to have the brown girl issues which I will not speak about but you know what I mean if you are a brown girl. Let's put it this way when you get played you begin to critique every thing about yourself..... I feel like Oprah with the weight thing. I excerise yes not a fan of it. My second address is not at the gym. I am starting to eat right as of last week but I back slid this week. I am an emotional eater or snacker. I snack all the time. If I am mad I snack if I get my feeling hurt I snack and if I am in deep though I snack. When I am really liking or feeling myself I work out.Hmmm what a connection I just made! So I am saying today!! I like myself way too much to be this new person. I will loose this weight by the end of the summer so consider this my before shots. I will not post progress shots nor will I say what I weigh. I am 5'7 so it stretches. My sister had a baby and lost all her weight. I still have mine..... However I don't really compare my self to anyone but my former self. I am working on the inside to transform the outside but old habits die hard.

In all fairness about 15 lbs is due to steroids and the other meds I take on a regular basis. The rest of my assests is all on me.

My hair looks good since I can see length. I only see length through pictures in person I only see flaws. Today this man was talking to his son and I guess they were talking about my hair cuz I heard the son say something that he wasn't shaving his hair off. The conclusion that I drew was that he wanted locks and his father (old school shallow black man) was asking him if thats what he wanted while looking at me. You know I gave him the evil damn eye like don't stare at me and talk cuz I ain't deaf you know...... Any who....

locked 15 months

wash and go hair and pulled back

sprayed with Carols Daughter Tui leave in conditioner

My Big Boy Baby "Daddy's Dreams Part II"

2009-04-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

My baby couldnt wait to tell me how it went. I couldn't go and watch. I get nervous for my kids. I don't want them to know what rejection feels like. Today their dad said it was totally packed. All of the professionals were out with their sons and he said they were riding my son because of his height and size. I said he has never played. He is shy. Dad said he did a good job.

Daddy's Dreams

2009-04-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

Good job kids!

My poor baby didn't want to get weighed.

Dad is standing next to him with the big head. Why did his dad tell him to make a football face.

A little pep talk in the "Cotton Bowl Arena". Thats my son on the end with the white and black shoes.

There he goes to the next station. That kid on the end was good.

My child loved tackling!! I wonder why. I told him to pretend he was a wrestler. His dad said pretend it was him. Who knows which one worked?

The man of the hour Deion Sanders!! Prime Time

Me and my sisterlocks in the mist. Just took and shower and freestyled. I didn't worry about an umbrella when it started to drizzle. :)

Sisterlocks 15 months

" The Tryouts"

The things men do to get their kids in sports. My children's father signed the boys up for try outs or should I say selection for a football league. Deion Sanders former Dallas Cowboy and Atlanta Falcons player has this football league a non-profit organization that emphasizes academics and sports and character development. My ex is an all sports freak so of course he wanted them to be a part of this like so many other parents who went out the wet weather for possible selection. All of the dads were giving their sons pep talks on the side lines like "run fast" "be tough" "follow directions" and "have fun" which is my personal favorite.The ages today were 5-8 year olds and tomorrow will be the older kids which my 10 year old who has never played a lick of sports is stressing over. I hope he gets selected. My sons are tall and big for their ages so people always assumed they were much older than they were. Their dad wants my oldest to tryout early tommorrow which is Sunday. I told him no. My order of importance is Church, Academics(excellence is the expectation), then Sports..... On our way out there were other coaches from other leagues asking parents to sign their kids up if they don't get selected. "Recruitment" for 5-8 year olds go figure..... I guess tommorrow I will post some pics of my oldest.

14 months locked Permed Sister to Locked Sister

2009-03-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

That's me in the far left. So long ago!!! My dad has this picture on the wall in his house. It brought lots of memories. He has a shrine of pictures on his wall. Why do people think that if you have locks you obviously had some hair growth problems so your only alternative was to lock to make your hair grow.

July 2008

June 2008 before I decided to snip.

14 months locked. I hate when people ask me how long I am going to keep"those" in or ask if they can get it and immediately want to know if they can take them out.

My hair is really changing. I am glad I have this blog to track my growth. I should do the same thing for my weight. Hmmm. I think I will but I don't know about sharing those pictures. I think I will go to the gym today. I went yesterday. Lots of eye candy on Saturday. How can I loose weight when every Sunday after church my sister expects me to make some exotic dessert. She just called and asked" whatcha baking today". I guess I better start my dessert.

******

I am on spring break. I am trying to think of some things to do with the kids that are cheap but the weather is unseasonably cool. Any way I may post what we decided to do. Yesterday we went bowling. I want to go ice skating. I think I might try it but I am scared someone might roll over my finger and slice them off. Those blades look like razors. I guess I have a problem with the word "blade". They want to try a different restaurant in various parts of city every weekend. We will see.

My DIY Hair Ties" Giving Props to Dewdrop"

2009-03-01T15:37:00.000-08:00

You can still see the parts a week later after retightenings.
Boring hair. Can't wait for some length and thickness.
My pitiful attempt at a hair tie. The end result
Locking the stretchable headband into 1 of the necklace things or ornaments.
You have to lock two of the stretchable headbands together to get the right size. I am just showing you how they look without any necklace things or buttons etc...
Things you need to make a hair tie. Those brown circles come three in a pack for $3.99.
This is the finished results of my hair ties. They serve the purpose. A combined total of $20.00 for all of them!!!!

Well I made these hair ties months ago when Dewdrop gave a detailed description of what to do and where to go and what to buy. I was really glad she did that because hair ties work best for me. I went to Michael's and went to the jewelry department during that time and bought things to make a necklace like the string she suggested. However that was too much work for me and the string was too thin so I had to throw it away. I found a better alternative! I went to the hair section in Target and bought those stretchable headbands and played with them and figured out how to use that instead. For the low cost of $3.99 ,I bought 6 of those black stretchable headbands(they come in a pack). In order to make a hair tie I interlock two of the stretchable headbands along with those necklace things. By the way those necklace things are only $3.99. The brown circular shaped ones came 3 in a pack. That shiny brown thing was $3.99 and the red heart thing was $3.99. Anyway if you want to make your own and never have to worry about something you want being sold out or the items no longer produced make your own.

I think I may go to a fabric store or another craft store like "Hobby Lobby" or Catherine's for large toggle like buttons. Maybe! I only use the hair ties when my hair is too curly and I want a pony puff. My preferred style is a simple leather headband. I see cute scarves in my future when I gain some length with my locks.

Thanks Dewdrop for the inspiration. You are always coming up with cute hairstyles and things to do. Nihuru is the hair color guru if anyone wants to color.

Check out dewdrops lock diary for a better detailed description. She gives a step by step "how to" in her Oct 2008 post.

Interesting Day at the Salon

2009-02-22T06:50:00.000-08:00

Month 1 Permed ends
My sister and I and her daughter "Penny Baby"(13 months locked)
Cute Hat! Picking up my youngest after re-ti.( I need make-up on)
It's growing but not totally locked in lots of places. I asked her to combine a few.
Hair has a loose curl. I like my sister's hair better it's thicker. There should be a sisterlock disclaimer that says if you have fine hair it will take a long time to lock. I was hoping to lock at 6 months.
Re-ti gives me a headache sometimes.Look at the parts. Yuck!

Yesterday I treated myself to a re-ti after Saturday school.(yes I work 6 days a week) I dragged my poor son with me. He was ok as along as he had food and his PSP(video game mess). There were lots of people there. Ms. Hill's daughter who is on the Sisterlock trainee site was there to help out. There was a lady there with traditional locks getting highlights, two ladies who were getting their own hair in two -strand twists, and myself. Before leaving another sisterlock re-ti showed up. The most interesting thing besides the conversation because you know beauty shop conversation in itself is very interesting is when a lovely lady with beautiful locks showed up with her daughter who was in upper elementary school.

The young girls hair had fallen out due to chemicals so she had a lil fro. The lil girl hated her hair and the mom was clearly saddened because the kids at school tease her and call her names and constantly ask her when she was going to get her hair done. I can hear the conversation" Girl when are you going to do your hair" "Ewww look at her with her bald head" "She look like a boy" " I can't believe you came to school with your head like that" "Get a weave, wig, or braids sumthin"etc..... I could see the lil girl cringe as her mom twirled her around and say " I put a lil texturizer just so I could comb it". The goal was to show the child some alternatives but she wasn't hearing that. The lil girls mom had locks that were very pretty but when the child was asked if she wanted locks she just twisted her mouth like "ew". Her mom looked at me and asked her if she wanted her hair like mine but she said nothing you could hear the silence. Actually she wants braids. There was a lady there getting her hair pressed but she didnt seem interested, there were two other young ladies in elementary school with their moms with naturals. She didn't feel them either.

I guess my wonderings and observation and ultimate conclusion is :
No matter what you tell your children and what you try to model ultimately they make their own decisions. The mom is modeling self-love and we all told the girl how beautiful she was. However the young child was really concerned with the culture of the school and how she was percieved by others. We have to educate our children and teach self-acceptance of all. If you hear your child talking about someone stop them especially if its negative and its about something that they cannot change like their skin color or hair texture or a physical handicapp. God designed everyone. He handmade them. He knew you before you came out your mothers womb. I was bothered by the parents of the girls and boys who tease the girl who make her uncomfortable to be herself and to be ashamed of who she is.

When I get my hair re-ti again which wont be until April , I'll find out what she did?

It's been a minute

2009-02-08T16:04:00.000-08:00

My hair has been sisterlocked for 13 months

and my sister has been locked for 15 months

I have not posted in a while because my hair is not doing anything and life has been interesting to say the least in the past couple of months. I have learned lots about relationships. I have nothing to say about it except let your ex stay your ex and when it comes to dating I have nothing to say but it is an experience indeed. I am starting to think that this love thing is a myth. I won't complain about anything. I stopped complaining basically because I am blessed. I would like to take this time now to tell all those that read my blog that everything you go through in life is meant to build character. Continue to give God the glory in every thing especially in adversity especially in these tough economic times and uncertainty with the future. We are uncertain but GOD isn't. He has already worked all this stuff out. I can't wait to see how he is going to show off his glory. He is awesome. He makes me smile every day which is why I can't complain. Let's continue to pray for world leaders that they make good decisions for all and not just a few.

http://www.biblegateway.com/ Myfavorite website. I follow the daily reading plan. I started keeping a gratitude journal and I am reading "The purpose driven life" by Rick Warren.

Giving Thanks

2008-11-29T17:24:00.001-08:00

I am very thankful for my family. This week I went to visit my dad in Houston so I posted a couple of shots. We had a good time when he wasnt being too dang bossy. We went to the huge " HEB Thanksgiving Parade" downtown. There was lots of people there. On Friday I ventured into the sea of shoppers looking for a bargain. No I am not the one who waits at 4 am to save $50. Actually we left the house at 11 am and everything that were "bargains " were sold out. What a scam!!I am also posting some pictures of my sister and her new baby. She is 7 weeks old and oldest who I call Penny's baby is 4. My sister's locks are 1 year old. Wow how time flies. She still doesnt want to cut those ends. She told the consultant she will wait until 18 months or so. Well my locks are 10 months old already.

Where is Penny?

2008-11-24T11:54:00.000-08:00

We went to see the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets. Totally uneventful. I just wanted to post another picture. Dang I need my camera back from my sister. She has a 7 week old baby girl so she is now a new photographer. I know what she need for Christmas. "Her own camera" Instead she asked for a food processor because I know she probably wants to make her own baby food or some other Susie homemaker stuff. I have made my own hair ties and wore them but can I show it now. No!!! One day she said those hair ties are cute and asked if I put a picture on my blog. I said I could if you didn't have my camera. My hair is a lil longer but you cant tell from the pic. I think I want to color my hair jet jet black!! I have some gray.

Sisters gotta love em....

Lock Loops"Interesting Indeed"

2008-10-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

Taking them them out to start my day.
I really love this foam!
Tight lil" curls. Hopefully they will fall by the end of the day!

Just a quick post. I wanted to say that lock loops really work.I wasn't sure because u never know about things you purchase on the Internet. Somethings I have purchased looked good online but when you get it the reality is totally different. The material is foam, it's the stuff that I have my students use to make craft projects with so I thought it would tear or rip once I got it but I was wrong. It is really sturdy and very comfortable to sleep in. I must admit I like the curls. It's like a spiral kinda sorta. It's better than the country sponge roller look. However at this point all of these country roller hair styles rolled to the back is all I can do at this point. I wish I had Dewdrops hair or length in the front. I should stop trimming.

Well I simply spritzed my hair with distilled water because it's not recommended to use on fully wet hair because of drying time. After spritzing I used Motion's styling foam and rolled. I used about40 rollers. I gave my sister twenty of them to experiment with. I have been retightening her hair. I did some on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday(spent three hours each day).I would never want to do this for a living!!! I told her I would finish her head over this weekend. I used my nappylocs tool. Dang her hair is super thick.

Back to Lock Loops. The true test will be tonight when I sleep on it and hopefully my hair looks nice tomorrow and it's not mashed too bad. I am hoping the steam from the shower will help in the morning.

It's been a Long Time

2008-10-11T06:45:00.000-07:00

I just woke up. Mashed morning hair.
I pinned up the sides.
LockLoops. Interesting!
It really works. I used it all week. I used warm deep only and warmth.
This is what I paid $60.00 for.

My new baby and my big baby! (my sister's baby) not mine.

FRIED!!
More FRIED Crap!!

Well it has been a long time since I have blogged. Quite a few things have been going on. Well Penny has a new baby, a new little niece. My sister had her baby girl. My sweetie her song is "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers. I know it's corny. I gave my two boys theme songs when they were born so songs make me simile. My oldest was 'You are the sunshine of my Life" and I used to sing it to him all the time. I called him my sunshine because he always brightened my day. He still does.

****Work****

At work they will lay off 800 or so teachers. Enough said.... Mismanagement of the budget allocations. Some bull........ I have a tendency to internalize problems so I try not to think about about it but pink slips will be give next week. It's sad that in these tough economic times people have to lose their jobs due to no fault of their own.

****State Fair***

Last week I went to the fair. Dang must we fry everything. They are know for lots ot crazy food like fried oreos, fried coke, fried snickers, fried pralines, fried peanut butter and jelly and banana sandwiches and fried cheesecake. All kind of crap. Yes I tried the fried pralines and she said would like some ice cream and chocolate syrup and whipped cream as if the deep frying were not enough. Lots of food. Too much to remember. My diet is on the road to nowhere. I bought some Hydroxycut. Why? Oh because I can drink it. It comes in a powder packet like those crystal light koolaid instant packs for bottled water. I am sorry Nihuru. I suck!! Go weight loss team.

**** Oh yeah "My Hair"****

I bought some lock loops. I did trim my hair some more. I was trying to make sure it was evenly cut. You know picking up the layers and trimming in sections. I am still retightening myself. Actually I have an appointment but I have to get my car fixed. I smell gas when I drive and that trumps the treat to the salon. my kids were in the back seat and they said they smelled gas. Why is it that when your car is almost paid off(5 months left) mess starts to happen? I will post pictures with the lock loops results soon.

**** My Playlist****

I know I have a lot a stuff on my playlist. You know what I do. I load all that stuff so that I can work and sing along. I upload my blog and close the window and open other windows while my music plays. I do it while looking at other people's blog. I almost always mute the music on other blogs because I want to hear my music. Crazy! Music is therapy for me. It's relaxing.

***New Makeup****

I bought "bare minerals" I like it. I was breaking out with the MAC(studio fix). I went in my sister's mother-in-law because she swears by the stuff. I let her give me a mini make over. I was cool. We went into a cosmetic store and allowed them to give me another makeover and then I purchased the kit. It's all in the brush.

However you have to make sure you don't get all that crap so that you don't look gray. Don't use all that stuff. This week I had an allergic reaction to some lip gloss and my lips swelled up like "sherman Klump" in the Nutty professor. I had to take lots of benydral which took two days to get back to normal. I am still trying to find a nice shade of lipstick I like that looks nice on brown girls.

Just Leaving "Tyler Perry's New Movie"

2008-09-21T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well this is my sister and she didn't want me to take her picture.Her sisterlocks are 10 months and she started with a relaxer like me but she still has her ends. I don't encourage her to cut them at all. I don't think she is ready because she has never been natural before but I have on several occasions. I think she should wait until she gets some length that way she will be more comfortable and probably her husband will too. She thought I was crazy to break out my camera after the movie. I always forget to take her picture to show her progress. I think it's the hormones. Oh guess what after leaving the movies her water broke and she is a bit nervous not at full term yet 36 weeks to be exact but I know that things will be fine. I decided to blog as I wait anxiously by the phone to find out if it is indeed amniotic fluid........

I guess I will talk about the movie. Dang wasn't Sanaa stank in that movie. What an itch. She was very crude to her husband and very snobbish. The theme made me think about myself (not the crude and snobby parts)and some of the poor decisions I have made in life and how your parents really influence you. Do you believe in generational or family curses? She was trying so hard not to be what she thought her mom was and ended up in a similar situation. Of course there is a story there with me but I won't share it on the Internet. Anyway in the movie the question was posed Are you living your life or are you merely existing. I hate to admit it but I am merely existing. I am content with the status quo because who knows whats out there. Merely existing. I did do something interesting on Friday night I went to a Lebanese restaurant with two coworkers. That was different. They invited me to water rafting the next day but as usual I have an excuse not to go. I do have limitations with my rheumatoid arthritis. I am Merely existing and wasting each day that God has blessed me with. I must apologize to my father in heaven for not doing anything great. Do you ever wonder what's your purpose?

.....Still not a word from my sister....... I gotta go..... Long day tomorrow.

Next week I will see Lake view Terrace with Sam Jackson.

Things have been busy.

2008-09-18T18:08:00.000-07:00

I don't have much time to blog lately. I have been busy busy since school has started and I must admit work has been stressful. Anyway I am trying not to sweat the small stuff and trying to ignore the big stuff. I also joined by buddy Nihuru's weight loss challenge group. I don't know how to find the time. I have been getting home late and then when I am home I am working and I have to help with homework, make a meal etc.... Just swamped. My hair is just doing what it do! It looks the same to me. I will post again after I retighten. I think my sister made me an appointment in Oct. However I will retighten a few before then.

You know what I hate my computer room/guest room/junk room. I really need to do something about it. It has lots of potential but right now it's so blah! Just a space to log onto the Internet and work and close the door. I want to convert it into an office but I am afraid when I have relatives over they won't have anywhere to sleep. Maybe I will disguise the computer and get a computer cabinet. It's such an eyesore looking at all those plugs and flashing lights and the two printers. I have thought about changing the door to a french door and buying home office furniture but what about the bed. I wouldn't get a tacky futon maybe a sectional sleeper. Oh well it won't be anytime soon.I should be ashamed to put pictures of such a tacky room online for all the world to see.

Random Shots

2008-09-03T16:28:00.000-07:00

My sister says that I can't see my color. She thinks I am colorblind. Ok I can tell I have a color under the light. Well anway the relatives just left to go back to Louisana. Many people are without lights and are discovering damage to their homes. The shelters were filled here. In my sister's neighborhood their were lots of cars with Louisana plates. My mom didn't have any damage to her home but shcool is out until next week. My ex stated that trees fell through the roof of his aunt's home and my sister's entire extended family had to evacuate because they live in Morgan City which was also near the water. Dang as a kid we never left. Never!

"I colored my hair"

2008-09-01T13:44:00.000-07:00

Before the color After the color ( the pic in the blue t-shirt is the before shot and other is the after shot)

Well I decided I needed a change so I colored my hair. I used Dark and Lovely "auburn". Personally I can't tell the difference. I notice my scalp is another color. I guess I thought it would be more dramatic. I was worried that the color would straighten my hair. I read that on someones blog. I am happy to say it didn't but I needed to retighten my hair anyway. I am almost finished but I really hate it. My neck hurts. I am trying to do it all in 2 days. As far as styling goes I set my hair on sponge rollers and wear that look for a day then free style the next and the same routine all over again so I freestyle every other day. I don't wear a head band either. I like the messy layered look! In this picture I didn't do anything to my hair. I just let it air dry because I am still retightening.

Relax, Relate, and Release

2008-08-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

Well this week we went on a family /faculty retreat. It was a nice resort. There were lots of activities for us to enjoy such as the various pool areas, golf, water skiing and spa treatments. The purpose of the retreat was for us to renew our minds and refresh ourselves as well as reset goals for our children(our students). We had so much food to eat. We have the best school in the world. At our elementary school we have over 700 children and 42 faculty members approximately. If I told about the technology we have and the tons of resources at our daily disposal you would contact the local school districts to find out why every school is not as equipped as ours. We are so awesome that we have a waiting list for kids and people who want to work there. In my classroom, I have 6 student computers, in focus machine(data projector), document camera, etc..... We have several smart boards and video conferencing material where our children can go on virtual field trips or interact with kids around the country and the world!!!

We focused on 5 levels of communication and strategies to effectively communicate which was facilitated by our counselor who is from Puerto Rico. I love her because she is so innocent and genuinely nice. There is a pure beauty inside her and her accent is cute because her English is not great so it's cute when she talks because you can picture her brain trying to find the word in English that she so desperately wants to say in Spanish. She used to be a nun! You just want to kiss her. I learned lots about myself and what others thought of me. I am not surprised by their comments. Most people stated that I was honest, straight forward, supportive, blunt/no nonsense, knowledgeable and determined. I know that I am a problem solver and I like lists. I like to know details. I want to work on being flexible and taking things lightly. I should lighten up. I am very sensitive but no one knows that. Whenever I say that people say "not you" "no way". They don't know it's my barrier. Last year when I was nominated Teacher of Year I was shocked and I told the principal I thought other people were more worthy because I don't like attention. I guess my humility is another attribute.

No Freestyling for Me

2008-08-09T15:45:00.000-07:00

My photographer and I made up! :) Well I have discovered that I can't freestyle it is not for me at this time. My locks look like limp noodles when they are not curled a little. This week I had a workshop for three days and I felt a little self-conscious about my hair. Of course no one knew that but me but I avoided the mirror in the bathroom during the workshop. I return to work in 2 weeks and one day this week our faculty has a retreat so I am still working on hairstyles. I realize that I have to do sponge rollers everynight until I get length. When I had the permed ends I could wake up in the morning spray my hair with water and roll on rods for at least 30 minutes and take them out before I walked out the door and have a head full of curls. This is not the case not anymore. Dang the point of cutting out the perm was so that I would no longer have this routine in the morning of rolling my hair and I could get up, get dressed, spritz and go. Oh well I have to roll on sponge rollers until my hair gains some length in the next 3 months which is cool. My ultimate styling option is the braid out with in which I can wear for a couple of days and curls that last for a couple of days. Well I know that day is coming just not today.

Docudrama " My Photographer is trippin"

2008-08-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

My photographer is in red! He was in the bell choir at school last school year. Don't be fooled by the cuteness! It's a trick! I fall for it daily!( I wore corn rows for my last month of transitioning when I didn't want to comb any more) pic Dec 07>>>>pics to the right Aug 08

Today I styled my hair using sponge rollers. However the curls were too tight intially for my taste( in regards to loc styles) so I spritzed with water and the steam from the shower helped to loosen the curls. I have this sort of shag layered look that I like for the moment.

My five year old photographer is trippin! He just snaps the picture, he doesn't ask if I'm ready or nothing. This is two pictures out of ten. The other eight are a hot mess! I have a missing head! As a matter of fact, I don't think he looks at the picture in the lil" window All I see is flashing lights. Then he has the nerve to act like I'm bothering him. Now I know you think I am exaggerating so I have to put up the third picture of me reading something that just aggravated the mess out of me. Of course the photographer took a picture of that. Lil paparazzi in the making! :) Gotta love em! Did I tell you he is my personal food police? Always asking me if what I'm eating is healthy. I can't eat pringles in peace. Gotta go the nine year old feels it's his turn to use the computer.

Question: What is the biggest room in the world?

Answer: The room for improvement!

How can your improve your life or the lives of others? How can you be better at home, at church, at work , and in the community?

Just call me "Edward Scissor Hands" Somebody Stop Me

2008-08-01T09:54:00.000-07:00

(Before the snip and the "BIG TRIM) Lots of relaxed ends! I started with only 2 inches of natural hair. I transitioned for almost 9 months before having my sisterlocks installed by Ms. Hill . (Creyole blogged about her before.)

I couldn't resist snipping some more. I am compulsive. I have to finish something once I start.(why doesn't this compulsiveness kick in at the gym?)I took off all the permed ends. I will get a final trim when I make a year. Wow look at this progress. I am only 7 months. I decided why keep an inch of perm so I just took the scissors the next day and continued snipping. So this is a side view. This is the back of my head. You can see just a few bunches on the ends and some curly ques. I looked fully locked. At 7months. After I snipped I washed my hair with a clarifying shampoo and banded because I wasn't sure if any of the locks would unravel which is why you have to be careful when your snip. I retightened my back and my hairline because my hair tends to slip when washed.
This is the rest of my hair. Now the pictures reflect the relaxer that was placed in the sisterlock pattern as well. When I snipped before, I snipped only the loose ends that I could curl but this time I snipped where the natural hair and the relaxed hair in the pattern meet.(that pile of hair is mini sisterlocks done to my relaxed hair which never would have locked in the first place) Before snipping I had to feel where the locked hair stopped and snip at that point. I guess it is true that relaxed hair will never lock! I often wondered because people with straight hair lock their hair and I wondered if the permed ends would look like that when locked. Well at least for me it didn't.

Today I threw on my sundress and a cute lil bohemian bag that I draped across my shoulders and went to my doctor's appt and the grocery store with my wash and wear hair.I took a deep breath ,put on my black leather headband and spritzed and finger combed my hair. I had to keep telling myself that it is "natural to be natural" and "it's ok not to have straight hair" with my hair sticking up all over the place. I looked at some pics of "goodnaps(when she had shorter full locks)" and "southern girl" or just sisters with short cute hair .Wow I will have to take more deep breaths when it's time to go back to work. Our faculty have a retreat in a couple of weeks. I don't think anyone realized I had locks. I don't explain my hair to anyone. I think people thought maybe it was short micro braids. I get asked that a lot in public. Anyway I won't post for a minute until my hair does something like"GROW". I will post about my sister if she lets me take shots of her hair. She thinks I am lame!

7 months

Snip, Snip, Snip

2008-07-30T14:50:00.000-07:00

Time to snip!
Why do my locks look fatter? Goal is to have only a inch of perm left.
I think I can live with this hair do in the fall. Too short for curly sue!

Bye Bye more permed ends!
Definitely more lock than perm .

I love these cute hair pins from Claire's

I said to myself I am not ready to snip my ends and I declared that I wouldn't until I was good and ready. I even told myself I wouldn't clip for a whole year. Huh! But ever since the big trim I have been obsessed with clipping my ends and free styling to a degree. However I was doing my hair and decided to snip to make my hair even. At least that's what I told myself but before I could stop myself I became a snipping machine. A snip snip here and a snip snip there, here a snip, there a snip , every where a snip snip. I was supposed to be experimenting with hair styles before school begins in a couple of weeks. I ordered Tomoka's Twist and I will post about that lil look on me when I get it. I ordered DNatural. I find that with my locls I have to dress a certain way( good/cute all the time) a certain bohemian/Moroccan/Afrocentric/eclectic flavor.

Afro-Latin Experience Exposed

2008-07-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/news/afrolatin/part2/index.html

Is Nappy another "N" word we shouldn't use?

2008-07-24T06:47:00.000-07:00

Say it loud I am black and I am proud 60's

Jherri curl kit the 80's

Minstrel Show Mammy

nap·py
Audio Help (nāp'ē) Pronunciation Key adj. nap·pi·er, nap·pi·est
Having a nap; fuzzy: a nappy carpet.
Often Offensive Tightly curled or coiled. Used of hair.

Look at the definition of nappy according to the American Heritage Dictionary. "Often Offensive" Wow, offensive to whom. .Why do some African Americans and others still cringe at the sight of natural hair? I don't have a problem with hair styles but I do have a problem with feelings of disgust that some may have for African Americans and anything that is inherently natural for us as people such as skin tone or shades of our skin and our naturally curly hair.For some people it may be a sign of rebellion instead of a natural god given pure place of origination. We constantly give people the right to define us and use their"special words" or not so special for us. "Nappy" that's not cute?In my opinion you cant make that word any more positive as some seem to think. It is just as offensive and is meant to insult you into taking some action toward fixing your "natural" hair. Remember you go for your retouch the stylist says "girl your hair is nappy". Translation : glad you here so we can fix it up. Is there a special word for straight? Oh sometimes we use the word silky for straight. Hmmm!

I was reading the latest post on Blaqkofi and she said something that grabbed my attention. I tend to be a scanner of blogs so as I was scanning I read "It's natural to be natural". That concept is liberating if you think about it.Then I started to think about how people write how they are happy to be nappy and refer to their hair as nappy but to many people nappy has a negative connotation. Well guess what I am happy to be natural. I have curly hair and not offensive hair. I don't have to explain my hair or my hair choices. I am not the hair police but if someone uses the "nappy word" when having a dialogue with me I will correct their terminology.

According to Marcus Garvey African Americans need to get the kinks out of their minds and not their head. Malcolm X , W. E. B Dubois , Cornell West and other scholars encouraged us to look at our beautiful black selves. It's natural to be great in school, it's natural to love your family, its natural to Love GOD our creator, it's natural to give to others and walk in love with the holy spirit, it's natural to be natural and that means loving everything about yourself flaws and all. A flaw can be a gift! Don't let others negativity define who you are because their definition will always be wrong. Just think of all the negative and wrong assumptions that are made daily about certain groups of people.

"Nappy" Offensive!! Huh!

What do you think?

DIY Retightening Locks

2008-07-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

I completed my retightening using my nappylocs tool. It took 3 days off and on. I used a total of 1 1/2 hours a day. I read on Dewdrops blog that she retightened every 4 weeks. I think that would work for me because I only had to make one rotation. However on a few I had to make several rotations using the 4 pt pattern. If you have the nappylocs book you know that there are more rotations such as the 6pt and the 8pt rotation. I noticed that my hairline is thinning. It might be chemical alopecia( permanent hair loss from use of relaxers).I know its not traction alopecia because I don't do the braids thing to the degree that it would pull my hair out by it's follicle. It's noticeable on the pictures but not in person unless you just staring at my head. I must admit however that when I took my sisterlocks out in Dec 2006 that the hair came out pretty bad. I was quite depressed because the hair and hair follicle or bulb did come out in some places. I was angry that my hair came completely out. I wondered if it would grow back the way it did before. It did but it was much thinner. I am pleased with the progress. I am learning patience.

My Lesson

I remember back in the day when there was this lady name Pink e on lock it up. She always referred to her hair as a "hot mess". I definitely internalized her hair issues and thought that my hair would never look right. I remember when Creyole joined lock it up then she was using her real name"L"... and I remember when Blaqkofi joined. I say this to let you know how long I have been trying to be patient with this hair thing. I was on lock it up daily reading every post. I think it was a gift and a curse. I say it was a gift because you could see the progress of others and it was a curse because then it gave you a point of reference for what your hair was not doing. "yeah we all know that every one is all different but that doesn't mean anything when you want your hair to look a certain way. The only pictures then were on the file and in peoples fotki . At any rate I was extremely dissatisfied and I thought well my hair is a hot mess too. However when I think back it wasn't. I let someones issue become mine. There were not blogs like knots and locks and doc locs or other women who had nice hair with relaxers.Mybe there were but by that time I had decided to take them out and removed my name from the list at lock at up. Sure their was Brunsli but she was mixed and didn't relate to her hair story.Her hair texture is different and if you have mixed friends like I do you know what I mean. This time around I don't read negative stuff and I don't let others hair experience determine what my end result is going to look like. Don't get it twisted I have my favorites and hope that my hair will be similar and then there are those that I say "hell" hope my hair don't look like that!

Penny's

Locked Jan. '08"

Work in progress

Website of the Week

2008-07-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

I have found this great website that offers hundreds of T-shirts with positive afrocentric messages and images in regards to natural hair or afrocentric culture. I have placed an order. I prefer the cap sleeve T-shirts they are form fitting.

http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/african-girls_womens-t-shirts

Essential Hair Products "for now"

2008-07-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

Penny's hair.
Sister's hair

These are the styling products that I use at the present time.

Picture 1: All the things I use to give my hair a curl and hair accessories. I use caruso not often locks not settled yet so I am leary of the steam because I am prone to slippage. I prefer sponge rollers (yes they are tight) and perm rods. I have flex rods but I don't use them. I gave them to my sister.

Picture 2: Vitamins that I take daily. Biotin is good for the hair and skin.

Picture 3: An overview of the products that I use, like shampoo biofusion rosemary mint (only a walgreens), Suave clarifying shampoo, sisterlock starter shampoo( I am almost out and won't get anymore), daily spritz, distilled water etc.. My sister uses Burt Bees "Grapefruit somethin somethin" and Neutrogena T-Gel.

Picture 4: Just a closer shot of my shampoo as mentioned earlier.

Picture 5: My Nappylocs book with my tools that I use to retighten. I retighten the back and hair line because I refuse to totally let my hair unravel. If I feel an issue with a lock I fix it. I have the small and medium tool. This month I will do my entire head. It's hard to get an appointment when I need it. http://www.nappylocs.com/

Picture 6: This is my daily spritz. One bottle is only distilled water good for waking up my hair in the morning and the other is my distilled water and rosemary essential oil spritz. I mix 2oz of distilled water with 30 to 40drops of rosemary essential oil. If you want you can use 30 drops of rosemary and 10 drops of cedarwood oil. Rosemary has a distinct fragrance. Sometimes I hope some bee don't think I am some big ol' flower and try to pollinate. My sister spritz with tea tree oil and distilled water.

Before the Sisterlocks

2008-07-06T11:38:00.001-07:00

This is me and my sister before the sisterlocks with lots of relaxed ends. I was transitioning then with big rollers.The top picture is me (Penny in Oct 31 of 07 and I put in my locks in Jan 08) I did this for 10 months. I am the proud parent of the pirate and the spider man on steroids. The bottom picture of my sister is her with freshly installed sisterlocks. Cute!!

I really have to get off these steroids that I take for my rheumatoid arthritis. I notice the weight gain in the pictures and it was a potential side effect. I see that the potential is a reality.

Website of the Week

2008-07-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

( I don't know who this model is but when I googled sisterlocks images tons of pictures came up. All of the major bloggers who have been blogging for some time and businesses etc.. I just love her hair and the color and her makeup and skin is flawless). That's what I want!!

***This is not her site(just a nice picture I like)

This web site below offers lots of useful information on locs. Click on various links to read about natural hair coloring(using henna which I will try), stages of locks, thinning locks, some information you will have to adjust according to the types of locks you have however I think there is good information for everyone on this site regardless of the type of locks that you may have. Lots of good Do's and Don'ts. Sisterlock users can't do and shouldn't do some of this stuff. Read it and use your judgement.

Great site with information you will want to read about hair loc'ing.(click the blog link or click the link that says "older website")

http://www.dreadconnection.faithweb.com/

Read "Healthy loc attitude" and " Loc Health"
http://members.lycos.co.uk/dreadconnection/newpage25.html

4th of July

2008-07-05T05:57:00.000-07:00

This Fourth of July we went to a different Fireworks show in the city. It wasn't as crowed as one of the spots that we usually go to in another part of town. My mom and new hubby drove across state lines to visit for the holiday! Ah newlyweds! We spent all day eating Bar-b-q and just eating, watching movies and the kids went swimming. As the evening dwindled on we drove out in all of the traffic and there was lots. We hiked from the car and found a nice spot on the hill and spread out blankets and foldable chairs. However the kids started begging for food so of course the men in group went to the closest fast food place that was walking distance and picked up popcorn chicken. They are used to Friday night picnics in the park. This summer there was a monthly summer concert series that we went to and we a picnic on every Friday during the month of June.

My sisterlocks big trim isn't so bad after all (today at least :) However I don't know if its just the relaxer on the ends or me, but I am prone to bunching still. Having a relaxer does have its issues but if you grin and bear it and take care of it the end results will be great! I literally have to pull them straight after I wash my hair. They draw up really bad. It's not pretty. As I pull it straight I can hear it crunching. Sometimes it will make a large ball that I have to straighten by pulling it straight and banding does not help me but I do it anyway to an extent. Then there are some that have curly open ends(my kitchen area) and a few other places that have no relaxer that I think was cut. I grew my hair out for over the 10 months before I put in my sisterlocks. I posted some pictures of my sister's hair so you can see her progress.She started with a relaxer too however she had a shorter style so the relaxed ends are not as dominat in her hair as they are in mine or were in mine. Her hair is really nice and full. My hair is more fine (straighter at the root)and hers is thicker. I like hers better of course. That's my problem I like everyone's hair more than mine. She has had her locks since Nov 2007!

The pictures of the stages really do help me!

Keep it natural !

YouTube - Locks Are Art

2008-07-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

YouTube - Locks Are Art

YouTube - Locks Are Beautiful

2008-07-01T17:07:00.000-07:00

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING ?

YouTube - Locks Are Beautiful

My new favorite thing is looking at locs on "You Tube" when the time permits. I am so ready to go back to work too much time on my hands during the summer. I like the song or poetry on the video( I love great poems with thought provoking topics in which the author uses great metaphors or similes to put a tag on social issues and make say you say hmmm! or maybe even laugh out loud because its a perspective that you may not have thought of before). Pay attention to the words and the models are Beautiful!! I just love You Tube. There are so many DIY on You Tube, and lots of cool before and after shots. After you have viewed the video link , click on to some of the other videos for a quick sample. You can also search for videos using "sisterlocks" as a search term. They're lots of them of to view if you want a change from the blog scene from time to time.

Maybe someone will upload a sisterlock video with music on "You Tube". I am sure Maryee has done one or others but I haven't located one.

Blocking a Blogger " I don't know you"

2008-06-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

The main idea of this post is to say" it doesn't matter how you start or how you maintain". The result will be the same. I find this whole dialogue to be rather silly and divisive to say the least.

Sophia stay off my blog. www.naturallysophia.blogspot.com

I saw your name in the traffic feed or link from or to on the side so I clicked it. What a shock? A post for me. By the way I didn't link you until just now because of the traffic and what they are reading. I came across your site by surfing the web and was intrigued by the title until I read the content. I just cut and pasted that excerpt 2 or more weeks ago when I read it and what someone said to you who didn't like the comment. That's why they have a comment section on every thing. Get a grip!No one knew it was you. At the end of the post I added your revised comments a couple of weeks later to your defense but of course you didn't read that. My site is for positive women trying to visualize the process of transitioning with sisterlocks with a relaxer. Period You are very negative in my opinion ( in regards to this issue) and this site is not for you . The definition of a snob-a person who believes himself or herself an expert or connoisseur in a given field and is condescending toward or disdainful of those who hold other opinions or have different tastes regarding this field. I did not call you a snob. You did. The post is somewhat snobbery by definition but that's neither here nor there and highly irrelevant at this point.The site has nothing to offer you(sophia) . I have no need or desire to offend anyone with any post that I will write nor will ever write. One of the major selling points in sisterlocks is that it is inclusive for all and not exclusive for some. Most salons that offer them state that " guess what you don't have to cut off your relaxer to get them"The debate about relaxers is so dead and rather silly. Most African American women have them and if you make them feel as if you have some superiority complex they will never want to share a new experience. However it's their choice. Who are you to put down anyone for anything? Do you and do you well. Find a new issue. "Relaxers anonymous" or something or "Free to be me sipping under a tree" or " I don't need an umbrella ella ella a" There are so many social injustices in the world so move on and be nice to people. We are put on this earth to be a blessing to others.

Phillippians 3:13
"Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before."

Sometimes we have to let go of certain things in our life, it could be a bad relationship, an argument , a bad job or even a stank attitude. Somethings hinder our growth and stop us from being the people that God wants us to be.My challenge to all is to let go of what is stopping you from being the best you that you can be. Don't let anyone's opinion discourage you. Think of all the people who told you what you couldn't do, shouldn't do, or how could you do. Somethings are tests for some future event. For me the journey has never been about hair. Its about Penny! Who am I? What am I in my spirit and in my essence? Not hair. My hair keeps my head warm ! One day it will be super cute when these locks do the dag gone thang. I have been natural , had a perm, been natural again, whatever and I am just tired of the perm thats all. No one was ever mean to me when I was natural nor did I have a growth problem. I am just me just like you are you. No one's experience is better than the next. Seriously, My spirit inside keeps me alive and always thankful for the tests no matter how much I protest. A little advice" the only one who truly cares about your opinion is you".

It's all good. Thanks for the link on your site Sophia. Someone who frequents yours might come to mine and read something or see something that they were curious about in regards to transformation from relaxed to sisterlocks and its many many many stages.

Hi Lisa and Tonya and Sha!!

It aint nothing but a Hair Thing

2008-06-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Well you know recently I have had a semi-chop of my permed ends. It felt like the big chop to me. I find that the short sisterlocks are high maintenance as well. I have to keep them curly. I spritz my hair with a distilled water and rosemary essential oil mixture(mostly water). I read that rosemary stimulates growth along with biotin. I bought some sponge rollers. I was going to get to get something called lock loops but I decided to hold off on that for a while. Yesterday we went to an indoor water park (http://www.greatwolflodge.com/ )and they held up pretty well. I was expecting all kinds of slippage especially after those trips down the various water slides and that wave pool. I attend a water fitness or aqua fit aerobics class at LA fitness 3 to 4 times a week but my hair doesn't get wet. It doesn't get wet because we are jogging in the water and doing all kinds of fun foolishness for a work out. The water is the resistance.If there is an LA Fitness in your area you can go to their website and print out a three day pass and try it out for free! The class is all women and there are no dudes lurking at you. Black women put all kinds of mess on their head so it won't get wet like jherri curl caps, wave caps, doo rags. even a walmart grocery bag.....oh and wigs.

The good thing is I do know how to re tighten my own hair from my last set of sisterlocks but haven't decided to do it yet. I may continue with my consultant until they are 8 months or so. Who knows? I do tighten a few every now and then especially at the hairline or as I feel some as I watch tv that are too loose.

I attempted to wash and braid out after all of the water activites.Hmmmm! Well I attempted thats all I have to say about that. This is the results of this look on the last two pictures. The rest of the pictures are basic sponge rollers. Those curls are tight.

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-06-19T08:10:00.001-07:00

The Big Trim

2008-06-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

Before and After ( The slide show above shows the pics with the new trim after I washed and curled it.)

I went in for my retightening this week after waiting about 7 weeks. I asked my consultant to trim my permed ends in the back because I noticed it was bunching. Wow! I got a full haircut. I wasn't expecting it and I didn't like it. I thought my locks were too short.I am not into short hair on me so I wasnt feeling it. I said I wasn't going to post any new pictures until it grew. My sister said it looked fine but I was not sure. I couldn't put it in a pony tail like before. The next day I washed it again to give it my own style. This is what I could come up with. I used my small caruso rollers. As you can see a lot of permed ends were cut off. I still have a lot left. Some of them don't have any perm at all. Personnally I think its too short. My face feels too big.

Well any way this is me and I have to get used to me. I have started a make over inside and out and its very hard sometimes. My consultant says that I need to learn patience and this locking process will teach me to embrace things that I cant change or rush. You see she installed them for me 3 years ago but on 1 year mark I took those bad boys out. This time I will follow through which is why I blog and take pictures so that I feel the process is moving along. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Locked Jan 19, 2008

Sisterlock Snobbery

2008-06-12T13:30:00.000-07:00

I read this on someone's blog. It is her blog but somethings are very negative. Sisterlocks, Braidlocks, Twistylocs, Nappylocs , Microlocs whatever..... and I am on no journey they are all the same to me. The only difference is the cost. I am transitioning from one to the next and for someone to say I shouldnt be able to get something because I have a perm is silly especially when their hair looks just like mine excluding the perm.

She called this Things I hate about sisterlocks.
3." I don't like the fact permies can get Sisterlocks. Having natural hair all my life and traditional locks before, I can definitely say, in my honest opinion, I feel everyone should have the luxury of feeling their natural hair before it's locked. It is a liberating experience and a wonderful way to get to know your own hair. I know that many would not have Sisterlocks if they had to cut their perm first, which I think is wonderful. I feel if you aren't ready to part with your perm, locks (of any sort) are not best for you. Permed locks is so counter intuitive

I love the response she got in her comments section and then she changed her tune.
This is the comment

While I agree with most of your points, I disagree with the one about people with perms shouldn't be allowed to get sisterlocks. One could say that you, with your natural hair texture, should never have gotten sisterlocks. Because quite honestly, your natural hair in sisterlocks looks just like what my relaxed hair (and natural hair on my crown) looks like.

And how can you throw out that blanket statement that people who start with perms don't know their natural hair!??!?! I know my natural hair extraordinarily well for someone who's had a perm for decades. And I know a lot of permed people who intimately know their various hair textures as well, many of whom decided to transition out of the chemicals.

As for people starting out with perms not wanting to part with their perms, I say this: people who decide to transition to natural hair obviously want to part with their perm! The way you state it is as though those who start with relaxed hair (me!) don't accept their natural hair, secretly want to keep chemically altering their hair, and therefore aren't ready to lock their hair. The only thing I wasn't ready to do was cut a substantial amount of my hair off in the middle of a Chicago winter.

Your comments about the perms really rubs me the wrong way, ESPECIALLY since (if I remember correctly from reading your blog a while ago) you've never had chemically altered hair! Your opposition to permies getting sisterlocks is laughable since that's what your comment about the perms sounds like: sisterlock snobbery. And you can't stand sisterlock snobbery according to your blog.And because you've never permanently altered your texture, your opinion reeks even more so of the "house negro/field negro" thoughts of the past - in other words, very divisive and tainted with superiority.

But it's your blog and your opinions and you're entitled to have them. I just hope that I gave you some food for thought from the mind of a person with relaxed ends. And that I wasn't too harsh.

Also, " " your comments about the permed ends: you say that people with them will realize they don't look good and cut them off. The goal of transitioning is to get rid of the permed hair while not drastically changing your look. But honestly, I can count on two fingers, the number of people with sisterlocks with all natural hair that looked good in the beginning months. The rest don't. And I've seen at least a hundred photos. (trust me when I say I did my research) But I can totally see what you mean when it comes with people who keep substantial amounts of relaxed hair for too long. I'm at 1 month and already trying to find out if I can start chopping a good portion off.

However in the bloggers defense she did have a series of her own of opinions a week later or whenever about things she likes about sisterlocks...... she mentioned

"I love how having Sisterlocks has been a catalyst to being natural for many sisters that would have not contemplated locs or natural hair with any other method. One sister blogger, e-mailed me on how great Sisterlocks has been in easing her transition from relaxer. I honestly never thought of it that way before, myself never having had a relaxer."

(read current post regarding this old issue at the top of this blog or link blocking a blogger dated June 30th)

Yes you can!

2008-06-04T17:48:00.000-07:00

Yes you can! You can do anything if you try. You can make it through your trials but your trials will just make you strong. You can do anything yes you can!!

Donnie McClurkin

As I listened to Obama last night thats what I told my boys. You can do anything! Dream big! "Wow the audacity of hope and the power in the name Jesus!

Tagged ??? I'm it !! Say what?

2008-06-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

I've been Tagged by Journeii and Kandgoods who are dead wrong for doing this to me because now I have to respond. :) http://www.journeii.blogspot.com/ http://www.kandgoods.blogspot.com/ The rules: (1) Link to the person that tagged you. (2) Post the rules on your blog. (3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. (4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. (5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their 1.) I am 30 something which translates to over 35. I have two boys one that is nine and the other who is five. You have seen their pictures on the site. They are my babies. 2.) I have made procrastination an art form. Please any advice on this would greatly be appreciated. But be warned any advice that is given will be tried at a later date because for me there is always tommorrow. 3.) Believe it or not but I am very shy!! I am introverted and very sensitive.My friends would read this and say girl please. 4.) I eat the same things for lunch everyday. I don't vary! That's a bad quirk I know. I worry about getting sick at work from something I ate. So I only eat hickory smoked tuna or those $0.99 dinners one entre"shrimp and pasta alfredo. Thats it. No I don't try others cuz thats the one I like and I hate to waste my money on a bad meal. I know its a $1.00 but its my lil dollar.( so you know after work I'm starving and I binge you see thats why I am getting curvier.....denial 5.) I over analyze too much!! I need to chill out and go and do some kid stuff. It's hard out here for a single mom/ whatever I got going on with you know who!@#$$%. Ok I gotta tag 6 people. Hmmm!! I will think .... 4 is the best I can do I hope they haven't been tagged yet. http://www.danilocks.blogspot.com/ http://www.docslocs.blogspot.com/ http://www.goingallnatural.blogspot.com/ http://www.lovinmylocs.blogspot.com/

***My sister says I am like a tourist now because I am constantly traveling with this camera. ....

Styling with Permed Ends

2008-06-01T09:06:00.001-07:00

Styling With Permed Ends

2008-06-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

Some people may think that having permed ends will be extremely difficult. Well its not to me. Just think of micro braids with the ends unraveled. However you can't comb your ends out. I finger comb my ends and don't worry about the bunching. There is dryness and some breakage in the middle but it is camouflaged well within the hairstyle. To me it's hard and dry to a degree but I wouldn't dare put conditioner in my hair at this point. I try to focus on the end results. The blog helps me deal with the stages. I had my locks installed for the second time in January "08" and my sister in Nov "07. We both had nice heads hair with a perm. I had sister locks before as I have stated and I was constantly comparing it to others. This time I decided to blog so I can have a personal pictorial of my progress. I wish I would have done it before but when you know better you do better. This would have been my 3rd year being locked instead of months.

I won't cut my ends prematurely like I did the first time. I felt the pressure to be totally natural but that's my choice. I want it fall off or break off or gradually be cut off. I say to those of you that are worried about the breakage just don't sweat it. I am sure it looks good. I have some locks with lots of perm and some with none at all and some with an inch of perm. Oh well!! People still look and whisper cause they are trying to figure out what the heck new do is that but they would rather whisper loudly like I am deaf or something. I always look at them like "yeah I can hear you".

Styled with Caruso rollers!!

Mom's Wedding Day

2008-05-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

My mom got married over the weekend in Louisana! My sister flew and I drove with the boys. I need not say more if you have ever taken a car trip with kids just sigh with me( ahhhh) and feel my pain!!!

Back to the wedding....It was wonderful ceremony. It was small and intimate. She and the groom only invited a few of their close friends and family. My sister and I decorated her townhouse according to what my mom said she wanted and helped to calm her lil' nerves. My mom wore a gold or champange colored beautiful dress and a nice dressy shrug with gold beading. She wanted to do her own hair. It was nice and bouncy and gray . (Yes its her hair) The food was a array of appetizers, meat trays, fruit trays, tea sandwiches , cake etc.... Gee whiz!! Brides!! I am glad she wasn't a bridezilla but she sure was worrying us to get downstairs in a hurry before guests began to arrive. I began to worry as the guests started to trickle in because I feared that her intimate lil affair was getting too big. Anyway everything went as planned.

I guess I can keep hope alive in the relationship department!! One day I might meet someone .

Enough of that.... I know one thing. I am chubby as heck I prefer to use the term chubby not FAT. Well women always think they are fat. That's it. I am going on a diet. Those steriods that I take are killing the body.

My sisterlocks looked ok. I can't style them too much. I have relaxed ends so I must maintain a polished look with my hair otherwise it will look messy and stringy. Basically my sister and both lightly spritzed our hair and rolled them an hour before the event and they were done. I used medium perm rods and she used flex rods. I want to try setting lotion but I am not sure about how it will work. I am thinking major slippage. Who knows?

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-05-21T17:08:00.001-07:00

Gotta Love "em"

2008-05-18T05:53:00.000-07:00

If you love sports you will love arena football. If you don't love sports you will love arena football. I personally am not a die hard sports fan but I love arena football. The game is fast paced and exciting and you never know who will win. I mean really 10 seconds in arena bowl is a long time. I swear it makes me nervous just attending the game. I went to game with my sister because Jermaine Jones #7 is our favorite player and the best defensive line specialist in the game. I am biased because we are related. This week we played the cheating Rattlers and lost within the last 3 seconds. The faces on the fans faces were one of confusion and bewilderment. I was like "did this just happen". We will go all the way this year. Go Desperados!!!! We gonna shut em down!!!

Two More Pictures

2008-04-27T16:12:00.000-07:00

In the future my pictures will be much cuter I hope. I was rushing to put pics on the blog. This is a picture of my little babies. We are at the Aquarium. You can see my locks in the picture and this is how I wear them most of the time.

My First Blog

2008-04-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at creating an online journal. I will use this blog to update the sisterlock community of my progress. I want to show others who start with a perm what things will really be like. This is my second attempt at sisterlocks. I tried about 2 1/2 years ago but I wasn't feeling it. I compared myself to the many other blogs out there and wanted mine to look like theirs however it was not the case. Well this is my photo history. I am a little more confident with the look the now. It's cool cause I talked my sister into getting locks with me so I have a partner. I hope this helps others with the frustration.

Locked on Jan. 26, 2008

3 months locked