At Last....An Update

Hi alll! More to come...

Me and My Sisterlocks During the Past 8 Months....

Rather than make excuses as to why I have not posted for so long...(because I know none of the reasons are foreign to any one of you...yet you still find time to post...which is precisely why I won't give any excuses...ahh the guilt, the guilt!) ...I thought, instead, I would just provide a brief synopsis touching on a few of the main points... I do also want to take a moment to thank everyone who dropped me a line to check on me during my absence from the blog world. It feels good to know my blog has helped sisters like me! This post is for y'all!

Since my last post...In order of occurrence...

1. The pre-occupation I spoke of in my January post was due to my second pregnancy. Yes, the Lord blessed us with another beautiful child (who I'll call 'Cupcake' - her Nana's pet name for her) in May. Pregnancy for me was more fun and easier the second time around, but I was still lazy!

A very pregnant me (above) and again w/ my DH at a wedding.

Introducing:

Cupcake

2. My family's strength, courage, and faith were tested when two men, driving on the wrong side of a twisty country road one Wednesday afternoon, met my mother-in-law and my son almost head on in a collision that left the driver of the other vehicle dead, my mother-in-law with extensive serious injuries and my son with (thank you Lord) a small fracture to his left tibia-fibula. I was 8 months along into my pregnancy. My son, JEGM, is now fine...the leg healed nicely...after a 6 week stint in a full leg cast! Nothing nice about sponge bathing a toddler for 6 weeks! To give an idea of how serious mama's injuries were, I went on maternity leave the next month (after the accident) for 12 weeks, and when I returned to work, she was still in the hospital. She is still unable to walk right now, but she is a fighter and continues with physical therapy twice a week. We all pray to see her walk again soon.

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JEGM and his cast just before they took it off...obviously he was really looking forward to the moment when he would finally rid himself of that dead weight!

3. I was able to sneak away to have some much needed maintenance done to my hair...I had my locs cut - Which now OFFICIALLY marks the END OF MY PERMED ENDS - Hallelujah!!! And I finally got some color with highlights.

(First two shots are just before hair appt.)

Post color & trim... This was yet another lazy day...had my hair up in a clip because I just didn't feel like doing much in the way of styling...ahh...the beauty and convenience of Sisterlocks!! Doesn't sound very eventful does it? Well, add being a Mommy who's needed 24/7 all over again and this is what you get....no time....or very little time

New Year Update

Well, best laid plans...eh? I tried very hard to keep a schedule for posting new posts with updated pics, but alas, I have failed miserably. Well, suffice it to say I have been very pre-occupied lately...more on that later. Just a quick post to say hello and I plan to update my blog with some recent pics of my hair growth. As I venture into this, my 2 year milestone year of blessed Sisterlock'dum, I am so at peace and loving my hair! I am truly blessed, and have much to be thankful for in this new year!

I Spoke to Dr. Cornwell!!!

There I was, at work, near the end of my day - I had reminded myself that I needed to call the Sisterlock order line to place an order for a spare clip tool (My consultant had urged me to order a spare tool in the event that I happen to lose or misplace the tool I received during the retightening class). I called, left my request with the answering service, along with my contact phone in hopes of getting a speedy call back with instructions for placing my order. Around 5pm, I received a call back. The lady on the other end was sweet. I could tell that she was relatively new at the order taking task, but she was very helpful and accommodating, nonetheless. I provided the reason for my initial call: I wanted to purchase two clip tools. I told her that I had completed the Sisterlocks Retightening course back in February and could provide my documentation per request. She asked me to hold for a moment, and I could hear her asking someone near her about my request. That's when a new voice spoke through the phone: 'Hello, this is Dr. Cornwell, how are you?' Dead silence. 'Hello?' she said again. I was rendered momentarily speechless. 'Excuse me?’ I said. Then it actually hit me...I am talking to Dr. JoAnne Cornwell! 'Oh my goodness, I, I'm so sorry, I just realized what you said! I am so surprised and thrilled to talk with you, Dr. Cornwell!' Of course, I went on to share with her my complete and utter adoration for her and the wonderful technique she created to be shared with so many sisters. She was so gracious and kind. I was so thrilled! She went on to say that she wanted to talk to me to be sure that I did take the course - she said that they are trying to become a bit more stringent on tool orders - I imagine many attempt to order the tool never having taken the course. I promptly thanked her one final time, and let her go. I was grinning from ear to ear as I collected my things for my quick exit home. My co-workers told me I looked like a kid who was just given a handful of candy. Without explaining too much (primarily because I knew they wouldn't understand the reason for my excitement) I replied that I just had a very good call and received some good news and in a flash I was out. Now, I'm sure I sound like the biggest dweeb, but I have always wanted to meet Dr. Cornwell (and still plan to). Seeing the pictures from her visit to the DFW area on Blaqkofi's blog, and many others, got me to thinking how I would love to meet her someday and give her a great big hug and tell her ‘Thank You’ to her face! So, for now, I will revel in my brief, chance phone call with Dr. Cornwell. What a treat!

I'm Free!!!

Ok, so it’s been quite a while since my last ‘true’ post (oh the shame…I’m so ashamed) so let me start with a post that I have been meaning to do for months now…

I took the retightening class back in February ’07. I must say that I have felt liberated and empowered with my locs ever since. While I adore my consultant, it was a 2 ½ hour trek every 5 weeks for my retightening…that became old very quickly. I do, however, plan to visit her at least once a year for a check-up and possibly a grooming. For now, I'm just glad to be free!! I find myself retightening locks on a whim, these days. I need to be careful though, because I'm beginning to have locs all over that are at different stages....some are ready to be retightened, some are definitely in need, while others are not. Kinda a pain to search for the 'next potential loc to tighten'...but anyway...I digress...Oh, speaking of grooming, can anyone tell me what exactly I can plan to expect from a grooming session? I’m thinking that she will trim excess hair around each lock and maybe combine any tiny or weak locks? I’m sure I’m missing some things. Is it worth the $$$? Help?!

The first few times I attempted self-retightening, it literally took me 1 week for me to complete my head. I stopped frequently because my arms got ridiculously sore. Also, I kept getting confused with the direction I needed to point the tool, based on the side of my head I was working on….needless to say, it was very daunting at first. Several months I contemplated giving my consultant a call and telling her that I gave up and please help! But I know she would have encouraged me to finish on my own, so I forged on. Now, I am happy to report that my retightenings take about 2 days, with me working off and on both Saturdays and Sundays. I typically can finish before work on Monday if I start Saturday morning. My goal, of course is to get within 1 day, preferably about 3-5 hours would be ideal. I’ve made a slide show after some of the first ‘self sessions’.

The pics below are random pics taken pretty recently…some as recent as last week during my visit to my sister’s (went to the beach). In the picture of me and my son sitting down on the beach, I hope you can see some of the texture I’m getting with my locs. It’s kinda blurry because I got my camera wet, and I believe it was trying to fade away (it’s off being repaired now) I was proud of this pic. It’s one of the few times I’ve worn my hair up (it’s just now beginning to be long enough on the sides…still no go on the back up-dos yet…that reminds me of my next post….my kitchen…still to come).

Yes, I am alive....and I've been Tagged!

Shame, shame on me for being out of touch for so long. I know when I say that I've been super busy with work, home maintenance, and family most everyone will say...and?? for I'm sure that many of you have many of the same juggling acts to do and much more! So, I wish I could claim another reason, but alas, I must say that my juggling has left very little room for blogging. However, I have made myself a promise that I will post at LEAST once a month (though I'm shooting for 2 - 3 times p/month). I also commit to visiting more sites and commenting as much as possible. I have much to share with you guys and have missed everyone. I can't wait to catch up on my blog reading!! Well, here's my start...

Thanks Jen and Cashana, for tagging me! I had begun to think no one cared! lol! ;-)) Jen, I must say, the most recent pic you have on the LHBE is phenomenal! You look beautiful and so do your locs!!

1. I’m a lefty. [I'm an underwriter, by the way. See link.] Growing up in a household with all right handed people (4), it has always baffled me that I stuck to my left handed ways. I believe I am a bit mixed up though, I must say...when I played softball as a kid, I batted right-handed, and I wear my watch on my left arm...as most right-handed people do. I love being left-handed though...makes me feel special. Shout out to all of the lefties out there! ;-)

2. I make jewelry in my spare time. (hah! whenever THAT is ;-)) ) I have developed a true fondness for the craft and enjoy the way it allows me to broaden my accessory collection. I can wear a different color/style every day (although, I don’t…haven’t made myself sit in one place long enough.) I’ll have to do a post about my hobby.

3. I’m originally from up north (Detroit, MI by way of Scranton, PA). I ventured down south to attend college (college-A, college-B) and haven’t been back since (except to visit). I love the HEAT!

4. I absolutely LOVE to eat. But not just any food, I love delicious foods…Italian, Cajun, Japanese, and of course Soul Food, to name a few. I love going to new places and trying new twists on some of my favorites. My friends say that I am very…let’s say…passionate about my food. I’ve been accused of ‘making out’ with my food on occasion! ;-)

5. I love movies, theatre, opera, and ballet. I don’t get the opportunity to do the latter (3) as much as I would like, but hey…I guess that’s just more that I have to look forward to. I am absolutely sick that I wasn’t able to go to NYC for The Color Purple.

6. My dream and goal is to be an entrepreneur and to be able to provide a legacy for my children and their children’s children. (Although, at the moment, we’re only on child one, we’re hoping to expand sometime in the near future).

7. I am so Proud to have Sisterlocks! What a great network of people it allows me to be in touch with!

Next up??...Let's see...how about Chocolocs, Ama Alisa, Ree-C, Shaun, Roxy, Moosiko, and GIgirl! (I tried to find people who haven't recently given 'tagged' responses...my apologies if you've responded before. If you have, will you comment me a link to them? Thx!!

I'll be posting tomorrow as well...it will have pics included....;-)

Half of One!

Happy New Year to all!! Here I am at a half year mark with my Sisterlocks. I 'finally' got a new camera, so I was anxious to try it out. Notice anything different? Well, I got my ends chopped off. And though it was just about an inch or so, it feels as though I have no hair left! I knew this day would come so I've been trying to prepare myself...it's not so bad. I guess you just get used to having your hair...you know? I ought to be jumping for joy that I am rid of that much more of the dreadful permed ends...in fact...Halleluiah!

For some reason, I thought I would be springing to the closest beauty supply store in search of oils / moisturizers to put in my hair at the turn of my 6 months (being sisterlocked). Quite the contrary, I'm proud to announce. About the only thing I'm anxious to do is find a good conditioner, because I do feel that it is important to keep the hair conditioned. So, I am on the hunt for a reasonably priced and effective conditioner. I've seen many of you sisterlocked sistahs blog about various moisturizers/conditioners/shampoos, so I will be visiting to read feedback to help in my search. However, if anyone has any recommendations that are high on your list, please leave me a comment about it? Thanks!

I cannot wait for the short locks on the sides and in the back to grow in. I'll have to blog about the condition of my kitchen....it currently leaves much to be desired. Seems like its taking those little baby locks Forever to lock! Anywho, I can tell that my locks are beginning to go through the expanding phase....they look rather puffy these days. It's all good, though, I'm enjoying every step and every phase I go through with my locks. It's all worth it!