Till Next Year...

I have considered on several occasion removing my blog because I have a Fotki where I post my pics. I am still considering it. I will leave it be for the moment.

This has been a very progressive and productive year for me and my family. I have been promoted @ work (with nappy hair), I have gotten through another stage of my lock journey and I have endured a full case load as a student (will be finished in spring)among other achievements....

I am on the cusp of my four year nappyversary and my two year lockversary. Going back to when I did my BC for the last time (because I'd been natural off and on for many years) I absolutely knew I would lock again after having been lock previously for five years. It was only a matter of time. When the time drew near, it came down to a matter of what method I would choose to lock again. I was really in love with the thought of Sisterlocks, and even made an appointment for a consultation. After doing more research and checking around blogs and fotki's (via nappturality), I ran into the concept of braidlocks. I am soooo happy I ran across blogs such as TRA's and cheleski's to name a few, which gave me the encouragement I needed to go on a start on my own.

I look forward to what is ahead and encourage all to "except your own and be yourself." For me that translates to staying black, nappy and real. We all have our own journeys to take. No two are a-like so embrace what you are faced with because it was specifically designed just for you!

Here's to accepting the future and learning from the past.

Peace and Blessings!

Braidlocks

Transformation

"Texture and Tones" (for chels)

I have been using the same hair color since I can't remember. Even before I returned napptural I used this product.It's Clairol's Texture & Tones. I have never in all my years of using this product experienced any problems with it. Some folks experience excessive dryness but I have not noticed that most likely because I deep condition on a regular basis any way. My experience was, when I colored for the first time, I didn't get the color I currently have. As I continued to dye, the color became more and more evident. I also think that the type of shampoo(clarifying) I use probably has something to do with some of the color becoming lighter, along with sunlight exposure. Because I don't color on a schedule or regular basis, I end up with variations in the color. The streaks or "high-lights" are a result of simply uneven coloring. I purposely stopped coloring the very back of my locks for contrast. That is the only thing that I have manipulated in the process.

Before applying the dye, I use old fashion vaseline around my edges and sometimes a put a small bit on my scalp because I hate the look of a dyed scalp. The vaseline helps to protect my fragile hairline and keeps it from dying to bright. After the vaseline application, I mix then apply the color with gloved hands. All I do is squeeze a bit onto my fingers and apply to my locks. I always focus in the base area close to the scalp since this is where the dye is needed.

After letting the dye sit, per the recommended time on the instructions, I rinse very thoroughly several times and then I proceed to wash... very thoroughly, several times. After a good wash, I proceed to deep condition for an hour or more to restore and moisture lost from coloring, and then every week after.

Some people experiment with different products and "boosters" to lighten the color. Personally, I stick to what works. I wouldn't dream of switching products. Once I have found something that works, I am very loyal to it. And as far as the color booster goes, to each his own. I'm not knocking it, but I won't do it.

Some folks feel like it is "anti-natural" to color. Eh... get off your high horse and live a little! Others claim that coloring changes your hair texture. It may for some depending on the product, but my uncolored hair is the same texture as my colored hair.

Have fun if you decide to color but be careful and take the necessary precautions.

Good luck! ;-)

Issues

As you can see, I definitely can't keep an every day log of my fitness journey. Waaayy too much to do in a day. Short up-date: I have been paying better attention to my daily diet. I have had weaknesses of course because right-out-of-the-oven cookies are the devil (and my weakness)! I have been doing a great job at the grocery store as of late, but I had a breakdown this weekend. My daughter asked why I hadn't purchased any more cookies in a while and I used that as an excuse to pick some up. Well.. at least I didn't lie to myself and say I wasn't going to eat any ;-)

I don't always have time to make it to the gym so I make the best of what is around me. Again, I always opt for stairs instead of elevators and I continue to park further away at work and stores. I push myself more when i get lazy with small things like taking things up and down the steps at home when I usually call my son to help or taking carts back at the store parking lot when I think it's too far a walk... I think those extra steps make a difference. Especially when it's done on a regular.

In other (random) news, I had an epiphany. I have far too many bras in my drawer with one wire. Seriously. I mentioned a while back that I am very thrifty so yes, I am one of those ladies who buys cheap (not too cheap but cheap enough)bras. Well no more! Besides being a waste of money, after looking at my collection of one-wired bras I realized that I deserved better. Come this weekend I am going to high-tail it to a store to find me some really nice, quality brassieres! Because I'm worth it! ;-)

I am honelsty at this very moment suppose to be doing a home-work assignment. I am very easlity distracted and sometimes have a great deal of trouble gettign started. Once I do get started, I'm on a role and hate to be bothered until I'm done. It gets pretty intense. The family knows not to bother me when I am in the middle of an essay or any assignment for that matter. Every one is very helpful and has been from the start. I am looking very foward to this up-coming winter break from school. I need it and my family needs it.

Whats that you say? What about my locks? Nothing new under the sun. But here are a couple pics:

3+6=9

I will be 36 this month... What significance does the number 9 have?

Support

Day 3

I haven't decided if I am actually going to post every day but I am inspired to for now. I did not make it to the gym today but I made the most of what I had available. I parked further away in the parking lot at work and didn't take the elevator one time. And... I managed to stay away from that dreaded vending machine!

Yesterday, I went to the store to purchase food that I can snack on at work and fix for lunch. Anything that keeps me out of restaurants kitchen is a good thing. Besides, I love my own cooking. I just get lazy sometimes because the type of food I cook takes prep time (w/veges and all). Although I have started to purchase a few frozen veggies in an effort to maximize the time I have available.


While at work, I usually succumb to who ever is ordering lunch. Today since I cooked for myself, others asked all types of questions so I indulged them and told them what I was trying to accomplish, stressing that I am NOT on a diet. A good thing happened when I shared, a couple folks wanted to join in with me! Cool! I can always use support. Having folks around me that has similar goals my just help me stay on track on the days that I feel blah (or it may turn on me and they will get on my nerves). I'm open.. for now ;-)

I figured maybe I should weigh myself... What do you think? I do know that it would prolly be a good idea to start counting calories.

Day 2

Sundays are usually busy with chores and homework. I usually lay back much like Saturdays until the afternoon. Today I got out of the bed at around 9, stretched and headed for the vehicle to go to the gym. Wait! Stop the presses! I couldn't find my MP3 player. I had just downloaded new music to work out to yesterday so it couldn't have gone too far. I was determined not to leave without it.

Music helps the time pass by for me so I am focused and on point. it also serves as motivation for me. Alas... I finally located it and off I went. Today I hit the tread for 30 min again just to pace myself. I was sure to use the incline after 15 min. Boy, could I feel it. Afterwards, I used the weights again and did 20 reps on each machine. I found out that my weakest area is my arms, poor things. I didn't even care that folks where gawking while I attempted to lift x amount of pounds. (you didn't think I would give a number did u?) LOL

I am a bit concerned with tomorrow because the busy week starts. I have to find a way to carve out time to focus for at least 30 min to work out. I plan to increase my work out time in the future. For now I am working on getting my body back used to regular physical work outs. Off to fix a bowl of my fav; brown rice, tofu and broccoli.