Lock Venture

2011-02-26T14:01:00.003-05:00

My God! I didn't realize that I hadn't posted to this blog for almost 2 years. In 2 weeks I will be locked for 5 years. YES, I still have them. Many who started this journey before and even after have chosen to cut their locks. And that's ok. This is just my opinion but, there seems to have been a trend. When people, particularly famous singers and actors grew locks so did regular folks. When these famous folks cut theirs so did regular folks. Again that's ok. Wherever you are on your journey be blessed. I'm still enjoying lockdom. I'm not much into blogging about them as I was when they were babes or teens. I still have no desire to be permed. IF i did cut them I would probably wear 2 strand twist. I love the feel of naturally coily hair.I've had the colored 2 times in 5 years. I'm still pretty much a minimalist don't do too much other than washing, conditioning occasionally and I still clarify with baking soda and a few drops of lavender oil in a pitch of warm water after washing. Refreshing. I haven't been doing much since I began my lock journey. I moved to Maryland about 5 months after I locked my hair and I hope that this will be the year that I move back home to Texas or somewhere in the South. As you all know this economy ain't no joke and finding a teaching job isn't as easy as it used to be. I have picked up a new hobby/love about a year ago. I started learning the bass guitar and I love picking it up and learning something new every time I do. If any of you fellow lockers out there play bass, hook a sista up with a few fret board tips.
Hopefully, I'll post pictures for my 5 year anniversary. But there are so many beautifully locked heads of hair to look at and I encourage you to enjoy them all.

2009-03-13T18:48:00.005-05:00

(slide your mouse over picture for caption)This is the date (3/13/06) that my locks were made. I will continue to rejoice and be glad with them. My locks have gotten longer since last year. This is the first time that I've considered them to be long.I have really downsized my maintenance routine. I seldom use shampoo these days but, I still use it sparingly and of course diluted. Since reading on Nappturality about the baking soda wash/rinse, I tried this and I'm hooked. This is what I do. I put a shake or so of baking soda in a pitcher. I fill this about 1/2 way with warm water and add 5 or so drops of my favorite essential oil;which is currently peppermint or spearmint. If I feel like it, I fill the pitcher the rest of the way with water.Whether I wash with shampoo first or not I pour this all over my locks and voila. I get clean and soft locks. I'm still brushing my locks on a continous basis and still using the sharpie or permanent marker to camouflage the clean lint. And... (drum roll please) I've become a DIYer for retightening my locks. I was gonna take the class Nov' 08 but they cancelled and never rescheduled a new class. I had already gotten a Bratz doll head from a thrift store and ordered the NappyLocks kit. I'd been practicing before they cancelled and when they did I realized that I was a the mercy of others to teach me things. So, in anticipation of the class coming in January I had already told my Certified Sisterlocks Consultant that I'd be going out on my own. My last professsional retightening was 1/7/09. I have made a few mistakes with my locks. I've combined some by mistake but it's all good. Also, as I was checking out my own head, I realized that several of my Sisterlocks had matured too small for my tastes so I've been combining some on purpose. I really like the Nappylocks tool and I've tried the hair pin tape on the end self created tool. But, I like the Nappylock tool better. One of my coworkers bought me one of the small plastic crochet/knitting needles but I havent used it yet. Sometimes that Nappylock tool can get away from you.I waited 2 months before I retightened my entire head. It took me about a week. I am not on part patrol meaning that I don't part my head in perfect rows to retighten. I just make sure that locks are clipped out of the way. I'm seriously thinking of having my locks combined to make them all larger. Who knew that the very thing that I loved about Sisterlocks when I got them 3 years ago (small and skinny locks) would be the thing I want to change about them. So, those of you who have just gotten or will soon get your Sisterlocks be aware that they can and do mature sometimes very, very skinny like angel hair pasta small. Why? That's just how they be. I haven't fully made up my mind to do this but I have been thinking about it alot. I'm trying to decide if I will two strand twist them or combine them with the Nappylocks tool or sew them. Check out my pics. I have already sewn a few together. I think I would like for my locks to be about the size of a pencil all over. One thing I've discovered is that I absolutely hate the freshly manicured, scalp showing look so that's why I've chosen to latch every 2 months. Guess what? I'm even thinking that if I decided to make my locks bigger that I might become a freeformer or a semi-freeformer and only latch 1-2 times per year. Sisterlocks have afforded me a lot of freedom but I think I'm ready for the kind of freedom of not so manicured so often locks.Do I still love having locks? Yep I'm just contemplating a different kind. I guess some of you may say that I don't have Sisterlocks anymore because I use the Nappylock tool. Well, that's your PREROGATIVE! One thing that I know without a doubt is that no matter what method you use TIME and only TIME will give you locks aka dreadlocks. Nothing will make them locks faster or grow longer but TIME.Till next time stay nappy and happy. Ciao.

2008-09-13T19:22:00.008-05:00

Hello Fellow Lockers. Yea, it's been a minute since I posted but like Ledisi says "It's Alright." Since the end of April I've been faithfully walking about a minimum of about 4 miles daily and I've slimmed down. My desire has been to lose weight to get healthy, get off of high blood pressure medicine and to avoid getting on cholestorol medication. I'm feeling good "and it's alright!" A new school year has started and I'm back in the classroom "but it's alright." 5 months ago I started massaging my temple area with Amla oil faithfully at nite before bed. I haven't grown an afro but my temple area has really filled in. Check out my previous post about this and dare to compare. The hair is flourishing and growin like weeds. My locks have hit my back y'all. It's so freaky. Sometimes I'm sitting or walking and I'll feel somethin creeping on my shoulders or bak. I jerk like a crack fiend and attenpt to knock it off only to realize I look like a fool and it's my hair that's touchin me. I'm constantly pushing then out of my face and I find myself doin the white girl. Yea, that's right. I'm now a full fledged member of the jerk your head to move your hair club. Do you see the picture where I'm hold the lock out in the front? Children, that section of hair would NEVA grown when I was permed. In fact in was so short that when I got a fresh perm I was ashamed because it was so short and sparse in that area it made me look like I was balding. I use to comb longer hairs over it to hide. But, praiz God those days are gone! Let me share a few things that I've been doing and I believe it's havin a positive impact on my hair. For the past couple of months I've been doing conditioner washes and my locks love it. I don't know about you but my hair bends to the dry side after washing. I've tried several shampoos suggested by those with locks such as the Fantasia Tea Tree, The Sisterlocks line of course, Suave and as I've previously posted I've used and I like the Organix brand. Recently, I was on www.nappturality.com and on Youtube and several sisters had raved about doing a deep conditioning. So this is what I've been doing. I pour 3-4 squeezes of Organix coconut conditioner into a wide mouth bottle. To this I add a little honey, Olive oil (which I added about 25-30 drops of sweet orange essential oil) and castor oil. I let this sit under the hot water so that the ingredients warm and melt together. I shake vigorously and apply to my hair. I apply a plastic shower cap and I also put a plastic grocery bag on top of this. I let this stay on my hair overnite while I sleep. I get up and wash it out and rinse for my usual 10 minutes. While my hair is wet, after taking off my microfiber towel, I apply generous amounts of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil infused with sweet orange eo to different sections of my hair. Then I plait it and let it air dry for crinkly volume. Children if I tell you this has made a difference in my locks being way less dry and lite and feathery you betta believe me. Today for my 2.5 year anniversary I decided to use the same conditioner, about 3 squirts in a separate bottle and I diluted with distilled water. I washed, rinsed for 10 minutes and repeated with the oil. I must keep repeating, MY LOCKS ARE NOT DRY! And another plus that's been happening and I don't know if it's because of the conditioner concoction or if it's because I religiously rinse for ten minutes or because of another new thing I been doing for 3 months (BRUSHING MY LOCKS). Whichever it is I want you to look at the pictures of my bakof deneck loks and notice that my build up is vanishing. This alone has me jumpin for joy. Like many of you who've struggled with buildup, I've tried the ACV rinses and clarifying shampoos to no avail. I'll try to post side by side pics for comparison, but check out my previous post about my buildup problems. I'm not a frequent washer. I wash every 2 weeks. Now let me tell you all about brushing locks. Children, brushing your locks is DA TRUTH! I brush with a medium boar bristle brush that I got from Sally's for $2.99. I do this once a month or every 3 weeks. I section my hair and brush in between each and every row. Then I collect my locks in hands and brush the ends. Afterwards my locks are soooooo soft and lite as a feather. I move my head ever so slightly and the locks move as if the wind has come into my house. Try this children! According to some of the lockers on Nappturality it helps to remove lint and buildup and promotes distribution of our hairs oil. I just know that my locks have improved since I've been doing this and you might think I'm lying but when I brush my locks, they say oooooh, I like that. (lol) One last new thing I've been doin that I wanna tell ya about. Sumtimes I don't feel like braidin/plaitin or rollin my hair so when I get tired of freestylin, I tie the ends of my locks in a knot. I've always done this when my hair is dry but it can be done while wet. I've done this all over or just on a few locks. If you tie it just right at the end of the lock you can just pull on it and it releases. It causes no stress on the hair. This produces a bend/curl at the end of your locks. Whoda thunk that we as black people can do soooo many creative things with our hair without using chemicals, heat, curling irons or rollers to get our hair to curl. Not let me tell about the not so good things that have been happening with my hair. I lost 2 mature baka de neck locks. At first my jaw dropped and I had the why ? in my mind. But, I mourned them and put them in my purse for future use of course. In the front my consultant has had to combine a real skinnyloc with another and I now have a two headed lock. I've wondered if it's due to me doing the conditioner washes so I've taken the precaution to be sure to dilute the conditioner. My consultant Claire told me that this happens with the ones at the front. She's got a 2 headed lock also. I knew the were really loose and I tried to do a self retighten/repair but it didn't work. I really don't know how. Hopefully, when the retightning class is offered I'll take it so that I can learn to do immediate corrections when needed. You all know that sometimes when you wash there are certain locks that could use a retightning before you get to your consultant and your appointment could be 3-4 weeks away. Oh well. I told myself that it's just hair and if it grew once it can do it again. Well, the next time I post I hope that Barack Obama will have made history by becoming the first man of color in the White House. Ciao!

2008-07-03T19:04:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday to me;Happy Birthday to me;Happy Birthday! Yep it's my birthday. It's been a minute since I posted. The last time I did I had been in sorrow's kitchen and licked all the pots clean. Well, I'm writin to tell that the weepin I had been doin about colorin my locks only endured for a season just like the joys of sin. Whew! It took about a good 2-3 weeks before things were back to normal. Now I'm not saying that the dye didn't change my hair texture cuz it did fa'show. It's just that the look I had as a result faded. I do think that getting my locks dyed so soon after a retightning had an effect. For those of you who have sisterlocks, do you all hate that part that's straight down the middle of the top of your head when you're hair is retightened? I know I do, but as you know it fades after a day or so. Me and my locks are cool these days. Their full, lovely and lushus if I do say so myself. And, man how they've grown. They've currently hit my shoulda. I'm at the stage where I ALWAYS wear a rubber band on my right arm; I'm always flickin it out of my face and eyes. Annnnnnnnnnd, I can put my locks in a pony tail!!!!!!! One day I was lookin in the mirror and I said to myself, "girl your hair really has that locked look." Just recently, I was checkin myself out (Sisterlocks will make you do this) and I thought to myself your hair looks like those sistas in the Sisterlocks' magazine. I have a praise report. MY ENDS HAVE ALL SEALED! I think Sisterlocks are really beautiful when this happens. So those of you who have those puffy, unsealed ends, just hold on and DON"T cut them. I promise they will do what they do in due time. My locks have really slimmed alot too. Even after maturing, locks still go thru more changes. I'm not wanting to combine them like I had considered after coloring. Also, that conditioner that I use to be afraid of well I likes it now. Just recently, I used Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla leave in conditioner and you know what? I likes. Conditioner makes MATURE Sisterlocks feel so light and fluffy. You can barely move your head and your locks are poetry in motion. I'm still battlin lint. Yes,I cover while dressing, lounging and sleeping. Yes a use a clarifying shampoo but I think because I live alone and I don't have the benefit of someone to always spot check my backa de neck locks, this will always be a battle I guess. I used to brushe the backa de necks locks daily to remove the lint since I couldn't see what was back there. I think I'll start doin this agin. In the meantime when I want to wear them up, I still use the Dark and Lovely Almond Rain Oil Mist to darken the lint. Trust me sisters this werks. I recently bought the Wrap A Lock tool. I tried them but I haven't gotten the hang of using them. Now, just this past Saturday, I bought about three packs of the 79 cents cold wave rods along with the Crinkles and Curls setting lotion. You talk about some beautiful hair, you betta ask somebody. My hair had lift and bounce so you betta know I'll be using this combination again. After writin this novel I don't feel like adding pictures but I will. Since I hit the 2 year mark I decided to slow my posting roll. I'm enjoyin chillin and reading the emails and blogs of the newbies. And newbies be encouraged; in due season your locks will metamorphis just like the buttafly. Just continue to heed the advice of your consultant and those who've gone ahead of you on this journey.

2008-03-24T08:38:00.009-05:00

Foolish, foolish, foolish, foolish, foolish, foooolish girl. This song phrase epitomizes what I think of my recent decision to color my hair. LORD, HELP ME! Y'all I got my hair colored last Thursday. If you've read my blog you know I been waiting to do this for my 2 year anniversary. Now let me start out saying that I loooooove the color and I give props to Camille "The Loc Doc" Robbins for hooking me up. I've added a link to her site so that you can check out more of her work. My feelings are not towards her. It was my decision and my hair is my hair. Maybe I should blame my mama & daddy for passing on the type of hair I have. I thought I'd done all the right things waiting for my hair to settle and fully lock. Letting a professional do the job as well. BUT, I'm currently disappointed in the texture change of my hair. I had warned ladies not to color their hair until their locks were completely settled. Knowing what I now know, I'd suggest that you leave the dye alone. I know, I know. Colored hair and locks are beautiful. But is it worth the sacrifice? I'm hoping and praying that this is just a phase and that my hair will get back to its normal thick texture. I chose the color when I went for a consult with Camille on the first of March. When I went in on the 20th, she explained the procedure. Yes, she had already told me that it would change the texture but I wasn't prepared for this much change. She put on the base color, which we decided to name Merlot. And, because this was so dark I decided that I wanted her to do a few hilites. She showed me the results after each step, no problem. And she thoroughly washed and conditioned my hair afterwards. Now before getting my hair dyed, I had only tried conditioner a couple of times and I must tell ya that I'm not a fan of it because frankly it scares me. It makes my locks feel light and fluffly, which I like, but thinner which I don't like. Now I also need to say that I'd had a retightning on the 1st of March and I hadn't washed afterwards because I knew I'd get it done after the coloring. I'm a little scalpy after a retightning but this goes away after 3-5 days. Pictures were taken right after the coloring as well. So, I'm happy and excited while driving home and then I look in my visor mirror and notice all this scalp. Lord, did my countenance drop and it hasn't lifted since. I've worn my hair out but only while it's pulled back because I'll be honest. In my opinion it looks as if I have major thinning aka Alopecia. Prior to coloring, my hair was thick, full and luscious. Not any more! I just can't put my finger on it. Was it the color, the conditioner or a combination of both? Camille has also told me that since I've colored I have to condition regularly now. I soooo don't look forward to this! I've been on Spring break so none of my coworkers have seen my new look. But, this is my plan. I've braided the front of my hair to the back and I plan to wear wraps hoping that as my new growth comes in it will fill in the scalpiness. I'm sooooo depressed about this. I keep asking myself If I should've gotten a semi-permanent color. Now as I've shared before, I do have thinning at the temples. I've been reading on Nappturality that some Sistas have had good succees with Bountiful Tresses for hair growth and using it in the temple area. I'm going to order this, use it for 2-3 months and see what happens. But, even with the thinning temples my hair was thick enough to cover it so that it wasn't so noticeable. Now with the new color unh unh. It really looks as if I'm balding in the top. I also notice that the locks in the back and on the sides are not as they were. I can extend my locks out and below them I'm scalpy. If you come across this post and have a suggestion or encouragement I'd surely appreciate it. Check out my pictures and tell me what you think. If I'm still like this in a month, I believe I'm going to have my locks combined to make them thicker.

http://www.noiredesignconcepts.com/robbins.html

2008-03-13T18:43:00.003-05:00

Do you know what 2DAY is? It's my 2 year Sisterlock's anniversary! Two years ago today I sat for about 10 hours including lunch and breaks and I got my locks did. Lord I can hardly believe I've had them this long. Time it seems has flown by. To all you newbies out there be patient and wait I say on the Lord and before you know it one year will become 2,then 3 etc. etc. I've shared many thoughts along the journey so I'll try to add something new or should I say different. Many people say if I would've known I'd love my locks this much I would have done it 10 years ago. I can't say I wouldv'e because getting locks and more importantly keeping them requires a certain type of mindset. Yes, 10 years ago I would've been younger but I can't say that I was mentally ready to have locks. I can certainly tell ya they were the furtherest thing from my mind. Back then I was singing "SAY IT LOUD! I'M PERMED AND I'M PROUD!" I think I was mentally almost similar to Don Imus with the Nappy Headed Hoe mindset. Thank God for maturity. I can also say that although I want women, particularly black women/females, to have healthy hair I don't encourage any to lock unless they inquire because as I've told many get your mind ready first before you complete the act. Why? Because depending on where you live geograpically, people will stare, laugh and might even point atcho head. You gotta be mentally grown to shake the haters. Other advice I have is that if you have new locks "Let Go and Let God" do HIS thing to your hair. When you look at blogs your hair probably won't look xactly like Ms. Things, especially right away, because beautiful locks take time. Those buds and bumps in your locks are like a butterfly's cocoon. They must make the complete metamorphis process in order to be healthy and gorgeous. I do encourage you to periodically look at blogs and magazines when you need a bit of encouragement. I know this really helped me when I would and sometimes still do have the hair blahs. Although my hair has grown it's still not long enuf to do some things I'd like so I whip out a back issue of the Sisterlock's magazine or go blog cruising to remind my self to let patience have it's perfect work. You know what? I recently bought the big book titled Dreads. I loooooove looking at this book. I've wondered what my hair would be like if i would've started with a different method, specifically freestyle. I love this look so much that I'm even considered doing it in the future. If ya don't have this book get it at your local Barnes & Noble. I'm still lovin the freedom locks have brought to my lifestyle. I wouldn't take nothin for it. I think my hair is pretty and healthy. I'm trying to put the right things inside of my body so that it will reflect on the outside of my body. Hey, I'm one of those females who has hereditary thin temples. Wearing Microbraids didn't help this either. But, although I don't have a full hairline all the way across it's much better now that I've gone natural. In one of the pictures I'm wearin the top portion of my hair in a basket weave. Y'all I used to look at those lockers with longer hair, and I still do and drool over this hair do. I was kinda skeptical or shamed to wear this because of the hair line issue. One day I took my time and just braided or weaved a group of hair on top of another until it was all done. I was peachy proud of myself and my hair. And guess what I didn't need to put a rubberband at the end to hold it. I've worn it out and about hairline issue or not. The down side of this experience is that I haven't been able to do it this well since. Boo hoo. Well, I can't think of any more new or different things to share. If you have a question you'd like me to answer, write it in the comments section and I'll answer it to the best of my abilities. Also, check back in about a week or so and you'll see a big change in my locks.

2008-02-13T20:37:00.006-05:00

Today marks the 23rd month of my Sisterlocks. Since I last wrote I've been retightened. My consultant, Claire, and I talked about me taking the retightning class. I planned to take it on Feb 2nd and she left a few on each side above my ear for me to practice on in class. Weeelllll, I didn't take the class. Work is keepin me real busy and I didn't want to launch my own retightnings during a busy work season. Lord knows what my head would look like if I didn't get around to hookin myself up. I figger that I'm gonna be real slow in the beginning and who knows how long it would take me to do my full head. And, I would've been in the class with total strangers too. So, Claire is plannin to get R-Certified this summer. I think I'm gonna wait for her so I'll be in an environment I'm used to with at least someone I know. I know I should be gettin out my box, but I will slowly but showly. Learnin how to self retightin is one of my goals this year. If this class is offered by someone else before she gets certified, I'll take the plunge. Claire says I'm ready. As you can see in my new photos I've tried the pipe cleaners to get curls. I've been wantin to do this with the Soft Spikes but couldn't the hang of it and the curls didn't come out like I planned. I've tried the pipe cleaners twice. The first time was ok but still not what I was expectin. The second time I cut them in half and this worked fine. The only thing I don't like is that the wire in them suckas can hurt and be uncomfortable. I'm really gettin into this stylin thing. It's been a minute since I've worn my hair freestyle. Since my hair is gettin a bit longer, I've noticed that there are things that I can't do with it anymore. For example, when it was shorter and it flopped in my face, I could throw my head back and it would just go back on top of my head and stay there. Not no mo'! I'm also doin the white girl thing more often too. I find that I'm havin to jerk my head to left or right to get it outta my face. I've also created some of my own hair ties (which I do plan to sell at a price that anyone can afford) to help keep it out of my face and eyes. The more mature lockers said there'd be daze like this. Have any of you guys watched the lady on Youtube who demos how to style your Sisterlocks? Her name is Phyllis and she calls herself the video loctitian. Her demos are real informative. She's also a Warm Spirit distributor. Chek her out at this link.
I've tried their Anihita Hair Butter and it's real good. It's comes in a jar and looks like your typical hair grease but it's quite the opposite. It melt's very easily into the hair and skin. Sometimes after I shower, I use it as a body moisturizer and it is lovely. I'm still using the Coconut shampoo and conditioner by Organix. It's all natural, works good and smells great. About once a month I still use the low budget Suave clarifying shampoos to remove the gunk. When I wet my hair thoroughly for about 5 minutes and put the shampoo on real good and then apply a plastic bag and leave it on for a good 30 minutes I really get to see all the dirt and grime that's been on my hair and scalp. The only thing I don't like is that clarifying shampoos make my hair real dry. So, while it's still wet, I apply the Anihita or some other oil liberally and especially to my ends. I gonna sign off for now but check back for pictures and prices of my hair ties real soon.

2008-01-13T13:27:00.000-05:00

Sup Y'all? My Sisterlocks are 22 months old 2day! These last few months I've recently learned about Adinkra symbols. If you look at the earrings I'm wearin they have the GYE NYAME symbol which means "except for God" supremacy of God. I realy like thes and I hope to get more jewelry that showcases 'em. And those ends I keep posting bout are on their way to sealing not all there but most are. Y'all know I'm gone do some flips when they all seal. In these pictures my hair hasn't been retightened since the Saturday after Thanksgiving. My consultant and I had to do some rescheduling. But, I'm due to get it done on Jan. 16th. I've done Bantu knots b4 but this time I tried sumpin a lil difrent. I twisted the hair like a Shirley Temple curl and then I wrapt it around itself to make it stay in place. Those lil black rubber bands helped on some. This look always gives me a full hair look. The next pictures are afta a fresh wash. I used cheap Suave clarifyin shampoo and I followed that wit ACV mixed with sweet orange oil 10+ drops. This shole helps with dat smell. I still smelled lika pikle but it was a sweet pikle. Hehehe. And ya no I rinsed for what seem like 4eva. NEway thes pikchas show my 1st attempt at using pipe cleaners. I've seen sistas (on their blogs) use the Soft Spikes to get Shirley Temple curls but I couldn't get the hang of it. So I decided to try the same thing with pipe cleaners. Now they didn't come out zactly like I planned. I think I put too much hair on some. I ain't givin up; I'll just hafta make sum ujustments nex time. And, the las picha... Lawd hav mussy! One of my goals this year as I've sed in anotha post is to learn to retightin my own locks. Wellllll, I got this one lock that I call my kitchen lock. Claire, my consultant, started it in my kitchen. Sistas y'all no wut dat is!!! Don't front. lol. I wasn't too crazy about this lock at first but it grew on me. So I've been readin and reserchin the different ways to retighten and I no y'all no bout the n,s,e,w pattern thing right? So I used my kitchen lock to do this pattern. When I wus just about thru a lite/thought went on in my pea brain and I realize that I didn't do a b4 pic. Since it's been almos 8 weeks since I got the tightn up, this lok was real loose due to growth and washings. It ain't perfick but I think I did pretty good. I think my hair is really growin do you? I ain't gone lie but I thought by now my hair would be shoulda length, shoulda length. See I made a new spin off song from that other one. Anywho, I know it's growin and will get there God willin but I must confess Sistas and Brothas, I'se a lil disupointed but nonetheless grateful. There will be a class to teach how to retightn SL's on Feb. 2nd in my area. But, the problem is I won't have enuf new growth by then to do my own hair. I could cancel my appt. nex week but y'all see my head and no I need to make my way to the Retightnin Altar/Alter. LOL! Etha way I'm gone come away changed. Has NE of y'all had this dilema? If so holla and gimme yo input. These classes are only offered like evry 6 months and I'd like to start gettin busy. Since I've gone naptural I've lerned alot about my natural self and I think doin my own loks will add to my nollij. One mo' confeshun. I only xspearimnted with this one lock usin only my hands and I gotta tell ya that I give props to all you self retightiners. My arms was shonuf tied when I finished. LAWD! Finally, I was reading about locks on the net last nite and there was a quote that I'd like ya to holla back at me about. The quote stated or betta yet asked "Did you grow locks or Did they grow you?"

2008-01-06T21:21:00.000-05:00

Nappy New Year! I wish you all God's blessings and guidance in 2008. Hold onto His unchanging hand and you'll get both. I'm tryin to be all about taking care of this temple as naturally as possible in 2008. I experienced a diagnosis of a slightly higher cholesterol (221) in August '07. I rejected the doctor's suggestion that I go on medication. I began eating oatmeal daily the kind that comes in the little packets and I mix in a handful of Quaker Oats Steel Cut Oats. According to what I read on the net, Steel Cut oats are supposedly very good for lowering cholesterol. I also starting walking to work which is about 4 miles. I don't walk everyday and I've slacked up a little since it's gotten colder here in Maryland. But b4 the time changed I was living in a different place that was about 3 miles from work and most days I would walk to and fro. I would carry clothes to school or just leave them there and when I arrived I would clean my body and get dressed. I work at a school so showers are available. Now becuz the time has changed, I only walk to work. But when the Spring returns I'll being doing to and fro agin. It takes me just over an hour to walk 4 miles. Since I make it a part of my regular day/routine I don't have to worry about paying $ to join a gym or trying to schedule it in. I've lost weight and I've saved gas $. I haven't returned to the Dr. for a followup but I'm maintaining this routine without medicine. I shared this story with my nephew some months ago and he sent me a copy of a book titled Cleansing or Surgery. It details a man's unsuccessful journey with traditional medicines. He shares how he used some untraditional natural methods to cure what was ailng him and eliminated his need for surgery. Well, one of his suggestions I decided to begin yesterday. It's called an Intestinal Clease. I started it yesterday morning and I'll just spare you the details by telling you so far it's working (several times) a day if you know what I mean. It's real easy but it's has me feelin slightly woozy. Not excessively though. 4 times per day I'm supposed to mix psyllium husk 1 teaspoon with 1 teaspoon of black strap molasses in 8-12 oz. of warm water and after each dosage I follow that with 8-12 oz of just water. Now, I'll be honest and share that I haven't been able to get that fourth dosage down but I'm gonna try. And did I say this is suppose to be done for 3 months? He promises that it will eliminate the pot belly, improve health during and after. He also encourages eating more raw fruits and vegetable during the cleanse. I read somewhere that Blackstrap Molasses is suppose to naturally color gray hair. I have a few noticeable grays at my temple and I'll let ya know if this works. This book also tells you how to do a Kidney cleanse, Gallbladder Cleanse, Urinary Tract Cleanse, Lemonade Diet, Tooth Cleanse and Heart Cleanse. I'm sure I won't be doing all these but I'll try to see this intestinal cleanse through. Well I just wanting to holla at y'all and say what's up. Be blessed and I'll keep ya posted on my cleansing.

2007-12-13T21:56:00.000-05:00

A fellow locked sista with beautiful locks and a beautiful voice!

2007-12-13T20:21:00.000-05:00

Hello to all of you in the Blogosphere. It's me agin talkin bout dem locks o' mine. 2day, yes, 2day, marks my 21st month of havin' Sisterlocks. I'm fully locked and mos def in the teenage stage. I luv my locks but there are some days I look atem and go hum what am I gonna do wid em or how am I gonna wear 'em? They're gettin some length but ain't long enuf for a lot of styles I could do if I had more length. I will tell you this. My ends are in the sealing stage and they're gettin skinnier near the end. As they're maturing they're becoming less lumpier all along the lock. The ones that are fully locked from scalp to the end are like angel hair pasta skinny. I realize, I think, that when they all get like this is when I'll be able to do more styles and have that complete, classic Sisterlock look. Also the ends that are in the process of sealing get a bud in them too. So those of you newbies out there who are gettin buds in various places in your locks, don't fret my pet this is all a part of the journey to Lockdom. I did try a new product recently. It's called nourishing Coconut Milk shampoo and the conditioner with the same name. It's made by Organix. The smell is to die for and it did a good job of cleanin and conditionin my hair. I recently purchased it at Safeway and they were runnin a bogo special. That's buy one get one free for yall that don't know. I paid $6.95 for both. Not too bad if you're a budget conchus sista like me. The bogo special ends New Yea's Day. Y'all, one of my coworkers has traditional freestyle locks that she's had for about 9 years. This sista is always sportin some kinda wrap on her locks and I'm always chekin her out and thinkin one of deez daze. Maybe one day I'll see if she'll let me post a pic.Yea, I know that each person's locks are YOUniquely theirs but ya can't blame a sista for dreamin and droolin. Some of you are probably check out my pics and doin the same thing. That's just fine with me. I'll say this and holla. As my hair is, someday your's will be. And as your hair is I, as well as other mature lockers, once were.

2007-11-25T19:33:00.001-05:00

Well, here I am again. My 20 month lockaversary was November 13th. Many changes have happened since my last post the biggest of which I think is length. I still don't have a long flowing ponytail but, I have a good size Peter Cotton tail one. Lord, let me tell yall that I got my hair retighten yesterday and I don't know if I was havin a SUPER DUPER TENDER HEADED DAY but, this was this first and only time I've ever thought about perming since I stopped in 2004. Now, I don't mean that I'm gonna slap the cream on but the retighnin hurt so much it felt like I had the cream on and it was burnin the HELL OUTTA MY HEAD! Usually, it don't hurt that bad but I got to thinking that maybe I made the wrong decision choosing a locking method that requires a tool. I don't think the palm rollers have this problem. If you are readin this and you know a way to solve my problem please holla at me. I got into lockin cuz I was running from the burning cream. I don't want to trade one kind of pain for another. I ain't no SAYDO or no MASSAKIS! In the words of the Ohio Players and Kunta Kinte "I WANNA BE FREE!" of pain. In the new year I have set a goal to learn how to tighten my own locks. I don't know if I'll give up my consultant but, I'd like to know how to do my own do. My second goal is to color my hair. The last time I got color it was a homegirl hookup. This time I'm going to get it professionally done like I did when I was permed. I'm still unsure of which color so if you have a suggestion holla at me. My old ends still ain't fully sealed. I do believe this is becuz I colored my hair 6 months b4 I locked. Sistas often ask should they color b4 or after getting locked. It's their decision but I'd suggest waitin until your locks are fully sealed and then make that move. If you've read any of my older post you know that I been battlin the buildup and it's winning. But, I was on Nappturality.com in October and someone suggested that to remove buildup do the following: rinse with water for 10 min. Apply a clarifyin shampoo for 30-60 min with a shower cap. Rinse that out for 10-15 min then saturate the locks with undiluted Apple Cidar Vinegar under a shower cap for 30-60 min. Rinse 10-15 minutes. Then apply a conditioner and rinse that out for 10-15 min. I did this faithfully for 3 weeks and I'm sorry to say that while the washin and rinsin was great it didn't move all of the buildup. I can say that it did help so I'm not abandoning this I just had to put it on hold during a recent move. I'm gonna pick it up again soon and I'll let ya know the results. I got this suggestion from someone else's blog; it don't remove the buildup but it darkens/camouflages it so it appears that it's not there. The product is Almond Rain Oil Mist by Dark & Lovely. It smells good and it helps if you have that back of da neck buildup and you want to wear an updo. A sista named Amba stopped by my blog and left this suggestion for gettin rid of buildup. One tip I got a while ago for removing lint and build up is to oil the individual locks which have build up with warm olive oil. Put on a shower cap for 10 mins then wash throroughly in the hottest water your hair can stand. Make sure to squeeze ends of hair as you rinse and be gentle. Now this can be only used on mature locks. But works like a dream. I haven't tried this but I wanted those who have the problem to be aware that there is hope and help. Thanks Amba
If you don't have this problem Praise God. I still also believe that if I had of engaged in prolonged rinses early on I don't think I'd have this problem. Cuz since I been rinsing for 10 or more minutes, the buildup hasn't left but it hasn't got worse. Despite the obstables I've faced during these 20 months I'm still glad I locked.

2007-09-13T18:08:00.000-05:00

Yall it's been a minute since I posted anything on my blog. All is going well with my Sisterlocks. They've grown long enuf to cova my neck. The pony tail is elusive but, I nose its a comin. By the way, more of my ends have sealed but, I do have some that are takin their own sweet time and that's ok by me. If you look at my blog pictures over time you might think I have a color on my locks.
Not! Actually, I got the homegirl hookup in Oct/Nov 2005, 6 months b4 I got sisterlocks and I had a friend put a color in my hair but, it didn't turn out like we planned. 4paw. I've often wondered if this has had an affect on my ends and why it's taken them so long to seal. Who knows? That's been almost 2yrs ago and you can still see the color. I had a slight scare with my locks. I had my hair retightin in June b4 I went to my home state. While home in July, I used the same consultant who started my SLs. I came back and late last month went back to my consultant of one year and she ask if I went to a certified consultant. I said yes and then she ask if the person used a tool other than the Sisterlock tool to do my retighten. I told her I didn't know cuz I never saw the tool. She said my locks looked as if a different tool was used and/or the person went thru the same rotation repeatedly. She said that I/we should be careful that the person is usin an authentic tool simply by asking to view it. Yall know there's a lot of bogus activity out there so be careful. A few months back I started usin a little o' this and that on my locks and they began to look A HOT MESS!. I pumped my brakes and immediately became a minimalist with my lock products and in life too. "Less is more" is more than a phrase yall; its a phact.

2007-06-13T18:45:00.000-05:00

Been such a long time since I posted. I'm 15 months locked and still luvin it. My hair is doin it's own thing. It's grown a lot in my opinion. It now reaches the the bottom of my neck. It's headin toward my shouldas. Sometimes, I do the white thing where I jerk my head to get my hair out of my face. I think that's sooooo cool to be able to do. I've recently tried Carol's Daughter products. So far, so good. I've been workin on gettin rid of lint build up that I have on the locks at my neck. I've tried the Apple Cidar Vinegar it does help remove buildup but didn't remove the lint. I'm still coverin nitely with my locsoc. Soon, I hope to get someone to use tweezers and remove the buildup that way. I tell you this, when I get it out, hopefully completely out, I'm going to stay on top of it this time. When I initially got my locs installed I used to wash every 2-3 weeks. I now wonder if I would've washed weekly, like I do now, if I would have the lint monster stalking me. I now luuuuv washing my hair weekly. I stopped braiding and banding at the 1 year mark. I still spritz almost daily. And, the thing I think my hair loves best is water. I have only one minor complaint with my locks. Even tho it's been 15 months my hair isn't locked all the way to the ends yet. Some have locked to the end but, most still have the curly Q ends. Sometimes I look at locks with color and long for that but, I must admit that I'm kinda scared to do it cuz I heard it dries the hair. My hair tends to be on the dry side naturally so I don't want to add to this. I also started exercisin on the regular at my 1 year mark and I'm still at it. Since then I've also stopped eating meat. Occassionally, I'll eat an egg or veggie country bites which have a little egg in them so that I'm still gettin protein. I'd always thought I couldn't live without eatin meat but I've survived this just like I thought I couldn't live without the perm. Who da thunk? Well I'm all writ out. It's been a long day and I'm tryin to wrap up my school year. One more day for the kids and 2 for the staff. Lord, I've never worked a regular school year this long and it's killin me. If I were still in Texas, I'd be on Summer break by now. O well that's what I get for movin. But before I go, I need to remind you that I STILL LOVE WEARIN MY SISTERLOCKS.

2007-03-14T17:53:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, was my 1 year Sisterlock's anniversary. I meant to post on the exact date but was too tired to blog and load pictures after my first day of getting back to exercising in months. Since my last post I've bought and used the Soft Spike Curlers at the suggestion of Girlingov. Thanks for the tip I like 'em. But I want to learn how to get those Shirley Temple curls she has. Maybe they're only for longer locks. My hair grew a lot since my last retighnin. I thought the growth was due to my hair stretching after Bantu knots. It ain't so. My hair really hit a growth spirt. I can feel them inching towards the base of my neck. It's still too short to put in a pony tail but my day will come. I believe I'm between 85-90% locked. One of the things that I want to celebrate my 1 year mark is a special lock hair style. I love looking at the styles at lynjonta.com they're be-u-tee-full. I've yet to ask my consultant if she does styles. I've stated b4 that I've been real conservative with my Sisterlocks by limiting what I put on them and do to them. Oh yea, I washed my hair for the first time last week without banding and braiding and they came out just fine. I luv the look and feel of my locks right after a wash. While they were wet I rolled them with the Soft Spikes. But, I made the mistake of spritzing them and of course my curls loosened a whole lot. I do a light wash and rinse yesterday and rerolled with Soft Spikes this time I'll try to see how long the soft spikes last. Since I've started exercisin agin I wonder if the curls will last cuz I swets in my scalp. I tried some of the recent suggestions on Lockitup for doing a roller set. I rolled them with the point down instead of up and I tried to get the Shirley Temples but it didn't work. I also used more rollers the 2nd time around and chile they are just tooo curly. If you have locks and want curls buy some of these rollers. I can say that after 1 year my Sisterlocks are all that I expected and even more. I get a lot of compliments and I think I just about convinced 2 twin sisters to get some. IF ya come across this post and ya thinkin about gettin Sisterlocks, stop thinkin and just do it. I promise that you won't regret it.

2007-02-19T18:58:00.000-05:00

When I last posted I showcased my hair in Bantu Knots. After I finished, I searched for Bantu Knots in blogs and the net in general. Some suggested that the hair should be two strand twisted or plaited before wrapping the hair around itself. Guess what? I didn't do this. I just wrapped the hair ,after washing, and put a rubber band at the base to keep them in place. I slept in them all nite and this morning before finger fluffing, I put some Sheajoba on my hands to give my hair a little moisture cuz as I've said b4 my hair leans toward the dry side Maybe next time I'll follow what was suggested to see if I get a different look. Well I can say the Bantu Knot set is similar to the look I get when I leave my hair braided and banded and let it air dry. But, I think this look is a little more fluffier than the braid out. BTW, my hair seems a whole lot longer. It could be that the hair was stretched as it was wrapped around itself. Or maybe it really has grown to this length. It has reached the base of my neck which makes me smile from ear to ear. Who coulda thunk that leavin the hair be could produce growth and length. I'm also noticing that my ends are changing too. Those of you who have Sisterlocks know what the ends are like in the initial stages. Many of my ends appear to be rounding off and they have less of that loose scraggly look that are common to Sisterlocks whether you start completely natural or with permed ends. This lets me know that I'm on the right road to lockdom. Additionally, I love the fact that with this Bantu Do and with natural hair I don't have to use a lot of products and particularly heat to achieve fantastic styles. I'm also gonna try to attempt an updo with these worlds of curls and I've got it in my mind to try the Soft Spike curlers or the Caruso curlers next. You know my hair is feelin and lookin more lockish everyday. I suspect that I may be completely locked within the next 6 months.

2007-02-17T11:54:00.000-05:00

It's been about 3 weeks since my last wash & retightnin and I decided to try a few new things. Someone had posted on the Lockitup group that it was beneficial to put the Sisterlocks shampoo on your hair and let it stay for 5 minutes. I did this cuz as I've said before, I have some slight build up in the back of my head and I want to get rid of this. I will eventually try an Apple Cidar rinse but, as I keep saying I'm waiting for the one year mark and then I'm gone be BUSTIN LOOSE and tryin a lot of things. There is no written rule or commandment that I wait till one year but it's just a personal commitment that I've made to self and to my locks. I've also seen other sistas doin Bantu Knots on their hair and lettin 'em loose after they dry. Well as of this postin I've haven't taken 'em out. I'll repost to let y'all know if any of these new (to me) technineeks had any + or - effects. Oooooh one thing I can tell ya is that I love havin a clean head of locks. After I rinsed reeeeal good and squeezed out the excess water my locks really look long. I'll be glad when my after wash length becomes my real length and so on and so on and Shooby dooby, dooby.

2007-02-13T16:44:00.000-05:00

11 MONTHS DOWN AND ONE TO GO! These have been some of the best months for my hair in my life. Everyday my locks get better. I've had absolutely no slippage issues with my Sisterlocks. Since the day they were put in they've stayed put; except for one little shorty that's growin on the right side. I've come to learn that this lock has a different texture than the rest of my locks. I can feel BUDS in about 90% of my locks. The percentage may be higher but, when you have a whole lot of locks it's hard to tell if I'm feelin the same ones over and over agin. I love them so much cuz when I move my head they move with it. They're lite weight but, as you know natural hair for those of African descent can be somewhat dry. To combat this, I've listed some of the products I've used in a previous post. I'm not the type who washes daily or weekly. I usually do it every 2-3 weeks. I've never used conditioner or done hot oil treatments. I'm waitin until they're at least 90% locked until I do somethin like that. I don't feel the need for the conditioner but the hot oil treatment I'll probably do. I still use the Sisterlock shampoo and I've only used a different kind once. I spritz more now than I did at the beginning. Of course my spritz always includes distilled water and an essential oil. And, I've seen no adverse/negative effects from doing this. I'm still braidin & bandin but, I plan to stop at the one year mark. I don't take any products internally to help my locks grow. I just let 'em do what they do. HEY, I've recently discovered a new product that I let melt in my hands and apply to my locks for dryness. I've got three words for this product. FAB-U-LOUS! The smell is heavenly and it gives my locks a lite sheen. I have some on my hair in the pictures below. The product is called Sheajoba. I bought it at an Adventist health food store in Silver Spring Maryland. It's made by and for people of color by a company named Pretty Natural Inc. They also have a website: www.prettynatural-inc.com. The jar says it's for braids, locks and natural hair. I like this product and my locks do too. As you can see, I've posted 11 month pictures to letcha see what's happenin wid my locks. For you newbies, I've tried to post 2 pictures of 2 different locks that have BUDS. Can you see them in the lock? How do you know if it's a bud? Well, when you feel down the lock a bud will feel like a small bump or pea that is distinctive from the rest of the lock. Also if you want to know what your hair will feel like when it's locked or almost locked, take a lock between 2 fingers, starting at the base or scalp. Begin to slowly feel from base to tip. If it is locked or almost locked it will have a firm feel to it. I have this feelin of firmness in locks that do and don't have buds. The firmsness is in some degree in all of my locks and it as I said it starts and the base and stops right before those curly ends. And if you want to know how many locks I have, huuum, let me see. I really don't know cuz I've yet to count them; maybe I'll do that for my 1 year mark. If you're reading this post hit me up with a guess of how many you think I have. When I find out I'll let the best guesser know they were right. You know I've often wondered if I would be fully locked if I had used another locking method? I have coworkers with traditional locks who say they were fully locked at 6 months. Well, I guess I'll never know. I don't have any regrets about the method I chose. b I chose it because of it's minimal, product usage requirement, I'm able to wash when I want, and I know as I get more length I'll have more styling options that I wouldn't have with thicker traditional locks. Oh I almost forget to remind ya, I LOVE my Sisterlocks.

2007-02-10T19:32:00.001-05:00

Sly & the Family Stone - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)

Music Code provided by Song2Play.Com

2007-02-05T21:18:00.000-05:00

I've Been Tagged! These are 5 Things I care to share

1. I would love to be able to play no FUNK a bass guitar, Rock a piano and Soothe my soul and others with the violin. But I can't do any of these things.

2. I'm the proud MOM of a 22 year old young man named Courtney who attends Chicago State University. He is my only child but I wish I'd had more.

3. I've only lived in two states in my life. Texas and Maryland. I want to add more to this list. I may add a new one this year.

4. I have two Master's degrees. I work at a Middle school but I'm not in the classroom. It's ironic that I didn't start out as a good reader but I've made my living for the last 14 years teaching others to do what I wasn't good at.

5. In 2000 I sang background for Bernard Wright at a Juneteenth celebration. If you don't know who he is (I didn't either b4 I met him) he had an 80's song titled Who do you love?

Well, if ya didn't know, now ya know!

Ok. Praline
Kalia
GIgirl
You've been tagged! Now you have to share 5 things about yourself on your blog and tag another blogger. Isn't this fun?

2007-01-27T18:54:00.000-05:00

It's retightnin time agin. To prepare for this event I decided to try a couple of new things. First, (pic 1)someone posted on their blog that instead of using rubberbands they use the terry cloth covered bands which are mostly used by little girls for ponytails. They are easy to put in and take out. They don't pull out your hair or put stress on the hair from removing them after a wash. So to all you newbies out there I didn't know about this tip when I started and I give it 2 thumbs up.You can get these at your local dollar store. Next, (pic 2)I bought and used this Mediteranian Olive Oil Hair wrap from a coworker who sells Avon. This thing is great for absorbing the water from your hair after washing. And it only cost $6. But I'll give a caveat along with a thumbs up. You may not want to leave it on all nite. I left it on all nite and I wasn't real crazy about how my hair looked in the mornin. Nothing too serious that a little sweet orange oil spritz couldn't fix. I'm also showcasing pictures ( pics 3& 4) of how my hair looks before and after a retightin. I think my hair is gettin a little longer everytime. I asked my Sisterlocks consultant if I had any that were locked. She said that none of mine have completely locked yet. To those of you who are behind me in your journey just a reminder that getting/having locks requires patience. As I've said in previous posts I have xtra kinky coily hair that at a little over 10 months is still not fully locked. There are other sistas who when I look at their blog pictures and read their hair descriptions they appear similar to mine and some of them were locked at this point. When I've read about hair locking the things I've read say that my hair type is the best for locking and locks faster than less coily hair. That said, whether xtra fine or xtra coily my hair is going to lock when and ONLY when it's ready and yours is gonna do the same. There is no way to speed up the process so that you can have locks like so and so. Our locks and the locking process is personal and YOUniqely designed for the individual person. And finally, I've been wantin to share this for a long time but kept forgettin. Sometimes I'll pull a lock or two straight out and I'll play them like a bass guitar. Yea my hair strands are that strong. If you haven't tried this just do it. It made me laugh when I discovered my hair could make music. I haven't figured out how to play a song yet but, I will tell you that the thicker strands have a deep base sound and the skinnier ones a lesser deep base. Y'all prolly think I'm trippin but I ain't. Try it and I'll betcha you'll be laughing HAHA jus like me.

2007-01-20T18:49:00.000-05:00

I created this collage Just Becuz when I usually take pictures I'm very casual not dressed up and sometimes in my pj's. I was on my way to a casual get 2gether so I decided to snap a few while I was waitin for my ride. Today I received my 1st Brunsli Hair Tie that I ordered a week ago. Several of the sistas have raved and praised these ties so I decided to see if the hype was true. So far I can say that I'm pleased. I haven't had a chance to wear it outside of the house but I'll letcha know if my opinion changes.

2007-01-15T21:20:00.000-05:00

CLICK ON PICTURES TO READ COMMENTARY
The 13th of January marked my 10 month journey with Sisterlocks. What a journey it has been. My hair has grown thru so many positive changes. I can truly say that I haven't had a lot of drama. A couple of my locks have thinned in the middle for whatever reason but overall the locks seem to be united in doing their thing. My hair is the stuff that is the kinky, coily, yea what some even call nappy, stuff. I've tried a few things recently like Dr. Bronner's soap, a little coconut oil, almond oil, sweet orange oil and the Sisterlock moisturizer spray to name a few. I try things in small amounts becuz I'm careful about what I do to my locks. I can't truly say that I love one product more than another. I'll venture out a little more once my hair is fully locked. I marvel that all my locs were completed in one day but some are further along in the loc process than others. Some have buds, others don't. I guess they're like people who're born at the same time. Some mature faster than others. Overall it's all good with my Sisterlocks;I'm learning more about 'em erday. In case you can't tell from this and previous posts, I stillll love my Sisterlocks.

2007-01-15T16:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to the 4th annual Natural Hair Care Expo in Baltimore and I had a blast. I spent waaay too much money but its all good cuz I was supporting my peeps. At least 80% of the people wore locks. I been having satin hair bonnet woes so I decided to buy 3 locsocks. www.soclocsoc.com
I slept in one last nite so far so good. I just love how versatile they are. So far I like wearin them better than the satin bonnet. And, if I need to get up and run out for errands I don't have to take it off. For those who aren't quite ready to commit to locking, there was a sister(Marion Council-George doing a techneek (new to me) which uses either synthetic or human hair to attach locs. This process took about 1 and 1/2 hours and cost about $200.(pic 2/) You can check out site here: http://www.goodhair.com/dbt.asp Some of the natural hair gurus that you see on the web were there. And of course Sisterlocks were represented. There was a consultant and one of her clients there. I was able to put in my 10 month 2 cent experience. Overall, I had a GREAT time seeing my folks exhibiting their creativeness and making natural hair 'Do what it do!' I've been told there's supposed to be another expo in DC next month. If so, I'll be there Lord willing.

2007-01-13T15:25:00.000-05:00

Lock Venture Changes! These are 10 month comparison shots of what my hair looked like on March 13, 2006 & January 13, 2007. Ten months ago today I sat for about 9 hours and received a life altering transformation. Who knew that allowing my hair to 'be' would free me mentally, physically, and spiritually. Sometimes I look at my locks in the mirror and offer Praise and Thanksgiving to my Creator for giving me the PERFECT hair texture for locking. I went home to Texas for the holidays and I can't remember exactly what I was doing but it had to do with admiring my locks. My son said Mom you've become so vain since you got locked. I told him it wasn't vanity just confidence. If you feel what I mean holla at me. I know I'm not the only one cuz I visit blogs regularly and I see in others faces what I feel. I haven't had my hair retightened since 12/9 so it's not as neat as freshly tightened locks but that goes with being au natural. I'd like to say Thanks to all the ladies who created blogs showcasing their Sisterlocks. Before I made my decision I would stalk blogs trying to decide if I was gone get up offa that several hundred dollars. I tried a cheaper route with comb coils for about 3 weeks and couldn't stand all the flakiness and up keep they would require. Blogs dedicated to SL's help me know that they're what I wanted and it's a decision I haven't regretted. Hey, if you're out there and you come across this post and you're wanting to be free from scalp burns due to perms. Hair that grows but doesn't stay for long. Are you tired of trying to live up to a standard that is unattainable? Tired of givin the Koreans all your $$$? Consider going natural or getting any type of locks that suits you. Try it you just might love it. And finally to the creator of Sisterlocks(tm) Dr. Joanne Cornwell, In the words of an old skool hit 'Thank you for lettin me be myself agin!'

2007-01-10T19:43:00.000-05:00

Lock Venture These last few days have not been good days for my Sisterlocks. No slippage problems or anything like that. It just that when I wake up (I do wear a satin bonnet at nite) my locks are in this funny shape. I've been spritzing with distilled water and sweet orange essential oil but it's still happenin erday. I look and the mirror and say what am I gonna do. I usually enjoy freestylin but not these last few days. I have to spritz to get my SL's in a non satin bonnet shape. I'd prefer not to do this daily cuz it is water and doing it daily may not be a good thing. Who knows? I've thought about leavin the bonnet off but I have a little build up in my locks that I'm tryin to nip in the bud. It's cold here in Maryland so I try to keep my head protected. I've been thinkin that maybe I'm in that fuuny teenage stage people talk about. When you can't do alot with your locks. Mine aren't real long. I'm not xzacly sure of the length; maybe one day I'll measure 'em. They aren't quite long enuff for a pony tail so I freestyle usually and this week I've been wearin head bands to help with my dilemma. I'm still not fully locked but I'm sure I'm on my way. I've also just bought some coconut oil which I let a little bit dissolve in my hand and then use it to massage my scalp to help combat some of the dryness. Oh yea, I did use Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap over the holidays to wash. I wasn't xzactly sure how to dilute it so I put a few squeezes of it in a spray bottle with water of course. I'm using the shampoo spray method I saw the girl do with her locks on YOUTUBE. My locks were soft aftwards. Softer than than it is when I use the Sisterlocks Aloe Shampoo. That concerned me a bit but, I did like the softer feel. I not sure if I'll use it again or continue using the SL Aloe. My goal is not to do anything that compromises my locking progress. Since this hair locking thing is not an xzact science who can really be sure what inhibits or helps the process. I'm still getting retightened every 6-8 weeks and I haven't stop bandin and braidin. I probably could stop but I want to continue until the one year mark which is 2 months away. BTW, I'm not only using the coconut oil for my hair but I'm taking it orally 2x daily along with a tablespoon of apple cidar vinegar. I was told and I researched and read that both have health benefits. Weight loss (which I need) and supposedly they help lower blood pressure and cholosterol. I just started this Sunday Jan 7, 2007 so we'll see how it works out by the time my SL anniversary rolls around in March. I eventually plan to use the ACV to help remove the buildup I have in my locks. I hope to post later about this.
I'm comtemplating whether I will stay in Maryland when school is out or move to another state, Atlanta, GA, or maybe back home to Texas. I enjoy the area and the people I've met but I still can't get used to how much it cost to live here. I read in the paper the other day that it cost 30% more to live here than anywhere else in the U.S. Where I'm from people on minimum wage can afford to buy a house. But not here. I tease them the people here and tell them that their homeless people gotta have a job to survive here. lol. I make waaaay more money here than I did in Texas but I didn't realize most of it would be eatin up in taxes. Back in Big D I could afford a new home on my meager teacher's salary. I can't do that on my much bigger salary here. I don't like to work just to exist. I'd like to be able to really live. For example, save some $$$, vacation, own a house, give to those in need etc. Don't get me wrong I ain't complainin just evaluatin my sicheeashon. And I do dearly miss family and friends at times. I'm askin the Lord's guidance as to what He would have me do. Cuz, where He leads I'll follow.
I'm goin to a natural hair expo in Baltimore this Sunday. Hopefully I'll have some pics and info to share from that. Thierry Baptiste is supposed to be there. This dude does some baaaad stufff with locks. If your not aware of his work check him out at http://www.thierrybaptiste.com another site that has wonderful lock creations is http://www.morrisroots.com he's in the UK but that's ok cuz you can get great ideas for styles from him. Maybe one of these days I can roc a loc style like the ones on these sites. I know that this is a journey which will have good & bad days and ups and downs. I'm still glad I have Sisterlocks and I still love 'em and what comes along with havin 'em.

2006-12-13T19:08:00.000-05:00

Ladies this is William. He has so graciously allowed me to include him on my blog. Back in my day we used to drool over the boys with big 'fros. Today my head does the Exorcist spin when I see a good lookin brother with dreads. As you can see he's not into the uniform locks like some of us but, I think all who have the courage to lock should be given much R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Cause yall know it can be hard out here for a Locker.

2006-12-13T18:47:00.000-05:00

Today Marks the 9th month of my Sisterlocks. My hair is budding all over the place. And the growth is surprising to me. Sometimes I'm walkin and I feel my locks bouncin on my neck and I start smilin inside and out. Sometimes I look in the mirror and thank my Creator for givin me the texture of hair I have. Can u imagine that what I once thought was a curse I now consider a blessin. Is there anyone out there like me who likes the frizzies and how they make your hair look when you need a retightning? Many people want to know what to do to get rid of them but I like 'em. I'm still not fully locked but that's ok too. I had it in my mind that by now my Sisterlocks would be swollen from the root to tip. But, I went and looked at an old Sisterlock magazine as well as my consultants 5 year old locks and I realize that they won't puff up at all. Once they're mature they will remain like they are but more relaxed and the curlies at the end will disappear or seal I should say. Hey can you keep a secret? O.k. here it is ... I LOVE MY SISTERLOCKS! shhhhh, Sorry for shoutin. I said I wasn't gone tell nobody but I just couldn't keep it to masef. LOL.

2006-12-13T18:19:00.000-05:00

Retightnin Time! It's been 7 weeks since the last time I had it done. I usually don't wait this long but my consultant couldn't do it before now. I like how the frizzies give me a full look when it needs retightning.

2006-11-19T14:55:00.000-05:00

Lock Venture No pics 2day. I just wanted to share that I ran into a lady yesterday while sitting in a school auditorium. When I sat down she touched me and complimented me on my SL's. I said thanks without turning around and then I decided to ask how she knew they were SL's and I looked at her to discover that she's in the family, for 4 years now. Her locks were colored and gorgeous. I did get SL envy for a minute but just like her I know that my hair is fearfully and wonderfully made and it's gonna do whatever it's gonna do. I do have a slight concern tho. Lately I've noticed a single string at the end of many of my locks. I did ask the SL vet I met about this and she assured me this is normal and that she eventually cut hers off. Right now I'm not gonna do anything. I will ask my consultant about it when I go for my retightning next month. I don't style or roll so I can't figure if this is due to me or if it's just a phase in the process. My locks still look and feel healthy; so I guess I'll run on and see what the ends going to be.

2006-11-13T18:39:00.000-05:00

Well another month has come and gone and it's my 8th month anniversary of my Sisterlocks. I can tell they're on their way to lockdom because they're becoming firmer; they're growing blossoming into what I think are gorgeous locks. Many of my locks have buds that are growing on the part of the lock closest to the scalp. All don't have this but all have made some kind of change. I'm still bandin and braidin b4 I wash and tryin not to do anything that compromises or jeopardizes their progress. I've even been complimented and told 'you're hair is beautiful.' I can't remember hearin that when I was permed. I'm even wearin lock jewelry! And, I've been checkin out Brunsli's hair ties and I just might acka fool and buy one or some. I still love touchin my hair and let it do what it was intended to do. Lord knows I've come this far by faith cuz I had witnessed how wonderful SL's looked on others but wasn't sure about my own. I am experiencing some dryness but hopefully my consultant will have that moisture stuff that is sold by the SL company. It's hard to believe that in 4 more months I'll be Sisterlocked one full year. My hair reminds me of a new testament scripture which says 'This is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes.' That's how I feel about this locking process. It is the Lord's doing and it is marvelouse in my eyes!

2006-10-13T20:27:00.000-05:00

2006-10-13T20:13:00.001-05:00

I SEE LOCKED PEOPLE! Just kiddin around. But I must confess that I do check them out when I encounter them. Until gettin lock down/up myself I never paid much attention to how beautiful locks are. In the words of an old gospel song 'I once was blind but now I see.'

2006-10-13T20:10:00.000-05:00

2006-10-13T19:38:00.000-05:00

2006-10-13T17:19:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time comin since I last updated my blog. And you can best believe that a change has come over my locks. I'm still lovin my locks more each day than I did the day b4. I've had a lot of personal changes too. Here's the run down: I sold every stick of furniture I had, packed, left Texas, moved to Maryland, started a new job, got a new place; I'm screamin regularly about the cost of living in the northeast and my one and only child left Texas too and he' goin to college in Chicago. I can't say I'm lovin here like where I come from but I'm adjustin er day. Maybe somebody who reads this can feel me when I say I wanted and needed a change and I did sumpin bout it. I've told my family and friends that I'll give this thing a year. If it don't workout I'll move back home or to sum other place. I had lived in Texas for 46 yes 46 years or all my life and I needed to see what life was like in other places. I've experienced the world thru travel but this is the first time my address has been anything other than Texas. I can say that I enjoy seein lots of brothas and sistas who are livin the locked life without shame or trepidation. I work at a school and some of the other teachers on the staff sport locks. I've even seen upper/central level administrators rockin locks. It's just nice to be in a place where wearin locks are the rule not the exception.

Do you know what today is? It's my anniversary! I was born again (sisterlocks installed) 7 months ago today. I feel little buds near the roots of some of my locks so I think they're well on their way to maturity. I found a new consultant last month from the SL site and things are well. I'm still banding and braiding but, my consultant says that I can stop if I want since my locks seem to have settled. I haven't had any unraveling or except for one teeny tiny lock at the front of my hair which always comes loose when I wash if I'm not careful. I'm still doin very little other than washing and spritzing occasionally. Who knew that freedom and a new sense of self would come with locking my hair. I look forward to the day that I can get a little color and wear a pony tail. Although I haven't posted in a minute, I've faithfully taken pictures on or about my anniversary date. I'm going to attempt to include pictures from June until today and I'd like all the blog readers to show a sista some luv

2006-10-13T17:16:00.000-05:00

Lock Venture

2006-05-15T18:22:00.000-05:00

This is one day after my two month SLaversary. I've had my 1st retightning and currently I have no hair drama. I lost two itty bitty locks at the hairline that my consultant put back in. When I washed this time I clamp those two down with a flat hair pin and this was effective so I'll do this until it's no longer necessary. I no longer fear combs, the rain or have hair worries and woes since I got sisterlocked. I'll be happy when my hair matures so I can get some color. The itches that bothered me at first have just packed up and gone. Oh yea, I have a confession to make. Sistas 4give me 4 I have sinned! I have HANDSINTHEHAIRITIS disease. I can't seem to keep my hands out my head. It does help if I put on my satin sleep cap; but I have to do this when it aint even time for bed. If there's a cure for this I don't want it; I don't want it. If there's a remedy I'll run from it, hide me! (LOL) I know I'm bein silly but what's a gul ta do?

2006-04-18T20:58:00.000-05:00

This is me one day after my one month SLaversary. As u can see I'm still luvin my locks. I'm getting a lil frizzy but I assume that comes with the journey. I banded and washed them and did a braid out for a crinkly doo. I'm due for my 1st retightning on 4/28. I'm still luvin taking off my satin sleep cap in the moanin' finger stylin and out the do' I go. If ya Nappy and ya know it say AMEN!

2006-03-28T19:55:00.000-05:00

Lock Venture
The DFW Gathering March 19, 2006
I had fun meeting & greeting new sista's and
a brotha at this gathering. I look forward to
doin it agin.

2006-03-18T21:52:00.000-05:00

Me b4 Sisterlocks

2006-03-14T23:35:00.000-05:00

Last but not least I had to show the back. A few spaces but not somethin I can't live with. Oh yea, I 4got 2 tell ya that this mornin I got up did my mornin routine finger fluffed my new do and was out the do' in a flash. I 'm likin this SL thing already. I hope they grow into beautiful flowing locks.

2006-03-14T23:28:00.000-05:00

Here I is. I'm stylin and profilin and tired too I might add. But it was worth it. When I went to work 2day folks were askin about my new doo. I think I have some sista's at work who might be considerin joining the Sisterlocks brigade.

2006-03-14T23:21:00.000-05:00

The full frontal view. Not only is Elaine the bomb at whippin up some Sisterlocks, she's a pretty good photographer too.

2006-03-14T23:17:00.000-05:00

Don't blame the indians, Sisterlocks scalped me. That' ok I know they want be like this 4ever.

2006-03-14T23:13:00.000-05:00

Slide 2 the left/

2006-03-14T23:11:00.000-05:00

Here I am on the mark gettin ready 4 the set!

2006-03-14T23:08:00.000-05:00

This is the 1st picture of my SL session. After 6 months of research and droolin I've finally enlisted and joined the few, the proud, the Sisterlocked! BTW, Elaine is my consultant. We started around 10ish and finished a little after 9.

2006-03-14T23:03:00.000-05:00

Twas the nite b4 Sisterlocks when my son said I looked like Celie from the the Color purple.

2006-03-14T22:52:00.000-05:00

This is me b4 Sista Locks