Let's sing it...Do U Know What Today Is? It's My Anniversary...Anniversary

It's been a year already?!! At the beginning it seemed so far away but now that I've made it, time has really flown by. I've enjoyed all 365 days of my braidlocs, even my fuzzy days. My locs are definitely maturing. My curly q's are few and I have locs that are almost completely loc'd. It will probably take another 6 months for it to be completely loc'd....we will see. I experienced a lot of shrinkage, which I understood would come with the territory but I've also seen a lot of growth. I heard that after a year the growth really takes off. I've combined some locs because I didn't like the look of the very thin locs that were located in the front and sides. I just combined them by two strand twisting them. I haven't had any issues with them unraveling. If I decide to get a nappy tool before it's too late I can combine them by interlocking them but for right now they are okay. I contemplated coloring a couple of months ago but chickened out after I purchased a box of color. I decided to wait after my locs have matured. Just a few weeks ago I decided to try something different while freshing up the new growth. I've started twisting the front and sides of my hair and will continue to latchhook the top and the back. It's an experiment to see how I would like the look compared to latching. We will see.

This journey has introduced new freedom for me. I definitely need freedom with my lifestyle. Having two girls, a teenager with long permed hair and a 2.5 yr old with special needs, I don't have much time fuss with my own hair. Deciding to loc my youngest daughter's hair has also given me one less thing to deal with when it comes to her development. It gives me more time to focus on her most important needs.

My mom has been monitoring my progress and decided to loc her hair as well. She's been natural for almost 3.5 yrs. She is the one who helped motivate me to go natural in the first place. I started her braidlocs on Feb 26th-27th, two hours devoted to each day. She didn't want her locs as small as mine but she still has more than she thought she would. She's already enjoying the freedom of not having to manipulate her hair everyday. I'll post a pic really soon.

I'm looking forward to many more years to follow!

To Color.....or Not To Color?

I need something different. I've always been the type that has to change things up often with my hair. I'm feeling a little bored and want to add some color. I don't think I want to color my entire head because I don't want to make the process of my ends loc'n any slower than it already has been. I'm thinking I may highlight here and there. I'm a few months shy of my 1st yr of being loc'd anniversary. Did anyone at this stage, color their hair and regret that they did?

Experimenting With Styles Cont'd

Experimenting With Styles

Simple updo
First Mohawk attempt

This is a flat twist out, creates looser waves.

I Made My Own Hair Tie

Because I am a DIYer, I wanted to attempt to make my own hair tie. I knew it couldn't be that hard. I found out that it was easier than making a necklace. The circular design was originally purchased as a pair to make earrings, purchased at Michaels. It's hard to tell because of the bright reflections but its inscribed with the words "Be True To Yourself" and the toggle clasp (also purchased from Michaels) is inscribed with the word "smile". I used a 1mm elastic black cord which is kind of thin so I had to double it up. Next time I'll buy a thicker cord. Again sorry about the reflection, I couldn't get my camera to work the way I wanted.

Curls using pipe cleaners

Here are some pics after I curled my hair using pipe cleaners purchased from Michaels. I damped my hair just a little and applied Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion. There were a few pieces that I left out so I just pin curled those and they held just as tight as the curls that the pipe cleaners produced. To produce pin curls I just wrapped my hair around a pen (a pencil will do also) slide it out, hold with your finger and then secure with a bobby pin. The curls were very tight the first day but I just allowed them to fall naturally. They lasted for a 1.5 weeks and that's because I need to wash my hair. I'm sure they would have lasted at least 2 weeks.

Washing Little Me's Hair

Here is "little me" getting her hair washed. Her bath seat makes the process really easy for both of us. I wash her hair with black soap or Olive Oil Shampoo. As you see I don't braid and band and her hair hasn't unraveled much. During the summer months I wash her hair once a week but during the cold months I only wash it twice a week.

Voting For The Presidency

Voter turn out has been great this election year. I know of individuals who have never voted before in their life, that have voted for the very first time in this election. My 82 yr. old grandmother is one of them. It's not good that they haven't used their voting power in the past but I'm glad they decided to do it this time around. From the elderly to the very young many are interested in today's politics for the reason being the failing economy or the fact that history is in the making. I remember as a kid not thinking about the economy just having fun without worries economy woes. I think issues of today are forcing many people young and old to grow up.
Well, the day is nigh and we will have a new president. Let us remember that no matter who is chosen that God is still in control. Let us remember who our source is and who we look to for all of our help. Yes, we each have our own pick of who we want but no matter who it will be, we must always be in prayer for them during their entire term of service and that they are led by the holy spirit in all their decision making. Let us remember Obama's grandmother who passed away this afternoon and keep his entire family in prayer. I was hoping that she would be here until after the election but when God says it's time who are we to argue?
For those who haven't voted yet please please please get out their and make your vote count.

Combined Locs

Okay, I said to myself that I wouldn't combine any locs because I Loved the size that I created. Okay....well....now I'm taking it back. I noticed some locs that were thinning in the front and a few on the sides towards the crown of my head that were waaaayyyy smaller than the neighboring locs. So I joined them together and I like the new size. I see more definition and I think they may loc faster. I will say this I won't make them any bigger than they are now. That's my word and I'm sticking to it! :)
Okay, I found another way to combine locs on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gURRfqU1wi4&feature=related

The Newest and Youngest Loc'd Member of My Family

Yes, this is my baby, Lay-Lay. She's two years old (28 mos.) and she's my little miracle. I'm in the process of creating a blog about her. She was born prematurely and has been living with Cerebral Palsy. She has it but it doesn't have her. She's so determined and strong willed. We've already proclaimed healing in Jesus' name!!!!! Don't get me started praising the Lord all up and thru this blog!!!!! Oh well it's too late. :)

Okay....minutes later....I degress.......Intyway........mommy has loc'd the baby up early. My baby was blessed with a lot of hair.........whatintheworld!!!!!

Look at her trying to get into stuff!!!!