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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Music Code provided by Song2Play.Com

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! 

 

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.'