My Sister locks Blues

Oh yeah, blue is what I am. For the past several weeks I've been a little down about my locks. In fact, last night I awakened in a panic. I was dreaming that I woke up and found hundreds of broken locks on my pillow.
I’m sure that dream was a result of a problem I am dealing with in my waking life: thinning and breaking locks. It usually begins thinning midway up the lock. At that point, its a matter of time before it breaks off or is taken off by Akilah. Grrrr. I get so frustrated, and feel as if my lock progress is going backward. I have between 570-585 locks. They measure 3. inches long (unstretched) around the crown, and 4-5 inches everywhere else. Then, of course, I now have several 1 inch length locks as a result of the breakage.
I have to admit, though, that my hair was not in the best condition before my locks were installed. Because of my disdain for Beauticians, it had been well over 3 years since I had a professional trim or a really good condition, the type you can only get at the salon. Also, I had heat damage from all the blow drying.
On a more positive note, the now 1 inch locks appear uniform in diameter an seem to be stronger. I guess I will have to be even more patient and ride this out. Furthermore I've noticed that my locks appear shorter than before. My younger sister, aka Helga says this is normal and part of the shrinkage process. I sure hope so.
I could really use some love, encouragement, and advice. I've been too down to even post a picture of myself. I will next time. Peace.

Mrs.California/USA

To tell the truth, I had no idea there was a "Mrs" California Pageant. Not only that, Tracie Stafford, 2007 pageant winner, is the first African American to win in Califonia during the pageants 21 year history. This July she will participate in the Mrs United States Pageant. If she is successful, she will be the first African American and the first woman over 40 to wear the United States crown. She will also be the first African American to hold a major Mrs. Crown at the national level.

I learned of Tracie during my last salon visit to KINKS. I was told she had recently visited there. No, she wasn't there getting locks or sisterlocks installed, although I hear from Akilah that she doesn't chemically alter her hair. She's a press and curl gal(-:

Tracie has many lists of accomplishments. The one that touched me most is her work in inspiring the underpriviledged and domestic violence victims to reclaim their power. She,like me, is also a domestic violence survivor. Her personal story is quite inspiring.

To look for updates on Tracie's reign go to http://www.mrscaliforniaunitedstates.com Or you can write to Tracie at cwhite@exceptional-events.com

Peace.

Addendum to "I've Been Tagged

Oh dear, I wa suppose to tag 7 people after being tagged. Ok, here are the 7 people I have tagged.....

1. Linda
2. Valencia Jazz
3. Golden
4. Onyxcherry
5. Cluizel
6. Shawna
7. Sonia-Sogo

Please view their blogs.

I've Been Tagged!

Ok, here are seven things about me that you may or may not know...

1) I am the 3rd born of 5 girls, and the 3rd of 3 sisters to get sisterlocks.

2) I'm a single mother of a 15 year old daughter , Brittani, and a 12 1/2 year old son, Justin. I've been divorced from their father for 9 1/2 years.

3) I've worked as a registered nurse for nearly 17 years, mostly in Labor and Delivery. Currently I work as An advice Nurse for the call-center at Kaiser Permanente .

4) I am passionate about people suffering from anxiety and depression. Those callers get extra special treatment and attention from me. There is a personal satisfaction in advising them and accessing care for them.

5) I bought my first home three years ago, its a 3 bedroom, 2 bath Beazer home. The backyard is quite large and was professionally landscaped four months ago.

6) I love to sing, and consider it a gift from the Almighty. When an oppurtunity to sing presents, it is usually for a church event.

7) My favorite kind of food is Thai.

More Than A Natural Hair Salon.

One thing I love about visiting KINKS natural hair salon, is that there is always something happening. Akilah, owner and loctician, not only wanted her shop to be a natural hair care salon, but to offer a wide range of various services and opportunities to the community. For instance. I remember going there one weekend to have my locks serviced. When I opened the door, I was hit with a mind altering aroma of a Jamaican brotha' cooking food from his native country. I couldn't resist, and purchased a plate from him. OMG!!! It was soooo good!!!!! And, he was cute, cute, cute. Did I say he was cute? Darn I forgot to take his picture (-: At the same time there was an art exhibit on display in another section of the three story Victorian building. The artist, Marshall Bailey, had enough African art to fill two rooms with all of his creations. Also, I learned that he is a professional photographer( Marshall Bailey Photography # 916-613-0099), if interested in his services. I was quite impressed with his work. Also, quite friendly. I'm considering soliciting his services to take pictures of my kids and me.
On a different visit, there were various vendors selling Afican jewelry, clothing, crafts, etc. There were even several people offering massages and various types of body wraps. I purchased some very cute African styled earrings. I wear them often.

I am told that there will be a sisterlock retightening class offereded in July at the salon. It is suppose to be taught by Shannon. I will have to check with Akilah to see if it is still happening. I will post it on the "lock it up" web site and here once I confirm the date.
I'm sure there are a lot more services offered but I don't want to be too wordy. If you are ever in Sacramento, stop by and tell Akilah "Aya" sent you (-:

It's All A Process

I went to my retightening session on Wednesday. I walked in concerned about the status of several locks that looked either too thin, or ununiformed. Akilah reassurred me that most areas were progressing fine, and the areas of concern were fixable. She went to work on me. When it was done, it looked quite good. She joined the very thin locks and retightened at the roots. She also explained how the locking process works and to be patient with the process. However, we are both aware of a few locks on the top of my head that are a little troubled. The roots are growing in much thicker that the locked hair giving those locks a "hanging by a thread" appearance. Actually,those few concerned me the most. I'm afraid of losing the whole lock. I was reassusred that this would come together too. Ok, no more stressing........I'll enjoy the ride!!!!!!!!!!

Freestylin' It!!

I usually wash and set my hair a day or two before I get it retightened. This has served me well in helping to prevent slippage (I used to wash after retightening). Anywho, this time after going through the routine of braiding, banding and washing, I allowed the braided bands to stay in place for a little over an hour. Afterward, I unbraided each section and separated each lock. I noticed after separating the locks that my hair didn't shrink as much. However, my hair was still wet so I let it hang to dry for several more hours. When it was about 80% dry, I pulled up my hair in a ponytail, and went out to run some errands. About two hours later, I took out the ponytail, and noticed the locks hung with less shrinkage. How cool is that? Talk about hair freedom!!! Free, free, free!!!!!!!!!



On a sadder note, I do have some problem areas with my locks. Oh, I love em still, but I know there are quite a few locks that will have to be joined. Some are just too thin, or have weakened. I'm not sure which is the case. Anyway, say a prayer for me. I go for my retightening tomorrow and will update on my lock dilema.