Retrospective

Long time no see (understatement). The year is almost over and I came across my past blog entries (last one in March, shame). It's was wonderful to read them, each was a milestone moment for me. As my natural hair journey continues, I realized that I had an incredible journey and was joined by some amazing people along the way. Some of my friends tried being natural, some stuck with it others got scared being so natural, couldn't handle it. But you know who surprised me the most, my 2 girls, Remy and Nia. Talk about inspirational. As young black girls, this, if any other time in history, is the best time to accentuate self-hate, cover and bury as much of yourself as possible. I will definitely explain... the weave movement is fiercer than ever before, plastic surgery is booming for people of color, there is no shame in being bone thin, and be proud to be sexually promiscuous! Yea. Youngsters can't even spell the word: morals. My girls would tell me their struggles being natural in this fake world we live in now, how the kids would call them "nappy happy" or my "Tasmanian black princess" or some other colorful names. At first, I did detect a hint of "maybe just a little creamy crack, just to blend in." But after much conversation, oxygen hit the brain cells along with a healthy dose of "mamalove", and they continue to rock on fire twist outs and twas. I love looking at them, they look like no one else, unique and special, just the way Jehovah made them for me. They now believe they are a beautiful package, not just wrapping.
This is why it is not good to wait too long to post to your blog, you get brain diarrhea, but I will put a cap on it for now. Promise not to take so long in the future. Next time I'll let you know what products I'm using, and how my health is.
Ciao, hasta pronto!

Lovin' my hair

I am finally growing into my hair. Short, sweet, and petite (my hair I mean). It's thick and lush and moisturized and hennaed and 100% naturally mine. My hair is growing like weeds, I've always read that doing less to your hair will make it grow. This past week-end, I hennaed and then indigoed my hair. Too cute. I almost get misty eyed when I think that sooner or later my hair will get longer and longer and no more will I be able to rock the short and sweet, but as usual I put the cart before the horse. Right now, let me just enjoy each stage as it comes.

PS...I am getting complimented on my hair left and right now. I just started to use aloe vera gel and it defined my curls better than a webster's dictionary and the word: "triskaidekaphobia". My routine is: Deep condition weekly, co-wash every two or three days, apply some leave-in conditioner, top with aloe vera gel, seal with shea butter (unrefined, but scented). You know what I haven't started since beginning this journey...a photo album of hair changes!!!! How weird is that. Tomorrow, I will take the first pics, promise. Love, peace, and aloe vera gel. Nite Y'all!

Ugg...

In this horrible economy, am I wrong to want to leave a full-time position with benefits for a part-time position with none? On the surface, yes, but once you dig deeper, you see that there is a pretty good debatable point. When I came out of the hospital at the end of January, I received a letter from my insurance company that my insurance wouldn't be accepted or considered "in-network" at the hospital I was just discharged from!!! The major life altering hospitalization and its records were at a hospital I was not able to go to unless I wanted to pay out of pocket and that wasn't about to happen. Also, I was in a sticky situation, my daughter was just discharged from hospital on Tuesday, I was hospitalized in that same week, Saturday! What time am I using from my employer? I am in a precarious position in terms of my health, how stable or should I say unpredictable is it? My daughter's health, what if or when she gets sick requiring a hospitalization again. I enjoyed what I did, but I don't think, no I know I'm not able to deal with the high demand stress that job had to offer. The times that I was out of work, sometimes, I enjoyed being out of work home with my children, taking them to school and picking them up, taking care of errands during the day, seeing other stay at home moms and not thinking that I was one of them. This time, I want to work, but I know I don't have the stamina for a full time job, at least not at this point in my life. I am not fearful about getting sick again, it's just that my life and my kids' lives are more important. This is not fanciful thinking. I know that too much is at stake. If I kicked the bucket, I would be replaced at work, it's just a cubicle that belongs to the company.
What does any of this have to do with natural hair care, you may ask?... I'm sure I'm not the only natural lady in this situation. It's something everyone can relate to.
Peace.