So, I really am getting better at allowing my hair to air dry...  

I usually allow my hair a gentle dry with the towel, comb it out, and let it air dry just long enough so that I can manage to put it back in a braid, usually a single or double french braid.  As long as I do this (as in, get the washing part finished) about 5pm or so, braided by 6, my hair is dry (and very loverly & wavy) by the morning.

however... my hair is falling flat by the end of the day. Grrr.  I understand that I have very long, very thick hair, but do any of you ladies or gents know some tricks that might help keep some of the lift at the roots and not using a blowfryer?  I'd be most appreciative.  :)

When your hair is still damp, take some duckbill clips and clip your roots giving them a bit of lift while they dry.
Another idea is to take a small section from each side at the top of your hair while its still wet and gently tie it like at the beginning of tying a shoelace (just don't make the bow).  This "knot" will go over your part.  Then braid as usual and you should have some height when you take the braid out and undo the "knots" the next morning.

Let us know what works for you!

Sakina,

Have you tried this?  And you said knots... so, if I were, say, french braiding my hair, could I tie these knots every time I pick up hair from either side?

I'm just trying to get a mental picture so I can practice with my hair dry before washing my hair and trying it out for real.  :)

Good idea!

Yes, I've tried both suggestions.  I haven't gotten the hang of the duckbill clips quite yet, still working on it.

For the "knots", you would tie all of them first across the top of your head-you will have then ends hanging down now on the opposite side as the hair grows and then begin your french braid as usual.  There's a picture of the knots in Lorraine Massey's book, Curly Girl I can't remember what page-I lent the book out and can't remember who I lent it to.

Hope this was a little helpful  :-/