Not much to report today. I left Pantene's Deep Fortifying Treatment in for an hour before going to work. Once again, I'd left my microfiber towel in my room, so I didn't squeeze the water out of my hair before putting the treatment in. Ah well. Washed & conditioned as usual, of course.

Recently, as in within the last 2 days, I've begun putting my hair up with a shower cap again rather than a beak clip. I seem to be terrified of breakage these days, even though I'm not sure whether my beak clip is causing any.

In other news, my pedicure was successful on Black Friday, though I'm not sure how jazzed I am about the colour. Still need a manicure to match.

Last night was another walk night, though it was almost too cold to do so. I couldn't jog across streets & driveways as I usually do because it makes me breathe faster, and forcing air that cold into my lungs messed me up a bit. I also had to dress in about 3 layers. Tomorrow will likely be my last walk of the year. It's just become too cold, despite the fact that I live in San Diego. It hasn't been helping much anyway...the numbers are about where they were 3 weeks ago, when I started. Getting my rock & roll figure back may require more drastic measures.

Things are well enough on the romance front, though I still have no idea what to get *him* for his birthday on the 7th. Time is running out.

As of now, I'm starving and debating a visit to Subway before I head home. It's almost time to start shutting the office down for the night. And that's all for now.

My...I'll need to start a new hair journal soon, as this one takes longer and longer to load.

So yesterday, I finally dropped my sweetheart's present off at the UPS store. I was giddy with anticipation as I drove to work, hoping that everything would reach him on time and intact.
    Only problem was that they said it would reach him on the 8th - the day after his birthday. It would have been $100 to have it there the day of. Yikes! But he said not to worry about it. I do hope he likes what I sent him. 

Yesterday was a typical hair day. WCC with Pantene Restoratives Breakage Defense S&C, detangled with Pantene Detangle leave-in conditioner and my broken RS #45 comb, then oiled the ends. After my hair was dry, I braided it.

Today, I washed, then treated for the usual hour with Pantene Restoratives Time Renewal Replenishing Mask, and finally rinsed & chased with the usual conditioner. I am really liking Restoratives. Always have. After a year of frustratedly trying this, that and the other, I believe that I've finally found the best products for my hair.    The next time I need a new S&C, I think I might go after Time Renewal.

This morning, while my treatment was in, I washed all of my seamless combs in the kitchen sink with hot water, leftover Suave shampoo & a cleaning toothbrush.

I didn't get to detangle my hair while it was wet or oil the ends because my sister was in the bathroom when I needed it. Plus, I was running late anyway, so I separated the wet strands while driving to work when I had a free hand, then finger combed when I reached the office.

Lately, I've been rereading all of my old entries in this hair journal, going over what I've learned from them as far as haircare. I made a list of what worked, what didn't and why, and what changed.
    I am pleased to say that I have made it almost an entire year without using the cheap stuff (99¢ or less) once. My hair thanks me for it, but I could improve things still. I think my hair resolution for next year will be to avoid Suave altogether. It has never done anything good for my hair.

Also, I've been reflecting on everything this wretched year has taken from me. So far, I've lost my grandmother, my dog, my Mercedes, my boyfriend, my promotion, my horse, all of my fish and nearly my former husband...and very nearly lost my mind from all of the above. I can say without exaggeration that it has been one hell of a year. Were it not for my brand new car, my brand new love (woohoo!) and the few inches gained in my hair, it would have been nothing but wasted time. I sincerely hope that next year is easier at the very least.

Anyway, more reflections later. It's time to go home.

Yet another simple hair day. WCC with Breakage Defense, detangled as usual, oiled, braided. For whatever reason, the ends of my hair seem to absorb my oil solution better when wet. If I spray it onto dry ends, it doesn't seem to "take" as well. Strange.

My far-away friend called this morning to tell me that he got his present and loves it.    It was an art print of a painting done by his favourite Disney artist (who was also one of his main artistic influences) and he said it was beautiful. Not sure if he likes the Almond Roca that I sent as well. But he probably does. hehe

With the end of the year drawing ever closer, I've been thinking more and more about things that I might like to try for my hair next year. Such as always doing a WCC with either Pantene Restoratives or Ice Shine. Nixing brushes altogether in favour of my seamless combs. Oiling nightly before bed, probably with EVOO. Perhaps finally trying Biosilk products.
   Each new year holds a lot of potential, so we'll see what the new one brings when it gets here.

A few things I've learned from my journal this year which are not hair-related:

• Don't waste your time on someone who isn't willing to waste their time on you.
• Fresh air-popped popcorn is one of the most wonderful things in life. It makes a great snack and can serve as a meal if need be. I really must get a new air popper!

Lately, I've been having a terrible aversion to sweets. Like every time I consume something sweet, I become even sicker of it than the last time. It may be triggered by overindulgence, it may be hormonal, it may just be my conscience going, "Hey, enough already. This crap isn't good for you and you know it." So I'll be cutting back quite a bit for awhile. Mexican food is sounding better and better every day. I have a craving...

*sigh* As yet, I haven't heard from my beloved since he called me this morning. I do hope everything is alright.

Anyway, this weekend, I will take my car in for its first service. I hope everything does ok there, too. If I can afford it, I may look into upgrading some of its parts to streamline and class up its appearance. Just little details, really...but enough of them can have a big impact on the overall look. Hmm...might also want to wash the thing this weekend, too. Tonight, perhaps.

Well, that's it for the moment. Have a great weekend, everybody.

(((((Magz))))))  Thanx, hon. It has indeed been a tragic year for my family, and for me in particular. *sigh* But we keep on keepin' on...nothing else you can do.

And yes, I'm totally over the whole Suave/HE thing. Lovely fragrances or cheap prices aren't worth destroying your hair over. Next year, I'll pretty much be a Pantene Only kinda gal, just like I used to be. That's just what works best for my hair. Our hair.  

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Let's hope, Maggie. Let's just hope.  

Today, I washed with Breakage Defense shampoo, then treated for an hour with Pantene's Deep Fortifying Treatment. After rinsing that out, I conditioned again with Breakage Defense and Smooth & Sleek conditioners respectively.
   I do wish that we had a different showerhead or at least got better water pressure in our bathroom because rinsing anything in there takes forever! Sometimes, I lay down in the tub while I rinse whatever is in my hair out under the faucet. It's the only fixture in there with a decent water flow. *sigh* No sense complaining about things which I have no control over, I suppose.
   Anyway, detangled & oiled as usual. Hair has been worn down all day, though I'll probably end up braiding it if I decorate our Christmas tree tonight.

Lately, I've been in the process of cleaning up my room for all of the dust that's gathered in there over the months...or years. Who knows? I was inspired after looking in my sister's disaster of a room (it looks like Chernobyl in there) and reminding myself that I've never been like that. So the process began, and I've been completely cleaning & restoring 2 things in my room per day. Today it was my nightstand and jewelry armoire. Neither of which have been dusted at least since I've moved in. Everything is coming together quite nicely, and it's a pleasant thing to sit in my room at the end of the day and think, "It's really clean in here."

So yeah, anyway, tonight, I hope to get the rest of my mother's Christmas present. I still have 6 people left to shop for including my sweetheart, but I already know exactly what I'm getting *him.* hehehehe  

And God, I truly, truly hope that *he* is able to make it out for NYE. It's not looking good, but I must hold out hope in spite of that. It's the only thing that keeps me going anymore.

Alright...quittin' time.

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Really? Both ACV and DWV are the same price where I live.

Another fairly simple hair day today - WWCC. I would have treated, had I been able to rouse myself at a decent hour, but these old bones would not hear of it. I ended up being in something of a hurry between laundry and throwing myself together for work, so again, I had to oil the ends of my hair after arriving at the office. Made the usual braid during my break, but there are these few strands that are pulling a bit.    I don't know if I'll ever get this self-braiding thing down.

Much to do after I leave work this evening. The first being depositing my 2 paychecks at the bank.  Then I will probably head to Wal*Mart (ugh) to renew my prescription, and after that, to the mall to get the rest of my mother's Christmas present. Perhaps a little something for myself as well.    Then to my uncle's office so use the computer (shhhhh!). I hope to order my guy's present tonight.

On the homefront, my father has once again taken in one of his homeless, washed-up friends in hopes of reforming him and getting him back on his feet (which never works). So this character has been living with us for the past few days and already, it's beginning to take a serious toll on my nerves. I'm having evil dæmon roommate flashbacks! 
    Again, I've employed the help of my silver basket to carry all of my shower "goods" to & from the bathroom with me so he doesn't use them. Yes, I feel a bit miserly, I confess, but I don't pay good $$$ for my hair stuff to have some drug-addicted stranger treating himself with them at my expense. If that makes me a Scrooge then, well, bah humbug! 
    And once again, I find myself scrubbing down the tub and shower stall after he's used it so as not to contaminate myself with anything he's left behind. *shudder* I've had to sterilize the washing machine - twice - before being able to do my own laundry, because he seems to do his on a daily basis. In fact, I have some rather personal things in the dryer right now, and I pray that I am able to make it home before they are disturbed!
    As yet, I am uncertain how long this...er, "gentleman" (and I use that term loosely here!) plans to stay with us, but I hope and pray that it will not be through the holidays! Gracious...

Well, it's 40 minutes until quittin' time, so I'd better wrap this up. Have a good weekend, all, and Happy Hanukkah to all of our Jewish friends. 

Thanx, Trish. *hugzzzz*

When I originally started this entry yesterday, my very first lines were, "I hate men. I really, really hate them!" But the editor in me decided against it, both from an etiquette and literary perspective. Plus, I was a total anxiety case yesterday. Hence, no entry at all. So, today...

Simple WWCC routine again. Detangled as usual. Yesterday was a wash, wash, treat, condition, condition with the usual method of detangling. I didn't oil yesterday on purpose because I wanted to see my hair in a more natural light, without the ends weighted down with oil or the length braided. Today, I didn't oil because I simply didn't have time.

The ends are a bit dry without oil, and even though my hair is dry now (not to mention incredibly soft - woohoo!), I'll likely oil & braid as usual when I get my break at 3:00.

The good news is that it is finally starting to feel "long" again. I'm not sure if it has reached 23" yet, but it must be close. With the exception of previous damage, which is slowly growing out, my hair is stick straight and healthy. Yay!

hahaha I just had a rather silly thought. Really not sure why this crossed my mind, but I wondered just how far down the length that damage will be when I get married again.    Married again?!    Aye. I suppose it's inevitable...at least I hope.

In other news, the clenching fear and anxiety of yesterday seems to have melted away completely...again, thanx to my far-away friend.    What I wrote in an earlier entry rings true: no matter how distressed I get, *he* always manages to drive away whatever's bothering me. I wish to God that I could do the same for *him.*
    Could this possibly signify the coming end of my feminazi-ish loathing for all things male? hehe Not just yet.    But I may have found the exception to the rule.

Well, 6 days until Christmas and I have everyone's presents wrapped and sent. Except for my aunt, uncle and cousins. My father says that I should get them a gift certificate for the Fish Merchant (an awesome fish restaurant in San Diego that my family often visits)...and I think that's exactly what I'll do.

Still on Restoratives Breakage Defense and will probably use it for a full month before switching. Ice Shine is way cheaper, but Restoratives leaves my hair with that luxe liquid gold feeling....ohhh yeah. *plays with a strand*  So when I finally switch, I'm not sure if it will be to Ice Shine or Time Renewal. The latter sounds good...

Today, every employee at my company got $75 gift cards for a Christmas bonus - woohoo! Wonder what lovely thing I'll spoil myself with this year. With almost all of my Christmas shopping done, I have only myself to worry about. *diabolical grin*

Homeless homeboy is still living at our house.    I hope he has somewhere to go for Christmas. *BOOT!*   

Yeah. It must be a little awkward for him going with us on family outings. Trying not to look like the odd man out while hanging out with our friends and our family, when they all know about his situation anyway.
    Like Sunday when he came with us to watch my cousins' ice skating show. He'd never met my aunt or my uncle or any of their kids before, and my *ahem* presumption is that he hadn't watched very many figure skating shows in his lifetime. He had a lot of the stereotypical misconceptions. So we had to point out to him which kids were my cousins and explain how the program worked. And for the most part, he didn't even watch the skaters, but drew all sorts of pictures on the program...with my pen. *sigh*

This after he'd joined my parents earlier in the day for a routine goth bashing.    I was not pleased about having to sit next to him on the way up and back after hearing what he'd said. And we just had to extend the drive by going to look at Christmas lights after the show. I laughed to myself when he referred to the new LED lights as "LCD."
    He also harassed me a bit about my text messaging, and my parents joined in and had a regular field day with that. Bloody ignoramuses, all of them!

So yeah, he needs to go. 

Oh yes, and I believe that my ex-boyfriend now has a new girlfriend. At least if their MySpace accounts are anything to go by. Not that I'm a regular MySpace patron by any means, mind you. But I had to laugh when I found that out. The girl is overweight with dark hair - exactly the type he likes - and is about the same age as my sweetheart. It's nice for him if he finally has what he wants and is happy, but I still can't resist a chuckle. The whole thing is quite ridiculous, really. Not that it's any concern of mine.

Alright, I think I've rambled enough for today. I've learned a few days ago that I can access AIM Express from work        so I'm going to check if my beloved music man is on yet.

Peace & Love.