Happy almost birthday and I hope your plopping goes well. Yeah for new years and new journals and new experiences.
Meg

I was wondering when you too would start a new journal.

Happy Longlocks anniversary and good hair growing vibes!

Happy Longlocks Anniversary!

I LOVE the title, very 8)

     

Happy Bday and Happy Anniversary! Nice way to start  off the year!

I've decided to put my collection here so I won't have to hunt up my retired journal.  This could take a while...

Chinoiserie Original
Green Toumaline Glitter
Gilded Nutmeg Gemstix
Gothic Midnight II Geisha
Electric Ice Original
Opal Petals Bridal
La Jolla Geisha
Shanghi Rapunzel
Emerald Myst
Sapphire Myst
Glass Gardens Duet
Autumn Oak Swing
Indicolite Sea Duet
Silver Myst
Blue Sky Glimmer
Silver Dove Spiral
Star Shadow
Peac0ck Flash Foil
Purple Smoke Gem
Raspberry Frappe Gem
China Sky Gem
Botswana Rose Gem
Aqua Freeze Foil
Ruby Romance Swing
Night Angel Spiral
Good Cheer Spiral
Zircon Waters Spiral
Opposites Attract Duet
Creamed Coffee Duet
Colorado Gold Majestix
Imperial Highness Shadow
Sultan's Mistress Sterling
Violet Noir Shadow
Mariah Swing
Royal Blush Shadow
Ripe Peach Glimmer
Frozen Sun Myst
Pearl Mist Geisha
Fan Tasy Original
Green Sea Shadow
Wedding Grape Glimmer
Sparkling Rainbow Shadow
Exotic Aqua Shadow
Green T Sterling
Pinks Sterling
Blooming Pearls Sterling
Ocean Fantasy Fantasystix
Twinkling Stars Majestix
Mystical Peac0ck Myst
Midnight Sparkle Sterling
Meadow Sage Sterling
Butterfly Spring Individual
Bridal Frost Bridal
Bridal Lily
Gilded Midnight Futuristix
Pink Valentine Shadowstix
Winter Raindrops Swingstix
Spring Lilac Geishastix
Primrose Petals Geishastix
Crystal Wedding Bridalstix
Pastel Forest Originalstix
Peking Opera II and
Violet Lily SpiralStix
Zircon Goddess Shadowstix
Pearl Glitz Glitterstix
Capri Aubergine Glitterstix
Midnight Rosebuds Glitterstix
Lilac Chintz GlimmerStix
Spring Nebulae Holostix
Sparkling Twilight GlitterStix
Morning GeishaStix
Oriental Peony Original Hairstix
Pearlagance Sterlingstix
Purple Currant NeonStix
Gilded Turquoise FoilStix
Oriental Plum Original Hairstix
Glow GeishaStix
Seafoam Seduction Geishastix
Captured Plum ShadowStix
Aqua Lily ShadowStix
Bronze Leaf FantasyStix
Wild Fuchsia FantasyStix
Modern Bride BridalStix
Whipped Purples SpiralStix
Irish Moss SpiralStix
Soho GeishaStix
Azure Pearl GeishaStix
Bridal Cameo BridalStix
February's Daughter GeishaStix
Sea Nymph Glitterstix SE
Montana Rain Individualistix SE
Capri Sceptre Glitterstix
Paris Night Individualistix
Deepest Space Holostix
Lilac Starlight Holostix
Bloo Moon SE Holostix
Paris Disco Futuristix
Ice Garden Pearlistix
Dusty Violets Shadowstix SE
Violet Mystique Gemstix
Dark Knight Gemstix
Pink Wave Decostix SE
Glittering Chameleon Glitterstx
Swing Cherry Swingstix
Pewter Stardust SterlingStix
Sterling Stream SterlingStix SE
Celtic Mist GeishaStix
Shimmering Orchid ArtiStix
Divine Morn ArtiStix
Red Rose Decostix
Plum Posey Futuristix SE
Simply Chic LL Original Hairsticks
Mind's Eye Glimmerstix SE
Venice Burns Glimmerstix
Pastel Skies Swingstix
Seamaid's Seduction Spiralstix
Lilac Explosion Artistix
Magic Clouds Decostix
Moss Swirl FantasyStix
Forest Frost RapunzelStix
Midnight Bouquet ShadowStix
Twisted Pink ShadowStix
Fine Cocoa ShadowStix
Jade Sea MystStix
Sea Pink GemStix
Electric Violet SugarStix
Serene Garden SugarStix
Daydreams DecoStix
Amethyst Sublime SpiralStix
Aqua Bubbles SpiralStix
Onyx Sophisticate SwingStix
January's Fire SpiralStix
Very Cherry IndividualiStix
Sinful Cinnabar RapunzelStix
Rose Deco RoseStix


ETA:new addition(s) to the collection

Wow look at that collection!

Sakina, thankyou for that delicious chai green tea recipe! it was wonderful . Although i didnt have ginger or cloves. it still came out great. so comforting and smooth. i used 2% milk. yum. so soothing to the soul.

No, the problem is not collecting hairsticks but the continuing inadequacy of our collections. 

I agree- you should put "Queen of Hairsticks" to your sig! Because that's who you are!

Between the two of you - it is surprising ANY of us have ANY LongLocks Stix!! 

Good thing Susan likes to work alot - and makes lots and lots of stix. 

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I'm glad you tried it!  It is very soothing

Sheesh!  I haven't posted in a week. 

Meg-the bubba tail is a segmented pony tail, using equally spaced scrunchies or bands down the length of the pony tail.

Bellydancing is very fun, although you feel like you have no clue and no control over your body when your first begin.  Repetitive movements eventually create new nuropathways that make the movements easier.  I especially like the costume aspect of it, besides it feels good once you know what you're doing.

Yesterday I got a trim.  About 1/4".  Neither hubby or mom could tell I got it cut.  Heehee.

No voice lesson today-teacher is sick.  Without the rain our air quality is very poor and everyone is getting sick and/or staying sick.  Dear God/dess, please send rain soon.  Thanks.

Full moon is on its way-the cats are acting crazy!

Oh, Greek_Lady you never cease to crack me up   

I don't know about henna, having stopped coloring my hair a year ago but if you want to enhance your waves I'd go for the layers.  Long layers.  Then you just have to be a bit more patient when pinning up a bun.  I am so glad I tried it growing out my layers and then noting that my hair is too thick w/the waves to keep it one length.  I truly love my layers!!

Oh my achin' feet!  Yesterday's ballet class was a killer and then we did more of the same today!  That stupid slip on the wet pavement in October has the ball of my right foot really sore.  I hope it goes away...soon!

Traffic was so bad today.  Stupid full moon & blue hairs.  Hmmm.  I'm feeling hostile, better go meditate.  After my Singapore noodle bowl and House of the Dead 2.  Guess they weren't so dead the first time (heehee).

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I tried it this weekend.  I added a couple of black peppercorns and used coconut milk.  Yummy!   

Meg,
Most often bellydancing is just girls, but there are male dancers, too.  Their costumes look genie like, and they dance with sticks that emulates fighting.
Most people here in the US don't know there are male bellydancers.

I took hubby to a bellydancing class-he complained about how difficult it is.

13bodies,
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!  Your modifications sound interesting!!

((sound of dragging feet))
(((echoing sound of dragging feet)))
((((sound of dragging feet getting closer))))

Yep.  Its me dragging my feet.  I'm so stuck with some bad eating habits and I'm dragging my feet about changing them.  Maybe it's because my moon is about to start.  Hormones. 

Yesterday I asked to be taken off the schedule at one of the gyms I've been teaching at for nearly 4 years.

I'm fried on teaching.  I can feel my brain in its cup thick and hard and dull and fried.  I may start looking for a new career.
I still have 3 classes a week.

Perhaps I will finally step fully on to the path of the Artist.  Don't know if I have the balls to do it.

On the hair front, my waves are getting quite comfortable on my head.  I continue to use Ouidad's Curl Quencher products and feel the wave is beginning to travel up higher towards the root or I've just gotten much better at scrunching in the gel.
I'm taking Banyan Botanicals Healthy Hair supplements, made up of 3 herbs that are the primo hair herbs in Ayurveda.  At night I'm applying Bhrami oil to the roots of my hair.  Bhrami is an herb steeped in organic sesame oil and is one of the herbs in the supplement.  I am washing my hair everyday, will excellent results.
I'm also drinking a cup of hot organic fat free milk with 1/8t of tumeric, ginger powder and cardamom before bed-calcium is good for hair, too.
Usually someone who has trouble calming her brain down to get to sleep, I feel the relaxing effects of the milk before I'm 1/2 done with my mug.  This is a good habit for me. 

Skin crazy dry.  Need rain.  Humidifiers constantly running, helps sinus but not skin.  Now I'm really flakey in more ways than one!

Thanks, BB.  I really think I'll be floating for a bit, which will be hard to surrender to.  I'd love to go on a retreat for a month or so somewhere far away...
I need to make changes, but I'm not ready yet.

The winds are very high and its giving me a headache.  It started yesterday morning 3am ish and keeps fading and then coming back.  Guess I'll be cancelling appointments today.

Time for tea-laters!

Thanks, Angel Spun. 

Today I said goodbye to my Saturday class.  They were shocked but very supportive of my new adventures.  I handed out my business card to keep in touch if they wish.

One more class left, this Tuesday.

Today my hair was really almost dry when I scrunched in some gel.  It gave me super gentle waves.  Not as defined as when my hair is damp so it was a happy accident.

Another hair note-seems like I've reached a new level of length where it felt almost too long to leave down when teaching.  Since I've been having the headache I need to leave my hair down as not to aggrivate it so I just bobby pinned back the sides a bit.  It was nice and casual.

I slept most of the afternoon after returning from class.  Brain starting to feel better.  For now I'm going to focus on meeting my needs first, and less on pleasing other people.  I think that's my first step and I need to teach less to stay out of the environment that perpetuates that response from me.

Yep, winter (even in AZ) can get to you. Good luck finding something to keep your brain occupied and your body happy.
Oh, Indonesia! That sounds like something to look forward to. Why are you going there?
Meg

Wow, March 1st.  It's hard to believe I"ll be in Indonesia in 4 months.  Dang, seems like no time at all.  Guess I really will have to put my Halloween spending on hold.  I'm planning on throwing a huge party this year.  The theme is "A Deading-Our Love Will Never Die".  Hubby & I will be vampires having an exchange of vows.  Oh yes, guess I've got to get around to writing those.  I'm also working on writing a song for it.  Plans, plans.  My next step is to set up a budget.  Ooops.  Already started spending for it.  A budget is a foreign entity to me.  I'm working on it.

Hair is awaiting arrival of new Ouidad shampoo, condish & mousse for volumizing limp waves.  I've had excellent result w/the quench line for moisture, think the moisture is balanced and now I'm a bit flat.  In the interim I'm using Avalon Organics Glistening shampoo & condish.  Nice change of pace.

I'm enjoying a steaming bowl of steamed carrots and apple.  I've got to cut back on the fast food.  I'm stuck in a loop of same behavior, same result.  I'm tired of feeling fat.  Technically I'm not overweight, however I grew up underweight and skinny feels normal to me.  Stupid Prednisone.  I took it for 12 days in 1999 and have remained at the same clothing size ever since.  Did I mention I went up a whole size overnight the first pill I took?  Major anger issue-maybe I can forgive myself for taking it and the weight will fall away.  Hmmmm.

Have a cleaning at the new dentists in 30 minutes.  Yippee.

Hubby left for China yesterday, I'm a little bummed.  Luckily my parents are around so I'll have someone other than the cats to talk to.

Guitar lessons are going well.  May be working up to a song soon.

Well, my current voice teacher is moving to Missouri this coming week.  Do you think its a hint from the universe for me to stop taking lessons?  Maybe its time to start singing in public.

Many purchases have been made this month for the party.  If anyone needs links or ideas for Halloween, let me know!  I've done so much research and have many ideas.  Looks like we're planning on about 80 invites.  We normally have 50% of our invited guests show up.  That's a lot of people for a Halloween party, me thinks.

Time for lunch.  Laters!

China?.....hairsticks.... hairtoys....

Hope he comes home safe and sound

YAY!  I just heard from hubby that he made it to Hong Kong OK and is now in his hotel in China.  I was beginning to worry...

I'm dreaming of an awesome party.  Literally!  Since he's gone and I have 3 less classes a week I've managed to find some amazing stuff.  Lots of D-I-Y sites.  Some of its over my head-animated props and exploding stuff.  I did get some ideas, though.  We have ficus trees spaced out in the yard, dirt and a cement pad.  I'm planning on filling the spaces with graves.

While typing this hubby & I have been skyping and he wants to call me so I'll be back later.

.....and of course the digging would occur during the midnight hour...... under a full moon....... <evil grin>

You guys...

The dirt here is like cement so there will be no actual digging of graves.  Seriously, it would require a jack hammer or to saturate the area w/water.  Too much work.
I'm thinking paper mache to make the mound and then I can cut holes in it to place body parts and skeletons.  So far I think a board frame with chicken wire attached and then apply the paper messily to give texture and then paint it.  Then add moss and straw and a nice tombstone.  Voila! 
Any other suggestions??

Hubby's expected to return on Friday the 17th.  Sigh.  It seems like a long ways off.

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Thanks, Angel Spun.  Excellent suggestion.  I wonder how early I should go 'round to the flowershops and ask for free dead flowers.  What fun.  Guess I need to start collecting newspaper for the grave mound.

Trying new Ouidad product today.  The volumizing line.  It smells good.  It comes with a mousse-I've been using gel ever since reading the Curly Girl book.  This stuff is cool.  Will see how the results are after it dries.  So far my waves look much thicker.  It is interesting.

Yesterday I washed my hair with the Avalon Organics Glistening poo & condish and then used Jessicurl Rockin' Ringlets & Confident coils.  My hair turned out soo pretty.  I took some pics, and was wearing the hair toy wishing4longhair gave me.  I hope I'll get em downloaded and posted today.  I might not 'cause "Harry Potter Goblet of Fire" came to my house yesterday and mom and I are having a Potterthon today!!!

I've bought Amy's organic cheese enchiladas and sour cream, avacados, tortilla strips, chopped onions, diced green chilies, cheddar/jack blend cheese and chunky salsa.  Wheeeeeeeeeeee!  I'm as excited about the food as the movies!!!  I'm picking her up at noon and away we go.  I also bought a bouquet of flowers 'cause company's coming!!!!!

I'm off to do the litter boxes and then shower.  I love McDonald's breakfast so I'm going to get some of that before I go to the cool bakery shop for their amazing oatmeal raisin cookies.  Gotta have something sweet to go w/our Mexican Feast!!!!!

Laters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was thinking of you when I heard it was raining in your area!  Sounds like it was quite the gully-washer!  Will the desert bloom now?

oooooh!  You have a lemon tree?!!  My mother has an orange tree and her sister has a lemon and grapefruit tree.  I always love to visit when there is fruit on the trees - and then over-endulge!  I like to use the fresh lemon juice as a rinse on my hair - instead of vinegar.  When the fruit is plentiful it is a great way to use it up.

I hope your tree bears much fruit for you!

Hey there, 13bodies!  The broken item is the Celtic Tribal Skull Ashtray.  I was going to use it to hold mints on the tables of my party.  I'm not sure its deep enough, so I may just use it to hold salt at the party on the main food table.  The "lid" was in several pieces. 
I also got the black cat drink stirrs and glass hangers.  I've been trying very hard to find some super cool gifts for my guests.  Since I'm estimating attendance of about 40 people, that's a lot of gifts.  These cuties aren't too expensive and totally have the right theme.  Adorable!
Last, but certainly not least are the skull coasters.  Now I want 2.  The color & detail are perfect.  I thought I'd use these for the indoor part of the party.  Fantastic!!

Today (and yesterday) I have the stomach flu.  Blech!  I can barely keep water in my system.  I have one class covered (thank goodness) but am scheduled to sub today and I've got to get that covered, too.  Double Bleck!!  One of the downsides of being an instructor at a gym is I have to get my own subs.  I always feel bad having to call "last minute" but I don't think I'll fake it through today.  I probably won't be leaving the house today!

On an odd note, my hair is long enough now that I have to hold it back to puke. 

I hope you feel better soon.  I can totally relate....when I was an aerobics instuctor years ago I HAD to teach with a migraine,OMG talk about wanting to throw yourself out the window with the music blaring and having to jumpt up and down..........then when I became a yoga teacher I found that "child's pose" works wonders for stomach ickies and headaches....try it and let me know,please if it helps.  Do child's pose at the kitchen table seated,it will be better....

Congrats on having hair long enought to get in the way and I hope you feel better soon. 
Only 3 more days left alone!
Meg

I haven't measured my hair since I started trimming it every 10 weeks.  I looks and feels like there's been a growth spurt.


Hubby's home!!!  Yay!

Time for blueberry danish & tea breakfast, be back later!!

Although I have not taken a formal measurement, I think I'm about 3 inches away from BSL.  I have to stretch out my waves so I imagine I won't look BSL for maybe about 4".

Today is grey and cool, 60 something degrees.  I'm all layered up with sock on in the house.  We might get more rain...I'm looking forward to warmer weather.

Happy First Day of Spring, everyone!!!

Sheesh!  Its time for another cleanse.  Spring is an awesome time to cleanse out any winter weight and sluggishness.

Well, I'be been keeping my hair in piggy braids for the last few days.  I'm going to wash today and let it air dry down, the braids really work well for sleeping, especially now that they're a bit longer.

Mom, dad & grandma left yesterday to drive to grandma's house.  It sure can be exhausting to have company.  Grandma's loosing her cognitive abilities, so you have to tell her what to do.  It gets pretty annoying, especially since she makes excuses for her behaviour.  I hope it will not be a fight to get her into a care facility when the time comes.  Poor dad.

I'm working on organizing.  I have Julie Morgenstern's organizing book and hubby and I are going to take it slow and over the course of a year we'll have the entire house organized.  Yippee!!!

Thanks, 13bodies.  It is difficult.

I'm so far behind in posting some pics so I'll put them in today.

First is my birthday hairsticks-January 2006, garnet of course!
January's Fire SpiralStix


Next is my February gift from Wishing4longhair (Meg)


And finally, a decent Dutch braid.  This was the first try!


Sorry for the poor quality of the last two, I took them myself. 

Monday I did Ouidad's deep conditioner and a facial.  I plan on doing this every 2 weeks.  Very nice. 
Thanks to BB, I used your recommendation of dampening one hand to do the braids-in the AM I did a French braid and the PM the Dutch braid.  I get terrible results when I try to braid wet, so I'm very happy to have this dry alternative.  YAY!
I'm very bored today.  Its my own fault for isolating myself from others.  Anywho, I think its time to get dressed.
Laters!

Sakina - you must get bored more often - I love your pictures! 

Glad the wet hand idea worked out for you. 

As always, your styles and hairtoys look lovely!

It's raining here and super windy. *image of long haired girl trying to stand upright in the wind while her hair blows around her* (I've tried this in real life and it's not as romantic as it seems in the movies because of the scary tangles that ensue)  Maybe we can send some of our weather your way.
Meg

Today marks a milestone-I made my first braided bun.  I made a pony tail at the crown, english braided it and formed it into a bun.  The end doesn't quite tuck under and I had to pin the crap out of it, but it was light weight and comfortable.  As I continue to gain length it will get better!

Today was so beautiful-85 degrees, warm and sunny.  We anchored the gazebo and put up the mosquito netting.  It looks so cool.  C0cktails outside, anyone?  I make a mean blue margarita or perhaps a lemon drop martini?

I love living in Arizona.

Tomorrow is another water aerobics class.     It feels so good to be in the water, we don't have a pool at home (most people have pools in their backyards here) and I didn't realize how much I was missing water energy.

Yeah! I love braided buns. Congrats.

I love AZ and its water sports. The older people who live out there find it works wonders because it's not hard on their joints. I've gone swimming on one end of a pool where a class was going on at the other end. They must be fun to do, since they are so much fun to watch. 
Meg

It took me a while to get around to my hair - I went to Magellan's website.  They have great stuff for travelling.  I have a huge wish list now...
So, I didn't have time to plop again, but I did clip the roots on top with great results.  I included a vinegar/lemon juice rinse before the deep treat and it really made a difference.  After my hair dried I had major volume and more waves than usual.  Very cool!!!

I hope I can get up tomorrow and make it to aqua class.  I have a headache again.  Its probably weather or hormones.

You're right, 13bodies.  I am too sensitive to the opinions of others.  I hope to get rid of that habit.  It does not serve me.

Today I've been very happy-I tried my new Ouidad Clear & Gentle Shampoo, Balancing Conditioner and Tress FX styling gel and my waves look super.  Soft and defined and spiraling!!!  Yippeeeeeee.  Ouidad's products are really working for me. 

I'm getting so excited about my trip.

More happiness-I got my order from Solumbra.  I got some driving gloves.  They block out most of the sun's rays, which of course is a big problem in AZ and my hands are aging faster than the rest of me.  I tried them out today and really like them.  I got a sunblocking scarf to cover my legs when I'm wearing shorts while driving and a black wide brimmed hat that protects my face and neck when I go hiking and for my Indonesia trip.

I got a filling replaced today, I'm still numb.  I recently changed dentists and I really like this new one better!!  YAY.

I'm inspired by something Galadriel said-about a Flamenco bun.  I'm going to try it with a half up do, dividing the hair above the ears in two and making the two buns leaving the rest down.  Don't know how it will look...

Hiking in Indonesia...how romantic! Oh, but don't forget your sunscreen...or your camera! 

I also wear gloves while driving - we have the same problem here in SoCal. I was still in my teens when I noticed that the tops of my hands were getting sun spots from driving.
    My mother has them all over her own hands, and she has been treated several times for skin cancer. Needless to say, I made a decision at a pretty early age to protect my pallid self from such a fate.

Your Flamenco bun idea sounds cute! Be sure to take a few pix & post them. 

What a nice compliment from your hairdresser. That's good that your hair is getting softer.
Have fun snorkling. My mother has always said she cannot because it's hard to convince her brain that she can breath even though her face is underwater.   It's fun though and you can see a lot underwater.
Meg

OK, I'm usually pretty good at lateral thinking puzzles, but you got me.  What is the connection between those three?

They're all choppers.

Choppers!  Of course!

I feel stupid, now.   

Well... no one showed up for the bellydancing class.  I was a little disappointed, I had spent a fair amount of time planning it out!  Luckily I was dressed to go out to dinner afterwards (just in case no one came) and hubby and I had a nice dinner out.  We tried to go to the Spanish restaurant-I've been wanting to try it, but the kitchen got backed up and so they wouldn't seat us.  We had already waited 20 minutes when they tell us this.  So we go down the way to a sports bar/restaurant.  We had fun just the same.  I wanted a margarita on cinco de mayo but it didn't happen.

I'm really enjoying playing with my new aromaleigh samples.  I think I'll look fabulous in Indonesia!!!  I've got my sun protection outfit ordered and travelling supplies, too.  We also have our tickets.  Yippeee.

Hair was shedding today-temps have been higher than 90 degrees for almost a week.  I don't know what to think about not being able to wear scrunchies in a high or middle pony w/o discomfort.  My hair is just not that long yet, its only about 20 1/4" long.

me too!!!

I'd love to learn to belly dance, but not having any lower back flexibility I'm afraid of what a clutz I'd look like!  (or I'd hurt myself  )   

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This is about all I have to shimmy or shake!