lol bleeeaaaaagh cleaning out cages.  hahaha

Congrats on starting your hair journal, Curlgirl. You early riser, you. 

Congrats on starting your journal

Sorry i haven't really measured my hair yet, but i'm sure somebody will pitch in

ok.  I use a taylor's tape measure for my crocheting.  I"m gonna need help,it's really long or so I think it is.  Proof is in the measurement!!  I'll get back to ya'll with the figure.(maybe I can get my boyfirend to lend a hand when he comes over:

Thanks Trisha!
Ok,tada..ask for help and this is what you get
I tried measuring my hair myself and I got 31 1/2 inches.  I asked by boyfriend to "help" me measure and I got 32 inches!!!  Either way it's along longer than I would have though!!!  Yippee!  I definately want it as long as I can.  Maybe to where I can sit on it(yes,yes,I would be very careful not too)  So here I am and I'll be consistant every month:)

  Today starts out much better than yesterday at least.  Today is hairwashing and deep conditioning day.  Add insult to injury it's also medicine day.  Hmmmm,still preparing for the MS walk next month.  My team  is walking again,this is the 6year staight we're walking down by South Street Seaport,NYC.  Hope it's better than the first year....it snowed while we were walking.  What a cold mess it was that day!!   Anway,  I'm still trying to get all the stuff together to make special shirts for the team members to wear this year.  We are known for wearing some crazy hats or shirts.  The team is Kelly's MonSter Kicker's.  (M and S capitalized for the disease and to also kick its *()*)(*()

Boy oh boy it's close to 5pm est and I just got home.  Went to Jersey today to be with an aunt who had to put her dog down on Monday.  Very sad,Destiny was only 6 years old and faught her liver cancer like she was "Goliath" instead of "David".  Very sad time since the other dog had to be put down last May due to old age and health issues.  I'll try to be more upbeat here......
Weather was very very windy,I swear it almost blew me over a few times!!!!   I think is was close to 70 today,very unusual for east coast right now.
Tomorrow is the MS conference in NYC.  Starting at 9am-2p,m.  Long day,lots of freebies and info.!!!  Who doesn't love freebies?!
Well,not much more to say right now,got lots to do since I wasn't here all day!  Ciao for now!!

I'm sorry to hear about your aunt's dog.    

I'm so impressed that you're crocheting a sweater.  I love to crochet, but my short attention span usually limits me to buncovers and small stuffed animals.  You'll have to post a pic when you're done.   

Well,yesterday was the MS conference at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in NYC. I love the layout of the lobby:)  the stores are really nice in there,too.
Same old information about MS still floating around though.  I went to see old faces and catch up.  Met some new nice people,too.  Their breakfast spread is always good,  Plenty of fresh fruit,all kinds of juices and yes even one of the wait staff went searching high and low for soy milk for me!!  He found it   Lunh is always a nightmare there for me.  I asked for just steamed vegetables,no more no less.  What comes out was this pastry puff thing and I just knew it was loaded with cheese.....By the time they got it right,everyone was working on coffee and their dessert. 
Anyways, it's raining here today on the eastcoast.  It's soothing and relaxing.  Get ready for the hair frizzies!!!

hey Meg,
As for the Irish part of me ;the green envy part goes both ways,ya know I still think your curls are gorgeous even though you're at a shorter length than me.  You'll get there sooner than you think!   As for the rain yesterday,nothing happened to my hair, I was expecting frizz city.  Today I washed,conditioned,oiled and let it dry any way it wanted.  Curls are just fine

Quote:

Thanks. I do like curls and enjoy them quite a bit. It's hard to be patient, whether it is with growing hair or rings being slow to come back.
Meg

been rather busy the past 2 days with phone calls,blood work and more phone calls...........   Thursday is shot(medicine) day for me so either the get flu-like symptoms from it or not.  Now I'm going to go on Rebif,that's 3 shots a week and more flu-like symptoms.....   anyway,this medicient costs $27 or 29 thousand dollars a year. So not working and being on SSDI since 2000,I've called numerous places for seek financial assistance.  Damn Medicare Part D and the drug being sooooooooooo expensive!  Ppff,networking and brainstorming takes a toll on ya for sure!!  It's ok,all will work out for the best....
Anyway,blood work this morning(every 3 months),picked up a ring at jewelry store,went to health food store to pick up Aloe and Jojoba.  Man,that's expensive.  I could only get a 4 oz. bottle of jojoba for $12.  Anyhoo,got calls to make and make and make....thank god I hitched a ride with my mom for some of this stuff!!!

thanks,BB.  Hugs right back 'atcha

MM is a wonderful website!  Goodluck with everything and glad you joined us at longlocks!

Henna can be a great way to deal with grey hair.  I'd suggest saving your shed hair and test the henna on it.  That way you can see how the grey and other hair will react with the henna coloring.

Busy,busy day today.....  Made out all bills and on my way to Eckard(drug store) for meds. and monthly usual shopping.  I am patiently waiting for hair sticks to come in the mail................   I have no patience,who am I kidding!!lol  When it comes to yarn in the mail and hairsticks.  I should be getting a Geisha hairstick,a set of spiral hairsicks and a set of bridal hairsticks.  Can't wait!!!! 
Hair is in a bun right now with Ketylo corkscrew hairsticks and Purple Zebra LL hairsticks. 
Gotta run! Ciao

thanks,Meg!

Baking soda is a wonderful cleaner. Just sprinkle it around and rub with a cleaning rag. IMO, it beats all the commercial cleaners.

ok,today I bought my first pair of satin pillowcases!  Ah,the little pleasures in life!   I'll try them tonight to see how they work out.  I'm sure they'll be very good to my hair........speaking of hair I'm still waiting for my hairsticks.  They hopefully should be here no later than Wednesday.
My comb from Ric is not here yet either,bummer
Anyway, I picked up a silicone 9x9 square pan for me to make my vegan brownies in.  I think I have enough apples also to make vegan apple crisp...let's see now the night goes....
On to hair,it feels ok,but I'd like to do a self trim..it would be the first time I ever did it.  I need a really good pair of scissors,though.  I see some split ends and am not happy about it since I've been very very good in taking care of my hair.  I guess this is just what happens because it feels like happening.
Since I washed it on Thursday maybe I'll wash it on Sunday or Monday.  Can I use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar????  Didn't get a chance to pick ACV up......just curious

Thanks,Angel.  I've been using Purity Made Simple and Hope in a Jar and it takes off all make-up beautifully   Can't wait to try the white vinegar.  How much should I use? when I dilute it,how much water? 
P.S.  How are you holding up?

Trimming??Not me!  I did a white distilled vinegar rinse today after shampooing and before conditioning and let's say curls galore!!!!  I think I'll be doing this rinse at least once a week!  The satin pillow cases are to die for,the comb from Ric came yesterday,(love,love,love) and the LL hairsticks came today!!!!  Got the Geisha Stix,Bridal Stix and the Spiral Stix.  Ah,life is good.
Oh yeah,the vegan brownies,,,,,sorry I got distracted
the difference is that there are no animal products used e.g.-eggs,butter,milk.  I use Steevia instead of sugar,whole wheat flour,soy milk and other ingredients that keep it vegan.  In fact,I don't eat or use any white flour products in my eating lifestyle.  I'd make your head spin with all radical things I do when I bake or cook.  I think coming from 200 pounds and now being 120 pounds and 22% body fat,that's why I am so obsessive with staying as healthy as possible. I've maintained the wieght loss for about 20 years. The MS has alot to do with it,too.
Anyway,if ya ever need any suggestions for treats or cooking,let me know!

The brownies sound interesting and complicated. I don't think I could be vegan, but I'm glad it floats your boat.
I have noticed that my ACV rinses do wonderful things to my hair too. Keep up the good work.
Meg

Ok,now it's all over.............I ordered another pair of hairsticks yesterday!!   These are the Japanese Sky Original Hairsticks.  I think I have about 9 sets and 1 Geisha.  Had a partial bun yesterday with ketylo hairsticks and it looks ok,but after talking with Susan(aka-Rapunzel) I took all of my hair and put it in a high ponytail,braided it and then put it in a bun.  Wonderful!!!  It not only stayed up it looked pretty good,too!  Same thing this morning.  Tomorrow I'll wash it,deep condition it and oil it.

Slept in pig tails last night.  Very comfortable;better than a single braid.  Think I'll do that again tonight.  I think I need a trim and since I don't think I had any growth this month,(I'm afarid to measure it)  but I will today or tomorrow.....I want to go for a trim on the 28th(new moon)  to see if this does anything for growth   Since joining the board,I'm hesitant about letting anyone touch my hair let alone trim it.  I don't think the place I've been going to is very careful with hair,so maybe I'll try to trim it myself.  I'll think about it and invest in a good pair of scissors for this.
I may wash,acv and condition today or tomorrow.
Feel very crampy today,so "it's that time of the month" again,which started late yesterday afternoon.
Blahhhhhhhhhhhh

thanks,tylenol or Naprozen will get "Aunt Flo" to relax!!!

I am out of Ibuprofen....I think Tylenol does absolutely nothing except help with my flu-like symptoms I get every week after my Avonex shot.  Add insult to injury that I not only inject myself,but then feel like I have the flu after it!!!  Anyway,that's life,

Yeah, birds are funny creatures. My family has always had at least one and I am determined not to ever have one of my own.

Way to be on top of your exercise.   I have a hard time motivating myself to get it done on my own. I'm taking a work out class right now, but once school stops, I am doing to have a harder time getting my butt in gear.
Meg

Well,sure enough those pesky birds were at my air conditioner again this morning and yesterday morning.   I just don't know what to do short of screaming my head off at them.  They chirp,which in turn wakes up my birds,which wakes up my dog,hence I"M UP AT 4:30am!!  It's still dark out,I thought those birds would at least wait until sunlight!  
Anyway,washed hair and conditioned it yesterday with GB Heart Shampoo and conditioner.  It's time to deep condition,that's for sure.  Although it was curly and felt decent,I think it's time to deep condition it.  Had a partial top bun with ketylo sticks today and yesterday.
Since my grandmother was over for Palm Sunday dinner she decided to make her crosses with the palms my mother brought home from church.  I tell ya,at 94 years old that woman still makes beautiful crosses out of the palm leaves.  She made one for me while I sat with her.  I still have some of the crosses she made me over the years and even though they are dried out and some of them cracked,I cherish them dearly.
Well.the hockey game is just about to begin(Rangers and Devils) so I'm off to watch that compare notes on it with my boyfriend.  He was here today and made me a beautiful decopage vase.  Today was a very nice day!

Geeze. They are persistant.  Are they sitting on the a.c. for a reason: heat, a seat or something? You may have to put something on top to prevent them from sitting there: glass, needles or something. Good luck solving your bird problem.
I've done a little yoga, but nothing offical. It was more stretching the muscles (an external thing) than having to do with the state of mind (an internal thing)
Meg

Well,it was a late shower and hair washing day.  I did wash my hair with Ouidad's Curly shampoo,white vinegar rinse and Ouidad's Curly conditioner.  Put it up in a twisted bun with a huge clip for a few hours.  Just to keep it out of the way.  I used a little jojoba oil and aloe vera gel when I put it up,almost didn't want to take it down,but boy I'm glad I did.  Curls galore(for today anyway)  I'll braid it later in pig tails before going to bed.  It got colder outside this afternoon,so I'm in while my hair air drys.
Glad I did my Pilates and Cardio Board early this morning before washing my hair.  Works out much better.

Well,so far the balancing rinse is great for alittle leav-in conditioner.  The deep treatment(expensive) is the bomb!   It's a tie between the shampoo for curly kids and the one for moisture(can't remember the name of the shampoo)   all in all the products are good.  A long time ago I used to use Nexxus Therappe and Humectress and they were fantastic for my hair.  It was shorter then and curlier,probably 12 inches shorter than now.  I might have to go back to that for a change.
Glad you're enjoying your waves

Well then you were definately"present and in the moment" if you were aware of those muscles!!!

Well,so much for the MS Walk.  We didn't go because Grandma is in the hospital and it doesn't look good .   I haven't gone,but those that did say she doesn't look good.  I say,"you don't know Grandma!"  She wants to make it to 100 and we have "plans" to sit on the porch and go for a ride in the wheelchair and my scooter.  The hospital is about 1/2 hour away and she's in that one because that's where her doctor is assigned.  I'm afraid to go to see her #1 because I don't want to see my Grandmother in that state and #2 I'm not sure what it would do to me regarding my MS symptoms.  I can say that I can handle this,but it MS decides to rear it's ugly head and cause an exaserbation,well then I'll be pissed!
Either way,I'll know more later.  It's pouring rain here so I'm in now with the pup who is recooperating from the vet's visit on Friday for her shots.  Life goes on.........

Thanks you Angel!  I'm hoping for the best and maybe expecting the worse.  Do you ever get the feeling that if you tell them they "promised" you to sit on the porch or go shopping with you or have tea or coffee with you that that will make them want to recover???  I just want to tell her she "promised" and so did I and maybe things will turn around.  Wishful thinking???  
I'm working on the rain for you

Quote:


Can't say that I ever had that feeling, no. It might give her something to strive for, but it also might make her feel guilty that she couldn't keep her promise if things take a turn for the worse (which I hope & pray they don't). Of course, you know your grandmother better than I do, so it's your call.
    I hope for the best for and you and your family.

There are chances of isolated showers here throughout the week, but...I want thunder & lightning, dangit! 

I hope everything turns out ok in the end with your grandmother. You are in my prayers.
Meg

What a happy day for you and your grandma! I'm glad you got to see her in such good spirits.

Well,my mother is a worse patient than my grandmother!!!   Thank God her meds. knock her out most of the time   She is her own worst enemy!!!
Anywho,Grandma is being released from the hospital tomorrow morning.  WooHoo   She really  rallied and the meds are doing their job at clearing up this infection in her lungs.
I did manage to find time to get a trim today.  Don't know if I'm happy with it.  It looks better,but I don't know if it's good.  The ends are starting to curl instead of relaxing.  Could be the weather though.  I'll know better after I see it tomorrow morning. 
Just for fun I measured it when I got home and even though I had a trim it measured 33 inches.  Either I'm not measuring correctly or I should just let someone else measure.  I'll see what the number is at the beginning of May.  It is possible that it did grow maybe a half an inch or so.
The "pup" is just fine after the groomer's yesterday.  I think it was all just too exciting for her and she needed to have "down time".  Birds all well,too.

I hope everything works out for you and her.
Meg

Ok ok ok I went back to Eckard with my boyfriend and he knew that I wanted to get the Dove Therapy shampoo and conditioner,so he bought them for me 8) Real honey bun that boyfriend of mine!

Man oh man,when it rains presents from UPS and the mailman it really pours rain!!     I went to the Plaza this morning to Lenscrafters to fill my eyeglass prescription and when I came home there were 5 packages behind my door,then my UPS man (Tom) had one for me and my Stainless Steel hairsticks came in the regular mail!!  Hooray!!  Lots of good books,a jewelry kit and no bills!!!!! 8) 
Can't wait to open the hairsticks and use them tomorrow on my wet or damp hair! 
I'll be trying the Pantene shampoo,conditioner and deep conditioner for the 1st time.  I'll see how the curls like it!

Oooohhh,do tell what's coming from Japan?  I bet all good things too.  Didn't you say something about ordering hairtoys from Japan??

Well if you mean taking the tape measure and start at the top of your forehead and go over your head down to the bottom,then yes I do.  So horay we're the same!   I miss my 32 inches,I have to confess.  Hopefully I will see a difference next month in length.  I wish the same for you!

I don't have any recipes. Sorry. You may want to check the page here about home recipes.
I hope you feel better soon.
Meg

I decided to do a little mixing here and there and come up with my own mix of kaos!!   I washed my hair with the Pantene Pro V Intensitve whatever for Curls,did a white vinegar rinse,mixed Ouidad's Deep Treatment and put that on my ends,put Pantene's Deep Treatment for Curls all over and on the ends.  Wrapped my hair up in a Turbie Twist( with the botton on it for closing)sat in my inversion chair with heat and massage for an hour and watched Charmed!  Then I rinsed everything out really well and put some Pantene Conditioner for Curls all over and on the ends and rinsed that out.  I finally finished with a cold water rinse!!!  
Now for the special mix.......
I finger comb my hair,then wide tooth comb it carefully.....I had mixed some Rosemary EO,Lavender EO,Rose EO and some Sage EO in Jojoba Oil!  Put that on the ends of my hair,alittle all through my hair and braid it and go to bed!!! 
Talk about shine,no frizz and hair that feels great!!!!    I may do more of this next week!!!

When I get a camera to do the honors!!!  I'll definately be "picking your brain" to learn how to post a pic.  Funny you say to post a pic because I just opened a e-mail from Crafter's Choice and they have an offter.....buy 2 books and get a free digital camera!!!  lol
Wonder if the camera is any good I chickened out and braided the whole thing instead of leaving it to air dry because it was bedtime   Next time I'm doing this whole thing after Pilates and air dry away!!!

I would do 1 part cocoa butter + 3 parts mango butter.

Good luck and happy mixing
Anais

Ok,hopefully I will be able to post some pics of my hair soon now that my sister took some with her digital.  One of the pics is with my hair in a bun with ketylo sticks and Crackling Embers hairsticks.  The other pics are of my hair down.  So maybe "we can get the ball rolling" soon!!!  Ordered two more pairs of LL hairsticks and can't wait till they are here.  Silver Lightening and Antique Rose are going to be the new additions.......

Curlgirl,

    Just can't wait to see your pics when you get them!

Blondestorm

THE MAILMAN HAS ARRIVED WITH LL HAIRSTICKS!!!  Woo-hoo!!! 8)  Silver Lightening and Porcelain Rose ae the newest additions to my family of "sticks" They are beautiful,can't wait to use them.  I wanted to get others that were posted yesterday,but I'm ok with what I ordered................now we play!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aww, have fun at your grandmother's, Curlgirl! 

I too am a fan of red nail polish. In high school, I always strove to find the perfect shade of metallic blood. In my early 20's, I started applying a dense red glitter shade over that ala Dorothy's ruby slippers.    But I hate glitter.    So now when it comes to red, I have the deepest shade of congealed blood burgundy...creams are much less of a hassle.

But pink works too, if you have the colouring for it. 

I think because of the humidity yesterday my hair felt like something from out of this world.  I decided to just condition it this morning.  So after Pilates I wide toothed combed it out with my wooden comb and conditioned it with Ouidad's Balancing Rinse.  Feels much better.  I oiled the ends and length,used alittle of Ouidad's gel,can't remember the name of it.  Hey,at 6:30am I'm lucky I don't stumble into the shower!!!
I put my hair up in a bun with steel stix I got from e-bay.  Ron Quattro has some nice ones.  I used 4 though.  I think I need 6 inches instead of the 5 inches.  Oh well,live and learn.  I like them because you can use them when your hair is wet,damp or oiled.
The spiraled ones are nice,but I wish they were 6 inches.
Later!

Yep, yep. Summer is coming with the heat that makes you glad you have hair long enough to put up off your neck. 
Meg

I've been alittle busy,so aside from a wee bit of guilt from not journaling,I do some now.
I've done some cooking over the past few days so if the kitchen gets too hot,well then I'm cooked!(Pun intended!)  My symptoms get aggravated and the exaustion kicks in and then I'm good for nothing else. 
The rain has been unbelievable the past few days,so there's always a possibility of a flood in the house.  Thanks God it didn't happen this time......
I've been practicing with my hair over the past few days and dicovered that I am not as bad as I thought when trying to do a single braid without a ponytail holder!!  Small wonders never cease to amaze me  LOL
Anytime that I had tried to do a braid without putting my hair in a ponytail first always looked like a disaster.  This time I tried holding 2 seperate pieces in my right hand while holding one piece in my left.  Mind you I did have to bring everything forward to finish it because my hair is very long(keep growing!)  When I finished and turned around with a mirror to look in another mirror,I was pleasantly surprised to see it looked good!! 8)
Alas it was to sleep in and not for the daytime.
During the daytime I've been wearing my hair in a bun with ketylo sticks and either LL sticks or stainless steel sticks.  I've gotten used to 3 or 4 sticks at a time and it looks good,not overly done.
Well,I've got an auction on e-bay in a few hours so I'm off.  I've won 3 out of 4 bids.  The only reason I didn't win one was because my computer crashed because of the rain,thunder and lightening.  That bidder got away with murder on the price,too! Well,not tonight if the weather doesn't wreak havoc with computer!
see you later!!

I am sooooooooooooo tired of this rain and gloom.  Can somebody pleeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaassssse send me some sunshine???!!!!  Today is going to be cloudy (again) and a possibility of a rain shower....... sigh
At least my hair like the stuff I did to it yesterday.  It feels good,calm and easier to put up in a bun today!
Not much to tell today,so I bid ya'll adeau!

Wow, Curlgirl, how 'bout we trade? I'll take your rain and "gloom" as you call it any freaking time over the sweltering SoCal sun. The whole bright, happy, hot, sunny CA stuff is totally not my thing.    You're perfectly welcome to it if I can somehow push it over to ya.

Ok,so it's not raining here,yet......it is supposed to until Friday or Saturday.hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Well,either way I washed my hair this morning with Dove mixed with the essentail oils of Lavender,Rosemary and Sage.  It does smell nice!  I did an ACV rinse and then Biolage Balm.  Rinsed with cold water,yikes!!!  That sure does wake you up in the morning!!!  I'm using waterproof hairsticks that I picked up on e-bay.  They are 6 inches and blue and ebony.  I really need 7 or  7 1/2 inches for my bun,but these could work for a top bun.  I did oil with Shea Oil,fractionated coconut oil and and e/o lavender,rosemary and sage(only a couple of drops of e/o)  Feels clean and good.  I also got 3 other pairs of these waterproof sticks in cocobolo,rosewood burgundy,purple pearl(pretty!) I'm waiting for blue and red,pink ivory with rose quartz toppers and of course Silver Bubbles LL sticks some time in the middle of the month!!!!  I've been busy with buying hairtoys!!!  I won't be bored for a long time!!!!!!!
Later!
P.S.   I am waiting for Ida from Chagrin Valley to call me back with some info. I order samples of soap bars and shampoo bars and can't wait until the order goes through!!!!!!!!!!  Patience is such a virtue!

And here's the update on one of the shampoo bars!   I used the Lavemder Rpsemary Aloe Shampoo Bar and did a ACV rinse without conditioner........the results were really good!!  I was surprised that my hair was not a tangled mess either.  I oiled my ends and length,put a little Ouidad gel in it and a touch of balancing conditioner in it to smooth it out and so far so good.  I put it all up in a bun and I'm prety sure that all the rest of the shampoo and conditioner bottles are going to collect dust!!!!!!!!!  I'm very pleased with Ida's shampoo bar and I have 2 more to try plus 7 of the soap bars.  I'll be busy taking notes and enjoying the great smells these bars have!!!

The shampoo bar is still working out wonderfully.  I shampooed with it 2x yesterday and used the Ouidad Curly Conditioner like I said,but later on I was reading the journals and someone said they wanted to try someone's leave-in spray.  I can't remember the girl's names,but I made this concoction......1 Tbsp. fresh aloe vera gel(from the plant),1 Tbsp. Jojoba oil,1/2 cup water,a few drops of e/o lavender,rosemary,sage and Texas Cedarwood.  Put it all in a spray bottle and shook it up and sprayed away last night and this morning.  I like this recipe,especially with the humid weather.  I find I have alittle more control of my hair when it goes crazy because of the frizzies!!!  Not a good thing when you start to look like you stuck your finger in a socket!!!   More later!!!