RTG, you spoke of being nervous...well I have much respect and admiration for you.  I mentioned I do scientific reviews and as such I have to present my findings for each big review to about 30 people who are the 'experts' in my field about 3 times a year.  I have to tell you, I stress over the prepping for 2 weeks before, don't sleep the night before or eat for 24 hours and pace (and well smoke a lot) the day of until I do it.   I HATE public speaking!!!!  I stumble over every word for the first 5 minutes (I have learned to literally write up and read the first 5 minutes worth) and have to make every effort not to speak at 100 miles an hour to get it over with.  My talks are 1-2 hours long.  HOW DO YOU DO IT ALL DAY EVERY DAY!!!!!

JD

wow this morning, instead of getting on with things i need to do before starting my new job next week, i fiddled around with my hair and some clips. and i made a discovery...instead of having to use many bobby pins to keep the sides from getting fluffy, if i just use my BB brush (and it's like day two or three since i washed) i can kind of sleek the sides back and then pull the rest up in one clip. don't worry, it doesn't look slicked back or greasy, it just seems to stay put better when i use the bb brush instead of a comb first. isn't that weird?

The big trim....happened yesterday! I went in and got the bottom half inch-3/4 inch off of the longest layer. It was only growing that long in the back, so it looked mullet-ish, which was driving me crazy and didn't look professional. So now all of it is one length-she just cut it to the length of my front layer. (There were two layers before: mullet almost to base of the neck in the back, and just below chin in the front) So it looks a bit shorter but really isn't that much length off, and will make it easier for me to see how much it's growing all together. Also, it feels much thicker and softer in the back, as she took off the little stringy bits. I think this will look better as it grows out. Also for me, it's the front and sides that grow slower, and those I didn't take off any length from, so should have it all to shoulders by Jan or Feb. YEAH! 

Just conditioned today to get rid of the salon shampoo she used on me yesterday. It's drying now and feels really nice on the ends.

Well today's my last day at pt summer job, and then the full time job starts late this week. Yippee!!!! Hubby didn't understand why I needed to clean out my closet and put my nice clothes in the front and go on an ironing rampage, but for me it makes me  feel a bit more ready. Is that silly?

Not silly at all.  You go RTG.

JD

well it's been a bit crazy as i've started my new job! i'm really liking it, but it will keep me quite busy most days.  back to school time is always full of new beginnings and lots of work.

the hair:
i'm still washing every three days, deep conditioning alot as the last few days of summer are very humid here. i've been just combing it down with a side part and wearing it like that lately. i'll alternate that with pinning up the back.

hey ladies and gents...just hopped back on the boards today to read up on journals, write a bit and check for hair tips! i've been busy, but still faithfully doing my acv rinses, deep condition...etc.

well jd, apparently it takes me about a month to answer questions! lol!
my new job is going great! i love my school and my students...and it is keeping me very busy. i'm one of those folks that  generally enjoys being busy...i stay happier, worry less, and am more likely to invite friends over for dinner. i tend to get moody when not a lot is going on. so, skipping the whole psychoanalysis of that comment, i will say that i do use my weekends to rest up, by reading, taking baths, and spending a long time picking out groceries (like tea, and shampoo) and just hanging out with hubby and the pets.

HAIR
my hair gets its own paragraph today, because it is doing really well. ALL of the layers are even, since my aug. trim, and it's getting its bit of wave back as it gets longer. i don't have tight waves, so when it's really short it just goes every where, but i'm starting to see the wide waves as it grows. while it still doesn't look like long hair, i know it's come a long way since i cut it all off in january. my goal (especially since it's all one length now-is to keep it growing for the next few months, and then the next few after that, etc. with only trims when needed. without reviewing my hair history, most of you know i 'm working on the baby steps with growing it out. i.e., three more months without cutting, dying or otherwise ruining it! it's easier to stay motivated now that it's even on the ends, and all natural. 

i really love my jason lavendar shampoo and conditioner, and am doing a wash about every three days-with deep treatment of olive oil and vinegar wash about once every week or so. i've also started oiling just the bottom half inch (to help avoid split ends) with rosemary oil. i think it's one of the heavier oils, but it was the only one i could locate in the drug store and i like how it smells, so good for now.

i've been wearing the hair pinned up, especially since even now that it's october-we've had excessive heat here, which is odd for us. the weather should be turning to fall pretty soon now, and i'm looking forward to it-especially because i love walking in brisk weather and wearing sweaters.