Glad you doing better!
I'm going to try lemon juice with my henna for the first time when I do my touch up.   I usually use ACV but thought I'd change things up!
Yes,having citrus in your backyard is way cool!

When I washed my hair yesterday, I added honey to my acv and I do think it lightened my hair .

Today I did the cassia w/hubby's help and it went quite nicely.  The only issue is that I need more than 200 grams now, the top didn't get all of the coverage it needs.
I am a bit lighter, I think.  The KBB moisturizing mask that I liked so much has shikaki herb in it and I think that was darkening my hair.  I plan on using more honey in my rinse and see if I can't get back to what seems more like my natural color.  I really want to try amla powder since its supposed to enhance curl (the cassia loosens my waves more than I like) but I've read that it imparts a brown color to the hair.

Thanks for looking around, KNS.  I've been hunting around and trying to get a definitive answer, without finding one.  I think I'm going to order some for skin use and try adding small amounts to my cassia and see what happens.  Maybe regular use of the honey in my vinegar rinses will keep it from getting dark and still give me the curl enhancing result I really want.

Seems like I'm all about the multiple braids lately.  I make a pony, divide in two and braid each section then pin them in some configuration.  So far, it makes very different looks and large buns and the weight is nicely distributed.

Today I went to Sally's and got more purple clip ins for accent braids.  My hubby's such a good sport, I clip into his hair so I can do the braiding.  Hee hee.  My first pair I did a 3 strand braid, and next I'll do a rope braid.  I might leave the 3rd pair unbraided for now.

Tomorrow's rehearsal we're to going to be learning songs!  I'm so happy!!!  I can't wait to get my patterns and fabric-I'm antsy to get my accessories.  I've ordered earrings and a necklace that I will wear whether or not they're approved.  Everything about my appearance must be approved for my participation in the show.  Frankly, its driving me a bit nuts not being able to just choose and go.

Thanks, Melusine.  I'll know more tonight at rehearsal.

Today I tried a lace braid and Italian hair taping.  I'm waiting for hubby to come home and take pics before I have to leave.

Speaking of pics, I got some of my most recent pony w/two types of braids, 3 strand and 2 strand rope.  I wound one braid clockwise and the other counter clockwise.  I don't know why I wound them weird.

So pretty!

Godyssey wrote on Nov 13^th, 2009 at 11:42am:
Heehee. That made me giggle!

But I agree, the buns do look quite awesome.  Only one comment I could make is, your hair is so thick and glossy that your bun kind of overpowers the accent braids. Maybe if you wove a bit of your own hair into the colored streaks to make them a bit thicker? 
Not sure, but both styles still look wonderful. 

EDIT: Just looked this up, out of curiosity. It seems that flowers attributed to "pride" are tiger lilies, orange lilies, and amaryllis flowers. Pretty cool!