Welcome to the land of hair journals!

I'm sorry to hear about your situation.  I hope it miraculously goes away.  Think happy hair thoughts!

I LOVE the pic of your kitty.  What's his/her name?

I have 3 kitties, too.  Sweetie, Ziggy and Jupiter.

I LOVE COCONUT OIL!!!  

Welcome to the land of journals!  

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Yes, it's quite normal for cats who've just been introduced to not get along.  We have 9 cats, 5 of whom are siblings from the same litter, and even they don't always get along!    Newly introduced kitties need time to establish a pecking order, to learn all about each other, and make friends.  Give them some more time and hopefully they'll have grown to be buddies.  

Well, or they'll find their own 'territory' and not mess with each other too much.

I've had anywhere from 4 to 7 at one time, and my oldest (she's 17) doesn't get along with anyone other than me and my husband.  She's an odd duck, however.  I got her when she was 4 weeks old and just doesn't understand cat social behavior.

coconut oil is great

I've just decided to officially retire my jojoba oil.  I like the fact that it's not greasy but, it doesn't make my hair soft at all, so it makes no sense for me to continue using it.

I'm still waiting on another coconut oil to arrive in the mail. Hopefully, that one will make my hair just as soft as the coconut oil I'm using now, but without the greasyness.

Thanks Bikerbraid  You most likely wouldn't like coconut oil because of your hair texture.  If it's too greasy for me, I couldn't even imagine it in your hair.

I'm still waiting for my new oils, I guess they're not coming today, but Fedex just dropped off my new showerhead!!!  Yay, I'm happy. I'm replacing my old shower filter hopefully for a better version.  This one claims to have 2 stages of filtering, as opposed to the regular ones that just have 1.

Once I use it, I should be able to report if it's better than the regular shower filter.

Ooooh, I'm on page 2.

That dress is GORGEOUS!  Congratulations!

Thanks Bikerbraid and Sakina

I just washed my hair using my new shower filter and I have to say that my hair is noticably softer, it's not a huge difference but it's noticable.  After my shower last night I even noticed that my skin was softer too.

I was going to wait until this weekend to wash my hair but I was so anxious to try out the new filter, that I decided to do it today.  I was so excited, I didn't even bother putting my hair in plaits before the wash, my hair doesn't tangle that much anyway so it's okay.

But  anyway, just as I had finally gotten into the shower and completely wet my hair, my apartment buildings maintenance man knocks on my door ugh... needless to say I was very frustrated.  He was delivering my new dryer so, I had to get out of the shower with dripping wet hair to let him in. Then, about 10 minutes later the cable man comes I couldn't believe the timing. It seemed to take them forever to leave but finally they both finished,and I was able to finish my hair. Geesh!

BikerBraid - I wish I could be so lucky to be able to shower in the basement or anywhere and have no interruptions howevever, there will be no such luck for me, but a girl can always dream.

Today, I'm going to the store to purchase a few things that I read about here last night.  My list is as follows;

1. Greeen Tea Supplements

2. L-Lysine 1000

3. Glycerine

(And to make Kimberlilys Leave in Spray)
4. Aloe Juice

I'm also going to get some stimulating scalp oil from naturesgift.com

Needless to say, I'll be doing a lot of experimenting. 

My new oils came over the weekend and I can note that I do not like safflower oil for in my hair.

The new coconut oil is okay, it's not as greasy, but it doesn't soften as well as the first one I purchased. So it's either greasy and very soft or so so softness without the grease. 

When I went to the doctor about 2 weeks ago I got oil all over the bed thingy they make you lay on, good thing it had that paper on it, I would've felt even worse.  I swear I felt like that Soul Glow family with the greasy hair from the movie Coming To America.

My new dress arrived today and it looks just as nice in person, whew...what a relief.  I need to get it dry cleaned though, just to feel okay about wearing something vintage.

Alrighty, off to the store I go...

Oooh, I hope you have water too.  I've definitely been there before and know just how very much of an inconvience that can be, good luck with the water situation BikerBraid.

Yeah, I guess the list is pretty diverse.  Well so far I don't like the glycerine, it's so thick it feels like styling gel and I haven't tried Kimberlilys recipie yet, I think I need to wash out the glycerine first.

Okay, I was wrong about the Extend A Perm.  The directions specifically say that after the 3rd step you have to blow your hair dry and with a comb if you can.  Well, I didn't blow it on high or until it was dry, but after it air dried, I used my steam flat iron and now my hair is very very soft.  The extend a perm is a thermal conditioning treatment so it requires heat to work.  I still won't be buying this again because it defeats the purpose of having healthy hair but I guess it didn't hurt to try once.  And I'm going to the DMV tomorrow and have to take a drivers license pic so, I wanted nice hair.

Since my hair is so soft I couldn't help but play in it all night, I'm completely obsessed!!!

My new comb, A boring ponytail & Me wishing my hair was this long!!!      

A bun with metal hair sticks, And no post of mine would be complete with out my kitty obsession.  I love them so much!!!

Hi La_Diosa!

How cool that you've started a journal of your own, your hair is definitely beautiful, and thick, omg!    I hope your alopecia is getting the hint from all your bird-flipping, hopefully it'll see that it's unwanted, pack up it's bags and go.  That's a really cool pic of your cat in your first post, he/she's like suspended in mid air, what height!  I myself am allergic to cats, so as adorable as they are I must steer clear, I've got one big goofy lab at home instead!  Good luck on meeting your goal of 30", I myself would be very happy with that length.  I'm at 25 & 1/4" now, I can't seem to get past 27", but I plan to keep trying. 

Thanks Bikerbraid, those are my favorites too.  

Maggie: Thanks for visiting my journal, it's really great to have your support, and our hair is pretty much the same length I think I'm still at 25" even.  I may need to refigure my goal since I've been wet measuring.  I don't think 30" will look as long as I'd like w/dry hair but, I'll figure that one out once I get there.

Yeah, I hope my alopecia is getting the message too but I guess if not, the longer I grow my hair, the more hair I'll have to do a balding mans comb over style if necessary LOL!!! (Imagining myself with hair like Donald Trump!)

Good luck at getting past 27", I'm sure you'll have no problem. Thanks for the compliment on my eBay dress, I'm still trying to figure out if my addiction to eBay has reached the point to where I need to do a 12 step program. Hehe!!

My husband would be so envious of you, he loves dogs and grew up having a lab.  He's being such a good sport dealing with all of the cats even though he's a major dog person. I'm sure eventually, we'll have to get another lab for him though, they are gorgeous dogs.

Hair: I still haven't tried the LIS because I tried substituting jojoba with  coconut oil and it's not mixing at all, even when I shake it, so I'm going to have to whip up another batch.

Okay, I've decide to list the things I've learned about my hair lately;

Hair serum dramatically helps with my dry tangles.

I love coconut oil, virgin is less greasy and good for use during the day.  Unrefined is more moisturizing yet, very greasy so better to apply at night.

I don't like safflower oil, jojoba oil or glycerine.

I like relaxers made for childrens hair, better than Motions.

Steam flat iron used very sparringly, is better than a regular flat iron, it leaves hair feeling soft and conditioned instead of hard, dry, and fried.

It's better to keep my hair in up do's because it helps alleviate the urge to fuss with it.

My 2 stage shower filter softens better than the 1 stage.

Biotin helps with shedding.

Green Tea and Green Tea Supplements are good for the hair.

L-Lysine may be good for my hair (haven't tt my doctor about this one yet) Whew...

Oh, so you're husband's a lab lover too, how cool.  They've just got the funniest personalities, this is the first dog I've ever had, and I just love her to pieces.  She's six now, and she's just maybe starting to lose her puppy edge, she's finally starting to settle down more, but there's absolutely no hiding her excitement when she encounters new people.  What can I say, she's a lover! 

Some Q's for you-
You keep mentioning that you have to use a relaxer on your hair, is this a chemical relaxer?  Is your hair only straight when you straighten it yourself?

I know you said that you don't care for jojoba oil on your hair, but maybe when it's diluted with the aloe juice and spring water it won't be so bad.  You only need a little bit of it in comparison to the other ingredients.  I only say that because jojoba is the closest thing out there to natural human oils, so I would think that it should be one of the best.  I've heard that (I think it's) sweet apricot oil is supposed to be very good too...maybe I'm thinking of sweet almond oil & it's just apricot oil, without the "sweet".  Hmm, I have to check into this now!

When you say that green tea is good for the hair, do you mean just drinking it?  Or is there something else that you do with it?  I'm thinking you mean just ingesting it.

And this one's not a question, just a general comment about Lysine.  It seems to be good for a lot of stuff, I take three every day, it's great for the immune system and fighting against infections.  Particularly good for cold sores, too.  I choose natural remedies as often as possible, I'm not one much for meds unless there's no other way (which there usually is  ).

Last thing- That new dress you got, is that one you actually plan on wearing, or is that one of those things that's meant to just be displayed?  Hopefully you get to wear it, it's too beautiful not too!

I tried the aloe juice, jojoba

I'm very sorry to hear of your mother's passing.  I cannot imagine your loss.
Sounds like you and I have more in common than wanting long hair and loving hair toys.  I have a sister and we are as different as night and day.
People who know both of us can hardly believe we're from the same family.
My sister lives on a farm in Michigan raising cattle and has 3 kids.
I live in the dessert, teach yoga and have 3 cats .
I'm not sure we've ever agreed on anything, our POV's are so different.
My sister and I didn't get along until after I moved out of the house.  I only speak to her occasionally.

I hope this doesn't sound harsh, but what other people think of your spending habits or earnings is none of your business.
So what if they think you spend too much.  That statement is about them, not you.  I've also been in this situation with relatives and as a child I felt guilty over it.  I think we want everyone to be happy like we are, and if they're not we feel bad.  Again, its their problem.  I'm not saying to not be compassionate for others, we all make our own choices-with or without awareness.

OK-I'm leaving your journal now, I hope I did not offend.

just like me.

Hi La_Diosa!

Sorry I'm only responding now, I usually try to stay off the computer over the weekends, I kind of forbid myself to use it.  The weekend...by weekend I mean Sunday, which is my only day off (usually), anyway, I always try to allot myself some "freedom" time to be creative and away from technology.  Usually I'll paint or read a book, or like yesterday, spend lots of time outside with my pup.

I'm glad to hear that you like the LIS, it works so wonderfully on my hair that I've been using it every day, at least once a day.  I like it even better than just applying the jojoba oil straight to my hair, it seems to have a nice effect when it's blended with the aloe juice and water.  So, aloe juice tastes like crud, eh?  I thought about drinking it too, it's very good for you, especially for healing stomach ulcers.  I couldn't get myself past the smell, maybe it wouldn't be so bad mixed with juice?

You remind me of my grandmother (don't shriek!) when you talk about wearing dresses for no special reason.  That's her to a T.  She's 83 & a knock-out, and she wouldn't be caught dead in anything but a dress or a skirt, coordinating jewelery from head to toe, and matching heels and purse.  You know, she still gets asked out, even wedding proposals!!  I pray to God that I age like she did!

About the Lysine, yes, I started taking it on my own for an immune system boost.  I really do not bother with medical doctors if I don't have too, so I went out on my own to get it.  I bought it at my health food store, I always make sure that what I take is pure, vegetarian friendly, and has no chemicals or other crap in it (like GNC products).  To be honest, I really don't know what effect it has on hair or hair growth, I will look into that.

As for gelatin, I suppose it is good for hair and nails, but being vegetarian I would/could never take it.  It's actually pretty gross stuff. 

My sister and I are like yours and Sakina's, definitely night and day (me being night  ).  I'm tall and thin with brown straight-ish hair, she's short & thin with brown/black wavy to curly hair.  Our attitudes, tastes, styles & choices in life are so dramatically different.  Like you and your sister, when we are together ppl cannot believe that we are related, let alone sisters!  They think we're putting them on!  She did and continues to do the college thing to get the prestigious job, loves lots of shiny gold jewelery and jewels and dresses to be socially accepted.  Me?  Not so much.   I gave college the bird (as you did your alopecia  ) and decided to go out on my own, make my own job.  I wear little to no jewelery, not even my wedding or engagement ring.  And as for what I wear, it's whatever my little heart desires, society can kiss my grits when it comes to acceptance.  It's funny, you said you usually end of modifying your clothes to get what you want, I do that too.  I often buy something not because I like it as it is, but because I see potential in it.  Out come the scissors, needle & thread, safety pins, or whatever it takes to get the job done.  My trash is forever filled with denim scraps, straps from this shirt, a collar from that shirt, and sleeves from a few others.  My husband has come to expect it by now!

(((Hugs))) I'm so sorry about the loss of your mother.  I can't imagine what that loss feels like, it must leave a hole in your heart.  From what you said it sounds like she was lots of fun, I bet you have a million good memories of her.  Thank God for memories, huh?

Boy this is long, I'll stop taking up all this space in your journal now.  Bye! 

I'm going to try the Lysine too, I just haven't got around to buying it yet.  

My hair is feeling quite wonderful this mornin'

WooHoo!! The sites back up!!  

I feel your pain regarding the spinach.  I usually eat a spinach salad 4 or 5 times a week.  I too miss my spinach.    Hopefully it won't be much longer before we can have our favorite salads back!

I didn't know it was over, I still can't find any locally.  I'm pretty trusting at this point.   After this fiasco I feel they'll do their best to make sure it doesn't happen again, well at least not anytime soon.

I ordered my first pair of LL hair sticks yesterday!!!  I'm so excited!!! They're a special order so, it'll take a while for me to get them but I've been experimenting away with hair styles so, when they arrive I'll be ready.  

Don't I know it.  I don't even have one pair yet and I'm already eyeing 3 more pairs!! 

Nice addition to the belt.  Your changes to the coat are ambitious.  Good luck!

I was getting really bad dry tangles and pesky tiny little knots so, I finally decided to do a wash using my Pantene Ice Shine.  I like it.  I did my typical low heat, blow dry til damp, detangle thing and the comb just glided through my hair. I didn't have 1 knot or tangle.

I applied safflower oil prior to washing and it made my hair softer. I'm thinking of alternating my coconut oil with safflower oil from time to time to see what results I get.  The only thing is that the safflower oil doesn't smell as yummy as the coconut, I'll have to add some essential oil to change that.  

I ordered some more of my favorite perfumed hair spritz from eBay.  It's moisturizing and is mainly oil, water and fragrance, but they have so many scent selections.  I tried vanilla this time, pretty much thinking it would smell like extract but I was surprised that it had more of a baked goods smell to it like cake or cookies.  It smells so good with my coconut oil, it's definitley my new favorite.  I'm going to try chocolate next, I think that might smell good with coconut too.

Oh, and tonight I discovered a cool way to speed my hair drying along...rollerblading.  I decided to accompany my husband as he went on his nightly jog, the cool breeze felt so good going through my hair.  I felt like Leonardo DeCaprio in Titanic, I couldn't help but raise my arms in his "King of the world" pose, it was so nice.  

I did another measure and am now thinking that I cut off more on my last trim than I previously thought.  I got 24 1/4 inches, dry    Last time it was at 24 3/4 so I don't know.  My ticker even changed today to 9 months even til 30 inches .  I hope I at least come close to meeting that goal.

Gracias!!!

Hey there!     Nice to "meet" ya! 
About the measuring deal...When I started growing out my hair last year, I was measuring faithfully every month.  I had a chart all made out and recorded the numbers...all that crap.  Well, before long, I got so hung up on the numbers (my hair didn't grow half an inch this month--*gasp*  how come?!), that I started stressing over it.  I was focusing on the wrong thing, instead of simply trying to take care of my hair and letting it do its thang.     Now I measure infrequently.  Maybe every 3 months or so.  Anyway, just wanted to finally drop in and say howdy, and let you know you're not alone in the "measuring makes me crazy" club.     Take care!

compeletly

I'm sure eventually I'll just collaspe.

I'm so sorry your new neighbors are causing  you so much stress.  Hopefully you can get out of your lease without penalty.  But in the meantime....

Since they are up so late, making noise, you can assume they like to sleep in.  But wait... isn't that when you vaccuum?    and do other LOUD cleaning chores?  If you have your washer/dryer in the hallway near them, you could wash and dry your tennis shoes..... early in the morning.   Maybe you could take up the drums and practice in the morning?

But more seriously (however everything I've mentioned HAS been done - and was quite effective, I might add), if your landlord doesn't do anything about the noise, how about the police?  It sounds like they are disturbing the peace.  A knock on the door by the local authorities just might be what it will take to get them to realize they are not living alone in the country.

I hope you can get this resolved in some manner soon.

bikerbraid wrote on Oct 7^th, 2006 at 9:48am:

I love the braid waves!  Great picture.

ooo, PURdee!   

[I'm hoping that it's only the change in the weather

Now I'm exhausted and about to go to bed, nightie night

my hair has finally surpassed bra strap length.  It's not that much longer mind you, probably about a half an inch but it is clearly longer so of course, I'm very happy.

Congrats!  I vote for combing your hair in the shower as the method that helped the most.  That's how I detangle my hair. 

I was feeling so great today.

Hang in there women!  Bikerbraid is right, it just takes time.  What I would do when I started was put up my hair and not look at it. Even now I don't measure anymore and it has grown!

if only Michael Jackson would do a show, then I'd be REALLY happy!!

bikerbraid wrote on Nov 26^th, 2006 at 2:08pm:

Don't throw the blow dryer away - it still has a purpose...... you can use it on the plastic window coverings to winterize your house.... you can use it for various crafts that require heat such as heat shrinking plastics..... you can use it to power a hovercraft toy.... it dries paint really fast...etc, etc, etc.

I've not used a hair dryer on my hair in probably 10 years, but I still have one! 

I haven't used my blow dryer in years, but it still lives under my bathroom sink, "Just in case". 

There's something about having it, I guess.

WOW! That is fantastic!  You are one lucky couple!   

Sorry you weren't able to take advantage of the 2nd show,  but what an experience!  I hope someone took a picture for you.

Trisha wrote on Dec 5^th, 2006 at 2:10pm: