I am beginning to feel like Alice.  First I was an ex-member, then I was a member again, albeit with new journal, then I was an ex-member, then I couldn't log on because my password didn't match my user name when I had not changed it; two temp passwords, a name change AND a new journal later, I think I am back.  And I didn't even have any good drugs. 

I would appreciate someone else replying so I know that it all works, please?  Thank you.

I'm glad you've started a new journal!

I wish I could do something to cheer you up.  Can you exercise at home?  That's always a good mood lifter. 

Hang in there and be kind to yourself!!!

Tried a vinegar rinse for the first time today.  WOW!!!  I can't believe how full my hair is.  It's like a miracle.  How often can I do that?  I rinse my hair everyday, but only wash it once a week.

Bought a bone comb at Sally's Beauty Supply today, and the L'Oreal sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.  Looked at Ric's wooden combs and am thinking seriously about buying one.  If you have one, please tell me how you feel about it?  Is it worth the money?

Thank you all for your help.  Today is day 2 after the vinegar rinse and my hair is still full.  It's amazing.  Can't keep my hands away from it.  Bought my first scrunchies today and was surprised at how well they hold.  Also read the directions on how to use hairsticks and tried that and was surprised at how well that worked.   I think I am falling in love with my hair!

The bone comb is very nice.  I think I will use that quite a bit.  I am lusting after one of Ric's combs, so will probably succumb shortly.  The cherrywood, I think.

I must have always had it in the back of my mind to grow my hair out because I never threw away the leather hair buckles I bought when I was in my 20's.  BTW, I am 58 and teach college.

Congrats on your journal.  It looks like you're quickly finding out what works for you and I hope you'll stay encouraged to care for your hair.

I took for granted that keeping a visual image of how I wanted my figure to look would help when I was losing weight but I never thought of doing the same with my hair.  Will give it a try.

I'm so glad you've had good results with the ACV rinse!

It can take 2-4 weeks for your hair to adjust to sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.  Sorry you don't like the smell-maybe you can add some essential oils to it to improve the smell.

I'm one for visualizations, too.

Thank you both.  I thought that was probably it, but wanted to be sure.

Re: adding essential oil to the sulfate-free shampoo.  I am an idiot; the stuff is in a tube. 

It is the end of the day.  It was beautiful all day.  The temp hit 81!  Not a high for this date, but very nice.  Had all the windows open and the ceiling fans running.  It was a day for sandals, tank top, and capris.  Thank you, my goddess, thank you.

Did five loads of laundry and did my nails--pale pink, a summer color.  Never did put on makeup.

Got some bad news today.  My husband had promised me that we would remodel the kitchen this year.  First he said March, so I had people in and got estimates, then he said July, then he said September, now he says not this year.  I knew this was going to happen.     He is great at making promises that never are fulfilled.  #@*!#!#!#*&*!!!!

So I called Ric's toll-free # and I am going to buy at least one comb from him, probably 2  -- one for the dressing table and one to carry with me.

At least my hair looked good all day.

I'm glad the weather was nice on Fri, the rest of the weekend was really crappy--clouds and rain, and again today. So I indulged in shopping therapy and bought a new purse at TJ Maxx, only $30, that's not too bad.

Shampooed this AM, with a vinegar rinse before the conditioner.  Now that I am used to it, I really like the L'Oreal sulfate-free products.  My hair has never been this full.  Of course, it's never been this long, either.  Will try the Burt's Bees when I run out of the L'Oreal.  Will see my hairdresser on the 9th and wonder what she will say.

Bought 3 prs of hairsticks on EBay.  Got the first set today, came gift-wrapped in a beautiful box.  Can't wait to try them; of course, will have to wait a couple of days, 'til my hair is not quite so clean.

Have been wearing my hair down to work.  Most of my colleagues have seen it down in the past, altho' a couple of people looked surprised.  Tomorrow nite is chorale practice and they have never seen my hair down.  It will be interesting to hear what people say.  I am actually not anticipating favorable comments, but we'll see.

I tried to send you several PM's and it won't let me so I'll keep trying to respond...

Could only hope that the 17 year old smacks herself on the forehead or wishes she could kick herself for making that thoughttless rude comment!
I think you'll like the jojoba oil.  It is light and with your hair type you'll only need a drop or two.

Thank you for your support.  I was surprised; most nite students are working adults trying to finish a degree, so they have had manners knocked into them by the working world. 

Bought the jojoba oil today at Fruitful Yield, will try it tonite and let you all know tomorrow.  Also bought vitamin D softgels on the advice of a woman I work with to help with my moods.  She said it worked wonders for her.  Was looking at all the organic shampoos and was surprised to see that they all contained sulfates. 

Our concert is a week from Sat.  Men wear tuxes and ladies wear long black skirts or black trousers and long-sleeve tops, black stockings and black low-heel shoes.  So, after my shower this a.m., I tried on all 4 prs of black pumps I owned to discover that none of them fit.  Then tried on all my dress shoes.  Only one pair still fit, so I have 8 prs. of shoes to donate.  I haven't worn dress shoes regularly in the last five years.  Then off to DSW to look for shoes that were dressy, comfortable and low-heeled.  To my surprise I found a pair that were perfectly comfortable.  Hallelujah!!!  I had decided that I would only spend an hour at DSW, and if I couldn't find anything, I was going to Nordstrom's, which would have been at least twice as expensive.  Also found a really cute pair of red ballet-slipper flats that I couldn't pass up.   I always have red shoes; it's amazing how many things they go with and how often I wear them.  I do have a long black skirt and tomorrow will to go a dancewear store and get a black leotard and I am good to go.

This morning was cloudy, but the sun did peep out this afternoon.  It's supposed to be partly sunny tomorrow and into next week until Thurs when it is supposed to rain again.  It is still isn't really warm, daytime in the 50s and nites down in the 40s or 30s.  Still using the heated mattress pad.

Well, off to oil my hair and bed.  I have been using visualization, telling my self firmly that my hair is long, strong, full, healthy and beautiful.  Seems to be working, along with taking better care of it.     Talk with you all tomorrow.

I can't believe I am up so early.  Actually I have been awake since 3am and up since 4:30am.  We went to a dinner party with friends last nite and the wine flowed freely.  I know that too much wine disturbs my sleep, for several reasons , but it seems churlish to refuse when everyone else is imbibing.  Oh, well, it's Sunday and I can take a nap if I need to.

The last 2 times I shampooed, I used Matrix Amplify and Garnier.   I always like the effect of the Matrix, it leaves my hair very full, but the Garnier left my hair almost too soft.  I guess that is a result of the oil?  I'll keep doing it every nite for a few days and see what happens.  Every other day or twice a week may be better.  Or maybe it's the combination of oil and cones.  If that's the case, I'll keep the oil and drop the cones.  The next time I shampoo, I'll go back to the L'Oreal.

I have been thinking about not coloring my hair any more.  The only problem is that I have been coloring it considerably darker than it really is.  My natural color was mouse brown with ash tones.  And I do have some gray, which looks silver to me.  If my hair went all silver, I would like that.  I am wondering if the light brown would make my hair look thinner?  Plus, if I stop cold turkey, I'll look like a skunk for a long time.  I absolutely will not cut my hair just to get rid of the color.  It's just that at my age, having hair that is different colors at each end, seems too teen-age.

I'll talk to Kirstin and see what she thinks, but what do you all think?

I do much better oiling the night before washing than oiling daily.

Do you have a netti pot?  I find them very helpful for sinus allergy problems.  Hope you feel better!

Hi, Sakina, yes, I do have a netti pot, but I broke my nose in a car wreck when I was 17, so it only works on one side, which is, of course, not the side that gets stopped up.  But I will get it out and see if it helps.

Do you also use a deep conditioner? Or does the oil take the place of that?

On another subject, we need a smiley face that expresses exasperation.  None of these do, and it is an emotion I frequently experience.

Yes, Angel, I have considered having having the colors blended, and will talk to Kirstin about that next Sat.  I wonder what color that would be?  But I suspect she will tell me that my hair looks thicker if I keep it dark.  I remember I reading that somewhere a while back.

All our friends know that my husband never has and never will drink more than a sip to see what something tastes like.  He got really sick from drinking in college and decided then that he was never doing that again.  He has a touchy stomach and can't eat spicy foods, so I imagine he was really ill for 2 or 3 days.

My comb from Ric arrived today and it is lovely.  I will have to get a case for it so I can carry it in my purse and not damage it.

Cheese and mushrooms, huh?  Two foods that I really like.  I mean REALLY LIKE!  Sheesh!!  I quit a 2 pack-a-day cigarette habit cold turkey.  That's enough self-sacrifice for any lifetime.  (Imagine a highly indignant smiley face here.)  The vitamin C will bear looking into.  I guess I will add it to my collection of pills.  I have tried several prescription meds and am currently taking Zyrtec (generic) and Mucinex DM.  They seem to work as well as anything else right now.  The only thing that really was effective for me  was Triaminicin, which is no longer manufactured.

For those who are interested, InStyle has a special spring issue out focused on hair.  Lots of celebrity shots, and critiques of many products, some designer, some natural.  Oh, yes, one article stated that hair color, permanent or demi-permanent, does make the hair thicker because it swells the hair shaft, and is particularly effective on fine or gray hair.  Now there's a good reason to color your hair.

I checked out henna caravan.  Very interesting site; however, 12 hour applications????  Even if I put it on and went to bed, I don't sleep that long.  Plus, I am a restless sleeper (I keep turning over, trying to clear my head so I can breathe thru my nose), and would have to put on a shower cap and tie a ribbon under my chin to keep it on. 

Hey Sakina,please send your hairdresser over here to help me with my henna/idigo application,please!!  I totally relate to lota hair thing and having someone else apply it is half the battle!!

I am feeling somewhat better; thank you for asking.  Started taking Emergen-C, which really does help and tastes good to boot.  Actually slept last nite, which I hadn't the last two nites.  Went to chorale practice last nite, but had to leave early.  Just felt lousy, and started sneezing and nose running, so decided to throw in the towel.  Came home and went to bed around 10pm.  Dug out the Netti pot and started using it again.  The problem is getting my head at just the correct angle due to having broken my nose years ago.  I'm afraid I'm going to drown before I figure that out.    Bought some Werther's hard caramels for the cough.  One of my students turned me on to those last year when I had bronchitis.  She said they're fewer calories than Halls, taste better, and don't upset your stomach.  She was certainly right about the last two items.

This is so the wrong time for this.  Dress rehearsal is Fri nite and the concert is Sat nite.  I'll be damned if I miss it after rehearsing since January.  Between mega-doses of C and positive visualization, I am planning on making it.  I absolutely REFUSE to allow this to turn into a sinus infection or bronchitis or pneumonia.

As I do have a mold allergy, I guess I will cut out cheese and mushrooms for a while.  After all, there's always lobster and crab cakes and creme brulee. 

On top of everything else, I came home Mon to ants all over the countertop.  I killed at least 40 of the little buggers.  So my Orkin man was here Tues, which doesn't help with the sinus problems, either.   Tom says they're coming indoors because we've had so much rain.  So he drilled holes in the kitchen and bathroom walls inside the cabinets and sprayed between the walls.   And it's supposed to rain tonite and for the next 2 days.  Yuck.  You know, it's pretty sad when you're on a first-nam basis with the exterminator.

Can I come to Arizona with Curlgirl64????

But all the hotels have pools, so the three of us can split the cost of a room and spend our day beside and in the pool.   

Hi, Drear, nice to hear from you.  Re, what that woman said to you a while back, I think I would have said something along the lines of "I may not be as white as you, but I certainly have better manners."   What is it that makes people think they can say things like that and get by with it?  Just remember that what goes around comes around and she'll get hers.  With luck, you'll be there to see it. 

Re: drinking, I really only drink at parties 5 or 6 times a year.  It's just that one of our very good friends is a wine connoiseur (had to look that one up  ) and judge, and serves the most delicious wines at his parties.

I feel much better today and it is looking good for the rehearsal and concert.  The congestion goes away for much of the day and the cough is settling down.  I guess the mega doses of C are working.

So, I guess I will go shopping for a black leotard or some kind of top tomorrow to wear with the black Indian gauze skirt.  I'm thinking a lightweight fitted sweater would be nice, and I would wear it more than a leotard.  I will wear or take the skirt with me so the blacks will harmonize.

Tonite I will oil my hair and shampoo tomorrow with the L'Oreal sulfate-free, followed by a vinegar rinse and deep conditioning.  I'm getting color on Sat.  I have noticed that with the wood comb, I don't lose as much hair.  It's really nice.

Dress rehearsal went well.  Sounded like a frog when I got up this am.  Couldn't talk well, but could sing and my voice got stronger as rehearsal went on.  I need to e-mail my voice teacher and tell her that I have mastered head voice.    So, it looks like a go for tomorrow nite.

Wore my hair down since I washed it today, and one women asked if the curl was natural and seemed impressed that it was.  Does that count as a compliment?  I think I will count it as one.

The concert went very well.  Thank you for the good wishes, Curlgirl64.  No pics, I'm afraid.  I never think of that and never take any myself.  However, I will make a new dress for the concerts next year.  I had intended to do it for this concert, but didn't find a pattern I liked, and then I didn't feel well enough to sew.

One of the pieces we did was the debut of music written by the director.  He was very pleased with our performance of his piece, and after we sang it, he turned his back to the audience and laid his hands over his heart.  My husband said this chorale was a better group than the one I used to sing with.  It is a bigger group, about 50, with better singers--many are voice students or teach voice and/or music.

Saw the new Star Trek movie at the IMAX tonite.  Wow!  It was great!  Any other Trekkies out there?

Got color and trim yesterday, so my hair looks good and shiny.  My hairdresser was surprised at how long it was.  She told me that Bed Head was a new sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner that is also an amplifier.  I will look for that tomorrow.  Also saw an ad in either Glamour or Lucky for E-sen-cia, organic  products that are sulfate & paraban free, with no phthalates, propylene glycol and no articial colors.  Walgreens, Rite Aid, Kroger, among others, have full value rebate offers, so I will be trying these products also. 

melusine wrote on May 11^th, 2009 at 2:37am:


Wow that is alot!  I get my amla oil for $2 my coconut oil for about the same.

I'm so so sorry for your loss.  She was a lucky kitty to live with such a loving mommy.  The rose sounds lovely, such a nice memorial.  We planted a lime tree for my Magus, who passed several years ago.

Reading your post made me cry.  (((hugs))) to you and yours.

Thank you, Sakina and Midnite Angel, for your kind words.  It's a little better today, altho' I tear up at times.  Sitting down at the computer tonite, I remember lifting the blinds at the window over the desk, so she could get onto the window ledge and lie in the sun.  That was just a week ago.  Taylor and Cleo are more stand-offish, not as loving as she was.  I miss that the most.  It doesn't help that it is just over 2 yrs since we lost Frisbee, my grey tiger male.   He was one those very personable, affectionate cats, almost a dog, and he was my cat.  I had him for 17 yrs.  It also doesn't help that the weather is cloudy and rainy today, and it is finals week, so instead of teaching, I am watching my students take their tests, trying desperately to think of anything else so I won't break down in front of them.  Just one more test tomorrow, then I can let down my guard.

My husband had a dinner to attend and was getting home late tonite, so I went to WalMart and indulged in a little shopping therapy: Burt's Bees sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, 3 new bras, and material for 4 skirts and 1 bodice for the faire.  I just didn't want to come home and see that empty front window.

So tomorrow nite I leave for the St. Louis Faire.  Andi will drive down from Milwaukee, pick me up and we will drive to Springfield, IL, and spend the nite with my mom.  We will drive to St. Louis Fri am and set up the booth in the pm.  The Faire opens Sat.  TWC is predicting occasional showers and possible thunderstorms in St. Louis on Fri and Sat, but sun on Sun.  Outdoor theater is no fun in the rain, to put it lightly, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I am home after 4 days in Mo. at the St. Louis Renn Faire.  The days were cool, Sat cloudy and Sun sunny, but never warm enough that I felt like abandoning my cloak.  Several folk camp on site and even those in RVs were complaining how cold it was Sat nite.   The women in the booth next to us have a permanent structure in progress, no roof yet and only two walls completed on the second story.  They live in no. Wisc., so spend 3 wks. camping on site in their uncompleted second story.  They were really cold.  Slept under every blanket they had and all their colthes.

Took the L'Oreal shampoo and conditioner and the damned tubes leaked.  Luckily I was smart enough to pack them in sealed plastic bags, but had a mess to clean up.  Twice.  Think I will rustle up my indignant consumer persona and write the company about their cheap packaging.  Next time I will pack the Burt's Bees.  It's in bottles and not likely to leak.

Had my hair braided in one of the fancy 'dos.  I won't do that again.  My hair is so fine that it packs down and I look almost bald on the sides; thank heavens it's dark.  She used those tiny rubber bands on the ends and they did snarl the ends a bit.   I had to be really careful undoing the braids to avoid tangles.  Live and learn.  It did feel good to have my hair securely up off my neck, but I will go back to lined snoods and hats.  It's better for my hair, and more becoming.

Your hair sounds so lovely.  Do you have a picture of it?  Preferably one in your Ren Faire outfit.   I love those costumes; they are so pretty.  

I loved the Star Trek movie too!  I disagree with you on Bones though; I loved him!    

Sorry to hear about your kitty.  I know how much it hurts to lose a beloved pet.  I know she will live on fondly in your heart though.   *hugs*

Thank you, Michelle, and hugs in return.  It has been a week, and I am getting used to not seeing her at the top of the stairs.

I make lined snoods, Sakina.  The fabric base is like a bag cap, with an opening in the back of the band, tied with ribbons for a custom fit.  I usually use a small, or monochromatic design calico that looks solid from a distance.  I hand-crochet the snoods, using old doily patterns and tack them to the base.  They can be solid-color, multi-shades of the same color, or ombre.  The effects are really  pretty.  I will have try to post some pictures.  The advantages of a lined snood are that it keeps your hair clean, and prevents it from tangling.  Last year, one girl at Bristol wore a crocheted snood with beads, and her hair was so entangled that it took three of us 30 min. to work the snood off and out of her hair.

Yes, Sakina, I do sell my snoods.  $35 for unlined and $45 for lined.  As I said, I'll try to get some pictures up.  I know Lady MacSnood; she has a booth at St. Louis.  Very nice person.  She also makes hair sticks, and resells for Likely Lotus, among other garb vendors.  Likely Lotus makes very nice bodices with adjustable shoulders and steel boning.

The girl who got her hair tangled in the beaded snood had very curly hair, so that's probably why it snarled so badly. 

Oiled my hair last nite and shampooed and conditioned today with the Burt's Bees Pomegranite volumizing formula.  Did a vinegar rinse between the shampoo and conditioner.  My hair is soft, shiny, and full.  I really like the BB products.  Have discovered that I need to wait a week or so after I color to use the vinegar rinse.   It's too drying right after color.

Does anybody besides me love to wash her hair?  I look forward to shampooing.  It's relaxing and I love the way my hair looks when it's freshly shampooed.

I did e-mail L'Oreal about their tubes leaking and got a form reply today.  Whoopee.

Quote:


Well, I certainly love it when it's newly washed.  I prefer my hair right before it's completely dry.  Don't know why.  I hate the feeling of an unwashed scalp.  This is the main reason why I keep my hair simple; I'd hate to spend time on a nice style and then have to take it out the next day because I can't stand it if I don't get my hair washed daily.

Today was a beautiful day.  Sunny all day, 80 degrees, gentle breeze.  All the bulbs I planted last fall are coming up and the iris are starting to bud.

Put my hair in a bun with a hairstick and it is staying very nicely.  If I were going to wear it up all day, I would put it in a loose pony first, then bun it.  If I put it in a pony first, it will leave a kink in my hair when I take it down.  If I just twist it up, then I will have curls, which I would rather have.

My hair seems to be growing nicely, and getting thicker, but I know that is because the shorter layers are finally getting longer.  The top measures almost 13 in. now.  I am using visualization, and think it is helping.

Tonite I will oil before I go to bed and tomorrow I will shampoo, vinegar rinse and deep condition.  Will use the Burt's Bees again, it smells wonderful.

I will be leaving for St. Louis around noon tomorrow and will be back around the same time on Monday.  Hope it is a better weekend than last week.  Andi's ex was giving her a hard time, and she was upset, which made the whole weekend tense.  I will be wearing blue this weekend.  Spent some time this evening trying on garb to make sure everything fit.

Have start to diet; fasted today, and haven't been hungry at all.  Took my vitamins, and made sure I stayed hydrated.   I will probably eat tomorrow, but will eat protein and vegetables, no carbs.  Yesterday was my last blast of comfort foods.  Now that the sun is shining and I am feeling happier, I will lose weight.  Would like to lose about 30 lbs.  After I get back from St. Louis, I will get out the weights and start working out again.

So I won't be writing again until Mon pm.

Oiled my hair last nite with jojoba and shampooed this am with Burt's Bees Pomegranate & Soy Very Volumizing Shampoo, which smells wonderful!  Good enough to eat.  Did a vinegar rinse, using distilled white vinegar, then used Burt's Bees Shea & Grapefruit Deep Conditioner.  Left my hair shiny and curly.  I really like the Burt's Bees line.  My hair is wavy/curly and very fine, and these products don't weigh it down at all.  I noticed yesterday that I was getting a little bit of breakage, but after the deep conditioner that seems to have stopped.

I look at the shine serums and frizz control products, but am afraid to try them because it doesn't take much to weigh my hair down.  If you have fine hair and have tried these products, I would be interested in your experience with them.  Thanks.

Thank you, Sakina, I will look for the book.

Let's see, I condition every time I shampoo, try to remember to deep condition every other shampoo. use jojoba oil the nite before I shampoo, use sulfate-free shampoo. blot my hair damp dry, never use heat,  comb it with a wide tooth comb, then scrunch to encourage the curls and waves.  I have accepted that it will frizz when the humidity is high, which is often in Chicago in the summer.  Besides, it makes my fine hair look thicker. 

Am back from St. Louis, this weekend the weather was almost perfect.  It did rain Fri nite, but cleared off by 10am Sat morning.  We were very busy Sat and Sun, had very good sales.

Andi found a tick on the back of her knee Fri nite and totally freaked out.  I tried to get it out, but had no tweezers, so we ended up in the emergency room.  While I waited for her, I was beginning to wonder if there was a full moon, because the waiting room was a complete zoo.  One lady was delusional (schizophrenic, I think) and giving her daughter, husband, the receptionist and all the nurses a fit.  Her daughter was trying to get her admitted, and momma was having nothing to do with that.  Apparently mom had stopped taking her meds.   Then there was the drunk, a woman about 60 who lay down on the floor right in front of the door, then kept getting up and running down the hall to the bathroom.  A young man came in and went to the desk, and when the receptionist asked the nature of his ailment, he replied that it was personal and he would rather tell the doctor.      While all this was going on, a very pregnant young woman was sitting on the other side of the room, holding 2 pillows.  I don't know if she was there for Lamaze class or to be admitted.  By the time we got back to the hotel room, I was ready for a Valium myself.

Only one more weekend of the St. Louis Faire, then Bristol Renn Faire starts the weekend after July 4 and runs for 9 weekends.

I am getting in the mood to sew again.  When I got home today, did 5 loads of laundry and worked on a bodice.  I sewed it about 2 yrs ago and if never has fit well.  I should have checked the critique of that pattern before I used it; it said that the pattern was a pain in the tookus to work with.  I had tried to alter it twice before, but never got it right.  This time I removed the decorative ribbon, opened the lining, removed all the boning, took in the front princess seams, cut the seam allowance smaller, and boned just the fronts with heavy-weight boning, and thank the Mother, it finally fits.

So now I have 2 more bodices to alter, and am planning to rebone all of my bodices with heavier boining, and about 8 skirts to make.  I think I can get all that done before Bristol opens.

Ticks can be scary so I think you did the only right thing.  I've heard that some burn them out.  *ouch!*  I couldn't allow anyone to do that.  

Hi!  Guess they've got some good cheese booths at Bristol.  Thanks for the offer...I think my machine is portable.  Yeah, I'd need a lot of help. 

Have fun!!!

Sunny again today, but we set a record low temp last nite - 41 degrees.   If it doesn't get warm soon, I am moving south.  I was born in Springfield, IL, and I am used to sun-bathing in April, admittedly you had to find a sunny spot sheltered from the breeze, but I did it more than once.  I can't believe that the heat is still on in June and I don't like it one damned bit!    I want summer and I want it RIGHT NOW!!!!  I am not in a good mood.

I love home sewn, knitted, etc. clothes.  Can't sew a button on to save my life.  Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration but it's not far off.

Was cruising new member intros and found the web-site for Fia's hair system.  I always wondered what those codes meant, but not enough to ask.    So now I know that I am a 2afii, and blissfully happy to know that.  I always thought that my hair was thin as well as fine, and was jealous of all of you with thick ponytails.  But now that my bangs are grown out enough to include, it measures average density.  Yay!!!  Now all I have to work on my self-consciousness about my hair.

My aunt is visiting my mom for the summer, and she has the same cowlick at back right of the crown that I do.

Got color Thurs nite after teaching my class and when I walked in, Kirstin looked at me and asked, "What on earth happened to your hair?"  I had shampooed that morning, and with the very high humidity, it had frizzed out to enormity.  After the color was done, she used a Redken curl activator that I really liked.  She said that Herbal Essence made one similar, so I bought it, but either I bought the wrong one, or it doesn't perform like the Redken does.  Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure I used the HE before and didn't like it then either.  So I guess I will visit Sally Beauty supply this pm and get the Redken.  Apparently my hair is just like the rest of me, just different enough from average, that the most available thing doesn't work for me.

Worked at Duckcon this weekend.  It's a SciFi convention in Naperville, IL.  Met some nice people, saw some wonderful, and some weird, costumes.  One guy had a South African tortoise, 5 yo, very people-oriented, and had constructed a discworld supported by 4 elephants on its back.  He had a quite a crowd following him and his tortoise.  How he got her (the tortoise is female and her name is Sheila) is another story.  He had found her by the side of a country road in Indiana, and knew enough to know both that she wasn't native to the area, and that she had been kept, and abandoned, i.e. "released into the wild," by humans.     That is so inhumane!  She would never survived the winter or been squashed by a car.  But now she is living with humans who know how to take care of her, and goes to sci-fi conventions.     She moved really fast, so I asked how he got her to hold still when he installed the discworld on her shell.  He grinned and said he waited until she was really tired.   

Bid on and won two lovely prints by Randolph Ryan in the silent auction.  One is a view of a sun-dappled valley with a castle atop a hill visible in the distance.  The other is of two corsairs sailing past a ruined castle on a cliff overlooking a river running thru a wooded area on a sunny day.  They make you feel that you could walk into them.  And since sunny days have been in very short supply this year, I had to have them.

Am doing laundry today, and it's time to do something about that, so I will sign off.

My students did persuasive speeches today. I love teaching this particular class in the summer.  I teach it Tu & Th afternoons at the Grundy County Community Center and always get the most wonderful students--they study, do the homework, and try really hard.  It is a joy to teach a class like this.  This week and next are the last 2 weeks of class; it is the short 6-wk semester.  I will teach another 6-wk. class starting immediately after this one, then have about 2 wks. off before the fall semester starts.  the next 6-wk class will be M & W from 9am to 12:30pm.  I'll have to get up earlier, but at least it's at the North Campus which is only 10 min. away.

We are having a party on Sat. nite, so my husband vacuumed tonite.  I have to dust, so will do that tomorrow.

Made another chemise tonite of embroidered cotton gauze.  That gives me 3 new chemises, which I needed since it has been 2 or 3 yrs. since I made the last ones.   They are beginning to show the wear a little bit.

My hair is looking really good since I got color last week.  Will oil tonite and shampoo tomorrow.  I used the Herbal Essence curl mousse when I shampooed last and didn't like it, so rinsed the next two mornings.  The mousse seemed to be gone, but my hair didn't frizz, despite the humidity, so that seems to be the routine to follow.  Of course, I could have used too much, but it seems difficult to control how much comes out of the nozzle.  I'll have to experiment.  I didn't get the Redken, but may do that after I use all of the HE.

Hi, Sakina, thanks for the reminder about hot oil treatments, altho' I haven't used them so far.  I saw sweet almond oil in Wal-Mart today and thought about trying it.  Have you used it?  Of course, with the ant problem we are having, I'd probably wake up in the morning to find ants on my pillow, which would totally freak me out.    I would be out of the house so fast, you wouldn't see me for dust.

I used the mousse again this am, but a smaller amount and thinned a little with water.  Still not happy with it, so I guess I will look for gel or curl cream.

If I can figure out how to get the camera to take pictures, instead of showing me all the old ones, and how to upload to a host site, and how to find a host site   , you will see pictures.   I was trying to take a picture of my hair yesterday, when the camera started showing me all the old onesand wouldn't take a picture.  Sometimes I really hate digital thingies.

Wow!  With that glowing review, I may have to pick some up!  I need to go to Ulta anyway...so thanks for sharing!

When I first started to grow my hair long, I had color stripped twice and my hair was in scary shape.  At that time I used oil frequently.  I have used almond oil, and it is a good light oil.  I think my favorite is Camelia oil, which can get quite expensive.  I've moved away from regular oiling of my length-usually when I oil I do my scalp to moisturize and encourage growth with a massage.  Then I comb the oil through the length and leave it on for an hour or possibly overnight when I would do pigtail braids and wear a sleep cap to protect my silk pillow case.

Yuck, ants on your pillow!

Am doing laundry today and will do some sewing this pm.

We had a party Sat. nite, a cookout/potluck.  The weather was good, thank the goddess.  We had quite a storm Fri.  I thought we were going to lose big branches from the trees in the back yard, but didn't.  A friend had a tree come down and take out his deck, and a big willow tree came down a few blocks away.

Spent yesterday doing nothing, watching movies and reading the paper.  After the major pre-party house cleaning, I was tired.

Well, the dryer is buzzing, so off I go to hang up shirts.  Later.

*sigh!*  If I lived near you, I'd employ you to make five tulle crinoline petticoats, circle skirts and maybe a shirt waist dress for a long term project.  Oh, and some Swirl style wraps *dreams on*.

Started the green velveteen bodice and all is going well.  Have the bodice pieces put together and the lining pieces together, and bodice and lining pinned together.  Will sew them together, put the shoulder rolls on, put boning and grommets in tomorrow and it will be done!  Then will take the old ribbon off the skirt and put on the new ribbon and braid and the whole set will be done.  Then I will make at least one skirt.

Will oil my hair before I go to bed and shampoo tomorrow.  It's time for deep conditioning, so will use the Burt's Bees shampoo and deep conditioner.

Am very pleased with how my hair has been behaving and looking.

It's almost 3am here.  I am going to bed.

Hi, Drear, you don't know how much of a fabric stash I have.     Neither does he.  He only knows about the fabric laying on the dining room table, as I start laying out and cutting things.

The bodice took longer than I expected.  Of course, I could have gotten out of bed earlier, too.  I didn't start working on it until after 1pm.  The shoulder rolls were the problem.  I decided to stuff them with old nylons, since I had cleaned out my collection a few weeks ago.  That did not work.  To get the proper fullness, I had to stuff them so full that I couldn't machine-sew them on to the shoulder straps.  Tried hand-sewing, but didn't like the effect.  So took out all the stuffing, sewed them closed and ran a gathering thread along the seam.  Then I could machine-sew them on, so I have sleeve caps, rather than shoulder rolls, which look just fine.  Part of the problem was that I appliqued material, ribbon and braid to the velveteen, and I think that made the material too bulky.

It sounds so simple here, but it was frustrating, and took considerable thought and time, and several attempts to get it right.

Shampooed with Burt's Bees Volumizing and deep conditioned today and my hair looks fabulous!

Am going home to Springfield to spend the weekend with my mom, aunts, sister, and nieces.  Will leave tomorrow after I teach my class and won't be home until late Sun.

Glad you're back and had a good time!
Isn't nice when you have hair growth and your hair  is behaving the way want?

Sunny and 110+ here.

I've never tried Burt's Bees shampoo or conditioner.  Have you ever tried a curl creme?  They can be very light weight.

I visited AZ in July several yrs. ago and thought it was fascinating.  I don't know if I would miss grass and trees, but I absolutely wouldn't miss cloudy days.  Wish I could have stayed longer.

Sounds good!  Thank God for seam rippers when you need them!  I've been caught between a rock and a hard place when it came to either ripping something out or just cutting a new piece.

I miss seam rippers and I don't know why I haven't done anything to rectify the situation.  There are so many little details in different garments I could quickly do with seam rippers, thread and hand needle.

Will you post photos of your sewings when you're done?  I've been lurking on some other ladies sewing photos and it's just incredible what women of all ages can make.  I had two friends in pre-school who were already sewing all their own clothes.  I wish my mother had taught me.

I will try to get pics, as soon as I figure out the camera.  It just hasn't had made my priority list, but it will. 

I use a Husqavarna Huskystar 207. It is a portable, and, I think, next to the smallest machine they make.  I really like it.  Before I used Kenmores and Singers, but like it better than either of them.  However, if and when I replace it, I will buy a Pfaff.  My sis-in-law has one and it is wonderful!  I used it 2 yrs ago when I made the Shakespeare in Love Elizabeth gown for her and was very impressed with it.  Runs very quietly and smoothly, purrs like a cat, and feels very powerful.  My sis has the top-of-the-line Pfaff that is computerized and does embroidery!   Hmm...think what I could do with cuffs and collars with that?    Oh, yeah!!  I may to get one of those sooner than I planned.   But before that, I need a bigger sewing area to have room for 2 machines.

I go back and forth between denim and sharp needles--denims for skirts and bodices and sharps for chemises.   I use needles until they break, which they do, long before they get dull or start snagging things.  Sewing over pins and working with boning doesn't do much for the life of a needle.

You know, Drear, I pretty much taught myself.  My mom sewed when we were kids, but didn't teach us, in particular.  I started out with Simplicity Easy patterns and inexpensive fabric and went on from there.  I never did master making pants or trousers to fit.  That is hard to do, but I've made skirts, dresses, blouses, evening and wedding gowns, as well as Renn garb.

Sorry your day was so crappy!  (((hugs)))

*Hugs*  It's so frustrating when you're accused of doing something you don't think you did and that lady.....well, we don't know what kind of a day she had.

(((hugs))) Some drivers are such twits!  My dad was a truck driver and my boyfriend is tow truck driver.  So you can imagen how they would tell them off. LOL!!  My fav is the "two finger" salute threw the sunroof!  lol!!

Thank you, Sakina, Curlgirl, Drear, Isabeau and Mindnite Angel.  And hugs to you all.  I really needed all the virtual hugs yesterday.  It just wasn't a good day.  Being pulled over by a cop just does something to your day, doesn't it? 

What is the two fingered salute, Angel?  I am always up for learning a new, rude gesture. 

Today is better.  The sun is shining at least part of the time, and I am feeling more cheerful.  My husband only worked 1/2 day, so we went to Red Lobster for lunch, which was very nice.  I love their cheese biscuits.  I could make a meal out of those.

I finished the flowered bodice, sewed tape over the edges of the sleeve caps, and put in the grommets.  It is easier to finish the bodice completely and apply the shoulder rolls or sleeve caps, then finish the raw edges, than it is to enclose them in the shoulder seam.  It's just too many thicknesses of material and too constricted an area.

I have laid out a red and gold brocade-ish fabric to cut.  It isn't bright red, more a brick with old gold flowers and vines incorporated into the design.  Really pretty.  I will make the shoulder rolls in black velvet.  It will be very striking.  I will have to wait to finish it until the grommets I ordered from Greenberg & Hammer arrive.  I used almost all that I had on the flowered bodice.

Today would have been shampoo day, but since we are going to a party tomorrow nite, I decided to wait until tomorrow.  Surprisingly, my hair looks pretty good.   Must be due to all the haircare expertise I learned here. 

I loooove Red Lobster's cheese biscuits!!!  Now I'm totally craving them!!!

Your new bodice colors sound great!  I love black and deep reds, usually with silver.  However, old gold w/brick sounds very period appropriate!  Will you wear it with a black velvet skirt?

Hi, Sakina, I will wear it with a black skirt, but not velvet.  It isn't washable.    Also with wine, and old gold overskirts, probably with homespun plaid and/or striped underskirts.  Homespun, after it is washed, looks like lightweight wool, so is period appropriate.  I make most of my skirts interchangeable to be worn as over- or underskirts, so many combinations are possible.  I usually use a lightweight cotton/poly blend for skirts because it can be so hot and humid here in July and August.  Or it can rain, which mandates that skirts be washable.  I had a beautiful blue silk skirt that got stained when I got caught in a heavy rain.  It was ruined.  I've still got it; I think I can salvage enough material to make a hat.

So, Isabeau, what do the two fingers stand for?     My imagination is running wild.   

I cut out the new bodice and got all the preliminary sewing done.  I just have to turn everything and press it, then do the assembly.

Well, I guess I will oil my hair, then go to bed.

Homespun is cotton.  Hmm....it looks sort of gauzy, but is not see-thru, and after washing it is very soft.  It is always a simple plaid or stripe and the colors are usually muted.  It looks like the fabrics women made at home 150 yrs. ago.

I use a Husqvarna Huskystar 207.  It is not a serger.  I actually don't like sergers.  If you ever have to alter a garment, it is impossible if it was sewn on a serger.

Shampooed with Burt's Bees shampoo and conditioner, with vinegar rinse between, and used Goldwell Definition Shine and Vitality leave in.  I found it at TJ Maxx and it is a totally new product to me, too.  It is a salon product.   Anyway, my hair is curly, has some lift and shine, and minimal frizz, considering it has been drizzling all day.

Was going to wear white capris and a green summer top with fluttery sleeves, but it is so chilly, I am re-thinking that wardrobe choice.

This is miserable weather for July 4th.

My siamese cat yowled all nite.  I have no idea that her problem is.  I slept in the guest room where the window fan is because it drowned her out and my husband wouldn't let me put her downstairs in the laundry room.  He had finally had enough at 5am, so put her in the downstairs bathroom with food, water and her box.   

The miserable weather cleared up about 6pm and we actually saw some sun!  For the first time in a week.  But thank you, Curlgirl, for the offer of trading. 

Went to a very nice party on the 22nd floor of a condo building overlooking Navy Pier.  Bob has a large outdoor terrace, so we all went out on the terrace to watch the fireworks.  Lots of nice people, some from outside the USA, fabulous appetizers, very good meal, delicious wines, nice conversation.  I wore the long black Indian rayon skirt that buttons up the front with tiny buttons, a black long-sleeved T, and the new top I bought last weekend, and hi-heel sandals.

Shampooed in the am with Burt's Bee's volumizing shampoo, vinegar rinse, conditioner, followed by Goldwell's Definition.  Thought my hair looked pretty good, altho' one woman there had beautiful, thick BSL hair that made me a little envious.  However, I was better dressed, had a better figure, and was a better conversationalist.      So there.   

Found some soft claw clips that don't have exposed springs, Goody is the mfr and I got them at Meijer.  Went there to buy birthday cards for my hubby, tomorrow is his big day, he will be 54, 3.5 yrs younger than me.

Made lasagna today, after sleeping until noon.  Cleo behaved last nite and didn't yowl all nite, so I guess whatever was bothering her is over.

I am over the envy of the woman with the thick beautiful hair.  Sigh.  My fine hair will never look like that.

Me too.  I have always had thin hair but it has thinned out even more after years of coloring and flatironing it when I worked as a beauty advisor for Shopper Drugmart. At least we do not have to struggle with tons of unruly hair!  Iknewl a girl in highschool who had very thick curly red hair and if she did not oil and twist it back each morning she would look like Carrot Top on dope!

Carrot Top on dope.    The image certainly is arresting.

melusine wrote on Jul 7^th, 2009 at 12:53am:


Do you teach that terrifying subject called speech?!  First I tried to argue my way out of speech and debate or whatever it was called.  I finally got my way partially by being allowed to take a speech class for second language students.  That's the most rewarding class I've ever taken.   We did more oral presentations in all subjects in the schools I've attended here in Denmark than we did in high school or comm.coll. in CA.

I finished the brick red bodice, grommets and everything.  The only problem is that I am not sure it goes with the skirt I wanted to wear it with.  So I am pre-washing black, brown, old gold, and dark olive green material to make skirts tomorrow.  I know the black and old gold will coordinate; I think the brown will coordinate; I'm not sure about the dark olive green, but I meant that color to go with a different skirt, so it won't matter.

Friday I will be at Bristol helping get the store ready for the season, which opens this weekend.  I am staying at a motel with a friend, rather than driving back and forth.  It's more than an hour from home to the faire.  I am looking forward to it, but am not too hopeful about the weather.  It drizzled and rained all day here, and thunderstorms are predicted for Fri, with rain on Sat, but Sun is supposed to be nice.  We'll see what happens.

No, I never have used it.  Have you?  How does it affect the fabrics and trims?  I use a lot of braid and ribbon.

Got my hair colored today and a very light trim.  Looks pretty good right now.

Made a black skirt and have the gold skirt in process.  Pleated the black skirt and didn't do a very good job, but the waistband will be hidden under the peplums of the bodice, so I am not too concerned.  Tried a different way of gathering the gold skirt (zigzag over heavy thread) and wasn't really pleased with how that turned out either, but again, the peplums of the bodice will hide it, so it doesn't matter.

This will probably be my last entry until Sun. nite or Mon, as I will be at Bristol for the opening weekend.  I just hope it doesn't rain.

Thank you, Michelle.

There are storms on the way, the sky is dark grey and I can hear thunder.  If it rains all weekend, I am not going to Bristol.  The Faire is no fun in the rain.

Right now I would like to crawl into a hole and pull it in after me.  I can't take much more of this awful, awful weather.  It rains or is grey most of the time.   I need sun desperately.  There aren't enough anti-depressants in the world to make me smile.  A week of this brings me to tears, a month leaves me contemplating slitting my wrists.   This is worst summer I have ever seen.

So glad the weather cooperated for your weekend!

MIchelle:  Thank you very much.

Angel:  You go, girl!!!