"Texture and Tones" (for chels)

I have been using the same hair color since I can't remember. Even before I returned napptural I used this product.It's Clairol's Texture & Tones. I have never in all my years of using this product experienced any problems with it. Some folks experience excessive dryness but I have not noticed that most likely because I deep condition on a regular basis any way. My experience was, when I colored for the first time, I didn't get the color I currently have. As I continued to dye, the color became more and more evident. I also think that the type of shampoo(clarifying) I use probably has something to do with some of the color becoming lighter, along with sunlight exposure. Because I don't color on a schedule or regular basis, I end up with variations in the color. The streaks or "high-lights" are a result of simply uneven coloring. I purposely stopped coloring the very back of my locks for contrast. That is the only thing that I have manipulated in the process.

Before applying the dye, I use old fashion vaseline around my edges and sometimes a put a small bit on my scalp because I hate the look of a dyed scalp. The vaseline helps to protect my fragile hairline and keeps it from dying to bright. After the vaseline application, I mix then apply the color with gloved hands. All I do is squeeze a bit onto my fingers and apply to my locks. I always focus in the base area close to the scalp since this is where the dye is needed.

After letting the dye sit, per the recommended time on the instructions, I rinse very thoroughly several times and then I proceed to wash... very thoroughly, several times. After a good wash, I proceed to deep condition for an hour or more to restore and moisture lost from coloring, and then every week after.

Some people experiment with different products and "boosters" to lighten the color. Personally, I stick to what works. I wouldn't dream of switching products. Once I have found something that works, I am very loyal to it. And as far as the color booster goes, to each his own. I'm not knocking it, but I won't do it.

Some folks feel like it is "anti-natural" to color. Eh... get off your high horse and live a little! Others claim that coloring changes your hair texture. It may for some depending on the product, but my uncolored hair is the same texture as my colored hair.

Have fun if you decide to color but be careful and take the necessary precautions.

Good luck! ;-)

Issues

As you can see, I definitely can't keep an every day log of my fitness journey. Waaayy too much to do in a day. Short up-date: I have been paying better attention to my daily diet. I have had weaknesses of course because right-out-of-the-oven cookies are the devil (and my weakness)! I have been doing a great job at the grocery store as of late, but I had a breakdown this weekend. My daughter asked why I hadn't purchased any more cookies in a while and I used that as an excuse to pick some up. Well.. at least I didn't lie to myself and say I wasn't going to eat any ;-)

I don't always have time to make it to the gym so I make the best of what is around me. Again, I always opt for stairs instead of elevators and I continue to park further away at work and stores. I push myself more when i get lazy with small things like taking things up and down the steps at home when I usually call my son to help or taking carts back at the store parking lot when I think it's too far a walk... I think those extra steps make a difference. Especially when it's done on a regular.

In other (random) news, I had an epiphany. I have far too many bras in my drawer with one wire. Seriously. I mentioned a while back that I am very thrifty so yes, I am one of those ladies who buys cheap (not too cheap but cheap enough)bras. Well no more! Besides being a waste of money, after looking at my collection of one-wired bras I realized that I deserved better. Come this weekend I am going to high-tail it to a store to find me some really nice, quality brassieres! Because I'm worth it! ;-)

I am honelsty at this very moment suppose to be doing a home-work assignment. I am very easlity distracted and sometimes have a great deal of trouble gettign started. Once I do get started, I'm on a role and hate to be bothered until I'm done. It gets pretty intense. The family knows not to bother me when I am in the middle of an essay or any assignment for that matter. Every one is very helpful and has been from the start. I am looking very foward to this up-coming winter break from school. I need it and my family needs it.

Whats that you say? What about my locks? Nothing new under the sun. But here are a couple pics:

3+6=9

I will be 36 this month... What significance does the number 9 have?

Support

Day 3

I haven't decided if I am actually going to post every day but I am inspired to for now. I did not make it to the gym today but I made the most of what I had available. I parked further away in the parking lot at work and didn't take the elevator one time. And... I managed to stay away from that dreaded vending machine!

Yesterday, I went to the store to purchase food that I can snack on at work and fix for lunch. Anything that keeps me out of restaurants kitchen is a good thing. Besides, I love my own cooking. I just get lazy sometimes because the type of food I cook takes prep time (w/veges and all). Although I have started to purchase a few frozen veggies in an effort to maximize the time I have available.


While at work, I usually succumb to who ever is ordering lunch. Today since I cooked for myself, others asked all types of questions so I indulged them and told them what I was trying to accomplish, stressing that I am NOT on a diet. A good thing happened when I shared, a couple folks wanted to join in with me! Cool! I can always use support. Having folks around me that has similar goals my just help me stay on track on the days that I feel blah (or it may turn on me and they will get on my nerves). I'm open.. for now ;-)

I figured maybe I should weigh myself... What do you think? I do know that it would prolly be a good idea to start counting calories.

Day 2

Sundays are usually busy with chores and homework. I usually lay back much like Saturdays until the afternoon. Today I got out of the bed at around 9, stretched and headed for the vehicle to go to the gym. Wait! Stop the presses! I couldn't find my MP3 player. I had just downloaded new music to work out to yesterday so it couldn't have gone too far. I was determined not to leave without it.

Music helps the time pass by for me so I am focused and on point. it also serves as motivation for me. Alas... I finally located it and off I went. Today I hit the tread for 30 min again just to pace myself. I was sure to use the incline after 15 min. Boy, could I feel it. Afterwards, I used the weights again and did 20 reps on each machine. I found out that my weakest area is my arms, poor things. I didn't even care that folks where gawking while I attempted to lift x amount of pounds. (you didn't think I would give a number did u?) LOL

I am a bit concerned with tomorrow because the busy week starts. I have to find a way to carve out time to focus for at least 30 min to work out. I plan to increase my work out time in the future. For now I am working on getting my body back used to regular physical work outs. Off to fix a bowl of my fav; brown rice, tofu and broccoli.

Commitment

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I cleaned up my kitchen. I had so many loose hairs in my nape area that it just got to the point that trying to combine them was a practice in futility. When I wear an up-do the fly-away stubborn loose hair that refuse to join with the others would just curl up and laugh at me when I'd try and brush them into place. They had to go!

Funny thing is, they where actually long enough to twist or braid but because they where so soft str8t and thin, they would never hold any type of form.

I have also decided to twist the front while I continue to latch the back. Maybe it's a phase but I like the way it works for me right now

I will be finished with school in May 2009! I have decided with my family's support that I will continue on to the next level. I have also decided it was time for me to get my self back to physical fitness. I am healthy in that I have none of the ailments that run rampid in my family like HBP, heart disease, diabetes and obesity, but I know if I don't start working my heart, I may get myself in trouble. I used to take Karate to keep me active but because I spend so much time at work and in school, I have not focused on my body as of late.

There are spurts when I decide to take the stairs at work and park further away at stores and at work, but I need to quit play'n and really start working out again. I feel tired a lot and I hate that.

So my goal is to create a regular work out regimen for myself. Something I know I can stick to. I love walking out side but the reality is, it's about to get cold and I know I will not have my self out there trying to walk in the winter Mid-west weather... and that's real. So I will be going to my local community center to sign up.

Although the plan is just to get back in shape in general, I do have a goal in mind. After reaching that goal I will continue my regimen just to maintain and stay in shape. It's all about healthy habits. I don't do diets. My eating habits are fine (except those dang break-n-bake cookies I love so much) so I know it's a matter of being more active and burning more calories than I put in.

Along with my lock journey, I will be sharing my journey back to physical fitness.
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Day 1:

Forced myself out of bed. I usually just lounge until like 11:00 am or 12:00. I know I can do better than that. I figure if I just get up, stretch, and walk for 20 to 30 min, that would be a good start... So here I go!

Later that day:

So I got up and put on the sweats, stretched while watching Clean House than left out to go to the community center. I let my purse at home so I wouldn't have to worry about putting putting it in one of those lockers and wouldn't you know it, I got there and they said I needed to renew. Of course, since I didn't have my purse, I didn't have proof of residence so I had to high-tail-it right back home.

By the time I get back home, I'm starting to loose motivation. But, I push forward. I get back to the center, re-new my membership and enter the weight room. Now I'm motivated again! Put on my MP3 w/ my fav music and do 30 min on the tred. Feels good.

I'm surprised that I'm not all winded after my 30(guess taking the stairs helped) so I move on to the weights and spend about 15 to 20 min there. Day one is going great so far. Let's see what Day 2 holds.

Looks Like Locks!

It's been a min.
Life's busy... of course.
Eldest daughter is preparing for higher learning (whered the time go?).
Youngest is preparing for kindergarten (yay! no more day care $$!)
Son is taking up the trombone (mo $$, but yay!)
Being a "boss" at work is challenging and nerve wrecking... but I like the challenging part ;-).
Luv being in school but I'm ready to be done so I can move on to my next venture.

My locks are finally starting to look like locks now.
I love them of course but I honestly get frustrated with the length from time to time as of late. I just want to be able to pull them into a pony and call it a day. I have a goal length in mind(shoulder length), and I know I'm not far from it... The journey is never ending.
I haven't dyed my roots in a while or latched... maybe some pampering time is just what I need right now to boost my spirits... and maybe a new blouse too ;-)

Be back with more pics soon.
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Tag.. I'm it!

Rules:
Link the person/people that tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog
Share 6 non important things/habits/quirks about yourself

Tagger: http://happilynappilynish.blogspot.com/

I'll try to make this diff from that last...
1. I would never consider my self a "fan" of any one but I am really digg'n Rahsaan Patterson! His voice is just devine IMO!
2. Since I have 5 children, I have no desire to be around babies right now.
3. I have two personalities.. one public (social) and one private (anti-social).
4. The real me is very anti-social ;-)
5. The older I get, the more things I become allergic to.
6. I luv myself in general, but I don't like how small my ankles are.

It may be a while before I tag others...