I stole the photos

I realize that stealing someone else's photos aren't nice, except when they are your daughter.lol here she is in all her sisterloc glory, banded and ready for a wash.

My Children

Both of my children have decided to lock their hair. Autumn wanted sisterlocks and my son Dimitri doesn't care just as long as they longer then mine are now. I have explained to them both that length takes time I have had two hair cuts in the 30 months that I have had my locks hopefully they will just sail through. Autumn's hair is naturally straigh curly and Dimitri has a much tighter curl pattern so I believe he will actually lock first I am tryin to start his locks myself and if it turns out ot be to much I will call our amazing consultant Keisa a third time. Wish Dimitri luck as I experiment on his head with the nappyloc tool..can't afford the sisterlock consultant class yet..maybe next year..but my consultant spoils me an hour to retighten why would I ever learn how to do it?

Here she is in her sister locked new look

Autumn locks were installed 11-03-08by Keisa it took a little over 4 hours. Autumn wanted Large locks and so she has 347 locks and she is itching and puffing but loving.

25 months locked still loving it

Here are some up to date photos of my locks thanks to Autumn

HELP

What can you do when its hot and humid and instead of looking like locs your hair looks like a cotton ball?

MY BABY IS GOING TO SISTERLOCK

THIS IS MY BABY..SHE WILL BE 25 YEARS OLD ON HER BIRTHDAY, LAST NIGHT SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WANTS SISTERLOCKS! YEAH! SHE WAS NATURAL THROUGHOUT COLLEGE AND DECIDED TO STRAIGHTEN HER HAIR USING THE JAPANESE HAIR STRAIGHTENING SYSTEM. IT WAS A GRADUATION GIFT FROM HER GRANDMA..THE PROBLEM WAS SHE DIDN'T ASK HE HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO MAINTAIN. $500.00 FOR A RETOUCH AND WHILE OTHER FOLKS MAY HAVE ONLY NEEDED RETOUCHING ONCE A YEAR, SHE NEED ONE AFTER 3 MONTHS. SHE CUT HER HAIR OFF AND WENT NATURAL FOR A MINUTE, BECAME FRUSTRATED AND PERMED IT. WELL LAST NIGHT SHE TOLD ME SHE WILL LET HER HAIR GROW OUT AND PLANS TO HAVE THEM INSTALLED IN THE FALL.. SO CARMEN I WILL NEED MORE TOMAKA TWISTS BY NEXT YEAR...AND BRUNSLI I AM SURE SHE WILL LIKE TO SHOP ON YOUR SITE AS WELL. AND MY MOTHER WOULD BE CELEBRATING THE FACT THAT OBAMA WON THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION...NOW LETS SEE WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN SEE HIM IN OFFICE!

Time seems to be at a stand still

I am going through the motions of maintaining my daily life, but all it takes is the right song to send me over the edge, that song was by alicia keys this morning. I cried as though my mom had just passed moments before, trying to remenber if I had hugged her enough..if I had kissed her enough if she she knew that I loved her and how difficult it is to carry on without her. I am sorry just trying to write through and maybe heal....if you haven't talked to your Mom call her..tell her you love her and spend as much time as you can while you can.

Part 2 I lost Mom

The DR offered us pallative care, and I said yes without thinking. My older sister arrived in the mean time, and as a family we met with the pallative care Dr. Our only concern was that she be made as comfortable as possible while she transitioned. He offered us Hospice and we all agreed it would be what mother wanted. Unfortunately it was to late to move her that day, we timed the meds the time it took to take effect and they were not holding her. We explained to the nurses and then the DR that we believed that she was uncomfortable, the DR gave mom a double shot of activan and she was finally visibly comfortable. I left her at 3:00am came home and slept. When I awoke it as my sister on the phone, hospice had an opening and Mom would be moved at 2:00pm. My older brother was the only one not there. We packed up her room..and waited for the ambulance...then for the hospital to get their paperwork together. My brother and daughter went ahead so they would be there when she arrived, I rode in the ambulance with mom I talked to her all the way reminding her that Guy was coming asking her to wait for him. We arrived at hospice within 15 minutes. The nurses asked us to give them a little bit to get her settled..5 minutes past and they came out of the room ushering us in saying its' close very close. We gathered around her praying..Thanking God for giving us this great Mom and we were giving her back! 3 difficult breathes..3 minutes later my mother was gone. I will never forget those last three breathes, just like I hope I will never forget the many laughs and good times we shared. I love her..but her suffering was to great to hold her here would have been selfish. Momma..mommy..sweetpoo..gram...tine You will be missed! But I will see you again. I needed to write about this..my best friend is undergoing the cure for this cancer right this moment at the university of arkansas and I know my mother is cheering her on. Please send your prayers as well for Gina!

I Lost My Momma

I haven't been able to put together a complete sentence..you see I lost my mother. I thought I was prepared. I have been caring for her over the past 2 years, watching her suffer from multiple myeloma losing a little bit of her independence at a time. My mother was a dignified, articulate, intelligent, loving and I mean unconditional love, nurturing and so funny. On February 19, 2008 I received a call from my daughter that something was wrong with gram as she affectionately called her. Her speech was slurred..and she couldn't move her left arm. My mother told her she needed some ginger ale and that her arm had simply gone to sleep-when it woke up it would move. I told my daughter to call the nursing agency and her physician, if neither returned her call in a timely fashion call 911. I work 45 minutes from home. In a maximum security prison..I tried to go into my office and close the door and cry in peace but one of my supervisors' followed me and handled getting me a relief so I could get home. I knew when I arrived home that my mother had experienced a stroke, my daughter had called in reinforcements and my Aunts were here. The agency had sent a nurse who was attending to mother and had called for an ambulance. You see my mother refused to go until she had received her bath! She had her way! This all seems so surreal to me you see because she was my most important job. Coming home to her to care for her was my life. At the emergency room I was told that Mom had had a hemorragic stroke- a bleed to deep in her brain for there to be any intervention. when she arrived they could tell us it was a fresh stroke, but because of its' location it was strange for her not to have had a traumatic brain injury. Neuro was asked to consult, while we waited she continued to chat as though nothing was amiss. At one point she looked uncomfortable and I asked her if I could make her more comfortable, and she told me I couldn't do it anymore..it was to much for me..she then instructed me to go and get her granddaughter she could do it! So I did as I was instructed my daughter came in an effortlessly turned her. My younger brother came in from Atlanta that afternoon...this was not a good sign. My mother told the admitting physician that she was a dnr and she did not want to be placed on a ventilator. He asked her some questions to make sure she was alert enough to make that decision: the date, where she was and when he asked her who the president was she said and I quote "that dumb ass george w bush jr". The Dr. agreed that she was alert and aware and capable of making her own decision. We signed her paperwork. The head of neurosurgery came in an explained that her bleed was in an inoperable part of her brain and there was simply nothing to be done. My mother thanked him for coming with all the grace of a grand lady. My brother stayed with her that night. The next day she seemed to be holding on, I brought my son to see her and they were able to talk. The following morning everything changed..when I walked into the room and called her nae she didn't respond. I asked the nurse to call the DR. in. The DR came in and asked us to step into the hallway..she wasn't certain why caused the change but agreed it was significant, she explained to us that if the bleed had extended there would be nothing they could do. If it was edema they good give her o2 and wait it out. They would get a CT and a MRI. Within 20 mins. of those tests being completed the DR. called and said the bleed had extended and the edema was pushing on the opposite side of her brain.

19 months and still loving the journey

I am happy although my locks are fuzzy and being difficult it is really how my hair is!

I can't believe it has been 4 months since I was here

I am so sorry! My life has been crazy lately, I just returned to work. After 14 1/2 months off I wasn't sure I was ready. 10 days after returning to work my Mother was discharge from the long term unit that she has been on for 11 months. Discharged to me. I love my mother and always told her when she was ready to come home she could. I have had to learn more than this prison guard ever wanted to know about nursing. But it is a joy to serve someone who has always been selfless. A challenge for me physically I had back surgery in February, and have been told by my doctor that physically I cannot do this without putting myself in jeopardy of having to have more back surgery. I need prayer...because I refuse to send my Mother to a nursing home. This is my time to give to the woman who gave me life and I will not turn my back on her. My daughter has been wonderful without her I would not be able to do this. She given up so much of day every day to help us both! Periodically when we are truly exhausted we vent to one another cry and then suck it up and carry on. I will try to post photos soon! In the meantime peace my sisters in locs.

My daughter is an adult now!

I have tried to deny my daughters' desire to be an adult. After all I remenber every moment of her life from the first time I knew she existed..to the first time I felt her move. I love her with all my heart! She was the first grand child and has been greatly indulged by everyone in her life. Autumn is her name, it is describes so well if you are from a part of the country that enjoys a real autumn. Now my daughter will marry her best friend and love Jenny. As a mother I wish my daughters' happiness and love for the rest of their lives! To the world who may feel as though they have a right to judge and condemn..I wish you love as well. I am proud of my daughters and the wonderful group of people that are their friends. so today I introduce Autumn and Jenny.

Gerald Albright.......I love Jazz

Here are some pictures of me and my daughter from Geralds' concert this past week. The hair color is one that she picked out for me and I believe I have past 13 months Sisterlocked! yeah!

Gus Macker 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Just wanted to share some photos of my daughter. She is a basketball player and her team won this years Gus Macker in her division. As you can see she is natural.

Just a little high lights

Well I just got the first of my color tell me what you think. My loctician highlighted using foil. I will have to post again soon because my daughter decided to lighten my hair she didn't like the plan highlights.

My first hair cut

Well I am finally all natural, gone once and for all are the permed limp ends! I can see my locs completely for the first time and I love it. The permed hair was beginning to look a hot mess, they were bunching up. At first the bunching didn't bother me but I decided to wash my hair before the retightening and not roll it just let it go. It wasn't cute and to tell you the truth the perm was actually blocking my view of what my hair really looks like. My consultant said it is past time for a hair cut, I said lets do it. She hesitated and said you know your hair is going to be very short, and I will not cut it into a style. This will just remove your permed hair, I told her I understand and I am ready to do it. I love my hair..yes it is short but it looks neat and guess what there are locs. They are soft and healthy it feels wonderful to be here!

A fresh retightening

It feels so good when you get your locks retightened. This is my 10th month with sister locks and the only regret I have is that I didn't do this sooner. I am ready for the permed ends to be cut, my consultant wants to make sure that my hair won't unravel from the bottom. My hair is thicker than it has ever been. Prior to this retightening I rolled my locks on soft spikes and used the crinkles and curls styling lotion from Taaliah Waajid. My consultant pulled the curls while she retightened and made it cute! I have to say my retightenings only take an hour. It took her approximately 5 hours when she installed them, it is amazing how fast she move. I am going to try and add some photos so you can see the progress.

Change gon' come

I began trying to get my hair locked in 2005, I had a consultation with a young lady who advised me that my hair would be difficult to lock. She wanted me to allow my hair to grow out of the perm until I had about 5 inches of new growth, and then she would attempt to lock me starting them with 2 strand twists. She referred me to another woman in the shop who specialized in braids. She wanted me to wear my hair in braids and then that lady would tell her when I was ready to begin locking. The lady that was suppose to braid my hair could'nt get me in for 6 weeks. The day before that appointment she called to tell me that shop was going to be closed that day and it would be another six weeks before she could get me in. I had to do something with my hair in the meantime so I can someone else corn roll it. On day 10 it felt as though my scalp was sliding of my head, I had big red lines on my forehead from the tension. I immediately took them out and my hair came out with it. Back to the creamy crack I went. It was about 5 months later I saw a young lady that I worked with and admired her hair she told me about sister locks. Well I asked her for consultants name and telephone a dozen times and she would not give it to me. I finally decided to look on line and see what information I could find. I found the only certified consultant at the time and may an appointment for a consultation, when I arrived she was re-tightening a young lady who had been locked for 3 years. I was impressed by how healthy her hair was. I was excited! Initially my consultant thought it would take a long time for my hair to lock, she prepared me for a straight look. My hair began locking within a month, creating it's own at the nape of my neck. The process has made me more aware of who I am and where I want to go. I have tried to rid myself of artificial ingredients in all aspects of my life, from food to lotions and creams and especially hair. I have tried to share information with all my creamy crackhead friends and family. Some are receptive and others aren't. I enjoy being natural and rediscovering what my hair is like, and it is strong, healthy, resilient, thick with a lot of body.