LOVES I!!!

I am loving this song, video and look from New Artist Melani Fiona!!!
Watch

Spare the ROD...

As A Parent I think this is pretty intersting! This details a study about how SPANKING can cause children to be more agreesive... A GOOD whooping cant solve everything!

I hear alot of people who say that It worked for them so why not their children- Mainly form those who don't have children.... but I will say I was spanked when i was younger but not for every single little thing that I did...They were reserved for my special moments...

What I have noticed with my girls is that SPANKING isn't always needed...With Kaygan (almost 2) time-out will work...being stern works.... I noticed that my sister is a strict disciplinary..(whooping after whooping is her way). After a weekend with her Kaygan loves to hit and bite..hmmm connection...yeap...At her age she thinks its a game...you hit her and she hits back...
Wait.what..Yep SHE will hit you back....now I have learned that I'm TEACHING her that hitting is ok..... LIGHT BULB..Stop hitting her...

Now this works for me and my CHILD..to each his own..

WTH---RANT

This is what I saw while leaving to go to LUNCH!!!! WTH does not even dexcibe what I AM FEELING!

Democrats have gone CRAZY trying to distance themselves From Former Predient Carter's remarks that "majority of the opposition to Obama's healthcare plan stems from RACISM!!!
"I BELIEVE THIS". universal health plan can benefit all if people would take the time to listen to what it is he is ACTUALLY proposing....
SUPPLY and DEMAND..isnt this a simple ideaology that we learn in schhol...
when demand is high and supply low cost will go up only when they are equal will prices begin to level out....Think about it EVERYTIME someone feels down whats the first thing the doctor does give u a pill, that cost way more money then simple weight lose, or talking to a couselor..(I know 6 year olds who are on Ritalin, Ambien, Zoloft, Straterra..I mean if u send them outside and let them PLAY they wouldn't be "HYPER-Active"...think about it what 6 yr old sits still).Cat Died=BIpolar= Xanax....everything can't and wont be solved by a magic blue pill...

(TRUST me I am not syaing that mental illness is a joke!!!)

NEW YEAR, New Attitude!!!!

So in celebration for the "Jewish" new year and upcoming events I'm planning a totally you CHALLENGE!
For the new year I am picking 5 new things to start working on and COMPLETE before the end of the YEAR...

1. For October I plan on starting both of my girls their own savings accounts. They have acounts under my savings plan but I'm gonna start one that only they (the girls and my mom) will have access to... Penny saved is a PENNY Earned!

2. Work on getting my business plan coordinated and finished

3. MASTER Cleanse: this is a ongoing project I plan to do one of these every quarter

4. BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET: i have a working budget that is very loose...meaning that I dont stick to it very rigidly....I have disposable income and I tend to use it on frivolous things like eating out...LAZY LAZY LAZY

5. Make time for ME...I tend to only do things that involve my girls...taking a lil me time is a must in order to take care of them!

So end the end All of these "project"s tie into each other and When i stick with them I will REAP GREAT REWARDS!!!



So Ladies what are your plans for the NEW YEAR (Jewish)?....

Kaygan's DC # 2

SO Kaygan's DC's have kinda taking a back seat to her RINGWORM!!! This lil bugger of mine LOVEs, LOVEs, LOVEs Dirt, grass, animals...and she picked up a ringworm from her love of dirt..(I'll never understand for someone who hates to get their hairwashed, why she insists on putting things in her hair...ie EVERYTHING)

So we haven't been able to do much with her hair since she had to keep it "dry"...Our routine has been..every 2-3 days wahs her hair with Selsun Blue Medicated Shampoo, Condition her hair only, and put her "Kentolozoan" cream on top and style around her lil bald spot...ARGH

So now that it has started to clear up and she's cleared to go back to school, I decided she needed a good deep conditioner, to add some shine and sheen to her unruly do!!!
What I used was a Bluberry Banana conditioner:

Half a container of blueberry Banana baby food, added 1 tablespoon of honey, mixed in some VO5 Tea Tree Conditioner...
I rinsed her hair with warm water, shampoo'd with the selsun blue, then rinsed with diluted ACV (1 part AVC to 4 parts H2O) from there I applied our lil home made mix and combed it thru....Here I detagled and put into four sections (mindful to keep her infected part dry and separated) we let this sit for about 20 mins...we went and watched an episode of the Care bears in case your wondering!!LOL
Rinse with luke warm water and applied Coconut oil mixed with jojoba and avocado oil... and out the door we go




Also: FYI Jayla just turned 5 months yay..and we celebrated with a lil mini party where she got to taste her first piece of cake and ICE CREAM!!!! and in hair issues I usually dont do much with Jayla's hair..It is very THICK and Curly and she still has both her soft spots so she usually just gets a quick comb thrue and some oil...Yesterday we did 2 ponytails...to cute even though she didn't like the process
I did 2 ponytails on top where her hair is the thickest...I used to coated bands and just a lil bit of oil.... TOO CUTE




FYI: My mom is from the country and we tend to use those old time remedies for things like wingworm and small issues, but in this instance I didnt want to try putting bleach on her hair bc she's out in the sun alot...and the OTC creams didnt work....I always advise that if a home remedy doesnt work in a couple of days go to the DR.... Better Safe than Sorry

WHY BC???

So most of my friends who haven't seen me in a while are a lil shocked by the new Short do..but not very surprised...I decided to BC on an impulse..very suddenly..I had worked myself up that I (yes me) was gonna transition for a while..meaning like 4 to 6 months, but alas my aptience is just not that GREAT!




Lets just say i got tired of looking at this ^^^^

LOL not really People who know me know that I have no Patience what's so ever I Hate HATE waiting....So in order for me to be able to see "Resluts" quicker I decided Now or never and guess what It was better than I'd imagined!




What I've Learned so FAR!!!!
1. This wash and go fits into my schedle perfectly...
2. I like Short hair on me
3. I do miss ponytail days, but this is easy too
4. Natural does NOT equal = NO EFFORT
5. It's not for everyone

I dont want to try and influence any one else to do what I DID...I'm just here to offer any advice, answer questions and to chronicle my JOURNEY so FAR... I love you as long as you LOVE YOU!!!

I WON!!!!

Hi guys
Just letting you know that I was picked as Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner...LOL

Check out my fabulous prize.....Please check out Mrs. Karen's Page. She has some of the prettiest dreds and personality to match..LOVELY LOVELY Sister

HairFLUENCE #3.........RORO

OKAY so I was planning on saving my next Hairfluence for next month but this sister is so totally on it that I CANNOT possibly keep her all to my self....LADIES and Gentlemen This CHICA ROCKS...VERY secure, happy , BEAUTIFUL and GIVING inside and out....SO HERE IS MS. RORO

"Hey Lady!
Ok, I can't tell you how excited I am to be featured on your blog! Yipee skippy! I told all 5 of my friends who actually care about blogging..lol. I'm so serious tho. Oooh and I blabbed about it on my blog at http://fyre08.blogspot.com/"




NM: What’s your name how old are you and where are you from?

My name is RoRo, yeah, I'm from Long Beach, yeah and when you see me, yeah, you know I'm BEAT, yeah. go Roro, go Roro, go Roro...lol... I'm kidding. My name is Romneka, but I go by Roro or Rommie.

NM: Why did you make the decision to go natural, and when did you do it?
My decision to go natural for me was simple. Either go natural or go bald. My hair has always shed. Fact of life for me. It wasn't until I noticed that it was not only shedding but breaking off at the top/middle and thinning out did I get freaked out and concerned. So I decided during the summer when usually no one was at school to stop perming my hair. I knew how to braid so I kept my hair in braids. Micro's, mini's, kinky twists, w/e. I did that for a whole year and some change. Then when I felt like my new growth was long enough, I had my daddy cut off all my permed hair and shape my fro with his clippers. I shampooed my hair and have been natuarl ever since. That was April 2007 suring spring break. I was nervous. My daddy didn't like it but his sensibilities had been dulled by my mom and my sister. I was more afraid of what my boyfriend would say than anything. And true to form he hated it. He didn't come out and say it, all he said was "its really short. like, boyish short" and I know he hates when girls look like boys in any way shape form or fashion. So for a few days I was scared he'd break up with me. But then after talking with my sisters and my mom, and getting a few compliments from strangers, my confidence came back and I was ready for the world.

NM: What products/ingredients do you use?

For the longest time I didn't know what to use. I was always searching for advice. My best friend LeeAnah has been natural for years. And she would makes suggestions, which I followed while I had my fro. But after about 2 months, I realized having a fro was just as much work as having a perm. I was tired of working that hard for hair. Somy mother twisted me up using Organic Root Stimulator's Loc and Twist gel. I don't like intermixing brands so I stuck with that line of hair care products. Their latherless shampoo, the Olive Oil Shampoo and the Olive Oil conditioner.

It wasn't until I used a new locking technique did I decide to switch to natural products. The problem was, I couldn't find any inexpensive kind in Raleigh/Durham area. This area isn't really known for supporting women with natural hair but its coming along. It's way more "in with the times" than most people realize. But a coworker of mine was using Carol's Daughter and suggested I try that. So I bit the bullet and ordered the Loc butter. I was a skeptic, but after using it once, I was in love. It wasn't greasy like the other loc gels I had tried. It didn't dry out or flake up. It smelled good and was easy to wash off my hands.

NM: Could you describe your regimen?

Since I have dread locks, my regimen is more relaxed than most. I stopped tying my hair down with a scarf once I was fully locked. I shampoo my hair maybe twice a month or after strenuous excersice or the pool or sweating really badly. Depending on my weekend, I may have to wash it after going to the club. Hair holds odor. Which is why after being in a smoke filled room, I shampoo my hair. I use the lather-less shampoo after work outs. Washing your hair that much can really dry out your scalp which is what a lot of people with locs suffer from. But not me. After each wash I deep condition. Then use the loc butter to moisterize my scalp. I use a spray leave-in conditioner and I roll my hair to get it curly. I like how it looks curly as opposed to straight. The curls usually last for a month or two. When they fall out, its usually time to wash them again.
The only daily task I do is pick lint. Dreads are a lint magnet! I'm always pulling lint out from somewhere.

NM: What mistakes have you made in your natural journey that you've learned from?

That what works for one may not work for you. I started out trying what worked for my mom and my sister but after realizing we all have different grades of hair, I had to customize my regimen and change the products I used. The other mistake I made was when I had a fro I thought i had to wash my hair daily.... and I didn't. As long as it was moisterized, I really only had to wash it once a week, if that much.

NM: Where do you get style inspiration from?

I look for pictures on the internet of different styles. I have yet to try a pinup style, but for curls or waves, I hit google. I don't know any other girls with dreads that I could talk to. My mom used to have them so I always ask her for tips and advice.

NM: How does your hair work for your life?

I'm not gone lie, for a while I thought it was working against me. I thought that employers would see a nappy headed black girl and think "oh my.... is she serious?" But after a few interviews, that was shattered. Now, I feel like my hair is the essence of me. It's healthy, cute, funky and natual. It is, what it is...and that's exactly who I am. I am me, nothing more, nothing less. You either like it or you don't. I have to say that having my dreads give me more confidence as a person and as a woman b/c I feel like it sets me apart from a lot of my peers and counter parts. Well it used to anyway. Now, it's like having dreads is the new black. Everyone is growing them or has them. Like it's the trendy thing to do.

NM: Did it take long for your hair to grow out?

Uhm, it took me about a year and 3 months to get a 2.5 inch fro. My hair was scared to grow. At least that's what I used to say. But once it started growing, it didn't stop. Most people with dreads, relock their hair every 2 to 4 months. I can't wait 4 months. If I wait 3 months, it'll look like i'm growing a new fro. If I'm honest, I could relock my hair every month but that's alot of stress on my roots and I don't want my dreads to thin out...cuz that has happened before too. So I relock every 2-3 months. Stimulating your scalp helps with hair growth.... and I have a bad habit of rubbing my scalp.

NM: What's the best thing about being natural?
For me, the best thing about being natural is the cost. Although I go thru shampoo faster than most, I usually only have to buy a bottle once every few months. Same with conditioner. I bought some loc butter last year, I still have the same jar. I think I spend a total of $50 buck on hair care products every 7-9 months maybe. It costs more to get my eyebrows done in a year than it does to get my hair done!

NM: Favorite Quote?

"Life is a culmination of the choices you make. Stand firm in your decisions and choose wisely."

I came up with this on my own one day while talking to a friend about the choices we make in life. They asked me how I could live my life having nothing to regret and that was the answer I gave her. I feel like every choice I made was mine to make and there's no point in regretting something I actively chose to do.



****X-tra****
I have heard some of the absolutely funniest things while in transition and even now, fully locked. From "how do you keep it like that" to "did you do it cuz you a weed head!" Unless the person asks you has natural hair or been exposed to it... most people won't truly understand the growth and the changes that come with going natural.


I have to also say, that for those who think it will change anything, it won't. Your hair is just an extension of who you are inside. Just like your sense of style, choice in shoes, movies and drinks. But, going natural, forces one to truly focus on your definition of beauty, your definition of who you are and it forces you to decide who you are in a societal prospective.


No sense in denying, society has its rules of what's proper, right, how people should look, talk, act, think, etc. When you make the decision to go natural, you are telling society that you are going to be who you are no matter what and guess what? Society will not always agree with you, society will not always appease you.
But the inner strength, courage, patience, and tranquility you gain thru your journey will be something society can not take away from you.


Do not let things like corporate america, bf/gf, family members, naysayers, haters or w/e deter you from doing something you feel is right for you. Besides.... IT'S JUST HAIR!!! It will grow back! lol.

1 Month !!!!!

A month into the new do

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Here are some pictures of me at one month since the big Chop....

Advice PLEASE

This was in my inbox this morning ladies...any advice???
SO this is why i need a personal hairstylist/hair braider. I cant keep dealing with this...but we all know i can not cut it!! Props to you April cause I aint gonna be able to do it!! I do know that I dont wanna perm it so what to do with it? Need advice ASAP

ADVICE: OK OK OK OK I posted this to my blog...But really no need to cut or GO CRAZY...TRY some twist outs/ a braid out....Wash and condition hair like normal....then try twisting your hair up into bantu knots or doing some flat twists.....
Sally's has these new curlers called..."CURLFORMERS and they make really CUTE twists and long curls and this is something that you could do ona day off and wear all week....

where is .....?

Nicole Renee (Harris)





One of the more promising R&B artists to emerge in the 1990s, Nicole Renee first came to the attention of the urban contemporary world when she was one of the hosts on BET's Teen Summit. During her four years with that show, an adolescent Renee did on-camera interviews with quite a few big names in R&B and rap. However, she wasn't planning to pursue a career as an R&B singer when she first joined Teen Summit -- at the time, Renee was hoping for a career in classical music. But R&B soon became her primary focus, and by 1998 she was signed to Atlantic as an urban contemporary act. That year, Atlantic released Renee's self-titled debut album, in which she did most of the writing, producing, and arranging.

DO Better: Universal healthcare

So of course I missed President Obama's address to Congress the first night it aired :( And The Presidential Speech that aired to the school campuses..So I made up for it Thursday morning at work...Now I have had a couple of things that have bothered me lately since tis healthcare debate has picked up!

1. I work in the healthcare Industry and everyday I see ow Money is wasted to train/protect/ defend Medicare and Medicaid..To me that is money that could have been put back into the system to fund/support more people/medications/ programs!

2. I remember when I was in the 5th grade. former Pres George Bush #1. televised a back to school special that aired in school. We DID NOT get the option to NOT listen..it was forced down our throats and every dang ole school topics was addressed and changed to flow around his message...So tell me if it was good enough then then Dang it YOUR conservative RIGHT WING AZZED children should have to listen to OUR President's BACK to SCHOOL MESSAGE!

3. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE that focuses on PREVENTATIVE Medicine vs. Pill popping..think about it if you take care of your self, eat right, take vitamins (C, B- B12) and exercise you'll have less health problems...Now all these might total to be about 100 a month..but think about what you pay after your sick: Dr's visit $135.00 uninsured, (25 co-pay insured), Prescription: any where from 20-100 bucks, missed hours from work (8-3hrs x hourly rate). It really begins to add up....

4. YOUNG PEOPLE: please save up some money... MEDICARE runs out of funds in 2017.... so guess what if it's not fixed all those FICA. SS taxes you pay is all for NOTHING!!! Can I write in for a refund? Seriously where do i get my mney back?

I say all this to say Please keep in mind what all is involved in President Obama's health care plan, write and call your representatives and let them know that you do support it, even if it means a raise in taxes...think abotu it really your paying for a service that you wont see at all NOW!! Thanks LBJ and Former prsident Truman

FYI: Truman was the first medicare reciepient!

Remembering 9/11

My parents shared not only an improbable love, they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or blessed, believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success.
Barack Obama




I am a firm believer that our past influences and marks our futures. So on this day I Promise to reflect on my past and not relive it but keep it in mind when I'm preparing for the present and OUR future. With this I Pray for forgiveness, patience and LOVE for everyone...

Peace

HAIRFLUENCE............Introducing

SHARI D. ....
A Completely natural Grad student at University of Minnesto


NM:Where are you from? I’m from Choudrant, LA

NM: Why did you make the decision to go natural, and when did you do it?
People often ask me this question and expect for me to give a really “deep” answer about my blackness or something, but the truth is it was June of 2005 I was in Minnesota for 3 months and hadn’t had a perm since April 2005 (2 months before I went). I didn’t have a hair stylist and refused to use a box perm (thinking my hair stylist back in LA would kill me), after finding out the prices to go to the salon in MN were double the prices in LA I decided to “go natural” until I got back to the south. Little did I know those 5 months would be so freeing and liberating! After 5 months of getting to know my hair and looking on blogs (like this one) and websites (such as Nappturality.com) I began to embrace my napps and kinks and curls! I mean really LOVE MY NAPPY-KINKY-CURLY fro! I transitioned for a year and did my BC May 2006 after seeing the India Arie Video I Am Not My Hair video for the 1st time!

NM: What products/ingredients do you use?
My hair regimen is really SIMPLE! The only products I use are Suave conditioner (they have a great variety of scents), Carol’s Daughter Hair milk (it really defines my curls), Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, and ingredient for my hair smoothie! Sounds like a lot huh...but it’s really low maintenance!

NM: Could you describe your regimen?
Weekly regimen: I wash my hair weekly and I don’t use shampoo only conditioner (most of the time suave because it’s cheaper and very light). For moisturizer I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil (yes right off the kitchen aisle in the grocery store lol). Since moving to Minnesota I have started using some Carol’s daughter Hair milk. I really like it because it defines my curls when I want to wear a wash-and-go! Most of the time I just wear a twist out or just my natural curls in a fro or pin up.
Bi/Tri-Monthly Regimen: Since I don’t use shampoo the conditioner can leave build-up so I clarify every two months with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water (1 cup of water for every tbsp of ACV). Also for deep conditioning every 3 months (or whenever necessary) I make a hair smoothie with a banana, avocado, honey, and olive oil and let that sit on my hair for an hour. It makes my hair SO soft!

NM: What mistakes have you made in your natural journey that you've learned from?
I wish I would have known that I shouldn’t straighten my hair at first so much. It damages your curls and changes your curl pattern. My hair is still very curly, but I can tell the difference because of the straightening. Had I known this, I wouldn’t have sacrificed my curls for a week of “fitting in” with the mainstream culture. This comes back to realizing that this journey is not only a physical one but a mental one as well. You have to be mentally ready in order to really love your new look and not care that others aren’t as accepting or ready for it as you are!
NM: Where do you get style inspiration from?
I guess it comes from the way I feel every day. I love being different and trying new pin ups and styles, so I guess it comes from my mindset that my curls are wonderful and I want to showcase them for everyone to see!

NM: How does your hair work for your life?
Being a graduate student, I don’t have much time for my hair so it works GREAT with my schedule! My twist outs usually last for a week so I “comb” my hair on the weekends (usually Sunday nights and untwist them Monday mornings before class)!

NM: Did it take long for your hair to grow out?
Not long at all! When I BC’d I had about 3-5 inches of natural hair. But it grows really fast, once a year I get Marley Twists to grow my hair out without messing around with it, this causes it to grow REALLY fast! Some days I wake up and I’m like, “Wow my hair has gotten so much longer! When did this happen?” 

NM: What's the best thing about being natural?
I LOVE when “permies” ask me about my hair and I get to educate them on how GREAT it is to be au naturale and free!

THE "BC"

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Pic one is 3 days after the "BC" and Pic 2 is the very next day right after the BC. Friday August 21st, 2009.