So...I went home and tried to get my hair trimmed because my ends were a little split. I was telling my dad that I wanted to try to go to my mom's stylist to see if she could cut my hair and he suggested that I let her "do" it. I said, okay, if she can squeeze me in, I would let her "do" it. She said she could take me!
Immediately I got excited! I haven't been to a hair dresser since 1991. Yes, that is the last time I had perm in my hair. I was a close cut natural girl until two years ago when I decided to make some changes in my life. One of those changes was to grow hair.
The process of growing my hair has truly been a journey. In a matter of three weeks after making my decision to grow hair, I had to find stuff to put in my hair to moisturize it. I dyed it light brown. I dyed it a shade of red. Then I dyed it blond...at least it that was my intention. I thought I was going to have a platinum blond teeny weeny afro, but what I got was more strawberry blond. Oh, well...I rocked it for a minute. It got on my nerves and I dyed my hair again to try to get to my natural color. That lasted for awhile, but my tips stayed blond. That gave me a funky look for my braid-outs, coils, coil-outs, twists, twist-outs, and my favorite Angela Davis fro. I have fallen in love with my texture and the way my hair responds to different styling techniques. I have also fallen in love with Miss Jessie's hair products! (www.missjessies.com) I don't know how to be natural without them. They have been really good for my hair.
So, I go to the hair salon and tell Melessa to work her magic. She always makes Glo look fly and I knew that I would too. So, they washed and conditioned my hair...it was very relaxing. They blew my hair dry with a brush (not a roller blow dry, but just a regular brush). After that, the straightening comb came out and I began reminiscing about spending time in my Nanny's shop. She straightened my hair and then flat ironed it. Then Melessa finally trimmed my ends...the reason for me being there:) During this time, I read and talked to her. I looked around at what was going on in the shop. I did everything but look at myself because she had my chair positioned so I couldn't see. Melessa started clicking the flat iron and before I knew it I was done and looking in the mirror.....WOW!
I couldn't believe my eyes. I grinned and thanked her for such a wonderful job. I had straight hair...and quite a bit of it. I haven't had this much hair on my head probably since I was ten years old. I went home and my mom and dad just smiled and smiled. My Nanny couldn't believe that I got my hair straightened! She used to always say, "so you still have those naps, huh?" Getting my hair done was worth it. It made my dad happy. I reminded him that this was temporary, but that I would keep it up for awhile. He knows, when it gets hot...the kinks are coming back!
The reactions to my hair have been varied. My husband just laughed and grinned when he saw me for the first time! Bear has never known me with hair and he said it was such a different look that he couldn't stop staring. My Godmother and Godsisters said they couldn't believe that I had so much hair on my head. People at work walked by me a couple of times before they realized it was me. The comments have been very positive. One comment that I liked was from a teacher at school who said that she liked my hair, but that my natural hair reflected my personality more. It has also been different to have men who used to smile and speak to me at the market, not recognize me with straight hair, while others speak more than ever.
I love my hair. Not because it's straight, but because it is versatile and healthy. My hair is like a new accessory! It is an expression of who I am and how I am feeling on any particular day. I have been keeping my hair up for the past four weeks now. It has been interesting learning to sleep on rollers again, using a straightening comb and flat iron. I had to go out and buy a brush and hair pins last weekend. I learned that I MUST keep a rain hat with me during this lovely spring shower mist that we experience every other day in northern Virginia. If I don't, I come home looking like "James Brown after he was arrested," according to my lovely Bear. He's always got jokes! Talking about "We're gonna have a funky good time!"
So, I'll keep you posted about the hair thing. In the mean time, I am enjoying my new
hair(style).
Friday, April 11, 2008
I Am Not My Hair...
Sista Soul
Last weekend, my linesister Miz Dazey celebrated her 40th Birthday party with a Monte Carlo night event. When we heard about the party, I immediately called on the best babysitters out there, my Goddaughters, the S Girls. The oldest S Girl couldn't come because she had a dance audition at one of the universities she was accepted to for fall '08 (I Feel Like Chicken Tonight!). The youngest S Girl said she would spend the weekend with us and keep Juicy Boy and Princess. YES!
I went and found a really cute black sequined halter dress with Mommy and knew I was going to be looking fly. That is until I tried it on the night before and realized for a number of reasons, this was not the dress. I went out the morning of the party with Miz Dazey (one of my fashion consultants) to find a dress. I tried on a good 12 -14 dresses (many of which looked way better on my body than they did on the hanger) to get down to the final four. I chose a sexy wine colored body hugging dress that made me STRUT my stuff. This was such a special affair, that I went and found two sets of accessories (in case one looked better than the other with my jeweled FM shoes), and even went and got my make up done.
Well, when I got home with my face made up, Bear gave me the perfect reaction--a huge smile. After I showed him the dress with the shoes, he said he wasn't sure we were going to make it to the party!!! I finally did my hair and put my shoes on and I FELT LIKE CINDERELLA going to the ball.
Bear and I had our first date night since I was placed on bed rest November 21, 2006. It was nice to get dressed up and go out dancing like we used to. Bear was looking very dapper too! We laughed, we talked, we reminisced, we dreamed. We danced and just enjoyed each other's company. We celebrated Miz Dazey's life and how she makes the life of everyone she meets better and brighter. We hung out with Mommy and Daddy (they were at the shindig too!). Date night was revived. I was Bear's SOUL SISTA...
I had a wonderful night out with my husband. I'm just glad that I felt equally as beautiful inside as I did outside and my fairy tale didn't end at midnight.
This is my JAM!
Have you ever had a JAM that you feel down in your bones every time you hear it? Well, Hot Music by Soho is mine. This song takes me back to my days at University of Maryland, College Park sweatin' in Prinkert Gym for a party. I tried to put it on my iPod, but iTunes doesn't have it yet. I jammed to it last weekend at my linesister Miz Dazey's 40th Birthday Celebration! It makes me want to jump! Jump! Jump!
Move your body...rock your body...move your body! Gotta have House Music all night long!!!
My Beautiful, Beautiful Beautiful Boy!
On March 31st, my beautiful baby boy turned one year old! I thanked God, I cried, and I shouted at the miracle that I was blessed to receive. Who knew at 21 weeks, that this juicy bundle of joy would change my life in the way he has. Juicy Boy is healthy, intelligent, active (running away with a spin move that always makes me laugh), inquisitive (yeah ya'll, he's nosy), and always processing things. He loves to laugh (at things, at you, at himself). He wrestles anyone who gets on the floor (thanks Bear and Princess). He gives the best hugs (with the little nuzzle in the neck). And...he loves his mommy. I AM BLESSED! Thank you Lord for giving us a wonderful year with Juicy Boy. I look forward to many more.
It's Been a Long Time...
It's been a long time...since I've blogged. I thought I was just taking a "spring break," but life seemed to think I needed a little more time away from the blogging. I miss sharing my thoughts and updates on my life happenings. So, it's good to be back!
I'm going to write a few diffrent entries to share what's been happening in my life. I hope that you enjoy and we get caught up. Thanks for still visiting my site.
Jillybean
Friday, March 14, 2008
Finally
I was reading a post on Afrobella today that made me breathe a sigh of relief. I finally heard someone with sense addressing the negative, racist campaign that Hillary Clinton is running. Keith Olbermann sums it up best. Please listen...
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Life is a kaleidoscope...but we're just fine!
I haven't written lately because I was blindsided a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't in an accident or anything, but I was completely knocked off guard by something that happened to a friend. She had a life change...the solid ground that she thought existed gave way. When I heard about what happened, I felt off balance. I felt like I was one of the pretty little gems stones in a kaleidoscope being turned around and around. My surroundings, life, and heart were the same, but mentally I was a bit topsy turvy.
As soon as the incident happened, I wanted to blog. I wanted to write and let the feelings ooze from my body to the keyboard. I wanted to get rid of the feelings of sadness. I wanted to move on and move past. I sat at the computer for days...and nothing happened. I listened to music...and nothing moved me to write what I was feeling. I "lurked" at other bloggers pages to see if I could find some inspiration to write, but nothing would was working. Finally, I sat still and began to digest what was going on and why it was affecting me this way.
I was doing something that I used to do often. I was taking on the energy of someone else's situation because they were close to me. My old thinking of giving so much of yourself to someone to let them know you cared reared it's ugly head again. Bear and I were talking about the situation and he reminded me that I was letting someone else's situation affect me again. I stopped and stepped back.
Being a good friend didn't mean that I should make her situation a part of my life. Being a good friend didn't mean that I should try to psychoanalyze the situation with/for her. Being a good friend didn't mean that I should personally feel hurt, or angry, or any negative feelings. Being a good friend didn't mean that I should walk around holding onto something that my friend let go.
I decided that as a good friend I would listen carefully. As a good friend I would empathize. As a good friend I would be there when/if she needed me. As a good friend I wouldn't dwell on the past, but enjoy dreaming about the future with her. As a good friend, I would speak in truth. As a good friend, I would recognize that my friend's life is defined by more than one situation. As a good friend, I would just be...me.
I spoke to my friend last week. She was doing well. She sounded good. She and I laughed. I enjoyed our conversation of she being she...and me being me.
As God's gems, I recognize that our lives are kaleidoscopes of experiences. These kaleidoscopes will continue to change throughout our lives. While we are turning and tossing through our experiences, it is important to step back and see how bright, vibrant, and exciting our lives are. Our lives have been be beautifully designed by the Master. We have to often step back from what may seem like a radical shake up to see the big beautiful picture that God has in store for us.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Still A Friend Of Mine
The past two years have been years of transition. I've moved, had another child, changed jobs, grown hair(!!!), grown spiritually, and emotionally. (Thank goodness I haven't grown physically;) During my transition some of my friendships have become closer. I have gained so much from my angelfriends (yeah, I'm talking about you!). You enhance my life, my family, my spirit. You keep me refreshed.
During my transition others friendships have become more distant. I am grateful for the strong relationships that I've been able to continue, but I truly miss those friends who I don't talk to as much as I used to. I miss their laughter, views, conversation, families, children and just basic...friendship. I know we all get caught up in life...work, family, activities, etc. So, I assume that we all are experiencing similar life-things and have an understanding about the frequency of our calls or visits. I know that sometimes I am guilty of thinking that my Girls know me...they know I'll come up for air when I'm finished riding this roller coaster, or when I can get situated, or when I finally feel like talking...when they actually might not. My mistake.
This year, I am making an effort to talk to friends that I haven't in awhile, and to keep up with those I have. Now, I'm not saying this is going to be easy, but making a call or writing an email message, or even sending a card, just to say I'm thinking about you is often all it takes to let someone know you care and keep the friendship rolling.
I treasure all of the friendships that I have, whether they be close or distant, at the moment. I love my friends and as the Incognito song says, "Here and now, still somehow, still a friend of mine, oh you're still a friend of mine...Seasons come and seasons go...I'm gonna be right here for you! Still a friend of mine, oh you're still a friend of mine!"
