my hair is doing cool things!

Most importantly, it's locking!!! Yeah!

I am so excited. I had my hubs take some pictures of the back of my head for me, and was astonished at how much progress was going on back there! April said everything is doing exactly what it's supposed to do, which makes me very happy. :) She also said that my scalp was in great shape and to keep doing whatever it is that I'm doing- which isn't anything but occassional butter and my home made spray. But, as I write this, I can tell that my scalp is mad at me. I don't think I have any control over it. It's probably a conbination of the weather, the products I use, my stress levels, and who knows what else! I'm glad she thought it looked good, but am already embarrassed for how it will look at my next grooming. Here are some close ups of the hair (from after the salon visit):

On my last trip to the salon, instead of my normal groom (palm rolled), we tightened it up by latching. I didn't walk away looking quite as neat, in my opinion, but it still looked much better than when I walked into the shop! My husband thought it looked neater. I guess it's just a matter of opinion.

I'm not sure how I feel about the latching. It's kinda weird... My newest growth looks so small and tight! I wonder how long it will look this way. To be honest, I'm not really digging it. I think it shortens the amount of new growth that I see. It also looks much thinner than I like, and it's kinda, um... nubby looking. It's not smooth and sleek like when it's palm rolled. But, it will keep them tighter and knot them up more quickly, I guess. The good thing is that I won't have to do it very often. I trust April. She knows what she's doing. In the meantime, I will try not to dwell on it. Overall, I am really, REALLY pleased with what my hair is doing.

There were a couple twists that were just too small for my liking. I didn't like the way they looked, and was kinda worried that one day the dread would just pop off. So we are marrying them. April says that they are now officially "engaged." How cute is that? :) Basically, we threaded the tiny ones through their closest neighbors, and latched those together. Eventually, they will be married, (I which I don't think will take long,) and you'll never know that that lock was once two.

Anyway. That's my hair right now. Isn't this process cool? The twists haven't changed much. Some are loosening, and they are all getting frizzy.

A little Lock & Twist Gel has kept them looking neat, but I really don't mind the more unkempt look. But, as I clean them up a bit depending on where I am going (i.e. to work) and what I am doing. I am still loving the way they look, even after four months. Which is good, as I will be keeping them for a while.

I know that was a long update, but hey- it's been a while. I hope your year is off to a GREAT start. I know mine is! I am so blessed!

Peace & love!

snow day!

It snowed! It's still snowing! snow.snow.snow.snow. :D Splendid, beautiful... and cold.

I am at home relaxing on this beautiful snow day. Knitting, drinking warm stuff, watching Fiddler on the Roof...

Here are some pics for you. Looking at them would make you think we live in serene countryside, instead of between a huge, busy mall and a loud car race track. Enjoy!

can you spot the snowflake in that picture? Look closely.

I love how the snow built up into little cone shaped piles all along the fence. So cool!

I took the kitty out there. She was fun to watch.

I have a video, too, but by the time I thought to film her, her antics were less amusing.

Here it is anyway:

Happy New Year!!

wow. 2011

I can't believe how old we're getting. Lol. I know it's been a minute, and I am sorry for being MIA.

I will give you some loc and life updates very soon.

We had a beautiful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with both sets of families (seperately)- our first one together. :)

New Year's Eve was at our place, chill, fun, and exactly how I wanted to spend it.

I had a dream about flying, and then a dream about death. I'm excited for the changes I'm hoping they imply...

If I had a mood ring, it would be confused...

I woke up feeling defeated, with a grimace on my face. Everything that I'm worried about, upset about, hurt over, ungrateful for- was on my mind this morning. The evil one was after me big time. Instead of trying to identify the source of these thoughts and overcome these feelings of bitterness, I dwelled on them. It was one thing after another- and not just in my head.

I got in the shower, and the gurgling noises started coming from below my feet. It was the devil! Ok, maybe not, but it was creepy. And, sure enough, the shower backed up and started filling up with water. Yuck.

I got out of the shower, dried off, and prayed. I prayed for patience, level-headedness and clarity. I prayed that I would be grateful for the trails I face, that I would see past them, that I'd learn from them, but mostly that I'd overcome them. I prayed for a feeling of gratitude, escpecially on this Chrismas Eve. A day that will end with family and togetherness, despite what it may start out like.

And then I asked my friends (via Facebook) to pray for me too. And boy do they work fast! I figured everyone would be at home sleeping, but some folks, somewhere, must have been praying for me, cause my reactions and mood changed drastically.

My kitty had left me two nasty hairballs. Whatever, no big deal. I picked them up, threw them out, patted her little head and went outside. Frost covered my windshield. So I sat in the car, truned on the defroster, and prayed in silence until I could see out the windshield. I passed a cowboys fan on the way into work- at first I was irritated at the sight, and then felt so foolish that I burst out laughing. The office is out of sugar and hot cocoa. No biggie. Black coffee it is. My coworker said it was going to be a big sales day! Which made me laugh just as much as the cowboys fan. But, surprisingly, the calls are coming in. And the daily puzzle on my calendar was a maze that had no solution. Weird.

Anyway. I'm feeling better. Trying to make light of the fact that I'm in the office on Christmas Eve. Trying to prepare my mind for my first Christmas with my husband. Trying to be productive without working too hard. And trying to remember why we have this holiday to begin with.

It all began with a gift.

good stuff

this is a closeup of our first Christmas gift from our beautiful friend, Holly. She sells these in her Etsy shop, HollyzHobbie. Check out her shop, and read her inspiring story!

they are ornaments, but I have them sitting on our mantle.

We went to a Christmas party thrown by two geeky bachelors last night.

and yes, that is Optimus Prime atop the evergreen!

Trader Joe's limited edition beer. Pretty good!

tasty :)

grrrrr

I keep getting messages that my mobile posts aren't going through to Blogger. Which means none of my pictures have gone through. And I really don't want to have to forward them to my email, save them, and blog from my computer. I mean, if that's what it comes down to, then fine, I'll do it. But it won't be in a timely manner, so this DPP has already gone awry. :(