♥Reeta and Her Sisterlocks® Journey♥

Momma's Locks @ 6 months!!!

2011-07-11T13:13:00.000-04:00

So...I don't even know if I mentioned my mom finally had her Sisterlocks installed in January of this year! Whoohoooo!!!! Well here is a comparison pic of her at 6 months!

LockBirthday

2011-06-10T07:32:00.001-04:00

May 31 was my Sisterlocks' birthday...they are 3 years old now!! Growing up, growing up! I can't believe I haven't made a new post since November...then again...yes I can believe it...crazy, crazy days...but anyway, here's a comparison pic! The color on the 36 months pics was from March 2011, but I got more (summer color) June 5, so will post pics of that later...

I made the website!!

2010-11-27T21:40:00.001-05:00

One of my pictures from my photoshoot done at the Sisterlocks Homecoming in July 2010 was used on the official Sisterlocks website!!

It's on a page for the Sisterlocks Explosion happening in ATL December 4, 2010!

Here's the link: http://sisterlocks.com/Homecoming%20Pages/EXPOS/Competition.html

Thanks...2008 vs 2009 vs 2010

2010-11-25T23:14:00.003-05:00

Since I've done a post of my Sisterlocks for the past 2 Thanksgiving Days, I figured I should keep the tradition going!

2008

2009

2010

...experimenting w/ Picasa...my first collage!! :-)

Fall/Winter 2010 Color!

2010-11-12T14:20:00.000-05:00

I saw Blenna the weekend of September 18 and about 4 weeks later my hair was a 'mess!' - Now when I say mess, it was a Sisterlocks mess which means I still had the greatest hair ever and only I KNEW what was really going on and that it was time to be 'touched!'

So, me and a 'friend' took a roadtrip to Memphis for me to get my hair did...yep, I drove...I'll re-phrase that in case my 'friend' reads this some day - WE DROVE 20 hours for me to get my hair done (and I can say WE b/c I did drive approximately 3 hours, although my 'friend' says I only drove 1 hour!). Yes, that is special...but so are my locks...and so are Blenna's hands!

Here are the beautiful North Carolina mountains 'friend' drove so safely through...I didn't do ANY mountain driving!

We ate at Houston's...visited the Stax Museum...

Here's Isaac Hayes' caddy...there was fur instead of carpet and a tv inside!

We also visited the Lorraine Motel...we missed the time to walk through the Civil Rights Museum that it was made into because it closed at 5 pm on Sundays...

We ate at the original Neely's BBQ restaraunt and overall just had a great Hallween weekend in MEM!!

Here's our grub...and me grubbin'!

...and see, I DID DRIVE! - you can even see how there is that 'movement' out of the window!!!

...and lastly...here's the lovely color!!!...and as for the 'mess' of my hair...Apparently I went through a growth spurt because she even created a new lock on the side! WOW!

LIVE.LOVE.LOCK...Sisterlock, that is!

No time for negativity..

2010-09-23T09:01:00.000-04:00

...tooo many things to do!

3 days 4 locking sessions!

2010-09-23T08:34:00.002-04:00

So, my wonderful consultant, mentor, friend, big sis, Blenna Williams, came to town last Thursday and we worked together on 4 locking sessions over 3 days...and 2 retightenings...and I got MY locks retightened too! It always feels SO good to be in the chair! My last retightening was June 26! That is wayyyyyy too long in between for me...if I lived near Miss Blenna (Memphis, TN), I'd be in the chair every 5 weeks on the dot! You may be reading this and thinking "Aren't you a consultant Syreeta? You can retighten your own locks!" ...and you are SO correct! I sure could, but my arms in the 'up' position just hurts too bad! In between seeing Miss Blenna, I have retightened the first lock of each row to camoflauge (however you spell that) the afro-growth going on...I am just so NOT interested in retightening my own locks. That's one of the reasons I had my hair Sisterlocked anyway...because I was tired of twisting and doing my hair myself...if I retighten my locks, that's the same positioning of my arms as 2-strand twisting it!

...anyway...I haven't recovered yet from the weekend yet...Blen left on Sunday eve, I went to work Monday, visited with friends who recently had a precious lil' baby boy, went to work Tuesday and had a retightening client after, went to work Wednesday and had a retightening after....now it's Thursday - work, chiropractor appointment, Young Girls' class @ church, retightening client @ 8:30 pm....OMG! But Friday work, but no clients, and Saturday and Sunday I have to do whatever I so desire!

My sister and I took a jewelry making class a few weeks ago and Michael's is having a bead sale (1/2 off!) AND there is a bead show in the city this weekend, so I will work on my new hobby this weekend!! YAY! I'll have to post some of our creations! We only know how to do neckaces so far...

Oh yeah!! I'm excited!! I got a phone call yesterday from MY Master Sisterlocks Trainer, Michelle Bryant - she says she is forwarding my certification packet to Dr. Cornwell with a strong recommendation to certify me!! So soon, I shall be a CERTIFIED Sisterlocks Consultant!! Crossing my fingers, legs, arms, toes, and Sisterlocks that Dr. C. approves of me!!

Below are pics of one of our newest Sisterlocked sisters...Miss A. {Sisterlocksversary 16Sep10}

Sisterlocks Homecoming 2010!

2010-08-31T14:13:00.002-04:00

Yay! I finally went to THE SISTERLOCKS HOMECOMING!!..and I am SO glad I did! Since I have had my locks (May 2008), I was 'going' to Homecoming and I finally made it July 2010! I marked the second weekend of July on my calendar as soon as I bought it and did not allow myself to schedule client appointments on that weekend! So me, my sister (and Sisterlocks client) and a friend (also a Sisterlocks client!) were in San Diego Thursday - Monday and had an awesome time!! If you are a Sisterlocks wearer or consultant or just love you some Sisterlocks (but don't have them for whatever reason), San Diego, CA is the place to be on the second weekend of July...forever!

The keynote speaker of this year's event was Miss Linda "Mosetta" Jones, creater of the Nappy Hair Affair! She was hilarious and just awesome...as she strolled around the (outdoor) room tapping everyone on their naps with her magic afro-wand! She was a comedian!

Dr. Cornwell was just her awesome self! I have talked to/interacted with Dr. C in person twice in my life and each time I love her more!! She's just a down-to-earth, powerful, inspiring...just an awesome person!! Dr. C and the entire Sisterlocks staff were the best and fed us well the entire weekend! We took a tour of San Diego and met the original sisters of SISTERlocks - Miss Carol and Miss Celeste!

It is SO worth the investment to take the trip! We met some other lovely Sisterlocks wearers and consultants from across the country who we have kept in touch with since meeting...so we made new friends!...everybody say "awwwww!" I also met a cutie...he lives in Cali and I am in NC so... :-)

Anyway...so my computer is not being my friend right now and not allowing me to upload the photos that I want to... Oh yeah - I did, well all 3 of us had our first Sisterlocks photoshoot!! John did an awesome job! I think I am posting some pictures below, but I keep getting weird messages as I am working on this, so we'll see if they show up! I think there is a picture posted of Mosetta and her afro-wand below too!

Well I expect to see more of you Sisterlocks folks at the Homecoming 2011...North Carolina - we are gonna represent next year!! :-)

24 MONTHS SISTERLOCKED!!

2010-05-31T09:55:00.005-04:00

Alright, so my posts are few and far between, so I'm just not even going to say "I will do better" anymore. I'll post and I'm not gonna promise how often I will do so!

Anyway, here's a pic at a wedding on my 2 year Sisterlocksversary (May 31, 2010) - i backdated the post (I am really posting on 10Jul10 while I am at the Sisterlocks Homecoming!!). I'll have to do a post showing comparisons of my locks over the 2 years. I still love my locks more and more each day. I NEVER have a bad hair day! Even when it's been wayyyy too long in between retightenings, I'll just curl it up and it hides all the new growth!!

Be blessed and rock your Sisterlocks!

Prayerful Road to Recovery from Paralysis

2010-05-04T12:27:00.006-04:00

This is a bit lengthy and not at all about hair, but I must share this with you and I hope you are touched even one tenth of a percent as much as I am!!

Anton X Clifford is the nephew of a dear friend of mine. Anton is a 17 year old young man who suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident during his Christmas vacation with family in Jamaica in 2009. Anton is currently paralyzed from the shoulders down. Since the accident, I have watched Anton's awesome attitude about life and his situation and I have been so touched by his story. Anton is confident that he WILL walk again and I believe it! One day he will be on Oprah because he sure is somebody special (next year is her last season so he's got some work to do!)!!

Anyway, due to the accident, Anton's parents are currently facing financial difficulties. Many, many costs were incurred over the past months and will continue for some time to come - medical care in Jamaica, transportation from Jamaica to Miami, care in Miami, transportation from Miami to home (Atlanta area), appropriate wheelchairs, home remodeling, a wheelchair accessible vehicle...and the list goes on and on...and there are many expenses insurance is not covering.

A fundraiser has been started by Anton's aunt and myself via our church to assist the Clifford family during these challenging times.

If you feel any desire to donate to the family, you can do so, using the button in this post (other than what PayPal takes, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Clifford family).

Otherwise, if you believe and pray, please pray, pray, pray for the Clifford family!!

I have also added links where you can read about Anton's story - his father wrote an update EVERYDAY while Anton was in the Shephard Center in Atlanta, GA on the Caring Bridge website! The second link is the current website the family is using to share updates about Anton's recovery.

Anton's Story - Caring Bridge
Anton's Current Website

I thank you SO, SO much in advance for any donation you are able to make and for any prayer that is lifted up on behalf of the Clifford family!

Peace and blessings to you and yours!

Call Me Colored!

2010-02-09T11:35:00.003-05:00

I am SO overdue in posting, but just figured I'd share my new hair! I went to Salon Nautrelle and my awesome consultant Blenna, colored and tightened me up! Blenna is the best! I'm in love with my Sisterlocks!! : )
...actually, looks like my Sisterlocks will be my Valentines' date :-/

WAIT! - this is my first post in 2010 so HAPPY 2010 to everyone out there!! Live, Love and Lock!...well, Sisterlock!!!

Thanks...2008 vs 2009

2009-11-27T23:05:00.000-05:00

Gosh, the past 12 months have flown by and so much has happened! I am thankful to God for so many blessings and for every experience, good or bad! Here are just a few things I am thankful for...in no particular order: good health and mind, J-O-B, Sisterlocks hair freedom, the best Sisterlocks clients anyone could have, Dr. Cornwell, Natalie Owens, positive relationships, friends and family...

~~~

....and of course must share some comparison pics of my locks...the first is Thanksgiving 2008, the second is Thanksgiving 2009!! Whooohooooo!!! Look @ all that hair! : )

My Nat

2009-11-24T10:34:00.003-05:00

Our friend Natalie (in the middle) who is fighting a very fierce fight against ovarian cancer and lupus!

Love you Natalie!! You are my SHEro!!

UPDATE: Natalie passed away on 15 Dec 2009 - RIP Nat! We love you girl! *Angel*

Nov Install #3 - Miss K

2009-11-24T09:05:00.006-05:00

Lockversary: 21 Nov 09...the pics are her last combing, a back view, then side view!! : )

Welcome to the fam Miss K!! : )

Nov Install #2 - Miss D

2009-11-24T08:30:00.001-05:00

Lockversary: 15 Nov 09

Pics are the back before, side before and then 2 after pics! Welcome to the fam Miss D!! : )

Nov Install #1 - Miss K

2009-11-24T08:11:00.002-05:00

Lockversary: 09 Nov 09

Pics of the back after install!! Welcome to the fam Miss K!

Just Some Sisterlocks!

2009-11-20T09:55:00.002-05:00

Here are some pics of some clients after their retightens...I need to become a "stylist" so I've started practicing a bit on some of my clients! : )

Miss L...Lockversary: 09 Apr 09!

We were lockin' her down ON my 30th birthday! : ) (01Nov09)

Miss J - lockversary 17 Apr 09 - w/ permed ends! (31Oct09)

Miss M - Lockversary 09 Aug 09 (11Nov09)

...and this is me...25 Oct 09...my lockversary is 31 May 08

6 clients 9 days

2009-10-25T00:20:00.003-04:00

This was a busy week full-o-Sisterlockin' = 6 clients over 9 days!! Below are a few pics of 5 of the clients after their retightening sessions...I have used my wonderful Soft Spikes curlers a few times now and I loves 'em!! They take a while to get them in, but so worth it! The first time I used them I did not quite get the look I was going for...but the second time I had curls that lasted for 2 weeks, but had to wash!! : ) Anyway...I'll do a Soft Spikes curlers post another day...

:::Below:::Caruso set her locks after finishing retightening

My Lil Sis & Her Locks

2009-10-07T00:04:00.002-04:00

I thought I would do better at keeping my blog updated once I got my new laptop, but as you can see...not so much...

~~~

But anyway...just figured I'd post a few pics of my lil sister's locks...locversary is Feb 09; pics are from this past Sunday, October 4, 2009...

Soft Spike Curlers Ordered!

2009-08-26T14:32:00.009-04:00

In an attempt to solve my won't-hold-a-curl-locks issue, I just placed an order for some soft spike curlers that I have seen mentioned (and beautiful pics of) on my fellow Sisterlocked sisters blogs. Once I get them, they will be used and pics will be posted!! My fingers are crossed!

If you click on the words 'soft-spike curlers' it should take to you to the part of the website with before and after pics of a lady with Sisterlocks®! (if I did that correctly!)

I wonder if my locks won't hold a curl because they have doubled in size...? Who knows!?!?

We'll see how the soft-spikes work out for me...and although they won't hold a curl right now...

I still ♥ me some Sisterlocks®

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE::::I made this post about 30 minutes ago, received the confirmation email that my order was received, and I just got an email that my package has already been shipped!!! YAY! (through the post office, so we'll see how long that takes...but WOW!, they are already on the way!!! : )))

Install # 10 - Why not certified yet?!?!?!

2009-08-26T09:49:00.009-04:00

I will start Install #10 tonight!! Yippeeee!

Q: Why am I not yet a CERTIFIED Sisterlocks® Consultant?

A: Because I have not taken the time to print pictures and put a lil' package in the mail to Sisterlocks®!

~~Seriously~~ I need to get my life together! Before Labor Day, I am going to get my packet in the mail! This is ridiculous! My third install was March '09! I should have sent my package in 5 MONTHS ago!! Makes NO sense!

Ok...anyway...wish me the best on Install #10...pics are coming!! : )

~~~~

The pic below was 16 Aug 09 (clockwise):

friend (3.5 yrs locked)

a client (4 months locked)

me (15 months locked)

my sis (6 months locked)

Just BEAUTIFUL!! We loves us some Sisterlocks®!! : )

I FINALLY got a new laptop! I got a MacBook Pro and so far it's been great! I was playing around with the iPhoto program...(me on 19 Aug 09).

Until next time...I ♥ ME SOME SISTERLOCKS®!!

Lesson of the Day (or year!): Sankofa (not hair related)

2009-08-25T09:12:00.007-04:00

So...this WILL be my next tattoo...complete design is in progress.
~~~~~~

What is it?: The Sankofa
~~~~~~
Origin: The term sankofa comes from the words "san" (return), "ko" (go), and "fa" (look, seek, and take). This comes from the Akan people. Their culture is the most dominant and apparent in present-day Ghana.

~~~~~~
Symbolism: The past can help to guide the future or the thought that, if a mistake has been made or something is forgotten, the wrong can be righted and that one can learn from experience. A symbol of the wisdom of learning from the past to build for the future.

~~~~~~

COMPARISON::::1 day, 6 month, almost 15 months

2009-08-21T22:22:00.010-04:00

WOW!! Each day I don't see how much my hair has grown, but when I do things like this, I see how much hair I have on my head!! It's PAST my nose now!! YAY!!!

~~~

Top pic - 20 Aug09 - almost 15 months

Left pic - Nov 08 - 6 months

Right pic - 01 June 08 - less than 24 hours

won't hold curls!

2009-08-13T13:14:00.004-04:00

I had my hair all rolled up from about 6pm yesterday, all nite...took the rollers out this morning and it was all curly...

Now it's 1:15 pm...I've been inside sitting at my desk all day and just went to the rest room, looked in the mirror and my curls are almost gone...

I wish I had done before and after pics so you could see...

Hmmmm..so what can I do to make my curls last longer? : (

WOW! Message From a Stranger...

2009-08-11T07:38:00.011-04:00

So I logged onto Facebook today and had this message in my inbox:

~~~~

I saw your profile and loved your work. If only you could help women with some balding hair would be a blessing.... God gave you the talent.. And you are so awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~~~~

All I could say is WOW! She loves MY work!?!! So humbling.

~~~~

It's definitely all from God:

our beautiful natural hair (black women)

the creation (Dr. C)

the talent (all of us Sisterlockin sisters)

~~~~

I think Miss Blenna has mentioned something about helping women with some balding hair...I will have to check with her on that so we can continue to bless our beautiful sisters!! : )

~~~~

I ♥ me some Sisterlocks!!!

New Sisterlocked Diva! - Install #9!

2009-08-11T07:18:00.009-04:00

Introducing the newest member to the Sisterlocked fam - Miss M!!

Locversary: 09Aug09

Total time: ~30 hours over 4 days (but who's counting!?!)

See the before...(she has A LOT of hair!!!) - and it's so pretty!

...and here's the back after...

...the side after...

...and here we are! both glad to be finished...worth every minute!...
I posted pics on Facebook and there were comments within seconds about how good Miss M's hair looked!

It's all about what Miss M was given by 'Him' and Dr. Cornwell's creation!! : ) Thanks Dr. C.!

Lovin' some Sisterlocks®!!!!

The Car = Hair-dryer!

2009-08-11T07:12:00.006-04:00

Yeah, it's been forever since I have made a post!!...I plan to post some pics from the months I missed, and I am gonna do better!! Actually, MY MacBook shipped out today and I should have it within the next 6 days...since it will be a new 'toy' I am sure I will be using it pretty regularly!! : )

I loves my locks!! I washed my hair this morning (yes, I did something BEFORE leaving for work AND got to work on time!!)...of course I didn't have time for my hair to dry, so my hair-dryer this morning was a 20 minute ride in the car with the windows down, sunroof open and wind flowing thru my locks! By the time I got to work they were almost 100% dry!!! The wind wasn't hitting the right side exactly right and I didn't think it was too safe to stick my head out of the window as I drove down the highway...but I did think about it!!

The car was my hair-dryer today! What a beautiful thing!

Almost 1yr!

2009-05-28T15:04:00.002-04:00

This is a 'back-post' to show my locks just a couple days before my 1 yr locversary!

I ♥ my Sisterlocks®!

Install done, 11th month, piggy

2009-04-30T23:00:00.009-04:00

I just finished Miss A's hair!!! YAY!!

Another beautiful sister has been added to the fam!! Not sure how many hours total..will have to add it up...but that's not important right now!

She has started her journey! That's what's important!

Today marks my 11th month locked-up!! WOW! It'll be a year May 31!

Times flies when you are lovin' your locks!! ; )

Hmmm..what else...?

I have a retightening for Client # 2 on Saturday...Miss E next Monday...they are keeping me busy!!!

Still watching the reports about the piggy flu!...ughhh...tryin' to ruin my cruise plans!

No More Bundles For Me!!!!!

2009-04-29T00:11:00.002-04:00

When I saw Miss Blenna in Charlotte, she said I did not have to braid/bundle any more when I wash...well, still in the front because my hair doesn't like to stay in the locks there!

So, I washed my hair for the first time last nite without bundling the back! It was SO weird! It felt like...I don't really know...it was just weird. I am kinda scared that maybe my hair is really not ready or not stable enough...now, I am sure Miss Blenna knows what she's talking about, but I just don't know~....It almost made me feel more comfortable bundling! Here's an after shot (yes, I was sleepy!):

Who'dathought I would WANT to bundle!?!?!?

Swine Flu!?!?! WHAT!?!?!?

2009-04-28T23:05:00.001-04:00

uh...this really needs to go away!

QUICKLY!

i have a cruise schedule for May that stops in Cozumel, MEXICO!!!!!

yeah, there have been no cases in Cozumel yet, but, er, uh....

what am i gonna do!!!???!?!!

Miss A's Install - Start date: 23APR09

2009-04-24T14:04:00.004-04:00

I started my (play-play) sister's install last nite! YAY!! I'll update as we go...we have a lot going on this week/weekend (work, funeral, bowling, baby shower, church, etc...), but we wanted to go ahead and get started anyway - need the new do b4 we go on our cruise!!

Day 1

Sisterlocks Refresher Training!

2009-04-22T12:50:00.002-04:00

I attended the training class again this as a refresher student! OMG! I am so glad I made that decision!! Since I have done about 5 heads of locks, I had some 'REAL' questions this time around and I got them all answered! ...I think! I'll be going back again within the next 12 months! I wanna be the best consultant as possible for my clients!! ; ) If you have attended the training once, I definitely suggest attending again, and again and again!! There were ladies in the class who had taken the class 5 years ago and had several clients; they learned stuff!!! SO, I know I'll be back!

Below: Ebone', Miss Michelle (Master Trainer), Tasonya

Below: Miss Blenna (Master Trainer, MY Consultant),

ME, Miss Michelle

Tasonya, me - ready for biz!

Me!

Our beautiful trainers: Blenna & Michelle!! The BEST!!

30th Birthday - April 5, 2009

2009-04-06T23:15:00.002-04:00

So on my birthday, I was finishing up a client!! Miss L!!

My sister surprised me and had a brunch for me at the house! I am sitting there just lockin' away and people just kept ringing the doorbell and strolling in!...and my client was in on it!!! It was pretty cool!! Even though I was working (not such a bad thing!), I did have a lil' gathering at the house!

I hear life begins at 30, but as I was looking online, I came across this:

So I wonder...is it 30 or 50!?!! If it's really 50, then what is going to happen between 30 and 50. Has life not really begun?
The quote on this mug is not too encouraging either!
But you know what, regardless of what anyone says..for me, LIFE BEGINS @ 30! That's what I am going to believe! Even better than believing, I am gonna make it happen! I can't wait to see what 30 has in store for me! Plenty I'm sure! The 20's were very interesting - full of good, bad, blessings, discouragements - some of everything! hopefully most of the 'good stuff' for the 30's!!! ; )

Sisterlockin' for 16 Days Straight!

2009-03-29T20:23:00.008-04:00

So...I went from 2 installs in 1 week to the following...

Thurs - Miss J's consult
Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon - Miss E's install
Tues/Wed/Thurs - Miss O's and my own retighten
Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon - Miss L's install
Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri(?) - Miss J's install
Fri - Miss T's retighten

Whew!!

I wll be getting some massages somewhere in between all of this...I have been working on Miss E's for about 21 hours and this morning it felt like I had a strained muscle or something in my right shoulder! It felt better after I ran some hot water on it this morning, but it ain't quite right... : (

Miss E will be back tomorrow after work to finish up...I am thinking it wont take more than 4 hours! I am not too good at estimating tho...one day, one day I will be as fast as Miss Blenna!

Oh yeah...I didn't mention next Sunday is my 30th birthday...and yes, I will be workin' on that day...not a bad thing tho' cause I loves some SisterlocksTM...and I will be doing an install, so I will be helping another beautiful naptural diva begin her new life journey/freedom!

Hmmm....not really sure what I will do for my 30th anyway...going on a cruise in May, but still gotta do something else...we'll see...

2 Installs in 1 Week

2009-03-22T19:26:00.007-04:00

How exciting!! So I have 2 installs set for this week...one was actually suppose to start today, but my client is sick...so...the plan was to start her install today and finish her by Thursday b/c my next client's install is scheduled to start on Friday!! WOW!! I hope this is a sign of how many more beautiful Sisterlocks® sisters (or Brotherlocks® brothers) I can help add to the world!! ; )

UPDATE:::we rescheduled for my 30th birthday weekend...

Natural Hair Meet-up in Raleigh

2009-03-21T22:31:00.004-04:00

Today a nice group of natural ladies met up @ an Indian restaraunt in Raleigh....It's always great to meet other ladies embracing their natural hair, especially in so many different ways! Just beautiful! I took a few pics, but didn't really get the ladies' permission to post their pics on my blog...If I add any, it will be because I got in touch with them and they said it was all good!

Three years ago, I started a group called the Naptural Divas and we were meeting up once a month the first year, then it went to every other month, then only once in 2008. I have been asked if I would start it back up and I am thinking I need to go ahead and do that! So look for the next Naptural Divas event in Durham...coming soon!! Now it can be hosted by my Sisterlocks® company! I was going to try and wait and make it a 'Grand Opening' for my biz as well, but I have a few more things to get into place and not sure how long it will take....I guess well just get the Naptural Divas back together and the biz grand opening will be later!!

So Blessed!

2009-03-14T19:10:00.004-04:00

So...Miss Blenna is not coming back in town until JUNE!!! I was kinda freakin' out at first because I think my hair is having or going through a growth spurt and I seriously have needed my locks retightened @ about the 3 WEEK mark since the last...and yes I could do my own retightening, but I am NOT trying to be a do-it-yourself-er...well, my beautiful, wonderful, Sisterlocks® training classmate, new friend, soon-to-be-biz-partner who lives in Raleigh retightened the front half of my hair today!!! I am so, so blessed!! So now when I walk down the street (I really dont do that...so when I am driving by), people will not be wondering why does that girl have locks hanging on to the end of her afro!! THANKS TH!!! ; )

Compare day 1, 6 mn, almost 9 mn!!!!!

2009-03-05T22:03:00.004-05:00

SO excited! Look @ my growth!!!!

Charlotte - Natural Hair Meet-Up!

2009-02-28T22:33:00.005-05:00

Today we met some beautiful naptural divas!! We drove approx. 2 hours down to Charlotte on a rainy Saturday to enjoy lunch and make some new friends!! Get to know some of the beautiful SISTERLOCKED sisters we met and see

some other pics by checking out their blogs:

fuchsia-soul.blogspot.com, blessedgemlady.blogspot.com , http://blackrussian77.blogspot.com

Feb...8-14

2009-02-14T21:47:00.002-05:00

had to catch up so here are some pics from Black History Month 2009!

After Rickey Smiley show (below)!...so sleepy! ; )

My 9 year old god-brother saying 'stop Ree-Ree!!' LOL!! ; )

Client #2!

2009-02-04T21:50:00.001-05:00

I didn't quit! I finished my second install on 04 Feb 09!! Yay!! I think we calculated about 37 hours over 5 days!! The pictures are not quite in order, but I don't know how to re-arrange once they are here so...

Jan 23/25...some pics

2009-01-25T21:36:00.000-05:00

New Years Pics

2009-01-01T21:42:00.000-05:00

Coach K

2008-12-30T21:57:00.004-05:00

Well, as you can see my photographer (my sister) missed the REAL photo-op:

me shaking Coach K's hand!

Oh well...

Client #1

2008-12-28T21:54:00.002-05:00

O. M. G. - I thought this was going to be my FIRST and LAST full install, no certification for me!!! 33 hours, sore feet, legs felt like jello, back muscles felt like...I dont even know what! Whew! But, it was definitely worth the final product and when I just happened to see my client about a week later, I was pretty excited and told everyone around that I had done her hair!! YAY ME!! ; ) Starting the LAST lock!! - yeah, I am suppose to start in the front, but I had a couple questions and Miss Blenna was coming in town that weekend to do my hair...so, I worked on the back till Blenna got here and could tell me what to do in the front! She's the best!

ALL DONE!!!!! YIPPEEEEE!

Her butt was sore and my BODY was sore!!!

(this is a late post; that why I could mention the week later...seeing my client...etc.)

Baby Pics : )

2008-12-15T19:13:00.000-05:00

Since she thinks she's a model, just figured I'd post some pics of Reesie!! ; )

Growing Ponytail!

2008-12-14T18:55:00.000-05:00

I can do a big ponytail!! I'll have to find an older one and do a comparison, but this was after the tea and the hat hair and french roll... I did a french roll with curls in the front/top for Sunday morning...but I forgot to take pics before I took it down on Sunday...! I am excited about my ponytail!!! ; )

I can do a French Roll!

2008-12-13T22:02:00.001-05:00

After the tea, I had 'hat hair,' but had to leave the house again...so, I did a french roll!! I didn't really think it would look right, but it was pretty cool!! Got several compliments and I think it really showed-off my locks!! ; )

John Legend in Durham

2008-12-13T21:51:00.000-05:00

Yep, JL was in Durham, right there in that building and you see I was on the OUTSIDE taking a picture!! (tears are dropping...) I CANNOT believe I was not there!! I don't even wanna talk about it!....

Afternoon Tea

2008-12-13T20:35:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pics from a tea with our Young Girls' Ministry...some of the teachers, our food and few pics of some of our babies!!

(FYI: all of the little girls in this pic are still natural!! Just beautiful!!!)

I retightened my own!

2008-12-09T21:06:00.000-05:00

After I washed, I started retightening my locks...I sectioned off and started on a few at the top, but I have some slippage and 'stuff' going on so I will let Miss Blenna work on that (she'll be back in a couple weeks!)....but, the next day I was home sick and retightened almost the entire back of my head! It seems my hair is having a growth spurt because after only 3 weeks since last retighten, there was quite a bit of new growth...unless it was slippage back there too...but I don't think so, I'll just say it's growing!! ; )

I'll see how Miss Blenna says I did!

Dec 9 Wash

2008-12-09T19:43:00.000-05:00

I am following the rules and washed my locks @ 12 days!!! I have been doing MUCH better ever since I took the training class and they stressed washing every 10-14 days!! ; )

AFTER WASH...

AFTER SEPARATING!!!

Old Reet!! Well...Younger Reet, Old Pics of...

2008-12-05T18:21:00.002-05:00

LOL! I was doing some cleaning and ran across some old pics of me!!

This was probably around 1986 or 1987 so I was probably about 5 or 6.

Attitude or what?!?!? Ha!!

The Perm Days!

This had to be between 2001 and 2003!!

It use to be cute..but...

And yes, these are pics of pics!! I haven't tried using my scanner yet, but I think this worked just fine!! ; )

Pulldown comparison! WOW!!

2008-12-01T18:15:00.000-05:00

WOW!! You can really see a difference here in the length!!

I wonder what the 12 month pulldown will look like!!!

Day 1

(after midnite, so technically less than 24 hours after install)

6 Month Anniversary

Nov 30 - 6 Month Lockversary!!!

2008-11-30T22:59:00.003-05:00

I figured this would be a good day for a comparision shot!

This is the day after install (in the car on the way home from Memphis).....

And here's today...6 months later!!

Thanksgiving Day Locks

2008-11-27T22:02:00.000-05:00

Nothing too special...just how my Sisterlocks looked on 'Eat-Some-Good-Food-Day!!'

This pic was after some turkey, ham, dressing, CRANBERRY SAUCE (yes, I love a lil' dressing with my cranberry sauce), sweet potatoe casserole, green bean casserole, collard greens, mac and cheese, rolls, sweet tea - from Bojangles (that's what I "cooked"!!), caramel cake, organic sweet potatoe pie, organic apple pie....hmmmm...I think that's it!

$1.88

2008-11-18T20:57:00.001-05:00

Ok...so this really has nothing to do with hair...well maybe we can make it related some how...but on my way home, I couldn't help but catch this Kodak moment!! This was the lowest I've seen in months!!! Probably the lowest since....BEFORE I had my locks installed!!?!?!? There, I just made it related to hair!! : ) But I do still remember the 99cents/gallon gas when I was in college...and back then I had a perm!! (related to hair two ways!!)

I'm OFFICIAL!!!

2008-11-17T09:59:00.002-05:00

I am an OFFICIAL Official Sisterlock® Trainee now because my name is listed on the website!! I looked on Friday and I wasn't there...looked on Monday and I's OFFICIAL!!! Yippeeee!!!!

This link should take you there....the key word is 'should'...I am not too good @ all this link stuff!!
http://sisterlocks.com/Web_Registries/OfficialTrainReg_NtoS.html

If it doesn't work, just go to http://www.sisterlocks.com/ and once you get to the Official Trainee section go to North Carolina, then Durham. I think I will see if they can put me under the Raleigh/Durham section...I won't discriminate...if you live in Raleigh, I can install your locks!! ; )

Tea @ Washington Duke Inn...

2008-11-16T22:33:00.001-05:00

These are freshly tightened locks...Miss Blenna was back in Durham on yesterday!!

So...we are laughing b/c when I picked up my tea strainer I also picked up the holder for the tea strainer and dropped it right on into my cup-o-tea! But...you can see my Sisterlocks® are getting some length to them!! ; )

The rest of the pics are just a few other shots of our tea with some of my favorite sistas!! We try to convince 2 of them to go ahead and 'go natural' but they haven't crossed over YET!! ; )
The 2 who have not crossed over yet are below... ; )
I still love ya'll tho!!

Two of my naptural sistas below!! Miss T's is straightened 'temporarily'!!

...and my sis...

Curls are hangin' on...

2008-11-12T22:47:00.000-05:00

The curls are really hanging on strong...I wanted them to loosen up more by now, but I guess since my hair isn't really LONG there is not a whole lot of loosening to do...

After the wash...

2008-11-08T22:01:00.001-05:00

...I rolled my hair while it was damp and here are the results...

This is immediately after roller removal...

Uh...I was trying to finger-comb but the curls were not going anywhere, soooo....
I pinned up the sides a little bit...

...and was on my way out!!!!!!

New Hair/New lock!!!

2008-11-06T20:45:00.001-05:00

So, I can say that since taking the Sisterlocks Consultant Training class, I HAVE been washing my locks more!! One of my sistas @ the training told me it was time to 'grow up' and start washing my locks by myself, rather than waiting to see Miss Blenna...I am growing....

Here I am in the process of separating every single lock!!

I was REALLY excited about this!!! The first lock I ever installed in MY OWN head!!! YAY!! I didn't think I would be able to start a short one...but I DID IT!!! ; )

All done separating...my hair is kinda on my neck!!! ; )

Evil Cat!!!

2008-11-02T21:44:00.000-05:00

Reesie looks kinda evil here! I say kinda cause she does have her legs crossed which makes it not so scary, but look at those eyes and those teeth!!!!

Settin' up shop!

2008-10-25T23:03:00.002-04:00

Since I will likely start my new biz from home, I figured I needed a new Sisterlocks® cabinet to keep all of my 'stuff' in...so...here are the parts...

Reesie thought she was helping! Ha!
Almost done...but something is always 'not quite right' when I put things together...there was this metal piece that was suppose to go at the top corner and attach to the magnets to keep the doors closed...BUT: they did not make a little starter hole on the door and me and the screwdriver were not workin' it out too well so I gave up....The doors are kinda staying closed, but if the wind blows by them...the open!! LOL!

With my 'stuff' in it!! Just perfect!!...I am waiting for my free 'starter' biz cards from www.vistaprints.com.

It's in place...now just need a fatique mat, a chair, and ...SOME CLIENTS!!! ; )

(looked like my 'big-vase-o-stuff' is falling over...I fixed it.)

Just a shot...

2008-10-24T22:58:00.001-04:00

Just a shot of me and Reesie...and my curly locks!! ; )

Curly shot...

2008-10-22T23:09:00.001-04:00

Here's a shot of my curly locks as I pulled up @ work..yes, I take my camera EVERYWHERE!...I think I need more color!...but I know I've gotta wait till they are all locked!! I have a while.

The rollers in my head!

2008-10-22T22:51:00.002-04:00

So...I decided to experiment a bit with some rollers to expand my 'looks' in my Sisterlock® life...I bought these rollers and here we go....! ...WOW!! Am I really putting this on the internet for people to see...?!?!?

The morning after...

First Sisterlock® installation!!

2008-10-21T21:54:00.000-04:00

Well, it was only 1 Sisterlock®...not a full head installation!! ; )

My sis took her braids out and I was right there ready to install her first Sisterlock®! I guess she'll begin the journey soon...

My first 1/4!!!!

2008-10-18T23:47:00.000-04:00

My first retighten since training class!!....well, kinda!! Miss Blenna was in town and for training I worked on one side while she worked on the other!! Hands-on training is priceless!!! I tightened, repaired Miss P's locks!! My first head!!! ; ) ...well first 1/2...actually first 1/4....Miss Blenna was really fast so she ended up doing more than me!! Ha!! ; )

The back of Miss D's 11+year old locks after tightening by Miss Blenna...my arms were TIRED...I had had enough 'lockin' for the day!!

Waiting....

2008-10-13T20:38:00.001-04:00

Just another few days till Miss Blenna comes back to Durham!! WHEW!!!

Banquet food!

2008-10-10T19:15:00.002-04:00

So we attended a banquet last nite...they are not GREAT hair pics but you know my Sisterlocks® were lookin' good and all I did was pin them up a little bit on the sides!! I am lovin' my locks!!!

Me, my sis and Ms. C.
Ok...now I am sure a lot of money was paid for this plate of food...and yes we did have a salad at the beginning of the dinner service, but really...why couldn't we get a little closer to a full serving of veggies!?!?!? I know this plate cost at least $25 or more!!!! Hmmmmm....???

I met a legend!!

2008-10-08T18:24:00.002-04:00

I finally took my Sisterlocks® Consultant training so I am an official Sisterlocks® Trainee!! I am soooo excited! I look forward to empowering other black women (and men) through the Sisterlocks® hair care system!!!

A special guest just happen to stop in on the second day of our training - yes, Dr. Cornwell!!!!! WOW! Our Master Trainer, Mrs. Michelle Bryant (she was great!!!) told us that you really have to meet Dr. Cornwell to really 'feel' her and what she is all about and she was right!! Dr. Cornwell is a special person and I thank her for what she has created!!!!!

Below are me and the two wonderful sisters who trained me on how to 'Sisterlock'!! They were both great!!! I learned so much about MY locks and things I need to do and not do!!! Like...wash it more often!! Ha!

First there's me and Ms. Farika (our Certified Training Associate)...I dont know what was up with my hair that day!!.... and below there's me and Mrs. Michelle Bryant (our Master Trainer)!!

So...if you know anyone in the Raleigh/Durham area who is thinking about Sisterlocks® please send them my way!! You can tell them to look me up on the http://www.sisterlocks.com/ Consultant Trainees section!! My name is not there yet, but I will check back...EVERYDAY!!! LOL!

Braid-out after wash...

2008-09-30T19:41:00.000-04:00

After I separate all 400+ locks, I put some braids back in my head and slept on them to see what would happen! It kinda looks like I am seeing some hair growth!! Yippee!!!

My locks had a cute, crinkly, curly look to them! The pics don't really show how they REALLY looked! See that little curl on the side of my head...that's some of my hair that likes to misbehave and slide on out of the locks!! But oh well..I will just let it do what it do!

This pic with the t-shirt on was immediately after taking out the braids...It was kinda not laying right at first...very sectioned as the braids were...(not sure if that makes any sense to you, but I know what I mean!)!

I washed again!! Second time!

2008-09-29T21:32:00.000-04:00

Alright...so I braided and banded by myself for the second time since May 31...ain't that ashame...I have just been so scared to wash thinking I a going to cause more slippage than I already have with out washing!! And...it's such a process!! Maybe my patience is just being tried!! So below are the braids and bands.... I think Ms. Blenna said I will probably have to braid and band for about a year or so...I am gonna have to double-check with her about that!!

Here's after the wash!!...I actually don't think it was as bad as I anticipated it being...but it's still NOT my favoritest thing in the world to do!

A GOOD SIGN!! ; )

2008-09-24T20:54:00.000-04:00

NOT HAIR RELATED!!!!

But...if you see this sign around town...it's a GOOD sign for me!! : )

Comparison Pics - Day 1 and Day 102

2008-09-24T13:47:00.004-04:00

I need to do my ponytail again...but just wanted to do a Day 1 pic comparison!

Day 102!...yes I counted on my calendar!

Day 1 - about 5 hours old!!

2-lock twists!

2008-09-22T22:35:00.000-04:00

So...I was touching my hair (like usual) and decided to 2-lock twist it (Thursday)! It gave me a little bit of a different look for a few days...On Sunday I did a twist-out...

10 Sep 08

2008-09-10T12:54:00.001-04:00

Here are few shots from 10 Sep 08...I pinned the sides up..it's looking pretty full from the back! Just watching the transformation!! ; )

Flat twists....my version

2008-09-07T13:08:00.001-04:00

You can't really tell too good, but the front was my version of flat twists going back...

Retightening #3!

2008-09-06T13:01:00.000-04:00

Miss Blenna came in town Labor Day weekend and hooked a sista with a new up-do! I didnt get a great shot straight on from the back but it kinda went up diagonal on both sides and kinda connected in the middle! Again...I didn't know my hair could do an UP-DO!!!

The following weekend I attended a semi-formal banquet...no shots from the back though!

My First Wash Experience!!

2008-08-18T23:33:00.003-04:00

So...I finally had the nerve to do my first braid, band and wash!!! I had been scared to wash my hair...yes since May 31! I saw Miss Blenna at 3wks, then 3.5wks later, and this was going to be the longest time in-between tightenings!!! 6.5 weeks!! So I figured I'd give it a try. I already had some slippage and loose hair and Blenna was coming in town 2wks later so what the heck...!

It definitely took me forever bc I also wanted to count how many locks I have!! So each bundle was approx 10 locks and there ended up being about 40 of them so I have over 400 locks in my head!!! I was wondering...now we all know!

Anyway, I did have a scare after the wash...looked like a bald spot!! I'll do a separate post for that...I am not too hip on this whole blogging thing so I only know how to add pics one below the other! LOL!! I need to learn how to do the collages and stufff!!

My bundles - braided and banded! I didn't have enough of the small rubber bands so I ended up using some regular sized ones that I just happened to have at the house!! That's probably part of why it took me extra long too!! Don't laff!!!

After!!!

Sis's twistout

2008-08-10T22:28:00.001-04:00

Just figured I'd share my sisters twistout from some twists I did!

Style to compare...

2008-08-10T13:10:00.000-04:00

I am trying to come up with a style I can do every month to show growth and change! So...here's my "ponytail" on 10 Aug 08!! LOL! I won't wear this out in public!

Bye-bye Up-do!

2008-08-03T13:13:00.001-04:00

01 Aug 08 - I held on to my first up-do for about 2.5wks! It was still looking pretty good though...not sure why I took it out!

I put a little H2O on and tied my hair down overnite after taking the style down! My locks were kinda all over the place! Gave my hair a slightly different look for a few days!

I did a few twists in the front and then pinned them down...wasnt liking how the front of my head was lookin'!

Wedding Style by Blenna...

2008-07-19T11:11:00.004-04:00

Here's the updo I got for one of my best friend-in-the-world's wedding!!

Pat yo' weave ladies!!!Sideview!! Lovin' my locks...!!
This was right after Miss Blenna hooked a sista up!! She has magic fingers!! ; )
Me and my sis @ the wedding!!

Sisterlocks @ my house!!

2008-06-22T11:16:00.004-04:00

Miss Blenna came in town to tighten us up!! This was my first tightening/follow-up @ the 3 week mark!! For those 3 weeks I didn't put a thing on my hair, except maybe damp fingertips in the am! I'll find some more pics of just mine to see if there was a difference from day 1!! Just wanted to share some of the other beautiful lokcs in my home that day!!!

Miss J....a Sisterlock consultant in NC! She did her own Sisterlocks!!

My sis had Miss Blenna style her naptural!!

A shot of us from the back!
Miss Blenna's ponytail!
Miss I's freshly tightened and twisted for a krinkly look!
Miss C...she was almost at the year mark..I think Sept is her 1 yr!!

Day 8!

2008-06-09T14:26:00.001-04:00

Had my own self-photo shoot on Day 8...actually, many of the pics are self-photos!! LOL!!!! No one else is volunteering to be my personal photographer! Oh well!!

Day 9!

2008-06-09T14:24:00.003-04:00

In the car on the way to the airport...

My cuz who has traditional locks!!

Day 3...Yep!

2008-06-03T20:53:00.002-04:00

Yep!! I am trying to take pics everyday!! LOL! ...and yep! I was driving to work!!...and yep! I took this pic myself....DANGEROUS!

Day 2!

2008-06-02T20:45:00.001-04:00

Here are some Day 2 pics!! OMG!! Lovin' my locks!!!

Gosh, those on the 'corner' are teeny!!!

Day 1 - on the way home!

2008-06-01T21:04:00.002-04:00

In the car on the way back from Memphis - less than 24 hours after my installation! I took a lot of pictures sittin in the back seat that Sunday morning/afternoon! I know Miss I and Miss D think I am CRAZY!...and I am! I am CRAZY about my Sisterlocks!!! ; ) I could not stop touching them and looking at them!! WOW! I wonder if everyone was like me Day 1??!!

Installation day...FINALLY!!

2008-05-30T22:49:00.002-04:00

Oh it felt like years!!!....I had my test locks put in on 06 April 08 and had to wait until 31 May 08 for my full installation!! It seemed like forever!!! Since me and Blenna live in different cities...well, states...there was a bit of time in between my tests and the full installation!! The 11+ hour drive was well worth it!! YES, I said 11 hours to get my hair did!! On May 30, the day we drove to Memphis, Miss Blenna did my color and started a few locks!! I was soooo excited to have my first Sisterlock!! I think the people at the shop thought I was crazy b/c I kept taking pictures of my hair, but I had to document this event!! I also took some pics of other people's locks!! I loves me some Sisterlocks!!!

I think this was my last puff with loose natural hair EVER!!! Fresh color...one more color was done on the next day...very, very blonde on some of the tips!

My First 4 Sisterlocks!!
The next few!! It was going on midnite...and we had driven about 11 hours that day...but I had some Sisterlocks in my head and was just as happy as could be!!!

Test Locks!

2008-04-06T22:36:00.001-04:00

On April 6, 2008 (1 day after my birthday!) I had my test locks installed by the my wonderful Sisterlocks consultant, Miss Blenna Williams!! There were 3 sets of them, in the back, on the side and in the top...the ones in the back didn't hang on for long, and after the first wash I think I had ONE lock left!!! I thought I had done something wrong!! LOL!!!

Before Sisterlocks...

2008-04-06T21:16:00.001-04:00

Before getting 'locked-down' in May 2008, I had been natural for about 2.5 yrs! I wore a texturizer, 2-strand twists, twist-outs, puffs, colors, didn't rock a fro too much, braids when I needed a break from the twisting, use the maxi-glide to straighten it a few times... took some scissors to my head one day after it took longer than watching The Color Purple to do some two-strand twists!! I guess I had some pretty good length, but I was..well my arms were tired of it! You would think after over 2 years of the twisting that my arms would have been in shape for that!! But anyway...the scissor cut kept getting shorter and shorter each day and finally after a few days I went to the barber shop...I had a REALLY short cut for a few months and then decided to let it grow out so I could begin my Sisterlocks journey!! Like so many others...why didn't I do that sooner!?!?!? Anyway..I'll start by posting some pics during my naptural journey!

Colorful puff!!

Red 2-Strand Twists!
This was the VERY beginning!!! I can see remnants of a texturizer in there!!! It was so NOT necessary!! For all the new natural folks who 'think' they need to put a texturizer in to 'get-through' the beginning phases of being natural - DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!