Week 5 - A Shout Out To My Sisterlocks Midwives

I am at the end of week 5 of my SL journey and I want to send a shout out to three sistahs who truly inspired me, encouraged me and were here to answer questions and provide support to me during the months that led up to my decision transition to SLs. During my natural hair journey they were there for me and understood the journey I was on, as well as the emotional connection that I had with my hair. So, quite naturally, (no pun intended) when SLs seemed to be the next step for me they were in my corner cheering me on.

 First to Kesha (cuz) - "Stylist Extraordinaire"! Kesha gets so much credit for escorting to the path that started me on this journey. Kesha introduced me to Sisterlocks. I had never heard of "Sisterlocks" but Kesha kept telling me, that because I was so enjoying and in tune with my natural hair, I would LOVE Sisterlocks. Mind you, I never imagined, envisioned or even thought of myself as a "lock" person. While I admired them on other people, I thought that because I like to "change" styles and loved braids so much that I simply would never even consider locks for myself. As Kesha kept encouraging me in that direction I began researching SLs. I finally understood the connection Kesha knew I would have with SLs. Every week she checks on my locks and is always there to "fluff" and add that little extra touch to make sure she keeps "cuz" at the top of my game... THANKS KESHA - you helped to birth my babies (locks).

Next to Kim M - My amazing and patient friend what can I say. Only you know the story. Every day stopping by just to encourage me and tell me that "you can do it". She let me touch and play in her hair, ask her 1000 questions about her locks and always answered with excitement, patience and kindness. As you can see, her locks are beautiful. They are about 2 years old and I love them!!! . I'll never forget all the days in the mirror (you know what I'm talking about ...LOL!!!) Kim, you have adopted my babies(your babies) and you stop by everyday to see how they are doing and to make sure I'm nurturing them correctly. How special is that..."Nana". Thanks Kim!!!!!

Finally to Kendria - My beautiful, intellectual, powerful and strong niece. What deep conversations we've had and what inspiration you've provided. Though we are miles and miles apart, we are only a phone call or a plane flight away from some of the most enjoyable, intense, and powerful debates on self discovery and acceptance I've ever had. Though you are years younger, you are full of wisdom and you know how much I love and admire you... All I need to say to you my dear is that I LOVE YOU...Thanks for leading the way. "Rock the Locks!"

One Month Photos

Week 4 - One Month Progress Report

Okay my SL Family, I have reached the one month mark and I feel great!  My locks are progressing well.  I am posting some pictures so you can see.  Earlier this week my friend ,who also has locks, was  looking at my hair and commented that they are starting to bulk up and get volume. I was glad to hear this since they are always so flat in the mornings as a result of sleeping on them.   I always fluff them up in the morning but they still seem somewhat flat to me. Consequently, I am fluffing them throughout the day since I can't keep my hands out of my hair anyway.  I can see the progress but I think that no matter how well things are going, we always want them to go better.  I will say that my locks do have a lot of movement/body and I really haven't had any problems so far. 

Because the climate here is extremely dry my consultant told me that we have to make some adjustments to accommodate for the climate but still promote a healthy locking process.   I thought that due to the climate I would have a major issue with dryness since I haven't been able to put moisturizer (or anything else) in my hair. Although I noticed that my scalp is a little dry I haven't had a problem with itching or dandruff.  I do, however, know that some people do experience issues in these areas.  I have seen only a  few/minor stray flakes  in my hair but nothing that has concerned me. I told Grace, my consultant, that I would follow her instructions to a "t" and I have.  Overall, I'm very pleased.

Okay, so what's next?  Well, I read a lot of blogs where my sistah's are styling their locks and braiding, curling and the works.  I think I'm afraid to do that so soon.  When my consultant told me not to do anything to my locks I think I interpreted that as styling also.   I've just been free styling and some days I put on a headband and wear it off my face.   I don't know, I'll ask her when I go back in about three weeks for my re-tightening.  It seems that this is working for me so I suppose whatever works for each individual is just fine.  We are all different and so is our hair.  I will say that I see new hair growth already and my hair seems to be taking to the process nicely.  So this wraps up my "One Month" Progress Report. I am looking forward to what Month Two holds for me on this journey.

A Special Thanks! - A MUST READ

Initially I began to include this in a previous post. But sistah's, I just couldn't do that because my hubby deserves not only a post all to himself,  but he deserves an entire website dedicated to thanking him for his support over the years. For the past 25 1/2 years of marriage, he has supported me in EVERY phase of my hair journey.  Through all the frustration, the doubts, the somewhat satisfied results, a few satisfied results,  the chemicals, weaves, hair cuts, braids, the beautiful natural phase, no matter what he has always been there to speak life, love and encouragement to me.  He has listened to the whinning, pouting, complaints,  answered for the" uumph teenth" time on the same day, my repeated questions of "how does my hair look, does my hair look okay...you sure...you're just saying that  so I won't ask you again aren't you???"  LOL, sistah's I know you know what I'm talking about...can I get at least one witness!  And do I even need to mention the hundreds of times I went to bed with all kinds of different looks, rollers, wraps, sleeping with my hand under head, sleeping on my face, head propped up, tight braids  or partially taken down and all the " I  don't want to mess my hair up" drama. You get the picture.  Still, he always told me I was beautiful and never complained.  Whew, I was tired of my own self!!!!!!!                  
So finally.....finally...I said  "FINALLY", he is, on a daily basis hearing something I know he thought he would never hear me say "I LOVE MY HAIR!!!"   I'm not only happy for myself and my new found freedom, but I am happy for him too.  So, if you haven't thanked your spouse, significant other or special people in your life for hanging in there with you on your path to freedom "DO IT".  They are a part of our journey too and they need to know that we appreciate them and what they gone through with us.  Oh my goodness, and how can I forget my incredible sons!!!!!  My poor sons have endured the same as their dad.  I'm laughing right now as I think about it because if you lived in the house with me you were a part of my "hair drama".  Now we are all celebrating this transition.  My youngest son, who is 20 yrs old, initially didn't want me to get "locks" but he loves my "sisterlocks".  Needless to say we are all happy.  "Thank You" to the three loving, supportive and wonderful men in my life.  You are simply, "incredibly amazing"!!!!! Enjoy you newly found "peace" and freedom as well....LOL!!!

Week 3 - Locks Starting To "Bud"

I continue to absolutely adore my SLs.  While running my hands through them this week I have noticed that some of my locks have little balls or buds close to the end.  I understand from other blogs that this is normal and is the beginning of the locking process. I am pleased with the progress my hair is making even at such an early point ( 3weeks).  My only frustration at this point has nothing to do with my hair. Rather it is with publishing this blog.  I can't seem to get it to pull up in any search engine.  I changed the name/ URL a few days after I started to set up the blog. Now, it won't come up.  I've spoken with some techies and have been told that "spider / crawl" has to do something in it's own time.... you tech savvy people know what I'm talking about. In the interim, no one can pull up my blog and communicate with me during this time.  But by now, since you are reading this, everything has gotten worked out.  I would just like to know that I have some sistah's out there who understand where I am on this journey.  I'll just continue to read other blogs for support and information.  Thanks for all the blogs sistahs, they are my SLs lifeline. BlaqKofi, I appreciate you and your blog so much!

Three Week Visit - Shampoo

I was up bright and early for my 3 week visit/shampoo.  Both Grace and Tayo examined my hair, noting the progress and condition of my locks.  I was told that I did not have any slippage and that my locks were responding very well to the process. My locks were shampooed, however, they did not braid or band them as I have read about on other blogs/sites.  I asked about this and was told that they didn't need to band them.  I'll have to ask if that comes later. I didn't think to ask while I was there.  I was told to continue with not putting anything in my hair. By the way, for several years now the edges of my hair have been very sparse and weak. This has been of concern to me because I love to wear my hair off my face. I've taken "before" pics and will post them at the time my "edge" locks are installed. Tayo told me that we will be able to start locks around my edges sometime in the next few months. I can see growth around my edges already and I am so excited!  In addition, I was told that I could separate/pull apart the locks as I felt I needed to. I will have my first "re-tightening" in 5 weeks.  Looking forward to it.

Weeks One and Two

    

                       
                    

Weeks 1 and 2  of  my SLs journey were great.  I received so many compliments, not only on my hair, but people whom I have know for a long time are telling my that SLs are a perfect fit for my personality and how they envision me.  It's amazing what we learn when we gather the courage to venture onto the path of self discovery.  During this week I have experienced such an emotional and spiritual awakening.  There is a freedom that comes with accepting the natural state of ones' identity.  I believe that the years of using chemicals and other unhealthy haircare products have all culminated into this "rite of passage" for me. Once I stopped putting those products in my hair and began wearing my hair "naturally" I began this journey but i did not know where it would lead me.  I think  the reason I loved wearing my hair in braids for so long was because braids represented "acceptance" of my identity to me.  I teasingly told people all the time that "I will be 80 years old and still wearing my braids".  Well, I think that I can seriously say that this lifestyle change will usher me into my eighties and beyond. After all,there is so much more to learn and to love. So much more of life to live!!!

Recap of Installation

I was very excited about my SL install.  I could hardly sleep the night before.  I arrived prepared to spend the day getting my SLs.  Grace, my consultant, told me during my consultation that it would take between 6-8 hours since another consultant, Tayo, would be assisting her. I was surprised since I had read online about installations taking in excess of 35+ hours for some people.  One of the reasons I chose Grace was because of her experience and longevity in doing SLs.  She explained to me my curl pattern (I have a loose pattern) and because the climate is so dry in Colorado she advised me that the small to medium sized SL would be installed. I had also been told by other ladies who have various types of locks that if the locks are too small they will definitely break off in our very dry climate. I had also read of people who have 300, 400, 500+ locks.  I have less than 300 locks.  I think my head must be smaller than those ladies and my hair is not as thick as theirs.  Grace advised me not to put ANYTHING in my hair over the next three weeks.  That included water. I could spritz my scalp with water if I had a problem with itching.  I am three days away from my 3 week anniversary and have strictly followed her instructions.  I haven't had any problems with my hair.  I'm loving it and I actually like the loose ends fly away look.  I have gotten soooo many compliments.  I am so glad that I did the research prior to getting locks and I am thankful for all the blogs that have helped and continue to help me on this "rite of passage". Thanks so much to "BlaqKofi". The information contained in your blog is priceless, as are you!

We Did It!!!! My Consultant Dr. Grace Abolaji and Me

The Beginning - Let There Be Locks

I began my SL journey on Monday, August 17, 2009.  At the time of this posting I am 2 1/2 weeks into my journey.  To date, I am very happy with my decision to transition to SLs.  I have taken several pictures and will be uploading them as time permits.  I would appreciate your comments and support on this journey. I am so excited with where I am and where I am going.  I feel that my time has come and I am comfortable with my decision. As those of you who have already passed this way know, the emotional connection I am feeling with myself and my hair is simply amazing.  I am embracing this Rite of Passage with pride, confidence and an earnest desire to learn as much as I can about this new and exciting journey that I am on. Thanks for coming along with me.

2008 - 2009 Hair -