A change is gonna come.
As I sit here with fried looking hair, looking rode hard and put away wet, I have decided I need a change.
I googled ‘Fried Dyed and Laid to the Side’ This is what I got *Snort*
I work 40 hours a week. I come home and I work more. School work and housework never ends. It isn’t just me though. If I am working 40 hours, my husband is currently putting in 60 to 70 hours a week. A couple of days ago He didn’t get home from work until 9pm.
It is not just that though. Ever since I lost weight, I haven’t shopped for clothes I enjoy. I have work outfits that I have purchased for the sole purpose of work. They are okay looking, but they make me feel staid and just, ugh.
I am stuck in a rut. I don’t take care of myself like I should. I don’t do anything for me and my husband. We work, we come home, we pick up dinner, and we stare blankly at the TV for an hour or two before we get started on our bedroom rituals.
I’m frustrated and tired guys. I’m stuck in a rut. I was doing laundry this evening and realized I was stuck in a clothing rut as well. Let me give you the primary example I have. For about 10 years now I have bought one type of jean. I purchase the Lane Bryant Right Fit Jeans. You know the ones I am talking about. The ones that are folded up in the store. (Size 6 blue circle!). The quality has gone downhill over the years. I am not entirely sure they are real denim anymore. Plus they smell funny, no matter how many times you wash them.
Tomorrow I am making time for myself. Jeff is out of town for the weekend for work (boo), but I am going to make the most of it. I plan on doing a hot oil treatment on my hair, painting my nails, and just beautifying myself. I also plan on buying a pair of nice new jeans. I need to step out of the jean comfort zone. I still have homework and I still have housework, but I need to focus on myself for just a little bit.
My questions to you: Have you pampered yourself recently? If not, why? Is it something you struggle with?
Best choices for us.
I am exhausted. If anyone ever told me that the holidays were an actual vacation, I think I would punch them.
Roughly a month ago I got a haircut. It was actually more of a trim. My hair grows quicker in the back than anywhere else, giving me a mullet type look. Not good.
It got me to thinking. When I was younger if you came at my hair with a pair of scissors, be it a trim or an actual cut, to correct broken off hair, I would be in tears. My hair took forever to grow, and all I ever wanted was long hair. When it was relaxed, it seemed as if I could never achieve that dream. The longest my hair ever really got was to my earlobe.
With my natural hair, no matter how bad I treat it, it grows. When I say I treat it bad, I mean I don’t tie it up every night like I am supposed to, I go longer than I should without a serious detangle, and I have hand-in-hair syndrome.
Ultimately I believe that natural hair was the best choice for myself. What about you?
Can you tell I am sick? I feel like crap. On my way to work.
What is the best choice you have made for yourself?
Natural Hair, Naturally Healthy?
When I first started going natural, it didn't seem to me like a lifestyle change. Yeah, no more relaxers, but that was pretty much about it for me. However, it has kind of turned into a new world of opportunities. I learned how to fix my hair, on my own. I can't really do anything fancy to it, but I can go out and be proud of what I did to it. When I was relaxed, that just wasn't happening. It would be wrapped and stay wrapped until I was ready to go somewhere. Three quick comb-throughs later and VOILA! Ready to go. Now? I am learning how to do two strand flat twists, I know how to do twist outs and braid outs and style them. I actually know how to care for my hair!
Some people take this journey and take it a step further. They revamp their whole life. They take care to what they put in their body. They start to ask hard and serious questions about things in their life. Their whole outlook on food, hair, body, self turns to a whole "natural" mindset.
Some people go what I like to call "Bat Shit Cray Cray" They eschew ANYTHING that isn't natural and attempt to shame people into doing the same. They carry a holier than thou attitude towards life, and put holier than thou church people to shame. They hiss at people who flat iron their hair and "dare" (insert sarcasm) to call themselves natural. The people make me want to blink and eat a Big Mac in front of them. They are the natural world's version of a hipster.
Natural Hipster Kitty
No matter who you are, why you went natural, and how you have taken on this definition, we all share one thing. We saw something we didn't like, and we made a change. In making this change, a lot of times, you make discoveries about yourself. This is what natural hair has taught me.
As I get older, I realize more and more, that I live a fairly unhealthy lifestyle. I love junk food. LOVE IT. A few years ago I had a slight addiction to McDonald's. The addiction is pretty much gone, however I do go their once in a while. I just like loads of unhealthy things. I don't smoke, but I do have the occasional cocktail. Very occasional. Like maybe once a year. Not much of a drinker.
I want to have kids eventually, and I want to teach them to love, care, and respect every aspect of their life. How can I do that when I am not doing the same? I am working on it though. I am planing veggies that I intend on using in recipes, I am losing weight, and my gym membership to the YMCA reinstates in May.
Maybe it is just a step at a time for some of us. For me the first step was natural hair. Maybe this is my second, tentative step.
With all of that seriousness out the way, here is your music recommendation for today. I had a meeting at school yesterday to discuss an independent study class that I want to do. After I left, I grabbed some lunch and while driving home this song came on. Loving it!
I saw her on Glee at one point, and I didn't really know who she was. I still really don't. I think she got her start on YouTube. Here is a vid with the lyrics of the song!
You guys have a great day. I have some news coming up and a poll for you to take in regards to the news!
Nothing to write about today
Today is such a blah day. It is straight gloomy out. When I took the dogs out I could see my breath in the air. Not cool. The dogs two yards down are stuck outside and it is getting ready to rain and that just tugs at my heart strings. I have no clue what to do about it.
My hair is growing like a weed! I love it. It feels like, as far as my looks are concerned, I am coming into my own. I found a hair solution for me that I like and can actually take care of my hair without having to shell out hundreds of dollars a year for relaxers, deep conditioning treatments, etc.
My husband LOVE running his fingers through my hair, and helping me to detangle as well. How did I get so lucky?
I have ham and bean soup cooking in the crockpot and I am thinking of starting a fire in the fireplace, watch a movie and work on my niece's Christmas present. I also could start making cards again.
Hope everyone is staying warm!!
Healthy Diet= Healthy Hair
As my readers, I feel that we have a relationship. We can laugh together, we can cry together, and I can tell you anything. So I am here to tell you something...
I am a junk food ADDICT.
I love candy, chips, cake, and pie. I will be the first person to admit it.
A couple of weeks ago I made mention of the fact that my husband and I are making a bit of a lifestyle change. Re-reading the entry, I realize I did not make mention of the fact that we are changing our food habits as well. Out with the chips, cookies, chicken nuggets (mmm, nuggets), fried cheese, and in with healthy eating, moderate portions, and finding delicious and healthy snacks.
I know there are some people out there reading this and groaning and thinking with drastic measures such as these, I am doomed to fail. But I don't think I am... and I will tell you why.. I love a challenge. I like the idea of trying to find something as delicious as my beloved salt and vinegar potato chips, but healthy. For me fixing the hubs healthy snacks is kind of easy. I can add seasonings to nuts for him, and BAM instant salty craving satisfied. It is not as easy for me. As an adult, it seems that I am developing food allergies. As a kid I never had any problems with food. Now everything makes my throat swell up and itch. So far: Soy Milk, almonds, and pistachios. There is more on that list, but that is what i can come up with right now.
Though we have only been doing this for maybe three weeks. I can tell a difference in my hair. It doesn't dry out as fast, and doesn't feel like straw. The hubs was commenting on the length of it last night. I can't wait to see further down the road what this lifestyle change has in store for my hair.
Espionage Cosmetics
