Peace and Light!!

HELLO LOVIES!!!!!!

Whew!! There has been a lot going on in MY world, how bout yours??

I am currently getting ready to start a new job in a few days. YAY ME!!! So, out the door with all that, "You probably won't be able to keep those locs when you start seriously looking for a job" B. S. I am proud to say, I was able to find a job that I am excited about, it involves DANCE which is near and dear to my heart. I am back in full-time employment, in an office setting - yep, BRAIDLOCKS AND ALL!! WOW!! What a ride this has been.

Really, I was beginning to think my resume had COOTIES or something. I was applying for everything and wasn't even getting a nibble. For the last year, the only hits my resume was getting was opportunities to sell Life Insurance, which I really didn't want to do......really!!

I do have an insurance background and have mad respect for those in that field, but I just didn't feel as if it was for me. So, I kept searching, searching......................and did I mention SEARCHING!!....and out of no where, this job popped up on Career Builder and I applied with a quickness.

So, long story short, I am very excited about the new job, about returning to an office setting in a full time permanent position with a good salary and benefits! But, I am also very excited that I didn't have to make any drastic decisions about my hair in order to get the job.

Recently, I went with some friends to see "The Help" (A MUST SEE MOVIE). While watching the movie, I couldn't help but to think of the strength of our women (mama, auntie, god mothers, sisters,etc.,) you name it, our ancesteral women have had to do it in order to care for their families. I thought carefully about my own mother, who elected to take a job cleaning in a nursing home because the schedule would allow her to be there for us when we got home from school. Understand, my mother graduated high school in 1991, she was 57 years old at the time. She studied hard and got her high school diploma amidst the arguments from and lack of support from my Dad. She stood strong and proud with all of us cheering and cheering with her purple cap and gown on accepting her diploma like it was a million dollars. She was determined and she achieved a major goal for herself!! Watching "The Help" made me think of her and all the other women who did what they had to do in order to SURVIVE!!

I've read the blogs where some people think "The Help" is just another hollywood steryotype story depicting us as uneducated black women who bow down to whites and go home to good for nothing men, if they even have a man. If you have seen the movie and that's all you got from it, go see it again because you've totally missed the point.

My husband warned me that I might have to take my locks down in order to get a job back in an office setting. I wasn't angry with him because I knew of several women who had to do the same thing and I have much respect for their right to decide for themselves what to do. So, whenever I went out for an interview, I made sure my hair was in a neat style (my profile pic is an example of one of my "interview" do's).

Would I have cut my babies in order to get a job? I'd like to think that I definitely NOT, but when you have walked the road of constant financial struggles like we have done in the last 2 years, you never know. I may have made the decision to let them go for a while until I got in the door and then started them up again. Or, maybe I would have worn a wig to work for a while........who knows.

Cue India.Arie singing "I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am not your expectations NO, NO, I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am the soul that lives within"!!

I do know I am grateful that I didn't have to walk that path and find out.

Peace Lovies!!

Stay strong my sistahs strength is in your bloodline!!

Flow and Change!!

WOW!!!!!! I opened up my blog and didn't believe that the last time I posted was in MARCH!!!! OMG!!!! I really cannot believe I have been so self obsorbed that I didn't take time to write. What a mistake that has been. I made the critical error of letting my day-to-day life get side-track me so badly that I haven't been doing all of the things I truly love to do.



So what has been going on you ask? Mainly, financial haywires which forced us to have to move again (which actually has turned out to be a good thing). It's amazing how things can really take over your life if you are not paying attention. We have learned a HUGE lesson on not getting so overwhelmed that you literally shut down until things start to overtake you then you start running around reacting and letting the situations control you!! That's when you REALLY start to make bad decisions.

There are things in live that you can control and things that you have absolutely no control over. The trick is to know the difference and always do your best......and the Creator will do the rest. I've learned that you are definitely NOT out there alone....you always have that inner voice there to guide you and keep your steps steady. Learn to listen, hear, listen, lear and listen some more.

One good thing all this life-business has forced me to return to is my love for reading. I wanted to return to my joy for spiritual things, being vegan, living a wholistic lifestyle, etc. I had seriously gotten to a place where those things were actually calling out to me - like your children do when you get separated from them in the mall. Want to hear something REALLY funny, 12 years ago, we lived in a beautiful townhouse. It was there that I received the strongest spiritual guidance in my life in which I was directed to become vegetarian. I was also given direction in several areas of my life, which I gladly embraced. Well, time goes marching along, we move from that location, challenges occur and over the next 6 years I begin to really lose track of a lot of the direction I was given. We have come full circle and moved back into the same complex we lived in at that time. Not the same townhouse (because that would be REALLY WEIRD) but the same complex.....and it came during a time that I began working on my spirituality, seeking guidance and new direction.

So these are the two books I have read over the last month. They have both challenged me to look deep within myself for answers, guidance, direction, etc., in different ways. My life is rich with many things, lots of love, family, friends, spirit, uniqueness, laughter, color, challenges, problems, joys, sorrows and happiness.


Well, that's MY truth anyway.

Peace Lovies!!!!

They do grow up don't they..................

Well, It's Friday - I had a LOOOONNNNGGGG day - I was with my oldest son as he purchased his FIRST CAR!!!! WOW!! I can remember when I carried him, nursed him and all that....and here he was signing his own contract for a CAR. WHEW how time flies when you are having FUN.

Check our his lovely locs which are lovingly maintained by YOURS TRULY!! LOL!!

OK....time for an update

It has bee 27 months since I took the plunge into the wonderful world of BRAIDLOCKS!!

.......and what a ride it has been. I can remember it taking 1 week to retighten my 435 locks. Over these 27 months, I have combined about 15 of them - and birthed a new baby in my temple area. I have always been a little thin in my temples (I inherited that one from my mother) but since I started locks and stick to my vitamin regimine, my temple started to look like a little afro, so I decided to start a baby lock and I'm glad to report she is doing very well:

My practice of caring for my locks remains the same.......LESS IS MORE!! Because I am dancing and exercising more, I found that I MUST wash my hair more frequently or else my scalp will get NASTY!! (had that happen once - it wasn't pretty). I also know that WATER IS MY FRIEND - both inside my body and directly on my hair.

So, here is my update pics. On the left is the day after I finished installing my braidlocks (December 19, 2008) and on the right is the pic I took TODAY (March 11, 2011).

Not too bad if I do say so myself!!

I still get asked if they are Sisterlocks and I very quickly say "NO". I think Sisterlocks are wonderfully beautiful and I do appreciate my homade DO being compared to the work of trained professionals - but I also take pride in the amount of time, patience, attention and TLC I give my own hair. So, thank you for taking the time to read my little "PAT-ON-THE-BACK" post.

Peace and Light!!

Afrolady

Speak Life!!

For those of you who don't know, Iyanala Vanzant recently appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show after an 11 year hiatus.

The first of two shows aired during my train trip back from helping care for my mother after her fall in December. Now, even though I don't watch Oprah that much, I was heartbroken at the thought of missing this episode because I am a HUGE fan of the high priestess. I have followed, learned and grown from her work over the years and was very excited to hear she would be on TV again. Other than my Mama, if I had to pick 2 women who inspire me and I most wanted to be like, I would have to say without a doubt Susan Taylor and Iyanala Vanzant.

Because I missed the airing of the show, I was forced to watch a series of bad quality videos posted up on YouTube. Even though the quality of the clips were questionable at best, it was still enough to hold captive my attention for it's duration, which is not easy to do.

It would seem to me that what happened between these two dynamic Divas was a direct result of a series of misunderstandings with a little bit of 'crazy' thrown in, just for fun.

The conversation between Oprah and Vanzant began with a heartfelt apology from Iyanala after a very intense embrace by two sistahs who have deeply missed each other. Two things Iyanala said stuck out in my mind: "Some crazy a pill can't fix"......"I need you to hear me on this Oprah, really hear me". Those two statements bring me to the point of this writing.

How many of us have had conversations with people (child, sibling, friend, mate, boss, etc.) only later to discover that what you "said" and what they "heard" were two completely different things? Too many relationships, marriages, etc., have been ripped apart over the difference between what 'I' said and what 'they thought' they heard.

I just finished reading a book entitled "The Fifth greement" in which the author speaks in great detail about being impeccable with your words and not taking things personally. How many people do you know have quit jobs because of their perception of the treatment the received from their boss or coworkers?

Now, my friends know that I watch "Real Housewives of Atlanta" weekly and will sit down and watch the reruns of the show. Why? Simple, because I find those ladies truly fascinating, especially NeNe but I will save that for another writing. Week after week, we see our sisters on the show act and react based on their own perception of a conversation or event that has taken place. Sometimes it's cute...........sometimes it's UGLY, but we watch it anyway.

During my 25 year marriage, several times I have challenged my husband on his reaction to a particular event. It took a while, but I slowly came to see that I expected him to see the situation exactly the way I saw it and I didn't understand why he wasn't ranting and raving as I would have done in that same situation. I have learned from that experience and many others that it's not always necessary to 'be RIGHT' but it is always 'right to just BE'. Plainly, what you say, you say out of your own thoughts, heart, perception, view, etc., and what the other hears is based on the same collection of things inside themselves. You have a responsibility for what you say and how you process or internalize what you hear (BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORDS). But, there is nothing you can do about the processing and internalizing that goes on inside the other person (DON'T TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY).

So, what do we do? Try to speak life, light, truth and blessings even when you have to "Check a Negro". But most of all, don't take what others do and say personally because after all, their perception of you and/or the situation is WWWWAAAYYYY out of whack anyway.

I'm sure Iyanala have received a mountain of criticism for appearing on Oprah and being so transparent, but sometimes that's the only way to truly resolve a situation. Speak truth and life to every situation that confronts you and I promise YOU will be all the better for it!!

I Speak Life!

Peace and Light!!

Afrolady

FINALLY!!

Have you ever had an idea that you wanted to try, a book to write, a business to start, etc......and you couldn't, or didn't get around to do it? Well, don't feel bad because that has been my story for the last 3+ years. I have thought and talked about starting my own business so much I got SICK of thinking about it.

When I was at home in December caring for my mother after her fall, I looked around her house at the mounds and mounds of materials, tools, patterns and craft books and reminisced on what a great seamstress she was. For the longest time, we didn't know what it meant to buy clothes in a store, she made everything we needed - including my wedding dress (complete with satin, pearls and an 11.5 foot train). We tried and tried to get her to go into business for herself years ago, but she just couldn't, or wouldn't do it. I don't know if it was due to her lack of business sense or what - maybe it was because our little city in Michigan wasn't necessarily known for cranking out entrepreneurs. Whatever it was, she seemed to be perfectly content to shower her talents upon her family and only her family, and boy did we benefit. She also made it her mission to teach me how to be self sufficient - how to sew, crochet, knit, do my own hair, etc.....because she believed that you shouldn't be a slave to anyone else's time or talent.

Now that she's older, arthritis and many other health issues has forced her to give up many of her hobbies. So, now she passes her time making quilts that are amazing in their beauty, detail and precision.

So, with some effort, support from hubby, faith and some of Mama's teachings, talents and mother-whit I have launched my own business http://www.afroladydesigns.com/ and I would love it if you would check it out - and share the link with your friends. Don't worry, I won't bombard you or your friends with endless BY STUFF FROM MY WEBSITE posts. However, you could really help me by the checking out the site, signing the guestbook and giving me some feedback at your own convenience.

PEACE LOVIES!!!!!!!

Afrolady

www.afroladydesigns.com

Just some random Year-at-a-close thoughts......

Everything must CHANGE!!

As I sit at my Mother's computer, I can't help but to think back on all of the things that have gone on this year. I have to admit, it has been a bit of a bumpy ride, but a bumpy ride is better than NO RIDE at all. LOL!! Sometimes you just have to laugh and KEEEP ON TRUCKIN'.

My Mother is getting stronger every day and was in much better spirits when I sat with her earlier. I am comfident that she will make a speedy recovery because she is still strong willed and very determined.

On the hair front, I have been so busy, running around in circles, I completely overlooked my own 2 year Lock-a-versary (insert fireworks and fanfare here) which was December 19th. Wow!! What a journey it has been. I have watched my hair morph into what it was truly meant to be. I have combined about 15 of my locks during this 2-year journey and I managed to start a new baby in my temple area on the right side. I have named her Joy and she's resting comfortably among her 420 older siblings. I turned 47 on the 2nd of this month and gave birth to 2 gray hairs. WOO HOO!! It's funny that people think I color my hair because I didn't have any gray hairs until recently.........but to the two rebels that have popped out of no where all I can say is HELLO and WELCOME TO THE FAMILY. LOL!!

I will post pics when I get back home.

On a personal note, it's almost time to bid 2010 a fond farewell as it crosses forever over into the land of memories. I don't believe in making resolutions, but I do believe in making CHANGES. While on my sojourn in Michigan, I started some fresh new crochet projects and used this down time to learn some new stitches, techniques, etc. My ETSY shop will be up and running by Monday and it will serve until I get my webpage operational. 2011 is the year of doing what I enjoy with meditation, thought and PURPOSE instead of only doing what is necessary to survive with very little reward or satisfaction. I don't wish my Mother's fall on anyone, but I thank God for the gift of the down time because it gave me an opportunity to think, observe and treasure. Treasure what you ask? Treasure all of the things my mother taught me. The skill set she nurtured, the strength she gave and her mind boggling wisdom that is sometimes challenged by meds and bad health. I let her life show me ME while she's still here instead of waiting until she was gone and looking at a distorted legacy through tear stained eyes and pain.

Life is a gift, a constantly moving journey through time and space and there is so much to be learned from it. Thank GOD for the lesson......................

Great New Year Everyone!!

Peace!!