A few loc shots

Liz - side view

That's Anne in her new locs, spitting image of her mum in the picture behind.

Liz. Anne's sister. She has sisterlocks

I never knew my locs were this long until I saw this photo
I thought they were looking rough, but perhaps I'm being too hard on myself. Maybe a little colour will liven things up a bit.

These were all taken at my friend Anne's 50th. She chopped off her 5 yr old locs and started a new set and the growth is amazing.

A lot has been happenin'!

I've been home-edding, following this christian curriculum for the last 9 years. When Mary was going to college they had a problem recognising the qualification(which is the christian equivalent of GCSEs) but she got in with her portfolio, interviews, and she came out tops in her English and maths test. Fast forward to the present time. We were given to understand that these qualifications were accredited by some BODY and was recognised by colleges and Unis alike. I thought Mary's college was the odd one not understanding what we had. As it turns out, it's not actually validated by anyone(inspite of ongoing talks with the Govt). They have had several students go on to higher education, many coming out with 1st class honours etc, so the academic content is not in question. It's the fact that after all your hard work, you now have to convince folks that you have a valid qualification!! This problem does not arise in the states(where the curriculum comes from) bc 1) they are fully aware of the system 2)It's been around for years in the USA 3) Some Colleges in USA actually scout homeschoolers. Many have a very open mind and so long as you can demonstrate that you are fully capable, you can get in. Many students who went through the system went to Universities in the states.

Not so in Narrow minded Britain! (Sorry people, I don't mean you lovely folk!). Everything is rigid here. You name it. From food, clothes, supplements to our tiny houses that cost an arm and a leg. I've never understood Americans who want to come and live here. I guess I'm suffering from 'the grass is always greener on the other side'...but I digress. You need a valid paper otherwise, you could have a fight on your hands. So in the light of all this, I've made the momentous decision so go over to GCSEs. We have 1 year to do everything that others have been doing in school for 3 or so yrs. I might add that all this is costing 1000s. I had no idea how I was going to come up with that amount of money. My dear friends, who I'm helping pioneer a village christian school came up with the idea of their Trust funding the cost of the GCSEs in exchange for my boys doing some work on their several acre farm. So it's been arranged and we have a challenging but exciting year ahead of us, and once more God has proved faithful!

Do you believe in arranged marriage?? I do!!!

You may wonder what manner of heading this is, but I shall explain. I started praying for my daughter's(Arashia) marriage when she was still in her teens. Somehow, God laid it on my heart and impressed upon me not to take it for granted, but soak it in prayer. Over the years, she's had her ups and downs and been embroiled in some sticky situations. But God extricated her from them all. In the last year the Holy spirit led me to keep thanking him for her husband although there was not hair or hide in sight. In may this year He gave me a word that he(husband) was on the horizon. I shared this with Ara and she was really encouraged considering all the non husband material that had crossed her path - we kept thanking God. Then 6 weeks ago, I got another word...that something would happen THIS year. I was kinda startled to hear it. But I knew God was speaking. 3weeks later Ara met someone. And this is how it all happened..........................
We went to deliver a garment Ara had made for a lady I shall call L, and met another young woman (a friend of the 1st lady) I shall call J. L and J both have babies. We got on really well and were having some laughs when she(J) started talking about her 'brother', looking for a wife to settle with. (Talks like that don't normally go down too well with Ara as it's usally some over- the- hill sod looking to start over with some fresh blood) So, We didn't really take much notice but promised to call her later as she had expressed interest in the bodymagic which I sell. A few days went by, we never called and L invited us to her baby dedication. We found ourselves sitting with J and her baby. She eventually raised the topic again about her'brother' saying she was having no rest over the matter. She phoned me the next day to invite Ara round her house cos 'brother' was there and since we were shopping in the area, I agreed to take her there to say a quick hello. That was it! Far from being over- the -hill, 'brother' is a young, tall, handsome Nigerian man with jet black sheeny coily hair and a gentle spirit. He's very well read too, having completed his masters here in the UK. The pair of them got on so well. Next thing I knew he has popped the question, and came round to ask hubby for her hand in marriage in good old fashioned style. He came carrying some Port(drink) which in my tradition is the proper way to approach potential in-laws.
So that's it in a nutshell. I will post some more later with pictures so stay tuned.

A whole day at the Sanctuary Spa.

My daughter Mary treated me to a day at the Sanctuary Spa in covent garden. She's a beauty Therapist there and she got free entry and half price treatments for herself and guest . We got there at about 11.30 a.m to be greeted with drinks and smiling faces, and taken to change into swim suits and soft white towelling robes. I was determined to make the most of it so I insisted on having a go at everything, so basically we headed down to the exercise pool. After forcing ourselves to swim for 20 mins, we jumped into this round jacuzzi. After being suitably pummeled and massaged, we 'leapt' into the steam room. I endured this torture for a while and then made a beeline for the cold shower. Mary forced me back in the steam room(apparently it's good for you). Then we went into the sauna which was really lovely. We headed up to the koi carp lounge to have lunch, but not before immersing ourselves in the gardenpool/jacuzzi halfway up the stairs. Lunch was a vegetarian platter followed by water and orange juice, whilst we lounged in large cushioned seats over looking a pool while women in white robes floated by. After having a little rest, we gathered at the central point of the koi carp lounge to be taken to have the sleep'retreat'. You lie on this couch with a handset that you put on which gently vibrates whilst a voice leads you through paradise, encouraging you to leave all your cares behind. I then went on to have my 'dry float'- you are lowered on a watery bed and snugly wrapped up in a darkened room with soothing music in the background(heavenly). I went into the 2nd pool cos I had to have a go at that swing. In full view of all these other white -robed women(cos the lounge overlooks this pool) I struggled up that great big swing. Nobody was laughing cos I'm sure all the brave ones have tried it too. What's the point of that swing when folks (especially short ones like me) can barely reach it??? I then dashed back..erm- ok,ok...floated back to the small jacuzi which was bubbling like mad.....(hahaha what's she like eh?)I met up with Mary at the retail lounge(another beautiful lounge) to have scones and drinks. We both had a body skin consultation and were given free body creams. I headed off to have a facial while Mary went for her dry float. Every woman needs a facial. The girl massaged my arms too and gave me a mask that drew all toxins out. It was soooo good. I literally shimmered out with a huge smile on my face, to lounge and read at the koi carp again. Then, another skin analysis, this time facial. Ladies, I have less wrinkles than my age. She recommended some basic products which I bought and got another freebie thrown in. Everywhere you went there were jugs of water with freshly cut orange/lemon floating in it.(they're big on drinking loads!)We were given another cooling drink after this in the retail lounge. It was a lovely day. 9 hrs well spent. Things got slightly hairy at the end when Mary's phone went missing. But we asked God to find it for us and he did! Just as we were leaving, a girl came holding the phone which fell out of a bundle of dirty robes!!!

Locked? You can still braid your hair!

Sorry about this strange pic, but it's my attempt to highlight my braided locs framing my face. My hair isn't actually this grey. I found this coconut oil in Superdrug. It's very cheap and suprisingly good. Smells lovely too.

I braided these up in 10mins. I was in a hurry and didn't have time to section them properly. You can do them smaller. But you can wear them out if they are small enough.

I used this hairband/half-scarf - to go out. Nobody gave me the side-eye.

Back view. I held it in a ponytail. The ends were dripping wet.

partly retightened locs

These are my specs. Hopefully it's only temporary hehehe...

HAPPY HAIR!!!

That's what my husband said while I was retightening my locs and chatting with him. He kept staring at me. Finally I looked up and saw him smiling 'I'm so glad you've now got HAPPY HAIR' he says. Suddenly DIY-ing does not seem such a chore after all, I've got HAPPY hair y'all!!!

This is the average

size of my locs (on your right). A few are thin like the above and most are this size. I also have some double the medium size. What you see on the right is the size I'm happiest with and I wish ALL my locs were that size. I find I have some too thin and some too thick. And I'm not a perfectionist.

Retightening again!

I've just began to retighten my locs. I really wish someone would do it for me. I even went on the SL website and found someone (a guy) quite close to me and emailed him. But I've had to fork out £120 for varifocals, £60 for some supplements another £40 for an extra pair of specs £25 on some hair stuff erm ..as you can see I didn't fancy spending£50 or £60 on getting my hair done so I'm sitting here plodding on. It's times like this that I'm really thankful not to have a huge number of locs. I really understand those who combine their locs from 500 to 300 etc I mean sometimes I think 'you've got som much hair so many locs why are you doing this' then I realise of course they've got their reasons and I may just do the same in their place much as I am enamoured of 400+ locs. I have done 1/4 of my locs. Tomorrow, I'll do the next 1/4 and so on, so hopefully it should take another 3 days. Still I am so blessed and I know my heavenly father will provide abundantly for me. This is all temporary. there's plenty of money in the pipeline....

I've begun a Bible course which I find really exciting. I just completed the 1st module and did the test today. God spoke to me quite clearly that I was to do this course and was confirmed by 2 different people. There are other things he has spoken to me about, but i'll hold those thoughts for the time being. I hope to reveal some VERY soon LOL. My relationship with God has taken another turn, and I've become more intimate with my heavenly father. I am so overwhelmed that God takes me into his confidence. If you don't know Jesus as your Lrd and saviour, or if your relationship's gone stale, ask the Holy spirit to refresh you, and start reading the word with fresh eyes! It's the greatest LOVE story!!!

Till next time......

OIL treatment for alopecia and hairloss

We were discussing cinnamon oil for hairloss on nappturality. I did a search and found this Oil blend which must be GENTLY rubbed in the scalp 1xday. Pay attention to bald areas, but rub throughout the scalp.
3 drops rosemary
4 drops geranium
4 drops lavender
1 drop frankincense
4 drops cypress
2 drops cinnamon
2 drops juniper
Take 1 drop ONLY,massage before bed. Dispense 1 drop on a fingertip and rub fingertips together to spread it and massage in everyday without skipping even 1 day! Pay special attn to bald areas, but rub throughout the scalp. This is the only eo blend used neat so be on the lookout for any skin irritation and cease immediately if this occurs.

I do not have all the EOs so I modifiy my blend, by substituting cypress with peppermint, juniper with thyme, geranium with orange. I also added 4 drops vit E oil as I was hesitant to use neat. My intention is to acquire the missing oils and follow this to the letter. But y'all know how expensive EOs are.
I know someone on NP is mixing cinnamon oil with Jamaican black castor oil and starting to see results, so it's worth a try.
Massage is good for the scalp. Also, you can grab handfuls of hair and gently tug after you massage to stimulate growth.

NIGHTMARE at watford general hospital!

I would never have believed what I'm about to relate if it hadn't happened to me! I had a problem with my eye and went to the GP. He referred me (with a letter)to the eye clinic at watford as an emergency. I arrived at 11.30 am, only to be told they were not seeing anymore patients and I should come back at 1.30. I had been told to make sure someone brought me as the drops they put in your eyes make it impossible to drive, so my father-in-law took me. We had 2 hrs to kill and went to Tescos for a quick bite. I returned at 1 p.m.leaving grandpa to go wander around somewhere for an hour or 2...or so I thought. There was a small queue so I joined it, taking turns with an old lady standing/sitting so we could keep out place. The Poor old folks, they were suffering standing for so long. The queue lengthened rapidly and after 45 min the 'Hatch' opened and the receptionist started to book people in. At this point, an irate woman went and had a go at receptionist whereupon, said receptionist took her bag and rushed out never to be seen again - leaving us stranded!!! 30 mins later another lady came and started checking us in. She spent 10 min per person. I was number 5 and eventually my turn arrived. I was asked by a nurse to read some letters and sent to sit with the others in a corridor to wait for the eye dr. 40 mins passed. A girl, on the verge of tears, whose brother had obviously had some serious eye injury, began to question whenther there was a dr around. A consultant came out and told the family to go to some eye clinic somewhere. They left! A couple of other people had gone too, leaving just 6 of us sitting there. The nurse came up and announced that no eye dr had turned up and we(the emergency patients) should travel at our own expense to an eye clinic in London or go home. It was now about 4p.m. One woman who had brought her mother to be checked went 'mental'! She demanded to see a dr and the nurse refused. She threatened to go into one of the rooms and bring one out herself.(There were 3 drs seeing the regular appointments, but none for emergencies) She said "get 1 dr here now! and the other 2 can cover for him. whoever heard of an emergency being sent away? We're not leaving until we see a dr."
We all sat tight waiting to see what would happen. 10 mins later, nurse returned to say an eye dr would see us, even though minutes before she said she couldnt conjure up a dr! Folks, THIS apparently is the state of the NHS. I spent no less than 6 hr in the hospital standing& sitting around. It sure makes the third world look very good indeed. Its downright dangerous to be sick in the UK. Thank God for Jesus.

Update on Protein treatment

Thandi, in answer to your question, the protein treatment IMO has really helped my hair. It feels stronger and it left it soft& sheeny. I did condition with a moisturising condish afterwards. Hair needs the right balance between protein and moisture. Too much protein will leave it hard and brittle, while over conditioning will leave it limp , lifeless mushy. Personally I think our hair type is rarely over-conditioned. Still, striking the right balance between protein and moisture can be tricky. As a rule, too many protein treatments will lead to hard hair, At the same time you need them to strengthen your hair. So I suggest 1xmth at the most ,and always follow with a moisturising conditioner to be on the safe side. This of course, is a generalization and may vary from person to person. Adding a *moisturising*conditioner+humectants like honey,oils like jojoba,coconut& olive oils will help prevent "overproteinizing" your hair and don't forget finishing off with an ACV rinse!


Having said all the above, eggs, vinegar and oil are all great at helping retain moisture, provide volume and hydration. Each ingredient can be used alone but obviously a combination (as found in mayonnaise) increases the condish properties. The protein in the egg fill in the gaps and nicks in the hair shaft when it's dry or damaged, giving a fuller sheenier appearance promoting strong strands and growth.

Protein treatment

I did a protein treatment after i read about the benefits. I followed dewdrops instructions. I added a little jojoba oil, 1 tbs aubrey's honeysuckle condish, 1 tbs sisterlock reconstructor to the mayo and egg. Mixed it all and put it on my roots.

UPDATE:

I put on shower cap and left it on for 3hrs. Then washed it with cold water.(I'm not sure about this treatment in winter). I made sure to use a moisturising shampoo -organix coconut and aubrey organics honeysuckle shampoo, both for the lovely coconutty&honecuckle fragrance and moisture. Followed by aubrey organics honeysuckle condish, (my ends only), then rinse rinse rinse with cool water tempered with some cider vinegar to cut the hardness in our UK water. I am pleased with the results. This is worth doing on a monthly basis. Also it's good for my scalp!

How cool is this athlete?

Joseph Christian and Joshi at the endofera party.
I cant believe how my babies have grown and Christian looking so
Cool.

Here he is competing at the english schools athletics.

Its hard to accept this!

A few days ago, my pastor friend from back -in- the- day sent me the devastating message that my friend Wendy had passed away. We used to be very close when Ara was a Tot, going to prayer meetings/church together, praying for each other and our families. She lived in Luton and we'd spoken on the phone and planned to meet-up sometime...only it never happened. Instead she's gone leaving behind a husband and 3 children the youngest,9yrs. Whilst I was reeling from the shock of this, the phone rang. It was my sis from Ghana.'Are you sitting down?' I said'what!?!' Then she gives me another blow! This, within 15 minutes of the 1st blow. My friend Jennifer also from back- in- the- day has died! We met up when I went to Ghana(she always comes to spend time with me) and was planning to visit her twin in the US. Jennifer was my flatmate when Ara was a toddler. It was she who introduced me to KTchurch. We all belonged to a group called AL and shared many happy memories together. I couldn't even cry. I was just numb, tears stinging my eyes.

To Wendy: I never knew you were so ill. I'm so sorry you went through so much. I spoke of calling weeks ago, to see if we could finally make it happen. The meeting that never took place. I'm grateful to God that I knew you. Always smiling and babying me. Re-arranging my wardrobe when it was a total mess! Now Heaven is your reality. I'm sad that you died so young, but happy that you're no longer dealing with pain. RIP my sister, till we meet again.

And Jennifer: What can I say? I could barely comprehend the fact that you'd gone. So soon? I remember us standing near El wak,(Ghana) encouraging each other in the Lord. You were telling me about your plans...Ei! How did this happen? Aakor, so pretty, so sweet. A gentle and quiet spirit. Dyou remember Ara's 1st words when she tried to say Aakor? It was Krkor? She's devasted.. But I know how much you Loved God. You were a saint if ever there was one. Enjoy your rest from your labours. I will miss you, my dear. Until that great day....girls I'll do my best by his grace to represent on this side of eternity.



In 1989, we went to portugal to attend a crusade and made it a holiday. We all stayed in a lovely hotel. Wendy&I shared a room with little Arashia. DD and Jennifer(Aakor) shared another room. Dd died in 2004. It was a hard one to get over Cos we used to spend so much time on the phone putting the world to rights. I was the one that told Jennifer and Wendy. Then last year Elizabeth died. She was in AL too. I broke the news to Jennifer. Now this........ God is my rock and my strength, an ever present help in the time of trouble. I will rest in you, the lifter up of my head. God is faithful, whether I understand this or not, He is FAITHFUL.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

washed and deep conditioned with.....

Sisterlock reconstructor and aubrey organics honeysuckle & rose conditioner. I washed my hair with the clarifying shampoo followed by 2nd wash honeysuckle &rose shampoo. I left the condish on for 1hr. Apparently you can leave it in overnight but... nah. Maybe next time. Then it was rinse rinse rinse!

Seriously, my hair looks very full in the back. As if I have gazillion locs. It's the top I want looking fuller. That's why you don't see pics of the top of my head. I don't like locs looking flat on top, it's got to have some body. My kids say it doesnt look bad. I certainly pray so. My loc count is hovering around 370. Anyway, I'm really pleased with the way my locs have progressed and thankful to God too,

Locs are definitely the best hair choice I ever made.

re-Ti -ing 1000 locs....or so it seemed

Ara and I went on friday to reTi my friend Seiwa's hair. Her locs were started with tiny twists in Ghana(which probably cost £5.00 ?). Some had unravelled entirely and needed to be re-installed. She is unofficially client number 3. Her hair is coily, wooly and dense in the back and it seemed she had 1000 locs! I attempted a loc count, but I'm guesstimating over 500 locs. Some may well have to be combined later. We had a fun girly time eating sweet cheries from her tree, but Arashia was so knackered she couldn't even muster a smile in that pic. She'd been up the day before re-Ting another client and up 3 days before that making a prom dress for someone.

crinkle to get BIG hair!

look the long loc down my back....just like bajans. I tell you, they got special fertilizer!

loc detail

I'm speaking at a Christian conference this weekend and thought I should do something to my locs. So I washed and braided and here you have the results....

folks, if your locs doesn't have much body to it or if you have some thin spots, work it with a braid-out. It gives the illusion of thick, dense hair, plus it's a simple but eye-catching style.

wool needle-another loc tool

this is a photo of the tool I've found. its a wool needle. It's a plastic thingy with a point and a flexible loop at the end. It costs £1.89 at the sewing shop. I tried hard to get a clear pic but hey, you get the idea.

aubrey organics sulphate-free shampoos

GREEN TEA CLARIFYING SHAMPOO: This is def a keeper. I've searched high&l low for a clarifying shampoo without sulphates, and I've found it. 100% natural ingredients. No sulphates, parabens or petrochemicals.
IT CONTAINS: organic green tea,nettle extract,organic aloe, almond protein. I couldn't be happier with the resultsThorough cleaning without stripping. How cool is that? and a lovely smell to boot. This shampoo is pricey, but I got it at 20% discount so I'm not complaining.

HONEYSUCKLE ROSE moisturising SHAMPOO: Another keeper! Oh my! If you want a moisturising shampoo that's sulphate-free, try this. again, 100% natural. no sulphates,parabens petrochemicals.

IT CONTAINS:orgainc rosa mosqueta oil, organic aloe, honeysuckle oil, rose hip,fennel hops balm mint,mistletoe, yarrow, gingko,ginseng angelica,chrysanthemum,magnolia, horsetail,coltsfoot,forsythia,sweet almond oil,macademia nut oil, vitaminF, vitamin A,C,E,organic sage and rosemary oils.

I LOVE the smell and how soft&moisturised it leaves my hair. This was also 20% off so I got them both. Full price would be about£9.00 each. I think they are well worth it though. I have the honeysuckle conditioner from when my hair was loose. It smells heavenly and is silicone-free. I might try it diluted cos the smell is heavenly,

some pics of my dark brown locs with grey!

As you can see, my grey hairline has disappeared.....for now. Not bad eh. And I discovered a new tool. Oops I forgot to take a pic. I shall do so asap.