KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD!

I have been given the Kreative Blogger Award by Kumina and Nubian1

My lock buddy Kumina graciouly gave me the award last week, but I had a busy week and did not have the time to blog. I` am so sorry, Kumina! Please forgive me! These are for you!

Kumina and I started out loc journey a month a part! We bonded on Lovinlocs and sisterlock_ look_ for_ less. Even though she is braidlocked and I `am SisterLocked, we have similar hair textures and had similar loc issues. Because of her and my lovinlocs family, I `am still locked!

Nubian1 has a great blog! She is very creative! She even had a creative way to display her seven loves, which I truly love and borrowed . Thank you, Nubian1. This is for you!

I had to edit my post because I just discovered that Phe-Phi had presented me with the Kreativ Blogger Award too! I`am one that gives credit where it is due! Phe is two months locked via braidlocs! She love to read and write short stories! Please check out her blog!

Phe-Phi, these are for you!

THE RULES....

Now the recipient of this award has to share seven loves and give seven blogger this award! They too, have to share seven loves and give seven awards!

MY SEVEN LOVES :

1. My GOD!

With God, all things are possible!

2. My sons

Thats my nephew with thr white cap!
My sons are the God sends of my life!

3. My parents

They are the loves of my life!

4. My Locs

My locs are 18 months old! I can finally wash and go!
Who knew they would help make my life so easy!

5. My Shoes!

I have a shoe fetish! I`am obsession for shoes!

I have over 50 pairs.

6. MY BEST FRIEND!

Thats my co-worker with the OR hat on. My best friend is to the right. She keeps me grounded when I` am out of line! She is as close as I can get to a big sister! She is my spiritual adviser, my psychologist, shopping spree partner!

7. The Gift Of Life!

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

Every day that I wake up, I praise and thank my the love of my life, my provider, my healer and my friend. He had made all of my loves 1-6 possible! Without life, I`am unable to enjoy the people, the things, nature, and reasons he created it.

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord

Praise God in his sanctuary

praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power,

praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpets,

praise him with tambourine and dancing,

praise him with the strings and flute,

praise him with the clash of cymbals.

Let everything that breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

I GIVE THE KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD TO...

Kalia-Dewdrop

Carmennc

Justlocscharlott

luvlockd

All naptural

NaturallySophia

QuietSpirit101


BLESSINGS!

GET OFF THE BACK!

KAWASAKI NINJA 500R


I decided that I was going to "Get Off The Back" of someone else bike, get my own and learn to ride it!

I always wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle since I was a teenager. Riding a motorcycle represented to me, sexiness, living on the edge, and freedom! Between managing a demanding job and being mommy to three young son`s, I had no time to pursue my dreams.

I never believed that just because I` am a women, that I could not have manly hobbies. I do carpentry, basic plumbing, and electrical work. I own an array of power tools and I use them better than most men! I get under my truck hood and actually know whats under it and how it works. I have no problem changing a tire, changing the oil, and replacing the breaks, if needed. Yes! I love golf! I learned over two years ago. Another sport, I wanted to learn!

Motorcycling is a very dangerous sport! It requires a lot of concentration and skill. It is a hobby or a sport to not take lightly! As an Operating Room nurse in a level 1 trauma center for many years, I have seen devastating injuries mainly involving young men. Usually motorist does not see the motorcyclist. There are times when the motorcyclist has no respect for the road or the motorist. That`s one reason that I was not so Gun Ho about learning to ride!

Now, my curiosity has raised its head. I` am ready to ride!


1. LET`S GET STARTED!

1. Get a motorcycle manual and STUDY!!!

2. Take the written test to get your permit.

3. Take the motorcycle safety program taught by the motorcycle safety foundation.
In NYS, If you possess a driver`s license and take the motorcycle safety program, you do not have to take the DMV`s road test.

4. Get that License!


2. SAFETY EQUIPMENT




ICON AIRFRAME REGAL FULL FACE HELMET


Motorcycle Helmet is designed to prevent serious injury or death. A full face helmet provides the best protection! It should be snell and DOT certified. Your helmet should be comfortable and fit properly. Make sure the helmet has vents. In the summer, you do not want your visor to fog up on the road. Your helmet should be able to filter out wind noise. Choose bright colors so you are visible to motorist! Make sure you go to a motorcycle shop to try on different helmets. Each brand of helmet fits differently. Wear it for at lease 10-15 min. It should fit snug, but comfortable! Measure your head. I settled for a Icon Airframe regal. Retailed for $330 in the bike shop. I found it on line for $265. I know, you must be saying, "Damn. that's expensive!" The helmet fit like a pillow and it was light compared to the other helmets I tried on. Any way, You get what you pay for and my brain is worth it!

2. JACKETS



POWER TRIP WOMEN`S STILLETO JACKET

The purpose of a motorcycle jacket is to protect you from the wind, rain, bugs, road debris and most importantly, the jacket protects your skin! Most motorcycle jackets come with shoulder, elbow, and spine plates. This is called "Body Armor" The "Armor" helps to protect you in case you take a fall! Your jacket helps to protect you from road rash.

Biker jackets come in different materials and styles. If you ride in the winter, leather is the best choice. It acts as a barrier from cold and rain. Choose jackets that are made from Buffalo or Cowhide.

Motorcycle jackets made out textile materials are becoming very popular! These jackets are light weight, comfortable, and take less time to dry out. These jackets are breathable and cooler in warmer weather. Mesh jackets are cooler in the summer!

Look for a jacket made out of high density nylon such as Kevlar, Cordura, and Lycra.

3. MOTORCYCLE GLOVES

ALPINESTARS WOMEN`S STELLA SP-3 GLOVES


Motorcycle gloves protect your hands in case you fall. They have padding at the knuckles and palm pads. The gloves also help provide grip in the throttle.


4. MOTORCYCLE CHAPS OR PANTS


First gear women`s kwik-dry sport tour leather over pants


Motorcycle pants and chaps, protect your from road rash in the event you are in an accident or fall off of your bike.

You should choose a good quality leather such as cowhide or buffalo. These leathers are known for their toughness and abrasion protection.

Remember, your pants should not fit very tight. buy them one to two sizes larger than you jean size.

5. MOTORCYCLE BOOTS





ICON WOMEN`S BOMBSHELL BOOT


Motorcycle boots should be made out of leather. They should have good ankle protection and have reinforced shift pads. They should come right under the calf. This protects your ankles against heat, road debris, and injury.



WHAT MOTORCYCLE IS RIGHT FOR MY FIRST BIKE?

Remember, that women are shorter, lighter, and have a shorter reach span than men. When you mount a bike, consider the heaviness of the bike. If it tips over, you have to be able to pick it up! Are your feet flat on the ground? Can you reach the foot controls? Can you reach the hand grips comfortably? Are you in a comfy position?

When I entered a motorcycle shop, all these questions were answered when I mounted the Yamaha YZF-R6R. The bike was too wide and the seat was too hard. My inner thighs were very uncomfortable! Only the balls of my feet touched the ground.The sales associate told me they had a kit to adjust the bikes height. That was OK, but what about the seat? He said I can up grade the seat too. Hell to the NO!

He had a used Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14. It fit me like a glove! 1352cc of horses? can`t do that right now. I`am just a newbie! I settled for a Ninja 500R. 498cc of horses is more than enough for me right now! In the motorcycle safety program, you learn to ride on a 250cc motorcycle! My Mama told me you have to learn how to walk before you could run!


NOW THAT YOU GOT THE BASIC LOW DOWN, YOU CAN "GET OFF THE BACK AND GET YOUR OWN RIDE!

UNITED NATION LOCS

Unfortunately I do not have "GOOD HAIR" for dreadlocks. The Ideal hair texture for locs are tightly coiled or grade 4 hair texture. My hair is in the grade 3 family. My hair is a loose curl texture. When my hair is wet, it becomes bone straight! DAMN!!! I had and still have bunching issues with a few locs that are not yet fully locked. I have to stretch out my locs, separate them and get under a cool dryer, so they will plump up and not tangle! I have stray hair that do not stay in the loc.



Instead of that tight coil at the tips, I have a loose Shirley Temple going on! How many times did I considered cutting my locs and giving up? Many! I considered starting all over with tst
(two strand twist) and maintain my re tightening by twisting. But to start all over, I don`t think I could stand another journey. Who says that I will not have other types of issues with that method! As I see it, it`s another type of method with the same type of hair!





When I first decided to get locs, I searched different websites and SisterLock blogs for the locs that I wanted. I fell in love with this woman`s locs. I took this picture to my consultant. I told her this is how I want my locs. Did I get her locs? Hell No! She has over 400 locs and I have 300 locs. She has tightly coiled hair, I have loosely coiled hair! I was so disappointed.




My locs will never look like hers or anyone else. My locs are a characteristic of my lineage. As I learn to accept who I`am, I have to accept that my locs are a representation of my family tree. I represent West Indian ( Barbados), East Indian ( India), American Indian ( Cherokee), Irish, and Africa. When I look at my reflection, I see many nationalities who make up who I`am. So, my hair is no different!



So when your hair begins to bunch, go to Dewdrops blog and learn how to fix them. If they are already locking, you can either take the loc down or wait until they loc and cut the bunched section off, as I had done. If you have over matted tips, you can either, pick out the matted tips and then braid or back comb and roll the tips. You can do what I did, allow the loc to lock and then cut the over matted portion off. The locs sealed nicely without over matting. If you have curly Q`s like mine, you can back comb the tips or braid the tips.

Bottom line! our hair represents who we are! Most people who embark on this journey, discover who they really are. Most of us have perpetrated a fraud by relaxing our hair trying look like someone we do not see in the mirror, but see on the telly and in our everyday life!

God accepts us for who we are! Why can`t we accept our selves?

GOD IS LOVE. WHOEVER LIVES IN LOVE LIVES IN GOD, AND GOD IN HIM. 1 JOHN 4:16

48 years young!

Yeah! I`am 48 years old young! Saturday, April 18th, I celebrated my 48th birthday! I spent the day with my youngest son and my two nieces. I had an out pour of text, cards, and phone calls, but I decided to celebrate with the people who make me the happiest!

Yes, it`s my birthday, but decided to give back to my son and nieces. What makes them happy, makes me happy! I `am so blessed to have them in my life! My family meet with another family, and together we all had a blast!

We dined and then we all went to a place called Crazy City. There were rock climbing, go karts, mini golf, rides, and video games, all under one roof!

We did not arrive home until after 10pm. I was tired, but very happy! This was one of the best birthdays I had ever had!

" A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but a heartache crushes the spirit." Proverbs 15:13

What is Lent?

Lent is a time of soul- searching, discipline, and repentance for the celebration of Christ`s death and resurrection. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends the day before Easter. Lent consist of 40 days before Easter, not including Sundays. Sundays are not counted because Sunday is a celebration of Jesus` resurrection.

Lent represents the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by the Devil (matthew 4:1-11 )

Ash Wednesday is the first day of lent. On this day, Christians are to focus on their complete sinfulness and the necessity of Christ suffering and death to insure our salvation.

Ashes are referred as signs of sorrow, mourning, humility, and repentance. On Ash Wednesday, ashes are used to remind people of their mortality!

" you are dust, and you shall return" ( Genesis 3:19 )

Palm Sunday or the Sunday of passion begins Holy Week. This is the last week of lent. Good Friday represent the imprisonment, trial, and death by crucifiction of Jesus.

There are Three main Practices of Lent

1. Fasting: Give something up for God!

2. Prayer and Meditation: Reflect on your own sin and what it cost him!

3. Give to the poor: Show your love of Christ to others!

" A Prayer for Lent "

lord, at the beginning of this Lenten sesson, I sense my need to you; yet I am not quite sure how to reach you.

I heard someone say, " Read you Bible.' But too often the words are like bullets that ricochet off my brain.

I heard someone say, "Pray." But my prayers, hurled heaven ward, fall back to earth like lifeless stones.

I heard someone say, " Meditate." But my wandering mind was lost in a desert of random thoughts.

Lord, speak to me through your WORD and let it penetrate my mind and my heart.

Lord, speak to me through PRAYER, and turn my lifeless stones to bread.

Lord, speak to me in my Meditation, that I may see, amid life`s wilderness: The way, The truth, The life....... AMEN!!!

Designer Bag Addict!

I Love shoes and designer handbags! My favorite are Coach, Louis Vuitton, and Dooney and Bourke. I like Gucci, but their bags are not made well. Twenty three years ago, when I received my first pay check as a nurse, I went straight to Bloomingdale's to buy a Gucci. Matter of fact, I bought two. One tote bag and one drawstring (which I still have today). The tote bag`s snap, incised its self right through the bag! I had a perfect circle where the snap use to be!

Two years ago, I went to Gucci . I purchased a black signature bag. Three months later the handle separated from the metal hardware that bridged the bag to the leather cord-like strap.I had a fit! I drove right to Gucci and handed over the bag. It was under warranty and they repaired it and sent it to me. Who wants to buy a bag that you have to repair? When you spend over $ 300 for a bag, It should last a life time!

I have a Louie that is 23 years old. That bag aged gracefully! You can`t tell it is that old! I love the old Dooneys. That pebbled weatherproof leather ages so well! I do not wear them often because the bag is heavy by itself!

The new Dooneys are too childish! Seems like Dooney had lost its quality and sophistication to bag the younger women. I did manage to buy one that I liked! It was the right price! Did you know every so often, TJ ma xx and Marshall`s purchase Coach and Dooney? Yes they may be from past season, but who cares!

http://www.dooney.com/

I`am a Coach freak! I`am sorry to tell you, Coach has some issues! They seem to be cranking out different bags every three months! I will go to the website, I may see a bag and put it on my wish list. Three months later, It is unavailable!

Last Friday, I visited a premium outlet, 25 minutes from my home. Since I moved to my town 9 years ago, I only visited the outlet less than five times. I`am a bargain hunter! I will not spend full price for anything if I do not have to! Folks come to this outlet and think they are getting a deal! Looking at some of the prices, I shake my head and move on



http://www.coach.com/

This day, I hit the jackpot! I went to the Coach outlet. I bought, two bags, one change purse, one umbrella, and a ponytail tie for $311! Yes I said it! $311!!! That was a bargain. I treat myself twice a year! When I get my income tax return and on my birthday! Last year I did not treat myself. There were too many things that were more important! This year, I had the privilege of a shopping spree that saved me some money!

I want this Louie, but I cannot justify spending $800 for this bag! I read and heard on the news that the money that we spend on a fake Louie goes to terrorist. I`am sorry! If the Louis vuitton company was so concerned about that, they would have made a collection that is affordable!

I love coordination. I had to find a new case for my Blackberry Storm. I searched the net and I found this website! I found my case at a local mall! I bought this Coach wrist let at the Coach outlet!






www.thefaceplatestore.com

ADORE SHINING SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR COLOR

"Adore" shining semi-permanent hair color is "DA BOMB! In the past, I have tried permanent, demi-permanent, and semi-permanent hair coloring and they all failed to totally cover my resistant grays. I had givin up! I had actually started letting my grays grow out.

I was reading a post on Lovinlocs yahoo groups, on semi-premanent hair color. Camille, our resident loc doctor and owner of Noire Design Concepts in MD, had recommended two semi-permanent hair colors that are good for covering gray.

"Adore", by Creative Image and "VIA NATURAL", by Universal beauty products,Inc.

When I went to the beauty supply store, I saw Adore, but I did not see Via Natural. Adore has a semi-permanent hair color that has jojoba oils, panthenol, and the whole nine, called "Adore plus". Its in a purple bottle. They did not have the color I wanted on the color swatch, so I decided to use the Adore in the white bottle.

This morning, I decided to give this hair color a try. I used Mahogany #106.

DIRECTIONS

1. Shampoo and towel dry.

2. Use a protective cream around hair line.

3. Apply hair color 1/8" fron scalp (I`am still trying to figure out how to do that!), comb through thoroughly. (I have locs can`t comb, but I can squeeze into locs thoroughly!)

4. Cover with a plastic cap, and process with heat for up to 15 minutes.

5. Rinse and shampoo completely.

I bought two bottles. I only had to use one bottle. My locs are not long. Those with long locs, I suggest that you use two. I shampooed my locs with a claryifing shampoo to get it squeaking clean. I applied the color to the areas where I had the most grays. Then I concentrated on my roots, then my locs. I squeezed the hair color into my locs. I took plastic wrap to cover my hair. This helped to confine the color. For extra protection, I covered my hair with a plastic cap.

I have resistant gray, so I stayed under the dryer for 15 minutes, then I let the color sit for an additional 15 minutes. I rinsed my hair until it was clear, then I used a gentle shampoo of fear that if I used a claryfing shampoo, I would strip the color! I used a natural "Rosemary Mint" shampoo bar from http://chagrinvalleysoap.com/ . They have nice shampoo and body bars!

I conditioned my hair for 1 minute. Then I spritzed with Jane carter leave-in conditioner. To seal the moisture, I used a Jojoba oil, sweet almond oil mixed with peperment, tea tree, and rosemary essential oils.

I rolled my hair with my soft spikes, sat under a warm dryer for 45min. LOC MISSION COMPLETE!

P.S. I ordered Via Natural from the internet, Color review coming in 6-8 weeks!