Alheimer's Disease Awareness: Our Stories

I'm still looking for a few other individuals who wouldn't mind sharing what it was like having a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease....

You can read the 1st story posted HERE

I will be posting my story soon...

Thanks....

Update [16] 2011 Hair Challenge-Lets Get This Straight

So it may seem like this is my second time straightening my hair, when in fact this is my  3rd time during this Hair Challenge...

[above are the tools i typically use when straightening my hair]

Why am I straightening my hair so much?

Because I'm trying to loosen my curl pattern. I kid you NOT! My hair is so difficult to detangle...so this process will help, plus I don't wear my hair naturally curly. So, it won't hurt nor harm the hair styles I wear.

Am I worried about heat damaged? 

No. 

But I don't plan on using heat on my hair THAT often. Once I straighten my hair for the week, I don't go back & flat iron it again.

Process:

-Wash/Detangle/Condition my hair

-Oil scalp

-apply a little of the Argan Oil

-Then the TRESemme heat tamer spray

-Blow Dry

Conair PRO Infiniti

-Flat iron

My hair challenge will be over next week :)

I hope this process doesn't hinder my healthy hair :-/

Update [15] 2011 Hair Challenge-My Curl Pattern

This picture was taken about a month ago...I just thought I show a glimpse of what my hair pattern looks like. It's not a very good picture.

FYI. this was hair that I detangled after having my hair in plat braids...I have tight, coily, curls..more bitter than sweet for me.

You can also check out my past post: Share Your Hair Type where I talk a little about the texture of my hair...etc.

[1] Alheimer's Disease Awareness: Our Stories

So I mentioned that the first series (Which you can check out HERE) of this...project I suppose was going to be from a close friend of mine. Below is her story....


It was a cold spring of 1999 when my grandfather marched his last battles with Alzheimer Disease. Along with age and other health conditions, he recieved help from love ones such as my grandmother in the warmeth of his Texas home, then in the squares of a convalescent home and finally retired Earth at Levelland Medical Center. 
I still remember his wandering eyes as if they were those of a child the same age as I was. And the continuous tears of my mother, his only daughter whom he constantly referred to as his already deceased sister...
  Momma would cry all day and seek comfort in her mother. She'd repeat herself "My daddy doesn't know who I am.. Why has he forgotten me"... Soon after praying for healing and restoration, our family realized that my grandfather had already left us, spiritually. We're just holding on to his shell. That's how it seems most of the time when someone you love has Alzheimer Disease. It feels like each day snatches a piece of them away from you.. That's why its so important to learn more about the disease such as early detection, treatment and even coping tips.
-Dominique


I REALLY appreciate her sharing her story with me & you all. I can relate to her mother...& I'm sure others can as well. It's really hard to describe. But I'll try my best to share my story...details.

Random: A Woman...Is AMAZING

Being a woman...you have to show that you're better than the NORM...
You're damned if you do, you're damned if you don't...
They want to make US feel like we're the issue...
We're difficult to understand....we're NOT human.
How so? When we're the ones birthing YOU.
What does that make YOU?


I'm sure your mom didn't raise a fool...
Yet you act like one...
You let go what is yours & get heated when you shouldn't have ever let it go.


They look at US like we're crazy?
Why?
Because we bleed for a few days? Or maybe even a whole week (SEVEN AWESOME DAYS)
Or maybe because we fight for what is right!?
Or because we fight for what we love...people we care about?
We work ourselves to death...losing ourselves, attached to someone ELSE along the way?


We cater to our dreams & aspirations...
But yet we're labeled stuck up...prissy
ALRIGHT, I'll take that.
Because why?
I'll let my work speak for itself...


My voice, a pen & paper wouldn't be able to tell you what we're capable of...
At the end of the day we leave you amazed...
& you'll never let her know how great of a woman she is...

Raising Awareness: What's Your Story-Alzheimer's Disease

Hey Folks!

Dre AKA So She Writes (My blogging buddy) blogged about showing love & support for different causes that cater to those that might be/have suffered from a disease, illness...


I did a blog post on my beauty blog GlamNoLabelz for NOTD: Alzherimer's Awareness Month Go Purple (Which was last month). Anywho, me & Dre share quit a few things in common, and one of those being that we've lost our fathers from a confusing, selfish, cold hearted disease.


I'm putting together a small segment here (Which will be more personal) where bloggers who have felt the raft from this disease. Whether it was your father, mother, aunt, uncle, grandmother, friend, etc. I would love to hear your story. I'm asking those that are willing to participate to:

1. Let me know you're interested in this. Simply leave a comment below or email me.
2. Make a blog post about your experience. You don't have to go into deep details if you don't want to. 
3. Post the blog post on your blog. If you don't have a blog, you could email me your story with your name or if you would rather to remain anonymous.
4. Once you've posted your story into a blog post, please let me know. Via twitter, comment here, or email. I want to check these out!

[My Nails]

The whole point of this is to raise awareness, come together, & support one another. The first story that I will be posting here soon is from my close friend. The 2nd story should be from me...Stay strong :)

Update [14] 2011 Hair Challenge- Have I Fallen Off?

Okay, if you've been following me & my hair journey here, you maybe wondering where has the updates on my 6 months hair challenge been? Well I've been semi busy with work & projects, and when I do have a little time to update I'm lazy. I'm still going strong though! I'm still on the road to healthier, & which seems to be curlyer (Nope, not a word) hair. 


I was suppose to have BEEN posted a blog post about the different products that my hair loves!!! Haven't even gotten around to posting it. Shame on me right? Yes, I know. I'm really going to try my best to push out as many helpful, updated blog posts about my hair before this challenge ends.


Speaking of....I am currently in my 5th month which means next month I will be done (Nov. 6th). If you're into natural hair, check out my challenge/journey (links will be below). No I haven't posted pictures of my hair here. I was undecided, and as you can probably tell, I won't be really doing that. But I do have a picture or two of how curly/coil my hair is. It's stupid hard to detangle. I really don't see a point in detangling my hair because it just curls back in the position it was in...so defeated -_-


Links: to my hair journey:
Update [1] 2011 Hair Challenge-Brief

Share Your Hair Type: Simplicity

The BC (Big Chop)

Update [2] 2011 Hair Challenge-Concoction: Mint Spritz

10 months Being Natural

Update [3] 2011 Hair Challenge-Going On Two Months

Homemade Deep Conditioner [2]

Update [4] 2011 Hair Challenge- Products I'm Using

Update [5] 2011 Hair Challenge- June Hair Regime

Update [6] 2011 Hair Challenge- Length Check & Time To Get Straight

Homemade Deep Conditioner [3]

Update [7] 2011 Hair Challenge- Getting Back On Track

Update [8] 2011 Hair Challenge- Protective Hair Styles

Update [9] 2011 Hair Challenge-Protein Treatment

Update [10] 2011 Hair Challenge-Frizz Go AWAY!

1 Year Being Natural....Woot Woot!!!

Update [11] 2011 Hair Challenge-August Hair Regime

Update [12] 2011 Hair Challenge-The Benefits Of A Good Deep Cond.

Update [13] 2011 Hair Challenge-A New Way To DC

Homemade Deep Conditioner [4]

Homemade Deep Conditioner [5]

Thanks for the encouraging words, & comments regarding my natural hair posts :)

Is It Friday Yet?

This week was just too good to be true. Something had to happen to mess up this wonderful flow that was going on. Work today was rough...that's all I'm going to say. I just think many people take others for granted. 


Anyways...My twitter family already knows this news. I attended a job fair last week, put in a application. The store manager talked to me for awhile, she seemed to like my personality. I liked hers. She wasn't the stereotypical manager. Anywho...this week I was hired at Juicy Couture :)
Super excited! Can't wait to see where this goes. So yes, I will be working two jobs. 


I'm tired, annoyed & have some logging, journaling, & blogging to do. I don't know if all of that will get done TONIGHT, but we'll see.

Homemade Deep Conditioner [5]

LOL. Yes, I'm back with another...I can't help it!!! I'm a mixologist & my hair loves me for doing these deep conditioners.  Anywho, I did a review on the coconut oil I used in this concoction HERE on my beauty blog GlamNoLabelz. I know a few were anticipating this. You can check out my last Update post where I've combined all of the homemade DC posts I've done HERE

Now for the recipe of my Avocado Deep Conditioner:

EVOO, Tropical Traditions CoConut, Grape seed oil, Proclaim natural 7 oil, honey & a Avocado

The Coconut oil in it's liquid stages

This is what the Avocado looks like after I scraped all of the inside out...

This is what it looks like as I'm blending it in the blender

(The best way to get it smooth & where you're able to apply it to your hair)

[bad photo...sorry]

This is what it looks like after its been blended to my liking....

I just applied it to my hair like you would with any other store bought deep conditioner. I ran my fingers through my hair & massage it into my hair as well to really get it throughout my hair...

Apply a plastic shower cap on & work around the house or chill.

2-3 hours later I washed it out with cool water (Probably for 5mins).

Results: It really made my hair feel refreshing. My curls were extra tight *bitter-sweet*, but most importantly it felt great!

Mentoring Young Girls: Do You Give Back?

So yes, I'm a step closer to making what was an idea Spring 2011, a step in January 2011, & currently a process. My friend/ex-roomie from college are working hard to spread the word about MY Girls (Mentoring Young Girls Program). We're hoping to become a nonprofit very soon. So keep us in your prayers for that. We'll be having our 1st Holiday Drive in December & we're super excitied about that!


The mentoring program is for girls in my area Southern Cali/I.E. ages 11-18. We offer 1-on-1 mentor, Big sister-little sister mentoring, Tutoring, workshops, college prep workshops...etc. Check out the website & LIKE us on facebook. Even if you're not in our area/state. You may can help with something later down the line.


This is my baby...something I've been dreaming about awhile now...when I was in college, but heavy on the brain Spring 2011 when I went to go speak at my Alma mater (HS) AVID class. The  power of giving back, having our youth look up to you & to have a positive outlet to be themselves & get the help they may need is an AWESOME feeling.


There's so many ways you can give back in your community; donate clothes to a church (Clothes closet), tutor, volunteer at a school, become a mentor, feed the homeless. I could go on. I've found my purpose & spreading the word, & taking action by helping others. You can too!


I also would like to thank Kimberly over at FWB for designing our layout for MY Girls. She did a FAB job. Hit her up if you ever need a banner, button, layout etc :)

Thank you! Hello! And All That Jazz...

Although it's been a week since my last...random blog post "What Bothers Me About Breast Cancer Awareness Month". I feel like it's been a month!

What have I been up to? Work, getting my mentoring program together (MY Girls), work, & blogging over on my beauty blog. I haven't had much to report about other than my protein diet that I did for a few weeks.


I'm still doing the hair challenge, I'm still happy, & still praising His name. Life is so so so so much better than a few months back. It's crazy. I mean those months seemed like 6 long, depressing months!


On a better note, I've noticed throughout the last few weeks I've gained quit a few followers. HIIIII, thank you for following me. For whatever reason, I'm glad you're here. I hope you can take something from my blog & use it in a positive way :)


I just wanted to get this post OUT THERE & properly say hello to everyone & thank you for the love & follows. I'll be checking you new people out if you have a blog that's under your profile.


I plan to talk more about my hair journey, official update on ME...my life. More so for me, & share a few projects I've been working on. I hope those that find the different things I will post, find it interesting & will support them, if not, that's quit alright :)


Have a blessed day everyone...will be posting soon!

What's Bothering Me About Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Okay, I have to make this post quick...I'm getting ready for work. But this has been on mind for a week now. As some of you know I'm on Twitter. A few days before October approached I noticed quit a few females started to change their avatars (Profile picture). To what you asked? Them either in a bra or pink bra. If you've been living under a ROCK, PINK is the signature color for Breast Cancer Awareness (Not just the month).

Okay....Next, I've noticed many different iPhone users (Guys & Girls) Retweeting: Support Breast Cancer Awareness month...Or RT if you support Breast Cancer Awareness Month & followed by pink ribbons.


I hate the fact that people are using tweets to get more followers/recognition because of something so POPULAR & devastating that changes millions lives & twisting it into something that it's not.
This also goes for SOME of the females that are posting themselves in a bra (Usually you can't see their face just their chest) and sexualizing something so serious. It bothers me.


Not too long ago I saw this tweet AGAIN. So I asked people on my timeline (On Twitter). "What are you doing to support  breast cancer awareness? Besides RTing tweets? Are you actually educating others? Are you donating your time & $$?" Of course I haven't gotten a response...yet. Then I said "Some people follow because it's whats happening NOW. You can support BCA year round. Just saying"


Is the Communication Scholar in me coming out & I'm just over analyzing this? I'm sure I'm not...Someone out there has to feel me. Let me know your thoughts? I take things like this seriously...I know way too many people that have passed away from cancer/Breast Cancer so maybe this is just a sensitive subject for me...idk. Chime in!