life as it stands

I’ve been meaning to post about the great visit I had with my family these past few weeks.  Hard on my waistline, but great for my spirit.  I’ll post an email I sent to friends instead.

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I’m doing great!  I just got off of a 2 week visit with my family (about 1 week in MS, and 1 week here in Tx).  We had a great time.  It felt like one of those visits to remember.  We were all together (my Dad, Mom, and brother) just enjoying each other’s company.  It felt like it had been years since we’d had the chance to just be in one place and do nothing but absorb each other’s personalities, energies, lives….  It felt like one of those movies where you see the friends away at a cabin for the weekend.

 

My projects are going well.  I have one (A. will understand, the ___) that is going extremely well.  It’s my first time as the project manager on such a large project and I’m growing alot.  Most rewarding is that my team is growing as well.

 

We got the announcement that we will all keep our jobs, but may have to do a few furlough days (yay!).  I’m all for a vacation day and I’m fine with paying for it myself!

 

My house is painted and clean.  I’m single, but getting lots of good attention from a great guy.  My dog is 9 years old with no health problems.  I have great friends all around. And I’m no longer a President, Chairperson, or leader anything in any organization.

 

Life is just good and blessed!

day 74

8 a.m. (Meal #1): oatmeal, blueberries, coffee

11 a.m. (Meal #2, heavy snack): granola

2 p.m. (Meal #3): butternut squash soup, multigrain saltines (7), tomato, okra, corn

5 p.m. (Meal #4, light snack): banana

7 p.m. (Meal #5): red beans, crawfish patties

9 p.m. (Light Snack): banana

my roots, i’m obsessed!

I am so obsessed with seeing my roots!  I tried to tweet yesterday, but MJ’s funeral was clogging up the system.  (R.I.P. Brother Michael)

I was sitting at my desk yesterday and I could see along my edges the demarcation line between my natural roots and my relaxed ends!  So you know I cut off the ends right?  lol  I know crazy!  I just had to see one patch of hair with no relaxed ends!

It’s so cute!  My little patch of natural hair.  It’s these cute little curls.  I love them so!  They straighten when wrapped, so if you weren’t looking, you couldn’t tell that they aren’t relaxed.  YAY!  I can see the future.

starting over, 10 day challenge, part deaux

I knew going in it would be tough to engage in a serious ten day challenge during a holiday and while my family was visiting, but I figured I’d give it a go.  I think I was moderately successful.  Because I’m seeking to be very successful, I’m going to give it another shot.

10 day challenge, part deaux, starts today.

day 73

8 a.m. (Meal #1): breakfast casserole, pineapples

11 a.m. (Meal #2, heavy snack): granola

2 p.m. (Meal #3): sweet potato, tomato, okra, and corn

5 p.m. (Meal #4, light snack): popcorn

7 p.m. (Meal #5): veggie patty with mustard, tomato, okra, corn, salad with balsamic vinegrette

9 p.m. (Light Snack): fruit salad

12 weeks…

As I’m staring my 12th week without a relaxer in the face, I’m starting to see a little poof! I am so excited!

My roots vary from one spot to another. My front edges are so cute! A mix of soft brown tufts of curls with highlights here and there. On my top and sides, I have just a little wave at the roots, but no real thickness. Now my crown is a whole different story – lots of thickness! It feels like a true fro back there. I wish I could see. I really need to find a new battery charger so I can take pictures.

So, now that I’m getting some unrelaxed hair in, I am starting to think I need to modify my hair routine again. Last night I warm combed my roots. That was enough to blend in my relaxed ends with my roots. You can still see the texture change, but only if you’re staring. I wasn’t going for bone straight. I just wanted smooth.

I guess this new phase gives me more research to do. I need moisturizers. It isn’t my goal to have my hair bone straight, however, I do want to maintain my length for as long as possible (i.e. no big chop for now), so that requires something that allows the roots and ends to blend. I think a warm comb will do for now after every wash. Overall, I just want to keep my roots moisturized and healthy.

I just look forward to the day when I have enough length to cut off the relaxed ends and truly see what my hair is like. From what I can see so far, it seems I’ll have a looser curl in the front (perhaps more so from product and weight as my hair grows out) and a thicker version in the back. I hate I don’t have enough length to pull it all back into a bun. I’d be on easy street then because the sides are very easy to smooth. It’s the back that I have to give more care.

Hopefully I’ll find good tips online. I’m not going to my beautician every two weeks as she’d like. I don’t see the need. It’s over 100 degrees here, so no straightening method is going to last, plus I like to wash my hair too often to really see a benefit. I don’t mind doing the work myself. I just have to learn what to do!

fashion finds

Banana Republic

how to win

Today I am back on my normal routine and I realize more than ever how much I want to win at this weight loss thing…and how little investment I’m putting into it.  Sure I eat right 85-95% of the time.  I even work out a few days a week.  I will even give myself credit for making significant lifestyle changes, but I still haven’t completely invested in it.

Today I am 216.  I could’ve easily been 210, but I chose to be be lazy instead of chosing to win.  Everything I need is available to me – a gym membership, great food choices, a partner – all I need to add is me.