Lets Get This Over With And Start Anew

The new year is two days away, for me 2011 is about several things...

One its about getting a better grip on my finances (paying off these student loans cuz me and Sallie aren't friends! and saving) and still living and enjoying life to the fullest. Its also about working on doing some of the things on my bucket list. Doing things I've never done before but have wanted to.

My mind set this year was " I don't give a F**K, I'mma do me and whatever I want" which I think stemmed from grieving and all that... (that mind set changed about half way through the year btw). However, my mind set this coming year is "I'm just gonna do me and broaden myself as a person, focusing on my goals", part of it sounds like the beginning of this years mind set but its different. This coming year I'm gonna just live my life and do me, you can come with me on my journey through 2011 or not. I'm not going to let others and their lack of enthusiasm ( I've learned that altho I love each and every one of my friends, we are different so there are some that appreciate and more accepting of my excitement and ideas better than others... they give the responses you are looking for and get caught up in the excitement and wanna do it as well), interest, bout- it -bout-it-ness or them backing out, stop me from doing the things I want to do.

In most cases I won't have to do or go anywhere solo usually if you make your desires known there is someone that will always want to join you. And I'm not saying I'm not going to accommodate people and their schedules, I will. But I've gotten to the point if I have no one to come with me and its something I really wanna do...I'm gonna do it. Yea, its nice to have someone there but if it means I have to go places and do things alone... so be it, I'm ok with it. Why should I let my life and its experience pass my by cuz "they didn't want to do it" or " I didn't have anyone to go with"?

I also wanna work on advancing my education. I should have been working on this... but I'm slacking with my life. I clearly take these long educational breaks..........., I think its time to get focused again.

And last but not least... *singing: I'm a hustler baby, I just want you to know!* I need a hustle! Can a girl find a way to make some extra pennies?!

Anyway 2010 its been real...but... Lesssssgo 2011!

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy.

Christmas is to me...

I heart Christmas! Its one if my favorite times of year. The decorations, the Christmas tree, shopping for gifts, the general merry spirit. For some reason I wasn't in the mood to put up the Christmas tree this year *shrugs*, regardless tho it was a good one. In our household we open gifts Christmas eve... so shortly before sunset we gathered to open gifts. I really like the gifts I bought for my family and I think they did too! (I know Christmas is about giving but we gonna have to work on the gifts my brothers give cuz.....#icant. But hey... its the thought that counts :)

My sis cook enchiladas (our newest thing), the bestie came over, we went to a some Christmas program at church (which we missed! rolling up at places late or when its over has to stop) and then came back to the house and chilled with the fam. I must say I got some of the best jokes off my life hanging with those people I call siblings, down right HILARIOUS! yall... well some of yall have no clue lol. Our interaction at times will give you LIFE!

All the christmas gifts! All the ones I bought are in

the back with name tags and bows

A. excited about his gift

excited much?!

D. gotta stay fresh

A picture book I made my mom from pictures of the family

me and A.

what are the odds my sis and I bought each other the same watch... just different

colors evidently pretty high... hers is silver and mine is gold

well thats it...till next christmas!

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy

Dance Like No One Is Watching

Thursday I didn't have to work so I (and my sis) decided to go down to DC to see the bestie since I haven't seen that dude in a minute. Anyway we went to Macaroni Grill.... which TRIED MY PATIENCE and every adult fiber in my body!!! and then somehow we found our way to Borders Book Store.

As we were sitting there one thing lead to another and me and my sis started dancing in Borders (Not shown in the video is where a man looked around the corner and caught us dancing lol.)

Dancing randomly in some random store is a little outta character for me... but I really had fun that night. Sometimes you just gotta be spontaneous and dance like no one is watching [even if there is]!!

Live. Laugh. Smile Enjoy

Slowly but surely... knocking it out

Last night I was randomly checking out the status if one of my loans (the one I'm on a mission to halfway payoff by next year) making sure my payment had been applied and what not. And I noticed something last year this time I owned: $12,846.80 and currently I own $10,718.22.

In the last twelve months I've paid roughly 3,043.45 toward my loan.

Roughly $ 2,191.21 has gone to the principal and $852. 24 toward interest.

Yes... $3000 is a lot of money... and I still have a LONG way to pay off this loan, but I'm making progress . But my personal bright side is that I have knocked about $2,000 off my principal within the last year, which in my mind is great! I'm trying to get Sallie off my back ASAP.

2010 Was A Very Good Year

2010... The year flew by... yet I feel that I did the most, between traveling, socializing, and accomplishments. This year I have traveled to Toronto (twice), Huntsville (twice), Atlanta, Bermuda, Detroit, and New York. I REALLY wanted to fit Florida and Vegas in there... But Florida is definitely on my itinerary for next year, and Vegas... at some some point.

This year has been the first year since I was 15 or 16 and a junior in high school that me, my sis and most of The Fam have lived in a good 3 hour radius. We did a LOT this year everything from fighting the elements to get to birthday parties to sabbath dinners, picnics and BBQs to hikes and accidents to going away dinners. (Kudos to the Planning Committee!!)

With the this year I have also bought my first car (RIP Betsy...she served me well), lived my 1st (of many years) fatherless years, lived the life of a fugitive ( that was kinda fun lol), been at my job over a year. Learned more people then I think "know me and how I react to things". Gained a better grip on this thing called budgeting to help me reach my financial goals. And I've met great people and started new friendships.

I pulled a few outrageous (for me) stunts in the beginning but somewhere along the way my common sense returned and I caught myself. Hopefully making me a better person somehow. All in all my year was a success. I had some very EPIC moments and memories from this year, We are 11 Days from New Years and for some reason I'm excited about all the possibilities, experience, friendships and memories 2011 has to offer me.

Committed Apologize

Its moments like this that make you proud to be an Oakwoodite... and makes those that didn't go wish they did!

I'm not one for watching shows like the Singoff, Dancing with the Stars, American's Got Tatent... ect. I have other shows I'd rather spend my time watching. But I have been hook solely because Oakwood is in the show.

They are GOOD... they have gotten the best reaction from the judges and left them speechless each performance!



Have I mentioned that I love black men that can sing?! *sighs deeply*

Live. Love. Smile. Enjoy

Welcome to New York!!

I spent the weekend in NYC for one of my girls birthday. I'm not gonna lie there were some rough spots and tension lol. But we got over it and are still friends and still love each other at the end of the day. Over all though I had a GOOD weekend. I saw several friends and one of my accounting buddies from Oakwood (That's OU! that's for you Jered lol ), eat good, froze my butt off, didn't sleep much, danced the night away, and had some good jokes and over all just a good time. And of course it was good to see my friends again. What I learned over the weekend is this..

• Jersey is NO JOKE when it comes to tolls... I spent 40 bucks just on tolls Friday. I knew there would be tolls hence my visit to the ATM but I didn't expect that!
• I need a plan! ( I already knew that... but it was reinforced) If we deviate from the plan or it doesn't go exactly according to plan I'm ok with that. But prolonged periods of nothing, confusion and unknown tries my patience and pushes my limits.
  
• I ain't nobodies punk...but driving in New York was trying to test my gansta! Yea I had my GPS but there were still moments I had to rely on my deductive reasoning.
• Big city life is not for me... at least to live in full time.
• My friends live too far away.
• I felt like I was gonna die or get in accident a few times. (Shout out to the man that almost cause us to wrecked my car and said " what?! I was driving straight! <--- joke of the night)
• There are a few other things... but I'm gonna keep those thoughts to myself...

Friday driving around the city...

On the way to church

Me and my main chick in the back ground

Headed out Saturday evening
(looking at my pics, I realized I have no pics of me without my coat on smh. Fail.)

Anyway shout out to my friends (old and new) who made my weekend GREAT! Can't wait to see you guys again! So till next time!

Live. Love. Smile. Enjoy

Thanksgiving Dinner

Yes... Thanksgiving is over...but I wanna blog about my dinner anyway...

I planned on keeping it short n sweet... and cook only two dishes. However, my sis slipped up and told me that my mom wasn't gonna make our veggie "turkey" which is like... our tradition! So I called my mom and this lady talkin some she wasn't gonna make it and that she was just "gonna cut up the veggie meat and put it in a dish" -_- . Needless to say...she threw me for a loop considering this was Wednesday night. I was one the verge of not cooking anything. But finally I was like fine I'll make it. So I ended up making the "turkey"... and basically the whole dinner minus two things. So here is my "turkey"

Dinner Roast & Turkey Roll

Turkey roll cut up

Rollin out the dough for the skin...

Smilez!

Dinner roast and stuffing

......

Me attaching the "legs" & "wings"

Before its cooked

Fresh out the over...

Buttered up...

"Turkey", mac & cheese, potato salad, candy yams, cranberry sauce & greens...

So good if I should say so myself!

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy

The prayers go up... and Blessings come down...

I remember my mom always saying that we need to write down all the blessing and things we are thankful for as a memorial so as we look back we can see how much God has blessed us. Because so often our list of prayer requests is a mile LONG but our praises and thanks are few and far between.

Last week while writing 25 things I'm Thankful for...it literally took me forever to come up with 25 things (out - freaking- rageous!). And the sad thing is I know I know a lot has happened in the last 12 months for me to be thankful for.

Anyway about a month ago I picked up this cute notebook from Ross and decided to start a prayer/ praise journal... I have several goals for this pray journal:

1. Fill it with pray requests and praises to answered requests. And just blessing in general
2. Eventually have my blessing/ praises be longer than my requests or at least equal
   
3. To strength and increase my pray life
4. A year from now be able to read back through & see the many answered prayers and blessings

My lil pray book!...

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy

Proposal, Proposal

The other night I was on the phone with a friend of mine. Somewhere during the course of the conversation the act of proposing came up, specifically lame, non-thought out, seemingly spare of the moment proposals. The jest of the conversation was that (and this came from a man...not me...) a man should put thought and effort into his proposal. And quite honestly I agree. A proposals presentation is HIGHLY important and should be carefully thought out. It's not necessarily that it be over the top... some of the best things and memories are simple yet beautiful, but it should definitely be something special to the two of you. If the Lords sees fit I ever get engaged... The girl in me would like something I didn't expect, well thought out, special, nice photo opt, and just one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

Anyway, after my conversation I remembered this proposal slide show I had receive in an email a LONG time ago. So this morning I searched my email and found it!

It's the story of Robert Gray and Keshia Williams... there a whole love story behind this proposal but I'm not gonna get into all that. Google them. However, According to one source to pull it all off he had:

10 Hotel rooms
50 friends and family there
400 Red and White roses
300 votive candles
12 24 caret gold- dipped roses
2 bottles of champagne
and 8 hrs to pull off

Disclaimer: I'm not saying each and every proposal should go down like this (or that I expect mine to happen like this)... it was just something I liked and remembered after all these years and decided to share.

Video shows after you click the link...

www.photosbyknight.com/gray

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy

25 Things I'm Thankful For

1. My Mom
2. My Sister (if you don't know her.. you're missing out)
   
3. The two goons (my little brothers)
   
4. My friends ( new and old)
   
5. The fact I've been with my job over a year and still have one
6. My new SUV
   
7. My health and right mind
8. Being able to travel to all the places I've been to this year
9. Safety and protection ( the car accidents I've been in this year has just been ridiculous. The pic to the right was actually taken moments before an accident )
   
10. The hope for seeing my daddy again one day
11. The love and support from people that are in my life
12. The little things in life that make me smile, laugh, and happy
13. All the good memories of 2010 thus far ( still have a couple weeks to make some good memories for 10')
    
14. The trials, woes, FML's and problems I have faced this year to help make me a better person
15. That God's has spared my brother A's life when he has severe asthma attacks this year
16. That I lived to see my 26th birthday (almost didn't make that one)
    
17. For waking up this morning
18. While driving on a suspended license I didn't get pulled over so I didn't end up in jail or have my license suspended a WHOLE year
    
19. That I know how to cook ( I think I'm starting to enjoy cooking a little more. I like the multitasking challenge of cooking * shrugs*)
    
20. That my dad taught me a little something about construction ( He'd be proud of the projects we did this year without him)
    
21. I'm thankful for the life I live
22. That thanksgiving is tomorrow and I'll be spending it will friends and family
23. For my bed
    
24. That its all most Christmas!! ( I can't wait, Christmas is hands down my favorite holidays)
    
25. Even though tomorrow isn't promised... I'm thankful for the possibility of the future and the people, places, plans and goals my future might hold

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy

Sometimes When Dynamics Change... So Does Your Understanding

(this blog was triggered from a convo with one if my girls on the following topic )

So often you meet someone and for whatever reason you find yourself attracted to them. They have good looks, charisma, the way they make you feel, whatever the reason you find yourself attracted and crushing..HARD. I don't know what men do when they find someone they are attracted to someone, but females feel the need to enlighten their girlfriends about their latest attraction. "He asked for my number", "He called me last night", "girl, he paid for the meal"...yada, yada, yada...whoo, whoo, whoo *rolls eyes*. Yes... sadly, I have fallen pry to this fanciful way of thinking a time or two in my life. It is probably somehow part if the complex structure of bring a female...I don't know.

Anyway, you tell your girls about your interest and the little things he has done and things that he says until the novelty of it all wears off, you loose interest or you realized you just make better friends and"aren't meant to be" or whatever the reason. Months down the road when your vision has been cleared from infatuation, when reflecting on your attraction to that person you realize that yes they liked you and enjoyed your company and where somewhat intrigued by you... but just on a friend level. All the the things you perceived very well might have had some truth to them... but once you change the category you have placed yourself, from " attracted to", to " no longer interested" or "friends" you better see and interpret their actions. You realized that this is who they are as a person and how they treat the people they come in contact with in general.

Basically... just because you like someone and at times talk and hang out with them does not mean that they like you on that same level. They could just enjoy you as a friend and the elements that your friendship brings to their life

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy

My Second Fav goes to....

Thanksgiving is next week and it has to be my second favorite holiday. I think its just a great time of year... the decorations, planning a menu, having good fellowship with family and friends.. and just that it is the beginning of the holiday festivities and spirit.

Having a huge Thanksgiving dinner and inviting over those who don't have family or because of circumstances won't be with their family over for dinner is one of the few traditions my family has. Sometimes we aren't quite sure who will show up because we extend invitations to whomever. At this juncture I'd rather spend my Thanksgiving hosting a dinner than be some place else.

I'm thankful for the time spent with friends and family and for the opportunity to be someones "family" for the day. And for a house big enough to house guest. So basically I can't wait till next Thursday :)

How I spent MY weekend

I don't know you spent this past weekend... but me and The Other One spent it doing back breaking work... we worked like child laborers from sun up to sun down, we were dupped, suckered, tricked into busting up my kitchen floor for my mom.

My... "God Brother" came to do our kitchen floor for my mom, and while sitting at the table sabbath he said "you guys are gonna be my assistants" my sis and I were like "We know" (living with our mom its already a given). Little did he know the truth to his statement. He figured he'd pop the floor up and my sis and I would come behind and clean up after him... *blank stare* No... no... It took all three of us to get that floor up, taking up our saturday night and ALL day sunday. Needless to say monday morning we were all DONE. And we are only at phase 1, but the hard part is over.

Cutting up the floor in small squares...

There is a person in there... you just cant see him...

Bout to die of dust inhalation

I pretty much lived on this floor -_-

too THROUGH!

... tell me something is not wrong with her lol...

poor girl spent TWO hours in that spot. But she conquered!

Finally DONE

*Finished pics to follow*

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy

Keeping a Low Profile....

I have been driving for the last month on a suspended license an let me tell you it has been the most stressful month of driving of my short life! I have followed the speed limit like nobody's busy and used my indicator at ever turn, come to complete stops at stop signs, praying every time I get in the car that I don't get pulled over.... I have been a model driving citizen. But it has been so nerve wrecking... every time you see a cop its just this nervousness that they are about to pull you over, and quite truthfully they probably aren't paying any attention if you're driving properly.

I have pulled off the highway on some random exit and took some long round about way home when I saw the cop pull onto the highway with his lights flashing. I have left a store, headed toward my car when I saw TWO cops parked in front of my car, I LITERALLY turned and walked into a mattress store (what business do I really have in a mattress store?!) while I waited for them to leave. I eliminated all extra, unnecessary driving and if it wasn't on my route to or from work I probably wasn't gonna go.

I feel like driving on a suspended license is definitely a moved my dad would have pulled (I put good money on it that he has)...and after... all I am my father's daughter. Anyway, my month of driving punishment is over (Thank God) and I'm sure my main driver (my sis) is glad too. It's just another experience I can add to my life's story and KP adventures! lol

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy

girl getting annoyed because she can't sing the right notes

My sis showed me this the other night in the middle of the parking and I about died! Her facial expressions kill me!

Woes...

*Blows out hot air while sighing VERY deeply* THEN * lays head on the desk* So... financially the month just started and I'm already financially depressed.

Lets start at the beginning...

So I made it through October and stuck with my budget fairly well. I ended up spending about $50.00 over budget. Not bad for the first time of actually creating a budget and sticking to it. (can't remember if I wrote on here or not... but I'm using this Google Doc Template for personal budgets and its really great). There have been several things I have learned about my spending habits this month.

• Evidently some ATMs charge you just for a balance inquire ( I was blown when I looked at my statement and realized this)
• It also appears that the ATM charges you and YOUR bank charges you when you use an ATM from another bank (clearly I haven't been paying attention to these fees...so once again...BLOWN! I could have used that $2 my bank charges elsewhere).
• I drive a gas guzzling monster....and I buy a lot of food for a little person even though some food is for the general household.
• I found I didn't want to spend money once I got paid before I had set up my November Budget.
  

Now...

I'm financially depressed because....

• I haven't even started my Christmas shopping
• I'm spending a huge chunk on hotels this month for work ( which isn't a big deal ... it's just throwing a wrench in my monthly goals and plans)
  
• The wrench being that I won't be making my monthly goal on my extra monthly payments toward my student loan.
• Thanksgiving.... *Sigh* is one of my favorite holidays and I know I'm about to end up spending to get food and stuff to get ready for it. (But I've budgeted for thanksgiving...so we'll see how that goes)

Woes... I'll tell ya...Oh well such is life. I'm just glad September and October are FINALLY over I HATE those months *bbm not interested face*. I'm so ready for the holidays! This has to be my favorite time of year with Thanksgiving coming, then Christmas, then New Years, then MY BDAY! :)

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy

Family is...What?!

Family....

What is family?...

I guess depending on a persons experiences through life would determine what family means to them. To me... family is broken down into three areas:

• Immediate Family
• Extended Family
  
• The Fam

Immediate Family
My immediate family would consist of five people these days. As we have all gotten older I appreciate them more and value the individuality that each of my siblings brings to the table (specifically the two goons). Although as siblings we have come a long way (... if you only knew some of the tales from earlier years...) and even though we still might not always get along, we love and are there for each other. We have some pretty good times and laughs together these days, with my mom there trying to keep us all on track.

The Peacemaker, The Worrier, The Mouth, The Muscle

Extended Family
These are people related to you by blood and possibly carry the same last name. I've always wished I lived surrounded by cousins and such...but...alas... I didn't. But like my cousin said (tweeted) to me a few weeks ago, "we might not see each other often but we are there for each other. Her support of my family meant the world and three months later we drove all night just to be there for her in her time of need. I may not know all of my extended family the way I'd like to, but they are important to me.

The Fam
Just the name "The Fam" always brings a smile to my face. We may not be related by blood or name But they and their parents are family. I remember around the time my dad died my mom was talking to one of her siblings and they were just amazed at the support from our friends and she told them " we may not live close to our family but our friends and church family have in a way become our family". I believe this to true concerning certain families I grew up with ( Cuz if you know me.. I can NOT get down with calling just anybody aunt, uncle, or family). We are just six friends that grew up together and who have been rolling around together for the last 24 - 17 years ( I had to text my girl on these numbers cuz it seemed so...outrageous) and still going quite strong.

The Fam

I may live with some, I may see some on occasion, and I may not even be related to some, but this is who my family is to me.


Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy.

You Will Be Missed

Well the time is almost here that my Fam J is "Going Home" ( LOL sorry! I had to do it one last time J!!!) We are gonna miss you!

Be safe...see you when you come back HOME! *KP side eye*

Luv ya Fam

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy.

Come One... Come All

I just want my own little corner of the earth to live. Most times I don't mind still living at home with my mom. And although I'm cool with my job, I hate the fact that it is the middle of nowhere, form any semblance of civilization and that a social life is pretty... nonexistent.

One thing I really look forward to when I get my own place (hopefully in a more populated area that combines church, family, social life, and job into a closer proximity because what I do currently is just... plain stupid) is the fact that I can entertain.

I like having sabbath dinner at my house when the mood strikes me. It's one of the many things I miss about having my own place. Currently, only my die hard friends or those that somehow get "suckered" into it because they didn't really know the depths of how far I live will/have made the journey to Mecca. So I have to space my dinners to like once a year...

I wanna be able to have Sabbath dinners spare of the moment or planned. Have people over for a lite Friday night dinner. Have BBQ's. Throw a holiday party. And if the day comes that I find myself in a relationship/married I want to have couple dinner parties. It's so important to me that my man is cool with having people over (it just might be a relationship requirement thats how strongly I feel about this) & if he can cook... even better!!

There is nothing like good fellowship...

*Sigh* I need a cool, nice, spacious kitchen like this to cook in...

I think this table is simple yet modern.

I'd definitely put this dinning room table in my house

Friends...

Good times...

Good food...

Well... one day it will happen!!

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy

25 random things you may or may not know...

I just ran across this note I posted to Facebook a while back and decided to post it here... Some of you have probably read this already but here it is again!!

1. I've been working with my dad in construction since the age of two till now. Whenever i go home my dad says "can you work with me tomorrow" or "i got this painting job i need you to do..."

2. Suv's are my vehicles of choice, i think they are great.

3. As a little kid, i thought i got the birthmark on my back from the time my dad was blending something in the blender and it exploded all over the kitchen and me before i could run under the table.

4. I like putting puzzles together.

5. I do not like kisses (unless they are from my man then i'm fine). But when other people kiss me it feels like their spit is seeping into my pores and i have to wipe it off.

6. I like a good joke, to laugh, and hear a good story.

7. I ate rat poise cuz i thought it was candy.

8. I'm a mild germophobic.

9. I get excited about my birthday at least two months before the actual day.

10. I'm allergic to apple skins.

11. Contrary to believe, my ears are not pierced. I once told an elder at church i'd get a tat before i'd to that. shocked the mess out of him.

12. i love traveling both in and out the country...

13. I want a chef (my twin feels me on this lol). Although i don't like to cook, i can cook. i'm kinda self-conscience about my food cuz i want people to enjoy it.

14. I highlighted my hair my junior year in collage to a Juicy Plum color. my hair came out, white at the roots, yellow in the middle and dirty brown at the ends. i looked in the mirror like OMG! I CAN NOT GO OUT LIKE THIS! Alli saved the day, i ended up with red hair which became a hit.

15. I listen to country music regularly.

16. I got suspended for two weeks my senior year in high school.

17. I like my name, I'm named after my dad, and not too many people have it.

18. I have bad phone luck. Every phone i've had has been dropped in the water and I'm always dropping it...hence my current situation....

19. When i was younger i was jealous of my sister's long nice hair. Mine was shorter and that black hair....so my mom told me to pray about it.

20. At around ten, i was driving my mom's car while my dad was tailgating me... i put on the breaks and he ended up running into the back of the car. five minutes later i ran into the front porch of the house. I felt to bad i busted into tears

21. when i say i don't care, 98% of the time i literally DO NOT care.

22. I dislike rude adults that don't show respect for younger people, and i don't like disrespectful children.

23. I have no regrets. I enjoy my life.

24. I can not take my sister seriously when she is mad. i think it is the most hilarious thing. but thats because she doesn't get mad very often.

25. I'm thankful for all of my friends and family, i believe God has placed all of them in my life for a reason.

Live. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy

Lil Miss Curly Q

Every once in a while I get this strong urge to roller set my hair. And for the past... month... I'd guess I've had this urge but I've put it off because I haven't been fond of the outcome in the past because my hair never seemed to dry properly (leading to frizzy hair) and the roots around the front looked too natural and crazy and I don't feel comfortable with big hair because I feel like my hair is all over my dogon head!

But last week (I'm late making this post) I was looking WAY TOO CRAZY cuz I hadn't gotten around to my weekly wash a couple of days before so I decided to roller set. Roller setting my hair is WORK!! But this time I was actually happy with the outcome. My edges looked good, the curls dried properly....and even though it pains me to say it...big hair isn't so bad (it's taken me what? 4 years... to come to this conclusion smh lol )

I washed and conditioned as usual then I used:

• LottaBody setting lotion (place in a spry bottle)
• Motions Wrapping Lotion (stole this hair product idea from The Feisty House blog)
• Medium sized perm rods
• Rat tailed comb (for parting and distributing the products)

This right here is the main reason I don't like roller setting.
Those hard rollers mess with my sleep!

After the rollers were taken out

Day 1: After I separated the curls...

Day 2 Hair

Day 3 Hair

I think I will roller set a little more often then once a year now...It came out pretty good and I got rave reviews for the look which is a plus :)

Live. Live. Smile. Enjoy.