Sittin' on tha Dock of tha Vineyard

I am feeling fabulous. My Sisterlocks had an extraordinary venture. They never felt dry or crunchy. I had curls at the beginning of the trip, but they graciously fell.

61 Canonicus

Oak Bluffs, MA

This is the wonderful place we shared for a week of fun, meeting new people, relaxing, cooking, eating, exploring and enjoying the wonderful island of Martha's Vineyard. The starting of a wonderful annual vacation --next year more people to meet, greet and share a piece of heaven with.

THE BLACK DOG

A great cup of Black Dog Joe, and a small shopping spree at The Black Dog General Store. . . .

Life Is Good!!

THE INKWELL

This is Jos at the Ink Well on Martha's Vineyard. Do you really know how much history this place has? It was a lovely day. The weather was sunny and warm. The water was nice. The sun was bright. This I Owe Me!!!

High Security

Oh my!! This girl feels really protected. The Coast Guard is making sure I get to the island safely. All this for me. Not!!!

The waters were patrolled by the U.S. Coast Guard because the 1st family -- The Obama's -- were also visiting the island for a little R & R. Although we did not have an Obama sighting, friends of ours did at Nancy's. They came in for for some fast food and chated with the crowd. The island was really buzzing with Obama-mania.

Martha's Vineyard

I spent a week in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. I re-grouped and re-evaluated my life. I will be 52 years young next month. Things that I thought were important when I was 25 --- is just that -- a thought. This week "Me Time" took on a brand new meaning.

Another March 4 JUSTICE!!!!

HOMER, LOUISIANA (KSLA) - The arrival of the Reverend Al Sharpton to the Ark-La-Tex is putting a national spotlight on a deadly, police-involved shooting in Homer,Louisiana.
He arrived Friday to lead a march in protest to the shooting death of an elderly black resident, by a white officer.
Saturday, he delivered a piercing call for justice which resonated from the walls a local baptist church.
"I read in The Chicago Tribune that the police chief said when he sees four young blacks, they approach them and try to scare them off," Rev. Sharpton said like a commander before battle.
"If a black officer said that about whites in Homer, they would run him off the police force."
Reverend Al Sharpton rallied his troops inside The New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
Guided by music, Reverend Sharpton joined the growing chorus of critics demanding justice after the fatal police shooting of 73 year old Bernard Monroe at the hands of a white police officer. "That could have been my father, that could have been your father."
In the front row sits Monroe's family."The police chief, the mayor, it just seems like nothing has been done," said Monroe's sister in law.
Investigators have yet to rule whether Monroe was armed at the time or not.
"Everyone should have the right to sit in their own yard or do whatever they choose if they are not breaking the law," she said.
Racial undertones which blanket the town came to a boil that February afternoon and re-surfaced with Rev. Sharpton's arrival.
"It is wrong on any side of town, but it seems like it always happens on the black side of town," said Rev. Sharpton.
His purpose in Homer is to shine a light on a place he says is dark with corruption. His larger then life presence, he hopes, will get people to listen, especially the Homer Police Department. "Until they learn to respect all of us, they won't respect any of us," he said.
Family of Monroe also want police to know they will not go quietly and if Rev. Sharpton's visit doesn't help bring justice in their case, Monroe's family is hopefull it will change the future. "Maybe my children and grandchildren who go up and down, they won't be harassed by the police here in Homer," she said.
We tried several times to contact the Homer Police Chief but we were unable to get any comment on Sharpton's appearance in Homer.
The department was not present Saturday and they were not at the march Friday.

Random Shots

Well, I did not have my personal photographer, so I had to DIY.

This is an after church shot. See my "Grand-Prince" in the background.

This is a childhood friend who came home for the HomeGoing Celebration of his father. I had not seen him since 1973 when he graduated from high school.

Introducing Ms. Kirby
This is my new companion. Her name is Kirby. Yep, just like the vacuum cleaner. Ms. Kirby is part Black Lab and part Golden Retriever. She looks like she could have some Siberian Husky in her. I really don't care what she has in her, I just wuv her soooooooo much. She came into my life at the perfect time. I rescued her on October 25, 2008. Isn't she adorable?

I Tried the Lock Loops

Vote For That One!

That One's Biography
That One was raised by a single mother and his grandparents. They didn't have much money, but they taught him values from the Kansas heartland where they grew up. He took out loans to put himself through school. After college, he worked for Christian churches in Chicago, helping communities devastated when steel plants closed. That One turned down lucrative job offers after law school to return to Chicago, leading a successful voter registration drive. He joined a small law firm, taught constitutional law and, guided by his Christian faith, stayed active in his community. That One and his wife Michelle are proud parents of two daughters, Sasha and Malia.
EARLY YEARS
That One was born in Hawaii on August 4th, 1961. His father, That One Sr., was born and raised in a small village in Kenya, where he grew up herding goats with his own father, who was a domestic servant to the British.That One's mother, Ann Dunham, grew up in small-town Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs during the Depression, and then signed up for World War II after Pearl Harbor, where he marched across Europe in Patton's army. Her mother went to work on a bomber assembly line, and after the war, they studied on the G.I. Bill, bought a house through the Federal Housing Program, and moved west to Hawaii.It was there, at the University of Hawaii, where That One's parents met. His mother was a student there, and his father had won a scholarship that allowed him to leave Kenya and pursue his dreams in America.That One's father eventually returned to Kenya, and That One grew up with his mother in Hawaii, and for a few years in Indonesia. Later, he moved to New York, where he graduated from Columbia University in 1983.
THE COLLEGE YEARS
Remembering the values of empathy and service that his mother taught him, That One put law school and corporate life on hold after college and moved to Chicago in 1985, where he became a community organizer with a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment.The group had some success, but That One had come to realize that in order to truly improve the lives of people in that community and other communities, it would take not just a change at the local level, but a change in our laws and in our politics.He went on to earn his law degree from Harvard in 1991, where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. Soon after, he returned to Chicago to practice as a civil rights lawyer and teach constitutional law. Finally, his advocacy work led him to run for the Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years. In 2004, he became the third African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the U.S. Senate.
POLITICAL CAREER
It has been the rich and varied experiences of That One's life - growing up in different places with people who had differing ideas - that have animated his political journey. Amid the partisanship and bickering of today's public debate, he still believes in the ability to unite people around a politics of purpose - a politics that puts solving the challenges of everyday Americans ahead of partisan calculation and political gain.In the Illinois State Senate, this meant working with both Democrats and Republicans to help working families get ahead by creating programs like the state Earned Income Tax Credit, which in three years provided over $100 million in tax cuts to families across the state. He also pushed through an expansion of early childhood education, and after a number of inmates on death row were found innocent, Senator That One worked with law enforcement officials to require the videotaping of interrogations and confessions in all capital cases.In the U.S. Senate, he has focused on tackling the challenges of a globalized, 21st century world with fresh thinking and a politics that no longer settles for the lowest common denominator. His first law was passed with Republican Tom Coburn, a measure to rebuild trust in government by allowing every American to go online and see how and where every dime of their tax dollars is spent. He has also been the lead voice in championing ethics reform that would root out Jack Abramoff-style corruption in Congress.As a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator That One has fought to help Illinois veterans get the disability pay they were promised, while working to prepare the VA for the return of the thousands of veterans who will need care after Iraq and Afghanistan. Recognizing the terrorist threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, he traveled to Russia with Republican Dick Lugar to begin a new generation of non-proliferation efforts designed to find and secure deadly weapons around the world. And knowing the threat we face to our economy and our security from America's addiction to oil, he's working to bring auto companies, unions, farmers, businesses and politicians of both parties together to promote the greater use of alternative fuels and higher fuel standards in our cars.Whether it's the poverty exposed by Katrina, the genocide in Darfur, or the role of faith in our politics, That One continues to speak out on the issues that will define America in the 21st century. But above all his accomplishments and experiences, he is most proud and grateful for his family. His wife, Michelle, and his two daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, live on Chicago's South Side.

Friends 4 Life

I have been in Louisiana for 10 months now -- starting a new life. Each step of this journey has been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. I have 3 "bestest" friends on the West Coast. We are there for each other through thick and thin. Although these ladies are very different and don't even know each other, all of our relationships are soooooooooo special.

One of my "Bestest Girls" drove from Southern Cali to the ATL, with a stop in Northwest Louisiana to visit me. How special was that?!?!??!! She could have called when she got back to Cali and said, "I came through Louisiana and I thought about you." But she didn't. When she realized how her trip was being routed, she called me to find out what part of her course I was on. We made a plan, Jesus made it happen. Thank You, Jesus!!!

It was an overnight stay, but God -- But God was in the midst of it all. We had such a wonderful time. No words can explain it.

Talk about my "Road Dog" (a term of endearment) -- we were and still are. Literally road trips to Arizona, Utah, Las Vegas and all over Southern Cali -- yep we did it.

I prepared the (she and her daughter) a real down home, Southern Soul Food dinner--Smothered chicken w/gravy, brown rice, candied yams, collard greens seasoned with Smoked turkey, home made rolls, hot water cornbread and my Aunt made a Toasted Coconut & Caramel Pie.

Now, I have not cooked or eaten like this in months. (I am single again -- my kids are grown & gone -- they both have military careers). So why should I cook like that?

They ate until they were content -- fat & happy!!! They truly, truly enjoyed the meal as much as I enjoyed preparing it for them. The prayer she prayed before we ate was heartfelt and anointed. The spirit of the Lord was in that place and lingered on and on and on.

While in Southern Cali we were Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce members -- yes we are Business Women, Entreprenuers, Diva-prenuers and Blessed in everything we do -- why ???--because God gets the Glory!!

We did all of the Grand-Openings, mixers, seminars and meetings. We had business meetings at The Cheesecake Factory. Once we decided to have a "little drinl" from the beverage menu. We perused the menu and decided to try a "Peach Bellini". That became our signature drink of choice @ The Cheesecake Factory. Well, as the curious Ladies we are -- we asked what were the ingredients and started making these wonderful frozen "concoctions" at our homes when were were entertaining or jus kickin it on a hot afternoon, going over numbers, talking strategies or preparing for the next seminar.

I made a couple of blenders of Peach Bellini's for us as we talked and reminicesd and caught up on everything. They were actually better than the ones @ The Cheesecake Factory. Of course mine were made with a very special ingredient >>> L-O-V-E !!!

Although we talk quite frequently, and she says she can tell how happy and content I am in my voice -- once she saw me it was the icing on the cake for her.

I lived in Southern California longer than I lived in Louisiana. Some can not understand and some will never understand how or why. Just know Home is what Catches you when you Fall. . . and we all fall!! But we get up again! A saint is just a sinner who fell down!!!!

OK, This is what my hair looks like after 2 years + 3 months of being SiSteRloCkED!!!
I have been doing my own retightens -- it takes me about 3-4 days but it's OK. I just take my time and do a little @ a time. Since my relocation, my hair has really been growing like wild weeds. I believe it is the heat and the humidity. I used to go to my consultant for retightenings every 6 - 8 weeks. Now, it seems I need to retighten every 4 weeks now. I have gone through the stages of the ugly, straggly, straight ends, the limp locs, the lenghth, the shrinkage, the locking and length is what I have to look forward to.

M I A

I have been MIA for a few months. Although I haven't made any posts, I have been lurking on LIU. I have had some MAJOR changes and adjustments in my life over the past 6 months. I am so HAPPY right now. I have relocated to North Louisiana and I am at peace. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the West Coast. It was just time to make a decision and own it. I did and the peace that I am enjoying now is HEAVEN SENT.

My SisterLocks absolutely LOVE the humid conditions. I am celebrated 22 months of being SL'd yesterday. I took the re-tightening class in San Diego before I left Cali. It was worth every cent of it. I do not have the stress of having a new person in my hair, or wondering when I can get an appointment or the other things we go through with re-location. I have been free-styling quite a bit, albeit, I still rock my rod sets.

Stay tuned for updated pictures.

My Babies are 16 months old. . . . .
I just got my 16 month retightening done. Although, I have been using my tools to re-tighten myself, I love when my consultant does it. I had actually done my entire head about 4 weks ago. So, today it took my consultant a bit less than 2 hours. After the completion, I spritzed with water and used the Sistelocks Moisture Treatment. My scalp feel so good and my hair smells heavenly.

Yes, for those of you who having inquiring minds, it has been cut. But as you can see, there are no more straggly, ugly, straight ends. It is very HEALTHY!! Now it is absolutely free to do it's thing, which is to Grow and gRow and grOw and groW and GROW. To be the Crowning Glory that it was meant 2 B 4 ME!

Oh yeah, the color that shows in the back view -- it's Beautiful Collection Rosewood Brown by Clairol Professional.

It has NO peroxide and NO ammonia. It is a gentle semi-permanet color. Otherwise commonly known as CELLOPHANES.

Your Power Element is Metal

Your power colors: white, gold, and silver Your energy: contracting Your season: fall You are persistent (and maybe even a little bit stubborn).If you see something you want, you go for it.You have a lot of strength, and it's difficult to get you down.Very logical, you tend to analyze everything going on in your life.

What's" Your Power Element?

I Love My Daddy

Today, Tuesday, September 18, 2007 represents the day my Daddy went home to heaven. It has been 10 years, yet his presence is ever present all around me. I will always be a "Daddy's Girl", I was his BrownSuga. Although I miss him much more than words could ever say, I know he is in a better place and would not come back to this cold, cruel world for nothing. Just think of all the injustice that is going on right now against some of our young Black Men, the ones who take a stand for racial injustice. My Daddy marched in many, many, many civil rights marches (sometimes I was right there beside him holding his hand or on his shoulders). I know that he is not happy with the present day maladies.

I know he is sitting at the right hand of God now -- sometimes trying to tell God how to run his business. That would be just like him.

This is a poem that I wrote for him to be included in his HomeGoing Programme.

Thank you, Daddy

Thank you Daddy, for the lessons of life you taught me.

Thank you Daddy, for teaching me to be strong.

Thank you Daddy, for teaching me to know what I want and to always believe in myself.

Thank you Daddy, for teaching me to take a stand and fight for my cause.

Thank you Daddy, for teaching me the love of God.

Thank you Daddy, for always being there WHENEVER I needed you.

Thank you Daddy, for everything!!!!

As I say my final goodbye, Daddy --

Know that I Will carry on your legacy --

For Your Spirit Lives Within Me.

Thank You Daddy --- I'll Love You Always.

Your Brown Suga

Another Bittersweet Milestone

My son, whom I will call "Tonka", boarded a military aircraft this morning. He has joined the United States Air Force. He is gone to Lackland, Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for 6 weeks of tearing down a boy and the building up of a man to serve our country -- this great United States of America. He has chosen Jet Engine Mechanic as his military job/career.

This is my second time around for this. My daughter, whom I will call "SugaFoot", did the same thing after her high school summer fun. She boarded a military aircraft 1 day befor her 18th birthday. She also joined the United States Air Force. She was the inspiration for my son. I was told that I "bred" military babies. I will take that as a compliment. The nest is not empty because I have the "Grand-Prince".

No Mo' Straight Ends

Can you just feel my excitement through this post????????? I have been Sisterlocked for 14 wonderful months now. I saw my consultant yesterday for my 14 month re-tighening appointment. Well, as you know, I took the re-tightening class a couple of weeks ago. I had done the front half of my head and my consultant said I had done a great job. I did have a few "snafus". I had locks that I had "married" on each side of my head and I had 1 that I obviously forgot which rotation I was on and kept doing that rotation. She was able to fix that. She was also able to "divorce" one of the "married couples", the other one had already started to lock.
Well, where does my excitement comes from? <<<<<<<<>>>>>>>> She cut those straggly, ugly, straight ends!!!!! HAL-LE-LU-JAH.
I will Continue to maintain my retightenings as I feel them and know when they need to be "tightened up". I do have another appointment with her on 22 September.

I Can Do It Myself

I took the re-tightening class on Sunday, 22 July 2007. It was a wonderful class. Although I was not able to attend any of the Homecoming festivities, I met some beautiful Sistas at the hotel with stunning heads of Sisterlocks.
Celeste Geary was our instructor. What an Awesome Lady!!! She has a spirit that is as warm, friendly and comforting as can be. There were 5 ladies in attendance for the class. One lady came all the way from Arizona. Much love to my Sista. The rest of us were pretty much "locals", within in a 100 mile distance.
We were instructed/trained on how to maintain OUR OWN Sisterlocks! There were 2 ladies with a #3 locking pattern and 3 ladies with a #4 locking pattern. Celeste instructed us, then we had to show her we understood by re-tightening a few of our own locks.
We recieved a "box of goodies", which included, registration form, shampoo for our individual hair type, an applicator bottle to dilute the shampoo, moisture treatment, moisturizing spray, clips (metal & plastic), locking tools, mirror, "tip sheet", Sisterlocks logo note pad and ink pen.
Celeste trained us on the hook tool first, and then the clip tool. There was definitely a method to her madness. I know why now.