Nappy Tool Follow-Up

I've received several email questions about the Nappy N Happy Tool (my tool of choice) and thought I'd do a follow-up from my previous post.
To the far left is the SL Hook Tool, middle is the Medium Nappy Tool and far right is the Small Nappy Tool. I have both Nappy sizes because my locks in the back are larger than the locks in the front of my head.

Adonna, I could not respond directly to you because your email came through as anonymous:

Hello LaChanda: First off, just want you to know that I am enjoying your blog quite a lot! It has a friendly and laid back "feel". Since you are familiar w/doing loc maintainance w/this tool can you explain in more detail how exactly to use the Nappy Locs tool? I'm looking for a "once the tool is in your hand, place your loc here, pull/twist then do xyz" sort of answer (if you're up to sharing that type of detailed info) :).

I've used the latchook to maintain my roots but, I'm looking for something that is a bit more fool- proof. My issue w/the latchhook is that I sometimes end up grabbing nearby locks or get the hook tangled in my roots. I've started to buy the Nappylock tool several times but I guess that I'm looking for a little reassurance that the Nappylocs tool is easier to use than a latchhook. Also, have you ever run into any problems in using the tool that you could elaborate on? Using the latchhook if one is not careful one can end creating a "hole" in the newgrowth part of the lock which can be undone if found early. Are there any similar pitfalls to lookout for in using the Nappy locs tool? If the answers are somewhere else please redirect me.

Thank you and God bless, Adonna Adonna when I tell you I "Love" the Nappy Tool I mean it with all of my heart. The demo pics are the best I could do to show you and others how easy it is. (Hope the pics are good enough)

I'm pictured here retightening Pralines (my 11 year old daughter) locks and it takes me about 2 1/2 hours to do hers and about 3 hours to do mine.

You feed the lock through the open end of the tool, then you feed the tail end of the tool in the direction of your beginning pattern and pull the tail end through, you continue in your pattern until you have a full rotation. Its' that easy, no fuse and no hassel with holding the tool a certain way so that other locks are combined. I must admit though, the only problem I have is that I love retightening so much that sometimes I don't have enough growth for a full rotation so I have to settle myself down and be more patient so that I don't retighten too often. That's it! I think every locked sister should have the Nappy Tool because it's wonderful for emergancy situation when you need a quick front edge touch up. Go out and order yours today! Addendum: The SL hook tool was just too tiresome to my hands and wrists because I have Carpal Tunnel. I found that the Nappy tool was so much easier and I did not hurt afterwards.

Meet My Adventist Sisterlock Sister

I so regret that I wasn't able to get to talk with Dr. Naijean Bernard like I had planned to, as she puts it, "The brunch was like sensory overload, in a good way! So much to see and do. " Naijean drove down from Austin, TX by herself to meet and socialize with the DFW Gals!

Naijean has been locked since January 10, 2004, about 2 years, 10 months. She works as a psychologist for the State of Texas, and in the process of studying for her licensure examination.

There are many things she likes about her Sisterlocks. The main thing is the freedom. When she had a relaxer, she says, "going to the salon was enjoyable due to the social atmosphere, but it was not time effective or a wise way to spend money." When she last had a relaxer, the charge was about $60 for a touch-up, every 6 weeks. Now, she can retighten my own hair, at her own leisure, for free! Viewing everyone's blogs makes her want to start styling her hair more often. I usually just wear it straight and still loves the style. (Keep up the good blog work my blog buddies!)

We also share a common faith as a Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA), Naijean grew up a SDA in the Washington DC area and went to SDA schools up until college. She also attended a HBCU (Howard) and then a public university (So. IL Univ) for graduate school. It really wasn't until graduate school that she developed a personal relationship with God for herself. "I guess being away from everything familiar on the East Coast and my support system made me rely on God more. " She recently moved to Texas from Maryland and looking for her niche in terms of church ministry.

Hope to see more of you Naijean!

Another Mother/Daughter SL Team

After leaving the Sisterlock Brunch Blaqkofi and I decided to stop in the MAC store and pick up a couple of our favorite items. And....what do ya know...how be it we ran into this cute mother/daughter duo who had Sisterlocks!!!

They were just beautiful and they accepted our invitation to have their picture taken. Once again, I believe I'm getting like my friend and "Lock Stalker" Brunsli!

Mom says her daughter who is 12 is having difficulty at shcool with kids who tease her about her hair. I wish I could be twelve again and go to school just one day with her to have her back! Or better yet, I wish I could send Praline with her and the other 12 year olds could have a double dose of nappyism!

Blaq and I encouraged her and told her how beautiful she looked with her Sisterlocks. I'm sure one day those little chics at school will look back and wish they were brave enough to do what she did at such an early age!

New Addition to our DFW Lock Group

Meet my buddy Sue, we met on the bus from work one day and I invited her to our Reunion. She recently moved to Dallas from California and was excited to hear about our group. We exchanged email addresses and kept in touch. Needless to say, she met us at the Cheesecake Factory and had a blast with the ladies.

Sue was captivated by Brunsli's Hair Ties and wanted an abundance of her own collection.

It's so incredible how locks can bring a wonderful group of ladies together even when we've never met before. Once again, I can't tell you how much I love being part of such a great group of secure and beautiful ladies, inside and out!

Sisterlock Divas

After having brunch at the Cheescake Factory we went over to North Park Mall and took this photo.

I just love how the sassy shot came out. Click on it to get a large view.

More to come.....

Sam Cooke Request

Help, I need help! If anyone out there has music connections I will pay a small fortune (within reason, lol) to get the instrumental track to "A Change is Gonna Come." Listen to the moving song:

A Change is Gonna Come

Hurry and help a sistah out, oh how Praline and I are crazy about Sam Cooke!!! Quite a handsome fella too!

Some of our other favorites are Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles and Otis Redding. My parents raised us on all of these powerhouses and I appreciate the music still today!!!

Sam Cooke was a true superstar in his lifetime. After his death, his legend became even larger. His influence can be heard in the precise phrasing of Smokey Robinson, in the conscientious songwriting of Marvin Gaye, in the raw emotion of Lou Rawls and in Aretha Franklin's controlled passion.Sam Cooke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986

You can read more about his death here

Lots o Locks at the State Fair of Texas!

While visiting the fair we came across this awesome show called "African Acrobats," if you look real close you'll see that each and everyone of them has locks!!

When we stopped to see them perform, Praline said "mom, look they all have locks!" We both celebrated as they continue to do unbelievable stunts.

Most of the guys have mature locks but two of them are just starting out. There were six in all.
 

Pumpkin Patch

Praline and a buddy taking a break after I walked them to death through the fair grounds and exhibits!

I just love Fall!!! This is such a cute picture I could not resist sharing. 

State Fair of Texas is here!

It's fair time and here we are enjoying the parade in downtown Dallas.

Ummmmm, how I killed myself eating the roasted corn (w/butter & lemon/pepper seasoning) and funnel cakes.

My favorite exhibit this year was the Vita-Mix blender. Our family makes smoothies on a daily basis, we buy a blender once a year and I still could not convince Beignet to spend $479.00 on this wonderful machine. Maybe I'll find one on ebay. lol

Cheetah Girls and Hannah Montana Live

How lucky can these girls get? We arrived at the concert ready for the Cheetah Girls and Hannah Montana action! (click on picture to see larger image)

Seated in front of us were four adults and no children?? Leave it to me to notice and ask them...."you all like the Cheetah Girls so much as to come out and see them without having any children with you??? I continued on to say, "girl if it were not for my Praline I'd be at home preparing for work."

She responded with the sweetest smile by saying, "it's just that we wanted to come out and see my niece perform." The girls lost it and immediately knew she had to be the aunt of Aqua!

She WAS....so after I took my foot out of my mouth the aunt laughed and accepted our invitation to take a picture with the girls (top left). The conversation continued with jolly laughter between us all.

What started out as a simple friendly question landed us backstage passes to meet the Cheetah Girls and Hannah Montana. The "sweet aunt" thought our girls were such nice girls and loved their excitement, she saved the surprise for last because we would have never gotten through he concert with them thinking about meeting the Hannah and The Cheetah Girls!

I'm known for always talking to any body and taking for ever to finish up the conversation but this is one time Praline did not have any complaints. By the end of the night (12:30 and school the next morning) Praline thought I was the BEST MOM in the whole world. (Honestly though, I don't think beats my first concert at 15..Parliment and Funkadelic in Baton Rouge, LA.)

That all went out the door after I told her to clean her room today! Such short term memory but she cleaned that room though. LOL

We had a great time and I must tell you all Hannah Montana has such a personal touch with children, she issued compliments and hugs to our girls!!!! Big shout out to Hannah Montana!!!

DFW One Year Anniversary

What a beautiful flyer Sister-In-Locks created, she is so gifted and talented with making such beautiful invites. With that said...I hope to see you all there!

BTW, you can also RSPV here in comments if you like.

LaChanda

Our Goddaughter - File'

I could not resist featuring our little File' (pronounced fee-lay) and is a Louisiana Creole seasoning. File' is dried sassafras leaves which we use to add robust flavor to any dish, especially gumbo.

I gave her the name because she is full of flavor! You would have to see for yourself to understand the wisdom that flows from this child.

Born at six months and could barely fit in the palm of my hand. File' survived on prayers and the love that both her parents showered her with for months and even until now.

She's such a character because she often calls for an appointment so that I "Nanan" (which means Godmother) can braid her all natural hair. This is a pic from one of her recent hair appointments....as she poses! What a ham!

Meet a small gift from God......