Natural Friends

My friend and I of 25+ years met up at ESSENCE Festival with our families and took this cute pic at the "My Black is Beautiful" booth.

Our daughters are both 14 and they have never had relaxers. They love sporting their natural hair and locks just as much as we do.

We celebrate ourselves!!!

God, Husband, Children, Work, Locks...

Thanks to all of my lock buddies for checking on me, I'm still around but who has time for locks? I don't even think I've taken a pic of my locks recently. I hope to make time soon and post on how my teenage locks are progressing...

I'm having to re-evaluate my life and prioritize what goes where. Since starting my locking hobby six months ago I've had to trim back clients like crazy. Part of me feels guilty and then another feels like I must use the extra time for my family.


Left - Ms Praline pictured with Ms. Irma P. Hall (Mama Jo from the movie Soul Food) where Rachel opened a local play and Ms. Hall made an appearance in the play. Read more Here

Ms. Praline is taking off with her mad schedule and Mr. Roux is in High school and we're tackling teenage life and girls. Whew, that's worth wanting to home school but then we'd have the same issues during college. Better to deal with it sooner than later.


Left - Mr. Roux wins King of his 9th grade class and he's going through the cool stage with his semi-smile while posing with one of his classmates.

Parenting is the most difficult job I've ever had in my life. I just hope we're making the right decisions in every chapter of their lives. Such a challenge!

I feeling the need of a Dallas Gathering!

It's a Family Affair!

Pictured from left to right, Twinky (my niece), Mrs Dee (my sister, Twinky's mom), Me and Praline.

We are all locked up and loving it. We visited many places over the holiday and everyone thought our locked family was just too adorable. Toot toot......

Snippet of Mahalia Jackson Song by Praline

Ms Praline performed in our church play recently and everyone had a phenomenal time! Big thanks to our Youth Leader, Mrs. "R" for putting all of her efforts in keeping church our youth excited about attending church.

Guess What We're Eating?

If you guessed Beignet, you are correct! We went back home to Louisiana this summer and had the pleasure of visiting one of my favorites indulgences ....Cafe Du Monde ! The French Quarters and Canal Street is in tact and we were surprised to see that Kenner is doing much better as well. As for the 9th ward we didn't venture off to see what it was like because I was not mentally ready to "no progress." Many of our family members shared enough about it and I'm just not ready yet.

We visited a couple of friends in other areas and found that their homes had been rebuilt and they are in good health as well. I almost felt a little selfish going down there to indulge in the good eats and treats but then Beignet (below left) reminded me that we are helping by visiting as tourist and business owners were very happy to receive all patrons.

One thing I was not ready for was many of the businesses only accepted CASH. I'm not a cash kind of girl so I was slightly inconvenienced...but how could I complain when two years prior some people lost everything they had? Needless to say, I got it together real quick.

Here's Roux (below left) standing next to he and Pralines favorite candy shop, which was closed! After Katrina, many stores close early now and that took some getting used to during the visit.

On a hair note, someone asked me and Praline and I quote, "how long have you all been wearing Reggae hair?" We were not offended, it was actually funny and then I proceeded to educate.

Praline's Eyes

I've had the question asked at least a thousand times.."do you arch her eye brows?" I'm never offended, even when I got the question as an infant rolling in her stroller.

I actually find it quite comical when people look at me in amazement when I say "oh no, never would I do such a thing?" Some believe me and some walk away with the look to say..."you know you are fibbing."

What's really funny is that she gets so much public attention about her eyes that she now recognizes everyone elses eyebrows while it never crosses most 11 year olds mind.

So, just for the record to all that are wondering, no, Ms. Praline's eyebrows have never been groomed in any form or fashion. She is the way God made her....I just wish mine didn't need grooming. Who knew the gene pool worked that way?? (lol)

Praline has her own Blog!

Finally, we decided to buckle down and have a Blog tutorial for Ms. Praline. She's catching on and her blog is finally in action.

Check her out at her new blog site : Praline

Locs & Basketball

The season is here and we're off to the races with practice and games beginning on Sunday. Praline is our pistol packing point guard and the smallest on her team. She's so funny because she likes her locks to hang when she plays, she says "it brings the girl to the game, mom!"

We noticed that she handles the ball with her left hand when she is actually right handed. We just don't get it... but we let her do her thing.

One of the reasons I quit playing in college back in the early 80's was due to the fact that I was one of the outcast and it was no longer fun. In high school us girls were all alike and when I went to college it was a whole "nother" ball game.

The pic below was taken during the Tournament of Champions State Championship game my Senior year against Grambling High. We lost by 6 points and yes that's me shooting two of my 18 points over the 6'+ girl.

I'm sure I can't get up that high now but it sure is fun showing my pictures to Praline and Roux. As you can see the stands were not full because we were a small town team and my whole town could probably fit on one side of the stadium.


The fun was no longer in the game because the majority of the girls were gay and so were many of the coaches. I was not gay and therefore I was not one of the girls. Back then, we (the team) had to stay in the same dorm which came with many privileges but I always ended up spending more time at my friends dorm until time for bed. I will admit that I was totally intimidated by the arrogance of many teammates and my game also suffered because of it. I'll bet only three or four of us were straight and after one season, no more BB for me and it was over that quickly. Had I known what I know now I would have handled things a lot differently. But that was then, this is now.

PS - I was not the best looking chic in high school therefore I know my marriage is based on love cause Beignet met me while looking like the pic above. Tomboy....all the way!

Like Owner like Dog

Have you ever heard the saying "dog's look like their owners?" Everywhere we go people stop and comment about how much Praline's toy poodle looks so much like her.

Poodle has curly hair just like Praline and we don't get offended because Poodle is really cute, especially after he has had a grooming. Get this, she asked if we could lock Poodles hair too.. that's probably going a little too far with the lock thing.

Praline needs a grooming in this pic and I promised an update but could not resist posting about this pic. I'll follow-up again after her next retightening.

Beignet and I really didn't like dogs before Poodle, but Praline begged to have one and we decided to get him after figuring that the dog would cost a lot less than a therapist!

Every time Praline saw a dog she would cry and pray for one of her own . We bought her a "Go-Go My Walking Pup" and after Beignet observed her trying to make GoGo walk and obey her commands.... he broke down and told me to find her a dog quickly. LOL!

In the end, it was best because it really made Praline a better spirited child. Talk about having a new child, we had no idea a dog could bring that much happiness to our family! (Picture taken by cousin T)

Praline is Growing Up

Praline is really loving her locks! Here she is reading a script for a play! I've got to say, I'm so proud of this little one...she is so convinced that natural lock beauty is for her!

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!!!

Child's Play in Locks

My daughter and her two locked buddies got together yesterday and had a little fun in the hot 104 degree Texas sun. Lord help us!!!

We encourage our children to spend time outside having the real child like fun we experienced back in the day. You know when we used to play, one two, three red light.....hop scotch, double dutch, block ball and riding our bikes up and down the street....mad fun!

One thing about Texas is we have to keep the babies hydrated or else find one of them passed out in the yard. LOL!!



Too many times we allow our children to stay locked up in the house watching TV, playing computer games and especially listening to some of the unacceptable music of todays R&B world. So instead, we make them play outside or get a really good book.

After a good run of childs play there is no better joy than to see them so drained they shower, eat and go right to sleep. I just love to see children having a blast building relationships and learning how to deal with each others personalities.

Don't get me wrong now, my husband and I get our share of disagreements since we seem to have the house that the kids migrate to for treats and advice. And we often have to mediate between "it's my turn to ride the bike because my bike has a flat." And the other responding "Oh well, that's not my problem." Then we encourage the rule of sharing. It's funny to see little people work out issues and overall we would not have it any other way.


At any rate don't they just look so innocent and beautiful in their locks?? The beauty of little natural sisters secure and loving how God made them!!!

Oh, they were all locked three months ago and yes, I felt like writing today.... LOL!

July 4th Celebration

The 4th of July was a blast this year, my daughter and her friend stole the show by joining the band and singing along with everyone during a private party with all the fixins.

I thought this pic really shows how her two month old locks are coming along.

I could not be more proud and as a result of her having Sisterlocks this summer with weekly swimming, we no longer experience :

1. Complaining after washings and detangling
2. No more 2 - 3 hour weekly braiding styles
3. Combing hair and running late for work, the girl is up and ready for summer camp in 1o minutes, it can only get better during school ..she does it herself and she especially loves spritzing with my Lavender/Rose Water. Shucks,I need to get her her own bottle!

We do get:
1. Massive attention from so many people, everywhere we go.......
2. Many of her friends are interested and so are many adults
3. She's now anxious for hers to look like mine...go figure, I'm so sure her's will look 10 times better than mine! Dad's favorite humble line is..."I think hers will look better than yours" thank God I'm happy with who I am! LOL!!



I'm more anxious about seeing hers in a year which helps me take the focus off my retightening compulsive disorder.

Some of ya'll can relate! Right, maybe, am I the only one?

Peace out!

My 10 Year Old Baby Got Sisterlocked April 28!

I am so proud of the decision my 10 year old daughter made to get Sisterlocked!! (As if she had no influence). LOL

She has been natural all her life and loves getting her hair braided but hates to get it washed. So I had been dropping little nuggets that if she were to loc her hair we would not have nearly as much drama washing, brushing and combing through her thick 9 inch mane.

So, it all started when I received my first subscription of the Sisterlock Magazine. She read the entire magazine and especially like the story that showed the pictures/testimonial of the young girl that started at age 6. (My book is with a friend so I can't tell you the girls name or page number). That magazine "Set It Off" for us, here we are nearly 6 weeks later and she is locked and loving it. The process took four days and 15 hours and the child already has 2 of the 3 Sisterlock diseases listed in the "Tapestry of Dreams" book, pages 68 & 69:

handsinthe hair itis - hands gravitate uncontrollably toward the locks
whitegirlatoma - the hands drift below the ear area and jerks into a back handed flipping motion

When we went to church yesterday and as soon as she hit the front door every "natural" sister was all over her head showering her with many compliments. She was the center of attention the whole day long, it got so bad I had to give her a reality check because that head was blowing up! LOL. Anyway, for the most part I allowed her to enjoy the thrill of knowing she made an AWESOME decision!


As for Dad, he initially had concerns and asked her what she would do if she did not like it. She told him that she would like it and it was no different from what she had now. She also added that she could wear all kinds of styles like her ponytails and cute headbands. I was in the background going, YESsssssssssss!! (I trained her well) With her addressing the issues on her own he agreed to allow her to do her thing.

I'm sure we'll have more to share as she becomes more exposed to the extended family and friends so stay tuned.