Naturals Night Out Gallery!

Head on over to Natural Selection to check out the great pictures captured of the fun-filled night! I'm looking very forward to the next night out on the town with the curlfriends.

SAVE THE DATE!

May 21st, San Francisco, CA

Boy Energy

Lately, Emma has become quite the challenge for her teacher. Many a note home this last half of the school year reveals a level of bewilderment, amusement and most of the time all around confusion. I can never really offer too much of an explanation beyond the fact that the 'she' who shows up each and every morning is just who she is. Its no easy task trying to confine a dominant personality and energized spirit to a set rubric, especially when the two are intertwined within a Gemini. Now, this doesn't mean that dominant personalities are exempt from rule following, just that they often follow their own rules and demand that others do so as well. As expected, this is sure to create a clash in leadership. During our latest meeting, somewhere between the teacher's tales and the principal's rationalizations tumbled talk of 'boy energy'. I sat with that for moment.

When speaking of 'boy energy' they were of course speaking of all the rambunctious boys that help make up Emma's classroom, but I couldn't help but wonder about boys and girls and expectations, and was compelled to offer a reminder that rambunctious 'boy energy' does not just reside within boys. It just so happens to also resides within girls who love baseball and drum sets and guitars and race cars and video games and football and getting dirty. And just like some of those rambunctious 'boy energy' exerting tough boys, there are some nail polish wearing, dress sporting, tough girls who do not feel the need to apologize for being so. I gave birth to one of those.

The real challenge here is teaching the hard ugly lesson in the difference between effective leadership and just plain old fashion dictatorship. Seems that my little leader goes out into the world and dictates what those around her should be doing/should have already known they should have been doing/most absolutely WILL DO or else! The kid is that kid. Since I'm sure neither her teacher or principal will be giving her personology a lone stamp of approval anytime soon, the very best I can do is continue to assure them that we are all a part of Team Emma. So far so good!


June 5th Personology:

"You enjoy thinking about all manner of things thoroughly — be it a decision, a design, or a premise, it's all worth pondering. But you have too much zest to sit still with those thoughts. Once you've had time to process, it's time for action! Take care, however. Some people see this as officious. Try to express your enthusiasm in a way that doesn't come across as demanding." - Source

Happy Easter!

Perhaps it has to do with the world wind of a year we've just had, but these days, I've been keeping it very low key. The day before Easter is upon us and I'm not stressing about Easter dresses or Easter dinner. We will be kicking back this year with my grandmother and her delicious cooking. I did grab a few of Emma's favorites for her basket, and made up another for my little brother. I'm sure they will both be thrilled to find what's inside.

I hope that all of you have a very happy holiday weekend with family, and your special family traditions!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Source

As eventful as that sounds, it was really a rather uneventful day. I took it easy. For a girl who trades in her weekends and a few of her weekdays for a living, 'easy' can be considered a form of celebrating. I hid out in bed for a spell - just me, Netflix and the ever so present Facebook notification of bday love. There was a part of me that had a problem with the stillness of non-physical celebration, but yet a deeper part of me that appreciated being left to just be, on my special day. Keeping with my lax day, Emma and I headed over to IHOP for some dinner. With kids eating free for the whole month of April, it was just a win-win.

Card that Emma made for me

That's not all she wrote though, ya'll know I party harder than this. This Friday I'll be trying out a new local spot that I stumbled on. I haven't read one bad review yet, so I'm looking forward to having a pretty good time. Stay tuned...

For the Common Good

My car expenses may have just killed my chances of setting sail. It was a nice thought though. I really didn't see this break down in transportation coming. Like clockwork, at the worst possible time. There is no emergency car fund. That all went to the emergency restocking-of-the-fridge-gas-in-the-tank-tires-on-the-car-various-bills fund. I thought I had at least earned one reason to celebrate this coming Fall.

I have considered the possibility of giving up control of transportation, but I would be kidding if I said that I could do the day to day of the adventures of Emma and Barbara on a bus/train. Looks like I will have to catch the next one.

Ripple: Fail

I got the basic pattern right, meaning I can make it ripple, BUT its obvious that something somewhere is very wrong here. I'm gonna have to break down an get a written beginning to end pattern for this one. Luckily, fellow lover of granny squares, Sarah London, is having a pattern sale! She has some great creations! I don't think I can go wrong with her Zig Zag pattern.

I'm about 21 inches away from finishing Emma's blanket. Since next week is Spring Break, I'll have plenty of opportunities to head outdoors and crochet in the sunshine... just as long as I don't forget the benadryl!

After the Coils

Getting ready to head out to the Naturals Night Out event

I wish I could say that I had a fabulous coil out after removing my finger coils. Thanks to my itchy scalp, I did not. After a week I had to go ahead and wash. Ended up with my usual TWA. Since I waited until 2 hours before work to wash my hair there wasn't much styling I could do. I'm hoping to give the finger coils another shot later this month. I also want to give two-strand twists a try. I have 10 more days to make a birthday hairstyle decision. We'll see...

I had an amazing time at the Naturals Night Out event. There were a bunch of ladies in the building, with a bunch of cute styles, and we got to see THREE styling demonstrations, which included a cut. Not a big chop, but a nice cut that gave a growing head of curls a universal shape to play with. I learned some new things about cuts on curly girls, maintenance you can do at home, loc care, and got to sample some wonderful products from the Komaza Care line. The glass of champagne wasn't bad either. I love these events because I always walk away having met some great women, and reconnected with those that I usually on hang with virtually. I'm already looking forward to the next event, which I've heard will be around May 21st. I hope we have more events with more styling demonstrations. I'd love for someone who is passionate about natural hair care to get their hands in my head!

I didn't take any pictures this time, but there were lots of cameras in the building. I'll share some when they start to spring up.