Duke Diesel

I met a puppy and fell in love. I knew he would bring happiness to me and most of my family members. Amongst his litter-mates, he was calm but playful - just the temperament I desired. His mother's breed is Pit Bull and her stud (the pup's father) a Douge de Bordeaux/French Mastiff. For me, he was the perfect mix. I called my brother in GA to see what he thought. He and I had been talking about him getting a dog. I knew it would be a good idea for him, being that he was going through a tough time. So we (my brother and I) decided that I would get the dog and let him stay with me for a few weeks for two reasons: 1) to see if I could be a dog-owner (for real this time); and 2) to house-break and train the dog so that my brother wouldn't have to worry about that. 

But there was one problem...

My matriarch mother (who is temporarily living with me) does not like dogs - at all. When I called to tell her what I purchased, she laid the biggest guilt trip ever. Saying, "I guess this is how you want to get rid of me!" and "If you wanted me to leave, you should've just said so!" 

After I hung up, I turned around in the car to the sweetest little thing ever -- or the bigger problem. The dog was already in the car with me and we were on our way home...at 9 pm. Infuriated, I called my mother back and asked if I could use her car for a road trip to my brother's in GA. I was stunned when she agreed to me driving her car for 10 hours through the night! (WOW) In hindsight, I realized that she was most likely influenced by another's disdain toward house pets...

moving on...

I drove through the night to my brother's safe and sound. I got there with pup, food, and pet supplies in tow. THEN. I. CRASHED. I hardly had enough time to enjoy visiting with my nieces and nephew, but I did enjoy seeing them for the couple of hours that I was awake. 

It was a lonely ride back home. I left my brother, his kids and my our their puppy - Duke. I know he's in good hands though.

Click here to see how Duke is growing!

I'll Do It...Don't Come Any Closer!

After conditioning my hair, it appears that some protective styling may be best for me now. I can tell my hair is growing, but I've been doing a lot with it and it's in need of a break. I've been polling my friends and associates to see what their thoughts on braiding my hair were. Some encouraged the idea, supporting it with the season, my increased level of activity and practicality. Others shrieked at the notion. "It's not very professional!" Huh? Did they forget that I had locs and held down a thriving professional career for over seven years? There are ways to style the hair so that it is still clean and presentable...duh. Another mentioned that braids were out of style...So you mean to tell me that one of the oldest styles in our civilization is now outdated?

Get outta here...

S-T-R-E-T-C-H...The Plot Thickens!!

OohWee! I don't know how much longer I can stretch my next relaxer. My last texlax application was June 1st, and I think my hair is starting to get used to my most recent regimen - a good problem, I guess. It's really starting to grow in thicker than usual. I'm trying to push my next texlax application to August 30th (which would be 90 days)...but I don't know. I am scheduled for a deep conditioning tonight. I'll be using Shu Uemura's Muroto Volume, which works to add volume to the hair.