Long Time, No See

WOW, I have really been slacking, out having fun swimming, dancing, jet skiing, doing everything BUT worrying about my hair. Not worrying about getting it wet, trying to be cute on the houseboat with a super fro or having to hit the pool in the early hours of the day so I could spend the afternoon washing, detangling, deep conditioning etc etc etc.

But with all this free time, been neglecting my sisterlocked cyber fam and for that I apologize. Here it is now almost month 7, my hair isn't locking yet but I am getting the buds on the ends and they seem to be thickening up even more..I think they are only thickening because I did a no-no. I dyed my hair at month 4 *gasp* I know, I know, I'm a naughty girl but I had all kinds of grey poking out all over my head like defiant children in church. Details on my dye job in my next blog.

Between month 5 and 6, my loctician went on maternity leave so I contacted a trainee by the name of Chesara'e (chez are ray) Fletcher. I first came in contact with Mrs. Fletcher when I was beginning my sisterlock journey and true to my word, contacted her for a retightening. I made my appointment four weeks in advance and once again, Chesara'e proved to be the consummate professional. Since she stated she was new and a bit slower, she quoted me a very reasonable per hour price. Even though it took her about 4 hours and it takes my normal consultant 2, the price was about the same. Chesara'e does work from her home but the environment is very professional and inviting.

My 6th month retightening took the same 2 hour time frame even though I was about 6 weeks out. There is some growth but not as much as I was expecting. I think its still shrinking. I will post some pics hopefully within the next few days. I have been experimenting with more styles and updo's. It must be looking good, as I am getting complements such as "Wow, your hair looks good," and "I wasn't sure about your hair at first, but I like it now," and the still ever popular, "Are those braids or locks?"

Set Back in my Journey

Ok NYE on my mini casino vacation, while sitting at the pai gow table, I get a call from my consultant. Being as my appointment is on January 6 and 7, I figured it was just my confirmation call. It started out that way when I heard my consultants sweet voice asking if I still wanted my SL's done and I eagerly stated yes as I am super excited to get started. Then she dropped a bombshell.  She stated that her schedule was much too busy to hold out 2 days just for one client next week and she would be booked until the second week in Feb.

Oh, my little nappy heart sank, I looked so distraught, people at the poker table that I had stepped away from to take the call asked me if I was ok. I waved them off and choked back tears. I had made this appointment on December 1st, it was supposed to be my milestone b-day present to myself. A 10 year journey to my next milestone b-day. My appointment is 10 weeks after my b day. Then as I was making the appointment date, all I could think was, what if she calls 3 days before my appointment and reschedules again? I am getting installed 3 days before Valentine's Day, which means I'm going to have that plucked chicken look, but I guess that is the least of my worries. 

My consultant is the only certified consultant in the Sacramento Area. So, I went the trainee route, only 3 were listed, left a message for one, one stated she would call me back this am (its now noon, I love CPT, but not when it comes to my hair,) and the others number was disconnected. 

So, back to the certified consultant list I go...The closest certified consultant to me is in Oakland California. With as much hair as I have, I KNOW its gonna take at LEAST 24-30 hrs to twist me up, which means a hotel room, gas money, breakfast, lunch AND dinner in another city overnight. 

After a night of uneasiness, I contacted my consultant to see if she could refer me to anyone else. She stated well, it depended on what type of atmosphere I wanted as all the people she knew, worked out of their home. Being as I really prefer a shop environment after getting my hair braided with Kings of Comedy or Young and the Restless blaring on the TV while trying to keep children out of my pocketbook, from using me as a climbing post and endless breaks to get the baby something to eat, answer the phone, door, run to the store, pick up my husband from work etc, etc, those were a turn off. *DISCLAIMER not saying any of the SL consultants or trainees in the Sacramento area run this kind of ship in any way, just has been my experience more oft than not while getting my hair braided.*

She then sweetly asked "You don't want to wait, I am really excited to do your hair as I haven't locked a full heard of long natural hair before, only transitioning hair." to which I replied "I am really eager to get started and I really don't want to have another month go by and end up with my appointment pushed back again. I don't want to be waiting on my SL's until June!!"

She then explained, which would have actually set my mind at ease if she had stated this in the beginning, "With the holidays being during the week this year, I wasn't able to see a lot of my clients on a regular basis and got overbooked and neglected SL's mean more work in the long run."

Makes more sense, I was still butt hurt, diva's don't like being put on the back burner, but at least I have some time to cover up this resistant grey hair at my temples that I laughed at my last dye job.