I started a gallery yesterday for my up and coming hair stick collection:

http://www.loopfree.net/gallery/album82

My goal is to reach tailbone length.  Maybe further, if sitting on my hair doesn't annoy me, but I think it will.  :-)

Aside from my new found love of long hair, there is nothing new to report.   So my next post will be of old styles (don't worry, there weren't very many since I never liked to "fuss" with my hair.)  With pics if I can find them.

Cynde

Edit to fix typos

The History of Khrome's Hair

The Rice Bowl - A common cut for asian kids.  Aptly named for it's shape.  It resembles something that looks like you put a rice bowl over your head and cut around it.  I had this til I was about 6

Mom Hair - As some girls wanted, I wanted hair like my mom.  Short with a permed wave.  She was against it, but finally gave in.  All I can say is... Listen to your mother.

Blunt Bang's - for most of elementary school, I had blunt bangs while the back grew out.  Usually kept the sides up in a ponytail holder.

Duck Tail - aka An Experiment with Hair Products.  I cut my hair like a pixie and slathered gunk and goo so the back of my head resembled a duck.  I did not know it resembled a duck, until my mom kindly pointed that out after the fact.  This was 7th-8th grade.

So High You Can Reach the Sky - 80's was all about who could have the highest bangs.  I am proud to be able to architect a wall of hair that can withstand 83.254 MPH wind gusts.  This style lasted until my junior year of high school, with various lengths in back.  The back was always blunt.  I also did the Sun-In thing and stuff to make your highlights blue that never seemed to work.

In Between - I wanted an A-cut bob, but I couldn't bare to cut off all my hair at once.  So I just cut the sides and wore the back in a nape ponytail for about a year.

ByeBye Long Hairs - I finally cut the long parts of my hair into a proper a-cut bob.   My hair was so thick and course, it didn't lie flat at the nape.  So I just shaved it to about 5mm, maintaining it about every 3 weeks.  This was the last year of high school.

http://www.eccentricus.net/sticklers/uploads/hide_eyes.jpg

The Neverending Bob - And so, the bob lived on.. 5 years.. 10 years.. 15  okay maybe not that many.  About 11 years.  The only thing I really did different during that time was bleach the front of my hair and used semi-permanents. Loved the colors, but the mainetnance was a drag!

http://www.eccentricus.net/sticklers/uploads/old_eye.jpg

The Return of the Hair - no, not Star Wars Part 7.  As I mentioned in my post under Introductions, I had back surgery and didn't get to trim my hair while in recovery.  So I decided to go for a change and go long!
Also, got rid of the bleached parts and went for hi-lifts to make my hair a golden brown.  This was the in-between cut (got layers)

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album31/abr.thumb.jpg


This was is about a year ago:

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album66/aai.jpg

The Present and the Future - And that brings us up to today!  I was striving for the Namie Amuro look in this pic (she's a Japanese pop star) not so much the color but the cut.  But my hairdresser tells me she looks like she has extensions.  

http://image.libro.co.kr/music/f200/f200amuro%20namie%20-%20love%20enhanced.jpg

I don't want it so much anymore, but I do like having layers (tho it seems like a long hair faux pas.)  That's because if I decide to have a "wavy day" it looks better with layers.

Will post latest length later.

Cynde

Edit to add a section I forgot

Hair length pic taken today
http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album31/ace.sized.jpg

Eeww, looks like I'm in need of a color adjustment...  (0.0)

;D - I hate to admit this but I recognize and have had every single one of those haircut/do's - of course, I'm OLDE, so I do have an excuse *snork*.

While you are very cute in all those pics - I do believe this latest trend is the best, of course we are not biased around here or anything, and you can always keep the pink  8) ...g

I concur!  Long is better, and I'm having much more fun with it than pre-bob.  I don't think I can ever go back.  

Unless it's in my genes.  EVERY woman on my dad's side and mom's side has the same short, slightly permed, boys cut.  ACK.  

If in 10 years I start talking about cutting my hair, someone PLEASE kick me.  Thanks in advance! :D

Cynde  

Your hair is lovely...I'm definitely liking the long pretty hair much better, though I am not ashamed to admit I am biased. lol I also see you like Hello Kitty...I am big HK fan, I have sooo many things Hello Kitty. People think its scary! I look forward to getting to know you and your hair. :)

Isn't Hello Kitty just great??  I thought I was getting "too big" for Sanrio stuff around Junior High, so I stopped buying it.  But I think that was mainly because I worried about what my classmates thought.  But now I don't care if people think it's silly (and they usually don't - they're all admitting that HK is cool.) hee

Cynde

Well, today I think I may have hit a milestone.  I got my first "real" jewelry box.  Actually, it's a jewelry armoire with cherry finish and Queen Anne legs, courtesy of Walmart.  For the last few weeks I've been looking for something to store my growing collection of hair sticks.  The mini bamboo pot full of rice was getting a little crowded, plus I wanted something to keep the sticks from getting dusty.  For the last few days I was eyeing a mahagony watch case, with glass top, online.  But I was at Walmart today and saw the armoire which was $5.00 less and had more storage space.  It also solved the problem that I have a couple of pieces of "nice" jewelry that I didn't want to keep jumbled up and tangled with the fancy stuff.

The armoire looks nice, especially with the blue and white pot of rice on top.  I decided to still use the pot because it's handy when putting sticks on or off.

Anyway, it's a milestone because I NEVER thought I'd be the type of person to own a jewelry armoire.    I feel so grown up - HAHAH.  But I had to.  I have a new pair of LL sticks coming soon (so excited!) and they need a place to sleep.

Cynde

wrote on Jul 18^th, 2005 at 4:36am:

Anyway, it's a milestone because I NEVER thought I'd be the type of person to own a jewelry armoire.    I feel so grown up - HAHAH.  But I had to.  I have a new pair of LL sticks coming soon (so excited!) and they need a place to sleep. Cynde

Maybe you could put a few Hello Kitty stickers on it to "dress it down" a bit.   ;D

:::runs and hides::::

wrote on Jul 18^th, 2005 at 10:54am:

Maybe you could put a few Hello Kitty stickers on it to "dress it down" a bit.   ;D :::runs and hides::::

HAHAHHA actually that's not a bad idea!
*puts a sticker on BB's forehead before she gets away*

Cynde

OMG, Khrome...For some reason that struck me as hilarious. I actually laughed out loud enough for my BF to hear. I think it struck me as amusing because, I do silly things like that to people. Particularly the above mentioned BF. He deserves it though!  Tooooo funny! :D

wrote on Jul 18^th, 2005 at 4:24pm:

HAHAHHA actually that's not a bad idea! *puts a sticker on BB's forehead before she gets away* Cynde

Hmmm, I hope the sticker matches the banana stickers that I already have on my bike helmet!   ;D

Today I updated a pic in my gallery.  Instead of wearing the French Twist with LL "Blush Simple" sticks, I changed it to an Infinity Bun.  This is because my new LL sticks - "Strawberry Tea", which are in transit, would look better in the vertical position.  I wanted to get an Infinity bun pic, and the best way (for me) to secure it is to have the sticks horizontal.  So when I get them, "Strawberry Tea" will be in a French Twist.

The new pic was taken in my bedroom which has a tall, viney fence outside.  It makes the light in the room have a green hue to it.  I think that is what made my hair come out blacker in the new pic.

Cynde

Khrome...I just have to tell you this! I was reading your most recent post and clicked to see your profile...When I saw 32, I was stunned. Not saying 32 is old, because it is most certainly not...But I really thought you were maybe 19-22! You look absolutely lovely!  ;D

wrote on Jul 22^nd, 2005 at 12:20am:

Khrome...I just have to tell you this! I was reading your most recent post and clicked to see your profile...When I saw 32, I was stunned. Not saying 32 is old, because it is most certainly not...But I really thought you were maybe 19-22! You look absolutely lovely!  ;D

Why thank you! :D  Other than the typical health-issues that come with age, I *feel* young.  I stopped counting birthdays at 30.  lol  I was at a doctor's appt a couple weeks ago and the nurse asked me how old I was.  I said "33.  No wait.. 32.. <calculate>.. yeah, 32.  I'll be 33 in October."

It's funny because I can hang out my friends who work at the comic book store, who are 10 years younger than me.  And at my work, I can hang out with people that are 10 years older than me.  And honestly, everyone seems the same age.  They all crack the same jokes, watch the same shows, and even play the same video games.

I think the key to feeling young is to always set aside time to "play" (meaning doing some kind of hobby you like), be open to new ideas, learn new things, and stay active and healthy.  When you feel young, you tend to look young.

_{The Asian genes have something to do with it too.  ;D}

Ohyeah, despite my youthful appearance, I no longer get carded at R-rated movies.  :(

Cynde

Today I experimented with French Twist varients.  I did one horizontally, which came out surprisingly nice!  The profile on the side where the twist ended looked like a big outward flip.  The whole thing was loose, flowy, almost Gibsonesque.  Yet, really secure since I ran a stick in and out of the seam, which is on the top of all the weight.  So when the weight pulls down on it, it naturally works against the stick and keeps the whole thing from falling apart.  I don't know if I'd wear this out and about, because it *feels* asymetrical, and I don't really like that.  But I suppose I can get used to it.

The other varient was two regular twists which mirrored each other so the seams were touching.  It ended up looking like a butt on the back of my head.   ;D  I'll keep working on it though because I think it has potential.

Haven't put any "good sticks" on yet today - I practice new do's with chopsticks.

Cynde

My LL sticks got here last night!!  Omigosh they are beautiful!  Unfortunately, I'm committed to play Warcraft for the next couple of hours, so won't be able to take my pics until then.  I guess it all works out because that's when the sun hits my living room.

*goes off to finish the quest as quickly as possible*

Cynde

Well, I ended up playing Warcraft an hour and a half longer than I should have.  But luckily, the sun was just setting and I got a good shot of what my hair color looks like in the sun.  Very different!  I love the versatiliy of brown hair.   The pic is in my gallery along with my LL "Strawberry Tea" sticks!

I have give Susan a big Thank You and a hug because these sticks are GORGEOUS and they are really special to me.  The reason they are so special is because I'm a big fan of tea, and a big fan of the color pink, so you can imagine just how perfect these sticks are to me!  The pic I took is of me sitting in front of my "tea corner" where I keep my Yixing pots, gaiwans, tea ware, and canisters of loose leaf teas.

Cynde

I'm almost out of shampoo and conditioner which I was getting from reflect.com.  Last month they closed their doors, and though Proctor & Gamble (sp?), their mother company, promised to continue their products in one of their many other companies, they haven't done so yet and I have to find an alternative.  I think I will go back to Abba hair products (they are all-vegan).  

Reflect.com was an innovative company, specializing in "custom beauty".  You filled out a web form that asked detailed questions about your skin condition, hair condition, what you want your hair to feel like after a wash, what texture you liked your products to be, and they custom made your products.  They were always infused with natural ingredients.  They even labeled the bottle whatever you wanted.

I found my formula sheets, so I'm listing my infusions (these were customized with eczema and dry skin in mind):

cynde's daily essential shampoo

• fortified with humectants to gently cleanse and help hydrate your hair and scalp, leaving your hair softer and more supple
  
• contains a soothing chamomile to help calm the scalp and relieve itching and dicomfort
  
• contains fruit and grain extracts to boost cellular nutrition and help keep your hair and scalp healthy
  
• infused with castor oil to help improves the elasticity of hair and restore shine
  
• pH balanced to be gentle to hair
  
• dermatologist tested to be non-allergenic
  
• bamboo tea fragrance
  

cynde's nourishing conditioner

• formulated with rice milk to revitalize your hair leaving it supple and full of shine
  
• formulated with soothing natural oats that help relieve the itching and discomfort associated with an irratated scalp
  
• infused with sunflower extracts, rich in anti-oxidants, that help prevent damage before it can begin
  
• formulated with vitamins E & K to nourish your hair and provide renewed strength
  
• contains glycerin, a humectant, to moisturize and condition your scalp
  
• dermatologist tested to be non-allergenic
  
• bamboo tea fragrance
  

I started using this formula in 2003, and changed last year to a color-friendly formula.  I can't find those sheets though...

I'm so bummed they went out of business.  They had great products and customer service.  I truly believe they were just ahead of their time.

Cynde

EDIT:  I found an old pic - lookee, the bottles have my name on them:

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album67/abe.sized.jpg

FINALLY made my hair appt to get my roots colored and a trim.  It's tomorrow at 12:00.  Couldn't go last week as planned because my boyfriend didn't tell me he was getting his teef extracted.  I ended up having to stay home with him because he needed some looking-after.

My best friend (the one that made the crocheted shawl in one of my pics) really likes my new LL sticks, and is considering growing her hair. Yay!  Her's is BSL with layers.  She is in the process of moving, but I will send her a gift certificate after she moves.

Cynde

Hair appointment today went great.  Valentina said my scalp looked like it had new skin (which is from the eczema treatment I'm on.)  This was good to hear, since I can't see my own scalp!  She also said my hair was super healthy, and even asked me if really wanted a trim!   :D

First was my roots.  Valentina used Redken Double Lights to lighten the color.  Double Lights is only to be used on Levels 1-5 color hair (1=Black, 2=Very Dark Brown, 3=Dark Brown, 4=Brown, 5=Medium Brown.)  It lightens these colors by 4 levels.

After that, I went ahead with a trim because I've been inspired by you guys to take better care of my hair.   ;) She didn't take off much overall length, but did make more layers to "give my hair more swing".  I really like layers because it takes off the physical and visual weight off the bottom of my hair.

So here are the results -

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album31/acg.sized.jpg

Trying to show the front layers in this one:
http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album31/ach.sized.jpg

Then I asked for shampoo and conditioner suggestions.  I remembered that it wasn't ABBA I last used before reflect.com, it was LOMA (darn these four letter words...)  So I got LOMA Perspective Shampoo and Enable Conditioner.  She also gave me samples of Simplicity Shampoo and Expect Conditioner.

Perspective Ingredients:
aloe vera gel, aqueous extracts of: calendula, lavender, and rosemary, alkylpolyglycocides(corn); cocamide MEA (coconut), hydrolyzed whole wheat protein, panthenol (provitamin b-5), cocamidopropyl, betaine (coconut), polyquater-nium 4, glycol distearate, citric acid, pure oregon peppermint oil, DM DM hydantoin

Enable Ingredients:
aloe vera gel, aqueous herbal extract of tormentil, comfrey, kelp, horsetail, chamomile, watercress, witch hazel, ceearyl alchohol (moisterizer), peg-40 castor oil, stearalkonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride, keratin amino acids (human hair), panthenol (provitamin b-5), dimethicone, hydrolyzed whole wheat protein, orange, tangerine, rosemary, clove, ylang ylang, essential oils, phenoxyethano, methyl paraben, ethyl, paraben, propyl paraben

I'm sure I misspelled a word or two in there.

Some URLs
Loma Web Site
ABBA Website
Cheri Bibi Website (my salon)

Cynde

GORGEOUS HAIR!!!!!   8) :o

Cool!  Your hair looks so shiney and the ends look great!

Many thanks, BB and Sakina!  

It's 1:00am and I can't stand the scent of my hair.  To wash out all the coloring stuff, she used Loma Pearatin which smells like an apple-scented air freshener.  I liked it at first, but now I can't wait to wash my hair with the new stuff.  I think I'll do that tomorrow (I mean, today) instead of waiting til tomorrow (which is really Friday).  Ugh, I can't stand being in the same room with myself.  lol

Cynde

Your hair looks absolutely beautiful...and you have the nicest ends I have ever seen! So thick, shiny and healthy looking right down to the ends. I'm evious!

Also, I know what you mean about being in the same room with yourself...I am really sensitive to scents and if I apply even too much perfume, I am sick to my stomach and headachey all day. Ick.

Oh triple dittos on the lovely hair *sigh*...g

Thankee AtlantisAllure and Gabi :D

My master plan to shower in the morning was put off by a ton of work.  So I had to live with air-freshner-smell all day.  :P  But now I smell like tangerine and ylang-ylang (with a hint of the color processing smell.)  So I'm happy!  

During my break I practiced doing a Chinese bun.  I'm trying to perfect doing it with only 2 sticks, and no ponytail holders or anything else.  I was able to do it several times, and now it just needs fine-tuning and all-day testing.

Tonight, more comb research.  I'm leaning towards a Ric's comb.  I LOVE the ornate boxwoods, but the ones I want are over $100!   :o  Definitely going on the birthday or Christmas list.

Cynde

I finally ordered some combs today.  I found an eBay seller that had bamboo, boxwood, and ox horn combs for a reasonable price, so I bought one of each.  I paid a total of $21.  I'm kind of concerned about the quality considering the low price, but I'll make sure to double-check the seams and report back any problems.

Here is the link to their store - the combs are not listed since I just bought them, but the seller will repost them:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZallhealthtool

Cynde

I hope the combs work out for you, Cynde!

Your hair photos look so lovely.  That is where my target length is!

Cynde, I love your shine and color :-*

ETA: as for the Sierra Legacy combs by Ric, I have the Vest-pocket and the Longhandled kind... and I think the Longhandled one is completely unnecessary. The combs are HUGE compared to regular ones, and they are also wide tooth.

Anais

Thanks Panpeus!  It's a great length.  I don't have a target goal, but I think I'll try tail-bone and if I don't like it I'll cut it back to this length.

Thanks Anais!  I really like those pocket Ric's combs, especially the che-chen wood.  I may end up getting one for the purse.  ;-)

Cynde

Well, it turns out the samples that I got for Loma Simplicity Moisturizing Shampoo and Loma Expect Moisturizing Conditioner worked better than the ones I bought (Perspective and Enable.)  So today I exchanged the ones I bought (salon does exchanges/refunds even if you've used most of the product.) :D

I exchanged the shampoo because it felt like it dried my scalp.  I was kind of undecided about the conditioner, but each time I used it I started sneezing a couple hours later.  I liked it's scent more, but the new one left my skin and hair nicely moisturized.  My skin was really first priority because of it's severe dry condition.  Also the new conditioner is for colored hair.

My only worry is that both contain dimethicone.  I will have to keep a close eye on buildup.  So here are the ingredients of the new stuff:

Loma Simplicity Moisturizing Shampoo
aloe vera gel, lavendar, sodium methyl 2-sulfolaurate & disodium 2-sulfolaurate & cocamidopropyl betaine & lauramide mea & cetrimonium chloride & peg-150 distearate, distearyl pthlactic acid, cocoamide mea, dimethicone, acetamide mea, lactamide mea, maize gluten amino acid, hydrolyzed whole wheat protein, jojoba oil, panthenol (provitamin B-5), mango oil, orange oil, fragrance, dm dm hydantoin, polyquartinium 4, edta.

Loma Expect Instant Moisturizing Conditioner
aloe vera gel, fennel seed extract, sunflower seed extract, cetearyl alchohol (moisturizer), peg-40 castor oil, stearallonium chloride, cetyl alchohol, cetrinomium chloride, meadowfoam seed oil and shea butter, cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone, honey, hydro-creatin, cetyl bromide, superoxide dismutase, melanin, panthenol (provitamin b-5), dm dm hydantoin, peach oil, orange oil, citric acid, tocopheral acetate

I don't think I'm completely happy with these ingredients.  I will still try other alternatives.

This board has made a positive impact on my hair habits in the short time I've been here.  I'm very grateful!  The only things I did pre-forum was shampoo/condition every day or every other day, and sleep with my hair over the back of my pillow.  Since I've joined the forum, I now:

• am more committed to getting trims
  
• accept the variations in my color, and will not attempt to "fix" them (I will still get my roots done though, I love having brown hair)
  
• trim individual knots at the ends of my hair as I find them (I don't really get split ends or I'd trim those too)
  
• am more concious about not leaning against my hair - covered the gritty fabric of my office chair with a cotton cloth; keep hair up if I think it will come in contact with things
  
• trying to pay more attention to shampoo and conditioner ingredients; paying more attention to how my hair reacts to them
  
• will use a gentler, less static-y comb (waiting for them to arrive in the mail)
  
• talk to my hair in a soft, soothing voice
  

Cynde

EDIT Oop missed one:

• Make sure my shower water is LUKEWARM.  The water pressure is terrible in my apartment, so I used to tend to be impatient and just shower in hot water.  But now I spend more time getting the temperature right, which has proven to be beneficial to my hair AND my skin.   :D
  

I had a similar sneezing fit when I tried some Victoria's Secret shampoo and conditioner in Love Spell.  It gave me a killer headache, too.

Maybe I need to talk to my hair in a soothing voice!

Ugh, fragrance headaches.. Those are the worst!

Just pretend you're talking on a cell phone when you talk to your hair - it'll keep you from getting funny looks.   :)

Cynde

Combs Came Today

I just got my combs in the mail!  And.. I.. cannot.. stop.. SCRITCHING!   OMG, it feels soooo goood.  I don't even care if it's not doing what they say it does, I'm going to scritch anyway because it makes my head feel good.  (This is with the ox horn one.)

The boxwood comb has some nice wide teeth.  It has a light painting of a peacock on the handle which you couldn't see in the ebay picture, so I'm doubly happy about this comb.

The bamboo comb I'm not too sure about - it's teeth are similar to the ox horn (not as wide, and somewhat pointy) so I wonder if it's meant more for scritching motions than for combing?

Cynde

HAHAH I was wondering why I kept editing this and kept seeing the word "peathingy".  Evidently, the profanity filter thought "peac0ck" is a bad word.

Knot Last Night but the Night Before

Found a knot at the bottom of ONE hair last night while  watching TV.  Being very annoyed with the knot, with no scissors near by, I absentmindedly worked my way up to the root.  I started to pull the hair out when I conciously realized what I was about to do.  I fought with myself for several seconds, arguing with my hand - "do.. not... pull.. out... hair!"  My Jedi powers overtook the urge, and I got off my lazy butt to get scissors.

Giving Up Scritching
It irritates my skin, unfortunately.  But it feels so good when you are doing it.  IBut I never get gunk anyway, and I did it more for massage and I can still do that with my fingertips.  My mom gets gunk, so I will give her my two scritching combs and keep the widetooth for length combing.  So all is well!

New Practice Sticks
My boyfriend brought me home a new set of disposable chopsticks.  Aaah the simple pleasures!  Last night I remembered I have small sandpaper that is used to sharpening drawing pencils.  I sanded all the sticks to a nice rounded point.  Later I think I'll do the tops since sanding was kind of relaxing to do.  :)

Cynde

Trek to the health food store

I was out of mutivitamins, so I went to Lazy Acres, a heathfood store, to get more.  I get Nature's Life Soft Gelatin Mutivitamins because it's closest to the recommended dosages from the chart on this page:
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/hc/resourceareas_comparison/1,1573,,00.html

I took a look at the shampoos and conditioners too.  Avalon looked pretty good - no parabens, cones, SLS.  Hopefully I won't have an allergic reation to it.  I think I have more allergies to natural things than synthetic things.  :)

Cynde

I love the Avalon Organic Botanicals!  I use the skin care everyday for more than a year now, my skin has never been so comfortable!  I was using the hair care until a couple of months ago when I started LML.

I hope Avalon works for you.  Alba is also made by the same company, but other than their seaweed toner it didn't work as well for me.

Good Luck!!

Thanks Sakina - Avalon is working out great so far!

So my observations with Avalon - the conditioner is hard to work through because it's so creamy.  Nothing some extra water and a wide tooth comb can't fix.  As my hair is drying it's not as smooth as it was on cones, and I get a little friz.  But as soon as it's dry it's super soft, easy to comb, and the friz stays down after combing it.

I contacted Loma a few weeks ago when I was trying to find out if there were cones in the conditioner (but bought the conditioner anyway before they replied.)  I happened to get a reply from the founder of the company, who is also a chemist.  I asked him it there are scientific studies that prove the theory that cones coat the hair and leads to dryness and brittleness.  He said he has gotten a lot of emails about cones, but not that reasoning in particular.  He said it does not happen with dimethicone because it is water soluable and washes out each time.  I think I will only use it on occasion though, if I'm feeling particularly dry.  

I bought my best friend a LL gift certificate.  :D  I can't wait to see what sticks she will pick out.

I got a compliment on my sticks last week from a lady in a checkout line.  And compliments on my hair color by MY BOYFRIEND'S MOM.  I met her for the first time over the weekend.  I'm glad my hair made a good impression.  I hope the rest of me made a good impression too.  I was so nervous!  :)

And once again, an ingredient list -

Avalon Organics Lavender Nourishing Shampoo
Certified organic lavandula angustifolia (lavender), calendula officinalis (calendula) and lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower extracts (aqueous)(1), cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, beta-glucan (oat), panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), soyamidopropalkonium chloride, tocopherol (vitamin E), bisabolol (chamomile), arginine (amino acid), babassuamadopropalkonium chloride, ethylhexylglycerin, and certified organic lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil(2).
1) Certified by Quality Assurance International
2) Certified by International Certification Services

Avalon Organics Lavender Nourishing Conditioner
Certified organic lavandula angustifolia (lavender), calendula officinalis (calendula) and lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower extracts (aqueous)(1), certified organic helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil(1), cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, stearic acid, soyamidopropalkonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride, cyclopentasiloxane, emulsifying wax, beta-glucan (oat), certified organic orbignya oleifera (babassu) seed oil(2), panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), bisabolol (chamomile), arginine (amino acid), babassuamadopropalkonium chloride, ethylhexylglycerin, sodium chloride, tocopherol (vitamin E), and certified organic lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil(3).
1) Certified by Quality Assurance International
2) Certified by Instituto Biodinâmico
3) Certified by International Certification Services

Cynde

Khrome!  I'm glad Avalon is working for you so far.  The lavender is what I started out with, too.  I went through a wierd period of adjusting to no cones, so don't give up!

Continued success!

Catching Up with Pics

It's been so crazy hectic with work that I haven't had a chance to take the pics that go along with my past posts.  So I'm catching up!  

These are the styles I was trying when I experimented with French Twist variants:

Two French Twists with facing seams

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/twovertfrenchtwist.jpg

Horizontal French Twist, Back View

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/horizfrenchtwist.jpg

Horizontal French Twist, Side View

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/horizfrenchtwist_side.jpg

Two Horizontal French Twists, Back View

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/twohorizfrenchtwist.jpg

Two Horizontal French Twists, Side View

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/twohorizfrenchtwist_side.jpg

Chinese Bun with No Strings Attached
(still trying to perfect this.  Instead of using a ponytail holder, I make a braid that crosses about 3 times, then put the stick through it.)

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/chinesebun.jpg

Two Buns
(Nothing spectacular here - I just like the way my layers stick out and curl over my ears)

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/twobuns.jpg

Wavy Day
(waves after wearing an Infinty Bun all day.  I took 3 pics and they were all blurry...)

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/waves.jpg

(same wave day but I was standing in the wrong spot.  How dramatic!)

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/drama.jpg

Bigger pics, so linking to them:

The three combs I got on ebay for $20.  From left to right, Ox Horn, Bamboo, and what I thought was Boxwood, but now think it's Peach Wood

Armoire from Walmart for "good" sticks, pot of rice with Practice Sticks

For Panpeus - the DDR shirt I was talking about with Haute Couture DDR skirt.  (j/k - it's the dance pad I was feeling goofy.)  Hmm, game-skins don't have them anymore.  Good thing you can make your own.  :)

Cynde

Great pics!  I've never thought of experimenting w/french twists.  You're hair is very beautiful.

Your armoire is much prettier than my see though drawers!

Thanks for the compliments, Sakina!  :D

I Have a Hair Minion!

Or Minion in Training.  Since I've gotten faster and better at putting my hair up, my boyfriend has taken an interest and watched me a couple times.  He's techie, so I think he was kind of intrigued by the "engineering" aspects of sticks.  Today I had just a ponytail, and he said "you're not wearing wearing a bun!"  I said "I know!  I'm being lazy!"  He said "I want to make one".  So he made a bun, and put the ponytail scrunchie around it.  

Then he went about his business, came back and saw my hair was falling.  He mumbled something about not being able to make a bun and tried it again.  The scrunchie wouldn't hold this time.  He was determined now!   He left the room and came back with my wood comb and hair sticks.  

He tried the bun with sticks, and it fell out.  I said "here I'll show you".  And he said "no!  I want to figure it out myself."  After a couple more tries he finally "let" me tell him how sticks worked.  He got it!  The bun is loose and lopsided, but it's still holding (that was about 2 hours ago.)  :D

Cynde

Aww, that's so cute!  I've tried to teach hubby to do an English braid, but he got frustrated and gave up.  Maybe I'll see if he's up to trying again.  It is important to train 'em up right and early!  ;D  ;D  ;D

This is true - they become resistant with age *EVILLE  ;D*

I love the double sided french twists.  Great pics ...g

Those are nice hairstyles, Khrome! And your hair is so thick and shiny!! WOW! :D

Good luck training your hair minion--er, I mean boyfriend. ^_^

In today's news, no new Minion Training to report.  I'll have to crack that whip this weekend (I'll have to borrow Sakina's whip.)  Muahahahah

Mini Snips
I was rumaging through an old bag of Christmas stocking stuffers and I found these cute little scissors!  I'm going to keep them in my purse in case I find knots in my hair on-the-go.

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/snip.jpg

Parts and Roots
Yesterday, I changed my part from the middle to the left side.  I think I was developing a "gutter" down the middle.  Lo and behold, I was shocked to see almost half an inch worth of roots!  The sun had lightened the middle part so I wasn't able to tell.  I'm just surprised because my hair had gone into a growth lull.  Maybe the extra attention, better products, and better combs are encouraging it.   I tried to take a pic, but it came out blurry and the light was bad.  But you can kind of see them on the right side of this pic (left side hairs stick straight up so you can't see the roots on that side.)

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/roots.jpg

Lying Down Pic
While I had the camera out, I tried taking one of those lying down pics.  It came out okay - I plan on taking a better one.  This is my God Pose from Sistene Chapel.

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/swoosh.jpg

Comb Care?
Ohyeah, and I oiled my comb today - it was looking a little dry.  I used olive oil since it seemed the best choice from what was in my kitchen - vegetable oil and peanut oil.   I hope I made the right choice...  Hopefully I'll get around to ordering camelia oil.  I contacted the vendor I bought the comb from and found out it is made from boxwood.  I don't even know why I suspected it might be peach wood.

Cynde

Khrome, I think I've been negligent on posting in here on your hair.   ???  

I love the colors in your hair, very beautiful!!  I love the different styles you can wear with the hairsticks.  I never can seem to make anything but the regular cinnamon bun or a figure eight (which nearly always slips on me).  

Keep posting hairstyles, I will find one I can recreate!  ;D

The Hello Kitty scissors are so cute! I think I used to have a pair a long time ago.

BTW, I like your God Pose.  :)

Cuuuuuuute!

As usual I have hair envy - sheesh, it would be so nice to have that much hair in front of your ears...mine's whimpy there ...g

Maroula - no worries at all!  Thanks, I'm glad you like the pics.  :D

Juri - thankee!  Yeah, I've seen sanrio recycle their stuff in different styles.  I found a vintage pair of scissors for $15.  But for that amount, I'd be afraid of using it. lol

Gabi - thanks!  I always wish I have *less* hair in front.  I guess it's one of those "grass is greener on the other side."  I can't wait until my hairline recedes.  :D

My ends have been dry the last couple of days.  I used my cone stuff before I saw BB's post that I should give it 3 weeks to adjust from no cones.  Oops!!  Starting over again.  

Cynde

Gorgeous "God pose"  :D

:) I just read thru your journal and looked at all these beautiful pictures. Your hair is just gorgeous  :) :) :)

I'm with Gabi, getting a little bit of this hair envy  :) :)

Thanks Anais!  Thanks Moonchild!

New Lying Down Pic
Here is the new and improved lying down pic.  I think I look less like God from Sistene Chapel, and more like a mermaid.  I really enjoyed taking this pic because it gave me an opportunity to wear my Chinese hankie top.  It's completely backless, and I haven't had the nerve to wear it in public.  :)

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album31/acj.jpg

Cynde

Edited - rotated pic

Gorgeous hair, Khrome, as always.   :o  And the top is a stunner too!  It looks terrific on you - I don't think you need to be nervous about wearing it in public.  But you could always leave your hair down for a bit of "coverage" if you want.   :)

Your hair looks so pretty!  It has a swirl of subtle highlights in it.  The top looks great! <thumbs up>

Oh, nice picture!  :)

I love the colors on the halter top...works so well with your coloring.   :D

Nice, Khrome! :D I feel like that pic could be a shampoo ad. ^_^

Beautiful!  I love the top!  Your hair looks fantastic too.

Thank you all!  It was a fun pic to take, and had to take about 20 shots to get 1 good one.  It was quite a contortionist act - I had to make sure the camera was on (it has an auto-shutoff), lie down, get in the right spot, arrange hair in swirls, keep shoulders down, keep arms out of the way, eyebrows and cheeks raised, keep eyes up, keep chin down - all the while clicking the camera remote so the auto-shutoff wouldn't kick in.  Then I get up, check shots, and repeat.  I look all calm and relaxed but I felt like I had a workout after.  :D

Cynde

And I was going to ask who took the picture for you. LOL! It was worth all the effort you put in.  :)

Gorgeous as usual, special mention for the top.

And you take such good photos too ... keep that up ...g

Thank you much!  I think I'm going to look into getting a tube top so I can actually wear that top out and about.  Maybe I'll get used to the open back eventually.

First ACV Rinse, Ever

As I mentioned earlier, I goofed and didn't give my hair time to adjust to the organics.  So I wanted to start off right this time, and did an ACV rinse after my shampoo.  I let it sit for a while, then rinsed.  I wanted to see the effects, so I didn't condition.  I detangled and let it air dry.  The ends started to dry a lot faster than the length - just about 1 inch at the bottom.  So I dampened the ends, and applied a drop of organic conditioner diluted in water.

After it was dry, my hair felt lighter and the strands were smoother.  My scalp also felt "fresh" and my skin did not dry out, which I was worried about.  The color looks lighter, or less red.

I will be adding ACV rinses to my haircare regiment.  The amount and timing is still to be worked out.  1 tablespoon ACV in 2 cups water seemed good, but I'm not sure if it should be more.  Also, I need to figure out something for my ends if they continue to be dry.  Maybe some shea butter.  :D

Cynde

First Time using Shea Butter

After my dry-ends experience last night after ACV, I thought it was a good idea to pick up some shea butter.  Selection was easy - the health food store, which is the size of a super market, had one brand, and only one tub left of that brand!  They were having a big sale, so I got lucky I guess.  The one I got was this:

http://www.nowfoods.com/?action=itemdetail&item_id=3283

After washing with just shampoo and conditioner, I applied to my ends while it was still wet.  It was pretty hard to get the amount I wanted out of the tub, so I think I ended up buttering too much.  I liked the results -my ends were soft and easy to detangle.  

Cynde

Naughty Knots

I cut these last night.  They are so annoying - tiny little knots.  I don't get split ends but I get these.  Does anyone else get these??

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/knots.jpg

Scarf Variants with Sticks

Actually, a square bandana, not really a scarf.  

This is under-over and ties on top.  This is the loose version - it kind of resembles a sack:
http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/loose.jpg

And the side view:  
http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/loose_side.jpg


This is the tighter version - it resembles a bun cover:  
http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/tight.jpg


This wraps over the top, ending at the bottom  I wrapped the sticks too - makes me look like there's a lot of hair in there :):
 
http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/oversticks.jpg

Instructions for Under-Over variant

• Fold the bandana diagonally so that one end is shorter than the other.  Fold the excess several times until it forms a triangle
  
• http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/bandanafold.jpg
  
• Put hair up in a bun with sticks forming an "X"
  
• http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/bun.jpg
  
• Wrap the long ends of the triangle around the bun, with the short flap underneath, facing your back.  Tie on top.  You can make this as tight or as loose as you want
• http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/wrapbun.jpg
  
• Take the end of the longer flap and flip it up going between the sticks and over the bun.  Tie the ends again, over the flap to secure it.  I even flip the corner and tie it over a third time, but that's optional.
  
• http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/loose.jpg
  

Very cool bun cover with sticks!

As for the knots....... do you get them after leaving your hair down?  or after washing?

Neat!  I love bun scarfs!!  Yours look great!! ;D

Thanks BB and Lisabelle!

BB - I'm not sure when the knots happen.  But I don't notice them until after a wash because when my hair is wet I can really feel them.  I'll try to pay attention to when they seem to occur.  Perhaps it happens when I'm detangling?

Cynde

Really like your bandana bun do with sticks!  :)
Looks different  :)

whenever my hair is long enough, I'll be ready to copy :)

That bandana bun cover is a neat idea, Khrome!

I get those little knots too. I'm not sure what's causing mine, but I end up finding them when I look for split ends.

Washing could be the cause - are you careful about not moving the length of your hair?  Do you completely detangle before you wash?  

Thankee Moonchild and Juri!

BB - I detangle before I wash, but when I wash I still end up getting things all uneven.  After shampoo, it's very tangly.  I also use a wide tooth comb when doing conditioner, and I bet that's when I get the knots.  I will pay attention tonight.

But then again, I used to get knots before I use the conditioner comb... Hmm.....  Maybe it's an asian hair thing since Juri get's them too.

Hair Minion Designs (tm)

Last night, HM (aka boyfriend aka hair minion) wanted to "make a new style".  So with much tugging and twisting, he came up with this 'do (it does not have a name, and he's not telling me how he did it, though I have a good guess)
http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/bbstyle1.jpg

And then for his second trick, he did this style - looks like a cinnamon bun, but I know he got to it by different means.  :)
http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/bbstyle2.jpg

Cynde

Very  8)!  You've got a good HM there - don't let him get away!

Oh, your hair minion is very good.  :)  

Great buns! ;)

I end up getting tangles when I wash, too. But I think my knots are from moving my hair too much.

Your HM seems like he's going to make a good one!  :) Maybe your HM should talk to Panpeus' BF and somehow convince him to become her hair minion.  ;)

BTW I give your new avatar two thumbs up!  :D

I love your new avatar!!  Bravo!

I get those knots sometimes, actually I found one this morning.  I'm not sure how they happen.

Thanks BB, Maroula, Juri and Sakina!  

I think you guys are right about the knots.  I do end up moving the length up and down when shampooing and it makes a bit of a tangled mess at the bottom.  I'm used to combing with cones in my hair, which meant I could run the comb through faster.  With the organic stuff, my hair doesn't slide as easily (I think I heard it referred to as "slip"?)  When I actually paid attention to this, I noticed it was similar to how threads are pushed down to create a rug on a loom.  Good for rugs, bad for hair!  Now I'm working on combing more slowly.

Thanks for help with investigating this little problem!  

Cynde

This HM thing is really working for you  ;D.

As usual loved all the pics *YAY*.

The knots - that's exactly the type I get - no splits (yet, crossingfingers and toes) but occasionally one of the angle bends.  Happens when I lay down on it wrong too ...g

Thanks Gabi!  Interesting about knots and lying on hair.  Sometimes I just lie right on my hair, without smoothing it out of the way.  I'll have to be more concious of that.

"To Infinity and Beyoooond"  or "Infinity, Squared"

Yesterday, I wore two infinity buns to see what kind of waves they gave me.  The waves did not come out good.  These were taken at the end of the day, and they had rotated.  Looks like Medusa-head.

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/infinite.jpg

First Braided Chinese Bun

Today I tried a braided Chinese bun.  Oops!  I missed a strand.  I had to use 6 bobby pins on this one.  I don't know if I'll keep practicing this style because I don't really like to wear bobby pins.  A scrunchie looks nice on a regular Chinese bun - maybe I'll try this again with a scrunchie.  

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/braided_chinese.jpg

Also, still trying to do the odango style, and still not getting it.   :-/  

Cynde

Damn, you have a lot of hair girl!   :o

The double infinity buns are very different looking...they look a bit heavy, were they?

I love the braided bun with the hairstick, really nice!

I love the different types of buns you come up with. :)

OK - that does it *grump* - I want YOUR hair on my head and I want it now  ;D...g

Thank you, Maroula and Gabi!  

Maroula, the infinity buns are actually a lot lighter than a basic bun, probably because the weight is distributed more.  In order of heaviness, I would say a basic bun is heaviest, then one infinity, then two infinity.  Err, "infinities."  Hmm, is there a plural for "infinity"?  LOL

Cynde  

wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2005 at 7:44am:

Thank you, Maroula and Gabi!   Maroula, the infinity buns are actually a lot lighter than a basic bun, probably because the weight is distributed more.  In order of heaviness, I would say a basic bun is heaviest, then one infinity, then two infinity.  Err, "infinities."  Hmm, is there a plural for "infinity"?  LOL Cynde

Lol!  

I figured that, but I can't get over how thick they look.  My one infinity bun is still smaller than one of your "infinities buns".  :-/  But it's all good. ;)

They are Amazon Infinities  ;D *ducking under my 'puter desk* ...g

wrote on Sep 4^th, 2005 at 5:55am:

They are Amazon Infinities  ;D *ducking under my 'puter desk* ...g

*tries to grab gabi but is laughing too hard*

lmao

ROFL Gabi!  Supersized Infinitae.  I'll take fries with those!  

Shopping Yesterday
Lessee, I got Size 10 baby pink cotton thread and plain Scunci elastics to make hair bun covers.  Already had a Size 5 crochet needle in my craft box, yay!

I also got a plum silk roll with gold dragon brocade at an import store.  Total impulse buy but I figure I'll eventually need it when I travel.  

Cynde
I also got a lap desk because my new laptop that work issued me gets really hot and has been drying out my legs.  I love this little desk.  It's a pillow with fabric that matches my couch exactly, but the trim is green instead of burgundy.  I'm thinking of calling the woman that makes them to see if she has other colors.  Anyway, it's originally meant for holding hardbound books.  The new version has an acrylic top that functions as a desk.

Here is a pic of how it holds books open.  Vertical straps hold the cover, while diagonal straps hold your page open or serves as a bookmark.  The weight of the book is distributed evenly and makes it seem amazingly light:

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/desk/pillow2.jpg
http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/desk/pillow4.jpg

Here is the clear acrylic top, and an action shot.  The top is held by the diagonal straps.  Those straps can also be used for keeping papers in place.  The vertical straps can be tightened to give it more incline.

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/desk/desk5.jpg
http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/desk/desk6.jpg

Bun Cover Progress

I'm using the pattern that Lisabelle posted in her journal (thanks Lisabelle!), and I'm glad it was the simpler design.  It's been a LONG time since I crocheted!  I'm so rusty.  I ended up starting over after Rnd 6 because it was coming out like Madonna's pointy-cone bra.  Now I'm on Rnd 5 of the new one.

More Good Hair Habits

In my August 4 journal entry I listed the changes I've made since I joined the board.  I'm listing more changes I've made since then.  I had a couple of bad habits that I didn't think were a big deal, but it did make a difference when I stopped doing them.

• I don't wash my hair upside down anymore.  I wash with my hair in back, or over my shoulders
  
• I don't put my hair up in a tight turban after washing anymore.  
  
• Committed to weekly ACV rinses
  
• I'm off of cones!
  
• Using shea butter on my ends
  
• Trying to find the nature of knots and how to prevent them
  
• Detangling from the bottom, up.  I knew this when I was little, but forgot since I haven't had long hair in over 12 years
  

Cynde

ETA:  Change part so I won't develop a "gutter"

:) Congrats on stickin' to your GOOD HAIR Habits  :)

Seems to work for you. Very pretty buns, btw  :)

That detangling from the bottom is amazingly easy to forget - I've learned - but it's still natural to feel like starting at the top ...g

Thank you, Moonchild!  

Yup, Gabi, I forget that all the time.  I usually remember after a yank, some pain, and exclamations of profanity.  :)

Finished Bun Cover!

I thought it was going to be too small, but it fits perfect.  Probably because it's cotton.  It started off small, and after I tried to get it on a couple times, it "grew" to the right size.  

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/pinkbuncover.jpg

Braided Bun Variant

Most of the styles I put in my journal are experimental, and they're not in my "daily bun rotation".  But this one is definitely being added - I came across it by accident.  I started off making a single braid.  

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/singlebraid.jpg

..then I flipped it over my head, rolled it down, and secured with a stick.  Here are two views:

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/curledbraid2.jpg

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/curledbraid1.jpg

If anyone knows if this style has a name, let me know.  I can't imagine that it's an original idea.

Daily Bun Rotation

Here are the styles I wear on a daily basis because they stay up with no fuss.  I change placement from crown to nape and in between.  :

• French Twist
  
• Infinity Bun
  
• Figure 8 bun
  
• Basic bun
  
• Chinese bun
  
• Double buns
  
• Curled over braid (above)
  

On the list to practice for the Daily Bun Rotation:

• Braided Chinese bun
  
• Modified Bee Butt bun
  
• Rope or Braided bun
  

I really like the styles that are poufy like Gibson's but they don't look right on me.  Hairline is too low or something.

Cynde

You're braided bun variant is FREAKIN' GORGEOUS!

I'm not the jealouse type, but I've got serious braided bun envy right now!

Thanks for sharing the pics.

Yea, what Sakina said - sheesh, I really do love your hair and what you do with it.  

I'm going to try that braid - it looks like it has exercise potential.

The cover is lovely too.

Am I starting to sounds to gushy  ::)...g

cool bun and net  8)

You have some great ideas

Your bun ideas are so pretty, Khrome!  :D

And the bun cover and pink hairsticks look great together!

When my hair was shorter I would wear my hair like your flipped over braid.  It was great for when I would be working outside on a hot day.

My braid is too long to just fold over, so now I wrap it around like a regular bun, then put hair sticks through the bun to hold it in place.  When working in the woods, put a bandana like scarf over all of it to protect it and keep it all in place.

Your crocheted bun cover looks great too!  Have you thought about doing the last round over a hair friendly elastic to hold it in place?

Thanks Sakina, Gabi, Moonchild, Juri and BB!

Gabi, let me know if it works out for exercising.  It might be too top heavy for jogging, but I can see it being comfy for the gym.

BB, I'm looking forward to the day when I can make a braided bun!  :D  I have an elastic on this bun cover.  But what I didn't do was secure the bun first because my bobby pins kept falling out.  

HM Learns to Crochet

Last night he said "I want to crochet something."  I showed him the single chain.  After some frustration he finally got it.  I think that was the extent of his "something" though.  :)

New bun cover in the works.  I started with 3 rounds from a tablecloth pattern, and I'm making up the rest.

Cynde

:)

Oh my! What a lovely bun cover, and your hair looks so healthy and beautiful as always. Thanks for sharing your pictures :)

Anais

[glb] :oWOW!! :o[/glb]
beautiful hair and style

Cute bun cover!  Love your hair!

Thankee Anais, Beesan, and Lisabelle!

Cynde

Second Bun Cover - Still Fine Tuning

I finished the second bun cover - I started with 3 rounds from a tablecloth pattern, ad libbed, then reduced it the same amount on the back.  But I reduced it too much so that it doesn't stretch the same amount as the elastic.  The result was that I overstretched it trying to get it on.  Ah well, third time's a charm!  

What I do like is the wider width, the overall flower-like design, and that I didn't have to stop to read a pattern - I could just keep going.

For the back, I used what I learned in the first bun cover.  But instead of using a double crochet to attach the elastic, I used a single crochet.  I thought there would be more stability that way, since the holes are larger in the cover.

Here is the front, then side, then back (with scunchies stuffed inside.)

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/buncover1.jpg   http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/buncover2.jpg
http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/buncover3.jpg
(see where I overstretched it  :-/ )

I've determined that elastic, string, or bobby pins alone won't hold my bun.  But mini jaw clips work great.  How do the rest of you keep your hair up when you have a cover on?

Cynde

[glb]Wow![/glb] Love you bun covers.  What I did was I took the elastic out of the one's Mum made (they were to small) and put in elastic string.  That held the cover on for me.  Hmmm..  I don't know what you can use, your hair must be very heavy.  Sorry I'am no help! :-/

Your 2nd cover is beautiful.  It reminds me of Lady MacSnoods snoods.  I do not crochet at all, and so I applaud your talent and tenacity.

Your bun covers are so pretty!  I have problems wearing bun covers, too.  They always seem to make my bun look like a polyp.  What has worked for me is to make a two part bun--part hair from ear to ear, then make a bun of the top part, secure, and wrap the bottom part around it and secure--and put the bun cover on the inner bun, adding some hairpins if needed.  Then I twist up the bottom hair and wrap it around, adding pins, hair sticks, etc.  It looks a bit funny, but I like it, and it looks more like a hairstyle and less like something you'd consult the doctor about.  (the outer coil camouflages any polyp-like tendencies ;D)

The really nice thing about this style is you can make a smaller bun cover.  Smaller bun cover=less time to make one=more bun covers.   :D

WOW, that looks so purrdy :D You're a talented woman!

Anais

Nice cover, Khrome!  :D

I don't think this will help at all, but when I used to take ballet, I would secure my bun with bobby pins and then put on the bun cover. The bun cover had a built in elastic so I didn't have to worry about it flying off during a turn.

Thanks all!

Lisabelle, an elastic tie is a great idea.  I'll pick some up next trip to the craft store.

Sakina, I love Lady McSnoods snoods!  She does great work.  

13bodies, YAY it worked!  Thanks!  No more polyp-head.  hehe

Anais, thankee!

Juri, bobby pins slip right out of my hair.  :-/  It could be I'm not putting them in right.  I haven't had much practice with them.  

Camellia Oil Samples Arrived
I bought them from www.camelliaoil.com .  For $3 you get a vial of original camellia oil, and two smaller vials of Dermaqueen camellia oil for skin, hair, and face.

I cleaned and oiled my boxwood comb with the original camellia oil last night.  I'm glad I didn't buy a full bottle because I'm sure the sampler will last me all year.  :) Also tried the skin and hair stuff - I didn't notice a difference.  Maybe it takes a couple of applications.

Cynde

wrote on Sep 10^th, 2005 at 10:36pm:

Juri, bobby pins slip right out of my hair.  :-/  It could be I'm not putting them in right.  I haven't had much practice with them.   Cynde

Bobby pins tended to poke out of my hair, too, but they were easier for me to use than the hair pins that look like an open V. I couldn't figure out how to get them in without them falling out of my bun. Actually, I think everyone in my class had problems with bobby pins, but we never knew what would work better.  :P

ACV; Shea Experiment

Yesterday my hair was looking dull so I did an ACV rinse.  Everything's back to normal, yay.  I tried a home-blend of shea butter and camellia oil on my ends and haven't noticed a big difference from plain shea butter.

Cone Head?  Cyclopentasiloxane

I found out last week that Avalon Organics has a silicone called Cyclopentasiloxane.  That one completely slipped by me.  I looked it up on this page

http://www.pgbeautyscience.com/en_UK/glossary/cyclopentasiloxane_en.html

..which eludes that it's purpose is to make the product spread easier, not to coat.  It says it evaporates after it is applied to a surface.  This could explain why my conditioner is so thick and smooth, but a few seconds after I put it on it thins, and is harder to spread.  

I haven't had the same problems with this cone that I can tell, so I'll stick with it for now.  If anyone else has info about Cyclopentasiloxane, I'd be glad to hear it.

Flower and Stripe Bun Cover Posted

Made a third bun cover based on what I learned from the last two.  I modified some of the stitch types, number of stitches from the second bun cover, and the back is completely different.  I also used a thicker yarn.  The end result was a more universal size (3.5" instead of 4.5").  I wrote up the pattern to share - it's posted here:

http://www.longlocks.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=longlockslounge;action=display;num=1126601362

I already have another idea for a pattern.  I'll have to get back to it after my hand recoups.  :)

Ohyeah, I caught part of Martha Stewart's new show today, and she had some crocheters.  One woman did speed-crochet - she was really zipping through her work.  By the end of the show she made two doggie ponchos for Martha's dogs.  Anyway, her trick was putting moisturizer on the needle to make it slip easier.

Cynde

On the Crochet Guild of America website they say Lily Chin is the world's fastest crocheter--86 double crochets in 3 minutes.  Makes my arm ache just to think about it.

Yay buncovers.  I'm working on one now that looks like an eyeball.  It's technically for Halloween but I'm wearing it as soon as it's done.   ;D  I'll embroider the veins on it.   8)

Martha Stewart is already back up on TV? Last thing that I'd seen about her on TV HERE was her leaving the jail.
And if you keep on making all these cute little bun covers, you can start sellling them soon  :)

Aaah yes - it was Lily Chin on the show!  I recognize her face.  Here's a little blurb about how she created the "Freedom Poncho pattern" based on Martha's poncho (made by a fellow inmate).

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/

Yup, Moonchild, she's back on the air.  With a different format.  It's now talk-show format, and she's more interactive and up-beat with the audience.

Gabi, Cybil can't take twigs from her front lawn and sell them as ornaments for $10 at K-Mart.  :D

ACV Today

I goofed a few days ago and did it before the shampoo.  My hair has been crispier since then.  It's drying now, and seems to have gone back to "normal".

New Sticks

Some new sticks came the other day, made by Fox from Long Hair Loom/Sticks and Stones.  They are called "Pink Flowers" but is a custom version - I asked for silver leaves (which she didn't have at the time, but kindly got some for me) with choice of sticks.  They are so cute - the leaves are adjustable.  Pics and details are in my gallery on these two pages:

http://www.loopfree.net/gallery/album82/abn
http://www.loopfree.net/gallery/album82/abr

Cynde

Your sticks look great!  I like the little leaves.

Oh, I love your bun covers!!  So pretty!  :)

I agree with Moonchild, Khrome...start selling your bun covers...I'll be first in line.  I can't crochet worth a darn.  No patience at all. :P

Thanks Pan and Maroula!


wrote on Sep 16^th, 2005 at 12:41am:

Oh, I love your bun covers!!  So pretty!  :) I agree with Moonchild, Khrome...start selling your bun covers...I'll be first in line.  I can't crochet worth a darn.  No patience at all. :P

Ya' really think so?  I might be convinced to crank out a few bun covers.  Let me see what kind of yarn I can find at the craft store this weekend.  We only have one craft store, and I know that they don't carry all of the Paton Grace colors.  But they might have other brands with more color options.

I'll let you know what I find.  I wonder if I can sneak a digital camera into the store.  Hmm.. Maybe they may not like that.  :)

Cynde

Yes, I really think so Khrome. :)  I would definitely buy a couple.  I own a couple from a member of LHC a long while back and I love how they look. :)

Have fun!

I made off with a good haul from the craft store yesterday.   ;D  Time to crank out bun covers.  I think I'll do a few with the same pattern I posted, which is probably medium (3.5") so I can get some nice photos of different selections.  Gotta be professional ya' know.  :)  

I didn't get all the colors of yarn available, but my boyfriend did take a pic of them with his camera phone.  I'll be listing those out soon too.

Cynde

Getting "to the root" of it all

I was talking to my mom today and told her that I was crocheting bun covers.  She thought that was a neat idea, and suggested I make some for my related Long-Hairs for Christmas.  Then she cracked a joke about making a little hat for my aunt who was getting a bald spot.  That sent me into a slight panic - "Are you balding?  Did grandma bald? Am I going to bald??"  But she said she is not - but she is thinning.  All the ladies from her side of the family are.  Apparently, I got my thickness from my dad's side.  I got my straightness from her side

Then, she also told me my grandma had classic length hair!!  And so did my eldest aunt - she didn't cut it until right before she died because the doctor was convinced all the vitamins were going into her hair, and not her body.   :-/ Anyway, I never knew they had long hair because the few pics I've seen of them, they wore buns which was the norm in the Philippines.  I anxiously asked my mom how my grandma did her bun, but she doesn't remember since she was pretty young when my grandma died.  But she thinks it's pretty much the same style "as she sees today".

On a sort of related note, I told her I was looking for a traditional Philippino dress.  I kind of want it just to have, and would like to get a "nice" picture taken in it.  But the few places I've found on the 'net that custom make them are IMO pretty expensive.  She's going to the Philippines next year, so she's just going to have one made.  :D

This is a picture of my grandma with the traditional dress on, called a Mestiza dress or Maria Clara.  I would like one that looks like this, with the darker lace overlay.  For some reason I think the lace was red.

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album33/aag.jpg

Can you believe my grandma had 13 kids??  That is her third child on her lap, and my grandpa behind her.

Cynde

Wow! Your Grandma was a very pretty lady! Thirteen kids- she had her hands full.
The idea of knitting bun covers as Christmas gifts is neat. I am sure that your other longhaired family members would enjoy a gift like that  :)

My co-worker is from the Philippines as well.  :)

Isn't it fun to find out more about your family history?  The traditional dress is beautiful - good luck getting your own - I'm sure it will be very special.

13 kids - that is a handful.  Where was your mother in the birth order?  

Moonchild - thank you I'm sure my grandma would love the compliment.  :D  So you have a Philippino friend?  Have you tried lumpia, a very YUMMY appetizer?  It's a popular dish to bring to potlucks.

BB - thank you!  I can't wait until next year to get it.  My mom is the 11th child.  

Her oldest living sibling (I'm not sure where she is in the order) is 80.  She was the one that taught me to crochet.  She doesn't crochet anymore because of arthritis, so I really appreciate that I got the chance to learn before she stopped.  One of the bun cover patterns I have in mind to do is going to be a chain pattern that she had used a lot, a sort of tribute.

Cynde

Yes Ma'am  :) I had quiet a few of these delicious little wraps. Love'em :)

The dress is beautiful Khrome, I can just imagine you in a similar one! :)

Your grandmother is so young looking in that picture, I can't believe that she had three children by then!  She is very beautiful, thank you for sharing your picture with us.  :)

Mmmm, now I've gone and made myself hungry by reading about lumpia!

Thank you Maroula!  

Methotrexate

I started taking Methotrexate today.  I've been taking Cyclosporin for the last several months because my immune system is overactive.  It has helped, but when I tried to taper off, my immune system acted up again.  My doc decided to give me the other stuff because I can take it longer term.  

So my doc was writing my prescription, and he said "ohyeah, I'll give you folic acid too.  It will lessen the side effects."  Eh??  When I got my prescription, I read the info sheet and it said "temporary hair loss may occur" and "normal hair growth will resume after treatment." WAH  I'm trying to be optimistic since it did say "may", not "will".

HM This Week

This week, HM put my hair in another of his "mystery styles", got better at crocheted chain stitches, and tried to make me yarn balls.  I found a site on how to do them, but we both don't get it.  If anyone can simplify, let me know!

http://www.earthheartdesigns.com/Earth%20Heart%20pages/Knitting%20Fun/Tips%20&%20Hints/yarn_ball_handling.htm

Cynde

Your grandma looks so pretty in that picture! 13 kids...I can't even imagine what that must have been like. >_<

Not sure what I can tell you about yarn balls. My grandma used to make them except she didn't leave a center string so she could pull out yarn from the inside of the ball. She just wound the yarn into a ball and unrolled the yarn as she needed more so the ball got smaller and smaller. (I hope that made sense.)

As for the Methotrexate, I hope that's a big "may". But at least it didn't say it would cause permanent hair loss. I think that would be much worse. ^_^;;  I have my fingers crossed that nothing will happen to your hair.

wrote on Sep 24^th, 2005 at 7:09am:

Mmmm, now I've gone and made myself hungry by reading about lumpia! Thank you Maroula!   Methotrexate I started taking Methotrexate today.  I've been taking Cyclosporin for the last several months because my immune system is overactive.  It has helped, but when I tried to taper off, my immune system acted up again.  My doc decided to give me the other stuff because I can take it longer term.   So my doc was writing my prescription, and he said "ohyeah, I'll give you folic acid too.  It will lessen the side effects."  Eh??  When I got my prescription, I read the info sheet and it said "temporary hair loss may occur" and "normal hair growth will resume after treatment." WAH  I'm trying to be optimistic since it did say "may", not "will". HM This Week This week, HM put my hair in another of his "mystery styles", got better at crocheted chain stitches, and tried to make me yarn balls.  I found a site on how to do them, but we both don't get it.  If anyone can simplify, let me know! http://www.earthheartdesigns.com/Earth%20Heart%20pages/Knitting%20Fun/Tips%20&%20Hints/yarn_ball_handling.htm Cynde

I have a friend on methotrexate and her hair never changed a bit.  I bet yours doesn't either.   :D

When I make yarn balls, I wind the yarn a few times over two or three fingers, then slip it off and wind the yarn a few times around the middle of the loops, then turn the bundle around and around winding as I go.  It's time consuming, but since I don't have to do it often I don't mind it.  The yarn doesn't pull out from the center like on that site but it works find for me.  Just don't wind it too tightly.

Cynde;
I hope you are not negatively affected by the medications.  The folic acid should help.

As for the yarn balling - what are you having trouble with? Are you trying to make a center pull ball or just a regular ball?  

Khrome, I enjoyed reading about your family history. Soon I'm going to see about my own. After all, you've inspired it! ;)

Thanks for the yarn tips, all!  The yarn balls I'm trying to make are the ones that unravel from the inside.  I can make the regular ones.  It's not too important though - I just wanted them to fit in my organizer (skeins are too wide.)  

And thanks for the hair well-wishes.  13bodies, it's good to know that your friend didn't have hair problems.  YAY That makes me a lot less worried about it.  

Anais, I bet whatever you find out about your hair-history will be very interesting!  I'm looking forward to reading what you find out.

Cynde

ACV Last Night; Fine Tuning

My hair has done really well this month.  It's almost been 2 weeks since my last ACV, and I still didn't think I needed one, but did one anyway.

I've discovered the tolerance level of conditioning and buttering.  Too much of either, and my ends feel dry and crunchy.  So, for me, no more than a dime size of conditioner on each side of hair, and no more than half-pea of shea butter on each side.  If I even make a 3/4-pea size, it throws the whole thing off kilter.  

Current Projects

Still working on the bun covers and everything that goes with it.  Logo design, packaging, web site interface design, web site programming, and database deign.  Don't worry - it sounds like they're going to be expensive, but they're not.  I think of this more of an opportunity to brush up on my ASP.NET programming.   :D

As far as covers, I have 7 ready to go, once the site is ready.  I have to go to the doc twice a week while I'm switching to new meds, so crocheting is a great way to pass the time while waiting for the doctor.

Cynde

I am impressed. I thought you would crochet the bun covers and then just offer them thru "Let your hair down" ......wow. You are making an entire web site and stuff. I wouldn't even know where to begin.  :)

Good luck with the doctors!  :)

I'm actually glad the opportunity came up to do a programming project.  I've been working for the same employers for almost 5 years, and they use a programming language that is really uncommon.  Since technology changes so fast, I feel like I've fallen behind on more widely used languages.   (Which means, my marketability goes down, should I choose to get a new job ;) )  Having a real site to work on gives me more incentive to study on my free-time.  I don't even really care if my bun covers sell or not - the knowledge I'm gaining is well worth the time.  

Cynde

WOW!  You are going into full production.  Good luck.  

I know what you mean about having something to do while waiting.  I go nuts if I don't have something to work on when waiting for appointments or even in restaurants.

Thanks BB!  :D

Newfound Love for Braids (on me, that is)

I never really was into braids because my hair was so coarse, it was like braiding wire.  It was hard to get the hairs to twist, and strays stuck straight out and would prick me like barbed wire.

But, since my new hair routine, I've had hair that is so soft.  I never knew my hair could be like this.  I've recently been single-braiding while doing chores around the house with no prickly problems.

Khrome learns the Herringbone and Makes a Variant

This morning, I learned the Herringbone Braid.  My first attempt was awful.  I kept re-doing it during the day.  By the end of the day I had done a single one four times and was pretty comfortable with it.

Then I did two braids, more because I wanted to practice my finger positions during the over-the-shoulder part.  When I had the two, I thought of putting them up in a Chinese Bun.  

So here is my Herringbone Chinese Bun:

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/chinese_herringbone.jpg http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/chinese_herringbone_side.jpg

I didn't have enough hair to complete it at the top, so I fanned out the ends instead.

Cynde

Wow!  Your hair is so shiny!  I really like to make braids too.

Way cool :) I bet it's a comfortable hairstyle too.

That's awesome.  I was just thinking this morning about what braids I could begin to practice since my hair's at 20" and may be easier to handle for learning at this length.  I'm gonna work on the herringbone.

Thanks, Cynde!!!

Thanks Pan!

Anais, you're right - it's very comfy.  As soon as I got the scrunchie on, everything held together so nice and securely.

Sakina - I think the Herringbone is a great braid to start with, since you only need smaller pieces of hair to cross over.  

I don't know about everyone else, but no one that I know has ever learned the Herringbone at a young age.  We are always taught standard braids.  It surprises me because Herringbone seems easier and better for shorter hair.  Ah well.  If I ever have a kid, I'm teaching them Herringbone first, then 3-strand braid.  :)

Cynde

I love to do herringbone/fishtail braids, but they are getting harder and harder to do with my hair.  It keeps rebraiding and tangling.  :-/  

When I have tried to teach the herringbone to someone, they seem to always have trouble with determining how much hair to take for the cross over.  That's where the standard 3 strand braid is easier - no judgements to make once you have made the initial divisions.

Your herringbone chinese bun looks great - keep up the creative hairstyles!

That's really neat, Khrome!  :D  

I hope learning how to do a herringbone was not as frustrating as making that darn Sailormoon hairsyle.

lol sailor moon hair
I see SO many bad cosplay wigs because of it!

Darn those odanga's..  I think I've given up on those - may hair is just way too heavy!  Or I'd have to do just the top of my hair.

New Pics

This is the same type of Chinese hankie tops that I'm wearing in my avatar (I have two of them - I couldn't help myself, they were only $10.)  ;D  Whatta bah'gen!

Now you can see why I don't wear it out.  It's completely backless.  And I'm a fraidy-cat.  Buy I thought it would work great for taking a hair-length pic.

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album31/acm.jpg

And front views:
http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album31/ack.jpg
http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album31/acl.jpg

Other stuff

My birthday is coming up, and I think a certain Hair Minion is getting me some LL sticks!   ;D

Cynde

Very pretty hair pics. With all the things you are doing, I am wondering : how many hours does your day have? Or do you get by on just a few hours of sleep?

*****

So, we have to make another B-day cake? I think Anais is good at that..... :)

Once again - gorgeous pictures.  

I don't know why you are so afraid of wearing those tops - they look great on you!  And if you wear your hair down - no one will even know they are backless!  ;D

Thank you guys!

Moonchild - LOL I don't have as many hours in a day as I would like, that's for sure!  First, eight hours is taken up by work, sometimes it goes over.  3 days a week, I workout, which takes up 2 hours (including shower and hair fondling after.)  Then there's the necessities, like cleaning, making food, and doing bills.  The rest of the free time is spent alternating on fun projects - programming and crocheting are the lastest ones.  But this week they got bumped for other things - like taking pictures and practicing the herringbone!  :)  At night I stress over the projects I didn't get to, and end up loosing sleep over it.  This is pretty much my cycle.  Ohyeah, weekends are reserved for food shopping and laundry, and whatever spontaneous thing my boyfriend and I decide to do that day.

Tonight is bill night.  Joy.  

BB - thanks for the encouragement!  You're very right.  My hair can serve as the back.  I'll have to stand in the doorway and practice - the air across my back gives me goosebumps.  :)

Cynde

Nice pictures, Khrome (as always)! Your hair looks like it's gotten a lot longer since the post you put up in the "Show Off Your Locks" board.

You're not the only one who doesn't wear backless tops in public. I think I would feel rather exposed if I wore something that only covered my chest, even if it's only around the house. ^_^

You got lovely hair Cynde!  Great pics! And yes it looks longer!!

Thanks, Juri and Lisabelle!  :D

Today was my bday!  Well, actually yesterday since it's after 12am now.  It was great - my family called, and I got to talk to my grand-niece.  She told me "Hap Pee.. BADA!"  So cute!

My boyfriend got us dinner the night before from my favorite local Chinese restaurant.  Orange chicken, Hunan Fish, Sizzling Rice Soup, white rice, almond cookies and fortune cookies.  Tonight, he took me out to the Cheesecake Factory which is 45 minutes away.  We had Spinach and Artichoke dip with chips, Chicken Madeira, Meatloaf, garlic mashed potatoes, and veggies.  And for dessert - Raspberry Lemon Cream Cheesecake.  OMG it was tart.  I love it when tart things get you right in the taste buds on the sides of your neck.  Ouch!  Yum!  Tart is my favorite flavor sensation.  

So now I'm feeling very stuffed, but happy.  :)  I better turn up the workouts a notch this week.  

Cynde

Happy belated birthday!

http://users.pandora.be/eforum/emoticons4u/crazy/139.gif

Hope this year brings you good health, good hair, and good friends.

Happy belated birthday!  Wow what a great dinner you had!  I hope you have a great hair year!   ;D

Happy belated birthday, Khrome! :D

Happy Birthday!!!  I'm glad you had a great meal to celebrate!  Good luck on those workouts!  Have a healthy, happy, longhair growin' year!

Woohoo! Happy Birthday Khrome :D

:) Happy birthday! And I hope that all your dreams and wishes come true

Happy belated birthday. *sends good hair vibes as present*

Happy belated birthday! =)~

Thankee thankee for the birthday wishes!

Lessee, two days ago I received my LL Maharani Hair Sticks.  My birthday present to myself.  LOL  My boyfriend got me some LL sticks too, but they haven't arrived yet.  Anyhoo, the new sticks are in my gallery, along with a modified Bee Butt bun.

Cynde

Heehee, lucky you! I just saw the modified bun. DANG your hair looks really thick in that pic!  :o   :D

LOL my hair is too "fat" for it's own good.  That's why I can't do a regular Bee Butt - it would stick so far out, I'd fall over.

LOL! Oh, geez...  :)

I have such hair envy ;D  (In a good way)

Beautiful Birthday Sticks!

The ones my boyfriend bought finally arrived.  Seems that USPS was a little backed up from the holidays (at least, that's what my brother said about San Diego - he's a carrier.)  AND he also got me a LL gift certificate.  SURPRISE SURPRISE!  I kind of knew what the other sticks were, since I put them on my wishlist.

Nevertheless, I was amazed by their stunning beauty when I saw them in person.  Photos really can't do them justice.  But I tried hard to capture them.  

First is Catalina Moon FoilStix.  The foil is almost holographic.  There was a depth to it, almost like the stick was see-through, and there were tiny galaxies floating inside.  In this pic, I wasn't able to capture the red spectrum.  But all the light areas you see actually look more like rainbows.

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album82/ack.sized.jpg

I took a pic with these on in a Knot Bun (for lack of a better term.)  Basically, tied my hair in a knot, then flipped it upside down to hide the tail.  When I wear this shirt, people ask me if I'm going scuba diving, or waiting the Enterprise to beam me up.   :D

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album82/acl.sized.jpg

Then, I got Pink Blossom RapunzelStix.  What amazed me about this pair was the leaf-shaped setting and HUGE Swarovski.  It looked smaller in the pics.  I call these my magic wands.  

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album82/aci.sized.jpg

And I took a pic of these in a Chinese Bun.  My friend Erica made the "Newlyweds Shawl" (made famous by Jessica Simpson).  This was also a gift

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album82/acj.sized.jpg

Oops, you can see my PJ bottoms in that one.   ::)

Cynde

PS - I don't have the stick info on my site yet.  Working on that!  :)

Wow what neat presents!  The pic's look great!   8)

Very pretty sticks!  and you wear them beautifully.

Fabulous sticks! I can't imagine how gorgeous they must be in real life... especially with your use of the word holographic! :D

Anais

Pretty! And I like how your shawl matches the scrunchie.  :)

Khrome!  Your pics and sticks are gorgeous!!  I love that shawl, both the color and workmanship.  Wow.

Thanks for sharing the pictures.  I'm gonna give the knot a try...

Thanks all!

Cat Tales

I love cats.  But sometimes they can be so pushy!  This morning it is cloudy out, and black-and-white kitty seems to get needy.  As soon as I opened my door to let some fresh air in, she was crying at the door.  I hadn't made my breakfast yet, so didn't let her in right away, and the crying turned into outright demanding.

So, putting off breakfast I let her in.  Did the coo/cuddle thing until I felt my allergies coming on, then got her three pieces of Friskies snack and lured her outside.  

Then I made my breakfast, sat down to eat it, and looked outside.  There is a staircase leading up to the second floor right outside my door.  Kitty was sitting there like a gargoyle, giving me the evil eye, I'm sure.

Halfway through my meal, kitty starts banging on the screen door again.  I thought "cats are smart, right?  Smart as a small child?"  So I used a disciplinary trick I learned from the show Supernanny.  I got down to Kitty's eye level, told her firmly but gently that I'm not letting her in, and that she already got cuddles and snacks, and that I'm busy eating.  The pawing stopped.

Kitty is now watching quietly from the stairs again.  

Did I mention this is not my cat??  :)

Cynde

wrote on Oct 21^st, 2005 at 7:10pm:

Thanks all! Cat Tales I love cats.  But sometimes they can be so pushy!  This morning it is cloudy out, and black-and-white kitty seems to get needy.  As soon as I opened my door to let some fresh air in, she was crying at the door.  I hadn't made my breakfast yet, so didn't let her in right away, and the crying turned into outright demanding.

The motto of the feline world is: "It never hurts to ask."  :D

wrote on Oct 21^st, 2005 at 7:47pm:

The motto of the feline world is: "It never hurts to ask."  :D

Ain't that the truth!

ACV rinse with honey tonight.  I swiped some honey packs from Cheesecake Factory last week (the jar I had was old and crystalized.)  So this was only the second time with honey.  I love how soft and volumized it makes my hair.  I'm going to have to buy a real jar instead of snagging restaurant packs.

Cynde

Happy belated birthday Khrome!  :D :D
Your sticks are awesome and they look sooo nice in your hair! I especially love the colour combination with your pink rapunzels and the shawl  :D

Thank you Greek_Lady!!  :D

http://www.eccentricus.net/gunnm/khrome/self_large.JPG

My Artwork

Since everyone is sharing their lovely artwork, I thought I'd share some art too.  :D  

Back in the mid-90's, I created a site dedicated to fan-art of a Japanese manga called "Gunnm"  by Yukito Kishiro.  It doesn't get updated anymore, but I keep it online for posterity.  My pics are under my name on this page:  
http://www.eccentricus.net/gunnm/

In this gallery, I have some assorted arts and crafts:
http://www.loopfree.net/gallery/album64

And my latest piece is a World of Warcraft fan-art, and has a summer theme.  Summer is over, and the pic is not done.   ::)  I'm experimenting with doing every stage of the comic book producing process, and this is the "inking" stage.  It's only a corner of the whole pic.  She is a Night Elf, thus the long ears:
http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/wow_summer_ink.jpg

And here is a portion of the same piece that has been colored.  It's a murloc and a gnome:
http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/wow_murgnome.jpg

As you can tell this piece is meant to be humorous.  here is the last portion - it depicts a design on the back of a girls shirt.  
http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/wow_hello-tauren.jpg

That one is funny cuz it's a knockoff of our favorite cute Hello Kitty. Except it's a tauren - a big, ugly,cow looking beast.  Making it so cutsee will most likely aggravate the Horde.  And THAT's what we live for!

In every piece of art, I try to experiment with something I'm not good at.  Lately it's been color and motion.

Cynde

Wow your art is great!  I love to see eveyones styles ;)

It is so fun to see your artistic talents.  Thanks for sharing it.  

Wow, that's great!!! I really like your shading and coloring. Haha, the Hello Tauren image is too cute!

Thanks for sharing, Khrome!  :D

I really enjoyed looking at your art.  Thanks for sharing, Khrome!  It's very cool :-)

Thanks, Lisabelle, BB, Juri and Sakina!  I really wish I had more time to finish the Warcraft pic.  Maybe by next summer!  :-)

It's been raining all week except for today.  My hair is really soft and fluffy.  Now I don't really know if it was from the honey-acv or the humidity!  Grr.  

Now the Birthday Partying Begins!

Tomorrow is my boyfriend's birthday!  He wants a dinner at Cheesecake Factory too now.  Copy-cat!  :-)

It won't be hard to forget Pan's birthday since it's one day before his.  ;-)

Next month is my dad's birthday.  He'll be 70!  I'm going to get him a ukulele.  The one he had is beaten up, and he deserves a nice shiney new one.

Then it's my best friend's bday, and my nieces bday at the end of November.  Yikes!  I'll be broke.  :)

Cynde

Ugh, been busy these days, and I've been fallng behind reading the forum.  Gotta' catch up!

Tonight is ACV rinse night.  Have to carve the pumpkin too.  I'd like to squeeze in a workout somewhere in there.  Ohyeah, and laundry!  Better get crackin...

Cynde

Pumpkin Carving

Well, the laundry didn't get done.  But we roasted and ate pumpkin seeds, and carved the pumpkin:

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album101/aae.thumb.jpg   http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album101/aaf.thumb.jpg

Happy Halloween!

Cynde

Oh how cute!  Hello Kitty!! ;D

That's such a cute idea!  :D

hey krome :),


 thanks for the info on top model. you are a good hair person. lol.

caui

p.s. i seen the rerun on the tyra show and CASSANDRA was on.  it was soooooooooooooooooooooo good!  they set this beauty queen girl up and picked on her long luscious locks.  cassandra said u guys chopped off my hair and then gave the other girls extensions and she had that naturally already. it makes no sense. they are jealous freaks. also tyras hair is a weave(she allllllllllllllways says so on her show) ,  so i dont think she wanted that poor girl to have naturally gorgeous virgin hair  up to her bum. now in a few months cassandra is going to get extensions. thats just rediculous. she has to get fake hair now. yuck!

Thanks guys!  I used a stencil for the pumpkin, just so you know.  I tried to come up with my own design, but I was strapped for time.  

CurlyGirl - I missed the part about Cassandra possibly getting extensions!  Poor girl..  Her hair grows fast though, and it looked cute on the show with the little flip.  Maybe she should wait it out, join the board and hang out with us while we support her and her hair growth.  :-)

For those that don't watch the show, here are Cassandra's pics:

When she was chosen to be on ANTM:
http://www.upn.com/shows/top_model5/images/models/cassandra/01.jpg

After they chopped off her hair like Mia Farrow:
http://www.upn.com/shows/top_model5/images/models/cassandra/06.jpg  

She then walked off the show when they asked her to cut it even shorter.  Then appeared on Tyra's show, and her hair had grown out a littls:
http://www.rickey.org/./photos/uncategorized/cassandra1012057.jpg

Cynde

Khrome!  What an adorable pumpkin!!  We bought 2, but didn't carve them.  Great job!

Thanks, Sakina!  

The Last of the Birthday Sticks have Arrived

These are the ones I got with my gift certificate.  SugarStix!  Absolutely stunning.  They look so yummy I want to eat them.  :-)  For the gallery, I wore them in a braided bun:

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album82/acm.thumb.jpg http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album82/aco.thumb.jpg

Cynde

Pretty! The hairsticks and boa go well together!

Your bun is so beautiful, Khrome!  Your boa turned out so cute.

Wow, that looks really nice!!!  Hmm... I'm getting idea's... ;D

Thank you, ladies!  :-D

Cynde

Those sticks are REALLY awesome. And the combination with the pale pink boa is of course very "comme il faut"  ;D ;D
Congrats on your new acquisitions!

Thanks greek_lady!  And also thanks for the new vocabulary word - "comme il faut".  Hehe I had to look it up.  :-)

Color Touch Up Today

Lessee, my last color was about 3 months ago.  Since my ends are doing well I didn't think I needed a trim.  Valentina said my hair is in great condition.  I told her of the things I've learned from the board and my current routine, and she was very interested in it.  She's into holistics and home remedies, so I knew she would be.

I asked her about what's the trendy salon requests these days.  She said since it's fall, people have been asking for deeper, richer colors.  Styles that are full, like from the 80's are coming back in style but softer and not so stiff.  Over the summer, it was all about Jessica Alba hair.  

Hair Spottings

Today I spotted a lady with some kind of twist or bun in a Ficcare.  I don't know enough about Ficcare to know if it's a Fake-are.

And I just noticed that the nurse at the doctor's office has classic length hair.. while braided!  It was thick too.  I complimented her on it, and she said it's down to her knees.  She has to hack off "4 to 6 inches twice a year."  Afterwards, I was thinking "6 inches max or 12 inches in a year??"  Probably the former.  Either way, wow!

Cynde

Whoa, that nurse has some really long hair. It would be intersting to find out how many years she's been growing it.

That reminds me of this woman I saw walking down the sidewalk while I was on the bus a few weeks ago. She had her hair in a braided ponytail, but the tail still reached her knees! Needless to say, I was blown away.

wrote on Nov 3^rd, 2005 at 1:55am:

She has to hack off "4 to 6 inches twice a year."  Afterwards, I was thinking "6 inches max or 12 inches in a year??"

Wow!  That's some hair!  If I did that, I don't think I'd have any hair left to speak of!

LOL  Yeah, I don't think I even *grow* 6 inches in a year to cut off!

She said she has always had long hair.  So my guess, is that she achieved knee length long ago, and is now just maintaining it.  

Cynde

I like your new photo, Cynde.  And that nurse is blessed with some amazing hair growth! :D

Thanks Pan!  :-D

Slacking on logging stuff again.  ACV and honey rinse last Saturday, Nov. 5.

Cynde

Secret Santa Fun

I almost have my gift put together!  Crossing fingers that I can get it sent out next week.  This is so much fun!  

Cynde

Secret Santa gift went out on Monday, yay!  My boyfriend and I went to see Harry Potter on Monday too.  We liked it best out of all of them.  I'm looking forward to Chronicles of Narnia (I hope Disney doesn't mess it up), Aeon Flux (prepared that it will be pure eye-candy and not much plot), and Rent.  

Cynde

[glb]Secret Santa Present![/glb]

I got my Secret Santa present yesterday and my Secret Santa was Galadriel!  Wow, I can't believe how fast the package got here from overseas.

The present was wrapped in tissue with cute little puffy snowflake stickers on it:

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/secretsanta1.jpg

Inside was a light pink crocheted and beaded scrunchie, and a really cute butterfly pin!  

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/secretsanta2.jpg

The scrunchie matches the boa I made perfectly.  And the pin has a really sturdy clip - so I decided to try it on my birthday-shawl, as a brooch.  Perfect again!  After I got my shawl in October, I've been looking for a clip to hold it.  Galadriel, you must be psychic!  :)

Here is me with the scrunchie and clip:

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/secretsanta3.jpg  http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/secretsanta4.jpg

Thank you, Galadriel!!  My new toys put a big smile on my face, and I can't wait to wear them out and about.

Cynde

Hi Khrome,

WOW! How cute :-* They look great on you.
Way to go Galadriel :)

Anais

She likes them! Yay! They look even better than I thought they would.  :D

Your hair is really thick- for me a scrunchie of that size is good only around a bun, and here you're showing it in a half up! :D The pattern is really simple- you can copy it from the scrunchie easily if you want more of them.

How pretty!  Such a cute scrunchie!

What a nice scrunchie!! ;D  

Thanks so much for your gift! I love it! I've been looking without success for more velvet scrunchies ever since I found my first one. The colors you picked are all so beautiful. The crocheted bun cover is so pretty and probably just the thing I need for bunning right now. And the bookmark is just too cool. Even the ring fit me perfectly :o ;D !

*hug*

Heeehee it took all my power to not let it slip that I was your Secret Santa when I found out I was yours.  I'm sooo glad the package is there now.  Whew!  :D  I'm so glad you like your goodies.  *hug*

Cynde

Missed Zhang Ziyi

I just saw a snippet of what would be on tonight's local  news.  Apparently, there was a special benefits screening of "Memoirs of a Geisha" for the SB International Film Festival.  It turns out that Rob Marshall (director) AND the cast were there!  And they showed Zhang Ziyi.  OMG, that theater is 6 blocks from my house!  I could've seen her in person.  

Ah well, it made me feel better when I looked up the website and found out it was $275 to attend the screening.  I think that get's you into some gala afterwards though.  Nevertheless, I wouldn't have paid that.

Ganglion Cyst

Anyone have one?  I think I have on on the inside of my wrist.  I discovered it a few days ago.  It's a hard bump, about the size of a peanut, and doesn't move around when you press on it.  I need to get it checked to see if that's really what it is.  I hear they are usually harmless, and only need to be removed if it becomes a nuisance.  

KuchenMeister rum cake

These are yummy pre-packaged cakes from Germany.  I ate one all by myself over the last three days.  I feel like such a piggy.

Hair measuring woes

Grr..  Last month it seemed that my hair grew a whole inch since the last check.  I didn't believe that, and finally had my boyfriend check.  Now this month, we both checked it, and it seems one inch shorter!   My ends must be getting jagged, which means time for a trim.  

Anyway, I found a chunk of hair which seems to reflect the half inch growth (I know it's really half inch because I have roots from my coloring that I got at the beginning of November.)  

I'm going to change the way I measure in the "Measure Up" thread.  I used to try to measure my layers, but that's proving difficult.  So I'm just going to measure the overall length.

Cynde

Hi Cynde!

Wow, I would have gotten into that theatre somehow!!  Dress up in a suit, black sunglasses put a wire in my ear and say I'm with security! ;D

Ganglion Cyst:  I had a friend who had these all over her body.  Doctor said there was nothing she could do.  She had a few big ones removed and all. Don't know much else, sorry ???

Your not the only little piggy, I ate a bag of ginger cookies last night, so much for the diet! ::)

Quote:

author=khrome link=board=journals;num=1120248624;start=195#208 date=12/03/05 at 02:04:55 Anyone have one?  I think I have on on the inside of my wrist.  I discovered it a few days ago.  It's a hard bump, about the size of a peanut, and doesn't move around when you press on it.  I need to get it checked to see if that's really what it is.  I hear they are usually harmless, and only need to be removed if it becomes a nuisance.   KuchenMeister rum cake These are yummy pre-packaged cakes from Germany.  I ate one all by myself over the last three days.  I feel like such a piggy.

Reference the Ganglion Cyst: a friend of mine had one. She had it removed, cause it started to bother her. But now about 5 month after the surgery, it is already returning....

And as far as the pre-packaged cakes go I LOVE'EM!!  8)

They also make ready-to-bake cookie dough! Now even I can make some x-mas cookies  ;D

Thanks for the input, ladies!  I have an appt this week (unrelated to the cyst/bump) but I'll ask.  Since I have an HMO insurance plan, I need to get referred anyway.  

Oh gosh, I told my friend about the KuchenMeister rum cake, and I *think* she might be getting me a Toruga one for Christmas.  I've never had one before - they look so good
http://www.tortugarums.com/

More Tummy Talk

Moonchild - I saw those doughs on the KuchenMeister site!!  mmmmm  I'll have to see if they carry those locally.  I've never seen them before.

More on food, I had an itch to bake gingerbread (bread not cookies) on Sunday.  Before it was done baking I got another itch to buy eggnog (this was at 10 at night.)  But it took very little arm-twisting to convince Hair Minion to drive us to the store.  So we had gingerbread and eggnog that night.  It was heavenly!

Cynde

Secret Santa

Apparently, I have a Secret Santa Kitty.  It left me a little gray bird next to an overturned water bowl, with tufts of feathers all over the place.  I still don't know if it's was Stubby or Kitty (I don't know what their real names are - they're not my cats.)  I can't help but feel special at this sweet, but morbid gesture.  I guess the kitty wants to reward me for the Friskies treats I give them, with a treat of my own.  yum...

Conditioner Buildup

I *think* I was getting conditioner buildup last month.  I was trying to do the thing where you just wash your scalp.  But my ends started sticking against each other really bad, resulting in tangles.  They also felt dry, but that could have just been the buildup.  Anyway, I've been shampooing the entire length the last couple of washes, and it seems to have solved the problem.

wrote on Dec 7^th, 2005 at 2:18am:

.   Moonchild - I saw those doughs on the KuchenMeister site!!  mmmmm  I'll have to see if they carry those locally.  I've never seen them before. Cynde

Let me know if you need me to send you some. Wouldn't be problem.  :)

How sweet of you to offer, Moonchild, thanks!  I'll keep that in mind.  I haven't had a chance to check if my store has it yet.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

This movie was excellent!  I highly recommend it.  I'm very picky about what movies I like, especially if they're based on a book.  But the movie lives up to expectations, if not more.

There were only some parts of the animation that were a little shaky - it's as if they let the interns do them, or maybe they ran out of time.  But they are spread throughout the movie, in between the good animation sequences, so it didn't take away from the movie overall.

Holiday Stuff

I did some tree trimming and decorating this weekend.  Pics coming soon!

EDIT - "Soon" came a lot faster than I thought.  :-)

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album70/aac.sized.jpg

This is the second year I did florist bows as toppers.  I was a little disappointed with the ribbon because halfway through one of the rolls, the bead trim and wire split from the ribbon.  I figured it wasn't worth taking it back.

I still have my bows from last year, maybe I'll use them next year.  The nice thing about small trees is that you can buy new decorations without it costing a lot.  Pretty soon I'll be able to mix and match.

This is my tree from last year:
http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album70/aab.sized.jpg

Cynde

Beautiful tree Khrome! I love the ribbons, and that red is so...christmacy...merry...romantic :)


BTW- cool avatar 8)

Very pretty trees!  I'm afraid my tree is covered with ornaments that have no theme, just memories.  My favorite is the "stained glass"  my son make when he was 4.  The kiddies colored on wax paper, the teachers "ironed" two sheets together then make a construction paper frame.  It is really pretty, even tho the construction paper is now pretty faded.

Thanks Beesan and BB!

BB, those are the best kinds of trees.  My parent's tree is like that, and I even made one of those construction paper ornaments you are talking about!  When I think of ornaments, that is the first one that pops in my head.  I can remember being in class making it (I think it was a little different back then - I remember using Elmer's glue to stick the two halves together) and I remember showing it to my mom and hanging it on the tree.

Someday, when I have a family of my own, I hope to have a tree full of mismatched ornaments and a whole lot of memories!  :D

Cynde

Your tree is so cute, Khrome!  :D

ETA: I forgot to say that I like your new avatar. ^^

Thanks about the tree, and about the avatar, Juri!  

I was experimenting with how the setting sun changed my facial features.  The shadows made my eyes smaller, and my lips bigger.  It was kind of by accident because I happened to be facing the open door with my laptop in front of me, and my reflection didn't look like me at all.  So I took the pic!  

I think I'll end up taking a pic of my tree again, after I've put all the presents under it (before I ship them out.)  Then it won't be so bare.  I also got the Toruga Rum Cake from my friend in the mail, and it's in a cool hexagonal box.  AND I can put my Secret Santa goodies under there too.  :D

Hair Stuff

I have not had any hair problems for a while now!  Ever since I figured out I had that conditioner problem.  Now I'm worried about losing hair though.  I've been on a new immune suppressant the last week and a half, and losing hair is a possible side effect.  

Doc Appts

I went to the opthalmologist on Friday and for some reason my pupils were not cooperating.  They put FIVE sets of drops in my eyes, waiting 10 to 15 minutes apiece.  I think I was at the clinic for almost 3 hours.  Then, I couldn't see anything walking home.  The clinic is only about 10 blocks, but can seem REALLY long when you're blinded by the light!

Then today I was in for my routine blood test.  I go every week.  It was the smoothest lab visit ever - the 4 block walk to the bus was nice, the bus driver was so smooth that even though I was standing I didn't have to balance much, I didn't have to play Frogger while crossing the overpass to the hospital, and there was not one person in the waiting room when I got there!  Oh, and I got a great nurse that didn't stab me wrong and give me bruises like some do.  She even used the "big people" needle instead of the butterfly ones they normally have to use.  Whatta pro!

Hair

Lately I've been wearing it down since it's been in such good condition.  But since I did a lot of walking Friday and today, I had it up in a cinnabun.  My buns are bigger now, and more symetrical.  Yay!

Warcraft

I'm playing World of Warcraft again after a 6 month hiatus.  But I'm just easing into it so I don't burn out again.  They added some holiday content which was a big incentive for me to play again.  I also submitted some screenshots to their contest.  Here they are:

This is my character "khrome" who inadvertantly started a reindeer parade:
http://www.eccentricus.net/wow/winterveil05/parade1.jpg

And me, sitting on the lap of Greatfather Winter, a ficticious representation of the ficticious character, Santa Claus ;)
http://www.eccentricus.net/wow/winterveil05/Greatfather_Winter.jpg

Note her cute hair buns.  I actually created my character before I got interested in styling my hair.  I guess she was one of the motivating factors.  :)

Cat Bite

Mostly healed, scar itches a little, but A-ok.

Cynde

I love that pink hair!!!

I'm glad you're having a good recovery from the cat bite.

I'm wondering, did you choose your current home based on its proximity to the hospital?  I'm glad you had such a harmonius visit.

Om shanti, shanti, shanti, (Perfect Peace)
Sakina

How I ended up is partly luck, and partly choice.  I came here for school and was planning to go back to San Diego.  But I got a good job and decided to stay.  Little did I know that our downtown area is in walking proximity to everything, not just the hospitals.  It's very pedestrian-friendly.  The main part of town is about 2 square miles, nestled between ocean and mountain.  

Unfortunately, Santa Barbara is struggling with growth.  The locals would like to keep it's small town feel, clean air, and nature reserves.  But there are a lot of businesses drawing commuters from surrounding citiies.  I know people that commute 1 to 3 hours.  And once the commuters have jobs, they tend to want to move into town.  The city is restricting housing growth but that's not keeping property owners from splitting big beautiful Victorian houses into tiny apartment spaces.  So, the population grows, more cars, less parking, more traffic..  It has been interesting to watch evolve over the last 13 years.

You can't get a house here for less than a million, and that's an old, probably run down, 2 bedroom place.  Needless to say, I still rent.  And when the day comes, it will be sad to leave because it's so nice here, but there's NO WAY I can afford to own a home here.  

I'm glad you asked becaues I sometimes take it for granted the conveniences I have here.  I think I will take the camera out soon for a pictoral pedestrian view of SB!

Cynde

wrote on Dec 21^st, 2005 at 4:17am:

It's very pedestrian-friendly.  The main part of town is about 2 square miles, nestled between ocean and mountain.   You can't get a house here for less than a million, and that's an old, probably run down, 2 bedroom place.  Needless to say, I still rent.   Cynde

This must be very beautiful! I would love to be able to walk everywhere  :)
Maybe one of these days you will be rich and can afford one of these houses  :)  :)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family !  :)  :)  :)

It is a nice little town - and I got a new camera for Christmas!  So I will be doing my Santa Barbara Pedestrians Tour Gallery very soon.

Before I take off again (last minute plans to go to San Francisco.  We leave tomorrow and  we'll be back on the 1st)  I just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful winter holidays, and a happy new year!

Cynde

Oooo - a camera!  Now we expect LOTS of pictures from you!

Hope you have a wonderful time on your trip.  

Happy New Year!

Have fun on your little getaway!

happy new year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

I got back on the first, and I'm trying to catch up on things before I take off again to visit the family.  It is my niece's 2nd birthday next week.  :D

Airport Security

One of the things I needed to get done this week was renew my state ID.  It expired in October, and I only found out recently when I tried to use my credit card at Michael's.  Anyway, this didn't pose a problem at the airport going to my destination - they just asked to see my Social Security card.  But coming back, I went through a ticket line (got the ticket) the security line (was denied and sent to another line), went through another ticket line (where my ID was scrutinized and my ticket was signatured and was told to go through the High Security line.)  In the high security line, I went through a metal detector, they x-rayed my carry-ons, stuck me in a telephone booth-sized chamber where puffs of air were blown on me then analyzed for chemicals, then I sat in front of a table where two security guys hand checked my carry-ons, swabbed my phone to check for chemicals, then sent me on my way.  

Though the ordeal was long, I still ended up getting out the same time my boyfriend got out of the regular security line.  It was interesting to see the process, but I don't want to go through that again this weekend which is why I renewed my ID yesterday.

Oh, I did have a jewelry roll with hair sticks, small scissors, and a crochet needle in my carry-ons, which went through with no problems.  Neither the sticks in my hair or the rods in my back set off the alarm.

Hotel Woes

The water at the hotel made my hair very squeaky and tangly!  I also couldn't seem to get all the shampoo/conditioner out - my hair made that "you still have stuff in it" noise.  The water seemed to evaporate quickly too, as it dried a lot faster than it does at home.  But it doesn't seem to have gotten damaged - I washed at home when we got back, and it was back to normal.  

The hotel creaked really bad - granted there were winds, but I'm sure there are higher buildings in windier cities that don't creak.  I requested another room, and they said the whole building creaked.  They sent up ear plugs instead.  When asked to be compensated for lack of sleep or money back so I can get another hotel, they would not honor that as "everyone had the same problem last night".  The ear plugs also gave me a rash in each ear.  

I took a video of the noise if you want to hear - I've also sent a complaint to the main company, along with this clip.  BTW, it's the Grand Hyatt in San Francisco.  Travellers beware!

http://www.eccentricus.net/hyatt_noise2c.wmv

The Trip

Aside from the hotel and bad weather, we did have a good time.  We went to The Winchester Mystery House, had tea at The Imperial Tea Court, went to Alcatraz, Chinatown, Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, watched King Kong at the Sony Metreon, visited Sanrio which is now in a boring mall store instead of the two-story building it used to be in.

I also got suckered into buying two pieces of pearl jewelry because you are able to pick your own oyster.  The lady had already affixed it to a pendant setting then said she would let me pick another one for free and it happened to be a matching pearl!  They are shades of pink.  It didn't occur to me until later to buy just the pearls (and not the settings) so I can have them made into hair sticks.  GAH  Another girl got a bluish pearl out of her oyster.  It was so pretty!!

Pictures

Trip pics will probably not be up until next week.  But I do have up:

A cherry-colored calendar frame.  And an Amy Brown 2006 calendar I had to get from eBay because it was a limited printing and every place was sold out
http://www.loopfree.net/gallery/album67/abi

A Wonderland teapot that my friend got me for Christmas
http://www.loopfree.net/gallery/album67/abj

Now, off to catch up with reading posts!  

Welcome back, Cynde! Glad you're safe and sound.

Fabulous new avatar, by the way

Happy New Year
Anais

Thank you, Anais!  :-)

I just got done catching up with journal entries.  A few people mentioned books - I'm currently reading "Society of Mind" by Marvin Minsky.  My niece found my Amazon wish list.  How crafty of her!  

Here is the description:

For some artificial intelligence researchers, Minsky's book is too far removed from hard science to be useful. For others, the high-level approach of The Society of Mind makes it a gold mine of ideas waiting to be implemented. The author, one of the undisputed fathers of the discipline of AI, sets out to provide an abstract model of how the human mind really works. His thesis is that our minds consist of a huge aggregation of tiny mini-minds or agents that have evolved to perform highly specific tasks. Most of these agents lack the attributes we think of as intelligence and are severely limited in their ability to intercommunicate. Yet rational thought, feeling, and purposeful action result from the interaction of these basic components. Minsky's theory does not suggest a specific implementation for building intelligent machines. Still, this book may prove to be one of the most influential for the future of AI.

Welcome back Khrome :)

Wow, that is some noise, it's even worse than having someone snoring in the same room :P! and ear plugs ::)...

Anyway, i'm glad you had a nice trip :)

glad your back khrome. its nice to getaway.

Welcome back, Khrome! You were missed.

I love your new avatar, and I'm relieved the cat bite wasn't serious.

Thanks Beesan, CurlyGirl, and Juri!  

My niece's party this weekend was great.  Got to spend time with the immediate family.  I was actually relaxed by the end of it.  I need to go visit more often.  As it is, I only go there once or twice a year. :-/

Hair trends in San Diego - BSL, lightened, hilights, layered back, long layered side-swept bangs.  Back parts always worn in front of the shoulders.  Like Paula Abdul in this pic

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/original/Paula%20Abdul.jpg

Nice, but too much product in it.  

Hair

My tape measure says it grew half an inch, but my roots look like they haven't budged.  

The local news said to "expect more chlorine in the water for the next 6 days".  The city is conducting tests or something.  Supposedly it is "safe to drink".  (I wouldn't drink it before these tests.  HA)  I hope this doesn't screw up my hair or my skin (more than it already is, I mean.)

Oh yeah, when I was down in SD my mom scrutinized my hair and said I need to put hair spray to keep the flyaways down.  I didn't even know where to start.  How do you explain to someone what good hair care is, when their idea of good hair care is permanents and big rollers!  LOL

Cynde

Raspberries for your mom!  :P

I like your new avatar  :) Very happy looking, Cute  :)

LOL Sakina!  I've never heard that phrase before!  

Thank you, Moonchild!

Hair

Did an S&D last night.  I've been neglecting it over the holidays.  I've noticed that it also helps my hair to dry nicer - not so straggly - because I flatten the ends out while feeling for knots.  I think it also helps to spread the shea butter more.  

Things I need to remember to get:
- wooden comb for purse
- microfiber towel
- shampoo

It's been 3 months since my last length pic.  I was 29" then.  I'm now at 31" - almost tailbone.  

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album66/aax.thumb.jpg

Cynde

WOW, Khrome!

Absofreakinlutly Beautiful!!  Keep up the good work  ;D  ;D  ;D

Cynde your hair looks so nice! ;D  

GORGEOUS HAIR KHROME.  :o :o :o

Khrome, you hair looks fan-freakin'tastic!  :o :D

*bows down to your awesome hair*

Oh my gosh your hair is looooong! :o

*long whistle*

You go, girl!

Trying Another Avalon Organics Shampoo/Conditioner

I ran out of shampoo and went to pick up a new bottle of Avalon Organics Lavendar Nourishing Shampoo.  But the Avalon Organics Ylang Ylang Glistening Shampoo caught my eye.  So I did some ingredient comparisons and they are pretty much the same except for:

• scented oil: one is lavendar and one is ylang ylang
  
• the Nourishing on has oat, while the Glistening one has mica minerals
  
• The first three ingredients are the same, just in different orders.  They are: honeysuckle, calendula, and lavendar
  

So I got the shampoo and conditioner, and tried it tonight.  I *think* I see a difference in the shine and how the light is dispersed.  But it could all be psychological.  :-)  It's also not completely dry, so probably too soon to tell.  

Regardless if the shine really works or not, it did make my hair feel a lot softer and have more "slip" than the Nourishing version.  I wonder why that is since the ingredients are so similar!  I really don't think the oats>mica or change in scented oils could have done it.  

Cynde

Ick, I'm on some new meds for a month now, and have felt so nauseous and unmotivated to do anything.  I've fallen so far behind on keeping up with the board and I've missed so much!!  I can't believe I missed the exchange gift thread.  Hopefully I'll catch it next time.  Looks like I missed the live chat, some birthdays, and some diamond celebrations.  Belated greetings to those who had birthdays and turned diamond!!

While I was feeling sickly though, I managed to read The Neverending Story, which is probably my favorite children's book.  

Measured my hair today - 32".  Still feels like 30" though!  LOL

Things are still going well with the new shampoo and conditioner.  That mica stuff really does seem to add shine.  I just haven't read anything good or bad about mica - I hope it's okay.  

Now I will see if boyfriend could tear himself away from his video game just a little bit to get me some crackers.  :) Gah I hate feeling queezy!

Cynde

WOW :o :o beautiful hair Khrome.

I hope you feel better soon ((((((hugs)))))) :)

Sorry to hear you've not been feeling well.  We've missed you around here.  I hope you're feeling better soon.

Thanks for the well-wishes and hugs!  *hug*  

I started another book today - Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart.  It's my favorite fantasy book.  One of these days I'll start a book I *haven't* read yet.   I'm just trying to get the 'ol brain's gears oiled.  Hahah

Cynde

Khrome, I hope you're feeling much better now!

((sending cyber homemade chicken soup))

How great your length is!  I'm not even measuring these days until I think I'm closer to BSL  I hope you'll post some new pics!

Take care of yourself!!!  ;D

You've been missed, Khrome!

I'm sorry to hear that the meds have been making you so sick. I hope things get better soon. (((hugs)))

Many thanks Sakina and Juri!  mmmm soup...  YUM!  Yay, I'm glad you're almost BSL now, Sakina.  It's so nice to take this journey with everyone, and see the progress everyone has made!

Growing Out of my Sticks

I forgot to mention when I recorded my hair length - I've grown out of my bone-length sticks (about 5" sticks.)  WAH!!  So right now, I'm only able to wear half my sticks but maybe I should start doing half updos.  I've also been wearing a single braid a lot around the house since it's a great way to keep my hair out of my face, the dishwater, and vaccuum cleaner.  :)  Oh yeah, and I've put in an order with Susan for my Strawberry Tea design in Rapunzel length.  Can't wait!!

Cynde

I've found that using one longer stick and one shorter stick works well to hold my hair up.  Plus it allows me to keep using the shorter sticks!  ;D

Your hair is amazing!

Can you still use your shorter hairsticks as ornaments (eg. if you pin your updo together with Amish pins)?

Great ideas!!!  I'll try both!  Thanks!

wrote on Feb 12^th, 2006 at 11:14pm:

I started another book today - Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart.  It's my favorite fantasy book.  One of these days I'll start a book I *haven't* read yet.   I'm just trying to get the 'ol brain's gears oiled.  Hahah Cynde

I hope you're feeling better.  ((((khrome))))

Isn't The Bridge of Birds one of the best books ever?  I've read it at least 20 times and I never get tired of it.    :D

As for your shorter sticks, you can wear 2 buns with 4 sticks.  It's a great way to show off your collection.   ;D

4 sticks!  Duh, why didn't I think of that!  

Barry Hughart is a hoot!  Such witty humor.  I have no idea where my copies of "Story of the Stone" and "Eight Skilled Gentlemen" went - I better order them before I finish this book.  I tend to go through withdrawals if I don't have the next book in a series to read right away.  

The Infamous Disappearing Posts; Tailbone Reached; Collective Wellbeing

Ugh, I just wrote this really long post and hit the backspace key and lost it all!  Oh well..  I will have to re-write it tomorrow.  For now, I'll just say that I am now tailbone length YAY!!  And I got a new shampoo and conditioner I'm very happy with by Collective Wellbeing.

http://www.collectivewellbeing.com/

Unfortunately the ingredients are not listed on their site, but I'll type out the ingredients for the ones I got tomorrow.  I got the Moisturizing Shampoo and Quick-Fix Conditioner.  

I still like the last stuff I got - Avalon Organics Ylang-Ylang with Mica shampoo and conditioner.  And I've got both brands on a "rotation".  More on that later.

yay!!! ;D  Tailbone length,good for you Khrome!! :)  Would love to know the ingredients on the new shampoo and condish you got.  Been using Ouidad,biolage and Garden Botanika,ok,but will need to change eventually.

Congratulations on reaching tailbone!  

WOOW!  It sure seems like that was quick!  Congratulations!!!!!

Thank you much!  Tailbone is a nice length - it doesn't touch anything when you sit down.  If classic length get's too unwieldy, I'll cut it back to this length.  

Here are the ingredients I promised. For ease of skimming I bolded the Plain English ;)  :

• Collective Wellbeing Moisturizing Shampoo with Aloe and Illipe Nut
  (has a light citrus scent)
  
  Purified water (aqua), Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocyl Taurate, Lauramido/cocamidapropyl Betain, PEG-150 Glycol Distearate, Certifed Organic Aloe Barbodensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Shorea Stenoptea (Illipe Nut) Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E), Persea Gratisima (Avocado) Oil, Panthenol (Vit. B5), Certified Organic Malaleuca Altemifolia (Tea Tree) Oil, Certified Organic Extracts of Salvia Officinollis (Sage), Equiseturn Arvense (Horsetail), Yucca Schidigera (Yucca), Urtica Dioica (Nettle), Chamomilla Matricana (Chamomile), Flower and Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Flower, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Polyquaternium-7, Guar Hydroxy-/Cinnomidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Steareth-20 Methocylate Capolymer, Cirtic Acid, Chlorphensin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate and a blend of pure essential oils such including Citrus Limon (Lemon), Citrus Bergonia (Bergamot, Citrus Reticulate (Mandarin Orange), Guaiocom Officianalle Guaiocwood) essential oils.
  
  
  
• Collective Wellbeing Quick-Fix Conditioner with Camillia and Illipe Nut
  (has a light citrus scent)
  
  Purified water (aqua), Certifed Organic Aloe Barbodensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Cetearyl/Cetyl Alchohol, Shorea Stenoptea (Illipe Nut) Butter, PEG-100 Glycayl Distearate, Dimethicone, Oleth-10, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E), Soy Lecithin, Panthenol (Vit. B5), Hydrolized Soy Protein, Camillia Sinensis (Camillia) Oil, Certified Organic Malaleuca Altemifolia (Tea Tree) Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Behenalkonium/Hydroxypropyl/Cetrimonium Chloride, Persea Gratisima (Avocado) Oil, Certified Organic Prunus Amygdolus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Melia Aza?? (Neem) Seed Oil, Certified Organic Extracts of Salvia Officinollis (Sage), Chamomilla Matricana (Chamomile), Urtica Dioica (Nettle), Yucca Schidigera (Yucca), Rosemarius Officinalis (Rosemary), Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit, Equiseturn Arvense (Horsetail), and Macrocystis Pyrifera (Sea Kelp), Cystine, Taurine, Arginine IAmino Acids), Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, PPG-Cetethe-3 Acetate, Chlorphensin, Annatto, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin and a blend of pure essential oils such including Canaga Odorata (Ylang-Ylang), Eugenia Caryophyllata (Clove Bud), Pseudolsugo Menzisii (Douglas Fir), Jasmimum Samboc (Jasmin Absolut), and Citrus Aurantium (Sweet Orange) essential oils.
  

I might have misspelled some of those.  Actually, I'm sure I did.  The font on the label was so tiny - I had my reading glasses AND a magnifying glass.  :)

WOW
I love your hair and length Khrome! That was quick too!! :D Congratulations!

Congratulations, Khrome!!! ;D

Whoa, you too?? Congratulations! :D

Congrats Khrome :D :D!!

Congrats for reaching tailbone!  :D :D :D

But...where are the pictures? ;D

Thanks all!  I've got the pics!  Sorry it's been a busy week with work and skipped washing my hair.  I wanted to take it when it was fresh!  Here it is, day after wash

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album66/aaz.jpg

And I did a comparison pic of the last 9 months, from the time I found the board to today.  Notice the large growth between 7/05 and 10/05 - that was due to a medication I was on called Cyclosporin.  One of the side effects is excessive hair growth.  But also, I was not yet consistent in my measuring, and I think my first measurement was off.  It was probably more like 25" or 26" judging from the other pics.

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/hairlengthcompare.jpg

New Hair Observations over the Last Few Months

Water does not flow the way you think it does

Even though I have a hand-held shower head, I never used to take it off the hook to wash my hair.  Then a couple times I noticed, when I used warm water then cold water after (to close the cuticles) there would still be warm water in the middle of my hair after I thought I had washed it out.  This meant water was not flowing well through the middle, and I probably was not washing everything out.  Which would explain why my ends felt coated, would stick together, which led to tangles.  Now, I hold the shower head like I should, and rinse all the way down the length.  This solved my tangly ends problem.  

Alternating Shampoos Each Wash Leaves No (or Little) Build-up

I haven't tried the wash technique where you use one type of shampoo and conditioner, then do a clarifying wash every so often.  I'd imagine this works similar to that.  I have a bunch of products that I don't really want to throw out.  When I use any of them for two consecutive washes in a row, I can already feel a build-up.  But if I switch products each time I end up with nice bouncy hair that doesn't tangle.

Hair - the Built-in Fur Coat

The last few months, I've left my hair down around the house.  I noticed that I was warmer than usual (I'm normally always cold and I thought it was another medication side effect.)  After several months of wearing my hair down, I put it up one day and noticed how cold I got!  So I think all these years that I thought I had poor blood circulation, I just didn't have enough hair.  :)  

Current Routine

• Wash every 2 to 3 days
  
• Rotate the following products
  
  • Avalon Organic Ylang-Ylang and Mica Shampoo/Conditioner
    
  • Complete Wellbeing Moisturizer Shamoo and Quick-Fix Conditioner
    
  • (third product to be determined)
    
• follow wash with shea butter on ends
  
• ACV rinse every 1 to 2 weeks
  

Your hair color is gorgeous!  It looks like the wood doors.  Are those wood doors in the background?

How cool to show your progress.

I agree with the rotation of products.  I get very little to no build-up with it.

Regarding the water.  I find that if I just let the water flow through my hair without the help of my hand it takes longer to get the water to the scalp.  My hair is still short enough to feel the cooler water wash out (from when I've got the conditioner on and am washing the bod) when I do my warm rinse.  Then I feel the warm wash out with the cool rinse.
So, in case I've washed out the conditioner totally, I use a leave in before styling products.  Gotta use those or my waves look like crap.

Nice to see you on the boards again  ;D

Wow, Khrome, your hair is gorgeous.  What an inspiration!  

::: gasp:::  :o  I am speechless - your hair is beyond words.

Your hair is so lovely! ;D

Your hair is absolutely stunning!  It truly is beautiful :)

Ah shucks, thanks ladies!  I wouldn't have been able to achieve this length without the help of everyone here.  When I got my trim, shortly after the 7/05 pic, my ends were in such bad condition because I didn't know how to take care of them.  I had to constantly get them trimmed.  I'm glad to say that I haven't had a trim SINCE then, and my ends are still doing great!  I will get one soon, just to re-shape the U and touch up the layers (because they're catching up with the length) but other than shape maintenance, I don't have to trim - S&D takes care of the unruly hairs.

Sakina, yup those are wood doors!  And I totally agree my hair looks like wood.  In this month's pic I used a flash so it looks more golden than usual.  In normal light, my color is dark redish-brown like the first or second pic.  In sunlight it's like the third and fourth pic.

Speaking of wood doors, I love the ones in my apartment for the bedroom and bathroom.  The building was built in the 70's and I haven't seen doors like these in modern buildings.  They are also dark wood like the front door you see in the pic but instead of opening outwards they slide INTO the wall on rails.  It's perfect for a small place because they don't get in the way.  In the bathroom, to lock the door there is a little metal lever that, after you press on it, it lies against the door frame and prevents the door from being slid back.  

Wow! Your hair looks incredibly thick and so healthy.  :D
And just *look* at that growth!  :o :D

wrote on Apr 10^th, 2006 at 12:23am:

Speaking of wood doors, I love the ones in my apartment for the bedroom and bathroom.  The building was built in the 70's and I haven't seen doors like these in modern buildings.  They are also dark wood like the front door you see in the pic but instead of opening outwards they slide INTO the wall on rails.  It's perfect for a small place because they don't get in the way.  In the bathroom, to lock the door there is a little metal lever that, after you press on it, it lies against the door frame and prevents the door from being slid back.

I love pocket doors!  They are so efficient.  We had one in the house I grew up in.  It separated the kitchen from the dining/living room area.  Hubby and I put a pocket door in our first house for the bathroom door.  The house was originally built in 1900 without running water, so the floor plan was a bit strange when the bathroom was added.  There was no room for a door to swing, so they put in an accordian door which I absolutely hated.  I loved the pocket door we put in!

Thanks Galadriel!!  :D

BB - so THAT's what you call them - pocket doors!  What a cute name.  Do they still make them?  I confess, I go to Home Depot about twice a year, and I don't really pay attention to their door selection.  ;)  It would be cool if they did - once I get my own place I'm going to want to replace all the doors!  Cute avatar BTW.  :)

ETA: WOW just looked up on google images "pocket door" and found a whole new world of door pulls and fancy locks!  I never thought I'd be so excited about a door.  Hahah  Oh boy, I should go to bed...

My life is complete - I have opened the eyes of the uninitiated to the world of pocket doors.  ;D

BTW, my avatar is a piece of original art by rodent! (Recently updated for me)

Roots Done

Finally went back to Valentina to get my roots done last Wednesday.  They were a mess - about 2.5".  I hadn't gone in a while since she was on maternity leave, and I had nowhere to go until last weekend.  The boyfriend and I went to the Rim of the World Rally (car rally we go to every year) and worked at the finishing stages.  He calculated times, and I manned the scoreboard.  

Collective Wellbeing Detox Soap

I decided to try this stuff when I went to get more conditioner.  I really like it!  It contains active charcoal which supposedly has a lot of surface area to pick up impurities.  The bad thing is, it's blacker than black, and feels like you are washing yourself with a Japanese or Chinese ink stick.  The water runs black too.  But it smells really good, and seems to help reduce inflammation.  

http://www.collectivewellbeing.com/product_show.php?id=2012

LOL!
I initially read this as SOUP not SOAP!  I was thinking, well I know you use charcoal to absorb chemicals in the stomach when there is an overdose, but yech!  Then I realized my error!  I guess I need to clean my glasses more often.  ;D

wrote on May 3^rd, 2006 at 6:08am:

Roots Done Collective Wellbeing Detox Soap I decided to try this stuff when I went to get more conditioner.  I really like it!  It contains active charcoal which supposedly has a lot of surface area to pick up impurities.  The bad thing is, it's blacker than black, and feels like you are washing yourself with a Japanese or Chinese ink stick.  The water runs black too.  But it smells really good, and seems to help reduce inflammation.   http://www.collectivewellbeing.com/product_show.php?id=2012

Thanks for the link!  I'm going to have to try this; summer wreaks havoc on my skin.   :-X

wrote on May 3^rd, 2006 at 12:15pm:

LOL! I initially read this as SOUP not SOAP!  I was thinking, well I know you use charcoal to absorb chemicals in the stomach when there is an overdose, but yech!  Then I realized my error!  I guess I need to clean my glasses more often.  ;D

Hahah gives a new meaning to "cleansing the system"!!

You're welcome, 13Bodies!  I think I might still have the label.  If I find it, I'll write out the ingredients.  

May Catch-up!

May has been a busy but fun month!  My niece got married last weekend, and they had a beautiful outdoor ceremony in San Diego.  The weather was gorgeous, and we were lucky as rain was forecasted for that weekend!  I got into town a few days before to help out, and to visit with the family.  I ended up helping to put out the favors and centerpieces in the reception hall.  Everything was a tropical fuchsia and white.  I don't wear heels normally and my feet were dying!  :-)  OH!  But remember I've been wanting to get a traditional Philippina dress, like the one my grandmother wore in that old pic I posted?  I got one to wear to this wedding!  I don't have a pic in it though, since I was busy *taking* pics, but I'll take one soon.

As of three days ago, "stick season" began.  This is where my naturally low body temperature is not enough to keep me cool, and I must put my hair up.  (I've been wearing it down all winter and spring.)  My bun is huge now!!  Since I work from home, and have no one to impress :-)  , my preferred styles are French twist and crown bun.  The crown bun looks a bit "young", and not as distinguished as a nape bun, but it's perfectly balanced over my spine that I hardly feel it's there.  A bun in any other spot tends to make my neck muscles overwork.  Here is a pic of my ginormous bun, taken this morning:

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/hairpics/hugebun.jpg

New Gadgets

I've been disorganized for the last two years since I switched from a Palm OS PDA to a Pocket PC.  I have now officially declared Pocket PC as crap (for what I want to do with it) and have gone back to Palm.  I got the LifeDrive and absolutely LOVE it.  More details about it are in my LiveJournal blog:

http://khrome23.livejournal.com/

And a pic of my LifeDrive on a foldable keyboard:

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/lifedrive1_sm.jpg

And my other gadget this month - Tamagotchi Connection V3!!!  Tamagotchis are virtual pets made by Ban Dai that were big about 10 years ago.  Your pet evolves depending on how well you take care of it.  The added features in V3 is that you can get codes from off their website and unlock items in the V3, and vice versa.  There is also a Nintendo DS game that also works with the website and the V3.  More about this is at http://www.tamagotchi.com

This is a signature of my tama, Kimi, that shows the different stages in her growth.  

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/sig_kimi.gif

But she recently mated with my BF's tama, and had an egg!  So I'm on 2nd generation right now.  I'm bummed because she was so cute and I miss her!  Here is a pic I took of her being silly:

http://www.eccentricus.net/khrome/images/leaftchi.gif

Collective Wellbeing Detox Soap Ingredients

This is for 13bodies - the lovely black soap that I mentioned earlier.  This may contain spelling errors!  :-)

Sodium Palm / Saponified Palm Oil, Purified Water, Glycerine, Carbon (Activated Charcoal), Sodium Chloride, Zinc PCA, Certified Organic Extracts of Rumex Crispus (Yellow Dock) Root, Echinocea Angustifolia (Cornflower) Root, Salvia Officinalis (Sage), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary), Cimbopogon Shoenanthus (Lemongrass), Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme), Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit, Tetrasodium TDTA, and a blend of pure essential oils including Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Geranium, and Tea Tree essential oils.

Khrome,I've missed ya,welcome back!! ;D  The bun is beautiful!  I've sent BB some pics finally of my hair with sticks and down.  Hopefully she will be able to put one or all of them up on the board.  Hope to see ya around on the boards!!

Beautiful bun!!!!

Nice to see you again, Khrome! The bun looks great, as does your hair in the pics you posted back in April. Wowzas! :o :D

Welcome back Cynde!  ;D

Thanks ladies!  I really wish work wasn't taking so much out of me so I can catch up on the board.  I've really fallen behind!  I know what I'll be doing this weekend.  :)

Cynde, just dropping in to day "hi" :) Sounds like you're having a good time. Have a great week.

Anais

Hi Anais!  I'm more busy than I would like to be, that's for sure!

New Hair Care Stuff

My routine has been pretty steady.  I'm still doing the shampoo rotation, and still trying to find a third one I like.  The last one I tried by Better Botanicals made me all dry and itchy!

I FINALLY got a microfiber turban.  I love it!!!  I first tried an Aquis towel I found at LinensNThings.  When I went back to get the turban they were all out.  Instead they had the Aquis Diva line.  I went home, did some research, and found out the the Diva line is not as good as Aquis Lisse Crepe.  So I ordered them online

I also still needed a comb for my purse.  I got this nicer box wood comb, confident I could take care of it from having my cheapo one for the last year

http://chidoriyaworld.stores.yahoo.net/tsugwoodcom.html

It's still not the REALLY nice one you can get for $100 but I don't think I'm ready to spend $100 on a comb yet!!!  Maybe next year.  :)  Anyway, the comb I got is superb quality.  And for some reason, even though the teeth are fine, it slides through tangles easily.  I wonder if it's the way they carved it, or the fact that it's been soaking in camellia oil.  

Finally, I'm in desperate need of a trim.  I don't know if I want layers now. I know for sure I want the U shape.  I think that's what is keeping me from making the appointment - I need to figure it out soon.

My Philippino Dress

Rodent mentioned my dress, and I've forgotten that I hadn't posted about it yet.  You might remember a while back in my journal, I mentioned that I wanted to get a traditional Philippina dress like the one my grandmother wore in this picture:

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album33/aag.sized.jpg

And my pics:

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album66/abc.thumb.jpg http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album66/abd.thumb.jpg http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album66/abe.thumb.jpg

Mine is a modern, updated design.  There are three pieces - the floor length dress, the sheer top with poofy sleeves called a "kimona" and a shawl called a "panuelo".  It's hard to see the design in the picture, but this page has some nice pics - this is the online store where I bought it:

http://barongsrus.com/barong/WOMEN-Filipiniana-Dresses/c24_32/p46/Item%203HP-ALA/product_info.html?osCsid=b5b8d25a776e7acd55e80503177b7391

Ooooo, your dress is just gorgeous, Khrome!  And such pretty, shiny hair to go along with it..  ;)

Keep me updated on the towel... I've been thinking about getting on of the "turbans" but not sure if I could wrangle all of my hair into it....  

Edited to add: I. want. one. of. those. Japanese. combs!  *le sigh*

Nice pix, Khrome. That dress is really pretty, and so is your hair! *sigh* I envy "island women" because they're able to grow such long, thick, beautiful dark hair!!

Just how long is it now, btw?

Your dress and hair looks so pretty! Good long hair is the best accessory.Your hair is pretty long. I wish my hair would get that long.

Thanks Novusfemina, Angel Spun, and CurlyGirl22!  I do love that dress.  I wore it to my niece's wedding in May.  It was a hit with my Philippino relatives.  Even my mom liked it, and she's always been most critical of what I wear.  The fabric is very strange though.  The more expensive fabric called "jusi" is made of pineapple fibers.  My dress is not made from jusi, but my relatives tell me it is also made of pineapple.  The fabric is course, doesn't stretch, and doesn't breath which amazes me that they wore this stuff in the Philippines - it's really hot there.  

Novusfemina - the microfiber turban is great!  My hair is longer than the towel, but I kind of form a big wave inside the turban so that the ends match up.  Even if my hair has been in the turban for several hours, the wave does not stay - it dries straight.  How it does that - no clue!  :)  

Angel Spun - Thanks for reminding me - I've haven't posted my length this month.  I measured on the 1st, and it was 34.5" .  

Odango!

I was playing with my hair yesterday, trying to figure out styles for my small sticks (the ones typically made of bone.)  I am finally able to do the Sailor Moon odanga style, though I still don't have enough length.  My hair is so thick that the odango balls are about 4 inches wide, and the ponytail only goes up to my shoulder.  But I think it is now wearable.  I use one small stick to secure each ball.  

Mini Vacation

Last week, hair minion and I went to San Jose, California for a mini vacation.  He had training up there, so was already going to be there Monday through Wednesday.  We went earlier, Friday, to do some sight seeing.  I worked in the hotel on his training days.  San Jose is a nice-sized city but with not a lot of touristy things to see, but I did get a few pics (see the first album on this page)

http://www.loopfree.net/gallery/khrome

We're suppose to go back in few months so I'll round out my album then, maybe retake a few shots at the Lick Observatory.  The refractor made for a very good photo subject, but like I mention in the album - I really should have brought my tripod.

The weather was record highs - over 100 degrees Farenheit.  That called for crown buns smoothed over with aloe vera gel (thanks BB!!).  I think the heat from the weather and my head were good for my ends because they were so soft every time I took my hair down.  I washed my hair once while I was there, and I LOVED their water.

Tea and fairies

When I go on vacations, I always try to find a teahouse where I'll be.  There were none in San Jose except for Lisa's Tea Treasures.  They only serve afternoon tea between 11 and 4, so we missed it, but got to visit the store which also sells tea paraphenalia.  It was a small shop, but everything was so beautiful.  I got some of their tea samplers, and have a favorite - "My Lady's Respite".  I also got the cutest fairy book called "Fairyopolis".  It's suppose to be the journal of Cecily Mary Barker of Flower Fairies fame in the 1920's.  There are little things to pull out of the journal like letters, a sample of a fairy wing, an envelope of fairy dust and such.  It's meant for kids, but is written in cursive script that I think children might have a hard time reading.  I think this is more for the adult who is a child at heart!  Here is a link to the book at amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0723257248/sr=8-1/qid=1154322683/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1276731-7708659?ie=UTF8

Aloe Vera as Hair Gel

I love this idea that BB gave me.  I didn't end up finding 100% aloe vera gel, but I did find some 98% stuff, with lavender, chamomile, and comfrey by Nature's Life.  It smells wonderful.  On my hair, it dries just like hair gel, but doesn't turn into a flakey mess like hair gels.  It doesn't matter if I get any on my skin because it's good for it anyway.  In fact, my forehead is looking nicely moisturized these days!  Anyhoo, here is the brand I got:

http://www.natlife.com/Products/PersonalCare/AloeLav.htm

Comb

I forgot pack my wide tooth comb for the trip, so used my new tsuge comb the whole time I was there.  I think I had better results - maybe it helped spread the natural oils better.  I'm going to try using it exclusively to see if there really is a difference.

Sounds good!!  It always makes ya feel so much better when something for the hair turns out to be a bonus for the skin,too!! ;D

New Quarterly Length Pic

http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album66/abf.jpg

You have such beautiful hair!   Georgeous color!

Beautiful!!!!!! ;D

Wow!!!  ;D ;D

Holy cow!  :o

Beeeeeeeeeautiful!!!

Wooooooow!!
Your hair has grown so much and is so thick!
Congratulations Khrome. :D :D :D
Asian hair rules!!!

Thanks!!  I'm still debating on my long overdue trim.  2", 2.5" or 3".  I have a lot of dry ends that seem to be on the last 2 -3 inches of my hair.  It's hard to tell with the layers.  I just need to go get it done.  

Your hair shows the loving care you give it.  Gorgeous!

Glad the aloe vera tip is working for you.  I find that stuff to essential to have along.  It is great on sun burn, skin rash, smooths the hair, keeps braids looking great!  The miracle product!

Your hair is so pretty!  Can I just steal it for a day or so?  ;)

wrote on Aug 8^th, 2006 at 11:03am:

Glad the aloe vera tip is working for you.  I find that stuff to essential to have along.  It is great on sun burn, skin rash, smooths the hair, keeps braids looking great!  The miracle product!

AND, as you recently pointed out in another thread, it helps set curls too!  Aloe Vera - the Wonder Gel.

Novusfemina, you just gave me an idea.  Hair of the Month club!  We can try each others hair for a month and then send them to the next person on a rotation.  Hahah if only we could!

Ah....Aloe Vera http://smilies.sofrayt.com/1/y/hearton.gif love the stuff!

Khrome,

  I agree with everyone!  Your hair is awesomely beautiful....incredible color and thickness!  What a beautiful sight you are!

Jim

Ditto--I love your hair!   ;D

Aww shucks... /blush  Thanks to all of you, really!!  

Officially Switching to Camellia Oil

Lessee, this is an official change to my routine.  When I tried Camellia oil before, it made my ends "crunchy".  Lately, shea butter hasn't been cutting it and my ends have felt really dry.  This made it prone to tangling, even if I finger-raked it.  

When I got my microfiber turban, I wondered if oil would work better on my hair when it's left covered.  So that's what I've been doing - I'd apply about 4 drops to the ends of my hair after a wash.  Wrap up in the turban and left to simmer.  After removing the turban, my ends felt soft but thin.  I don't mind the thinning as much, as I'm sure that's how they are suppose to be.  I am going to get them cut soon.  But what I like is that I can run my fingers through my hair again with the ends getting stuck in a tangle.

I got my oil from this site - I am using their free sample.  It's a 10 ml bottle which seems to go a long way!  

http://www.camelliaoil.com/

PS - the pic in my avatar is me with dry ends.  See how they stick together in clumps at the very bottom?  When my ends are soft, the bottom is even.  

lüm Bun Covers officially out the door!

As some of you know, I was planning on making and selling bun covers, but my project was put on hold for other things.  But last week, my co-worker asked me if she could buy a bunch for her church bizarre.  I've had 8 already made, and sitting in my crochet bag for 6+ months.  So I made two more, packed them up, and I'm giving them to her tomorrow.  Here are some pics:

Solids in L, M, S
http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album125/aab.thumb.jpg

Multicolored in L, M, S
http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album125/aaa.thumb.jpg

In froo froo packaging
http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album125/aad.thumb.jpg

Packed and ready to go!
http://www.loopfree.net/albums/album125/aac.thumb.jpg

Sweet! I wish I could crochet like that!! Which reminds me, it time to start knitting again.  I need to make more Harry Potter scarves. http://smilies.sofrayt.com/aiw/wizard.gif

Those are great bun covers (and beautifully packaged too!).  I've made scrunchies for our church bazzare, which are always done well.  Surprisingly, my best sellers were the mini scrunchies I made for the ends of my braids.  They work well for small kids with thin hair!

I'm sure you'll do well selling your bun covers.

Wow, those are very nice bun covers!

Health

Well, it's still pretty crummy.  I'm still trying different things - right now I'm looking into food intolerances and it's effects on the skin.  I'm on a gluten and dairy free diet.  Eliminated as much sugar as possible too.  My digestion is tons better and I believe I've had intolerances since I was a kid and never knew until now.  But, although it fixed many other problems, my skin is still the same - dry, cracked, in pain.  I'm also trying enzymes and increasing my intake of Omega fatty acids.  

It really sucks because I leave my house like once a month.  I have to sit here in loose clothing otherwise my skin hurts.  When I go out any minute changes in weather effects my skin.  It's horrible.  And it doesn't help that I have a family get-together in December at Disneyland - I just hope I don't feel miserable there.

I feel like I'm dumping this all on you, but it explains why I've been so absent.  When I feel bad, I tend to just get all introverted, and don't like to tell people my problems.  I'm only telling you now because I've missed you all and feel bad about just falling off the face of the forum.  

Hair

Because I'm so preoccupied with health and keeping up with work, I haven't paid attention to my hair.  I'm in dire need of a trim - I want to get 3 inches cut off.  But like I said, it hurts to wear clothes and walk the couple blocks to the salon.  And I'm also self-concious of my skin when it's all flakey, and I don't like going to the salon when I feel like that.  Isn't that rediculous?  I need to get over it - I really need that trim!  :)  

I also have not colored my roots in 6 months, I think.  I've lost track.  So my hair at the roots is black, a lighter brown/red in the mid-lengths (from the one process color), and light brown at the bottom (from the two process color).  At least the sections are wide enough that it gradiates kind of naturally.  I don't know if I'll get the roots retouched now.  I think "I'm over" coloring.  

Other Things

Other than that, I got a sewing machine for my birthday that I have yet to use.  I'll have to ask you guys for tips!  I've never sewn before.

(((((hugs))))) Cindy I'm so sorry to hear about your skin. :-[ I hope it gets better.  At one point I was having problems too in that I had the itchys all the time, thankfully it went away after a while.  Hope your feeling better and hang in there! :-*

I'm so sorry things have been so tough for you.  It's ok to come and dump on us here - we're strong - we can take it.  Letting it out can help you feel better.

Good luck and let us know how things are going.

Yep, we have broad shoulders--dump away!   ;)

Skin conditions are the worst, aren't they? Being that it's your largest organ, if something's wrong with it, you just can't function normally. For instance, I'd rather sprain anything in my body than have a sunburn.  :P

Have you tried using a humidifier in your room or house? I've heard very good things about them and would imagine that one might at least help with the dryness that winter conditions can intensify. An oil-free, fragrance free lotion like Curél might help in places, too. My dermatologist gave me samples of it when a medication I was taking awhile back literally dried my skin out from the inside, and the outside would crack, scab & bleed.  :P

Have you seen a dermatologist? If not, I definitely recommend it. A good one will be able to look at you and say, "Oh, that's an allergic reaction from..." assuming, of course, that it is an allergic reaction. I hope that your condition improves, hon. And have fun at Disneyland. Perhaps we'll see each other in passing.  ;)

Thanks all!  You guys have always been strong and supportive, which is why this is the only place online that I actually feel comfortable talking about my health.  I mean, I have a health blog, but it's more about the
medical aspects.  Not the "I feel like hiding under a rock" type thing.  :)  Amazingly enough, my skin has gotten a little better this week.  But I'm not going to count my chicks before they're hatched.  But I AM thankful because now I'm not preoccupied with how awful I feel, and can actually get some stuff done!


wrote on Nov 28^th, 2006 at 4:57pm:

Skin conditions are the worst, aren't they? Being that it's your largest organ, if something's wrong with it, you just can't function normally. For instance, I'd rather sprain anything in my body than have a sunburn.  :P Have you tried using a humidifier in your room or house? I've heard very good things about them and would imagine that one might at least help with the dryness that winter conditions can intensify. An oil-free, fragrance free lotion like Curél might help in places, too. My dermatologist gave me samples of it when a medication I was taking awhile back literally dried my skin out from the inside, and the outside would crack, scab & bleed.  :P Have you seen a dermatologist? If not, I definitely recommend it. A good one will be able to look at you and say, "Oh, that's an allergic reaction from..." assuming, of course, that it is an allergic reaction. I hope that your condition improves, hon. And have fun at Disneyland. Perhaps we'll see each other in passing.  ;)

Oh yes, I've seen a dermatologist for several years now.  First he started me on the typical cortisones and antihistimine.   Then allergy shots.  After about a year of that, I decided to try acupuncture and herbs.  Did that for about six months, then went back to the doc.  We then tried UV treatments about 3 months.  Then immune suppressants - not sure how long I was on those.  I'm now taking a break from the doc again, and doing some research on my own.  There is a woman who also had severe eczema and is a nurse and dietician.  She claims to have solved her problem by changing her biochemistry, and she offers all the information for free.  So I'm trying to change my lifestyle/eating habits accordingly.  It will just take a while before I can tell if it's working or not.

I'm hopeful though!  At least, if I still have to go to the doc after I do all I can with my eating habits, I'll know that what I'm putting in my body is all good.  Kind of like the base of a pyramid - you need a solid foundation.  I've never really eaten well - I've just chosen to ignore it but it makes sense to look into it since food is the fuel that makes us go.  I wouldn't put the wrong gas in my car, so why should I put the wrong foods in my tummy!  I'm really missing my sugar right about now.  LOL

Ohyeah, and I use a moisturizer at least 3 times daily.  I've tried Curel before, but after much sampling, I've settled for a lotion called DML.  They recently stopped stocking it at my pharmacy - ack!  I get it from drugstore.com now.  I don't have a humidifier, but I do have an air filter.  I tried a humidifier when I was a kid, but if it's dry outside, going from humid inside to dry outside REALLY dried me out.  /sigh

I'm glad you're doing better. :)  I have alopecia and I know how frustrating it can be to have such a unpredictable condition and not know exactly when you'll experience flare ups or exactly what will be effective in treating the condition at all.  In spite of everything, your attitude seems amazing and I'm sure you know that remaining positive and hopeful can be very important to your health.  Congrats on finding a nurse who has experience in dealing with eczema and is generous and kind enough to offer free info.  I hope that everything coninues to go well. :)  

Poor Cynde. *hugz*

Good to hear that you're doing better. I hope the whole nightmare goes away quickly - it sounds like a lot to deal with!  :P

Hi all,
As I mentioned in the thread about the gross condom hair ties, life has been crazy lately.  Very bipolar-like - very up and down.  

As you know, I've been dealing with my health problems which is still on-going.  Things were pretty even-keel for a while - just working, resting, and I picked up a new hobby - sewing.  Then about six months ago, my bf and I decided we needed a vacation.  I haven't had on in like 10 years so I was excited!  We got our flight and accomodations booked and were ready to go.  

Then my mom fell and broke her hip, and my dad had a stroke.  All within a month of each other.  It was stressful then - trying to make it down to San Diego and make sure I could meet their needs the best I could from afar.  They are both better now.

Then, we found a great deal on a condo and bought our first home.  We moved in last month.  Joy Joy!

THEN, the week before vacation, my grandmother died.  She lived in the Philippines, and I didn't know her very well, so I was more sad for my dad than for myself.  BUT, then I also found out my best friend from grade school died several years ago and I never knew - here I was sending her emails all this time.  I had started wondering why I never heard back, and started to ask around about her.  I was pretty devastated.  

At this point, I had made myself physically ill from the stress.  I didn't want to go on vacation, but it was paid for non-refundable.  We thought it would do me some good, so we went.  It was okay - I was sick for the first half, but I did have a good time.  This was just last week.

Now I'm back, and we're doing a server migration for work this weekend which has been in the works for the last 10 months.  I'm just trying to focus and get it over with so I can start creating my friend's memorial page.  

So it's been a lot of up and down, but I really haven't had time to absorb any one of these situations.  Which is good, because I'm not overcome with depression which would really screw everything up.  I'm just taking it one thing at a time.

As far as my hair!  Well, I've been neglecting it.  I'm in need of a trim, and I have about 4 inches of roots.  LOL  I haven't done an ACV rinse in ages.  But, I've found this great shampoo and conditioner that leaves very little buildup - I haven't had to switch brands as often to get rid of buildup.  It's by Max Green Alchemy - and they make a great lip balm too. :-)  

http://www.maxgreenalchemy.com/

I really miss you guys!  I'm hoping I'll have more time to hang out on the board when things blow over.


PS - I fixed my gallery link - it got changed to a different server.  I still have to add two hairsticks I picked up from Kauai last week.  One is made of Koa wood.  :-)

Oh my!  Life has certainly been throwing challenges at you.  I hope things settle down a bit for you so you can enjoy life a bit more (and you can visit with us more!  ;))  My condolences for the loss of a good friend and your grandmother - I'm sure it has hit you hard.  It certainly reminds us that life should not be taken for granted.  I hope your parents are recovering well.

I'm off to check out your hairstick gallery..... I'm sure serious envy will occur. 8-)

khrome wrote on Nov 14^th, 2007 at 3:03pm:

Hi all, As I mentioned in the thread about the gross condom hair ties, life has been crazy lately.  Very bipolar-like - very up and down.   As you know, I've been dealing with my health problems which is still on-going.  Things were pretty even-keel for a while - just working, resting, and I picked up a new hobby - sewing.  Then about six months ago, my bf and I decided we needed a vacation.  I haven't had on in like 10 years so I was excited!  We got our flight and accomodations booked and were ready to go.   Then my mom fell and broke her hip, and my dad had a stroke.  All within a month of each other.  It was stressful then - trying to make it down to San Diego and make sure I could meet their needs the best I could from afar.  They are both better now. Then, we found a great deal on a condo and bought our first home.  We moved in last month.  Joy Joy! THEN, the week before vacation, my grandmother died.  She lived in the Philippines, and I didn't know her very well, so I was more sad for my dad than for myself.  BUT, then I also found out my best friend from grade school died several years ago and I never knew - here I was sending her emails all this time.  I had started wondering why I never heard back, and started to ask around about her.  I was pretty devastated.   At this point, I had made myself physically ill from the stress.  I didn't want to go on vacation, but it was paid for non-refundable.  We thought it would do me some good, so we went.  It was okay - I was sick for the first half, but I did have a good time.  This was just last week. Now I'm back, and we're doing a server migration for work this weekend which has been in the works for the last 10 months.  I'm just trying to focus and get it over with so I can start creating my friend's memorial page.   So it's been a lot of up and down, but I really haven't had time to absorb any one of these situations.  Which is good, because I'm not overcome with depression which would really screw everything up.  I'm just taking it one thing at a time. As far as my hair!  Well, I've been neglecting it.  I'm in need of a trim, and I have about 4 inches of roots.  LOL  I haven't done an ACV rinse in ages.  But, I've found this great shampoo and conditioner that leaves very little buildup - I haven't had to switch brands as often to get rid of buildup.  It's by Max Green Alchemy - and they make a great lip balm too. :-)   http://www.maxgreenalchemy.com/ I really miss you guys!  I'm hoping I'll have more time to hang out on the board when things blow over. PS - I fixed my gallery link - it got changed to a different server.  I still have to add two hairsticks I picked up from Kauai last week.  One is made of Koa wood.  :-)

I am very sorry for your loses and I hope things get better for you.

Jerry

((((((Khrome!)))))) It's good to see you again, chica!

I am so sorry for all of the stresses and sadnesses that have bombarded you lately. Hope things settle down a bit for you.

Love and light.  :)

Thanks BB, and Angel Spun!  Thanks Jerry, and nice to meet you!

Oh, I forgot to mention about the hairstick gallery..  I used to have a lot of info posted about the materials used in each stick, when I bought it, from where, who the artist was, etc. but those custom fields are no longer a feature in this version of Gallery!  I'm bummed about that because that was what made the pics interesting.  Ah well, maybe I can somehow get a backup from the admin so I can put them in the description field of the pics.

Khrome!!!!  Missed you ,girl!!!  I'm so sorry for all the sad unhappy things that have happened to you.  I'm sending "white light" to you,hoping you're doing much better and glad you stopped by! :)  We're here for you,don't forget!

Krome - maybe the Wayback Machine can help you find the information so you can re-enter it?

khrome wrote on Nov 21^st, 2007 at 2:05am:

Thanks BB, and Angel Spun!  Thanks Jerry, and nice to meet you! Oh, I forgot to mention about the hairstick gallery..  I used to have a lot of info posted about the materials used in each stick, when I bought it, from where, who the artist was, etc. but those custom fields are no longer a feature in this version of Gallery!  I'm bummed about that because that was what made the pics interesting.  Ah well, maybe I can somehow get a backup from the admin so I can put them in the description field of the pics.

You are very welcome ;)

Jerry

So good to hear from you again, Krome.  I hope the road smoothes out for you, dear, and you'll feel better.  *hugs*