Okay, here it is.  Do with it what you will.  

I am having the hardest time choosing a new name for my journal.  It is a symptom of depression, I think.

We are having the only second sunny day this month, which is the primary cause of my down mood.  It just doesn't take very much at all to upset me and send me almost into tears.  I am thinking of going back on antidepressants, but don't want to give up the highs to lose the lows.  I like my occasional moments of euphoria.  There are other things going on in my life right now that are also stressing me out.

Thank you Sakina, Curlgirl, MichelleR and Bikerbraid for your kind messages.  I would appreciate if the old journals could be attached to this journal.

Will write more later, when I can.

melusine wrote on Oct 19^th, 2009 at 7:15pm:


I sympathize with not wanting to take antidepressants.  That is exactly the reason I stopped taking them when I was fighting depression a couple of years ago.  I realized I wasn't as stressed out at work and I liked that, but I didn't like that my positive emotions (love for family, having fun with friends, etc) were dulled as well.  

I agree with Sakina about exercise.  I don't know how bad the rain is, but could you take a walk?  Even if you wear galoshes and rain gear, getting some exercise and fresh air will help.  Heck, dance naked in the rain in your backyard!  Maybe if you can embrace the weather instead of yearning for sunny days you will feel better.  Sorry if that sounds stupid or condescending.  It has helped me, but once I wrote it, it sounded silly.  Anyway, I hope you start to feel better soon!

Welcome to the world of journaling!

Vinegar - one of the wonder products of the world!  You can use the vinegar as often as you want.  It is probably most beneficial after shampooing, but there is no reason you couldn't do it more often than your shampoos.  If you do decide to use the rinse more often, you might want to add a light conditioning after the rinse.  Vinegar rinses, depending on the strength you use, can be a bit drying on the hair.  A bit of conditioner will help with that.

I am a proud owner of 2 Ric's combs.  I love them.  I also have a horn comb.   I like to use my horn comb on my damp hair (and dry the comb after use), but use the wood combs on my dry hair.  Wood and water are not a good combination.  You should also oil or wax a wood comb to prevent cracks and warping.

I have one of ric's combs and it!  I don't use any other combs now-its so great!!!  Totally worth the $$-I told hubby it was the only thing I wanted for Christmas so I got mine as a gift.  Bonus!!!

After reading all the discussion of hairspray, I think I will be cutting down on my usage.

When I bought my bone comb, I also bought Ion Effective Care Treatment.  The package said it is an intensive therapy protein fortifier and moinsurizer, containing Panthenol Provitamen B5 and hydrolyzed vegetable protein.  It's a 5-10 minute treatment.  Was wondering if anyone else was familiar with it.  I remember several years ago my friends and I used mayonnaise.  We applied it to dry hair under a plastic cap for 30 min., then washed it out.  It made the hair incredibly soft and shiny.

It is cold and raining here.  I hate this weather.  Last weekend was in the high 60s--sandals and short-sleeved shirts; Monday was in the 30s--back to boots and parkas.

I have been using mental imagery, visualizing my hair growing in healthy and strong.  I think it helps.  Tomorrow morning will wash it with the new sulfate-free shampoo and see how that works.

Tried the cold rinse and YIKES!  I am from further south than I am living now and can't stand being that cold.  My husband sets the thermostat at 65 at nite and the first thing I do when I get up is set it at least 70, and the bathroom is still chilly.  So the cold rinses will have to wait until July.

Can't wait for the weather to warm up.

Hi, Drear, I've used mental imagery to help a dental implant heal, to get rid of what looked like a fungus infection on my finger, so I thought I would try it with my hair.  I am on the road at least an hour each day, so use that time to visualize.

Washed my hair with the L'Oreal sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner today.  Didn't lather as much as the Matrix and Garnier, but left my hair clean and soft and curly/wavy.  Only problem is that I don't like the smell.  BTW, it is 100% vegan, for those who are interested in Vegan products.

The sun is shining today and I am much happier.  Plus I washed my hair and am happy with the result.  After discovering this site, I am completely hair-obsessed.

Wore it down to school today, which I haven't done since late August, and startled some people.