PJ

Lord I thank you so much for loving and protecting me.  You are so faithful !


I have been extremely busy doing my research for our YT Channel.  It is busy work but it has been fun working to develop topics and content.  I am a big fan of YT and I am subscribed to over 800 channels.  I tend to truly follow my favorites.  But yeah, the channel is coming together well.  The team has divided up tasked based on our skill set. 


Natural Hair Journey Today - I am on a 4 day twist out.  Meaning I washed my hair on Saturday and started my original style on a twist out.  Last evening I retwisted using the New Cantu Natual line.  As you know I am a shopper and as a result I am a product junkie.  Most morning I go into Whole Foods to pick up my breakfast (oatmeal with raisins and nuts).  Well when I was in there yesterday I strolled through the hair section.  I wanted to check out Kinky Curly Knot today, my two natural sisters in Christ swear by it and their hair and they have fantastic hair.  So to my surprise there was a tester of all the Kinky Curly products.  My heart raced, I picked it up, smelled it and proceeded to take some out and I actually put it on my hair.  I think another shopper saw me I was a tad bit embarrassed. It reminds me a bit of my Cantu twist gel.  My hair seemed to enjoy it.  I didn't stop there I went to YT and did my research, really good reviews from gurus I trust.  Taren916 uses it and she has big hair but it is fine hair, and I have fine hair with loose curl pattern.  She used it with the Kinky Curly custard and it didn't give her hair what she wanted, so she combined it with Tressame Natural conditioner, which I already have at home.  So now of course, I will pick up the custard this evening for my wash tonight.  I will first try it with Kinky Curly Knot Today.  Alot of the reviews say it takes a long time to dry so I will take this into account.  Tommorow I may leave it twisted.  I am excited about it.  Now my staple leave in as been Giovanni and this will be the first time I have swayed from it.  So we will see my results. 

I think I am crazy because my Cantu line works wonderfully.  This is day 4 and the Cantu is still holding strong.  My hair is soft, it moves and did not shrink alot.  I may eventually try a wash n go.  Since October 2012 I have been a two strand twist; whether it is a twist out or an afro.  I have always felt my curl pattern was too loose for a wash and go and that I would not have good curl definition.  But I feel my Cantu or the Kinky Curly could give me a good wash n go.  I will play around with this once I get the swing of these products.  I like to wear protective styling 3 weeks out of the month and this week is my week I wear my hair out at work.  So I might have to do wash n go next month.  Last evening when I twisted my hair, I did go ahead and trim my ends, it was more than a dusting, I took off about 1/4 of an inch.  I think I did a good job. My hair was easier to untwist this morning. 

Problem areas:  I am noticing that an area of  nap is breaking as a result of me wearing my winter scarf. I am glad I am more in tune with hair so that I can correct this now.  My edges appear to be growing in gradually.  I feel and see hair where there were actually bald spots.  I continue to put Black Jamacian castor oil in these area and on my crown area where it has thinned.  I also use various products from Shea moisture thickening line.  I especially like the thickening mist spray which I spray directly on troubled areas. 


I had this crazy idea that going natural would be less expensive, but for me it cost me more money in products.  Not that I have to have them I want them.  I like testing the results.  I have got to put a hold on the spending and use up some of my current items.  After I pick up the Kinky custard I will chill for awhile. 

Makeup - I plan to make a stop at target as they have 50% off of Iman foundations which are expensive for drug store brand.  I have never invested in any, but now I just may take advantage of the sale if I can color match myself.

YES YES YES

 

YES !  YES !  YES !

 

 

Lord You are good and your mercy endureth forever !  Lord you are good !  So good !  I am amazed at Your power.  You are greater than anything that I face.  You remove anxieties and encourage me to live.  To live a good life.  Thank You

 

WOW God is so amazing !  I prayed yesterday for my life group and God is directing and leading me.  God continues to work on my vision for the group.  Amazing things are underway. 

 

OK get ready !  I found a bootcamp, I’m all IN  !!  I will begin next week it is in Beachwood near my job, price is 47 bucks unlimited for the first month. I got a call into them to see what price is for the second month and ongoing. A few of the ladies from True Image are there so I will have my support group.  YES YES YES (ya’ll know I need hand holding). I also had some sessions left with my trainer Eric and I will return next Tuesday.  I prayed about a plan and I have one.  Bootcamp keeps me feeling excited, motivated and successful.  Along my journey I have learned things about myself and this is two of them; I love bootcamp experience and I love to walk/run.  I get a rush, YES a rush !  I do personal training because I know it is good for me, it helps me build muscle and it challenges me in a real one on one way.  For example when I have to do a two minute plank I do it, there is no hiding or pretending.  This is what I like and don’t like J 

 

Weight Loss Journey My weight loss goal is to lose 5 to 6 pounds per month.  I usually do 10 per month.  I learned the last time I was doing way TOO much and got myself injured.  I will take it slow.  I will make a decision as to whether I will continue my personal training sessions.  It is costly but well worth it.  Starting this past December I took on a big financial responsibility and I have to really see if personal training is a wise financial investment for me.  I have a membership at Planet Fitness for 10 bucks per month, if I decide to do machine or other things I can’t do at home.

 

 

Natural Hair Journey Last evening I untwisted my hair moisture, sealed and resisted.  This morning I moisturized with an ill water and sealed castor oil and coconut oil.  I wore it to work twisted, and I did not do a twist out.  I just wore it as a two strand twist.  It’s cute, it’s ok, and it’s me.  I did not want it down today totally exposed to the elements.  I wore a hand to protect it while outside.  The shampoo in color is holding up nicely.  I put it in on Saturday and Saturday is not my regular wash day.  I usually wash and deep treat on Tuesday evening.  So I will most likely not wash tonight because I have to add shampoo in more color to maintain the color.  Remember this is not chemical it is herb based from China (not approved by FDA) J  What we ladies won’t try LOL  Hey but its working.  So it looks like my wash day may be moving toward the weekend.  But Tuesday night wash was not rushed because I usually don’t have plans on Tuesday.  We will see I just might go ahead tonight.  REALLY is it that big of deal YES to me it is.  Taking care of natural hair is time consuming. Wash/Prepoo or clarifying, co washing, deep conditioner with hot oil or homemade protein conditioner (under heat cap for 40 minutes), color shampoo, conditioning, leave in, moisturizer, seal or the LOC method, then styling creams/gels/mousse, etc/ then twisting.     You see where I need time, on Saturday I am running around, and tired.  I don’t want doing my hair to be a chore because I LOVE taking care of it.  A woman’s hair is her crown of glory.  I believe this like never before.  I don’t want all this to come across as being vain but I am working to take care of what God gave me.  He knows every hair on my head and he made each and everyone of us uniquely and beautiful.  I have to remember this when I see a lot of the naturals on YT with hair that is amazingly beautiful. Yes I have hair envy at times.  God reminds me that I am special and unique and that HE loves me and that I am here for a purpose to serve HIM.

 

With all that said I better go ahead and wash tonight LOL  You guys see why I blog !!!!!

 

 

See ya – Stay tuned for YT Channel updates I am working on topics, if you have any in mind shoot me a message or contact me on facebook or email me at vanessajordan79@yahoo.com.    

Planning Planning Planning

Lord You are so worthy !  You SAVED me Lord !  Lord bless NCBF and we go into the second half of our life groups.  Continue to grow us and thank you for blessing us with what we need.  Thank You Lord !

 

Our life group Fit for the King is growing in numbers and in strength.  The women are bonding together.  We were praying for 1 care leader to accept the responsibility and we got 3 care leaders.  Totally awesome.  We keep our ladies in prayer as we want to walk through life together.

 

Yesterday’s worship and praise was filled with the holy spirit of God.  Amazing !  I am so glad I am out of my FUNK.  The enemy had me for awhile.  Thank God for Jesus J

 

My weekend was eventful, I went to dinner with friends Friday night and we had lots of food and laughs.  We are all natural hair girls so we started the evening by talking hair.  We did an unofficial product swap.  I picked up AS I AM cowash and a styling smoothie from AS I AM.  These products were on sale at Sally’s so on Saturday I went to Sally’s and picked up a few of the cowash.  It worked really well in my hair, it was moisturing. 

It was fun, it is always fun to try new products.  I am beginning to learn what my hair likes.  I enjoy talking hair, the natural hair community is an awesome community of women and some men who love to talk hair.  I wore my natural hair exposed openly to church on Sunday and I had so many conversations with other naturals about techniques, hair color etc.  At first I was a bit nervous about exposing my REAL hair as it has not been OUT in years LOL  I wore it and loved it, and it didn’t let me down.   What I mean is once I stepped outside I did not regret wearing my own hair out in public.  I thought about putting a head wrap on to cover some of it, but decided against it.  I went all the way and I loved it.  I thank God for giving me the confidence. 

 

I wear a lot of protective styles, LOTS LOL  But I wanted to wear my own hair, the hair God gave me.  What made it easy also on the REAL REAL was that my shampoo coloring system was delivered and I put it in and the gray went bye bye.  NOW I am natural but I do like color, I am not ready right now in my life for gray.  Gray washes me out and is dull on me.  I am not ashamed of my age and what gray represents but it does not flatter me.   

 

I love sharing info, one lady asked me how did you get your hair to do that,  I was able to share with her things that are important to do with natural hair. 

 

At dinner we did some planning as we will be working to develop a YT Channel, sooooooooooooooooooooo stay tuned.  It will be lots of work but it will also be a lot of fun.  I am excited as I have wanted to do a channel but did not have the courage to do it along.  We have a really good concept for the channel and we are all excited. 

 

I follow a lot of beauty and natural hair gurus who have taught me so much about makeup application and how to care for me hair. 

 

Now here we go, my weight loss journey was ruined while I was in the FUNK !  I am so pissed J  But I have a plan of ACTION .   My trainer texted me Saturday, yeah right, right when I was coming up out of my FUNK and we will begin 2x a week workouts.  Tuesdays and Thursday, I am excited about this.  I need my routine back !  I picked up a salad from Whole Foods this morning for my lunch.  I had oatmeal, eggs and 2 slices of bacon for breakfast.  Thus far this day I am doing good. It is a start.  I will never stop trying.

 

I have individuals in my life that are encouraging me and lifting me up, which I really appreciate.  I appreciate my subscribers to this blog soooooo very much.  I really am grateful for your ongoing support.  One of my subscribers sent me a message saying she felt I must have been in a FUNK when I stopped writing.  This touched me in a special way.  Writing this blog really helps to keep me on track and allows me to get things out.  There are things I still keep in but I get a whole lot out of my system. 

I have tons of planning to do for the life group and for the YT Channel.  EXCITING !

Functioning in the Funk

 

                         I had to use this phot again because this is the only photo that
                            uploads properly, again this is a protective style (wig) I ordered
                                                             from Canada during the holidays.

 

This is the end of the Funk series :)  I had not blogged since October 2012, this is when the Funk began, October is the month Chris passed.  This has been my worse year since he passed.  God is able to give me peace, but I had to ask.  Thank you Lord !

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Lord thank you for lifting me up and giving me love.  Thank you for your mercy, grace and favor.  You provide for me when I feel like I have nothing.  I want to be more connected to You so that I can hear You clearly. Last night I prayed for God to help me work through these depressed feelings.  God is faithful, so this is the last day of the Funk for me.

 

 

Last evening Fit for the King relaunched our Life Group.  Things went so well, we had a significant amount of ladies who want to draw closer to the Lord.  We set goals and celebrated our accomplishments.  We made smoothies and had humus and chips, yummy

 

This evening I go to dinner with one of my besties.  We are planning something really fun and exciting. I always laugh and have fun when I am in her presence J   I can’t wait.  Tomorrow morning I will be doing the 7:30 a.m. walk with Blondell and the crew.  More excitement.  Then I will be having breakfast with a dear friend we will have great conversation, we have lots in common. 

 

Natural Hair Journey – My photo uploader on this program is acting a fool.  A real fool !  I would love to share my natural hair journey.  Today I am in one of my wigs, It is a favorite, as I am a product junkie I have a backup of this wig J  YES I do !  Last evening at church, I talked with a  few ladies who are natural and they were very encouraging.  I love the natural hair community.  The sisterhood is awesome on YT and in my day to day.  Since I wore weaves and braids for years many people did not know I was natural, heck I didn’t even know I was natural.  I praise God for Juanita (hair dresser)  who did not encourage me to put the creamy crack in my hair while I wore weaves.  I saw her every two weeks so my hair was still in good shape, when she would take my hair down from weaves she would blow me out, trim my ends and let me see the beauty of my hair.  She even encouraged me to go natural and directed me to the Natural hair salon.  She felt I could work some natural styles.  She lives out of state now, but I FB her to let her know and we consult about my hair via FB.  Love me some Juanita.

 

I ordered a hair product that has natural ingredients that changes the hair color from grey to black.  It is a shampoo, a review from a trusted YT guru say it needs to be shampooed in at least 2x per month.  Since it is all natural I am cool with this. I find that dealing with the grey color in my hair is my most craziest thing about my hair that I do not like.  I know I am mature in age, but I don’t dig grey on me.  I used a semi permanent color once since I was natural and it washed right out, but while it was in it was on POINT.  So my color should be here by my next wash day.  Hopefully I will have tracked down some Nafy Puffy hair, which I want to braid in for a few weeks as a protective style. 

 

Exercise: Yes I am going out in the morning at 7:30 a.m.  I love the fellowship with the women of God and I love the way I feel when I am in a cardio state.  I don’t like getting up that early but I will do it.  My ankle is better so I will test it out tomorrow. Pray with me !

Working throught the Funk

Lord I love You more today than yesterday.  I am grateful for Your love that comforts me and keeps me safe.  Lord remove anxieties that arise in me and allow me to face my fears.  Lord you have the power to give me that peace.  I want to listen to Your voice.

 

I continue to face the funk in my life and deal with it. I am liking myself more today than yesterday.  I have several things in my life to work through and straighten out so that I am not a walking ball of fear !  I am developing a plan of action.  Write things down and attack.  Yes attack !

 

Today I have heard from two good friends which really blessed me.  God uses his people to show His love. 

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Natural Journey – yesterday I was able to upload a photo of one of my protective styles.  If you didn’t see it go back to yesterday’s post.  I tried to uploads lots of photos today and I couldn’t get it to work.  I have never had uploading issues before.  I will work it out bear with me.  The photos are hilarious !  Stay tuned !

 

Yesterday I thought of a new protective style that I feel pretty confident doing.  I plan to track down or order Nafy Collection Puffy/Fluffy hair.  I can put them in making sure to not do my edges tightly.  I have some creative ideas as to how to style the look.  I will wear it for a month and take it out.  I will work to have it in my next Saturday the 19^th, I would like to do my Agogee 2 step (sp) protein treatment before putting them in and I am due for a treatment on the 19^th.  I do protein treatment every 6 to 7 weeks.

 

I do notice that since I am nature I get bored easily with my hair styles.  I now like playing in my hair a lot and look forward to twisting, corn rolling, washing, treatment, whatever !!! Love it !!!

 

When I washed my hair Tuesday evening my hair was in good condition.  I used the NEW Cantu line, the hair lotion works well on my fine/thin hair.  It moisturized and did not leave my hair feeling like a greasy mess.  I am still looking for the curl activator, my BSS nor Target had it, I will check out Wal-Mart this weekend.  But since I am wearing protective styles I really don’t need it, but since I am a PRODUCT JUNKIE I need it in my collection. 

 

Progress since October 2012 – my hair responds well, I have learned many things about my hair, I am dealing with 3 different textures.  My top/crown is loose wavy, my sides are more nappy and the back is awesome J  If I could take my back and put it all over my head WOW !  But I am working with what I have and making it work.

Growth-I don’t do official length checks because my hair usually grows at a steady pace.  I would say my hair has grown an inch since October especially in the crown area.  This area is thin, but it grows the fastest.  I also have to acknowledge that I have trimmed my hair twice and dust the ends occasionally as needed.  I do have problems with single strain knots (like what is this) LOL  At first length was a issue for me, I did not do a big chop because I transitioned while wearing weaves and braids.  But I do want more volume I LOVE big hair.  LOL  Now I look to see the healthiness of my hair, how it springs back, checking my ends and protecting my ends.  Seeking out products that will give it shine, luster and healthiness.   I love my natural hair I never thought I would walk away from relaxer, but I did without even knowing that I was. 

 

 I now can recognize when my ends are split and need trimming and I do it myself.  I do lots of things myself now, I purchased a treatment cap for my deep conditioning it works, this is a technique my mama use to do to both of our hair.  Once a month I mix, mayonnaise, eggs, honey and olive oil as a deep treatment, the other 3 weeks I use Shea Moisture Treatment Mask (awesome). 

 

 

 

Will be walking 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning.  If you are interested contact me for walking info.  We gonna get it in.

Coming out the Funk

                                                 Protective Style - It's a wig with hair band
                                                            I will add other photos

Lord I am grateful for Your love, your amazing power that covers and protects me.  Thank You for my family and friends.  I appreciate You I want to draw closer to You.

Well, this is Day 2 of coming out of the FUNK !  I have lots of great things going on in my life; my daughter is pregnant, starting a YT channel, loving family and a loving church family.  I plan to spend today thinking about what I have to be grateful.  This should be a powerful day.  I will stay focused on the GOOD !

I got a text this morning from a dear friend who wants to do breakfast Saturday morning.  I was sooooo excited, I love her company and I am looking forward to the fellowship.  I am grateful for all my friendships.  Friday evening I will be having dinner with a friend who is my lil sis in Christ.  We always have lots of laughs.  So gradually I am coming out of the FUNK and celebrating life. 

Natural Hair Journey: 

Last evening was my wash night, I cowashed, clarified, deep conditioned, moisturized, double strand twist and seals with oil.  I used the NEW line of Cantu; hair lotion, twist gel and pomade, I have to find the curl activator.  I saw a review on YT and liked the results.  The products all Natural hair friendly; no paraban, no sulfates, etc.  I must say the result this morning were good. I left the twist in and wore a protective style to work.

I was in denial at the beginning of my journey but I am a product junkie.  Across the board makeup, hair products, tools etc.  I would love to be a beauty editor testing and reviewing.  YT will give me the opportunity to do some of what I love doing.

I want to say more about protective styling.  Thinking and creating protective styles has been so much fun.  I found some cool hair wraps at the BSS and got a few different colors.  I wear them with afro puff and it makes a nice style. All my hair is protected.  I have been wearing protective styling since December 2012.  My last protective style I corn rolled my hair and moisturized it day and night using; oils, leave ins and moisturizing milks. When I took my hair down last night my hair was moist and felt and looked healthy.  I was grateful.  I am trying to work with my natural hair trying to find products that my hair LIKES, trying to find what works for ME.  Through this journey I am learning to love the me that I am.  My hair is my hair, sometimes I must admit I do get hair envy.  I see other women on YT with textures and length that is unbelievable.  I then look back to their journey back to a few years and they were once where I was.  I am so encouraged.    I pray the YT channel we are working on will give God the glory and help other women love who God created them to be. 

Chat with you soon ! Will keep you posted on the YT launch date.

The Funk Series : Recovering from the FUNK

Over the past few months I have been in a deep slump.  When I stop writing in my blog I am in a funk !  A big funk REAL big funk !

 

I have been in a hole and have not allowed others to help me out.  I have had some major miracles in my life over the past few months, so I should be giving God the praise all over the place.  But I haven’t for this I am sooooo sorry.  Instead I have been in a master hole.

 

Today I have decided to love myself again and to work to be a better me.  A dear friend of mine emailed me today saying she felt depressed and I agreed with her that I too was in a stay of depression.  She asked if she should seek out a doctor for medication and I immediately said I need to get in my Bible more and to pray about my condition.  I also told her I need a good shopping trip LOL  Yesterday I talked to a friend who also has been in a funk.  Funk were her exact words ! 

 

When she and I had this discussion I said I need to write also, writing keeps me connected to God and myself.  It is a release. 

 

I want to pray for my sisters who are feeling the funk of life, the emptiness the loniness and insecurities.  We have to really know God is there for us and believe and trust Him to deliver us.  I am asking God to really help us and other’s who are suffering from the Funk.

 

This is a brief write up if I wrote my feelings over the past few months it would be way too long.

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But a small catch up is that I have gone NATURAL, yes NATURAL.  I transitioned while I was wearing hair weaves.  During the time I did not realize I was going natural until I decided not to get braids or another weave.  I wanted to see my hair for what it was and to take care of it.  Since about October 2, 2012 I have been in my natural hair journey. 

 

I feel like I have so much catching up to do, I will upload some of my early day photos like day one and two.  You will laugh because I looked crazy but I was so proud.  I have learned lots of Natural care language which is cool.  Tonight is my hair wash night.  It is a big deal something that I enjoy.  I am a product junkie and will be using some new syling products tonight.  I think I will be do some mini twist and wearing a protective style over them,  We will see.  My protective styles consists of afro puffs with hair wraps, wigs and caps.