Houston "Blizzard" Dec. 2009

Hair Thoughts

There are many expectations of what an appropriate hairstyle should be for a Black woman. The times in which you were raised influence your thinking. When I was a little girl, the length and texture of your hair determined your hairstyle, not what you could purchase.
I have fond childhood memories of my Mom, Mama (maternal grandmother) or Auntie Pat doing my hair for special occasions. I've shared with co-workers the thrill of little Black girls wearing their hair "down" after Easter, only to have it back to the routine style after a day or two (if you were lucky). My hair timeline has been... getting it pressed... getting a relaxer... or getting freestyle braids. But this year, turning 50, I just wanted a break. Since having the braids over the pass 11 years, all of the relaxer had grown out of my hair. It was freeing. I did not want to get back into that 4-6 cycle. I felt pressure to have a "style". Whenever I searched the web, the "natural" styles were either very short or very long afros or braids of many beautiful designs. None of them seemed right for me. I purchased a "Chi", but couldn't get hair really straight. It yielded the same frustrations I remember from getting my hair pressed... barely sweat, or step out into the Houston humidity and be napped up again.

So today, after almost 9 months in hair limbo...I'm happy.

Guess who else is happy? He was quite surprised when I met him for lunch. I told him I was attending an inservice.

Joe's Graduation

Here are my two favorite pics from the graduation: a kiss for the graduate and a close-up of the "hood". I'm glad the colors for the School of Education are colors I love. ;-) He has worked so hard during the pass two years. I'm impressed with his writing skills. Additionally, Joe has also been working on a teacher endorsement for the Visually Impaired online from Texas Tech. Due to his hard work, he has one more semester. He will be doing his internship with the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in January. About three months ago, I thought we might be moving to Tacoma, Washington because of a Blind Rehabilitation Internship with the Veteran Administration. After several interviews, he found out that he was the number two applicant. The VA has plans to open more facilities in 2010 and will need more interns, so we will see what happens. Growing up in the Marine Corps, my family moved every 3-4 years so I'm okay about moving. I've been in Houston longer than any other place in my life. I would miss Auntie Pat and family and Lakewood.

Just call him "Master Joey"

Joe's graduation with a Masters of Science in Education Management on December 19, 2009 from University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Christmas Day

My day was filled with hot tea, kleenex and the warmest afghan in the world made by "Dearie",my mother-in-law. Joe and I both have colds. What timing, you're not suppose to be sick over vacation. We fixed breakfast, opened gifts and went back to sleep. In the afternoon, Joe felt up to joining some neighbors at an open house, but crashed when he returned home. I'm grateful for the plates of goodies they sent him home with, thanks Beverly. Praise God, that Christmas is not about how you feel, but God's gift of his Son, Jesus. I hope your Christmas day was wonderful and filled with love.

Ease My Mind

Hello! The newsletter was too daunting to think about this year; reflecting on 2009, thinking of how to condense it, getting it in the mail in a timely fashion. Then I thought about the friends that have blogs and how they do a little at time and share a lot. So here I go. I will be back with highlights of 2009. Wow, my shoulders feel lighter already.