Dreadful

Okay, deep breath.  Yesterday, I started on a new adventure.  At this point, you probably think I'm crazy because expecting a third child, getting ready for one to start pre-school, 2nd grade for another just wasn't enough.  Not to mention attempting to run an at home business.  But this adventure isn't about spending time doing something... it's about letting go.  Letting go of control, of preconceived notions.  Letting go of unimportant things that steal away our time from what (who) matters most. 

Best pics I can do at the moment.

I dreaded my hair.  Well, actually Bruce did it for me.  I've admired dreadlocks for a number of years now.  So carefree, a beautiful evolving mess.  The absence of pretense and polish.  I've never been one to spend time on my hair.  I always found it frustrating.  Time consuming.  The products, styling tools, expense.  Just to try to look like everyone else.  Or how folks expect you to look. 

I had straight, oily hair most of my life.  After Jack was born (almost) 4 years ago it really changed.  My hair became wavy and dry.  At times it would be so crazy curly it couldn't be tamed.  I switched shampoos.  I used natural shampoo bars.  I tried no-poo (baking soda with a vinegar rinse).  Herbal hair teas.  *sigh*  Nothing helped.  I wash my hair 2-3 times a week in the summer.  More frequent washing just dries it out.  All the hair products I've tried for curly hair just makes it feel gunky.  After 4 years of fighting the craziness and mess... I'm done. 

It's been tamed by hours (and hours) of back-combing.  (and confined by a scarf... wouldn't want to scare the children)

My darling husband knew he married a hippie over 9 years ago.  :)  Over the past year I would show him pictures...."Hey, don't you think these dreads are cute?  Isn't her hair so pretty?".  He knew it was only a matter of time.  He's not the biggest fan of dreads, but he's supportive.  In the end, he decided it was best to help me so they turned out neat (as neatly as new baby dreads can be) so he could still be seen with me out in public.  :)

We have VBS (vacation bible school) at church this week and Bruce has a number of vacation days this week, too.  Church, movies, dinner out... not to mention doctor appointment check ups, and farmers market dates in the near future.  My new hair is going to get a lot of public viewing.  I was brave enough to put my hair in dreads... now I'm just hoping I'm brave enough to leave them, regardless of what others think.