X-Rays and Foot and Leg pictures With blue Nail polish.

I can be changed by what happens to me, but i refuse to be reduced by it.

- Maya Angelou

Happy Weekend Everyone,

So I was looking through my old X-rays, because I need to go do new tests, to see what actually has been going on for Real with my bones and my hips. These X-rays were done a few years ago 5 or 6 years, but basically, I didn't have them done to often because until now nothing changed.

Sorry for the picture Quality, its the best I could do, I had to ask my brother to take these shots.

So this first one, is the back of my legs. The issue is of course the left leg/ foot. Thats what I need to stretch out so that they are both the same.

Ok, so ummm, its not easy taking a photograph of an X-ray, believe me. This was taken 5/6 years ago. What you should be looking at, is the Left bones and the right bone. See the Difference? In actual fact, there is nothing to connect the left leg to the body, whereas the right leg is connected via the hip.
Here is a better shot, but now it on the opposite angle. My right leg is on the left of this shot and my left leg is on the right of this X-ray. I didnt realize I had turned it round until After I took the shot, but its the best I could get.
My left foot again, and now you can see, that one leg is on the ground (actually its a step) and the other isn't.
This is very very very bad, because, the front of my foot (meaning my toes) reaches the ground before the rest of the foot, so I need to constantly monitor my leg to make sure the Whole foot reaches, otherwise, its like taking 10 steps forward and 8 back.

So, yeah, that's basically, what I have been dealing with. I must say, the difference used to be a whole lot before. At one point it was 7 cm. And then it stayed 5cm difference for many years. I know most people wouldnt really understand what I mean about my leg issue so I will try to explain.

A problem like this means, that firstly, my spine isn't straight, so threw the years my spine has kind of shifted/curved.

Secondly, the leg which is normal, does have a lot of strain put on it, also in the X-ray, you notice, its bigger/fatter/thicker, than the left side.

Another problem, is that because there is *no hip* connecting the left leg, it pains A Lot. A whole lot, its a pain, that comes and goes, but in winter it hurts like nothing I can describe.

Also, my feet are small, but the left foot is much smaller than the right foot, so before when I used to go shoe shopping, I would have to buy 2 pairs, one for the left and one for the right. In the end I just always bought a big size for school which was boys camping boots and in summer some random sandals. I hated shoe shopping anyways, people staring at me and limited choices!!!!!! Until Now that is.

So, what I need to do, is somehow, stretch out the remainder. And go for new X-rays and see how this has affected my whole body. Check how my spine is holding up and how my hip is doing. And basically just do a complete body x-ray, just to know exactly whats going on.

So thats it. Have a fabulous weekend.

Love, Blessings and Blue Nail Polish

The Bald and The Braids (with everything in between).

Truth, and goodness, and beauty are but different faces of the same all.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hi , so with all the excitement going on in my life, my hair seems to be taking a back seat. But its holding up and jealousy isn't an issue, it aint Hating like my Bank account. I think, I mentioned before, that I went 'natural' a few times, I actually Big Chopped thrice. The first time, my brother did it for me and the next morning, I woke up and was in total denial, I honestly didn't think it through about what I was going to do with a Bald Head And it was in the middle of winter. But, I must say, those first few showers were pure Heaven. However as soon as it grew into a TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro), I think I braided it and then ended up relaxing it again. And that cycle repeated it self until 2009 November, when I just had it cut off the sides and the flat ironed at the top.

When I moved to Abuja, Nigeria, I would alternate between cornrows and wash and go's. But I promised myself to grow it out and see how long, I could go without chemicals. Its now, February 2011 and I have been natural ever since. Not a bad feat. It was and still is a learning process, but one that I enjoy very much.

Below are some photo's just about my hair journey.

This was taken the first Time I big chopped, we (my sister and I) were invited to a birthday party and it was our first time showing off, so to speak. After the initial shock wore off, my friends and most of my family warmed to the idea. My parents were the most shocked I think, but they finally came around. I think, it was the fact that both my sister and I both shaved our heads at the same time, and my brother had his hair cropped as well, so there were three balded headed heads.

This was in Abuja, Nigeria. The sides are shaved and the top was a simple wash n go.

This was December 2010, after I took out the braids that I had in since October.

These last two pictures are my most recent. I actually braided my own hair ------Yay YouTube!!!!!!!!!! I learned, studied and just went to town (in my case -my head ) with it. It was a long process, 5 hours the first night, 3 the next and then 3 the next. But, I am happy with the results.

The plan, is to stay with these braids (just make them tighter if they begin to get loose) until mid March or early April, remove them, asses the hair length, leave it loose for May (my birthday month) and then braid again in June/July - alternating with cornrows till December.

Right now, my hair reaches my shoulders and I want it to be at least bra strap length by December hopefully and this process seems to work best. I have found that if I just leave my hair and do very little to it, even when its loose, then it grows pretty quickly (I think so anyways).

So yep, thats it on the hair front. Its growing and growing and just growing beautifully.

Love, Blessings and Chemical Free.

Important matters like maybe joining a gym........

The good news is that we are making progress. The bad news is that we're doing too little and moving much too slowly.

- Sam Nunn

Hiya, so I survived Valentine's Day. Nuff said.

The above quote totally fits today's post. I stopped the Yoga and Pilates. Ok, so I didn't actually just stop. I had to go to town everyday last week - job hunting / applications and so forth. And I made the effort to walk. I never once took public transport. I just walked back and forth, so yeah. I did this firstly in order to 'break' in my shoes and secondly, just to see how much walking I could actually manage with 'the limp'. And when I got home, I tried to do some exercises, but boy did that hurt. so ummm, last week. Nothing, Nix, Nada.

I found my Pilates workout whilst living in Abuja, its a Youtube clip called 'Winsor Pilates - Buns and Thighs' and well its great for me, the stretching is fab and even though my bum hurts like crazy the following morning, I kept it up (lol).

As for Yoga, I have the Yoga for Dummies DVD (Actually I have the Pilates for Dummies also, but I prefer the Winsor). So I am at a point here, I personally think I need some professional help, you know like joining a gym and getting an instructor. Only 2 things are stopping me.

1. My bank account is still hating and joining the gym wasn't in the 2011 budget. Believe me, very few things are in the 2011 budget. I am pretty sure, I Am not in the 2011 budget. Don't get me wrong, Its my budget, but I ain't in it.

2. When, I used to wear the built up shoes, it would bother me going into a gym and seeing all these perfect bodies, I really didn't care so much about what the bodies looked like, I was more concerned that they all had normal shoes and I would go into the gym with special shoes, then I would have to explain to my instructor what I can and couldn't do. And I would always feel eyes on me. so half the time, I would go extra early and wear my baggiest pants to cover my legs and then I would leave the gym sweaty and stinky, Because taking a shower in a public place freaks me out and also, taking a shower in itself is another ordeal and I just didn't want people gawking at me, whilst in all my naked glory.

Which brings me to this current state of Affairs. Now that I am wearing proper shoes, I really really REALLY would love to join a gym, however, and this is the weired part, I don't mind the limping (because it is only temporary) but because I am constantly in motion (when I am walking) People don't really see it. But if I were to join a gym (its free for the first month - I figured, I could get 6 gyms all over the city and go every month (I am trying to think if that's illegal or wrong). It doesn't sound wrong to me. But then my Moral compass isn't working right now, what with it being winter and all - it fell in the snow. And desperate times call for desperate measures and Don't Judge Me!!!!!!!!! I am pretty sure you have thought of it at least once or twice. Anyways.

See now, I lost my train of thought.

Ah yes, the gym. Right, so it kinda bothers me a little because its all the memories coming back that I am trying to get over. And I would be constantly worried that maybe people are staring at me, I am pretty shy actually. Its a hidden quality, that not many people, but believe me. I am shy. I really AM. I show it in a loud abrasive manner. But there is really a shy person, hidden in my loud shouting in your face attitude. Its the Tinkerbell in me.

So, what to do? what to do?

Here are some pictures that I found on Pilates and Yoga. Let me just say this, apart from being naturally shy and I am also naturally lazy. I only do certain things if I am really Really Really REALLY in the mood. So I just googled - Pilates and Yoga and pasted the first pictures that came on. Simple and Klaar.

I am off to read about what is illegal and certain grey areas. And just to have a look at exactly what the prison suit for women looks like because I can't rock ORANGE. A light pink,some blue, some green, some light brown, but no Orange. Also, I decided a long time ago, that bars wasn't part of my decor plans ever. Ever. EVER!!!!

Ohhh, I love her hair!!!!!!!!

See the lady, in the second row, picture number 2? I wish!!!!!!!!!!! And the one below her, in white. And actually above her also. Wow!!!!!! Why come I cant do that?
I honestly think, the middle one, is how shall I put this in a lady like manner, she is ummm doing number 2 in the woods. Maybe its just me. But, I don't think I actually need to learn this move.

I bought a ball for these exercises as well.

Ok. ....... Please don't think, I would actually join a gym and keep it moving for 6 months. I am not so off center. At least I hope I am not, there was that one incident in Primary school, but I swear it was Peer Pressure!!!!!!!!!

I am just going to keep on keeping on with the Pilates and Yoga. Until I get my leg stretched and I win the Lotto or free Gym membership. Or date a guy who has his own gym. I would even consider dating a gym instructor.....now there's a thought.

Gotta go, need to check out Match.com or Chemistry.com or Zoosk to find me a gym instructor in my area.

I just realized its a bit sad that I know these dating website.

Peace, Love and No Orange jumpsuits.

And then I cried......

An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.

- Buddha

My gosh, February is almost over, I know I said dont stay tooo long but come on now!!!!!! February isnt even giving us a chance to say how you doing, I guess for 'All the Single Ladies' aka and myself, thats not a bad thing. That day needs to come and go quickly, but on to more important things.

Shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful Shoes!!!!!!

I decided last week, that I was going to pack all my built up ones away and only wear the normal types and since I didnt have winter shoes, on Monday, I went out and I bought myself a pair of boots. It was Heaven, walking into the store, knowing I didnt have to worry about the cut nor if I would need to return if it couldnt be cut. It was only, when I got home that I realized what I had just done. And then I cried. It was goood. It was a cleansing, sweet release of everything, I had been through and how I far I had come to get to this point in my life. I don't think, I will ever be able to full express what I am going through, but Its as close to Pure Bliss as I can imagine. I really have no actual words to really convey what is going on in my life right now.

I am not at the finish line yet, don't get me wrong, the leg hasnt stretched out completely, but I decided that me still wearing the old shoes, was imprisoning my mind into thinking, I couldn't go all the way, and even though for now, I am walking with a limp, that doesn't bother me. (I have always walked with a limp anyways-plus I told myself thats only temporary), The point was to get myself to a place where I know, this will happen for me and I need to start living like it is happening right now. Besides, walking with these shoes is in a way stretching the leg, so there, I get my exercise in, either way.

Now lets talk about my new babies. I needed something strong and beyond everything. So I found these Bad A.. shoes (excuse the French), and they just shouted out my name. I swear, I feel like a Rebel wearing these boots. They look Fierce, Powerful and Take no prisoners. When I wear them, which is every day since I bought them I feel like I can do anything.

My Bad Mama Jama Shoes

These are not your typical lady like shoes, honey.

For now, I am sticking to flats, but rest assured, come summer time, we will be in high heels, you can take that to the bank!!!!!!!!

So, my little shoe collection is growing day by day, I saw another pair that had my name on them, but my bank account is hating at the moment. Its all good though, One day, I my bank account and my shoe collection will be as one and When that fateful day comes we all Shall Celebrate. Or I will celebrate and I will let you all know about it.

Blessings, Love and the ever expanding shoe collection.

Goodbye January and Hello February!!!!!

We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.

- Louisa May Alcott

Hi all.

So its the last day of January and I am gearing up for February already lol. Its the month of Love and all things Lovely, so I am excited to see what happens on the 14!!!!!!!!! As for me, I am currently working on some stuff - hush hush, all will be revealed soon, just keep your fingers crossed for me.

Apart from that, I just finished a 4 day Juice fast, so I am very ready to get my body back into proper shape and as for the leg and foot, I have decided, to wear normal shoes and stretch the leg out by exercising - doing Pilates and Yoga and seeing how that works out for me. I also decided that I am no longer wearing the other shoes, if I am going to do this then I should do it properly. So I am off to buy my first pair of boots for my feet. I am very excited about this well because it means, I don't have to worry about whether or not it will have to be built up or not. I just have to worry about how cute it looks and what colour to choose, what style and how high, how low, I think you get the idea here lol.

Below. are just a few pairs of shoes that I am keeping an eye on, when I hit the Lotto or if they fall out of a moving truck, right outside my home in my correct size and color (I am just saying, IF that WERE to Happen ). Either way, I will be one very happy lady.

Manolo Blahniks Fringed ankle boots

Gianmarco Lorezi Boots
Burberry Prorsum Aviater shearling boots

Jimmy Choo Camel boots

And my personal favourites - Dolce Vita Tatum. These will look so cute on me.

Moving on, last week I did the 2 strand twist, but its coming out and beginning to loc and thats not what I want, (it was great while it lasted and I did love how it looked like but for now, will try it again at another time), so because I am at the moment Financially challenged (hoping to change that this week) I am going to braid my own hair. Yep, I will watch Youtube and Learn. I must. you never know, if I do it really well, that could be my side hustle hahahhahahaha. Also, I need to get a move on and start crossing things off my Bucket list!!!!!!!!! So Welcome February, make yourself at home, but remember, don't get tooooo comfortable, you ain't staying that long.

Blessings, Light and Love

Hair update!!!!!

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

- Mary Engelbreit

Finally, a hair update, I know I am very late with this, but the leg and foot has me very busy. Anyways, Its been 1 year and 1 month since my last Big Chop (I have had 3 in a span of 2 years) and I just cant believe how GORGEOUS my hair is!!!!!!!! And I cant believe the color as well, in proper light, its almost reddish/darkish brown with black undertones. Very fascinating, to me at least. So, I finally got some Shea butter( raw and unrefined) as well as a Shea butter moisturizer.

On January 4, my sister cornrowed my hair and I had it in that style until January 25, When I took them out, washed, conditioned and applied Amla oil, Shea moisturizer and Shea butter to the ends. Then it was off to bed, and this morning, I decided to do my first 2 Strand Twist. I refreshed my hair with water and Jasmine hair oil and then got to twisting and at the ends I applied the Shea butter again.

Below are some of the pictures I took. The only not there is the picture of the Jasmine oil. I completely forgot to take a picture.

Only 2 rows left, yeah!!!!!! Check out the thickness!!!!!!! I had 12 rows to start with and by this time, I was tired and grumpy. I just wanted to get under the shower and be done.

Garnier Fructis - Strengthening conditioner, it has 3 kinds of oils in it. Shea, Olive and Avocado.

Garnier Fructis - Strengthening conditioner, Active fruit Concentrate.
Raw Shea Butter, apparently it was the last container in the store. It was sold out pretty fast. My mom was lucky enough that she bought a larger tub for her self and got me this one smaller one.
My tried and trusted Amla oil. I have been using this product for years. Found an Indian store, where I can get some more, when this bottle runs out.

My hair, washed and with out products. Sorry for the blurry vision.

My hair with product. Not so much shrinkage.

Shredding, but its a lot less, then when I first started!!!!!
My first Twist!!!!!!
Top of my head lol. The twists at the front are much bigger/thicker than those at the end, back of my head, thats because my hands got tired and I just wanted to be finished. But it came out great!!!!!!!

Some outtakes, cant figure out how to delete these. I guess, these shots really want to be in on this post!!!!!

Its not one of my favorites yet, but thats me, no eyeliner, or gloss. or Plucked eyebrows for that matter. Summer needs to start and soon. Or I need some male attention.
To shiny for my liking, but check out my little product Junkie-ism in the corner. Most of that are hair and skin products.

The shampoo I used. Its from Garnier Fructis. And it was only after I got home that I realized it said Nordic Hair Care on the front. But hey, I wasn't about to waste money, plus is has Wheat Extract and its so soft and lovely. Actually, I may consider buying it again. Why change a formula that seems to be working is what I say.

So the plan, is to stick to what seems to be working for me right now. I will keep the twists in as long as I can and then either cornrow or re-twist or maybe braids again. As for products, the only things I really want is Henna and a leave in Conditioner.

Thats it for now.

Blessings and Love

Budding Shoe Fashionista!!!!!

Celebrate what you've accomplished, but raise the bar a little higher each time you succeed.

- Mia Hamm

Hello!!!!!!!

So, just a little background to today’s post. I was born premature and after a mishap with my doctors at my birth I developed HIP DYSPLASIA (link to read about).

Anyways, my left foot was shorter than the right one and so I had to wear a special built up shoe. I couldn’t walk barefoot and the choices of shoes were very Very Very limited. I also underwent numerous operations to either correct the ‘defect’. So for the past 28 years, I have basically been wearing shoes that always needed to be built up and could never be just free and loose because my foot wouldn’t reach the floor. I was also told by doctors, family members and lovely school mates AKA bullies that this was it for me and would never change.

Until Now.

I am lucky enough, that I have always believed in myself and known that things would be different for me. So whatever anyone said would go in one ear and out the other. And Thank Heavens I believed that way, because for the last few years, my left leg and foot which I was led to believe would never grow has been growing. So much so, that every year for the last 6, my build up part has been less and less. So last year, around May/June 2010, I realized that I could actually touch the ground with my feet and could walk barefooted for a few minutes, I EVEN dared myself to wear normal shoes which I found that were just one size to big, but YES, it was done. So Now its 2011 January, and it has come to my attention that I basically have about 1, 5 cm to go before I can say goodbye FOREVER to those shoes.

It fills me with absolute joy to know, very soon, I will be able to wear all the shoes that I couldn’t – side note, shoes that need to be built up are different from normal shoes, the have o be cut at the bottom and then the added part must be attached and then the bottom can be reattached. It’s a process, because not all shoes can be cut. So shoe shopping was very difficult for me and also just to make it more exciting, I have small feet. Like really small feet. I basically wear the highest size from the kiddies section, meaning my choices were pink with butterflies or fairies or princesses or boys shoes. So, half the time I opted for boys shoes.

I have been waiting MY WHOLE life for this moment. I have been aiding this process now with stretching exercises as well as Yoga and Pilates and a lot of Praying!!!!!!! And I am almost at the finish line. It’s just there, waiting to push through. I have decided it’s a mind over matter at this point, because, I am still wearing the last shoes I had built up which was 6 months ago, and I can’t wear the normal sized shoes for long and I totally refuse to build new ones knowing that it’s just a matter of time, before I throw or give or donate the build ups. It’s so hard and wonderful knowing, I only have so much to go, but boy I am impatient. Waiting and time are not my friends.

However, in the anticipation of this miraculous moment and yes I do believe it’s a Miracle. I have new shoes, which I have been saving just for this very purpose. I even have money saved so that I can buy new shoes. You have to understand, normal shoes means everything from sandals, to High heels (I had to beg my Orthopedic doctor to build up special ones for me for my prom/matric farewell and that was 10 years ago), to Nike (most name brand sports shoes couldn't be cut up, so I never had a pair. Never had the joys of owning Nike, Adidas, Puma), boots – anything that didn’t have to be cut and built on was/is normal for me. Also another wonderful thing is that somehow, I can now wear a size 6/36 shoe and the choices are endless; believe me, more than it was 10 plus years ago. So I am very excited about going shoe shopping and buying, buying and buying. Imelda Marcos will have nothing on me, when I am done. I have even entered myself in shoe competitions!!!!!!!!

So below are just a few of the shoes, I have been saving for the big DAY!!!!!!! Sorry for the picture quality, had to use my brothers Iphone.

These ones below are my favs. I have had them for about 5 years now. Been waiting forever to wear them!!!!!I have a gorgeous white tunic and big hoop earring for these babies.

Its still snowing so I am really excited about these boots. The are the most recent, I got them last year from my parents.These cuties will have to wait until next winter, perhaps. I need to train my self in walking in high heels. Miss Jay or Mariah Carey need to give me private lessons!!!!!!!!
I have a cute summer dress for these babies.

These are health shoes, but they are so cute and so very comfortable.
My mini Imelda Wanna-be collection. Just the Start!!!!!!!So, watch this space and in case you hear about a women who went mad in a shoe store, screaming Mine ALL Mine and growling at other innocent bystanders and holding onto dozens of pairs of shoes as the security pulled her away. I DON'T KNOW THAT PERSON!!!!!!!!!

Blessings and Love and shoes, gorgeous shoes!!!!!!!!!