The Vlogbrothers, DFTBA and Locks of Love

The Vlogbrothers AKA DFTBA are very well known on YouTube.  The Vlogbrothers are just that, brothers.  Their names are John and Hank Green.  John is the oldest of the two.   Not only do they have multiple YouTube channels they are both very talented in their own right.

For instance, John Green is a New York Times bestselling author.  John typically writes books for teens.  John wrote The Fault in Our Stars which was adapted into a movie.  John also wrote Paper Towns which is also turned into a movie.  Paper Towns was release this past weekend.  I am looking forward to seeing that movie.  These are just two of a number of books John Green has written.  The Fault in Our Stars is by far my favorite book that Mr. Green has ever written.  It is the only book that I have ever read and immediately opened it up and started reading again.  As a matter of fact, I wated to read the book again. But could not because I let someone borrow my copy of The Fault in Our Stars.  So I purchased it electronically.

Hank Green is a musician, song writer and Singer.   He has put out a number of CD's.  I have listened to Hanks music on YouTube but, I have never purchased any of his work yet. Sorry Hank! Another thing that Hank is very well known for is inventing VIDCON.  This past weekend was the 6th annual VIDCON. This is a conference for YouTubers to be able to get together and meet each other creators as well as collaborate.  It gives the smaller YouTube channels an opportunity to be found by some of the larger YouTuber's that migh give them a shout out on their channel and get them some viewers from some of their fans. It also gives them an opportuinity to meet other smaller YouTubers who can support one another. This convention also gives fans an opportunity to meet their favorite YouTuber/vloggers that they have followed for days, weeks, months or years. Vidcon has grown like wild fire. This year was the crazyiest out of all of them.   Everyone involved works their tails off.

Once a year  in Autom The Vlogbrothers host something they call  Project For Awesome.  This is when they challenge not only their viewer but, other YouTubers and their viewers to do something awesome for other people.  One of the project for awesome was to raise money for water.org.  That is only one of many that is done each year.  It is increadable to watch so many people come together with wanderful ideas of helping others.

For years I have been wanting to do something to contribute to Project for Awesome.  So in November of 2011 I decided I was going to grow my hair out for Locks of Love.  We have had a number of family members pass away from cancer.  It is very hard to watch someone you love go through that, much less a child.  So I wanted to help in some small way.

This picture was from Oct 25, 2011.

We watched Davis the young man on the left and

his older brother Derrick play flag football.  

This was just after one of the games.

As you can see from the above photo my hair was quite short.  I knew going into this it was going to be a long term goal.   

It had  been  almost a year since I made the desision to grow my hair out for Locks of Love.  So that means it was at least a year since the last time I had my hair cut.   I decided to go to one of the very in expensive hair cutting facilities where people just getting out of training end up getting hired.   I thought, oh this is just a trim. I do not need to spend a lot when I am only getting a trim. All I wanted was to have the dead ends trimmed off and try to keep it healthy until I was ready to do the final cut.

The lady that cut my hair said we were finished.  She went on to say we will be able to cut off the last bit of layer by your next hair cut.  I asked her how much would need to be cut off if we cut it off now.  She said 2 inches.  I asked her where it would hit after she cut the final layer off.   She showed me on my back.  I told her to go ahead.  

I was thinking with the "trim" and the additional 2 inches of layer I agreed to have cut off it would be a total of 3 inches cut off.  I didn't really look  at my hair after the 2nd time she cut it.  I was ready to get home.  When I got in my car and realized I was no longer sitting back against  my hair was my first indication something wasn't quite right with this cut.  When I got home I had my husband measure where the length was and where it was now and come to find out she cut  at least 5 to 7 inches off.  I about passed out. I could not believe that much had been cut off.  I was in shock.  Then I decided that it was alright.  It is just hair.  Besides, I would have had to cut the layered part out eventually.  It was a good thing to go ahead and do it then.

It has taken me almost 4 years to grow my hair out long enough to cut it.

This picture I took after I went to Keystone Church in Keller, TX

They gave me this T-shirt.  I loved the service and the church.

I am not sure if this picture really shows how long my hair really was.  It was a few inches past the bottom strap of my bra.  I was very ready to get my hair cut off.

I really wanted my Aunt Debby to be part of this.  She has a hair salon in Copperas Cove.  We were going to be down in that area for a family reunion so I called her to set up an appoint ment for July 3, 2015.

We were able to cut 12" off. 

This is my Aunt Debby and I at her Hair Salon.

Classy Cuts & Styles

2127 E U.S. 190

Copperas Cove, Texas 76522

www.classycuts.net

Call: 254-518-4665 for an appointment

I was doing great after my aunt cut my hair.  She is laughing so hard because she wanted the little wisps of hair in front of my ears and I wanted them behind.  The picture before this one I was making a face like you are driving me crazy!  Kind of like a teen age girl with her mother. haha I have to admit that I cried  as we left the salon and the realization that my hair was short hit me. I basically ended where I started from. (see two pics above) I didn't sob or cry a ton but, there were tears.  It wasn't because I didn't like the cut.  It was because it was such a shock to have such long hair to such short hair.  The only direction I gave my aunt was, I want it easy to manage. That is all I told my Aunt. Aunt Debby did a fantastic job.  It is far easier to style my hair now.  I hope in the shower, get out and blow dry the bangs and a little bit of top and maybe put a curl or two in.  It just depends on the day.  I LOVE IT!

This is a picture of my husband Michael and I 

before we head out for a night on the town.

NOTE:  This was AFTER I had worked all day.

This picture doesn't do the hair style justice.  I have gotten a ton of compliments.  Many saying I look younger.  After I color my hair I think I will look much younger. Maybe I can get that accomplished in the next week or two. Who knows! It obvioulsy doesn't bother me THAT much to have a ton of gray hair. haha

I told my Aunt that I was going to send my hair into Locks of  Love but, she heard that they charge for the wigs and that Wigs for kids does not charge.  I will fill you in what I found out in another post.

I was so excited when I sent my hair off.  I can't wait until Project for Awesome comes up this year so that I can let John and Hank know after years of wanting to contribute, I was finally able to donate my hair.

I feel very silly that they sent me a certificate of appreciation.  I asked that they email me letting me know my hair made it.  I really wanted to know that the 12" of hair that took almost 4 years of growth made it to the right place.   It is very kind of them to send out certificates..

I would encourage everyone to try to help out where you can.  It not only help someone who needs it but, it makes you feel good as well.

I hope  you have a Blessed day!

Jackie