I lol-ed to myself when I read it dear girl!

xoxoxo

Haha, I love that you offered Caitlyn and Brock rewards Jen, that's so funny. Bet they were annoyed they didn't find it! Did Bill get a reward, lol?
I'm glad it went okay at the beach! 

Update:  Still washing my hair once or twice a week, as opposed to every 2nd day.

Not noticing that I can stretch it much further than a week without my scalp being rather icky (white buildup wise, even after brushing heaps each night).

But some goodness: had my hair trimmed at it's regular interval in time... and... it's grown an inch.  Usually each trim will take it right back to the point where it was trimmed last (bra-strap level).  This time, it got trimmed an inch longer... with the comment - "wow your hair is really healthy this time, not wispy on the ends, and I don't need to cut much at all".

Three changes made:
1 Washing hair less - aiming for once a week, often twice a week for going out reasons.
2 Washing hair with sulphate free shampoos instead of supermarket varieties.
3 Tying hair up more, into a doubled-over ponytail so the ends are protected rather than loose.

Jen, I use two brushes - the one with wire bristles and the little plastic ball things on the ends, to get the knots out, then a bristley one to get it nice and shiny. The wire bristle one I just pick the bits off of every 4 or 5 days, it is very time consuming but I do it on the bus or something. I wash the other once or twice a week in the shower and I wash it with an all natural body wash. I'd prefer not to but I do wash it thoroughly with water afterwards and because the bristles are synthetic I doubt that they actually absorb the chemicals. I'm afraid I don't have any suggestions for alternatives!

Quote from Don Tolman's FDR

"How many people know that white distilled vinegar is made from 10w40 Havoline Motor Oil? Well actually, crude oil.  DON'T USE IT!!"

What about, say Apple Cider Vinegar? I don't eat it but would it work for cleaning?

Lavender oil is exactly what I use. I get the water soluble one from the supermarket and mix it with warm water. I do all our brushes once a week or so. And then I leave them in the morning sun for a while.