There was a little girl with a little curl...

right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very, very good. When she was bad, she was horrid.

This poem describes me to a T.

Except maybe the "little" part.

I've lived my entire thirty-thirteen years with curly hair. Not kinky curly. But not wavy. CURLY. I've wanted my entire thirty-thirteen years to have STRAIGHT hair. Long, straight, blonde hair. I've never had it.

I've tried. I've bought straighteners. I have a CHI. I have hot curlers. But I've never really had straight hair. The CHI works pretty well. It works for me until I walk outside. I do live in Georgia, and the air can be quite humid. I grew up in Coastal Georgia, where the air is always humid. Therefore, my hair has always been curly.

Or, to be honest, my hair has usually been frizzy.

I spent my younger years with short hair. This was my mother's way to deal with my hair. She,too, has curly hair, and she knew it would be easier to deal with my hair if it was short. When I got old enough to take care of my own hair, I decided to let it grow.

Sometimes, I had nice ringlets. Other times, I looked like Janis Joplin. My hair was always a crap-shoot. I never knew what it was going to do. I have lots of barrettes and scrunchies in case I need to pull it back.

Fortunately, I received an invitation to Ravelry.

I joined, and I began to peruse groups. I found a group that really interested me. "Crafters with Naturally Curly Hair." Who would have thought? Others like ME?

So, I join the group, and start reading the message board. And there is a whole world out there that I never knew. The CURLY GIRL world.

I found out about a book, The Curly Girl's Handbook, and a website, www.naturallycurly.com. I am learning what to do with my hair. I now know that I am a CURLY GIRL, and that I'm not alone.

I'm learning how to work with my curls. And to allow my curls to work with me. And I am thrilled.

If you are a curly girl, find the book, find the website, and embrace your curls!