Thanks again ladies.
dlewis, I've had long hair most of my life. I did however, cut it in the Halle Berry cut In 1997 and decided to grow it back out in Jan 1999. It took 2 1/2 years to get to waistlength. I'm one of those scissors happy people so in June 2003, bored with it, I cut it to armpit lenght. It was back to my waist by the beginning of 2004. Then I took off about 5 inches in June of this year.
I trim pretty often. When i was growing it out from the Halle berry cut, I use to trim every 6 weeks or so. Now I try to wait at least 2 months.
Honestly I think the secret for me, is those regular trims and my trusted ORS hair mayo with a little hot oil once a week.
I wear my hair out every day. I just can't do protective styles. My hair is fine and I think protective styles would do more harm than good.