Nancy - Yes, I was being a smarta#$ - but it is my sister so I can get away with it - especially since she just the other day made the classic disparaging comment about an older woman with shoulder length hair - "She's too old for long hair." ... grrr.

Bonnie - Do a Google search for Rope Braid. It is super simple, just two strands that you twist and it looks cool.
I do a bun with hair sticks pretty much every day but a braid is nice for a change. Braided buns are more interesting too.