MandatoryFun - I found coconut oil at the local Walmart (in the oil section, by the baking section...)
Anywho... my hair does grow at the average 1/2" per month. Even though it's about 8" when stretched, it just seems like it's been shoulder-length for the past year. (It shrinks up quite a bit!)
I guess I just need patience to get it to where it weighs itself down without having to use so much product! *Sigh*