Friday, July 2, 2010

Going Gray

I was going to title this post "Diana Double Dared Me" but that's not exactly true. A few weeks ago my blogger friend Diana @ Welcome To My World had posted on Facebook that she was trying to decide if she should get a short summer haircut or let it grow out. There were a few comments on what she should do and one comment asked her to post a picture after she did cut it but Diana declined. I told her that I was trying to decide whether to go gray or not (I've actually been debating this for well over a year) and I said that I would post pictures if I decided to go ahead and actually do it. Diana doubted me. She didn't actually 'dare' me to do it, but I took it as a challenge none-the-less.

So here goes ~

The last time I had my hair colored was April 7th, so this is twelve weeks root growth now. I was able to hide it for about a month, but there's no hiding it anymore:




If I wear my hair pulled back it is most noticeable because the sides are pure white.
It's a little less noticeable if I leave my hair down:



But if you are taller than me you can see the roots at the top of my head too:




Is it going to make me look old and washed out? Maybe.
Do I care? Not so much.

So far I actually have the same feelings I had when I turned fifty. Freedom. Emancipation. Release. Relief. Contented. Comfortable.

Check back with me in another twelve weeks. I may be singing a very different tune.




Also, I want to thank everyone for your kind comments, advice, well wishes, and most of all thank you for your prayers. I do feel much, much better (although still so tired all the time!), and the past few days I was able to eat pain-free! No more stomach problems, and if you know me, you know that makes me very happy because I like to eat A LOT and OFTEN!

I've been busy with the grandkids and visitors, and this weekend is going to be a busy one for us too (Saturday will be a very late Father's Day celebration because Jayden and I were sick that weekend, so the kids will be coming over and I'll be making one of Ray's favorite dinners ~ lasagna). We usually do a pool party/BBQ and have a big crowd for the 4th of July but my sister-in-law Susie is doing it this year and she has made me very happy! I don't know if I will have a chance to blog again before then so let me wish you all a very happy and safe 4th of July.


God Bless America! Land that I LOVE!


18 comments:

  1. I'm SO glad you're feeling better. (However, realize that the energy level does not stay at the 30 year level into the 6th decade of life!) I DO know that for me, cutting out white flour products helps immensely. It's difficult for me, though....

    You have such thick and beautiful hair. I have decided to embrace the grey and I'm glad I did. I see the $$, time and angst spent over the alternative, and don't "get it"!

    There's a whole blog or web site about the beauty of grey. I stumbled on it once and found it interesting. I don't remember its address.

    I missed a couple of your last posts and will be checking in more regularly now. You're one of my all-time most favorite blogging friends :)

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  2. I guess I have grown to wear this gray hair color as a badge of honor. It says, "This is a lady who has earned every one of these gray hairs and doesn't care who knows it!" I am who I am and I like who I am, whatever color my hair is. You will like "you" too!!! Trust me! Have a grand weekend celebrating who we are as a people and nation!!! God Bless! Cathy

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  3. Whatever it was that was taking your energy and giving you stomach problems, I hope it is on its way to the dump with the rest of the trash. It sure got a hold on you and it is such a relief to hear you getting back to your normal self. Regarding your hair, I just like it when people are interested in trying new things with their hair. You are a lovely woman with gray hair or colored hair. Your beauty is within and it speaks to the rest of us as you use words that describe how you felt when you turned fifty: "Freedom. Emancipation. Release. Relief. Contented. Comfortable."

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  4. I love grey hair, Eileen. If you get a chance, go to my blog, and look at Claudie's pictures at her birthday party (I think I posted them in May). She is grey and GORGEOUS. You will be, too!

    I have small amounts of grey, and I just let them stay there because they look like highlights in my dark hair. And I'm not going to start with color. My sister has white hair, and everyone loves it. She went white in her thirties. She dyed it for years, and we all encouraged her to let it go natural because it was GORGEOUS. Her husband didn't like it, so she went back to dye. But FINALLY, she let it go white, and people stop her and ask about her hair.

    I've also been toying with the idea of cutting my hair short. It's hot, and I don't want to fool with it for summer.

    Glad you are feeling better, Eileen!

    Happy Fourth to you and yours!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  5. Hi Eileen,
    I am so happy that you are finally feeling better. Did you get to the Dr.? There is nothing worse than not having energy, and not feeling good...

    A few years ago, I had a very similar thing happen, I was extremely tired, my bones ached, I had stomach pains and my heels hurt so bad. Sometimes I felt like something was leaching my bones. After months of tests it was discovered that I had a Hypothyroidism. Now I take a single little pill everyday to keep it in check, and when I forget to take it, I start feeling the symptoms right away, especially the tiredness.

    As far as the gray goes...I think you would look beautiful either way!

    Oh! Happy July 4th!
    ((((HUGS)))) T

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  6. HI EILEEN-


    Happy 4th to you and yours. AND you are way braver than me about going gray. :-). I m very happy you are on the mend and feeling better. phew.

    Love to you
    Gail
    peace and hope.....

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  7. You are so beautiful Eileen that I say just do what you want. Why not just give the gray a try and see if you like it. You can always change your mind and go back to the coloring.

    I'm glad to hear you are not hosting the 4th party like you did last year. You need to slowly get your strength back.

    Have a very sweet 4th of July!

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  8. Well HOT DAMN girl, you did it! Shut my mouth! I was the same Eileen, all my gray was underneath. You couldn't see it unless I pulled back my hair until I got it cut short. The shorter cut did make me look younger as my face didn't look so drawn anymore but that's when you can really see the gray! But I love it. I don't care. And neither should you because we are gorgeous! At least that's what are husbands tell us!!
    I am actually letting mine grow out a bit for a new style that I want. I will post next week on it.
    I am so happy that you don't have to do all of the work this year Eileen, maybe you can just sit and chill out this Fourth of July and enjoy yourself! Love and hugs to you, Love Di ♥
    God Bless America!

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  9. You are beautiful with or without the gray!! And if it is easier? Why not? Haircuts...I went for one today...My stylist had a migraine...and I ended up with a short summer cut...unintentionally...sigh...thank goodness, hair grows. Sigh...Ah well...

    So glad you are feeling better!!! Hope you will be able to thoroughly enjoy your 4th of July weekend! Love you so very, very much!!! Janine XOXO

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  10. You are so cute and you have one gorgeous head of hair gal! I say "GO FOR THE GRAY!!!" Your hair would be FANTASTIC all gray! And the Bible speaks well of it. I can't remember the verse. I have quite a bit of gray in mine and like you, for right now, it isn't going anywhere! I told my hubby that if he thought it made me look too old and he wasn't fond of it, I would color it. Otherwise, also like you, I feel emancipated,free, released comfortable and contented! I'm 52 and I'm fine with that!!

    Have a wonderful 4th! Lasagne...Mmmm!
    Love ya!
    Becky

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  11. Either way....your hair will be beautiful Eileen!
    Have a wonderful 4th!
    ♥...Wanda

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  12. Hi Eileen, I'm really glad to hear your feeling better. It was nice that you didn't have to host the Fourth of July but all of the activity can still be exhausting. Gray or not your beautiful :>) Hugs to your little grands. I hope you continue to improve.
    Love, Carol

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  13. Hello Eileen! Glad to feel you are feeling better :) I suffer with the same problem. I just hate coloring my hair...mine looks just like yours when I don't. I've been coloring over the gray since I was in my late 20's. Not as bad as now though...I think you would look lovely either way!! True beauty comes from within and you definately have it :):)
    Love and hugs too....Jerelene

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  14. Hmm, I have had the same conversation with Bob, and I just can't go the "natural" thing .... yet.. not too sure I ever will. My hair grows out so fast I am touching up every 3 weeks now. Oh well. When I am too old and my hands don't work anymore to blow dry and straighten my hair maybe I will have to sure-come. LOL many women, can wear their natural sliver locks so beautifully! and with beautiful skin like yours they don't look a day past their age! What ever makes you happy and feel beautiful I say! go for it! hugs....

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  15. If your decision to go grey is something that will make things easier for you...then go ahead and do it! Honestly though, I think you should also give yourself the freedom to have it colored again (one or two shades lighter) anytime you get tired of seeing the grey.

    I am praying for you, dear Eileen. I really miss your visits to my blog place- you were one of the really consistent ones to visit and you always brought such a delight to my heart, so that is why I miss having you around. You are honest, and authentic...

    Please know I am praying for you, Eileen.

    There are lots of organic fresh vegies and fruits that are good to incorporate into one's daily diet. Honey and yogurt are very good, too...but I am sure you already eat lots of
    those.
    Love
    Lidj

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  16. Eileen...I'm glad that you are feeling better....and as stated in previous comments, you look wonderful no matter what color your hair is.
    While I was on vacation, I saw the "Just Ducky" store again...and I smiled....thinking of you and your Mia!! Continue to take care of you....

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  17. Just here to give you my love, Eileen!!!!~Janine XOXO

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  18. I want to say I felt liberated at my 50th birthday too. I thought maybe it was just me ...but my friends have said that's how they felt also, when I told them I felt that way.
    Glad you are feeling better, I hope more so now..since I am posting in Oct. 2010. B.

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