I don't think you hijacked it at all! The psychology of gray is all through this thread, and your situation is an example of that.

I don't know I would say I'm aware of my feelings and options. I just like to over-analyze everything! I'll definitely have to take lots of notes, and I'll probably change my mind a few times along the way.

My son and husband were laughing last night when I was coloring my hair since I had already told them I was thinking about going gray. It was semi-permanent hair color instead of permanent, so it is a change. And they both agreed that my glasses are too boring for gray hair. I'm thinking about red or a purplish-blue for frames, and they were a little freaked out about the idea. It will be an adventure for sure.

I'm definitely an "over-analyzer" too, so I completely understand.

By the way - I got red frames a few months ago (with the wonderful help of Angie and this forum) and I love them. They work for me now, and I think will also be great if I do go grey. I highly endorse red frames!

Thanks everyone for this thread and the links. I am about two chapters in to Diana's book which I found in a used bookstore yesterday (for 7.98, brand new...not sure why it's so expensive at Amazon? http://www.amazon.com/Going-Gr.....038;sr=8-3 ) Though I made the transition from dyed to naturally graying brown hair about five years ago, I still vacillate at times but something always comes along to say "don't dye it". Her book is just the confidence boost I was needing this week...thanks again. I say try it if you want, or transition slowly. It's like nature is coloring your hair for you, it's an adventure and you can see how you feel about it. Who knew there was so much support out there?

An update on going gray:

Well, I'm not getting very far finding a new hairdresser. When I went last week, the lady did not do at all what I asked for, and there are lots of long straggly pieces sticking out on the bottom. And it cost twice as much as the last place I went, and she talked non-stop during the session but to everyone except for me. I don't like it when people ask lots of personal questions the first time you see them, but I think it's rude to carry on conversation with everyone else in the room except your client. And if she was paying more attention to me (the one paying her, you know?), maybe my hair would look better. So anyway, have to try somewhere else next time.

My hair is much shorter than I wanted for now, so I guess I'm already partly to the short hair thing. I'm just disappointed because I wanted to make it a dramatic change when I did. Sigh.

I'm having mixed feelings about the whole thing. I went back to Ohio (where we moved from last summer) to visit this weekend. One of my dearest friends decided to stop coloring since we'd seen her last. She's pretty much all gray instead of the reddish blond she'd been coloring her hair for years, and she's in her early 50's. Her hair looks good, but it didn't have nearly the same personality. It was shocking to see the change though. One day she was wearing a black top and silver and pewter jewelry and the next day she wore a brown top with an animal print scarf. The black was better than the brown, but I think colors would have been a big improvement. I love to wear black and brown, so I'll have to be careful to add more color options in my wardrobe for close to my face.

The trip was interesting because I hadn't really thought about this before, but there were lots more women with gray hair in my circle of friends and acquaintances in Ohio than where I live now.

Merry - if you're in the Los Angeles area I can recommend a wonderful stylist!

I also caved and colored again this weekend. I guess I'm just not ready yet. But it's still on my mind.

Tarzy - I'd love a great recommendation, but I'm far away from LA!