I have been considering acupuncture for a chronic cough I have had for years. Pretty sure just allergies, but wonder about asthma. Then I start thinking about all of the other aches, pains, frustrations etc. and figure I just need the whole body deal. The woman who does it here is a Chiropractor and I have heard that she requires "adjustments" with the acupuncture. I haven't called to verify that. Not sure I want an adjustment. However, everyone who has been to her that I know are pleased with the results. Glad it is working for you at least mood wise. I just may have to check it out further.

I love this outfit too. I covet the time you have to shop. I don't seem to have a minute for anything. It doesn't help that I live in a small town (which I love) where shopping is very limited and an out of town trek just doesn't come along that often. I will try the eBay search.

Donna, I just bought your last XL in the 3/4 sleeve length....my second one. I will either save it for myself when the first one wears out or give it as a special gift when someone I know goes Silver. Thanks again for offering them!

Donna, I have been meaning to order one of those t-shirts, so I did today. It is sad that one bad reviewer can bring your feedback rating down so much, especially since you clearly stated on your listing that they run small and to order two sizes larger than usual. I also agree that marketing those shirts while working full time is probably a pain. I am glad I got mine before you quit selling them. I think they are cool!

Donna, let me first say that I think your are absolutely beautiful in that photo and also with makeup, as are all of you beautiful women that I have never seen, because your beauty is from within. I know some aesthetically attractive women who are mean-spirited and that makes them very unattractive to me. I also as well have known sweet natured ladies who are not so aesthetically pleasing who are beautiful because of their precious, sweet soul. I truly believe beauty is within and fluctuates with how you treat others. Kindness, forgiveness, diplomatic honesty and other virtues are truly beauty treatments. With that said. I don't use many products on my hair. I have tried your Pravana Straightening Creme and find I still have to flatiron...maybe because my hair is not fine, but thick and somewhat coarse until I flatiron it, then it a wonderful texture. I wear no makeup on my skin, but I do slightly make up my eyes just to not seem so washed out to me. I also use a lip stain in the mornings and I am good for the whole day. I do it for myself, not for anyone else. It is all about how it makes me feel. I just had Lasik surgery yesterday and cannot wear eye makeup for seven days. I will be fine with that, but I will wear eye makeup again when my eyes are healed. I just like how I look with it. I also have discovered that I somewhat "hid" behind my glasses, so I feel that I will certainly be more diligent with my eye makeup for a while. I am like Susan in that sometimes I wear more or less or none at all, depending on my activity and my mood. My husband is fine with me either way, so it is nice to have that support. Also, I find my favorite hair length is just brushing the tops of my shoulders, Long enough to pull it all back while running or cycling, but still manageable. My hair is much the same color as yours. Hope this was not too long. I am off work today, so I had time to blather on and on. Tomorrow will be back to the grind stone where I can only sneak peeks at your blog to keep my sanity.

Happy Birthday! You look great! I am proud of every year that I am still here. My 55th birthday will be this September 30th. WOOHOO! Senior citizen discount!

Too funny. I was born, raised and still live in Texas. Two words for summer vacations...go north. Like to Colorado.

Your hair is identical to mine in the back. A couple of weeks ago I used my conditioner to which I had added bluing and mixed it with Argan oil. It worked fabulously! I warmed the mixture, worked it in, wrapped with foil and then used the blow dryer to warm it up again. Left for about an hour and then shampooed and conditioned as usual. I use Argan oil every day. I also really like my new Keratin shampoo and conditioner, but it is kind of a beigy color, so I use a final rinse of water with bluing. Isn't it amazing how the simple things work the best? Although my stylist probably isn't so happy since I only get a trim every 6-8 weeks and don't buy any pricy products from her. I am glad you are happy with your new system.

I totally agree. I used to wear my hair wavy when I was young and my hair was dark. I also wore it shorter with more layers at that time. Now I am silver and letting it grow. No bangs and only stacked a bit in the back. Speaking for me personally, the wavy look makes me look older for some reason. Both of my daughters have commented more than once that they like my hair as it is right now better than ever before. So like you Donna, I will continue to flat iron. Fortunately I have gotten it down to some what of an art so it is not that big of a hassle. I hate gunk in my hair too. I picked up the Organix Brazilian Keratin Therapy Treatment, but after reading the instructions, I am returning it for a refund. Wear gloves, ventilated space with fans during application, etc. One of the many reasons I stopped coloring my hair was the chemicals and fumes. I love your blog. You make me laugh and I can always relate.

Donna, just wanted to share what I did about blue shampoo. I have tried the Jhirmack Silver Brightening Shampoo, but I didn't like it for my hair type which is thick with lots of body and somewhat coarse...I also didn't like the fragrance. I love The Sulphate Free Organix Shampoo with Moroccan Argan Oil. I just added enough of Mrs. Stewart's Bluing until it was a nice light blue. It seems to be working just fine, does not stain anything, and I get all the benefits of my favorite shampoo. I actually put the bluing in the conditioner rather than the shampoo. Yup, the Mrs. Stewart's Bluing that has been around for eons.

I have friends who say they would like to go gray, but their family would not stand for it, kind of like Sue's sisters I guess. My family loves my gray hair. I also feel sorry for the little ladies who's faces are really showing age, but their hair is dyed so obviously artificial dark. I think the gray softens those features. I am 55 and proud of every year. That does not mean that I will let myself go as far as weight or wearing frumpy clothes. I still feel much younger than my age, but I love my hair.

I just had my hair trimmed and as happened with you, she stacked it a bit in back. I don't think I can wear a high ponytail without the bottom hair falling out. In my neck of the woods it is still called "ponytail". Being a country girl, I knew the stuff about horses/ponies. Your ponytail looks great! The sales person was rude... Incidentally, I have had more nice compliments on my gray hair than I ever had when it was natural or colored. I have embraced my gray hair and trying hard to make peace with my body. The latter one is a little harder, but I am realizing that some wrinkles will just never smooth out and some sags will never "stand at attention" again...and I am okay with that. Love your blog.

Thanks for the info Donna. Wouldn't you know it, just when we find a miracle cure, it becomes unavailable. I will try the stuff on the link you posted. Probably the fact that I get sick of mine and use one of those cuticle trimmers is part of the reason mine are thick and tough. They were awful before though. I also need to try the Pravana straightening cream too. No matter what I do, I have flyaways sticking up at my part. I need to cyber shop this weekend. I am started on my 23rd year of clerical work with a couple of years off in there. (Four on, two off and going on nineteen years here.) I need to change careers. I really think the paper is what makes my cuticles so bad. I have heard that from someone else too, so it might or might not be the reason. BTW Nerdwoman, I use the generic version of the Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Cream and it is wonderful for the rest of my hands...just doesn't do anything for my cuticles.

Okay, I just read in two different places that soda ash and sodium carbonate are the same thing. A&H Washing Soda is sodium carbonate/soda ash. Baking Soda is sodium bicarbonate...not the same thing. So much for the chemistry lesson...it still doesn't help my cuticles. My hands are not dry at all, but my cuticles are thick, tough and jagged now matter what I try.

Nope, not the same thing. I checked last night. I should have known because when I use Washing Soda, it is hard on my hands. I will investigate further. I need a miracle for my cuticles. Hand cream every night and during the day isn't doing it.

Thanks for another excellent observation. I am in total agreement with you. Going silver softens the features and in my opinion, takes years off of the face. Just look at those people (you all know them) who are well past 80 and sporting the black dye. I LOVE my silver hair and wish I had taken the plunge sooner. My cuticles are AWFUL. Is soda ash the ingredient in Washing Soda that is over there by the borax in the laundry aisle?? I use that stuff all the time as it is a more natural household cleaner. I will check that out when I get home. I think working with paper all day is what wreaks havoc on cuticles. I LOVE your blog.

Very inspiring Donna. Thanks so much for posting all of this. I am glad you are doing so well now.