In case you ever had any doubt that an organizer’s good life is always put together and polished, let me reassure you that it is not. Life happens to us too and sometimes we get a little frazzled as well. Luckily all seasons come and go and I think I might be on the tail end, FINALLY. Let me catch you up.
The Good:
Since I’m not one that likes to complain, I feel it’s only appropriate to start with the good because the good is oh so great. My parents and my in-laws as well as my daughter are coming to visit at the end of the month to celebrate my middle son’s highschool graduation. How exciting is that! I love having family come to visit, it makes me so happy. I love making them feel special and loved on while they are here. I love setting their rooms up so they have everything they need to feel comfortable and relaxed.
More good news includes the fact that our kitchen is done, whoot! We replaced the counters, back splash, light fixture, pulls and painted all the walls. I couldn’t be more happy with how it all turned out. I’d show you a picture but I’ve still got some organizing to do before it’s camera ready. Here’s a quick sneak peak though.
Good news also includes my pretty PurpleTrail planner (affiliate link) that is helping me stay on top of ALL THE THINGS. I’ll tell you more about this later when I have more time because it’s really awesome.
The Bad:
Well unfortunately not all the renovations are finished. We started back at the beginning of April and today, just 11 days out, my house still looks like this.
Yep and this is what I know for sure. I will never ever buy another home with vaulted ceilings again (they go up higher than you can even see in the photo). Seriously, what a pain! This is the last of the painting though. I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
We also have only the beginnings of deck hand rails installed.
And…I have a sun shelter sitting in the box on my deck waiting to be put up.
Is there such a thing as a sun shelter fairy? I could totally use one. Did I mention we only have 11 days and my husband is out of town for three of those days? So essentially we have eight days. EIGHT DAYS! Deep breath Laura.
The Ugly:
Remember I told you I’m growing my grey hair out? It’s been six months now and I’ve hit the awkward ugly in between stage where people can’t help but stare because it’s just so obvious. I’ve had many people tell me I’m crazy and they can’t understand why I’d do this to myself. I get it, I’m only 45 and my hair is coming in pretty grey although quite honestly I thought it would be more white. So the salt and pepper is a bit of a welcome surprise that I’m not minding at all. It’s the line that I really don’t love but my hair isn’t that long so slowly but surely it’s getting there. Sarah Mae puts into words, better than I ever could, the fears we face in going against cultural standards and why she too is taking on the challenge of growing out the grey. I’m pushing myself to face those fears head on (haha, see what I did there?) and we’ll see where it takes me. Anyone else want to join in?
And just because I know some of you might want to see, here’s a picture I took this morning of where I am in the process. Oy!
Oh and in other ugly news, stress makes my autoimmune disorder act up and reoccurring sciatica pain is making walking somewhat difficult.
But other than all that, life is great! 🙂 No it really is though. Soon I will be hugging the necks of my people and all the work will be so worth it. I can’t wait to get the party started! Hard to believe I have kid #2 graduating, wow. So glad we’ll have kid #3 home for another six years to keep us company and do all the cooking. Oh I kid he won’t have to keep us company all the time 🙂
Have a great day everyone!
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Jen says
I love that you are being bold and letting your gray hair grow in. Its actually a very pretty shade of gray that i think will really compliment your eyes. Anyone who has a negative comment needs to rethink their priorities. Ps i suggest listening to india irie’s song ‘i am not my hair’ for inspiration!
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you Jen, I think when it’s all in I’m really going to love it!
Dana says
Hi Laura! Your hair looks amazing! I’m 46 and 9 months into letting my sparkle shine, lol. If you ever need encouragement there’s a FB group called GGG, Going Gray Guide I think. Do you ever talk about your disorder or sciatica and how to manage cleaning and life during a flare? I’d love to read about it. Right now I just watch your videos and wish I had your energy, lol.
Laura Wittmann says
Hi Dana, it’s on my list of things to talk about for sure! But I think you might have me mixed up with someone else for the video content. Doing videos is something I really would like to do but really haven’t up to now. Just a couple random ones here and there.
Becky L says
Hang in there. All the work will be done soon. Glad your family is coming. And congratulations to your son on graduating from high school. I’ve let my hair go grey. It’s looking ok with natural highlights. It would cost way too much money to put color back into my hair. Alot if people like my hair color. You look nice and it will work out to be one color soon. Some ladies cut it short to lessen the color difference. You’re fine. Hugs and take care!!
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you Becky, you are always so sweet to me 🙂
Seana Turner says
I haven’t summoned the courage on growing out the hair yet. You look beautiful either way, so I applaud you! Renovating always takes forever, doesn’t it? And I hear you on the vaulted ceilings. I don’t have any, but I know people who do. They are just a challenge to paint, to clean, and to decorate. In the winter, the heat goes up there too! They do look nice, though:)
Laura Wittmann says
Those ceilings are why we put off painting for so long but as of this morning it’s all done, whoot!!
Kait says
Hi, Laura! I know that it must be stressful, but hang in there. Think of how lovely it will be when it’s all done. And having your whole family together! How wonderful!!
I’m commenting mostly to tell you that your hair is adorable at that length. The people staring is all in your head–unless they’re staring because of how cute it looks! As for the grey–I’m a college prof and many of my students are dying their hair grey. It’s the new “in” color! I like it a lot–both on them and on you.
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you Kait, the encouragement is so appreciated. So nice!
Mom says
I think you look very beautiful! It almost looks like blonde highlights. And trust me on this, when it is all grown out, it will give you a feeling of lightness and serenity because it is like you are being your true authentic self! Can’t wait to see you, only 15 more sleeps!
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Mom but you are a wee bit bias though lol 🙂
Jan says
I just love you! I let my hair go grey. I have mostly white. I’d been coloring it since I was 25. First highlights and then full cover. I could do it myself for a while, but it got so resistant that even at the salon, it took 45 min under the hair dryer and another 45 min of processing. And that was every 4 weeks. For 2 weeks of it I looked like a skunk.
I know you hate it, but it’s really not bad. Chock it down to being too busy to do anything about it right now, and by the time you do, it will be done, lol. Good luck
Laura Wittmann says
Well how nice are you, thank you!!
Rosemary Patterson Costello says
Hey there ! pretty natural color- why not just cut it off to the new color? I don’t understand why women don’t just go all in and chop it? Sure will stop the stares and personal discomfort.
Add some great shades and a ball hat if you must, but want to encourage you to make it happen sooner than later. Good Luck!!
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Rosemary for chiming in. I have had short hair before but really didn’t think it looked that great on me otherwise I totally would chop it. I’m getting my hair cut next week and will have a couple inches taken off for sure though.
Jan Mills says
I didn’t even notice the hair color until you pointed it out. Looks fine. Good thing about hair is it grows! If it bothers you too much, there are some temporary rinses you can use that will come right out with shampoo.
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Jan, I appreciate the encouragement!
Jenna says
I think it looks great so far! But just to add to the above comment, you can now buy a root touch up spray that washes out as well. I think L’Oréal makes it 🙂
Darcy says
Find yourself a cute hat for times when you don’t feel like being gawked at. It will be grown out in no time.
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you Darcy, I appreciate the encouragement. Problem with hats though is that they never fit, my head is huge lol. I have to wear mens hats and they aren’t so cute 🙂
Marcia (OrganisingQueen) says
Brave! You’re very brave.
There’s a podcast – Happier in Hollywood – where they discussed this grey hair dilemma just last week. I loved listening because I’m very grey. Have been going grey since 25!
Laura Wittmann says
Do you color yours Marcia?
Donna Lacey says
Laura – your silver/grey/salt & pepper hair is going to make your eye colour really pop! And you look great now – just a little more colourful.
Enjoy the celebrations with your family.
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Donna, I’m looking forward to it being all grown out. Will keep you posted!
Barb says
I love your new kitchen backsplash! I can’t wait to see more pictures of it.
I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating your son”s graduation with your family.
And I think your hair looks great! I started sprouting white hairs when I was 22. I’m almost 52 so I’ve been coloring waaaaaay tooooo loooong. I am so ready to just say forget it and embrace my natural color. But my kids are only 14 and 12 and don’t want me to go white yet. Seeing your picture today is really inspiring to do it anyways. I’ll keep you posted.
Mae says
I’m very happy for you! I’m 53 and I’ve been transitioning 4 years. (I’ve kept my hair long, thus the long transition.) It really hasn’t been the big deal I thought it would be. I think that’s because I was detoxing my perspective (e.g. grey = looking old) as well as my body. In a nutshell, this has actually changed my life in more ways than I ever imagined. 🙂 People WILL be negative about it. But, that comes from their experiences and fears (and dare I say it, the beauty industry brainwashing), and the fact they don’t know how lovely it will look at the end of the transition. So, I learned at the very beginning to not listen to anyone else and just carry on. It’s all temporary.
Becah says
You could have the hair color stripped from the bottom part of your hair. I agree that gray hair will look fantastic with your eyes though.
Mary says
Love the gray! After enduring two un-welcome home renovations in the last year (two house-floods), I feel your pain. It will feel so good when it’s done, though!!!
Laura Wittmann says
The painting is finally done, such a great feeling! Now to tackle all the other things still on my list 🙂
Colleen says
I have also allowed my grey to take over. One thing that is different, yours is salt and pepper and mine is more white. I use a purple shampoo to keep it bright and prevents yellowing.
Laura Wittmann says
Yes my girlfriend suggested to me that I need to do that. I’ll have to look for one.
Lori L says
If I could get past the itching – I would let my hair go salt and pepper. But I can tell when it’s time to color because my head starts itching! Also I have coarse hair and the coloring makes it softer. Guess I will be coloring for awhile longer!
Laura Wittmann says
Oh interesting, I’ve never heard of that before.
Kay says
I’m right there with you on the ugly. You should see mine. It’s ok though. You’re a beautiful person gray or not!
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you Kay, that’s really nice of you to say 🙂
Lori says
I told myself I would stop coloring at 50, but a few months after 49 I decided I was ready. I cut my hair really short and let it all grow back gray. My hair is now highlighted naturally and the best thing is how healthy it now is without color. Well, second best thing. The best thing is PONYTAILS! You look lovely. Remember, what has most important is how you feel. Blessings to you!