Curl Girl:  Hi!  Thanks for the ACV suggestion.   I will surely try it and let you know.

Angel:  I love the little Christmas tree and Santa.  Where do you find those?

BB:  I think you're right about wearing my hair down being some of the problem with tangling.  I have been wearing it down more often because my hair is thinning in the front and I think it might be from the weight of wearing a bun on the back of my head.  Do you know of a way to make a bun in the back, leaving the front loose and then working it in softly so it doesn't pull on the front?   Does that make sense?

I haven't been here in quite a while.  I don't know why, just doing other things, I guess.  I'm seriously thinking about getting my hair cut.  I don't like what I see in the mirror, which is a few inches past BSL gray hair.  It's getting to be a pain taking care of it and I don't know what I want to do.  I just look so OLD these days.  Even if I get it cut, I don't want to dye it.  I just hate keeping up with the roots, and the last time I had it dyed, I was sick for three days with a wicked bad headache, which I believe came from the dye since I've never had one like it before or since.   But if I want to look more youthful, I guess I will have to color it and get a haircut that is more flattering.  Maybe I'll get a good trim and see how I feel before I do anything drastic.  Or maybe I'll just stop looking in the mirror 

I second the idea of henna.  Or maybe just a color gloss to give more highlights?  Cutting does not necessarily make you look younger, but style can.  How about trying something new?

Keep practicing the french braids.  The ability to style your hair can make all the difference.  My hair is very similar to yours, except that my wings are yellow!  It seems I can use all the blue shampoo I want and it won't make a difference.  It is also thinning, but only on one side.  I sometimes use the Rogaine stuff, but I've read that only works on baldness at the top.  Unfortunately I think my thinning is due to genetics and nothing else.         

I also frequently feel I have no "style" and have been considering cutting so I can get a perm.  I know they are very damaging, but I've had them many times and I think my hair can take it if I lose about six inches in length.  I want those luscious, sexy waves and my hair just won't do it with out a perm.  Not without some major futzing, and oddly enough I don't really enjoy futzing with my hair.  Interesting that many of us here don't.  

Don't let that "I'll look younger" stuff determine your decision.  Many people say that, and I'm sure it's true, but I kind of like the contrast of "youthful" long hair in a gray color.  And I get lots of compliments on my hair as well, so I think we are not alone in this.  Some even say it's like a river of silver.  Okay, it's my daughter that says that, but the point is that SOMEBODY does.  

There are many reasons for looking "old" beyond your hair color.  Your make-up may need an update, you might benefit from a facial, you might have lost (or in my case gained) weight.  Extra weight is very aging.  Trust me.  I know.  You might explore less permanent areas of change before you color.

Personally, I am working on a vision.  

I pull up to the school on my Harley-Davidson (can't decide between purple or black).  I swing one shapely booted leg off the seat and pull off my helmet, shaking out a mane of silver hair.  Someone looks at me and says, "Who's that?"  And someone else answers, "That's the principal."

So far the following components of the plan are in place.

Administrative degree and certification          check
Mane of silver hair                                         check
Shapely legs                             working on it
Job as principal                                      working on that one too
Harley-Davidson                                           will be purchased as soon as the job appears
Boots                                                           same as the Harley  (those are the easy parts!)

My target age for achieving this vision is 50.  I've got six more years.  And having long gray hair is a fundamental part of the whole plan!

Thanks, Texian!  Your message is very encouraging.  I think you're right about the hair not being the thing that's aging me.  I am overweight and my clothes don't look so cool so that's definitely a major factor.  I look dumpy.   I was watching the "ghostie" show on TV last night with Camryn Manheim (sp?).  She's overweight and has long hair, and I think she's attractive.  So it can be done.  She seems to pay alot of attention to little details.  I dress very plain - in my passport picture I look Amish.    I really do like the feel of long hair, and I like not looking like everyone else my age.  So I'm not getting it cut!!!  

I'm going to give some thought to developing a vision for myself.  I think that's a wonderful idea!  Thanks again for the encouragement.

And good luck with achieving your goals!!

I'll send positive, healing thoughts to you and your husband.