Friday 30 December 2011

This last day of the year....a profound story...

a completely unrelated photo - but these Easter treats found on a shelf in Sainsbury's this morning....am in no doubt you can easily find them in a store near you too! No wonder the years pass so quickly!
For a couple years now, the grey in my hair has bothered me a bit, and I've been colouring it.  My darling says that it's nothing and I shouldn't fret about it; so for about the last 8 months, I haven't spent money or minutes on hair dye products.  I decided to embrace the grey...and to be honest, apart from my beloved father, most people were silent on the matter.  Either from pity or embarrassment, who knows.  
I keep my hair fairly short, so any colour has long grown and been cut out and I'm back to my natural brown.  Turns out, it's not the grey that bothers me so much as the dull brown of this natural colour.  'Spect if we ever met, Tim Holtz would have a name for it.  
So for the New Year, I decided to 'enliven' my hair colour and improve my complexion with a 'warm and rich' brown hair colouring.  I actually bounced out of bed having made time to do it before I went downstairs.  I remembered to put on the loose neck stained t shirt that we keep for this.  I even turned on the iron, knowing that I would have 20 minutes to spend ironing whilst my head got very cold, but oh so rich and warmly coloured.  Put on the gloves...for the 100th time, think aloud about writing to the manufacturer to remind them that people with fat hands also colour their hair.  Snap off the top of the 'chemical' squirty nozzle bottle.  Unscrew cap. Open the colourant.  Empty the entire tube into the chemical squirty nozzle bottle.  Take care to empty tube, rolling it down and being uber careful not to spill.  And then, replace the squirty nozzle cap.  Place finger expertly over the broken off tip and shake.  No colour change, no magic, frightening dark coloured chemical reaction. Check box and basin which looks a bit like a lab.  Bottle of COLOUR still intact, in the basin. TUBE of high powered, ultra soft conditioner, empty.  Put the wrong thing in the wrong thing.  Feel very cross for about 10 seconds.  Then very foolish.  And now, well, in a mood to share; even at this late stage in the year, it's not too late for me to make a fool of myself!  
Me, my grey temples, and my Dunnit lovelies wish you everything you need for 2012.  May it be happy and filled with the love of your family and friends.  You deserve it.

62 comments:

Kate said...

Oh Julia i wondered where that was going sorry i did laugh a little but could have been worse eh.
Happy new year to you and yours xx

Shirley Davis (crafter) said...

I too embraced the grey a few years back - Life's Too Short to Sit and Wait for the Roots to Show Through, ya know!

Thanks for the comment - the & sign is the middle of S&P, three papier-mâché initials I altered with all sorts of photos and ephemera to celebrate our 5 wedding anniversary a couple of years ago! Cue 'ahhh'.

May you have to craftiest, daftest, loveliest and healthiest of 2012s possible!

I'm aiming for productive...

Anonymous said...

oh my gosh this made my morning, I have decided to "embrace my grey and I as you have found it wasn't the grey but my dish water brown that bugs me, sadly I have chosen to keep my dirty dishwater color and fore go the dye jobs, I hate the smelly mess and the mess I make as a poor hair colorists I am.I get the dye everywhere,!
You made me smile, Happy New Year to you!!!!

Anonymous said...

oh for got to say, EASTER already,,,wow!!!
and I also imagine you look beautiful just as you are, be happy, you are not alone, we have all been there, Happy New Year, brown or grey!

Linby said...

oh Julia - what is happening to us, I just spent 15 mins looking for a card I put in a safe place, remembered the place it was in before that! but now finally have it.....
Happy New Year
Linbyx

Unknown said...

Oh how familiar that feeling of not the grey but the dull brown being the bother! I tend not to dye mine either, having only done so 2-3 times in my life, so the grey is becoming more and more evident, as my delighted sister pointed out to me! Still, who cares!

Clare with paint in her hair said...

Happy New Year! Think we have all done that at one time or another!

Sarah said...

Saw the eggs too in Tesco...quite fancied a Creme Egg actually. Thinking of the big chop and a bright colour myself for 2012. Tis time to surrender my dancer's mane... Hubby not yet 40 but he's changing both the shade and density in his upstairs department! I think he looks just scrummy and love him more than ever. At least you should be feeling soft and silky... I'll mail Tim, tell him to forget 'Bland Banal' and request a hefty cut in the sales of 'Splendiferous Silver'... Happy 2012ing...

Jane said...

Oh Julia that made me giggle sorry! I am glad it's not just me who does daft stuff like that!!

Happy Hogmanay!!xoxo

K said...

Oh bless, you're not the only one whose done this!
I dont like my mousy natural hair colour so have dyed it since the age of 13, my OH & kids only have the odd show of my roots & my word for it what my actually hair colour is.

Mrs A. said...

I didn't guess the punch line.Thought you were going to say the dye colour was grey!! Thanks for the giggle. Hsappy New Year to you all. Hugs Mrs A.

SiskiyouSue said...

Sorry to say that I've done the same thing! Oh, my. Better luck next time, and Happy new Year!

Squirrel x said...

Having been-there-done-that with the ol' home colour kits this made me howl with laughter - particularly considering what I forked out at the salon this morning to lose the roots for another six weeks!! Thanks for a hugely entertaining year m'dear, and heres to a Happy 2012, for all of us. Hugs, Squirrel x

Fiona@staring at the sea said...

Oh so funny! I wouldn't say that I'm embracing the 'silver' in my hair, but am yet to take the plunge and colour it! I'm a bit scared of the chemicals involved!

Kirsty.A said...

It's happened to us all. Sorry your day started badly. Hope 2012 gets better.
Easter eggs!!!!!

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I like your hair colour as it is!!
Wishing you love and laughs in 2012,
LLJan xx

Angie said...

I have only once dyed my hair ...probably at the stage you are now but when I washed my hair for the first time all the dye fled from the white hairs making them more obvious ...I then decided to grow grey gracefully but discovered that I had inherited my mums 'grow blond gracefully' gene. Its getting paler and paler and will eventually go totally creamy white... I wonder whether I should have pesevered with colour???
I wish you and your family a Very Happy New Year xx

shazsilverwolf said...

My hair is dyed all the time now.Over the years I've been black, bright red, now its just brown- but I do keep feeling another red urge come over me! My Beloved Husband said thats exactly the sort of thing I would do, when I just read him your story- I have to admit, he has been dying my hair for me for the last 15 or so years- I would probably make a complete pigs ear of it if I tried doing it myself now!
We hope you & yours have a Fabulous New Years Eve, thank you so much for the last year, and I look forward to having a great year with you all next year too!

Annie said...

Thanks for the giggle Julia....yes I've been there and done that too.....and now I'm resigned to the silvery hue and actually rather like it now.
It's not surprising I'm as grey as I am after this last year.... and just in case we thought we had had enough excitememt the 7.30 am phone call we had to supply emergency twin care while their daddy was rushed to hopsital by ambulance just about finished the year off for us all! Please can 2012 hurry up and arrive with rather less trauma for our family.
Hugs,
Annie x

Anonymous said...

I've seen the Easter candy out in my neighborhood too....ridiculous!

Thank you for sharing your story...I'm glad I'm not the only one subject. To making a fool of myself :)

Have a divine new year!

JoZart Designs said...

Great larf! Can I just add that you should try a Naturtint colour if you ever do it again (from Health Food shops) It's all natural ingredients and keeps your hair fab.I'm just back home from the South Coast of England visiting the Brighton Belles, so quick catch up to thank you for all your lovely comments and fun and inspiration on your blog through the year!
Kindles Rule Yeah!!!
Here's to a great New Year 2012!! Health, Happiness, Peace & Joy,
Love JoZarty x

donnalouiserodgers said...

been there dunnit, and worn (virtually) the same t shirt, most dissappointed and I swore profusely if memory serves,

also- what ever colour I choose it turns out red,

try again on monday...
warm fuzzies to you,

happy new year,

dx

Daniele said...

......lol, sounds like you had fun today I just get hubby to do mine although I've threatened to give up colouring but my kids won't let me, so here to the next time in 6 weeks.
By the way I work for Thorntons and I recieved some Easter products in last weeks delivery which I should have put out, but refused to its ......Christmas
hugs

CLaire said...

here is to a browner 2012... all the best to you and the family... see you wednesday.... when am sure we will be more sober !!!!!!

Bettythebaglady said...

I am a silver fox and have been since I was quite young -it's a family thing. Even now on good days I still get asked where I got my colour done! I tell people "if you'd had a life like mine" Happy New Year -Lots of love from Betty

fairy thoughts said...

Great LOL story. I think you should call it a day with the dye. Then at least you wouldn't have to do the ironing.
My daughter no 3 and I saw mini eggs in W H Smiths just before Christmas . . . I snuck back and brought her some ... what a sell out. . . but they are chocolate after all!!!
janet

okienurse said...

This sounds very funny but OMG I can so relate! Went to dinner with friends just about every night this week. Of course can't 'go out' without alcohol of some sort! I feel like a regular sot and now I am forgetting important things...ie putting sugar in fridge and hamburger in the cabinet...yep not a heavy drinker but me thinks that I have consumed too much this week and it is affecting my cognitive processed. Have a Happy New Year! Vickie

505whimsygirl said...

Julia,
You, my blogging buddy, made me laugh! I've been turning grey for quite a few years now and also quit coloring my hair for about two years now. About six months ago I put in some highlights and that worked pretty well. I also wear my hair pretty short and enjoy it.

BUT, I keep thinking about coloring my hair a nice, rich color........ Then you have to keep it up.... nope, I'll stick with the grey!

Thank you for hosting the WOYWW last year. It really introduced me to some great new friends and all kinds of creativeness!

Paper Sewn Visions said...

I am a couple of years from turning 50 and have never colored my hair. I embraced my grey almost ten years ago. The one good thing about it is when halloween rolls around I can go as the bride of Frankenstien or a witch without having to color my hair....LOL... My husband loves my grey hair. He kind of has a grey hair fettish....ha ha ha Have a Happy New Year!!!!!

That Craft Place said...

At least I am not alone!!!! That is so typically me! I managed highlights using a plastic bag rather than a cap. The bleach melted the bag and I looked like a tiger with a stripey head. To make matters worse, my dad thought he was helping by getting a brown tint to put over the top of the mess i had created. However, this turned my hair green!!!! Oh happy days! Thanks for reminding me, it has made me smile (although it didnt at the time!)
Happy new year!
Lisa xxx

MagsB said...

Oh sweetie, how annoying! I hope you have a wonderful 2012 with or without hair colour!

Happy New Year!

love Mags B x

Carol Anne said...

I hated the dull color of the rest of my hair, too. My solution was to add highlights and lowlights to my hair. Spendy, yes. Worth it? DEFINITELY.
Happy 2012!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Gotta end the year on a nutty note so you can start the new one with more sanity. Maybe. I tried to let the grey go until one day a student at the school described me as that old lady. I'm too young to be an old lady! I dyed my hair baby poo green once with a home color kit (it didn't start that color but washed out to it) so now I'm afraid of home kits but the salon is sooo expensive. I have an appointment January 1. I hope my stylist isn't hung over!

Amy E said...

I saw Easter stuff out today too...I couldn't believe it!

I refuse to embrace my grey...I just ignore it all together! I haven't colored for about a year and a half, and my hair is all sorts of shades now!!!

SandeeNC said...

You are so great...foolish never! Thank you my blogger friend for my first laugh in 2012! I so enjoy visiting your blog although nervous about WOYWD this week, thinking I'm suppose to have a clean room to show off for the new Year...hoping to achieve this but making no promises! Happy New Year from North Carolina!

sandra de said...

I cannot imagine you as a dull brown. Dull browns do not turn mistakes into hilarious stories.

misteejay said...

My first chuckle of 2012 - thank you Julia.

The silver is gaining ground here too but I can't be doing with the time & mess and certainly can't justify the 'pennies' it needs to go and have it done.

Have a wonderful 2012

Toni xx

Helen said...

Can't believe I didn't see this the other day - though i too saw (and nearly bought...) mini eggs in the supermarket yesterday...
Happy (even if it is grey) New Year.
Hugs, Helen. xx

Charlie said...

Poor you - made me laugh though. Guess you and your grey temples are ready for a NEW year and when the shops open a new look. Thanks for visiting me during 2011 - Happy New Hair (I mean Year) and I will keep dropping by in 2012 to visit your blog. =0) CharlieDK

Hettie said...

Happy New Year Julia.
I know what you mean about the Easter Eggs. Hubby came home with creme eggs on Christmas Eve last year!!
Why do they make the gloves in hair colour kits for gorillas? My friend has been telling me for years my grey hairs are blonde and not grey! LOL!!

Sande said...

Can I say been there. Done that.

Have been dying my hair since age 16..every colour you can imagine and more than once. Had it turn purple and orange.

Mine grows very very fast. I have 2 inch roots in less than a month while the bottom stays dark. So last week with scissors in hand I cut off 15" but it still left some light brown which I can live with till it grows out.

I have done the same thing with dye but not one to panic, I just added the colour packet to the mixture and shaking it very well and proceeded to colour my hair as directed. I figured your going to condition it anyway so what can it hurt. Some dyes here in the states come with the condition already mixed in. There was no chemical reaction and it died perfectly.

Not a great way to start off the new year.

Here's to grey hair...embrace it, it's not worth the daily fight.

Kath Stewart said...

so sorry but I am doubled up laughing...sounds like you are also a member of the numptie club...wishing you and yours a happy new year and look forward to lots more of your fun stories in 2012...hugs kath xxx

fairyrocks said...

I too think about embracing the grey. Well mine is looking more silver, which would be fine if it would ALL go that color, not just bits and pieces..Good luck with the next round. I usually end up with a brownorange..when all I want is that nice brown too. My mom use to tell me my hair was 'mouse brown'...so maybe now it will have to be 'old grey mare white' LOL
In any event. YOu are not alone with the hair trials. Keep smiling and creating and all the best in the new year.

Kyla said...

Genius! Made me laugh...a good reason why I dont do mine in the mornings!! I have been dying mine snce I was 14 (blue, black, red etc) and now at 40 its mostly shades of lush rich brown...sometimes a tad too dark or too red (why does the colour NEVER look the same as the box!)-without the dye I look like an extra from 'He who must not be named' croneys on Harry Potter!!
Kyla

Elizabeth said...

Made me laugh too :) I don't dye my hair - I leave that to my hairdresser these days and your cautionary tale would seem good reason to do so. I started 'enhancing' my hair colour at 16 - bright red as I recall, and haven't stopped since - though the colour became more subtle over the years. I've gone blonde with age ... well, if you can't beat it, embrace it! Better luck next time, Julia! Elizabeth x

My name is Cindy said...

Laughed out loud at this one. I had a similar experience today, well at least the feeling foolish bit. Had a complete meltdown because I couldn't find a camera and a particular notebook. Hubby at last came to the rescue and after two minutes of focussed searching (ie not ranting around like a banshee)found both items. I felt rather foolish to say the least.

I also dye my hair, haven't yet muddled up the bottles but am sure that day will come. LOL. Still chuckling.

Paige said...

I have decided to embrace the grey in 2012! It's about time I found out what my natural colour looks like at 40 :)

Barb said...

So funny.... I thought it was bad that I found Valentines Candy in the store, but EASTER on my! Loved the hair story. Embrace the gray, Enjoy the day.

Debs said...

oh yes, those eggs are in many shops here!

Morti said...

LOL - but you have grey hairs???? Can't say as I've ever noticed them, hun. I mean that for real!

Heather Henry said...

That is really funny...sad...but funny! I would feel the same way, angry at first, but then realize how funny it is.
I too, have grey streaks in my hair. My hair is naturally red, so I'm beginning to look like Rogue (from the Xmen) haha!! I did find a shampoo and conditioner that is supposed to enhance your hair color. Not sure if it's working or not. But I use it with high hopes.
Have a groovy day!

Spyder said...

hair colour can cause blindness or dumbness...I know, trust me...on dying my hair blonde many MANY years ago, that ended up green and then for some reason know only to it's self turned orange, no one, NO ONE said a thing.. Yep...tesco too had Easter eggs in their shop Boxing day!
(Lyn)

Neet said...

I couldn't believe the Easter Eggs on sale straight after Christmas! Weird!
Sorry that I smiled all the way through your post - at least you cheered this old biddy up - the one who cannot believe her blonde hair is really her own as it is ages since I had a bleach. Or do my eyes see grey as blonde now I am so old?

Whimcees said...

Hello!

So great! You forgot to remember that memory loss also accompanies gray hair! It is so nice to not be alone in the foggy, foggy land! Love it!

Wishing you a wonderful new year - with all kinds of good things happening for you!

Hugs,

Barbara Diane

Jana said...

Something I would do. Thanks for reminding me, it's time for a touch-up. I'll keep a better eye on what's what now.

famfa said...

Lovely post. Sorry you got it wrong but it made me laugh too.

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