Drivers Ed

My daughter turned 15 last month.  This means that in the State of Washington she can get an instruction permit, take drivers ed and, theoretically, she can be driving before she’s 16.

The local driving school happens to be right down the hall from my cookie shop.  This proximity has my daughter regularly asking when I’m going to sign her up for drivers ed.  My response continues to be the following:  when you find out the details (when it’s given, how much it will cost, how do you sign up, how do you get the instructional permit, how will you pay for it, etc.) then we’ll talk.

My thoughts on this are pretty straightforward.  If a teenager (my child) wants to be allowed to drive, which brings with it a huge amount of responsibility, then they need to be responsible enough to find out how to go about it.  If they’re not going to do the leg work, then your legs are what they’ll be using since they won’t be driving.

Other than the several hundred dollars that the class will cost, you have to factor in the increase in your auto insurance premiums.  And, don’t forget to add in the cost to regularly color your hair because getting behind the wheel with a teenager whose learning to drive will most definitely hasten the onset of gray hair.  See my thoughts on the gray hair issue in my blog of on WorkingMother.com at http://workingmother.com/web?service=direct/1/ViewBlogLandingPage/dlinkBlog&sp=S1378

But I think the main reason, if I’m honest with myself, that I’m not ready for her to drive is that it reminds me that she’s growing up.  And I’ll postpone the inevitable as long as I can.

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To Gray or Not to Gray

The definition of gray (compliments of www.dictionary.com):

gray

1.  Of a color between white and black; having a neutral hue.

2. dark, dismal and gloomy; gray skies

3. dull, dreary, or monotonous.

4. having gray hair; gray headed.

5. pertaining to old age; mature.

For about a year now, my son (age 13) has been trying to convince me that I should let my natural hair color show.  He insists that my inner beauty is what counts.  He’s a sweet kid, it’s a really sweet thought and I appreciate his caring.  He also believes that women shouldn’t wear makeup or primp and fuss about their appearance.  (In his opinion, his regime of getting out bed, brushing his teeth and dressing in his uniform – jeans, t-shirt, sweatshirt – is an acceptable regime for all.)

After some thought, on New Year’s Eve morning I decided that I’d give his idea a try.  While visiting my wonderful stylist/colorist Nichole at Phoenix Rising Salon (Bainbridge Island), I told her I wanted to try and gracefully blend my way into my now natural color.  Having just had a significant birthday, I’m finally admitting that simply coloring my hair won’t eliminate my grays, just cover them.  Nichole agreed to the challenge and foiled away my head.   One and a half hours later, my hair looked fabulous with a new lighter shade and off I headed to shop to Seattle.

Now if you’ve ever colored your hair, you know that the first several weeks it usually looks great.  Alas, as the weeks pass your true color starts to show and you’re ready for another visit to the salon.  It’s an expensive cycle.  Having done this quite a few times over the last several years, I know the routine.

So, here it is just 21 days later, and I’m at a hair color crossroads.  While I commend the idea of showing our true selves to the world, I struggle with the idea of showing my aging self to the world.  Also, if you’d kindly refer to the definition of gray above, you’ll see that #3 doesn’t really inspire me, nor does #5.  If we all had that beautiful silver hair that some women are gifted with as they turn gray, this blog wouldn’t be getting written.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m pretty comfortable with my appearance and on the whole think I come across pleasing.  That works for me.  But this gray hair thing feels like an accelerated roller coaster ride where you come off and your hair has turned white out of fright.  (Remember JoBeth Williams at the end of Poltergeist.  She had that streak of white/gray hair at the end of the movie and it looked great.)

For the time being, I’m going to continue trying to ride out the gray hair storm hoping that in the end, I think it’s worth it.  But it’s a challenge ladies.

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