what a nice description of the event! thanks for sharing with everyone who was there in spirit 
Diana~ this must make you feel so happy realizing what a community you’ve created and what a difference you’ve made
Posted by on 10/25 at 09:22 AM
SoCal Silver Sisters Event
Sometimes it’s best to just let the story come from heart. Cheri, also known as grannycoed, but NOW known as SoCalSilver, penned this report, describing their “grayt” get-together.
Saturday, October 18, was a perfect California day –80 degrees and sunny. True California girls, we headed for the beach. Sallee, Louann, Laura, Suzanne and Cheri met at Belmont Brewery in Long Beach for a long, leisurely, laugh-filled lunch.
Our get together didn't begin at the restaurant, but in the parking lot. It was hugs and smiles all around as each of us arrived. We'd all seen one another's pictures so there was no hesitation going up to our new/old friends and giving each other a hug. Laura took no chances though—she made herself a list with our names and our pictures next to them. Pretty smart, RunnerGal!
The folks at the Brewery knew we were special even before we arrived—because, clearly, something big was going on! So we were seated in the special event area of the patio looking out on the Pacific Ocean with the Queen Mary in the background. Sallee wrote later that some of the people eating there thought we were celebrities because they kept looking over at us! In Louann's words "we are hot and we do attract attention.” Four tall foxes in various stages of silver, and one “little bit” of a thing, Laura, sure cause some heads to spin! No doubt about it.
Louann, Suzanne, Laura, Sallee, Cheri
Just a minute or two after we were seated in walked another tall, elegant gal. We all knew exactly who she was – she was one of us. Suzanne had arrived. Suzanne is our Long Beach expert who had chosen our meeting spot. She couldn't have chosen better. How she pulled off such a gorgeous day remains a mystery. Guess it is the power of the gray!
Everyone brought a camera because we all promised to take tons of pictures. We managed a few, but this visit was a time for getting to know one another. What we didn't know when we made those promises was that we were going be having even more fun than we had anticipated. Time flew that afternoon sitting in the California sun. Our chatter didn't stop. In no time at all we pulled out photographs of ourselves at different times of our lives. We SoCal Gals have done it all – pretty much every hair color and cut imaginable showed up in those pictures. More giggles all around!
Like our Colorado sisters we talked about this graying process and the support we have found at this site--how everyone found it and how happy we are it is here. We also talked about hair coloring and what caused each of us to swear off the little brown bottle. Suzanne, whose hair is growing out beautifully, told us about her mother who says she'll never give up "her clip and dip" and can't understand Suzanne's compulsion to go natural. Sometimes daughter knows best! Louann’s new cut is even better than it looks in the pictures – talk about hot! Laura’s silver is showing nicely at the sides. Sallee, of course is “there” and quite an inspiration. And me, well, I still have more pepper than salt. My husband says I should be called Pinch of Salt. We also talked tattoos, and laughed again at Louann’s story of the fully tattooed woman who went for open heart surgery. Louann assured us the doc never stitched it perfectly back together.
After a yummy lunch and quarts of iced tea--for all the wine we talked about drinking, not a drop of wine nor beer was imbibed, probably a first at the Brewery. We were having too much fun! We had party hats – Baseball caps with http://www.goinggraylookinggreat.com embroidered above the brim and silver organza goody bags filled with chocolate, product samples, and a very special key chain. Created especially for the event by our Silver Sister Sallee, who writes poems and children's books, the keychain carried a poem written just for us -- all of us! We So Cal Sisters now carry it with us everyday.
Sisters bound together by the gray Proud of our true colors and we want to say Here's to finding out we didn't have to wait To Go Gray and Look Absolutely Great Fight on for the Silver, Gray and White Fight on for the colors that are right Together with Diana in the lead We'll forge ahead with True Colors as our creed
Go Sallee! A poem and a cheer for always.
The time flew by and before we knew it, it was time to leave—but none of us was quite ready to go. We lingered a bit more, hugged, smiled and were so pleased the afternoon had been as special as we had all hoped it would be. Louann suggested another meeting, perhaps in Marina del Rey next time—more beach time anyone?
How much fun!!!! It seems like you had a really good time, and if Ruth and I (just two of us) talked non stop, I can only imagine what it was like to have five of you trying to say all you wanted to say.
Congratulation ladies, you all look great!
AnaB
Posted by on 10/25 at 09:59 AM
I am a little misty eyed...you ALL are radiant beautiful women and I so wish I could have been there! Thank you for the great story SoCalSilver and the pics capture some great moments!
Can’t wait to someday meet all of you...I’m well over due for a “group hug” 
Blessings, E
Posted by on 10/25 at 10:44 AM
Yeah, This Year and Elizabeth—makes me all misty-eyed too. It’s just fun seeing people get together—as friends. Because they’ve already formed friendships by chatting here. Those who don’t post on a regular basis are truly missing something. 
Posted by on 10/25 at 11:41 AM
I love it! Thanks to Cheri for writing the story and to Diana for putting it all together and posting it. It’s fun to see it all come together! Lots of nice things were said and all are totally indicative of what a wonderful time we had. It was such an awesome afternoon and I hope to do it again in the future. This kind of thing was the extra boost I needed to keep going! Everyone should try to make a group meeting at some point! This is such a nice community of women and I am so happy to have found Diana and her book!
Posted by on 10/25 at 12:30 PM
I love it too!! How I would have loved to be there with all of you, it sure looks like there was an instant bond. Newbie2 and I have set a date for our mini-get-together and I just know that we too will feel as if we already know each other, just as all of you did. Diana has surely created something very special! 
Posted by on 10/25 at 12:40 PM
Wish I could have been there too!!! It looks like you guys had a great time.
Posted by on 10/25 at 12:49 PM
You all look so gorgeous! And the key chain, wow! What a wonderful item to have. I’m not jealous mind you...Well, just a tiny, teeny be envious! It so great that you had a beautiful day to celebrate. Beautiful day, beautiful gray, beautiful ladies!
Posted by on 10/25 at 01:20 PM
What a blast! I loved reading about your get-together. The pictures are wonderful, too. Thanks for sharing your beautiful day with all of us.
Posted by on 10/25 at 02:33 PM
Enjoyed the great story and pictures! What a beautiful day you had too!
Posted by on 10/25 at 04:28 PM
Loved the story, pictures, etc… Thanks Diana and California Girls for sharing it with us.
Posted by on 10/25 at 05:16 PM
How cool! Thanks for posting your pictures and narrative!!
Posted by on 10/26 at 07:21 AM
Diana, thank you! My fellow Silver Sisters, we had the best time. I know that each of you will have a similar experience when you meet each other—Texas is working on something, there’s a tattoo/spa fest coming up in Arizona and I know I have seen other rumblings in New York state, Chicago and now my memory is failing me, but I know there were more. I know that my fellow Californians join me in encouraging to follow through and make your event happen. In the words of the old Girl Scout song—“Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold.” How appropriate that these new friends really are silver!
I can’t wait for another SoCal event and boy howdy am I on board for June in Manhattan. We’ll paint that town silver from one end to the next.
Cheers!
Cheri
Posted by on 10/26 at 08:23 AM
Are you practicing your song—“Hot Town, Silver in the City?” C’mon. . .
I’m hoping to have an Events—Where They’re Happening—page up pretty soon. That way we can all keep track of them, and people can also think about getting “on the map” for an event in their area!
Thanks again for your report, Cheri!
Posted by on 10/26 at 08:34 AM
Cheri, perhaps you heard my rumblings earlier about the Canadian Silver Sisters get-together in mid November. So far it will be just Lisa (newbie2 ) and I, but we most certainly extend the invitation to ALL CANADIAN SILVERS to join us if they can. Put on your shopping shoes!!!! If you would like to know more please PM Lisa or I and we will fill you in. Oh yes, you do not need to be a Canadian to join us, we would love to have all of you along for the meet and greet!!
Posted by on 10/26 at 08:44 AM
What a “grayate” idea!
You betcha! “Hot Town, Silver in the City!”
Posted by on 10/26 at 08:44 AM
SoCal Silver sisters!
It looks like you had a fabulous time!
I feel like I was there myself… I love your poem, Sallee… I would have loved to be by the beach with you all!
Thanks so much for sharing your fabulous meeting with all of us. I am so looking forward to seeing Lisa and Lulu at IKEA in November.
Ruth
Posted by on 10/26 at 03:02 PM
I was planning on attending this event but unfortunately a family death occurred just a few days before this meeting. I lost my father on Oct. 15th - and while I did attend my school’s carnival with my daughters and grandsons on the 18th, I just wasn’t in the mood for a meet and greet.
I certainly hope that a chance will come my way again, as I think it would be just loads of fun.
I also haven’t been posting recently for probably quite obvious reasons, but I plan to return for more conversations with the wonderful gals I have meet so far!
I am absolutely loving my new color and cut (actually my new NON color). Everyone has responded well to my absence of color, but actually? It wouldn’t matter at all. I am so completely comfortable with my white/charcoal/silver mix that nothing could convince me to go back to coloring.
If you all plan another get together, please keep me in mind. I’m ready
Posted by on 10/26 at 05:06 PM
Karen,
My condolences to you and your family at this time.
My prayers and thoughts go out to you and yours.
Mary
Posted by on 10/26 at 05:08 PM
Yes, Karen, thoughts and prayers headed your way.
You DO have a wonderful color, or NON color as you say. :o) I’m glad to hear you’ve settled into your natural colors so comfortably. I’m not quite as comfortable as I hope to one day be...though I am certainly gray to stay. :o)
Posted by on 10/26 at 06:31 PM
well i am back from “sin city”...got the smoke out of my eyes (and clothes) but had tons of fun...just great to be with good friends and laugh and laugh and laugh...actually spent more time at the outlet mall and purchased a few new “colors” to add to the closet...out with some old and in with some reds and blacks etc…
love the recap of our great event and really guys the water was as sparkly as our hair!!!
think i covered this site pretty well...3 days is a long time for this site..lots to catch up on..
(sb)karen i am sorry to hear about your dad...you were in our thoughts and conversation that day and there WILL be a next time!!
ok on to ikea with lisa and lulu…
and as far as arizona..wish i could makethat...but i have only about 25-30 comming for thanksgiving so need to prepare for that…
pics please
xo
louann
Posted by on 10/27 at 03:46 AM
SoCal Silver Sisters - thanks for sharing the good time with the rest of us! A perfect day for a perfect group of ladies! Love the gglg hats and the goodie bags too!
Posted by on 10/27 at 05:35 AM
Karen, Most sincere condolences to you and yours. I simply LOVE your (non)color too! AND THE LENGTH! Yes, that was typed with jealousy! heehee…
Way to go SoCal Silvers!! Thanks so much for sharing your great story with us! An amazing group of gals you are! I am so proud to be a part of such an spectacular group of women!
All you ladies in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma need to mark your calendars for November 8/9!! Dallas is the place! PM me for more details!!!
~dede
Posted by on 10/27 at 05:53 AM
SBKaren - my condolences to you and your family.
We missed you and I especially was looking forward to meeting you b/c we live so close to each other. I have a good friend in old town who lives a couple streets back from Walt’s Wharf. I LOVE that place. I also hang out a lot at Nick’s for breakfast burritos. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’ve seen each other around town!
Hopefully we’ll do something again soon!
Posted by on 10/27 at 06:20 AM
SBKaren—so sorry for this difficult time you and your family are going through. I know it’s hard. When my Dad passed away, my response was to immediately dye my hair almost black (his color) because I wanted to look in the mirror and see him. Of course, he had a mustache, and I wasn’t about to do that! It’s strange the things we do as we deal with the loss of a parent. But anything, and everything, is completely understandable. Sounds like you’re “surfacing” a little bit, though, and ready now to go have a little fun. The next get-together should be good for you!
Posted by on 10/27 at 08:33 AM
SBKaren~ you’re in my thoughts...blessings to you and your family.
Posted by on 10/27 at 08:48 AM
SBKaren--my condolences. you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers throughout this difficult time.
since a second meeting of the SoCal Gals has already been mentioned, its certainly on the horizon. looking forward to meeting you in person some day soon.
best,
cheri
Posted by on 10/27 at 10:00 AM
SBKaren - We missed you that day. I’m so sorry for your loss. Hope to see you next time!
Posted by on 10/27 at 10:03 AM
I look forward to a chance to meet you all again too. Thank you so much for the kind words..they do mean a lot!
What’s this I hear about a meet in November at IKEA? Which one and when? November is a busy month for most, with the holidays, but we have a few birthdays too. Is there a date in mind?
Posted by on 10/27 at 12:24 PM
canada...karen...canada!! but hey we got ikea here too!!
sallee mentioned irvine spectrum..that is a fun out door mall as is fashion island in newport...i like that one (a little rich for my blood but the scenery is free!!)
louann
Posted by on 10/27 at 01:03 PM
Hi Louann - I finally found out where in another column...I think the one for the Colorado meet.
We are lucky in SoCA to have IKEA and Trader Joes. I thought I read somewhere that Colorado has neither....can’t imagine.
Irvine Spectrum is fun but so is Fashion Island. I used to work there many moons ago and it sure didn’t look like it does today. But you are right - scenery is free! They have a California Pizza Kitchen there and their prices are quite affordable!
Posted by on 10/27 at 01:07 PM
so great to see all the photos - wish I could have been there. I read daily & don’t always post - but I feel part of the group, nonetheless.
wish there were a few more northwesterners on the board.
best to all, M
Posted by on 10/28 at 04:39 PM
Hey, MsMika—you know, you could always start an event in the northwest! Since you’re in the Members Album, people who are interested could PM you.
Posted by on 10/29 at 08:27 AM
Dear SoCal Sisters—We’re all thinking of you, and hoping the fires don’t come too close. May the smoke clear and the sun come out soon.
Mama’s worried, please check in with us here!
Posted by on 11/16 at 08:38 AM
i am off for a walk ...the view will not be good at all...way too much smoke in the air..
all is well here ...we have wonderful fire fighters out here...they have to be!
louann
Posted by on 11/16 at 08:57 AM
I am so fortunate to not be near any of the fires, but I’m sad because my marathon was canceled due to poor air quality. :-(
Posted by on 11/16 at 09:35 AM
laura
what a drag…
resceduled???
Posted by on 11/16 at 10:54 AM
We’re fine in Long Beach as far as the fires go, but the smoke in the air is really suffocating! We will spend our day inside as we did yesterday. I feel so bad for those who are losing there homes. It’s really sad and so strange that yesterday morning we woke up to a clear glorious morning with the mountains visible in all of their glory from the end of our street. An hour later, the air was thick and there was no sign of those mountains! Scary stuff!
Posted by on 11/16 at 12:46 PM
We’re fine in Seal Beach as well - except for the air. We took our grandsons for a picnic at a park in Huntington Beach yesterday - just a few miles further south - and the air was fine. Came home later and the air here was really yucky.
They spent the night last night (today is hubby’s big 6-0) so we took them for a walk down to the beach this morning. There are ashes everywhere - and what is really scary is some of them are so big. The thoughts going through my head were that if they were still red hot - they could have easily started a fire here. Thankfully we are far enough away that all we got were dead ashes.
The wind stirred them up a little bit today and the air is very hazy and yucky. We are continuing to lay low today. I feel it in my throat and eyes (haven’t been able to wear my contacts for 2 days). We did go out for brunch with our two girls and grandsons though…
All I can think is if it’s like this here - just imagine what it is like closer to the fires. I feel so for all those families that have lost homes...it’s just so devastating.
I took a couple of pictures yesterday looking towards the mountains. One bank of smokey clouds was so dark that if I didn’t know better I would of thought they were huge thunder clouds or even a tornado - it was that black. If I knew how to post a picture..I would.
Can’t wait for the heat to finally leave and fall to really truly arrive and STICK around this time. I’m even looking forward to some hair frizzing fog - if only to get some moisture in the air!
Posted by on 11/16 at 01:35 PM
OK, that’s 4 of you. We seem to be missing Sallee and Cheri. Yooo-hooo, gals. Please check in. 
Posted by on 11/16 at 04:24 PM
Sallee has posted before that she doesn’t have access to a computer on weekends. Perhaps she will check in tomorrow. It is such a relief to know that the rest of you are OK.
Posted by on 11/16 at 04:42 PM
Busy with school this weekend so haven’t been on-line. Thank you for worrying about us. My family and I are quite safe. We live miles from any of the fires, but as all my SoCal Sisters have said the air is miserable. My thoughts and prayers are with those who live in the fire areas.
Posted by on 11/16 at 06:09 PM
Good to hear from you SoCalSilver. Glad to know that you are out of harms way.
Posted by on 11/16 at 06:15 PM
Thanks Lulubell!
Posted by on 11/16 at 07:40 PM
I really enjoyed reading about your group and your outing on October 18. I’ve lost track of how long I’ve been gray, but how I would have loved being a part of a group like this way back when. Keep up the good work in getting the word out that gray is beautiful.
I want to wish RunnerGal a special hello and let you know how great you look. 
Posted by on 11/22 at 11:59 AM
Gayle, If you are here in So Cal, please join us in January for our next get together. We have BIG plans which we are making through PMs and will share with everyone after the event. Not all of us are still transitioning like our beautiful RunnerGal, Lainla3 and Grayincali. Our ages span several decades and taken together the shades of our hair would make a rainbow of crystals, silvers, pewters, smokes, and platinums. We’re an interesting group coming from diverse walks of life and at least two counties--come join the fun! You know you want to!
PM me to learn the details of our upcoming adventure—don’t miss this one. It is a doozie!
I’ve got my fingers crossed,
SoCalSilver
Posted by on 11/22 at 05:39 PM
Gayle is my wonderful aunt who lives in Idaho. She’s another inspiration to me. I remember the first time I saw her with her gray hair, I just raved about it. Her hair is gorgeous! It looks like she highlights it. So beautiful. I’m praying that my hair looks half as good as hers when I’m all done.
Posted by on 11/23 at 05:17 PM
laura
our meeting in january is a long weekend...gayle...you need to come on out!!!
louann
Posted by on 11/24 at 06:29 AM
Hi everyone,
I live in So. Cal. (San Diego)
I saw on the posts that you all are planning a get together for this month. I am a Newbie. Started the plunge to going gray mid-November.
Any information on the get together? I would love to make it if I could and meet some of you beautiful women.
Posted by on 01/01 at 05:49 PM
Saucy - check your messages for a message. Go to your account and look for email..info will be there - we don’t post here for security reasons - until after the event.
Posted by on 01/01 at 06:08 PM
Actually it’s called private messages and not email.
Posted by on 01/01 at 06:17 PM
Hi saucyandsilver—it occurs to me, you may not know where to find “Your Account.” On the homepage, on the right hand side, you’ll see Members Login/Register. Even if you think you are already logged in, click login again, and go through the steps. When the homepage reappears, it will say Members/Your Account/Logout/Members Album.
Click on Your Account, and that’s how you get to your Personal Profile Page. On the left side, there is a Menu. You’ll see Private Messages on it. Click on the plus sign. That menu will open up and you’ll see your inbox. That’s where you’ll receive your messages, and where you can send from.
While you’re there, you can also review your personal settings, and submit a pic and a bio to the Members Album. Try it—it’s fun!
Posted by on 01/01 at 09:02 PM
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In this Section
- Great Inspirations
- Glam for the Holidays
- Heidi’s Story
- A Tat in Tucson
- Mini Meets
- Texas Silver Sisters Event
- SCARE-Y SILVERS!
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- SoCal Silver Sisters Event
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