"You are tenacious. I love a woman who won't give up." William Luse 6/1/04
"Kudos also to Elena, who proved that she can take it as well as she can dish it." TSO 6/4/04
"the wonderful Elena" Nathan Nelson 8/1/04
"Elena, I quake at the sound of your name" John B-Catholic Packer Fan 8-12-04
"I like your writing and your spunk." Todd Flowerday, Catholic Sensibility 11-8-04
"Elena is is so many shades of stupid they don't make a Crayola box big enough to begin coloring her" Anonymous TWA blog 2/05
"Well, Elena cuts to the chase. Says it like it is and doesn't mince her words." Alexa of Domestic Excellence
"Elena, a woman I have little in common with but have come to be fond of" Cecily Kellog 9/15/05
"I work nonstop to help people with stupidly limited perspectives, like you, accept this reality. Even when it’s hopeless, like in your case. You live in a fantasy. I can’t help you" Also Cecily Kellog 07/2020
"Your witness is horrendous" JCecil of Liberal Catholic News
"Truth, love, charity, and, oh yeah, sensitivity, decorum, good taste and a dollop of wit. That's more like it. Keep rockin'!" PMC 12/05
"I've also been reading this blog for some time and just noticed I hadn't added you to my favorite blogs. Done!" The Mighty Barrister 5/21/04
"Now go haul your huge, sagging, obese, smelly old body out of the chair and take care of those kids of yours before I call CPS and have them do an inspection and see what you're really up to when you're supposed to be homeschooling them." NMH 2006
"That you are one narcissistic, bizaare individual." Jill Filipovic on Feministe Blog September 2006
"I could certainly continue to go back and forth (and believe me, I would love to!!!!!), but that would be answering a fool according to his folly." Amy-anti-Catholic blogger at Blessed Motherhood 7/07/07!
"Where's Elena? We need Elena." Kathryn the Daring Young Mom 2/17/06
"I have no problem with Elena. I find her answers to be quite lucid, witty, and insightful." David B commenting on In Today's News 10/29/05
"She's not cranky, she just senses happiness and snuffs it out." Gabe, age 9, after being scolded for not being ready for swim practice. 12/0
"you are one narcissistic, bizaare, individual." Jill Filipovic 9/11/2006
"Elena of My Domestic Church get’s my nomination for living a life of loveliness that I could only ever dream of. She’s an awesome wife and mother, a deeply committed Catholic, a proponent of pro-life issues, a hands on make-and-bake-and-cut-and-stick-musical-momma, a prayerful, compassionate, thoughtful and passionate woman who endeavours to live a christocentric life in her own euphonious way. Yes, I am proud to know her as a blog buddy and sharing in her trials and her triumphs via reading her blog over the last few years has impacted me more than she could know… and always for the better." Deb from Ukok's Place 08/2007
"I have a feeling elena never moves on from anything. other than the couch to the fridge." 08/2007 commenter on the now defunct Rock Star Mommy Blog.
"I think you're a shrew." Anne Basso 7/08
"Even with our differences, I will say one thing--she's smart. I may not always agree with what she says, but she doesn't spout unsupported garbage as fact." Ruthjoec aka JAnn from AOL Catholic message boards and This That and the Other Thing Blog
"I was wrong. You were right. God bless you" T from LO2W blog 3/6/2008
"As a Catholic Mother myself, I enjoy reading My Domestic Church. It's one of the many blogs that I follow and read regularly. It's refreshing to read comments from a mother that shares your views. So much of what Elena has me nodding my head in agreement. I'm sure that any Catholic-Mother will enjoy reading Elena's blog." SAMinIL on Blog Catalog 9/09
"Because of my interest in Benedictine spirituality and monasticism, began reading about the Domestic Church. This site is an excellent resource. Like any good family it is alive with energy and the Holy Spirit." John on Blog Catalog 12/08
"I watched your talk on YouTube and thought you and your husband did a wonderful job. Very natural, not stilted. Your account of your child, Raphael's, life and death were extremely touching and profound." Eileen via e-mail 02/21/2010
"Happy Easter to you Elena! Four years ago I discovered Candy. Two years ago I discovered you. Last night (Easter Vigil) I was received into full communion with the Catholic Church. It was a beautiful night and one I will remember forever. Thanks to you and Kelly for clearing up any confusion there may be about what the Church believes, teaches, and proclaims. Have a blessed Easter season!" From a VTC reader. 05/2010
"Elena, You completely 'foul up' the catechism. I repeat you are a nice lady, but your lack of education and knowledge, as your distorted answers show," Jack from Liberal Catholic Sports Music 1/9/2009
"you repeatedly impress me. I know we have very different political views that show up in our comments to each other at times, but I have never once felt anything but generosity from you toward who I am." JB via e-mail 7/23/2010
"The post I really love, though is 28 Things I Learned About Marriage in 28 Years at My Domestic Church. In fact, it's so good I plan to show it on the first day of class for my Family and Society course this." Sister Edith at Monastic Musings
Elena was animated, enthusiastic, faith shined through! She was very real. For us, she was relatable and so honest and open. She motivated us the most and we are thankful that she shared so much of her personal life to show example. some PreCana evals from 2014
"you never cease to amaze me, and everyone else! You are unbelievably unforgettably wow! I'm so blessed to be your cousin and friend. Dan - My domestic cousin 5/2014
"Elena: A flute could never sound or feel so etherial as when you play." Marissa
"Your comments are continually provoking, idiotic and condescending" my nephew 11/2018
" As a mom of littles, I really appreciate moms like you tackling these tough issues and sharing your wisdom!" Laura commenting on Catholicmom 06/2019
"Thanks so much for a thoughtful article faithful to the teachings of our faith, while being compassionate towards gay people."Tim commenting on Catholicmom dot com 06/2019
"Grandma, snuggle me!" - My domestic granddaughter 2017
"When Elena turns the other cheek, it's so she can whip around the other side with full force!" Mr. Pete My Domestic Husband!
I’m skipping grey and going right to white! 😉 For a while I was plucking, and right now I’m using a semi-permanent color that’s pretty close to my natural color. I’m not sure what I” do when my natural color is in the minority, though.
I’m not a homeschooler, but I’m in the colored group. I do it myself-a color close to my old natural. I use a permanent color from the drug/grocery store (usually Loreal, but sometimes something else). There is no way I’m paying a hairdresser big bucks to do something as complicated as shampooing my hair. I color it about every 2-3 months.
I’m still in my 20’s and have this problem! I used to have it professionally colored but just started doing it myself and it is much easier than I thought!
Change your grey haired life in ten minutes with little or no fumes….Nice and Easy root touch up! I color my hair too, I guess teaching has given me more than my fair share of early grays. I hate to spend the $$ on pro job, but also the time. It seems like salons spend hours! Anyway this product is just enough to do the roots and basically I just do the roots probably 5/6 times a year and then maybe once a year I do a full bottle of the regular stuff. Root touch up doesnt have the fumes because the dose is so small. Its far less messy. I usually get it with a coupon for $5. LOVE IT!
At 26 with no kids, I’m finding lots of grey within my brunette hair. It’s upsetting.
What a timely question.
I reading a book right now called Going Gray. You should read it.
I’ve colored my hair since I’ve been 30. I think that I would probably be 50% gray at this point if I did not. My theory is that for me its genetic, having so many kids (hormonal) and Diet Coke related:) It is an expensive habit and I’m trying to figure out how long I’m going to keep this up.
For now I go to the salon every 8 weeks. I’ve done the at home version and messed up one time too many.
If I pulled out every gray hair I’d be bald. Don’t color my hair, and my son cuts it every few months. He’s been doing it since he was a kid. I let my husband do it once and it came out wonky so son had to fix it. I hold it back with a headband. It’s clean, it’s graying and it’s fine with me.
I have more gray than my mom, but she’s been dying her hair for the past 40 years!
Personally I think gray hair is beautiful. I can’t wait to get it. If I got any coloring done it would be to make it more silvery and white.
I have four teenagers and a very busy life. I started coloring my hair around the age of 32. Over the years it has progressively gotten very white in front and more of a salt/pepper in back. In April, I decided at the age of 46 to see how gray I was. I’m really gray! It looks kinda platinum. Anyway I have struggled with it because I did not want to look older or people think I am my children’s grandparent. I have hip eyeglasses and have started wearing more makeup on my eyes especially. I love how my eyebrows have stayed dark and it really frames my face.
Am I pleased? Well it is much less expensive and not as damaging as the products those of you have talked about. Being frugal I felt that I just could not in good conscience spend the money needed every few weeks to color my hair in a salon and doing it at home….well I have way too much white to do it at home now. I was needing to color about every three weeks. I do like the look with my dark glasses and the rich jewel tones I have always loved look really good on me now. But I still struggle when I see myself at times.
My husband loves it, my 13 year old daughter is not happy with it, and my three boys just plain love me. So, I decided that maybe it was a pride issue with me wanting to change the way the Lord had designed my hair. I know for me my hair has not had so much vibrancy since coloring really is hard on ones hair. I am fighting the urge to color it before my 30 high school reunion next summer but then again…I may just continue to resist and be an example to those that want release from what the world culture thinks is beautiful or right for a woman who is graying.
I keep reminding myself of the verse in the Old Testament that declares a man’s white hair is his crowning glory. I do know I have had many people comment that they just love my hair…have I colored it? I just tell them the Lord has colored it.
So now you have a perspective from the other side.
Oh and my mom is 70 looks 50 and colors her hair. She finally told me the other day that if her hair looked as white as mine she would not color hers anymore.
I have mine done every six weeks. The hairdresser does it at her house- but it is expensive ($100 for cut and color and eyebrows).It is simply the ONE expense I do. It is worked into the budget.
I have “given up” lots of things – but this one I will stick with for at least a few more years.
I was just dealing with this issue myself. I struggle with the cost as well, but my pride/vanity is a big part too. I feel like I shouldn’t have grey hair before 30! I do it myself because I would feel guilty paying for it at a salon, but I know I don’t do a super job. I used to think that since I was coloring anyways, I should play with the color, but this last time I tried to go as natural as I could because I don’t keep up with it as well as I should and this way, I may have some grey showing, but at least I don’t have a line around my head showing two different colors. So I made a deal with myself that I would cover my grey until 30 and then I think I will let it go (check back with me in a little over a year:). I personally think women with “platinum” hair look beautiful, I just wonder how long it took them to get that way.
I don’t homeschool but I have colored for years, I’m not sure what my natural color is anymore! I don’t have any gray hair yet but I think I will wait and see, some people look so good with gray, they just gray gracefully and it looks super nice, while others have that wire type gray that looks like if you reach out and touched it, it might just feel like straw… so, if I like how I look gray… I’ll let it go, but.. if it looks like a straw hat.. nope, I’ll color.. I color at home now, I use a semi permanent that last for 28 shampoos.. it is not harsh on your hair and it is inexpensive, I use the same color each time and have had no problems.
What gray? Please, it’s “silver” and it’s beautiful!
Grecian formula?! 🙂
I’ve been coloring my hair since my 20s. I wish I could do it only every couple months, but it grows about a 1/2 inch a month, so I do it about every 3 weeks. After 24 years of this, it is fast and easy for me.