To Sandy, glitter is gold

1.So, why the glitter?

Well, when I turned 60 I decided I wanted to get older and not be grumpy. So, as part of putting my makeup on, I found this glitter. I decided my motto would be to “grow old with glitter.” My friend saw me at church, and when I told her, she said I needed to add “gracefully” to that, so I did. My motto is “Grow old gracefully with glitter.”

2.How long have you been doing the glitter?

I just turned 66, so for six years.

3.What are the colors you use?

Regularly, I wear either gold or silver. I do have turquoise blue that I use very sparingly. I also have purple and red, which are very gaudy. I keep those for the right occasions, and I don't do those very often.

4.What about the hair color?

I just began doing that about a year a half ago. In my walk as a believer ... there were lies I believed that held me in bondage — I wasn't free. I came to know freedom and believe there is freedom in Christ. My hair color, for me, is about freedom in Christ, and it is a great opportunity for me to draw people to Christ. Being grumpy and plain is not the way I see doing that. This has opened up all kinds of opportunities for me to share my faith.

5.So, for the record, where do you work?

I am the director of women's ministry and counselor at Shawnee Alliance Church. I retired from teaching, and my pastor asked me to start a women's ministry. In my late 50s, I got my master's in Christian counseling.

6.What are people's reactions?

Well, I've had some really good ones. One little waitress asked me if I knew I had glitter on my face. A lot of people ask about the glitter. I have found with the hair color kids love it; some men will comment on it, and with women I'm sort of known for it. Those that don't say anything — I've learned to accept they think I'm a bit eccentric. When I was young, I avoided anything that could draw attention to myself.

7.Do you think people's reactions would be different if you were younger?

Yes, I do. It's interesting. With kids and young women — I connect immediately with them. I do think it (people's reactions) would be different if I were younger. For one thing, when I was younger I would not have had the boldness to do this.

8.How many colors do you have for your hair?

I think I've got between 15 and 20.

9.Do you only wear one color?

No. Yesterday I was wearing chartreuse and red, so I had those in my hair. I've done up to three colors. If I have more than one, I do more of a pattern.

10.Do you have any favorite colors or combinations?

I love my chartreuse green. For a color combo, my favorite is purple and pink together.

11.What does your husband think about this?

Of any one person who's seen the changes in me, it's Dave. We just celebrated 44 years last August. He loves it and is my biggest supporter. When I turned 65, he bought me a convertible, and he also got me a vanity plate that says GLITTR. I love it!