I have decided to go gray.....

Hi everyone,  I am 48 years young and having coloured my gray hair for around 16 years I have finally decided to go natural.  What I mean is, I have decided not to colour my now 3 inch gray roots.  My hair is just above shoulder length and was coloured blonde.  Some people say they haven't noticed the roots but I think they are either a) just being tactful or b) needing new specs.  Anyway,  it seems that being natural re. the gray locks is even hitting Hollywood.  There was a lovely photo of Jamie Lee Curtis sporting a short gray do I saw recently and of course some of our older actresses have done the same.  Not that I am following their lead...honestly!  I can't afford salon colouring and the last few home jobs that I have done have left me feeling rather pathetic as I wonder why I am actually doing it.

So what do you all think?  Any suggestions on how I can do this while still feeling good about myself in the transition stage?  I don't want to look as though I don't care about my appearance...you know, that I have given up the ghost!  And I am not wanting to go short either...it has taken a while for my hair to grow to this length.  I will get a couple of inches cut off each time I go to the hairdresser but it will take a while for the whole of my hair to be my natural gray colour.  Watch this space....as I will, for any advice you may have!