What to do with this nest of hair

My hair is long and curly and very thick, which as you might imagine makes it hard to take care of (see pics).  So, lately I've been contemplating a change.  I am not willing to go any shorter than shoulder length, but has anyone with a similar hair type found a cute hair cut or hairstyle that cuts down on care time?  I would love to see any pics or links you may have.

I have a few friends who have VERY curly thick hair like yours....if you want a BIG change you can get it chemically straightened.  I know a few girls who have had amazing results doing that :-)

but its expensive, so make sure you REALLY want it

Apparently I'm stupid... I withdraw my suggestion.

As far as I've seen, getting it chemically straightened looks very... fake. It's SUPER straight. I mean, my hair is naturally straight but it's never as straight as the chemical ones. I always find the same thing with girls who straighten their hair every day... it looks unnatural. I second alibuch's idea.

Thinning it is not the way to go!!! it will look like a bush.. all the shorter hairs among the longer ones will make more volume in a bad way and be totally uneven... As a hairdresser I would suggest long layers let it dry naturally and use a shine serium to cut down on frizz. you may also try a curl activator I think Joico has a decent one.. but ask the stylist at your salon you dont want your curls crispy just well defined and soft... hope you get something you like...  

My oldest daughter hates her naturally curly hair and uses a ceramic straightner - my youngest hates her her straight hair and uses curling irons and things.  funny how what we are born with is what we don't like LOL.

My oldest did get a very cute haircut awhile back buch like pandorawa suggested.  Personally I love my daughters hair when she lets it dry naturally and it just has the cutest wave to it.  Its shoulder length as well.  Sorry I don't have any pics.

oh I forgot, be carefull of the chemical straightning, most are made of sodium hydroxide (LYE) and are made for ethnic hair. if you are going to do it go to someone you know is really experienced in this... as it can seriously burn your scalp and melt your hair... Nair is made from potasum hydroxide   so you get the picture. we once had a client come in to the shop asking if we could do something with her hair. she had gotten a perm she did not like a few weeks before and decided to go to the drug store to get something to straigten it. she got the kit took it home and put it on one side of her head than started on the other side when she noticed he hair on the side she started on was starting to get shorter when she realised what was happining she washed it out and came to the shop for help... but at that point there was nothing that could be done but cut it. it was so fried that it would fall apart in your fingers. really spongy when it was wet... so be ultra carefull

I found a couple pics of daughter and uploaded them to my profile for you it sorta gives an idea of how her hair is when fixed nicely

Thanks for the advice guys.  I agree about chemically straightened hair. The worst are the ones who dye their hair blond and straighten it, and it looks like they glued straw to their heads.  No, mainly looking to get rid of some length, since that is a variable that I can control without using tons of chemicals.  I already use copious amounts of conditioner (both in the shower and leave-in), so I'd like to be able to cut down on that, too.  dbackerfan, I am having trouble seeing your pics.  When I open your profile they just do not appear.  Hopefully I'll figure it out.

LOL
Like the straw glued on Paris Hilton's head

(sorry Hilton fans)

I have naturally extremely curly hair, and it's extremely thick to make matters worse.  I've had the Japanese straightening, and for me personally, I love it.  I'm getting it touched up again next week (I go every 6 mos).  It's certainly not for everyone, but I'm pretty low-maintainence, so I'm just happy to get out of the shower, brush my hair, and it dries straight without dryers or irons.  It's also not pin striaght forever, it does regain some volume after a few weeks.  I've unfortnately had dozens of bad hair-cuts in my day, had it thinned in Jr High and the first time I washed it, my hair was twice its normal size since there was no weight to hold the curlies down (devastating to a 13 year old).  I've also had the "so-long-I-look-like-a-xmas-tree" look, which wasnt flattering either.  If you can find a stylist that specializes in curly hair, you could save yourself a few headaches...  Good luck!

Here is a fun website
I tried it a couple of weeks ago just to try out a few different styles.  My hair is NOT curly in the least but you can certainly check out my journal where I posted my results.  My suggestion is just to go short.  Do something drastic.  And hey, if you cut more than 10 inches, you can donate it to locks of love.

Wow, that is fun!  I need to take picture with my hair back now. Thanks jm!  BTW, do you think that Locks of Love is looking for ten inches of crazy, unruly hair?  That might be more of a curse than a blessing...

I know that they will take anything as long as it isn't layered  (i.e. needs to be equal length).  Really though, I think your hair is gorgeous.  I would love curly hair!  But, you know what they say....the grass is always greener...

I'm on the same boat. I have very curly hair but unlike yours, mine is very thin. I want to try something different but I'm so scared of scissors! I've had some traumatic experiences with people cutting my hair too short!

I also have curly but thin hair. I straighten it at least once every week. I use Biolage Straightening Serum. It's the best! Use a little, then blow dry, then flat iron, then use a little more. (you only need a dab) it's very oily. I find my hair so much easier to manage when it's straight. I refuse to go short too sqwish. I went nuts one year and chopped it off and had it chemically straightened....don't know what I was thinking!!!It looked horrible! I didn't like it at all! I had more trouble with it!

I like my curls! It's fun to be able to go both ways.  

I didn't read through all of the replies, but be careful if you decide to straighten it. I have VERY curly hair and it was VERY thick until one day I got the smart idea to get it straightened chemically. I'm not gonna lie, it was gorgeous.. until it started falling out. You know how you're supposed to lose 100 strands average per day? Yeah, well my hair was leaving, alright, but it wasn't growing back. The chemicals were either reacting horribly to my scalp or the hairdresser had kept them in too long.. or both. So now my scalp is scarred from the straightening. I still have hair, don't get me wrong, but it's definitely a whole lot thinner.

You said you weren't willing to go above shoulder length but you would look so cute if you cut it so it culred all around your head.. like Shirly Temple. =] Oh well