A holiday from him

Hi,

With GCSEs and school over, the Ever Lovely Mrs J has treated Child 2.0 to a mini break in Europe. Before anyone rings Child Services, I should add she’s gone with him 🙂 They’re currently somewhere in northern Europe visiting museums, taking in the sights, and enjoying a much deserved break.

I feel I should point out that today’s title is not about our lovely boy, but Yours Truly enjoying a break from being the usual me.

If you’re curious as to why I’ve not gone – or if you’re not, I’m going to tell you anyway 😉 – we have three hounds and sorting out immunisation jabs, kennel stay, etc; well, it’s a massive faff. Plus, given all three are rescues, we’re loathed to put remind them of how they were kept before that came to us.

Plus, I don’t like flying, I snore (making room sharing difficult), and I can be quite happy with my own company. So, it all works out nicely. We will be going somewhere in the UK later this summer and it’ll be six of the Jones fam: three doggos and their ‘hooman’ carers.

Mixing things up

Not in the confused sense, although I certainly don’t need any assistance in that department! 🙂

With just me in the house and as I work from home, I’ve been able to ‘mix n match’ my masc and femme wardrobe. I’m sure I’ve not been the only remote worker to have an office top on, but with more comfortable attire off screen.

As an aside, just after the pandemic lockdowns, I was listening to some senior female colleagues, and they’d said that they’d not needed restrictive business wear or having to put up with heels. Looking at post pandemic style, this leaning to comfort seems to have stayed and why not? I know Mrs J has abandoned under-wired bras for similar reasons. Again, why shouldn’t a pain be able to choose?

Nailed it

Regular readers and Chams folk will know of my love of nail varnish 🤗 There’s something good around having your nails – or toes – pretty. So it’s a treat when that’s possible.

Oh, side note, I can recommend the Sally Hansen ‘Tough as Nails’ protector. It’s clear and makes your nails look buffed, so I’ve been wearing that in bloke mode for weeks. It’s also helped avoid breaking a nail just as Chams approached.

Where was I? Yeah, so while I dare not paint my paws while working remotely – I gesture a fair bit – with a few days off at home, I’ve had this luxury.

Given I usually only get to see fancy nails on a Thursday, there were a few moments where I’d forgotten and was slightly surprised. Playing using an old Xbox controller, feeding the dogs, and walking up to still having them as is.

I’ll take this for the Happy Memory Jar ❤️

Get out, Jones!

It’s been yonks* since I’ve been out & about, so while the sun shone – but not too brightly – twas best to, uhh, getteth oot and aboot 🙂

( * Translation: a long period of time. )

I’d tried a few things on and put some outfit ideas together over the evenings.  Meaning I’d pretty much narrowed things down to two: casual if it was hot or smart if it was cooler.

I did struggle with having bare legs. I guess a pair of tights gives me a little extra coverage and therefore confidence. Do you find this too?

Talking of legs, I find some tanning drops worked a treat when blended with body lotion. My pins are not in the fridge section – neither milk bottle white nor bright orange 🙂

In the end, the office look won out because I knew the shoes were not going to blister, and despite stretching my new sandals, they’re not fully broken in yet. Plus, living in Birkies over the summer, I didn’t want to have a day out in same. Sometimes, it’s about variety and leaving Bloke Mode behind.

So, Wednesday AM, I’m up, washed, dressed, and making myself think of one step at a time. I was pleased at having stumbled upon a make-up tutorial on under eye shadows, and the technique seems to help my Lurch like complexion 🦇 😁

Of course, as we reached ‘go for launch’ my nerves kicked in. I would like to thank Andie for their kind words, as these helped get me out of the door 🩷

Wigged freak terrorises Gotham

Okay, Leicester and less of the freak. Bloody nerve of some people 😁

Traffic was okay and thankfully the A46 roadworks are off at the mo. I parked up in High cross and took advantage of the electric cars only parking…. and then I decided to move the car, as the charging points were three pin mains only. Yes, electric massive, granny leads – go figure!

Wandering off I passed the long mirrored wall by John Lewis and that was an opportunity for a quick selfie. I did try a video but being only seven seconds, I’m not sure I need to share that.

The truth is I didn’t need to buy anything. I guess getting out was a mix of proving to myself I still could (despite the wobble), it’s a break from the routine, and – if I can say this, visibility matters. It’s not about me being seen, but about a trans person being out in the world and just being part of the everyday.

Around the above, I had a long chat with a shop owner about various things. We started off talking about the silk dresses on show – a bit out of my price range – and moved on to family things, the weather (safer than politics! 🙂), and whatnot.

I popped into New Look to see what they had going – just in case they had…. umm…. some shoes – even though I don’t need any more. But, nothing jumped out, so I moved on. I did use the big mirror, just in case the John Lewis photo didn’t quite work.

I had a look in a few charity shops and the only thing that caught my eye, was a pair of blue wedges with a straw base. But, I’ve got quite enough shoes at the mo, so I left them. I saw some earrings that the Every Lovely Mrs J might like, but given she’s away, she might buy some while on holiday. We’ve done that a few times.

With the usual haunts checked along The Lanes, I headed back to the car and set off home. The dogs had been good while I was out and thankfully they didn’t jump up, and ladder my tights. Perils of the dog owner eh? 😉

In the afternoon, I got cleaned up, popped on some leggings to relax in…. and fell asleep on the sofa. I guess that walking must have caught up with me!

So, today’s post is a bit later than I’d planned, but I’ve caught up with washing and I think the house wanderings have helped break the sandals in more.

All in all, a very pleasant way to spend the day. What a gift.

L x