Hi,
How’s things? Hopefully good and if not, I hope that they soon will be.
A rare treat
With two days off midweek, and having had a day out on Wednesday, I was glad of some downtime to get a few things sorted in the house.
The -ahem- ‘post getting ready debris’ was enthusiastically installed across the spare room’s double bed, so that needed sorting out. Not to mention the Shoe Forest that had appeared, as my footwear collection migrated from upstairs to the stady confines of under the spare bed 🙂
Thursday I had planned to go out with Val, but sadly our work calendars couldn’t quite align, so that was that unfortunately. Still, maybe with luck we’ll strike lucky after summer. 🤞
Talking of Thursdays, given I was home alone, I had the rate gift of getting ready at home. Now, I don’t know if it’s the to-ing and fro-ing that adds to the time, or the addition of last minute changes, but I seem to manage to get ready more quickly at Chams. Maybe I should put everything in the usual bag, and pretend I’m there! 😁 But, my inefficiency aside, it was a lovely way to finish off my two days, with not having to pack a bag to change in and out of. Instead, a quick walk from the front door, unplug the car, and set off.
Lessons learned: despite giving my face a break from make-up during the day, a second close shave in as many days, was a little… tingly. Tingly bordering on the “Eee, that’s a bit sharp”. Thank you cooling moisturiser for taking the edge off.
Despite delays from earlier appointments, I left home en femme and made my way up to Chams HQ. I often call my folks on the way as I often ring them on a Thursday. TBH, it felt a little odd talking to my parents while dressed and out driving, but at it wasn’t a video call, no worries.
Luckily, the traffic had lessened since rush hour, so I made pretty good time. There was a slight snag around the car park, given that Severn Trent still have roadworks set up. I guess, like technical fixes in IT, sometimes engineering brings on a surprise, and your fix time estimate goes out of the window. However, at least the car park was open, and the Centre was already unlocked when I parked up.
Despite the rain, I thought I’d try something summery, so I opted for my green dress and some wedge sandals. I did wear the jacket I bought ages ago from a charity shop, and I was glad of the warmth in the car.
As to the evening itself, it was fairly quiet but that’s not unusual for the summer months. Holidays, lighter nights, child care, Sparkle/Pride events, etc.
We had two new folk join us and they’ve both signed up to the forum. Hopefully that’ll help them keep in touch and ask any questions they want to. I think it’s a good thing to meet me people, and it was really interesting to listen to them talk about their experiences, struggles, and how they found their way to the group.
Ladies who lunch
By lucky happenstance, a friend got in touch to say they were near-ish to Leicester, so with a bit of jiggling my lunch time, I had the pleasure off meeting up with Andie and Adam for a catch-up and some snap.
While chatting online is good for keeping in touch, I think there’s something to be said about good conversation over a meal. Qualified experts may wish to weigh in on this human activity.
Much good natured laughter and kind words were shared between the three of us, and the time seemed to go very quickly. No doubt a sign that you’ve enjoyed yourself.
Again, quite the gift to end the working week on. That and Child 2.0 and the Ever Lovely Mrs J return home tonight, so I’ll be glad to see them home safe and well.
Guess I should put this lot away then 😉
L x
PS: You may be interested in Pride Daily, which is a brief (in a good way!) podcast on events in the LGBTQIA+ community.
I heard someone describe the ‘post-getting-ready debris’ as the impact of a tr***y bomb hitting the house and so there’s always a panic check, tidy and hide in the last half hour before my partner is due through the door. Though such is their often desperate need for coffee at that point that they probably wouldn’t recognise if I served it in a ballgown (me, not the coffee) until the second cup kicked in.
Packing to change elsewhere does limit the options for last minute dithering and outfit/wig changes (before deciding the first choice was probably the best)- something that can add a good half hour to getting out the door if you’re not careful.
I like the red jacket and it works well with the green dress.
I might go with ‘twirlwind’ given the path of items left following getting ready 🙂
Hmm. For me, and it may well be different for others, I guess I want to make the best of things. That with those rare moments, I would like this to be as good as that can. That may explain the last minute changes and tweaks to getting it right.
Thanks for the kind words about the jacket and dress combo. I felt quite smart in it.
I and I think many will relate to the at home effeciency issues. More geared up for out a bag / suitcase than at home. The times I manage to get to chams I do get ready at home, but as you may have noticed, never early !
Nice to hear you have had a couple of days at a different pace
No judgement from me on arrival times, Sally! 🩷 FWIW, I think you look very stylish and natural when you arrive. I think you’ve said at the group, that it’s difficult logistically given the balance of family life, child care, and whatnot.
Yeah, it’s been a fab few days, thank you. Being able to ‘mix & match’ while working from home, a day out as me, lunch with friends, and popping to Chams without having to faff about changing at the Centre; and I know I’ve said this before, but absolutely a set of gifts. I feel very lucky.
I am a big fan of red generally (you may have noticed) and thus love the jacket – especially in combo with the dress, it’s a good look!
If it’s any consolation, my house looks like it’s been inexpertly ransacked most days and I plan my outfits the night before (precisely to attempt to avoid ‘floordrobe’-itis and ‘tran-nado’ debris). What I’m saying is, theoretically, I should find it easier to keep a ‘clean’ house but do not and have no excuses!
To tidy or not to tidy, that is the question:
Whether ’tis quicker to drape o’er bed and floor
and suffer the pain of a foot against a belt and ring
Or to hang clothes and store shoes with care.
Hamletta, Scene 2 of There’s Something Fabulous in the State of Denmark 😉
On a less silly note, thanks for the kind words about the jacket and yes, I have spotted your preference as well.
I think we tend to operate in gradual buildup of stuff, and these then reduce following a non working day with the Morning Only Housework Initiative 🙂 The latter helps with what the name suggests and avoids guilty feelings of having sat on my ar53 recovering and resting 😉
Lovely dress, super sandals and a very feminine pose. You seem to have this lark sorted, Mrs!
Sounds like you’ve had a good time overall. Have a good weekend.
Sue x
The dress I had taken up some time ago, and I’m really pleased with the length now. Previously it stopped on the widest part of my leg, which wasn’t very flattering. Still, all sorted now.
The sandals are fairly old but I dare say, a good wedge rarely goes out of style. I wouldn’t want to walk too far in them, mind. Slightly ouch on the feets 😁
Friday’s my nonworking day, so Child 2.0 and I will be off out. Yay for long weekends!