The Slow Outing Club

Hi,

With Autumn half-term upon us, the Ever Lovely Mrs J and Child 2.0 decided on a last minute trip for a few days. They’re both now back, safe & well, having enjoyed their roadtrip to some historic sites down south. Muggins here, stayed home to look after the hounds, and as my snoring isn’t great when we share a room; ensure my lovely partner and teen get a good rest.

But how might I pass the time, home alone, once the dogs are walked and the morning chores sorted? Well, I wonder 😉

Getting ready

As I was on my Todd yesterday, I had a rare gift of not being in bloke gear, and needing to get changed.

Instead – and post doggo care – there was time for a luxurious shower and get my Big Girl Pants on, padding, and tape applied. It all helps dispel the old shape.

Now, I had recently bought some new ankle boots (thank you, Vinted) , as I’d wanted something autumnal and with a reasonable heel. Photo to follow, shoeaholics 🙂 I wondered about teaming them with some matching opaques and a bronze velvet skirt…. which was better in my head. I think with the high cut of the boots and the lower hem of the skirt…. Ah, well, I felt – frankly – a bit frumpy, so a rethink was in order.

Funny how some things work together and some don’t, eh? I thought about knee boots, but I wore them last time and the heel isn’t really for long walks. Mind you, you don’t half get a good workout for your lower legs 😁

I decided to keep the top and swap to my trusty blue jeans. They’re a classic, easy to match with other items, and I feel they help keep my curves too. A quick check the turn-ups where the right length, feet in boots, and…. that’ll do, Pig 🙂

Don’t rush it

Now, I had decided to try a different tactic to the day out: specifically, there’s no need to rush. I mean, I had all day and with no school run or wifey back home after lunch, I could take it steady.

Truth be told, two things happened. Firstly, it really took the pressure off, and I found myself enjoying the slower process of getting ready.

Given my nails aren’t quite recovered from my clumsiness and whatever is causing the index fingernail’s cracking 😕, I decided to give some false nails another go.

Yeah, clearly I’m a sucker for punishment…. but this time, the fates of time & beauty smiled. 🙏

These are some ones from Boots and there’s a variety of sizes in the pack. They’re quite short, but I didn’t want coffin nails or to be struggling with claws as I finished my make-up.

Outfit on and nails settling, I decided to forgo applying my make-up in the bathroom – even though the light is better and fully natural. Instead, I popped on an overhead LED and my SAD lamp to brighten the room. BTW, illumination is also available from non three letter acronyms as well 😉 TLA FTW 😁

Sat at my desk, I had all my cosmetics to hand, and as such, there was no wondering between rooms, having forgotten something in the bedroom.

I picked out some short earrings, and a silver necklace with a wee star on the snake chain. After that, just a case of getting my hair on, and a gentle brush to get it to behave.

I tried my sage coat but that felt a bit worky. I tried a hoodie which I think worked, yet the sun was shining. Would I be too warm? I switched out for a light charcoal cardy, and locked up.

Where to go?

I had thought about going into the city and asking about the blusher & contouring, the MUA offered me last time. But, I had a full face on already and I had been to town recently. Would it be better to try something new? But what?

It’s the Chams Halloween Do this week and I had got my outfit mostly sorted. I do have a cute hairband, but I fancied a witch hat to go with the dress I bought second hand. Now, with apologies to Julia Donaldson and poetry lovers 😉

The witch had a dog and a smart ginger bob,
In search of a hat; yes, that was the job.

I wondered if a not so nearby garden centre might have some in? This place was out of town and I know it’s good a good range of decorations during the year. It wasn’t too far and if this was a bust, I knew I could travel on from their too.

First stop

The car park was fairly full and that did give me a small jolt of ‘yikes’. But, if I didn’t park up and get out, I knew I’d be driving around and be cross with myself for chickening out.

The place was quite busy inside with parents & young kids – half-term, I guess – plus retired folk heading off for elevensies. Second Breakfast for the regular risers 😉

The Halloween stock was pretty small, although the Xmas decorations were looking amazing. It still feels a bit early given it’s not November yet, but so it goes.

With no luck on the hat front, I wandered through the labyrinthine halls, I wondered what is it with garden centres and ‘bolt on’ builds, that let them sprawl out? 🙂

Outside I spotted another bolt on shop and had a look to see if there might be something for Granny J’s Christmas. Nothing really caught my eye…. Well, apart from the big mirror, caught in the warm autumn sunshine. Ah, it would be rude not to 😉

A slightly awkward pose as I’ve got a mobility catalogue under one arm! 🙂 No, not for me, you cheeky so-and-so 😁

Second stop

Hmm. No joy on the hat front there. Hmm 🤔 Hang on, there’s a few charity shops and a toy store a little further from home. Might I be lucky there?

Back in the car and after a few false stops to find free parking, I was out into the warm October weather. I was glad of my cardigan and sunglasses. On the note of the latter, you get to observe the world a little. I noticed that most folk are lost in their own thoughts, conversations, or phones; so this helps with the worries about safety or being called out.

While there was no luck on the hat front, I had an enjoyable walk through the park, and time to take in the beautiful flowers, shrubs, and trees. I’m certainly not green fingered – which would save time if I was a wicked witch impersonator 😉 – but now I enjoy the sights & smells of the wildlife.

I took a long route back to the car, enjoying the simple pleasure of having time to be all of me. I don’t mind being in bloke mode some of the time, just not all of the time. So it was I wandered back through the snickets between the terraced housing, and back to the car.

At a cycle barrier, there was a British “polite off”. It’s like a stand off, only much more kind. After you. No, I couldn’t possibly, etc. 🙂 I folded first and accepted the offer, saying something about there’s not quite enough room due to my bum. This caused a chuckle and the other lady came back straightaway with “not if it’s the size of mine, that’s for sure!” which made me laugh at her quick wit.

Third time’s not the charm

Neither was the fourth 😉 I tried an out-of-town supermarket and a nearby craft store, but no luck. Ah, well I did manage a child sized hat, so I bought that just in case I couldn’t get one on-line in time. I will regift to a charity shop if it’s no good.

I spotted a big collection of mirrors, so while no-one but the CCTV watching, I look a quick selfie in case the others didn’t turn out right.

By now it was mid afternoon and I realised I’d not had any lunch. I didn’t fancy anything too big, as in a few hours it would be tea time. I had some items at home, so I thought it best to head back and get changed.

Back into a pumpkin

Getting home was without issue and add I had my curves on – so to speak – I thought I’d give my Halloween outfit a check. All seems okay, so fingers claws crossed for Thursday night.

I think I’d been out for most of the day, and I’d had a good time. I felt relaxed, but accomplished and a bit tired from all the walking.

Such a long time out is really unusual, and I was very glad of the opportunity. Like the weather being good, I guess you have to make the best of when things are in your favour. Enjoy the moments, I guess.

L x