Slowly gaining courage to step out, and thinking about my neighbors

[FeliciaMCD]

Well, I've been itching to get out of the house this weekend. The last weekend through Wednesday I was visiting family, so no chance to dress up or do anything.

So I've been dressing most every day after work since getting home, and all weekend so far.

I did a few "new" things this week. First, I took the trash out while dressed up. I did this the other day while just in some jeans with a more feminine cut and a women's shirt. Today I took out a bit more garbage in my skirt, pantyhose, boots and a blouse under a sweater vest. Very short hair, no makeup or anything. And heck, I'm 6'4", so it's not like I can blend too well anyway.

My wife and I also went for a drive. We stopped for a drink at a drive through coffee stand and then just cruised around a bit. I think the kid at the coffee stand was thrown off. He kept having to check our order and seemed to be stumbling over his words. I'm not up to the interacting part yet, so I let my wife drive and order.

When we got home I noticed our neighbor down the block (I use the term "block" loosely) was out on her porch using her phone. I think she was watching as I got out of the truck and walked in, but I was just playing casual and walked up to my door, out of sight from her.

I've been thinking about my neighbors lately. We live in a small town, but only moved in just over 2 years back. We don't know anyone outside of a few people I work with, but not too many live in our town anyway.

I've never really interacted with my neighbors, and I don't even know any of their names. I don't have any family in this area, and we mostly just keep to ourselves. So I have been thinking about whether or not I care what my neighbors think.

I want to go out for drinks dressed up, but I'm not sure how well received it would be around here. There are some bars that I would love to go have a few beers at. I'm hoping to move within the next year or two, so maybe I'll wait and go out with a bang. I'm not worried about what people think about me so much as I am about servers being uncomfortable or something.

Well, that's about it for now. Just wanted to share.

[Jorja]

Jorja sets out a peanut butter cookie trail trying to help coax Felicia out.

[AngelaYVR]

Those cookies were to coax Felicia out? I thought they were to coax me in!!

Felicia, all the prevaricating in the world won't make your choices any clearer. You can first try what a lot of us did - take a late night walk all done up. After that it's smooooth sailing!

[FeliciaMCD]

Small steps, for sure.

I do have a vacation coming up in July and I've planned time to go out while away from everyone I know. I've mentioned it to a few forum members (non-CD forum) that I know were into the drag scene and could probably show us around.

I'm really anxious, though, so I may not even make it that long and I'll try going out somewhere around here.

I live in a rural town. There are a LOT of farmers. Right up the highway is Walla Walla and there are some great bars with an excellent selection of beer. I would love to get dressed up and head out for a few drinks.

[cdncdwife]

When we go out we pick a quieter night at the restaurant we like, we go to a movie or browse around the stores but my husband and I are comfy with each other so that seems to help other people relax a little. We also go out in a city near our home but not in our local neighbourhood. Good luck with your next outing.

[CountessVF]

Clearly none of you live in rural Texas. A walk around the neighborhood would either get your ass shot, preached to death or some perv would "git" you. And I'm terrified that I can't predict which is most likely. LOL

[Tammy Lynn Tx]

Countess, I have lived in rural towns for the best part of my life and most were great towns with great people, but the outcome of taking a walk in any of them would probably been a combination of all 3. It can seem harsh, but I love living in the country

[Beverley Sims]

Felicia,
I tend to dress outside my circle of friends and that means thirty miles from home base.

Any closer and it is fraught with danger.

In a small town and not high density living so one has to watch out.

I don't know the neighbours and maybe they would be just confused with a closeup look, but I don't know about that.

[Kate Simmons]

I used to be worried about going out en femme if the neighbors were outside. Now if they are, I just wave at them and they wave back. Nothing is ever said either way.

[Nikkilovesdresses]

Be cautious, be prudent, be safe. Taking chances is for teenagers. I know you want to push your limits, but your wife's peace of mind is also at stake, and if you out yourself, you're changing her life too. Involve her in your decisions- it would be unfair not to.

[pamela7]

is there something different about backwoods/midwest usa and the rest of the world?

ps Nikki, Welshgirl tells me you could have written those words for me!

[RachelsMantra]

I went out in the neighborhood to walk my dog in a bright pink dress today for the first time. Didn't interact with anyone and it was quite uneventful. If I had saw my immediate neighbors I probably would just say "hi" and go about my business. It felt great to be out in a dress with the wind on my legs and not caring what anyone thinks. Wonderful feeling.

[CynthiaD]

Most of my neighbors have seen me dressed, and it's no big deal. I live in a small Texas town, but it's definitely not rural. I've had a few en femme outings to neighboring rural towns though, and those were no big deal either. But there are places in these towns that I wouldn't go en femme.

One thing to remember is that, small town or not, television is everywhere. The internet is everywhere. These things tend to bind us together into a common culture. No one anywhere is isolated, unless they choose to be. There are places in most big cities that I would feel much more uncomfortable than in any small town.

[Rebecca Sue Willams]

I live in a condo complex and it is hard for me to get out. Last night I tried to get out early in the evening so I could do some shopping, that didn't go as I planned. I had to go and watch t.v. for an hour till I could get out. A neighbor had some drama going on so there was a lot of people around and then the police started to fly over the complex and shine their light down.

[Raquel Maire]

I plan to go out in a few months when it warms up. I will do this under the cover of darkness as not to see the neighbors. My plan is to go to a local casino at 1130 at night. Being there I can tell you that I would be a heck of a lot more sexy and alluring then the bio females at this place. I feel that I would be able to blend in and have a good time. Enjoy because if you look at bio females they all wear t shirts and jeans and sneakers. Nothing sexy or revealing that's where WE ALL AS SISTERS SHOULD FILL THAT VOID. Be sexy, hot and revealing and it all comes together

[Natalie cupcake]

I live in the country so my neighbors are about a mile away. My male side is well known in the neighborhood. When I spend time in feminine mode one of the things I do is I go of my house and spent time in my garden but you never no when they might pop over to say hello. So I have to be careful I don't want them to find out. My wife and want to go out but both agree that going to a bigger town would be a lot safer and more fun.

[Stephanie47]

Cynthia brings up a good point. With camera phones so pervasive in society anyone can end up on the Internet/YouTube/etc. At six foot four and add heels..well you're going to stand out.

[docrobbysherry]

Felicia, 2 things to consider before u go out:

1. What's the worst that could happen?
2. Squeeze some tooth paste out of it's tube. Now, try to put it ALL back in. That's like changing your mind after you've gone out dressed locally!

[Adriana Moretti]

I live in a condo complex....so i have to be REAL carefull...one of the things I do is wear sunglasses , makeup done except lipstick, and wear one of those basketball jogger suits that they rip off on the sidelines, in the nba ...once i get to my car i rip it off, put my wig on, lipstick......and im gone xoxo

[Marcelle]

Hi Felicia,

From your post it appears you are pushing the envelop already albeit on a small scale which I doubt most neighbours have noticed. Coming out, be it to an SO, friends, family, work or in your case "neighbours" is a serious decision which can have consequences both good and bad. Good would be you don't need to hide anymore and people don't care or, bad could be complete ostracizing by your neighbourhood (worse case scenario). I guess the question you need to ask yourself is "Are you and your family willing to accept and/or deal with the worst case scenario?" If so, then I you have made your decision if not . . . then I would think twice before moving in that direction. Yes, it is possible your neighbours won't care and may even tolerate/accept Felicia but then again . . . you never know.

Once the bell has been rung, it cannot be silenced. My two cents.

. . . 2. Squeeze some tooth paste out of it's tube. Now, try to put it ALL back in. That's like changing your mind after you've gone out dressed locally!

Sherry,

I love this analogy

Hugs

Isha

[Jean 103]

Hi, I lived in Bend for 10 years about 20 years ago. The company I worked for sent me out your way once. I’m don’t know if it’s changed but eastern Oregon is very conservative and definitely small town if you can call them towns. I would suggest a weekend trip to Portland. The big city, much more liberal, lots to do or if you prefer small towns drive out to the coast. You may not know your neighbors but I bet they know each other and probably more about you then you think. I did not dress when I lived there, when we first moved there my wife said it takes all day to go to town and do the shopping. I ask why, she said because everywhere you go people talk to you. Oregon is beautiful and I miss it. Love Jean

[Tracii G]

If I see a neighbor I just wave and they wave back.
It doesn't seem to matter if I 'm dressed in girl or guy mode.