The Great Escape

[Kandi Robbins]

I am working through the logistics of going out and the biggest stumbling point right now is getting off of my street unseen and completely dressed.

I live at the very end of a cul-de-sac, with my garage directly facing my neighbor's house (living on the circle at the end creates that angle). My neighbor is a good friend, we always speak when we see each other, which is often. Being on the cul-de-sac locks me into the street until I get out and I very often end up waiving to some one either outside or passing in another vehicle.

My concern is from the neck up (mostly the make up, the wig can be removed and replaced later). I can hide the clothing otherwise.

Given my wife's unbelievable support, I cannot ever risk embarrassing her.

Short of wearing a hoodie or a bag over my head, I'm thinking my dressing may have to be kept to going to places where I can do my make up there. I know, of course, night fall will help, but during the spring and summer months, there isn't that much of it.

Any tips or suggestions? Funny stories?

[kimdl93]

Well, I think you're on the right track. It's probably wiser to get dressed off site if you can't reliably leave under cover of darkness.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Kandi, It is time to see about getting tinted windows for your car.
Back the car in the garage so you can make a quick get away.

[Eryn]

I live in the same situation as you, a cul-de-sac.

I go out all the time and in the summer it is often light.

When I first started going out I was very concerned about being seen. I'd carefully check out the neighbors and have a panic attack if they were out in their yards. One time Mimi drove us away with me laying in the back seat!

Later on I realized that we have a fair number of different females living or visiting my house. Two daughters, two sisters-in-law, Mimi, friends, etc. One more stranger driving away won't attract much notice.

So, I walk confidently to the car, but not with Mimi right next to me. Without scale and from 70 feet away I look like a GG. I back out, which puts the car between me and the neighbors who know me. I drive away promptly, not inviting anyone to step toward the car for a conversation.

Above all, I don't make eye contact. For some reason locking eyes with someone lets you look into their soul.

One thing that I don't do, but you might try is sunglasses. GGs wear big sunglasses that can hide just about all of your face. If your neighbors don't recognize the woman driving your car they won't accost her. Tinted windows are also a good idea

Funny story? Well, I have a classic vehicle whose driving position pretty much puts you on display to everyone around. I don't usually drive it when dressed, but in this case Mimi was using our other car so I was stuck. I checked to see if our across-the-way neighbors were visible. Nope, coast is clear! Walked out to car, got in, backed out, and found myself 30 feet from and pointed straight at two neighbors who were conversing in the front yard next to mine. Nothing to do but put it in first and head down the street! I never heard a word about it and thinking of it logically all they saw was an older woman through a windshield. Nothing exciting there.

[Adriana Moretti]

sunglasses??? and do your lipstick in the car??

[Leslie Langford]

What Eryn said. Unless your neighbors are prone to chasing after you and knocking on your car window to get your attention, or else throwing themselves across the hood of your vehicle to force you to a stop, you have nothing to worry about. And unless they possess Superman's x-ray vision, if you're not wearing your wig and only have your make up on above your neck, they won't be able to discern that either unless they were within a couple of feet of you.

In short - "steady as she goes" when you exit your driveway, no eye contact, look straight ahead, wear sunglasses (hat or hoodie as well if you are particularity fearful), and perhaps do what I do as well - flip down the sun visor(s). Before you know it, you will be safely on your way, and a welcoming world awaits you. ;)

[AllieSF]

I also live in a cul-de-sac. I would get completely dressed and full makeup and jewelry minus lipstick, earrings and wig. Since I live in Northern California we tend to always have cool nights (50's), especially in the city in the afternoon and evening while in the suburbs it may have been over 100. So, I would put on the sweater or jacket I was intending to wear anyway and button the top of it. On go the sunglasses to hide the darkened eye brows. I would then check to make sure that the neighbors were not just outside talking nearby. Then out I would go to a nearby parking lot to put on my wig, earrings and then lipstick. It worked for several years with no apparent problems (apparent to me anyway!). Now, since my natural hair is shoulder length and it is winter and darker sooner, I complete the whole process at home and leave completely ready to face the world, away from my home safe zone! Come the warmer months with the sun up later, I may have to save the lipstick and earrings until later.

If necessary, you can always put a large sweatshirt or even tee shirt over your clothes and finish up at a local quiet parking lot. It does work if you are careful. Good luck.

[Kim_Bitzflick]

I live on a cul-de-sac as well. I've taken a little different approach. I'm not out to my neighbors and I'm not planning to walk over to them while in girl mode and introduce myself. But I'm not going to hide from them either. IIt's my life so 'm just going to be me. If they don't like it, it's their problem. So far in 6 years, some have kind of seen me and all still talk to me.

[Jenniferathome]

...Later on I realized that we have a fair number of different females living or visiting my house. Two daughters, ...

Kandi, you have two grown daughters too! Keep in mind that a neighbor does not glance up and say to themselves, "Hey, that's Bob but he has a wig and makeup on." You won't look like you! You'll be some barely visible woman in a car. Take your wife's car if that helps.

[Kandi Robbins]

Thanks for the feedback girls. Probably overthinking things, but my driveway is on a weird angle and the houses are fairly close. Good ideas, all. I guess I am too much of a planner!

[Glenda58]

Have the same problem but my wife doesn't support me.

[Jorja]

If you find it that difficult to escape the eyes of neighbors, you might book a hotel room for a couple of nights. Leave home as normal and drive to your hotel room. Dress as you like and hit the town. Simple huh?

[Julogden]

Move to a house with more privacy. ;)

But seriously, as others have mentioned, dress off-site. If you have a local support group, see if you can make friends with someone who has a place that you could go to and get dressed.

Carol