I did it!! First time out and driving as Mel

[Melody A]

I had the day off today and first thing this morning, went through my standard "Pre-Mel Warm-up Routine" consisting of shower, shave, eyebrow trim, cleansing, and moisturizing. I applied makeup and got dressed. I wore my leopard print top with some cropped denim jeans (filled out nicely by some DIY hip pads) and my mary jane flats. Cute and casual :) One look in the mirror and I swear, with out even thinking about it, grabbed my keys and went out into the garage. This was not at all my plan for the day but it was happening. Under my breath I kept muttering "what am I doing...what am I doing..." as my pulse started racing. Got in my car and backed out of the garage. After a careful look around to make sure none of the neighbors were out, I was off. It felt awesome as I drove about a mile loop around the neighborhood. I began to get a bit more nervous and headed back home only to see our next door neighbor pulling out of his driveway which forced me to make the loop again. I'm not yet ready to be smiling and waving while driving past the neighbors as Melody :) Well, one more check off the ol' bucket list.

Hugs,

Melody

[pamela7]

congratulations, looks like you lit that fire!
you look great, too! xxx

[IamWren]

You look great Mel!
Love that smile... you look so happy!
Good for you!

[raeleen]

Yay for you, Melody! Here's hoping for more checks on that bucket list as you get out more!

You look great too!

[Meghan4now]

Congratulations, the first of many trips out I imagine. You look fantastic, love the jewelry, and what a Great choice for a blouse.

I am a little surprised though, I always thought you had been out and about. I guess that one shouldn't assume, but as nice of a job as you do, I just kind of figured. You certainly will present well in public. Now go to McDonald's and get a coke. Better make it a diet, you would want to be read ;)

[Dana44]

Melody, It is good that you got out. Possibly the first of many trips. You look nice in the car picture.

[Jaylyn]

You look great and I bet unless they recognized your car they would have just thought that is a beautiful lady driving down the street. Good job. Your makeup is perfect and let me say again that smile is a killer.

[Melody A]

I'm sure he didn't recognize it as my car since it's not an uncommon model and color but I hope he didn't notice the bumper stickers as I drove past. That would be a giveaway.

[Laurana]

Great job Girl!

I remember my first time out. It was very slap dash at that point. My makeup was just some gaudy blue eye shadow, bright red lip stick and blush. I had some sort of tank top with a bra. Black nylons and a skirt I had made out of an old pair of jeans. I sat in my garage for about 10 minutes before I left just to run to the drive through packy to get a six pack of beer. All totaled the trip took 5 minutes but it was the most anxious 5 minutes of my life. I just knew that everyone I knew would be on that eight block drive. By the time I got home you could have scared me with a feather. :)

Now I just give a cursory glace at intersections.

Keep at it!

[Alice_2014_B]

Very cool Melody!
I still get nervous, though less now, when I get behind the wheel. I feel way better once I'm actually at a location.
Thanks for sharing!
:)

[mykell]

hi mel,
i cant leave the house dressed, not in the rules but it doesnt stop me from driving out and getting pretty in the car, such a hassle and paranoid when i do but its worth it to drive around and feeling free ....congrats on having that adrenaline rush, you look real natural and im sure you will be sharing more soon....

[CourtneyBme]

You look great Mel! There is no better feeling than being out even if its only for a stroll around the neighborhood

[Rachael Leigh]

Congrats Melody, great start pretty soon you will grab your keys and purse and head to the mall for some girl shopping.
You look great nice makeup

[paulaprimo]

yay melody, congrats to you!
and if your neighbors do see you, just tell them you loved your halloween
outfit so much, that you wore it home... :)

[Julie Denier]

Good for you! You look terrific -- I love the earrings ;)

[Kandi Robbins]

Congratulations! Listen Mel, I know you won't believe it until you've done it for yourself, but please go out and about. You are a very beautiful girl and no one will bother you. You will just feel so liberated. Of course, take all the necessary precautions and I know we all have our issues (kids, etc.). I was a very closeted CD (from about 1969 to 2014, so I know what I am talking about), once you get out there, you will understand how great it is. I went out today (posted about it) and was just telling my wife about how much fun I had. I cannot explain it and don't really understand it myself, but it was so life affirming and I have never been happier. I'm proud of you and so happy for you!

[Heidi Stevens]

Oh Mel, Mel, Mel.. What took you so long! Girl you've have all the skills to enjoy anyplace you want to go. I'm surprised this is you're first time out. You've jumped that hurdle, now build on it and get your sea legs so you can have much more fun than just hanging at the house. I'm proud for you!

[Gretchen_To_Be]

Wow, Mel! That's a huge step! You look fantastic of course--always so natural and pretty! It must have been so exciting and nerve-wracking! What's next?

[heatherdress]

Mel - Congratulations. You look great and I am happy you had a good time. Next time, just keep driving.

[Robin414]

OMG Melody, how could you be nervous, you look amazing!! I was leaving the garage one morning myself as the next door neighbor drove past, pretty sure he saw me but ahh, whatever, life's too short! Besides, I could play the 'ol 'sister/niece/girl friend my wife doesn't know about so don't say anything or I'll start a really loud rock band in my garage' card 😉

[Suzie Petersen]

Good for you Mel! Now see if you can get that cat back in the bag!!

You look lovely!

Hugs
Suzie

[Erika Lyne]

Hey Mel!

The driving gets easier to do. Now, if only I could get the guts to go somewhere besides just drive!

Great job Mel. You look great in the car.

-Erika

[Cheryl_Layton]

Well done. You' ve taken the first step on a, hopefully, long and happy CD journey.
I agree that you've done your makeup extremely well - not overdone and just right for the occasion.

Bravo!

[Scarlett Viktoria]

Awesome Mel! You look great! My 2nd time out was a driving adventure. It ended with some A-hole backing into me :-/

[Rhonda Darling]

Melody:

Some among us just have the look -- you are one who has it. If I were in girl mode and had to speak with you, I would assume you were a GG. Your face, clothes, makeup, hair, jewelry, all fit nicely together and signal "I'm a girl" to the world. With voice, poise, deportment, and mannerism practice, you could pass in a bar full of horny sailors just off on shore leave. That's a compliment!

In other words, you look great.

Rhonda

[Angela Marie]

I remember the first time I went out. Horrible makeup job lol. I drove down to the corner gas station hands shaking. Filled my tank and scurried back home. I then began going on drives. Fast forward to five or six years later and I go out quite a bit wherever and whenever I want. The makeup skills take time. It is a slow process but worth the wait.

[Ceera]

Good for you! You look great! I've found that most people pay little attention to the appearance of the driver of a car. Even when stopped beside you at a traffic light, their attention is usually elsewhere. So driving is a great way to get out of the house and build confidence.

[deebra]

ALLWAYS take a boy bag in case the car breaks down and you have to change.

[Krisi]

That's great but once you got out of the neighborhood, why just limit yourself to one mile and back home again? You could have driven far, got out and walked around, etc.

And yes, coming back home is the worst part because you don't know who may be around. It's pretty suspicious if you drive past your house because you see a neighbor out.

[CarlaWestin]

Oh,my! What were you thinking? :eek: You're surely never going to unring that bell.
So, tomorrow when you go out for the day, wear a nice denim skirt and go to Whole Foods and get a spinach salad.
Congratulations on the bold first adventure!

[stacycoral]

YOu watch next time you will stop and get gas, and go to the mall and shop for a new outfit, and it doesn't stop watch out for the fog,it is hard to get out once in. hugs girl.you look great.

[JillSierra]

Mel, Good for you and I'm sooooo jealous. Not only for that beautiful look you got going but for getting out. It's been several years since I've been out and about and I'm just starting to get all my "stuff" back. One thing I learned when I did go out - the smile makes the difference and yours is great!

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Melody, That's the great thing about having a garage.:hugs:

The neighbor would wonder who was that lovely lady in your car.:daydreaming: