The Shortest Drive

[Sometimes Chelsea]

Well, I finally did it. I was sitting at home alone today, wearing my favorite dress and leggings and decided it was time to get out of the house. So I pulled on the ankle boots, put my wig on, applied a bit of lipstick, and hopped in the car. 5 minutes later, I pulled back into the garage and the world had not ended. Lesson for today: I need a purse, carrying phone, key, and wallet is not fun without one and without pockets.

I don't post very often, but lurk frequently and you ladies are an inspiration to what can be done and a model for compassion and caring. Thanks!

[Elizabeth G]

Hi Chelsea,

Congratulations! I'm glad you had a good experience. Now it's time for purse shopping - fun!

Elizabeth

[Allisa]

Every girl needs a bag for essentials. I carry one everyday, everywhere.

[DIANEF]

Everyone has a first time, mine wasn't that long ago. So, where to next?

[Pat]

Congratulations! :) And, yes, when you have no pockets, a purse is a must. (And after a while, you'll find even if you do have pockets a purse is a must. But take it in small steps.)

[Alice B]

Well done. You have made your first step. For many the next step is getting gas, then going to a small store to make a purchase. And finally going out to a club/bar that accepts cross dressers. It is a fun path that rewards your acceptance of yourself.

[Kayliedaskope]

Well .... go girly and tuck the phone in your bra, the wallet in your boot, and sew a tiny pocket inside your waistband just big enough for the keys?

[Teresa]

Chelsea ,
You have that little chestnut to come, once you get one you'll realise why women love them !

Be careful without realising you will have a closet full .

Well done on your first drive . I did one to my next town , I intended to go for a walk but chickened out, instead I found I had to stop at a pedestrian crossing , having people walk in front of you and then the last one look straight at you and wave in thanks for stopping . I then started to panic because in my rush to get in the car I didn't have a single piece of male clothing .The drive back home felt wonderful, to have escaped the confines of you home , to experience the pleasure of wearing a skirt, stockings and heels when driving , now I don't give it a second thought , OK you do get some interesting interaction from other motorists .

[AllieSF]

Congratulations on that little and also very big step. You will have many more to come.

Teresa brought up a good point that we used to have frequent threads about in the past. It is always a good idea to have a bag with some male clothes, shoes, and makeup remover in the trunk or back seat of your car when you go out. I carried mine for years, and only removed my bag from the car early this year after I came out to everyone. It helps to be prepared and also reduces a lo0t of unnecessary additional stress when you are stopped and actually need to change quickly.

[Beverley Sims]

Chelsea,
That was the first, now you are off and running, go for it and stay careful.

[Fiona123]

Good job! I have been driving enfemne to and from my therapists office. I really look forward to that.

[CynthiaD]

Welcome to the world, Chelsea! Many happy returns!

And yes. You absolutely need a purse. Or a lot of purses. I stick with one (ok, I've got a couple spares) because I have a ton of junk in mine and can't be bothered moving it all from one to another. And it's all stuff I really need! Purses are much better than pockets. You just leave everything in your purse, and when you're heading out, just grab it and go. Everything's right there. No forgetting that one essential item until you're ten miles from home. But always be careful to leave it in exactly the same place when you're home. My daughter spends 20 minutes looking for her purse every time she goes out. Mine's always on the chair next to my bed.

[Pat]

Not only is it important to have it in a predictable place at home, but here's a hard-won tip: always, always put your car keys in your purse, even if you have something with pockets. If the keys are in your purse and you forget the bag at, say, a restaurant, you'll realize it in the parking lot. Otherwise you might drive all the way home before you realize. :eek: (Or worse, get to the checkout line in the grocery store before you realize your wallet is in your purse which is at a restaurant miles away... Yup.:o)

[BrendaPDX]

I am so happy for you! That is too funny about not having any pockets (not many dresses do), yes a purse is a necessity, and you will be surprised at how fast it fills up with all of those girly things you probably made fun of earlier in life. Soon you will take a short walk outside your car, then it's a walk in the park literally of figuratively. It is an exciting journey you have begun, you should look forward to it with great anticipation. Oh, yes always have some drab clothes, and don't go to a park in the dark, no girl in her right mind would do that. Have fun and take care, it is a wonderful world out there. Brenda

[Maria 60]

O-boy, O-boy. Congratulations on that first drive and get ready for more, many more drives. When I started getting out and driving and took the risk of putting gas in the car, I went to pay at the pump with a male wallet. I never thought about needing a purse till that moment. Congrats again.