Warning, a bit long, but I loved writing it!
About 12 days ago, I posted:"My next salon visit will be in full femme." Today I DID IT! Black sandals and pants (rainy today), long sleeve red t-shirt, lipstick to match, a little make up, salt and pepper wig, and white bead jewelry, neck, ears and wrists, black purse and a pop-up bumpershoot. I felt wonderful and ready to take on the world!.
The salon opens a 9 AM, so, fully dressed, I left home at 8:45. At 9:10, not open! Stood outside for about 8 minutes, saw the back door open, and my nail tech, Paula, come and opened the front door, saying, "Hi, beautiful. You look so pretty". My day was off to a great start. I said I needed a full manicure, and toenails polished, too. Paula sat me at the front manicure table (everyone who came in would see me! I got just a little nervous, but didn't ask to be moved). She started to work clipping, shaping (oval) filing, cuticles, sanding the tops of the nails, then a clear base coat, two coats of a pretty red that matched my T-shirt, and as top coat... wow! what a beautiful shine!
Other nice, and knowing techs came over to say hi, and referred to me in the feminine gender, some taking photos of their own and several taken through the whole process on my phone for my personal accomplishments record. I felt like an old princess, and ate up all of the attention!
Fingernails done, we move to a pedicure chair so Paula could do her magic on my toenails. This time, though, no pedicure, as mine was done about 12 days ago. The polishing routine was the same for the toes as it was for my fingers, and in no time my toes had shine. I couldn't stop smiling, and I took a lot of work sequence photos while Paula worked her magic. During this toe-time, two females entered, one for a hairscut, and one for a manicure. Our eyes met and I smiled, as did she.
While my toes were drying, Paula brought me a piece of delicious cake and a bottle of water, and I watched the lady getting her nails done. My bill for over an hour's work was $24. I tipped Paula $10, and thanked her so much for her great work on my first ever manicure and salon toe polish. She asked what was I going to do now, and I said SHOPPING, and I did so bravely and without a bit of concern.
I proceeded down the center's walk to a Pay-Less shoe store .. closed and empty! Then to Joan's Etc., got a cart went in behind two ladies and walked most of the store, I bought a cloth measuring tape that had BOTH inches and Cms, which I needed when I look at on-line clothing that only give Cms. I checked out and the cashier called me ma'am. I smiled some more. Got in my car and drove down to Targets. Lotsa women and kids entering and leaving. This would be the real test! I got a cart, put my purse in it, went in and started my adventure. I hit the woman's clearance section and walked all through it with other women ( I was one, too, ya know!). Nothing suited me, so over to shoes. Again, nothing I wanted. next, the lingerie section. I needed a black top half slip. Nothing my size, and I looked hard. Bras... don't really need another one, but what the hell... I found a really pretty, white, soft cup 38C one with lace around the band. I just had to buy something on my first spree in full femme, and this was it. The smartass cashier said thank you, sir, but I smiled at her, too, I was so damned happy!
I had to wee wee, so I drove to an Arby's, peed (woman's restroom) and ate lunch, looking at the photos of the salon visit and thinking to myself how absolutely easy it all went, and knowing I'll always remember my first time and now knowing I can do it again, any time I want to.