Well, I did it. For the first time, I left my apartment yesterday wearing makeup, a wig and dressed in girl clothes. My hand was shaking as I was locking the door. I was really not ready for my neighbors to know; but it was something I had to do, regardless. Thankfully, I didn't run into anyone between my door and the car, leaving, or coming home. The only place I went was to my appointment with the gender therapist, which went well, by the way. I was too keyed up at the time to reflect on the experience, but I'm feeling it now. This was a taste of something I want a lot more of.

Getting ready for this event was a major undertaking. I used Nair again, supplemented by shaving, because my chest hair had started to come back and I was wearing a top with a woman's neckline, and because I was wearing pantyhose. I had not shaved my legs before, because they've always been covered and because, frankly, I don't have a lot hair on my legs.

It was unseasonably cool yesterday morning; and, as you all know, I recently took almost all my clothes to Goodwill recently, so I did not have a sweater or coat to wear. I decided to visit Walmart to see if I could find an inexpensive sweater; and I managed another first. Since I threw my wallet away and started keeping my driver's license and credit cards in a hand purse, I've always taken my credit cards out and left the hand purse in the car when I've gone into a store. This has led to a few inconvenient moments, where I've gotten to the cashier and realized I'd left everything in the car. So, yesterday morning, I just decided I didn't care and took my hand purse with me into Walmart. I saw two employees check it out before I left. So what. Although I am concerned about the reactions of others, and definitely concerned about not being outed at work, there is also a part of me that is proud to be seen for myself. I know that most people will probably see a man with a purse; but I know they are seeing a woman who, at least in one respect, isn't hiding what she is, and I find that gratifying.

And, oh, I love wearing girly things. I actually stood there in the women's department and tried on a couple of sweaters, right in the front of the store. I just didn't care.

Once I got home, it was time to get ready. I'm getting first-hand experience in why it takes women so long to get ready to go anywhere. Guys need to try it a few times. My first experience with nail polish had gone very well; so, I was a little less careful this time, which resulted not only in a sloppier job, but also in tipping over the bottle of nail polish half-way through. I got nail polish all over my hands, on the kitchen counter and almost on the carpet – and with only about an hour to go before I had to leave. Those of you who read about my first experience removing nail polish will remember how I panicked because the acetone didn't perform as well as I had expected and how much of it I used. Well, I only had about 2/3 of the bottle left, and I had to leave enough to remove the polish from my fingernails when I got back home if I didn't want to out myself at work. (I also didn't want to go to the store to buy more with painted fingernails.)

I learned very quickly that acetone doesn't work as well on skin as it does on nails. Do you know what does? Baking soda. I'm beginning to think of baking soda as a household indispensable. It's good for so many things! I was able to remove virtually all traces of nail polish from my hands. What a relief.

Then, after I had gotten dressed and was getting my wig ready to wear, I was walking to the bathroom when suddenly my skirt fell to the floor. Something else to worry about while out and about.

However, everything went swimmingly after leaving the apartment. I hadn't planned on taking my new full-sized purse, the one I bought at Sears; but I was running out of time and had a bunch of junk to take with me, so I just threw it all in the purse and left.

It was a very good day.