Julie - Out and About

  I hate roller coasters.  Really. When I attend an amusement park I don't even THINK about going near the roller coasters. Not for me. That being said - this past month has been one large, long, draining, sad, and unpleasant roller coaster ride. Let me explain. I am an actor - formerly by profession, currently by avid interest in getting on stage in front of an audience.  The theaters in Spokane set their schedules and I look them over, hoping to find a play I'd be interested in as well as fit to cast in.  This year I found 2, both for the Christmas Season.  Due to work responsibilities and stuff, I am unable to participate in either of them. ~~ sigh ~~ I am the Admin Person for a FB Group - a group started by a friend who asked me to continue it in her memory.  It has been a joy for about 2 years, but all of a sudden it became popular. We were getting 60 new people joining every few days! I was not prepared, neither for this jump in membership nor the po...

  I did my bi-annual business trip across the state for a week of daytime work and nighttime fun!  The weather co-operated (chilly) so I could wear my favorite dress. I managed to get out a few nights to my usual watering hole - Applebee's. The ladies behind the bar are ALWAYS welcoming. In fact, I no sooner sat down the first night when Narissa came up to me and shared photos of her son (now 4 years old!)  Next night I did more of the same. And then -- ooops, I did it again! But a bit more casual this evening. It's always both an enjoyable and frustrating time - enjoyable for obvious reasons, and frustrating because I'm all alone.  (sigh) Maybe next time . . .  Until next entry - as always - Stay Safe And Pretty, Sweeties!  

  Your Reporter Is Ready And Waiting I've been inspired by some conversations IRL about "Who is Julie" and "Why is Julie". So I thought I'd open up the floor to questions.  Feel free to ask me ANYTHING. I promise I'll give honest answers (as long as I don't incriminate anyone!)(😁)  Ask in the comments below, or by email (sisterfriendjms@aol.com) and I will respond in kind. NO topics will be tabled - just the author! Let the interrogation begin!  Oh yeah - and Stay Safe And Pretty, Sweeties!

What is the biggest fear many CD'ers have? Being out in public and running into someone they know who has NO idea about their Femme Self. Or, in other words, being caught. I have been Out And About for a few years now and have managed to avoid this experience -- until recently. Not only did it happen to me - it happened TWICE in 2 weeks. First Experience - Thrift Shopping. I was brousing the dresses at Value Village. The aisles are rather narrow, so when there's a shopping cart in the way it gets tight. When there's TWO carts, you cannot pass. Well, there was one, and as I approached that end of the aisle, another cart entered. Passage was blocked - not that it mattered, I was still brousing dresses. But the woman with the second cart addressed me with a smile. "If you need to get by, just let me know and I'll move." I looked up and realized that I know this woman. Judging from her reactions I do not think she recognized me, so I thanked her, turne...

 I am an actor. This is my passion, has been my profession, and continues to be my reason to move forward.  When I cannot indulge in my craft, many things happen. (not the least being I bore my friends with my complaining about it)  But I had an epiphany this week that I thought I'd share here.  However, since these blogs usually don't get many views without photos . . .  Grey mock turtleneck, new black skirt, black L'eggs, old (and comfy) black pumps From the "Could There Be A Connection" Department - I have not been on stage for FAR too long.  And not from lack of trying, either.  I have really missed out on the opportunity to put on a costume and be someone else. And during this drought (the last play was I did was in early September) I have found that my desire for Julie to get Out And About has increased multi-fold. Teal Leggings (never thought I'd type that phrase) Could this be my life seeking a balance - putting on a cute outfit and "being" s...

  Not a novel - not a tome - not an essay.  Just a short story that happened to me on my last outing. My time out and about has been greatly hampered this past year (I can't understand why) so the few times I DID get out, I chose not to indulge in my favorite wardrobe - skirts and heels -  and tried to blend in with the other "soccer moms" - leggings and flats. I always am concerned about how I am presenting when dressed like that, so I tend to take extra care with wardrobe selection. My Outfit for Grocery Shopping I was concerned about the purple top with the rose leggings, but they looked good together - even with the blue fleece vest.  The hat was an afterthought as the wind was REALLY picking up. And of course, pantyhose under the leggings. (I never feel REALLY dressed without hose) As I wandered around WinCo, I was conscious of everything going on around me - were people looking? Was I blending in? Was anyone even noticing me?  As I walked down the breakfas...

  Every now and then, you get the uncontrollable desire to do something -- like shrug off all other responsibilities and just go shopping!  Just such a desire overcame me last Saturday morning.  So I bundled myself up cozy and got an early start. I needed an early start, because it took me quite a while to decide on an outfit for the morning. (everyone who is surprised by this, raise your manicured hand!)  My preference is (as always) skirt and hose, or on a chilly morning, tights.  But then my OTHER preference it to blend in - not look like a Guy In A Dress.  So I went with leggings and a pair of comfy kitten heeled boots. First Stop - the Bank! I was determined to ONLY shop for Julie this trip - so I wanted to hit my 2 favorite places. The first was Ross Dress For Less, where I found a bargain on the Clearance Rack. Normally $35, I got it for $7!! Next stop was Dress Barn -- but it was no more! Just an empty store, right next to Wal*Mart. So not wanting t...

It was exactly a year ago I was last in the thriving metropolis of Chehalis, WA.  My bi-annual business trip was turned into an annual one thanks to 2020.  (For the uninitiated, read my previous Blog Post titled "There But For The Pandemic Go I")   It was 4 days of work from 6A to 7P, then dress for an evening on the town.  However, 2020 has made the options for "On The Town" rather limited.   Day 1, upon arrival, I actually had time to hit some of the shops before they closed at 8.  There are 3 Outlet Malls in the area, with most of the stores still open. Warmer temps made for no need of a coat I was impressed with myself this trip.  There was no hesitation to head out or enter a store.  Experience and confidence make for a wonderful combination. My usual haunt is Applebee's.  Good food, wine, and they stay open late.  Well, late-ISH for this town.   Ready To Unwind And the cleanest restrooms in town! By far and away...

A while back, I had a conversation with a friend who at the time was about 7 months pregnant.  We talked about the usual point - how "men just don't understand what it takes to carry a baby".  The upshot -- I volunteered to be pregnant for a day to experience it.  Without going into the specifics of the "foundation garments", after just 30 minutes I was a pleasant 7 Months Underway.  I opted for a dress that was roomy (because I don't have any Maternity Wear in my closet!) and started my 24 hours. Right off the bat - sitting proved to be a problem.  Not so much the actual sitting as much as the getting down and back up again!  Especially without any help.  Trying to be lady like in a dress while maneuvering in and out of an easy chair was difficult as well, if not impossible.   Lots of pressure in places where I've never felt pressure before! For this reason, I decided that the dress was probably not the best choice and opted for a VERY stret...

Persecution: a program or campaign to drive away or subjugate people based on their religious, social, or ethnic group - Webster (Which is often in the eye of the beholder - Julie) As I prepared to go out on night two of my out of town excursion, I decided to wear one of the items I picked up yesterday at the Hanes/Bali Outlet Store.  They had a clearance rack that was an eclectic mix of lingerie and active wear, and after scouring it carefully I found a pair of leggings in my size AND a fun color. More fun than Basic Black I had a later start this evening due to working until 7, which meant my options for location were few.  I was peckish, so I went to my stand by spot, Denny's.  The Waitress, Christine, greeted me warmly and seated me.  She was smiling and friendly -- but I wondered about her choice of location. A little empty, eh? The other side of the restaurant was not packed, but had a few folk who seemed like regulars.  I imme...