It was an incredible day…

I had a big errand to run, in a nearby town. The dehumidifier for the basement had failed, and I wanted to get a new one before the cold front blasted through…and before the “right before Christmas rush. Sooo… out the door I went, in black stirrup leggings, purple turtleneck long tunic and black ballet flats, with bare ankles, a women’s zip-front cardigan, my purse, long hair and pink nails, and info on the unit I planned to buy at the home improvement store.

When I arrived, I tried to find the units myself, but there weren’t any.

A friendly-looking 30-something girl was stocking shelves, so I approached her with the pages about the unit I wanted at the ready, held in one hand with my long pink nails in plain view. “May I help you, Ma’am?” “Yes, Miss. I’m trying to find one of these, and the website says you have inventory.” As another employee went by my clerk exclaimed to her “Wow, she came prepared!” And she proceeded to rummage through the inventory system, to find a skid of them tucked away in a different department. She walked with me to the units, and spoke to the male clerk there – “This lady needs one of those but I don’t run the lift.” He glanced at me and said “No problem, ladies.” And he got the lift, bringing down the unit.

“Sir, it’s too heavy for me to carry…could you please get that to a front register for me?” “Certainly, Ma’am.” And he delivered it to the register, where the 20something female clerk looked at me, the name on my credit card, my pink nails and ballet flats, and said “I love your leggings…did you get them locally?” No, they’re several years old, bought out of state. But they’re so comfortable that I love them! Thanks for asking.” Then she inquired “Would you like some help delivering it to your car, Ma’am?” “Yes, Miss, that would be so nice.” And she delegated that job to a nice strong under-20 type guy, who was happy to help. “Please drive up to this door, Ma’am – I’ll load it into the trunk for you.”

I did, and he did. “Thank you Sir!” “Thanks for shopping with us, Ma’am. Have a Merry Christmas!” “I will, hon…thanks…you too!”

My “male privilege” is almost completely gone, now that I look and act more like a woman than a man. It would be out of place for a woman to assert what would immediately be assumed to be fake. I don’t even try. And I’m perfectly fine with that…since I’ve gained something much better: namely, “female privilege.” That’s much more civilized and generally more pleasant. I (and wife and I when out together) haven’t had to open store doors or stand in waiting rooms if men are around, in a long time!

But I also seem to have acquired the local equivalent to the term “woman driver.” Driving with the window down on a nice day, I’ve heard that term used for me a few times. I guess I’ll take the good with the bad!

Hugs,

Mandy

My most recent salon visit…

…was a lot of fun! And the fun is likely to continue for a while longer…

I inquired of my tech as to whether we should think about trimming them each fill, removing just as much as they grew since last fill, to maintain at this length, which is now ovee 3/8″ beyond the ends of my fingers.. Her rather predictable response was; “Not for another few fills…they’ll look nicer when they’re just a bit longer. You get lots of compliments, right?” “Of course!” And you love your nails, right?” “Absolutely.” “Then trust me to trim them when the time is right…”

There’s no doubt that the nail discussions with women are fabulous…so I can’t argue!

Hugs,

Mandy

Time for a change…

My newest toe color – for winter.

Wifey suggested that instead of the black polish, I should ask my tech for a dark brown shade. “It’s a bit less ‘goth’ when you wear your sandals in the winter.’ So I did, and this was the result. Both tech and Wifey liked it, Tech says she may try even a bit lighter shade, so that there’s a clear difference between them…

Hugs,

Mandy

A typical autumn outfit…

I found myself wearing capris and boat-neck or turtleneck tunics almost daily this fall. And it’s fun! I really enjoy wearing them. They’re girlie, and work so well with sandals, pink fingernails and painted toe nails.

But my nail tech gave me the usual winter black color on my most recent pedicure… And I’m not looking forward to covering them up for winter!

Hugs,

Mandy

Running errands has become fun!

It was a bit chilly that recent morning, so I unearthed a pair of stirrup leggings and a sweatshirt to wear for my morning errands. First time this season… And for my feet, I chose the following:

You may wonder why I didn’t just put on a pair of flats. Remember that due to broken toenail issues, my nail tech doesn’t want me in closed-toe shoes… Over the summer, Wifey kindly “put them away,” to insure that I’m always in sandals. And feminine stirrup leggings like these (or traditional ankle-length leggings) are my only long pants. Voila! Leggings and sandals for fall – at least till the temperatures get too cold!

That day, in both the big box store and the hardware, I had occasion to speak with staff. Universally, I addressed female staffers as “Ma’am” and the men as “Sir.” They in return addressed me as “Ma’am.” There was no hesitation on their part whatsoever.

The lady in front of me at check-out in the big box store appeared to be late 40’s or early 50’s, and she was wearing a drop-dead gorgeous 2″-above-the-knee, short sleeve floral dress, with shallow V-neck, not heavily fitted at the waist – loose enough to disguise imperfections in any female figure, and with small (about 1″ diameter) but beautiful red and white flowers on a rich black background, and black slide sandals with a 1′ heel. She looked absolutely stunning in it…I was so jealous!

Now for the question of the day: would I have been ‘out of order’ to tell her that I love her dress and ask where she got it? I’m not overly confident about my feminine voice, and not sure if it would have turned into an embarrassing situation for both of us. If anyone cares to express an opinion, I’d love to hear your thoughts….

When my turn arrived at the checkout counter, I made sure that the clerk could see my pink fingernails as I rummaged through my purse, looking for my credit card. She noticed them, and my now-feminine first name on the card. That resulted in being addressed me as “Ma’am”, but unfortunately the line behind me was so long there was no time for any girl talk…

Next stop was the hardware store. On the way in, a younger male customer held the door for me: “Thanks, Sir.” “You’re welcome, Ma’am.” And I was addressed as female by male employees during my hunt for a couple of items, as well as by the 40something female clerk at checkout!

Without a doubt, I had a fabulous morning. Though both Wifey and I predict that sandal-wearing days are drawing to a close for the winter, 😦

Hugs,

Mandy

Fall has fell…

….and here comes winter, colder than ——- (hint: the word rhymes with ‘bell”!)

While we are still having a few 60-70 degree (F) days, there are also some in the 50’s. And an unexpected – unwanted – surprise: the voracious mosquito population seems to like biting my bare legs and arms for their “last suppers of the year.”

Of necessity, out have come my leggings, flats – and insect repellent. Wifey has blessed my wearing leggings again…and they help. But my feet have become so used to being in sandals all the time, that I’m going to need to break them back into wearing the comfortable closed shoes which were put away last spring. Who would have thought changing back to closed shoes would feel unconfortable? Yes, before you ask, I’m still lounging around the house and sleeping in my long nightshirts, always in bare feet or sandals, and wearing capri pants in public. But shortly, when it’s time to go out in the yard or away on errands, it’s going to be time for leggings and flats.

We both hope mosquitoes soon die off – she for two reasons: because she gets bitten too, though not as much as yours truly, and because she wants to start wearing skorts again, which the bugs made difficult, (And I will be – envious!) As for myself, I’d really rather be in capris and sandals (even in cooler weather) than leggings – to display my legs and all 20 nails, as a woman in public.

Skorts for me? Hope springs eternal. Maybe someday…

Hugs,

Mandy

I absolutely love my nails…

This picture doesn’t actually show the length of my fingernails…just their girly pink color, which I love.

But they’ve now reached a bit over 1/4″ beyond the tips of my fingers – approaching the longest they’ve been, and they continue growing. My tech decided to stop clipping them with each fill, so it’s all natural growth. And the pink acrylic covers my natural nails to keep them strong. No polish needed! Low maintenance!

So far, I’ve not broken any, and have adapted well to my girly nails. There haven’t been any issues…well, besides slower typing. (I can live with that!). Only upsides: they’re pretty! And if accosted, they could help me inflict some serious scratches on the assailant! Also on the plus side: both my pink fingernails and (thanks to my mandatory sandals), white toe nails are generating more than a few compliments from the other ladies!

I hope my tech lets them grow till they’re at least 1/2″ beyond my fingertips before maintaining them at that length. Of course I’d love for them to be longer – in the range of 1″ beyond, or more. But that would likely present problems at home. Wifey’s already letting her nails grow…though she ignores mine (a good thing.) And she doesn’t go to nail salons…

My toe nails will remain short and painted (Wifey helps by making sure I remain in sandals, at least while the warm weather rules.) If they’re longer, they risk being bumped and broken. That’s something I don’t need. So, for now at least, they’ll remain as they are: short, with big toes in Acrylic and all 10 painted white!

I love them…

Mandy