Monday night Zoom meeting the last one of 2021

Well it is the last Monday of 2021 and we are having our zoom meeting tonight. Now I was really looking forward to it as last Wednesday I didn’t make dinner and this week with the weather, cold and snow we are skipping our dinner so this will be my only chance to see and talk to my friends. I was all ready by 6 so I had plenty of time before our meeting started so I did get a few pictures in different rooms trying to find the best light.

I started the meeting at 7and girls logged in. tonight we would have 10 of us, Jennifer, Nicole, Danielle, Melissa, Trish, Sherri, Danika, Emily, Jeanie and me. Now of course the first thing was to find out how everyone Christmas was. I hope everyone had a good Christmas this year. It was nice to hear how others spent it and of course we talked a little about New Years. Our group has no plans for New Years this year with everything going on with the virus. It is a shame as this is the first year in probably 20 years, I have not had to work on New Year’s Day, actually I have a 3-day weekend this year and yes that means some Susan time. I do want to wish everyone a Happy and safe New Year’s and if you do go out be safe. We talked for a while and just had a nice time catching up. These meeting are nice as only one person can talk at a time so everyone is involved in the same conversation.

Now it was time for Jennifer’s question of the week and it was a good topic as it was about using the restroom, specifically when you are out do you use the men’s, women’s or if they have one the single use family one. Now I was pretty sure no one used the men’s but to my surprise one of the girls who has fully transitions said she has on occasion used the men’s. seems a couple times she has been out with friends and there was a long line for the women’s and they couldn’t wait so they went into the men’s. Now I have seen Cisgender women do this so it only makes sense and yes, it is amazing how long a line there can be for the women’s restroom. A few times over the years I have stood in line with other women to get into the ladies room but I always views it as part of being Susan.

Now for me when I am Susan, I always use the ladies room as I do not feel comfortable or safe using the men’s room. Which brings me to a side point. If you are transgender, especially for those who are not transitioning especially if you are a little bigger then the average women, show some respect when you use the ladies room. Just as I would not feel comfortable in the men’s room as Susan there will be cisgender women who may feel a little uncomfortable. Now I am not saying it is because we are transgender but because of our size. Let me explain, a couple years back when I was at Diva Las Vegas, it was late in the evening and we were headed up to our rooms and when we got on the elevator there were 4 of us. All 6-foot tall or more and all in heels and this Asian lady got on with us and she was maybe 5 foot tall and compared to us she almost looked like a child. Now I have to believe just because of our size she was a little intimidated. So my rule for the ladies room is this and this is just my rule for me. I generally try to go by myself instead of with other transgendered girls. I go in and take care of business and leave, yes, I wash my hands and may touch u my hair or makeup but I do it quickly and don’t linger longer than I need to and under no circumstances will I take my phone out. I do not want to have a phone in my hand in the ladies room as it has a camera on it and I do not want anyone to think I am doing something wrong. Again this is my views only and what I do.

Well as I said I always use the ladies room but I am also cautious for example if I am at the mall shopping, I will go into one of the department stores to use the ladies room there instead of the busy one by the food court. Now I think most used the woman’s restroom but a few did choose the family one and they actually did have some good reasons I had not thought of. One is you are the only one in there so more privacy and yes if you want to use it as a male you can which I will admit in some outfits it is easier as we tend to have more to deal with between all the padding and everything. Got me thinking about Starbucks as they have single use restrooms now. Also you can take your time if you need to fix your hair or makeup plus a lot more room than in the little stalls in the ladies room. The other thing is they usually have a table that folds down for changing small kids that you can put your purse or bags on, something I had never thought of. Now the downside is someone with a small child or a disability may need that restroom but for the most part I think it may be something to think about when I am out.

Well we talked a little longer and then girls started to log off for the evening. It was a great time and I really enjoyed it. This will be my last bog post of 2021 was we close out the year and move on to 2022 which I hope will be better. This is my 159^th blog of the year meaning I have been Susan that many times this year which is my highest number breaking last year which was 156. I wish you all the happiest of New Year’s and may this be your best year ever.

Be safe and happy and thanks for reading my blog and sharing this part of my life with me.

Sunday December 26th as Susan on the second day of Christmas

It is Sunday December 26^th, the second day of Christmas. Yes, I keep my Christmas lights and decorations up till January 6^th, well probably longer. But my plan was to spend this afternoon as Susan and yes make a trip to the nail salon. I started

getting ready at noon and was already by 1:30. I called Dream nails and they were open so I made an appointment for a fill. I had a little time so I got there at 1:45 about 15 minutes early and they were not that busy. 3 women getting pedicures so I was able to be helped right away.

I sat down with the same lady who did my nails last time and she started on my nails and yes, she asked if I wanted color which I really did but know I can’t. She actually does a really good job; the acrylic may be a little on the thin side and she only does 1 layer of clear topcoat but when you look at my nails you really can’t tell they have acrylic on them, they are just shinny and perfectly manicured and yes just a little long for a man. It was really relaxing and something I really enjoy. Now they are a little more rounded than I normally get but I decided to try them and see as I can always have the more square when I go back

in 3 weeks for a fill. Here are a few pictures of my nails, what do you think?

It was 2:30 when I left here with my beautiful nails. It was snowing pretty hard so I wanted to stay close to home so I went to the Starbuck’s near my house for a Hot Chocolate and to work on my blog from Christmas Day. Now it was nice to sit in Starbucks and watch the snow out the window, it was big fluffy flakes but not cold enough to stick to the ground but very beautiful. Now there were a few other people inside including 1 man on his computer I have seen here the last few times I have been here. It was a relaxing time. about 3:45 one of the staff came around and told us because of the weather they were closing early, at 4 so I only had 15 more minutes so I finished what I could and then left.

The snow had stopped and I decided I needed something to eat so yes, I drove down by the mall and went to IHOP. Now they were not real busy, maybe people at 6 of 7 tables. I ordered some food and did get a quick selfie at the table. I had a nice dinner, it was about 5:30 when I finished and I did think about trying another Starbucks but as it was snowing again and I wondered if the one I went to would also close early because of the weather so I just headed home for the night.

It was a good day for Susan. the rest of the night I watched some Christmas movies and yes watched the snow outside. By 9 I had about an inch of snow so I tried to get a few pictures outside with the snow, not the best pictures but the best I could do. Now I am looking forward to Monday nights zoom meeting.

Now this week the weather here will be cold, daytime temperatures right around freezing and nights around 20 and snow showers all week so we are going to skip our normal Wednesday bight dinner this week to be safe. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and have a Happy and safe New Years.

Thanks for reading my blog and sharing this part of my life with me.

Merry Christmas and a little Susan time in Christmas day

Merry Christmas everyone, it is Christmas day and I hope your day is fille with joy and love with the people you care about. Now I did go over to a friends house around noon as my male self as they don’t know about Susan. they had snacks out which was nice and stayed there till 2:30 before I left, I didn’t stay for dinner as it was later in the day and I did want a kittle Susan time. I got home and got dressed and yes, I got a little dressed up today as it is Christmas. Now nothing is really open today so it was going to be a quiet day at home except for one thing. I did want to go to the Cemetery as I had flowers, I wanted to put on my parents grave. I have never know a Christmas without at least one of my parents, either they came to my house or I went to theirs but it is the one day that we always spent together and even if it was just a quick visit to their grave site it was important to me.

I was already by 3:30 and on my way and yes, I did take my heavy coat today. I got there about 4 and it was a little cold but not raining. Now yes, I was way over dressed for the cemetery but I didn’t care, my coat covered my dress so it was okay. There were a few other cars here but non in the section I was going to. I took my flowers and yes, my umbrella and went and put them on their grave. It does seem that when I go here by myself it is always as Susan the daughter they never met or knew about. I spent about 15 minutes here before it started to rain so I headed back to the car but even 15 minutes here made it seem like Christmas. Losing a parent or loved one is hard and it does get easier but there are always certain days, or events that are harder than others and bring those feelings back after all Holidays are about family. I often wonder what they would have thought had I come out to them as Susan and what they think now as they look down from Heaven, I truly believe they would have loved her just the same.

I did call and talk with my brother and his family on my drive home and again wondered what they would think if they could see me as Susan. Had the weather been nicer I would have been down visiting they for Christmas. Now I know I get a lot of people telling me I should come out to my family and that if they loved me, they would support me and that is true. I also realize Susan is just a part of me and I have no plans on transitioning or going full time and for me I don’t see a need to tell them and risk it, this is what is right for me. I have met a lot of girls over the years and yes, we all have a lot of things in common but all our situations are a little different also so it is not a one size shoe or in this case heel that fits everyone. We all have to look at our own lives and make the best decision we can for us and not worry what others think is right. Now I did drive by a Starbucks on Mill Plain that was open, I guess some are today but they were packed, there must have been 20 plus cars in line for the drive thru and I could see lots of people inside so I didn’t stop and just went home for a quiet evening as Susan at home.

I cooked a small dinner, the other steak and potato I bought yesterday and watch some Hallmark Christmas movies, not the Christmas I am used to but it was still good. by 9:30 it was snowing and yes, the grass did turn white so it was technically a white Christmas. The snow only stuck as long as it snowed but it still counts.

Now this year I really didn’t buy anything special for Susan although there are kind of 2 gifts, I guess. First and the biggest which is both for Susan and my male self, I paid off my house. My last payment would have been this coming July but I wanted to start the year off debt free so I paid it off last Thursday. The other gift kind of is for Susan as tomorrow if Dream nails is open, I am going to go get my nails done as I need a fill again as it has been 3 weeks.

I hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas and spent it with loved one and the way you wanted.

Thanks for sharing this part of my life with me and reading my blog.

Twas the day before Christmas, Christmas Eve

Well it is Christmas Eve today and yes I will be staying home for Christmas, my brother is under a winter storm watch for 6 to 8 inches between today and Sunday so my plans have changed. Now I actually have today off, first time in years and even more this year I don’t have to work on New Year’s Day. Now I don’t put much in my blog about my male self but being Christmas I thought I would. Tonight I will go to Christmas Eve service at Church and tomorrow Christmas day service and then over to a friends house for an early dinner and time with their family, no they do not know about Susan so it will be as my male self but that leaves today and tomorrow night for Susan.

I got up at 8am and started getting ready, I wanted to go to Starbucks and catch up on my blog as I am once again 2 blogs behind. I took my time getting ready and tried for a good daytime look, although I did go with a red lipstick after all it is Christmas Eve and I love red. It was 9:30 when I was on my way. I went to Cascade Station Starbucks as I also want to stop by Costco and get gas and maybe Walmart on my way home as I need a little food as I will be home this weekend. I got to Cascade Station right at 10 and was surprised as there was lots of parking, I really thought it would be packed with last minute Christmas shoppers. I went in and same for Starbuck’s, they were busy but not like the last few Saturdays. There were 3 open tables and only 2 people in front of me in line. I got my drink and settled down at a table to work on my blogs.

I spent a couple hours here working on my blog and just relaxing as I checked things out on the internet and yes people watching. Several women came in with Christmas dresses on, one was a Christmas tree look but most were red and white like misses Clause type dresses and they really did look cute. I have thought about finding one for me but not sure how it would look as the women I see wearing these dresses are all petite in size. It was about 1 when I left here and I stopped at Costco to get gas as I always like a full tank when bad weather hits and there was a long line so it took a little while here.

Form here I did go to Walmart but didn’t go in as they were packed and I would have to park way out in the lot and it was raining so I just headed for home. I got to the Albertsons right by my house and it wasn’t raining at the time and I did find a parking spots somewhat close so I went in and picked up a couple steak and baked potatos for dinner. I went home and watched a little TV and had my dinner. It was about 5 when I took a shower and washed away Susan for the rest of the night. It was a good day.

Have a Merry Christmas

Thanks for reading my blog and sharing this part of my life with me.

Monday night zoom meeting, 5 days before Christmas

Well Christmas is in 5 day’s and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I got home from work and started getting ready. It was a little after 6 when I was done and I went for my long blonde hair tonight. I got some pictures but just hard to get good ones with the lighting in my house. These were the 3 best. I started the meeting just before 7 and soon girls started to log on.

Tonight we would have 10 of us, Melissa, Nicole, Jennifer, Sherri, Trish, Danika, Tori, Jeanie, Maille and of course me. It was great to see them all. Of course we all talked and caught up and a lot of it was wishing each other Merry Christmas and of course finding out what everyone’s plans are and if they are ready for Christmas. I am already although I did mail off my Christmas cards to my family just in case. My plan for Christmas is to go to my brother in southern Oregon but the latest forecast shows snow here Christmas and for a couple days after and same for my brothers so I may have to change my plans last minutes as I don’t want to drive 300 miles in that kind of bad weather. It was great to catch up with everyone.

Now it was time for Jennifer’s question of the night and that is how many female coats do we have and what kind. Now as with everything for some of the girls coats were like shoes or purses and they had many. Now I will admit coats were never a priority for me as Susan doesn’t do a lot of thing outside especially when the weather is bad and in a way, this is one thing both my female side and male side have in common. My male self has a light coat and a winter coat and Susan has a light jacket and yes one that is more of a winter coat although not for really cold weather but Susan also has a shawl wrap type coat that I love and it really is for the look and just mildly cold. I have always looked at it as Susan goes places so it is really from my car to inside wherever I am going. It was a good question though.

We talked some more and it was about 8:30 when girls started to sign off for the night and by 9, I had ended the meeting for the night. it is always sad when it end but I know I will see them again. Now I was looking forward to Wednesday night’s dinner which Jennifer is heading up as she has another couple her and her wife know coming out. now I bring this up as plans change. I had planned to go and even knew what I was going to wear, but Traffic that day was horrible.

On my way home from work there was a wreck in the curves that shut the freeway down and another one up by the I-5 bridge. It took me 2 ½ hours to get home so it was 5:45 when I walked in my door but the bad thing was there was also a wreck on the I-5 bridge heading south and my GPS was telling me it would take me over an hour to get to the restaurant which means I really only had 5 minutes to change from my male self to Susan and I am just not that fast. I was sad but texted Jennifer; I wouldn’t make it. I was really looking forward to seeing them one last time before Christmas. I really hope they all had a wonderful time. this may be my last blog before Christmas so I want to wish each and everyone of you a Merry and Blessed Christmas. Love you all!

Thanks for reading my blog and sharing this part of my life with me.

Saturday Susan time and a dinner

Twas a week before Christmas and Susan wanted to go out. ii got up this morning and it is my monthly zoom meeting kind of for work. Now my plan wasn’t to get ready till early afternoon as Susan has a dinner to go to tonight but well before I knew it, I was doing my makeup, yes, I have done these meeting as Susan I just keep the video off. I was all ready just before my meeting started at 9am. It is fun do be Susan for them even though no one else knows and I always wonder what they would think if they could see me. My meeting got over at a little after 10:30 so I decided to grab my computer and go to Starbucks at Cascade Station and write my blog from last Monday’s zoom meeting. I got there a little before 11 and went in and as usual they were busy. I did manage to get a small table to work at. I wrote my blog and posted it and just relaxed for a while working on my computer, it is a relaxing way to spend a couple hours and better then sitting at home. I stayed here till 1 before heading for home.

Yes, for tonight I wanted to redo my makeup, actually I took a shower and started all over again. I was already a little before 3 so I had a little time. tonight Clair and her wife invited Jennifer and her wife and me over for dinner, she lives in the pearl district of Portland and my GPS said it would take me 20 minutes to get there so I had a little over an hour. I went to the Starbucks right by my house. I got there just before 3 and went in and of course I was greeted by name and the lady even remembered what I drink. I sat down and worked on my blog from Wednesday night’s dinner, yes I am way behind again. Now it was about 4 and I don’t know why but I checked my GPS again just to make sure I knew where I was going and it told me it was 50 minutes to get there, evidently traffic had gotten worse so I quickly left and it was right traffic was horrible. I actually got there at 4:55.

I got to the door of her building, Claire and her wife live in a loft condo here so they have to let you in so I texted her and as I waited Jennifer and her wife showed up so we all went in together. Her condo is awesome, I have actually never seen a finished loft style condo or apartment but it was really nice, they have done a wonderful job with it. she is on the 3^rd floor and so we looked at her views although at night and raining it was not as good as it would have been in the daytime. We did get some pictures by Claire Christmas tree but most of them included their wives so not going to post those but we did get one of just the 3 of us, don’t we look awesome.

Well we had some snacks, cheese and crackers, chips and dip and of course some different kinds of nuts and yes, I could have made a meal out of this and been happy. We all stood and talked and had a wonderful time, it still amaze me how much I enjoy talking and having a good conversation as Susan. My male self is not as big on talking. it was about 7 when dinner was ready and yes, I had filled up on the snacks before, good thing I hadn’t eaten lunch today.

For dinner Claire had backed a couple whole chickens and a big salmon fillet along with potatoes, rice and vegetables. I did have a little of everything well maybe a little more then a little as it was all so good. We had a wonderful relaxing dinner and talked the whole time. we found out how they met and a little about their family and most of their family is supportive of Claire which is wonderful. Thanks for such a wonderful dinner, Claire and for including me.

It was about 9:30 when we left, what a great night. again years ago I would never have thought I would be going to someone house as Susan for a dinner party. I really do have some wonderful friends. Now on the drive home I thought I saw some snow mixed in with the rain but it was 39 out so to warm. Well I got home and got ready for bed and washed away all traces of Susan, it was about 11 when I went to bed but I looked outside and it was actually snowing. We didn’t get much but Sunday morning when I got up, I had about a ½ inch on my yard but the roads were clear.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas.

Be happy with who you are and thanks for reading my blog and sharing this part of my life with me.

Wednesday night dinner at Casa Colima on Capital Hwy.

Well it is Wednesday night and we are going to dinner again but tonight we are trying a new place, one none of us have gone to before. We are trying Casa Colima on Capitol Hwy in SW Portland. We had 10 signed up tonight so I made reservations for 11 just in case. Now I got home late tonight as it was 5:20 when I pulled into my driveway and at that point my GPS was telling me 51 minutes to get there so I really needed to be ready by 6:45 leaving me 40 minutes which I can do just nit as much fun. Now one of the girls liked last week when so many of us wore red and she recommended sparkly and I have a cute dress that is sparkly so I kind of put it out there in hopes some would do the same. I was all ready and walking out my front door right at 6pm. The funny thing is now my GPS was telling me 32 minutes so I guess traffic improved.

I got there at 6:40 and had to park up around the corner in the parking lot so I had a little walk. Now one of the girls had texted me her wife wanted to come so I was glad I had made the reservation for 12 but we also had another girl and her wife who posted they were coming so when I got inside, I was able to add a couple more. Tonight we had Sherri, Jennifer, Trish Jeanie, Amy, Barb, Claire, Patty, Christa and her wife, Joanie, Trinity and me. Now the one bad thing is we had a table with 12 seats and then on the other side of a pole another table for our 13 lady so we were a little separated. Now just like Wo Song and Larry’s they brought out fresh chips and salsa but also bean dip which I love, not quite as good as the cheese and bean dip at Who Song and Larry’s but it was free. We talked for a while and introduced ourselves to Trinity as this was her first time out with the group so it was nice to meet her. she was sitting at the far end of the table so it was hard to talk with her even though I did get a seat in the middle, just hard with this many people.

Our waiter came and took our orders and I ordered a Chicken Caesar salad as I have been eating unhealthily the last week. We had a nice time talking which I always love as Susan is a lot more social than my male self. The staff seemed fine with us which was nice although they seemed a little confused with who ordered what. When the food came, they would call out the dish and look to see who raised their hand. I got my Caesar salad with chicken and it really didn’t look right as it was basically a salad in a taco shell with chicken on it so I questioned if it was right and the waiter went back and checked and came back and said that was it. I really don’t think it was but if it was it was not a good Caesar salad. No dressing just a couple pieces of lemon to squeeze on it. I went ahead and ate it and it was okay just not what I was expecting.

Well we had a wonderful dinner and it really is a nice place. We had wonderful conversation. After dinner we sat and talked for a while as we waited for our bills. Well it turns out the reason our bills didn’t show up was Joanie paid for everyone’s dinner, which was really nice of her, thanks Joanie. It was about 9:20 when we called it a night. now all the girls were able to park right out front but Jennifer and me, she actually parked 2 spaces away from me so we walked together to our cars in the upper lot. It was a good night and as always sad to see it come to an end. Now I am looking forward to the weekend.

Be safe and happy with who you are and thanks for reading my blog and sharing this part of my life with me.

Monday night zoom meeting

Well it is Monday again and we have our weekly Zoom meeting. I got home and got ready and yes, I put a lot of effort into how I look even though it is just a zoom meeting. I was all ready by 6 so I had time before the meeting started so I did get a few pictures, they just don’t look the same without natural light. I even tried one out back, these were the best 2. I watched TV till 7 and started the meeting.

It was a little slow getting girls on tonight as none were waiting when I started the meeting but by 7:05 we had our group on. We had 11 tonight, Danika, Jennifer, Sherri, Christie, Danielle, Emily, Melissa, Nicole, Jeannie, Christa and me. It was great to see Christie again as it has been almost a year, she lives south of Portland and is one of our more senior members which is always hard. I have said it before some of the girls in the group, the group is really the only way to get ahold of them and when they suddenly disappear you always wonder. It was great to talk with her again and catch up. We all talked for a little bit and then it was time for Jennifer’s question of the night.

How do you describe you makeup routine, do you like, something you have to do or not a big issue either way? a few of the girls went and yes there were some differences here. Some like it, some don’t, some feel they have to and I will explain and remember no one answer is right or wrong for everyone.

For those who have transitioned makeup has a little different view, remember for them they have all had their facial hair removed and have been on hormones which softens the skin and makes it look way better and yes more feminine so they didn’t view makeup as much a necessity but something to enhance them, probably how most cis women view makeup. some use it very sparingly and others even though they really don’t need it wear it as it helps them with their presentation.

Now for those of us not transitioning it is viewed more as a real necessity as we need to cover up things, shadow from our beard which is still there even with a really close shave, to help contour our faces some for a more feminine look and yes to smooth out our somewhat rougher skin. Some spend a lot of time1 to 2 hours some 30 minutes or less and every place in between. Now again if you were doing makeup every day spending 2 hours each and every day would be hard but for those who present 1 or 2 times a week or less probably not as big a deal to spend time on your makeup.

Soon it was my turn and I do have a little different view on makeup I think as most of the girls started off by dressing and went from there and for me, I started with the makeup. Yes, I view makeup as something I have to do when I am Susan. I have loved makeup since I was 5 or 6 years old and I didn’t even think about dressing till 10 years later and then it was to enhance my makeup look. I love doing my makeup and it helps me relax and relieves stress. Now I like to spend about an hour doing my makeup although I can if I have to get it done in 30 minutes but as I said it is something I enjoy. Now I will admit when I do Diva Las Vegas and I live full time and do makeup every morning for 12 to 14 days and some of those days have to redo it in the evening, by the end of that time I am ready for a break. I do think if I was full time and did it each and every day, I might look at it a little different, don’t get me wrong I would still love it but probably be more down to the 30-minute mark.

The thing that is important is not how others feel about it but how you feel about it as after all this is something you are doing for yourself. I have had people tell me they can’t figure out why I put so much time and effort into my makeup and how I look if I am not interested in men and that is my answer. Yes, I love getting compliments on how I look and yes even from men although I doo feel uncomfortable when it comes from men but I do my makeup for me. The way I do my makeup is what I find attractive in women. Yes, nice eye makeup, red lipstick or ling nails and a woman will get my attention. It is funny as this is what I find attractive in women but over the years none of the women I dated fit all of this as a matter of fact very few women you see wear lipstick and yet it is one of the number selling cosmetics. What I am saying is be who you are, if it is makeup, dresses, heels, bra’s or panties be who you are. People in the Transgender community have a lot in common but we are also all individual and have things we like or differences and that is okay. Accept yourself and accept others for who they are and this world would be a better place.

Be happy with who you are and thanks for reading my blog and sharing this part of my life with me.

Sunday and a little Susan time

Well it is a cool Sunday, only low 40’s and rainy but I get to spend a little Susan time today. I started getting ready a little after 12 and took my time, today I tried a thinner more arched eyebrow and also tried to make my lips a little rounder although that doesn’t show as much if I am smiling which Susan seams to do a lot. I did get a few pictures including my outfit today which I thought was cute, I have a hard time getting full body pictures to look good. Now I really had no

plans for the day other than laundry and some light cleaning in the kitchen. It was a little before 3 when I was done in the kitchen and had my last load of laundry in the wash so I figured I could go to Starbucks by my house for a while and write my blog from Saturday as this Starbucks closes at 5:30. Now yes I go to Starbucks a lot and there really are 4 main ones I go to, 2 right near my house, 1 in orchards and of course the one at Cascade station and surprisingly enough I go to these enough that I am usually greeted by name when I walk in but then I may be more memorable then the average customer. I guess that makes me a regular.

I went to the one closest, less than a ½ mile away so it only took a couple minutes. I went in and yes one of the girls behind the counter greeted me by name and said it had been a while which really is only a couple weeks. I got my drink and sat down and worked on my blog from yesterday and posted it. now my plan was to stay here till they close at 5:30 and go home but about 5 I got thinking of dinner and I thought why go home and eat when I can go out as Susan. Now dinner by yourself is hard as there is always fast food but actually going to a restaurant by yourself is a little harder at least for me but there are a few places like IHOP where I went last night and also Shari’s and there is one by the mall only 10 minutes away so that was where I went.

I got t Shari’s a little after 5 and they didn’t look busy which surprised me as it is dinner hour. I went in and the lady who seated me told me what a cute outfit I had on which I love to hear so I thanked her. now there were other people, a group of 3, 2 couples and then 2 other people by themselves so I felt better about being by myself. Now it is not how I am dressed just going out to eat alone, some places we go you never see someone eating alone so you stand out more. Now I picked here because they have a good Caesar salad and that was what I was thinking, eat a little more healthy. Well I looked at the menu and the Caesar salad with chicken was $12.99 and right opposite on the page was a prime rib dinner for $19.99 and I love prime rib so I changed my mind. My waiter came to take my order and when I ordered he told me they had sold out and instead of going back to the salad I went with a top sirloin so not as healthy as I hoped but very good. Now as I waited for my food, I checked my e-mails as I had posted to a couple girls about where we could go Wednesday night for dinner. one of them suggested a Mexican place in south Portland although none of us had been there before. Now I do like going new places but always hard if you have a group as you don’t know how big the place is or how big of groups, they will do so I was thinking about it while I ate. Now my waiter was nice and did a good job but not overly friendly and didn’t go out of his way but he was the same with the other people here also, he did his job shall we say. I paid my bill and went out to my car.

I decided to call the place recommended and see what they have, the lady I talked to really didn’t seem to helpful but what I got was they had 1 big table for groups and could pull tables together if they had to but she felt Wednesday night would not be a problem so I told her I would put it out to my friend and let her know Tuesday. Now it was a little after 6 now and I wanted to post it to the group so I decided to stop by the Starbucks in Orchards and post it plus it was a little cold out and I wanted a hot chocolate.

I got to the Starbucks about 6:20 and went in and got my hot chocolate and sat down at a table for a little while. I sent out the information on Wednesday nights dinner and then decided to work on todays blog some while I drank my hot chocolate. I had planned to stayed here till about 7:30 before going home to finish my laundry and watch TV till it was tine to go to bed but again it was raining hard so I waited till about 8:15 before the ran slowed enough to get to my car. Now this Starbucks is right next to the Wendy’s I go to and o I didn’t stop but it was 8:15 and there mut have been 20 cars waiting in line for the drive through. just a pretty average day made more fun as Susan.

Be happy with who you are and thanks for reading my blog and sharing this part of my life with me.

Saturday and a full day of Susan

It is Saturday and I have the whole day as Susan, now Christmas is 2 weeks from today so time is running out if you haven’t done your Christmas shopping like me. Now luckily for me it is mostly gift cards so not that hard but I need to have time to mail them so that is my mission today, shopping. I got up at 8am and started getting ready. now I did do a dramatic eye look today which was probably over the top for shopping but I got a little carried away doing my makeup. I was all ready by 9:30am and was on my way, my first stop was the Starbucks at Cascade station which I have been going here as my male self on Saturday mornings so it will be interesting. I got there just before 10 and they were really busy but as I walked in the lady at the table by the door was leaving so I just put my computer on the table before going to stand in line to order. I got my drink and sat down to work on my blog from last Sunday yes, I am way behind again. I wrote my blog and posted it and then caught up on some e-mails. I was only here about 1 ½ hours before I left.

Now for my great nieces and nephews they are young enough that Walmart gift cards work as they can get some toys there so that was my plan and there is one on my way home so I can do my weekly grocery shopping at the same time. I got to Walmart just before 11 and went in and yes, they were busy which I expected. I got a cart and did my shopping which is not hard as I am just shopping for myself. I got to the front and picked out 4 gift cards for my great nieces and nephews and also 1 for me. Now this may sound strange to some but I also picked up some other gift cards for Susan. Yes, my credit card during the 4^th quarter gives me 5% rebate at Walmart so the last couple years I have bought gift cards for Susan and you can guess the first ones were 3 Starbucks cards, a couple outback steakhouse and a couple Wendy’s and Panda Express. Now it was time to go through the check stand and pay. The young man rung up my order and gift cards and I really wondered if he would ask for ID because of the amount but he didn’t. I left with my stuff without an issue. I got in my car and I had a text from my bank with a fraud alert because of large purchase, this may not be large for some but shopping for myself it is usually $50 or less, I replied back it was okay and I am glad they are looking for fraud but also a little weird to think they are watching my spending. I got home and parked in my drive and took my groceries in and put them away.

It was a little before 1pm so I decided to take a drive up by lake Merwin, my parents and I use to spend a lot of time up that way when I was younger, my dad and I did a lot of fishing and hunting up there and I haven’t been up that way in years. It was a nice drive even though it was raining. On the way home I decided to take the back way through Battle Ground again I haven’t been out that way in years, as a matter-of-fact last time I was out there it was a 2-lane road and is now a 4-lane divided hwy. It was about 3:45pm when I got back to Vancouver and I stopped at McMenamins to get a gift card for my one niece as her and her husband love to go to McMenamins where they live, they were actually really busy for as early as it was but luckily, I was just getting a gift card but still took about 10 minutes.

My next gift card was from Nordstrom Rack as my other niece loves shopping there and there is one at Cascade Station s that was where I headed next. It was about 4:15 when I got over there and as I drove past the IHOP there I realized I hadn’t eaten all day so I turned around and stopped to get something to eat. Now I do go to IHOP a lot but it has fond memories for me as my parents liked to go there and it is one place I don’t feel odd eating by myself, plus I read online IHOP is struggling and going to close a lot of locations next year and I think this may be one as they really are not that busy and they are only open from 6am to 5pm. I went in and there were only 4 tables with people at them. I ordered dinner, my usual. The other reason I like them is they are not very expensive. My meal and drink was less than $12 compared to when I go to McDonalds which is now $10.45. the only difference is her I leave a tip but still a nicer dinning experience and my waitress was awesome.

I left here and went over to the shopping area and had to park way out and walk, yes, they are really busy. I had to drive around even to find this spot. I went in to Nordstrom Rack and I did look around a little as I was here. They had some cute shoes but not in my size, they also had some cute dresses but again to small for me. It really is hard being a bigger girl. I got my gift card and walked back to my car, I was just getting to my car when it started to rain so I got just a little wet, something Susan doesn’t like.

My next stop was Sportsman’s Warehouse as my brother and his wife love shopping there, I went to the one down by Clackamas Town Center. I went in and yes, I looked around a little. I was going to go look at the guns as I thought it would be fun as Susan but there were 9 people at the counter, 4 being helped and 5 waiting so I just looked around a little and then bought my gift card. It was 7:30pm now and I did want to stop at a Starbucks and write my bog from Wednesday night’s dinner and I would normally go to the one in Orchards as they are open till 9 so I would only have an hour. The funny thing is as I thought of this, I realized there is a Sportsman’s Warehouse in the same complex as this Starbuck’s, should have just gone there.

Well I decided to stop at the Starbucks on the corner of Mill Plain and Chkalov Drive as they are open till 11pm, midnight on Friday and Saturday. I don’t come to this one that often though. I got there about 8pm and went in and there were only a couple people inside but 15 cars or more in the drive through. I got a Hot Chocolate and sat down and wrote my blog from Wednesday night dinner at Outback Steakhouse. It was about 9:30 and I was done but once again it was raining really hard out and Susan does not like to get wet so I decided I would have another hot chocolate and stay a little longer. I played on my computer and just passed some time which is probably what I would have done at home anyway. It was 10:30pm when I left for home. It had been a long day but a fun one. Now I am looking forward to Sunday and some Susan time in the afternoon.

Be happy with who you are and thanks for reading my blog and sharing this part of my life with me.