Sorry no before, but here is today, aka step 1 completed

[Lesley_Roberta]

Ok people here is a RARE moment, a VERY rare moment, because I am VERY sensitive about putting my image online anywhere.

But I want to honour those that have shared so much so far, with at least this much.

Took this today, cropped out all the noise of the hobby room from the image. I'm wearing one of my current needs to be replaced male polo tshirts which is being replaced with better ones made for a woman, but its at least a nice shirt all the same. Wearing one of my more substantial necklaces.

And assuming Cindy sees my Facebook comment, I won't need to fret over sending her something through here (promised Cindy she would get to see the benefits of her generous offer of sending me a wig a good while back).

The wig is basically modified from its original form to fit my own particular requirements. My hair stylist greatly aided me in enjoying the experience. I just went with her opinion (as if I know a lot about hair styles ).
This by the way is me mentioning now, Chris's Hair World in Lindsay Ontario, a place where the ladies go, and you can assume transwomen will have no issues as well. The staff are friends of mine, long time contact with Chris. She has earned my respect today.

My natural hair was given a significant update, I had been wearing it rather long and more or less unkempt, and futile too really what with having nothing on the top. Now my natural hair is cut more or less in a cliche male fashion (which is what my hair has always looked like the moment it needs a trim). I have no real desperate need of keeping all of it, the wig has superseded it.

[mrs izzy]

  Love your hair style, wish mine was that straight.
Looking good now and things will be better forward. Just keep positive and make the changes needed with style as you progress.

Hugs
Izzy

[Tessa James]

Thanks for sharing a glimpse of the real you Lesley.  Wouldn't guess that's a wig.

Just add a smile next time and enjoy yourself

[Lesley_Roberta]

I thought I was smiling Next time I will try to think of chocolate while taking the picture.

[Eva Marie]

It's good to finally see you Leslie! I like the wig too 

[Devlyn]

Good on ya for standing here with us, Lesley! The hell with smiling, practice that come-hither look! Hugs, Devlyn

[ukftminneed]

hugs - well done for being brave I understand it must of taken alot for you to do that ,
your hair looks natural

[Beth Andrea]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

*hugs*

[Lesley_Roberta]

Life is good.

I have all of my friends here for support, but additionally, I have the support of some of my local friends that have also said some kind things to me.

I have been told I look a lot younger by a person who was standing in front of me. That was a very nice thing to say and I thanked him a bit later in a message in a game we were playing, 'by the way, the game is a gift'. I had sprung for a download purchase of a game we are both having fun playing. He had planned to pay me back. I think he gave me something worth a lot more than a measly 30 bucks.

I have been told I look good, I have been over all well received.

Life is good.

I owe so much to so many of you though, you have taken the plunge, done your best and not taken counsel of your fears. Your example is why I have made it this far.

I will likely be doing a nice avatar image when I get the chance. I don't want to replace my Usagi picture, but I am happy with this me. I think I can only get better.

[Lo]

You look great! And the hair frames your face very nicely.

[Lesley_Roberta]

What a first day I had.

I left the wig on till I went to bed

I have a family turkey dinner to go to today and you bet, I am going as me, not some other person.

I am thankful of my family and my friends, and this thanksgiving, I am not thanking a concept that has never done anything, and no I am not thanking my government either I might enjoy a slightly better life as a Canadian, but it sure isn't because Harper cares about me

I will likely be seeking out one of those wigs that has a band that holds the wig in place. But my first one will certainly always be a special moment for me. Pondering wearing a top I have bought that till now I have been unsure was too fancy, or might just conflict with my hair (or lack there of). It's a nice top a slimming type design, and it is NOT a man's article of clothing. Might as well give the family a real whammy

As always, I don't know how it will go. As always, I go in knowing I don't care if they are not positive. I WANT them to be positive, but, I am not going to let if stop me of course. If the look comes out nice, I might volunteer it as my avatar image. Can't picture anything looking better at least. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Enjoyed not needing to take as long washing my hair today   The hair under the hair is now a lot less the problem of needing it.
I suppose I will take a bit longer getting ready to go out. Then again, I already take a while getting ready to go out hehe.

Dang I feel good. I was really expecting this to be a lot harder. I need to learn the fine art of make up I suppose now.
That, and I guess I need to put getting a more lady like cane higher on my list of todos. My current one, well for one thing it is a hickory sledge hammer handle (not at all petite hehe) and it is topped with a simulated hand saw handle (very masculine). Likely need something less heavy gauge looking and with a handle more like what a woman would find 'neat'. My old fashioned self is toying with either a steam iron shape, or a blender shape. Ok I know, those are horribly sexist stereotypes But I do actually like them hehe. And besides, they still need to be a form of handle.

[Amelia Pond]

Congratulations and good luck today Lesley! I hope your family is positive too but you've got the right attitude; be yourself and everyone else can be damned if they don't like it.

*HUGS*

Amy

[Tessa James]

Good on ya for standing here with us, Lesley! The hell with smiling, practice that come-hither look! Hugs, Devlyn

Devlyn Marie you are such an enabler!!!!  LOL and right on Hon!  As your airmen say, "prepare for launch, flaps up!"

[ukftminneed]

What a first day I had.

I left the wig on till I went to bed

I have a family turkey dinner to go to today and you bet, I am going as me, not some other person.

I am thankful of my family and my friends, and this thanksgiving, I am not thanking a concept that has never done anything, and no I am not thanking my government either I might enjoy a slightly better life as a Canadian, but it sure isn't because Harper cares about me

I will likely be seeking out one of those wigs that has a band that holds the wig in place. But my first one will certainly always be a special moment for me. Pondering wearing a top I have bought that till now I have been unsure was too fancy, or might just conflict with my hair (or lack there of). It's a nice top a slimming type design, and it is NOT a man's article of clothing. Might as well give the family a real whammy

As always, I don't know how it will go. As always, I go in knowing I don't care if they are not positive. I WANT them to be positive, but, I am not going to let if stop me of course. If the look comes out nice, I might volunteer it as my avatar image. Can't picture anything looking better at least. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Enjoyed not needing to take as long washing my hair today   The hair under the hair is now a lot less the problem of needing it.
I suppose I will take a bit longer getting ready to go out. Then again, I already take a while getting ready to go out hehe.

Dang I feel good. I was really expecting this to be a lot harder. I need to learn the fine art of make up I suppose now.
That, and I guess I need to put getting a more lady like cane higher on my list of todos. My current one, well for one thing it is a hickory sledge hammer handle (not at all petite hehe) and it is topped with a simulated hand saw handle (very masculine). Likely need something less heavy gauge looking and with a handle more like what a woman would find 'neat'. My old fashioned self is toying with either a steam iron shape, or a blender shape. Ok I know, those are horribly sexist stereotypes But I do actually like them hehe. And besides, they still need to be a form of handle.

Theres people on youtube that do ''how to do your makeup '' videos if thats any help 
how do you find womens shoes to fit your feet ? My feet are small when I buy guys shoes I wear more socks I wonder if you can buy something , I hope they grow ! lol

Good on you , you must feel better in womens clothing , its amazing what a difference it makes , I wear guys clothes but I can remember the first time , buying and journeying to this point it was a great feeling , something so simple really made a huge difference to me 

[Beth Andrea]

Good on you , you must feel better in womens clothing , its amazing what a difference it makes

I remember the day I got my first women's uniform shirts at work...went in to check the fit, and did NOT want to put my old "guy" shirt back on...even though it was still clean! Something psychological in me said NO WAY!

Good luck with the dinner tonight, Lesley_Roberta!

[ukftminneed]

I remember the day I got my first women's uniform shirts at work...went in to check the fit, and did NOT want to put my old "guy" shirt back on...even though it was still clean! Something psychological in me said NO WAY!

Good luck with the dinner tonight, Lesley_Roberta!

its amazing how huge it is , its just like a magic step forward

[Lesley_Roberta]

The dinner is NOT happening. I am sad of course, but I am also not worried.

Ok possibly the sister in law has over estimated the level of problem with her husband. I believe in innocent till proven guilty.

But I am NOT hopeful.

Hey it was just a purse and jewellery, but she was apprehensive the last event. I still went and nothing happened.

Today it is just a wig in addition.

But it is my plan to use HRT, it might result in breast development (I can hope eh). I am planning to wear women's clothing as much as any other woman would. The day will come when I turf THAT thing as well. I need to know NOW, is this brother in law going to be a problem or is this really a non problem?

I'm suuuuuuure as hell not going to sit and be told they don't want me messing up their grand daughters 5 and 2. I won't tolerate being told I am a 'harmful influence'.

But the wife has only just left, and I will know by tonight.
I am not encouraged, but, until it happens, it hasn't.

Made it plain though, if I wasn't accepted today, then there won't be any future gatherings.

I told the wife I will NOT be giving her grief about going. I will not hold it against her. I am not the sort of person that makes a person make those choices.
My mother though, hmm my mother was not very kind of comment this afternoon when I was visiting. They have reeeeeeally rubbed her the wrong way if this runs the way it probably will. My mom's a Christian that won't tolerate lame excuse Christian behaviour

[Devlyn]

Remember, Lesley, you're not asking the world for acceptance, you expect it. They will follow your lead. Hugs, Devlyn

[Lesley_Roberta]

Well the day sure has been one of contrast.

Things I did not expect today.

Turkey dinner to face plant.

Didn't expect to walk in the door and immediately need to mop the floors.

Sure didn't think I would be eating a quickie lunch from the grocery store today.

I didn't really know what response the wig would get me, but, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Just not 100% positive. Didn't expect things to go the way they did. I expected I would go to Chris's and she would say 'sorry Les I really don't have the skill set to help with the wig, but I can give you a nice trim to your natural hair'.

She was wonderful.

I know some won't want to come on the journey that is my life. And some will likely have the lamest of reasons too.

Just means all the more room for my friends

[Beth Andrea]

Made it plain though, if I wasn't accepted today, then there won't be any future gatherings

Try to forgive...sometimes people can be adamant about accepting, but then one day they realize what kind of ass they've been, and after apologies, they would like to be part of your life. One shouldn't burn bridges unless they've done horrible things, like abuse and violence.