Sunday 31 December 2017

Review of 2017


Well, it’s the last day of the year and that means… it’s time to review my fem life this past year. The review of 2016 was one of the most popular posts on my blog so maybe you’ll like this one, too.

Life itself has been exceptionally difficult and so the days I managed to get out and about and be treated as Sue were precious. I forgot to write up about some of those events so this post is not a repeat of the past.

I went out with Sarah in February for a day out in London (http://suerichmond.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/another-day-out.html), a day’s shopping in March (http://suerichmond.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/and-out-again.html) and met up with the Brick Lane girls later that month (http://suerichmond.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/the-old-familar-faces-and-happy-routine.html). But I didn’t write up about meeting up with Gina in April. Gina’s popped up from time to time in my posts over the years and she contacted me as she was spending a weekend in London.

We met in Greenwich for the Star Wars exhibition at the O2 (the Millennium Dome as was). This was chiefly a display of props, models and costumes from the films, and in that respect was rather special.





But to pad it out you developed your own character, choosing species, psychology, role, etc. I ended up as this critter:



Fighter pilot, female (oh yes, believe me).


After a bite to eat we saw the last of the tall ships that were sailing downriver, some on their way to Canada apparently. It’s an annual regatta. 




And we went up the hill to the observatory, too. A nice day with a nice friend.



One evening in June I met up with my lovely friend Steph whom I hadn’t seen for years and we enjoyed dinner together in Chinatown. We had no idea what this flower-decorated car was all about but obviously it was a photo opportunity!



July, of course, was Sparkle (http://suerichmond.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/sparkle-2017.html), when it was so good to meet up with old friends and make new ones and take part in such a massive event.

October saw a gathering of girls in London for lunch (http://suerichmond.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/absent-friends.html), which was a nice little meet-up in old haunts.

A lot of the time I have spent in more androgynous mode, especially on holiday (see October). I have been pretty devastated by last year’s news from my doctors that there isn’t a cure for the eczema that has ravaged my face since 2014, and although I have been able to change my makeup so that there is now little serious effect, it has made me consider the possibility of presenting nominally male but feeling and looking a little more female. It’s not really me, though, as my femininity is important to me, as is being treated as female, so just wearing women’s clothing doesn’t satisfy. However, I did manage to have several worthwhile and desperately needed short breaks at last, to Lille in France, to Germany, to Wiltshire and Somerset, and to Prague with Sarah.

As for next year, 2018, I am hoping that I will be able get out more now that I have, I hope, a little more time and a new makeup regime that doesn’t seem to cause my face to flare up.

Here's my avatar for next year.

 

Thanks for reading and let me wish you a happy, prosperous and fulfilling 2018.

Love

Sue x



Sunday 24 December 2017

Seasons Greeting

Wishing all my readers a very happy holiday time.

We all need a winter festival in the darkest days of the year, whether it be Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah or other. In the last few years that I have worked for myself at home and have to close the curtains at about quarter past three on December afternoons, I tend to put up a Christmas tree early in December as well as other lights and decorations or it would be too gloomy.


My tree fairy

I'll be spending Christmas Day with a sister (not the Anti-Lugbutt one) and Boxing Day will be my usual alternative Christmas at home with a nice dress on and my favourite food.

Hope you have a good break

Sue x


Sunday 3 December 2017

Christmas shopping

The last post was a very serious one so here's something lighter.

I don't have a big family so Christmas shopping is actually quite quick and easy, and not too expensive either since some people only want nominal gifts. I confess I usually give myself a little treat, too, traditionally a pair or two of fancy tights. But this year I've bought myself another bottle of my favourite perfume, Versace Crystal Noir.

In the last few years I've also put up a Christmas tree in early December. Now, traditionalists will be shocked: when I was a kid, the tree went up on Christmas Eve and came down on January 6th, after Twelfth Night. But now I prefer to call it my Winter Tree because ever since I started working for myself in my own home, I find that having something bright and cheerful in the room for 2-3 weeks before and after the winter solstice makes all the difference to my mood. There are only about six hours of proper daylight here and the winter grey is desperately gloomy otherwise.

I also wonder if it's time to buy a new frock. (Hey, isn't it always time for a new frock?) Boxing Day is when I have time to myself and it's nice to dress up smartly, which is never an option on Christmas Day with family. I'm thinking red this year. Let's see what I can find in the shops.

I hope your Christmas preparations go well.

Sue x