TRANSVESTISM: A Handbook with Case Studies for Psycholo- gists, Psychiatrists and Counsel- lors by H. Brierly, a psycholo- gist from England. It's heavy reading. Really tells it like it is.

I lounged around in a tent dress, baked chicken breasts for dinner, cleaned some celery and readied the table for dinner.

Inbetween, I watched Phil Donahue, and what else, the soaps.

I also had time to catch up reading some other TV publica- tions I purchased recently. (I'm sure you figured I'm a book worm by now.)

I also took my earrings out to be sure they were okay, giving them a good cleaning with alco- hol.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1ST

Shopping day! I had pre-ar- ranged to visit Catherine's, a shop that carries large sizes.

Mandy, the manager, and I have become good friends over the years. The timing was perfect as they were holding their annual July 4th clearance sale.

She set me up in her stock room to avoid embarassment. I tried on over 30 pieces - dresses, pant suits, blouse and skirt sets, gowns, etc. I was in seventh heaven! I finally selected four items to take home.

Her sales gals are very help- ful, offering their constructive comments on each item I tried. Photos in the coming months will show my expensive tastes. One salesgirl didn't believe

I had my hair frosted. She swore I had a wig on till I let her pull it. Ouch!

After all the changing, my hair was a mess. I clip/clopped to a walk-in beauty salon in the same mall and had a wash and set amongst lots of giggles. I had never been there before and went in cold. My voice and size shook the gals up. I told them I lived this way all the time. Quite an experience.

THURSDAY, JULY 2ND

Dye-back day! How quick the five days passed. Spent a lazy morning doing a few dishes.

It was rainy and miserable outside.

Got all dolled up for my so- journ to Scranton and my 1:30 appointment.

The reverse frosting is much easier than the frosting itself. I started to tear. The peroxide or chemical in the coloring is very strong. She also used a condition- er to start repairing the damage the frosting had done. (breakage and drying)

How I wanted to stay a blonde! If only work circum- stances permitted same. After all, more men than women get perms today, a complete reversal of several years ago. Maybe the same will hold true for color someday?

I showed her a sleek, blown dry style from a magazine and asked her to duplicate it. Once dry, I fell in love with my new color, cinnamon brown.

She also prescribed Redken shampoo and conditioner to get my hair in tip/top shape.

She explained that most over the counter shampoos have high PH content, which actually harms the hair by swelling, etc.

She filled in my lashes where needed and gave my nails a new color coating. I shared some experiences I had the pre- vious few days with her and left for home about 3:30.

My wife was disappointed that the blonde was gone. (And thankful the dye-back looked natural, so it wouldn't call un- necessary attention to myself.) AMEN!

We had tasty roast beef dinner. I did the dishes and she headed for her hair appointment.

I changed into my nightie early and delved into the news- papers.

FRIDAY, JULY 3RD

ing.

Rick re-appeared this morn- I carefully put Kathy away. Boy, are my ears tender! The holes are barely noticeable though.

Getting rid of the nail tips was much easier this time. (I used too much glue a couple months back. Had a terrible time getting them off.) I carefully re-

moved all the polish and filed them to normalcy.

Created a load of wash the past couple days. (We dry Kathy's things in our dryer for safety sake.)

About noon, my wife, bro- ther in law and his fiancee made our way to the Bavarian Summer Festival in Barnesville. Polka bands and beer!

SATURDAY, JULY 4TH

In-law Day! My mother and father in law finally visited us in our new location. (We moved eight months ago.) My mom in law got an afro. I kidded her I was going to get one. (If only she knew, I thought)

With my wife, her brother and his fiancee, we picnicked in the rain.

Once they left, my wife and I had time to reflect on the week just passed.

One thing for certain I found out how hard it is being a woman. I really appreciate my wife all the more now. It was tru- ly a rude awakening! The things we take for granted take lots of time and energy.

I wish I experienced the other side of the fence long ago.

I'm happy to say our mar- riage has been strengthened by our experiences this past week, rejuvenating our commitment to one another. A marriage blessed with honesty, good communica- tion, understanding and now a better appreciation for one a- nother.

My wife misses Kathy al- ready. She's already discussing next weekend . getting my hair done, dressing, etc.

God bless her! I've truly got the best of both worlds.

Put it this way, I like girls! I also like me, too. Combining both, through fashion's art,

I'm happily me and you!!