Your ability to take a unknown person and transform that person with such great perfection is an art in itself. Your skills in making that person feel so at ease in being “herself” was the key to my feeling so good about myself. I am grateful I had the opportunity to share my moment in time with you.

DAY ONE

It all started as I checked into the Emerald Inn. I went up to my room and looked out at the beautiful clear blue skies of the Seattle skyline and thought, "Can I really do this?" I had my doubts. Afterall, this was my home town and what if I were to meet someone I knew (it did happen, without them even recognizing me).

It was getting close to three o’clock and time to see if I could truly be Barbara-Ann.

I went to the office and asked for Angel Russell, and they very politely gave me the directions. I then walked across the parking area, and knocked on the door, that was ajar. A soft voice invited me in and said welcome “Barbara.” It was then that my nervous state of being began to mellow. Angel’s appearance was very feminine yet not overpowering and she was about the same height as I was.

We introduced ourselves and then she asked me if I would like to have a refreshment drink. We both sat down and talked a bit about ourselves which helped to ease the nervousness I had about dressing with someone I had just met. If you ever have the pleasure to meet Angel you will soon understand why it was so easy to be with her and begin the process of transformation. Her gift is a very special one, in that she is able to create a setting where you quickly feel very at ease and comfortable.

We began by getting out of the old me and into the new “SHE”......

I choose to begin with a very nice 38C white bra, white panties, a beige shade pantyhose and a dark blue slip. As I stood at the bathroom door I paused and reflected on myself and said, "Barbara it is now or never." I then walked out without feeling a bit nervous and Angel commented on how nice I looked. She then suggested that we add a bit to the feminine appearance with breast forms. Angel placed them properly in my bra. Oh, what a feeling!

We both sat down and began the process of transforming my face to a soft feminine look. Angel began by explaining the do’s and don’ts of proper makeup, stressing that we should always try to maintain a natural look. She reminded me not to use colors that will call attention to you. She suggested studying the models in women’s magazines for ideas and tips.

She was very articulate in the application process, and explained why we apply each part of the foundation process in a set sequence to insure the correct natural look.

When she had completed the transformation, I turned and looked in the mirror to find the “real Barbara”. I cannot begin to express that feeling I was having at my moment in time!

With makeup done, it was time to turn our attention to hairstyle. As any woman knows, we must spend what seems like eternity deciding what color and style hair will work best. What a fun time this was: blonde, brunette, black and all shades in between. Both Angel and I had fun doing this part of the transformation. Angel once again suggested choosing something that works with your face shape, your age, etc. A wild long blonde look on a forty five year old does not work.

The next step was to experiment with different dress styles. Angel made several suggestions which I tried. I am lost for words in telling how I felt the first time I walked out wearing a mini-skirt. "Woo-woo, check out those legs!" Angel remarked. And I had to admit, they looked pretty good. We took our first picture. I was sure I would not go out in public with this look. Oh, but what fun it was to play with the different looks. More to come on this subject.

We then decided to try the more natural look. Finding just the right outfit was hard to do as Angel had so many dresses hanging there from which to choose. Any of several outfits worked so well.

I was wanting to go shopping that afternoon, so I knew I had to select something in style, cool and comfortable as it was a bit warm outside. I decided to wear a long skirt and a light blouse.

Finally, the transformation was complete, and I was really feeling good about my appearance. We both talked some more and Angel then asked if I was ready to go out in public... shopping.

Believe me, I was ready........ As we walked to her car I could feel the wind in my skirt and the blouse felt very soft.... I have transformed ....Barbara how wonderful it is.

We started north on Highway 99, and decided to stop at a local discount clothing store. My heart was racing as we walked through the parking lot and into my first shopping spree for clothes. Angel reminded me that the key to being who you are is to blend in, act natural and talk...now that’s a area I do not excel in. Angel was very good at getting me to talk.

We entered the store and went straight to the earring racks. Believe me it can be hard to find long clip-on earrings. I did manage to find several, but not exactly what I was looking for. Then we were off to the rows and rows of clothes to search through. Barbara just knew she had to find that special dress. As I walked through the rows, the other women there did not seem to pay any attention. Several of the women even asked me for comments about what they were looking at. It sent chills up and down my back. I was really a woman, out in public. Oh what fun I was having.

The best part was checking out at the cash register. Never a word from anyone, I had reached heaven for sure.

After shopping, we returned to the Inn and began the transformation to a night out on the town. I choose not to wear any of the new dresses I purchased, but to continue with selection from Angel's vast wardrobe of clothes.

A bit of interest is that Angel will always let you decide what you want to wear, and then she will dress similarly so as not to clash style-wise. Again, I choose a skirt and blouse. Angel then did a refresher and some slight change to my makeover to reflect a more glamorous nighttime mood. (You would not believe the appearance change you will get by just changing the color shading of your eyes). It was very exciting to learn the different ways a woman can change her look for each mood or time of the day.

We again walked out to the car to start our evening adventure. I was a bit more confident in Barbara, yet still somewhat in reserve as to how I would handle the streets of Seattle.

Off we went to a very special area of town. A place to see the sights, do dinner and just have fun!!! As we drove down the main street I could tell this was going to be a big step... for the sidewalks are crowded and bustling with activity. Angel said not not worry, that I would blend right in... and again she was right. As we walked, we did the normal woman thing.... window shopped for about ten blocks and then sauntered off to eat at place called Charlie’s. Now this is a great place to be in dress. The service was wonderful as well as the food. After eating, Angel gave me the tour of Charlie’s....pool tables, yes. Picture Barbara and Angel with skirts on bending over the pool table...what excitement we would have caused... just a passing thought.

It was back out to the sidewalks, and walking some more...which brings up the issue of shoe’s. Yes ladies, do choose the right shoes for the occassion. I can now understand why woman like wearing sneakers. My feet were killing me. All part of being a woman, Angel reminded me.

The evening was going by all too fast. We then decided it was time to have a great cup of Seattle’s finest... coffee. Sitting outside Cafe Paradiso, Barbara-Ann was experiencing a moment in time to be treasured and never forgotten. As I sat there talking with my very special new friend, Angel, it occured to me that this was the perfect ending to a perfect day. I thrilled to think there were two more days and nights to come.

DAY TWO

I woke up very early, and looked out at the bright blue sky, and could tell it was going to be another beautiful sunny day in Seattle. And another magical day in Emerald Fantasyland. I began to think about some of the things Angel and Barbara had talked about. She had told me about Green Lake Park and how refreshing it was, so I thought I would go have breakfast at a local restaurant and then take a short ride over to the park.

The drive to the park was very easy and finding parking space early in the morning was also easy to find. There were many types of people walking, jogging, skateboarding and pushing baby carriages around the lake’s pathway. I walked a while and decided to sit at a park bench right on the lake edge.

A feeling of tranquility soon set in as I watched the blue skies above and the beautiful small cloud formations, each reflecting their presence in the sky. It seems as if they had a story to tell as the moved about in a casual way. On the lake were ducks swimming without a care in the world. I reflected on how great life had been to me, and my great fortune in meeting a person such as Angel.

It was now close to high noon and I had soaked up about all of the sun my body could handle. I decided that a short trip to the Capitol Hill area would be interesting, especially as "the other side of the coin" so to speak. However, walking down the same streets this day -- not as Barbara -- had a profoundly different feeling for me. The desire to shop in the stores just did not seem to be there. I felt like a tourist. Being a man just isn't as fun as being a woman. Thankfully, it was getting close to the magic hour so I returned to the Inn in anticipation of Day Two of the Emerald Fantasy.

Back at the Inn, I decided to try and do the makeup and dress part myself before going over to Angel’s room. Starting to get gutsy now. Now the makeup part I was not sure of but I gave it my best. As for what to wear, it was very hot out so I decide to stay with a skirt and light blouse. It was three o’clock and time for the truth. I opened my door and to my surprise, the cleaning team was right there! Remembering Angel's advice to be natural, I just stepped out, said hello, and went on my way.

Angel's door was open, so I just popped right in and said Hi. Angel took one look and said, “You look great”. You bet my ego was flying now. We sat down and talked for awhile and decided that we would try on some of the other dresses she had, full dress and longer skirts with different blouses. We played in the clothes for a couple of hours, trying on everything from sexy mini-dresses to a gorgeous salsa-dancer's gown. It was great fun.

Then it was time to head back to Capitol Hill. We wanted to hit some stores and perhaps find a Salon to get my nails done. As we walked down main street in mid afternoon not a person took notice, and my comfort zone was getting a bit better in how I felt about my appearance.

The Salon was located on the other end of Capitol Hill so off we went... walking the entire length of Broadway. Note: I did change to a flat heel and believe me that is the only way to go. The Salon was busy. Angel in her own way got acquainted with the people, and we did not wait long. I had decided to only have my nails done in a style as to be able to remove them easily. They were about half and inch longer than normal and painted in a very beautiful pearl color. They transformed the look of my fingers beyond belief, and you can bet I was a very happy Barbara now.

After the nails were done, we got down to serious shopping. As we went into the stores I notice that may of the dress styles were a bit “young”, but Barbara still wanted to go through every thing....age at this point has no boundaries. Angel keep telling me the styles were too young looking for us. Darn, I guess it doesn't hurt to dream.

Back to the Inn, a quick change, and it was time for us to head to the "Oz" club for a drag revue. As we entered the club, Angel was herself and we were treated as the ladies we are. Our table was in the corner and had a great view of the stage. As each performer did their impersonation act the crowd seemed to get into the feeling of the night. Our drink hostess was really great, even coming outside to thank us as we left.

Another wonderful day, another wonderful set of experiences.

DAY THREE Now I ask you, how would you wake up in the early morning when the sun is shinning and you have just experienced two wonderful days as Barbara did? For me it created a sincere desire to just go and try to soak up as much of what Seattle has to offer while you are still Barbara-Ann.

It was warm out and I was feeling very good about my personal feelings and as Barbara. A long hot shower was in order I told myself. I stepped out of the shower refreshed and began to prepare Barbara-Ann to step out on her own. I sat down and slowly started applying my makeup trying to remember all of the steps that Angel had explained to me. I even believe that I managed to get the eye makeup on correctly. It was now time to wear my new gray skirt, white blouse, a pair of beige shade pantyhose to reflect the natural color of my skin and yes...my white heels. I also wore the long clip-on hoop earrings that Angel let me use. My hair was medium length and brown in color. Now it was time to put on a fragrant perfume and feel the passions of being a woman.

As the sun was shining brightly, I stood in the doorway and said to myself “girl it now or never.” Angel had suggested that I go out this morning as Barbara-Ann... by myself. And I was determined to do it.

I walked down the stairs and across the parking lot and opened the door to my truck, yes truck. If you think it is easy getting into a High Ford truck in heels and a skirt on ...try it some time. Off I headed to our favorite place... Capitol Hill. Just driving down I-5 interstate was a rush in itself...can you picture me changing a flat tire? Well, I arrived at Capitol Hill without incident and drove around looking for a place to park close to the restaurant I wanted to try.

After several trips around the area, a spot was open just across from the restaurant. Now parking this truck with heels on was another moment to remember, a bit funny to say the least. The street was rather quiet as I stepped out of the truck, and believe me there is a art to this, especially in a skirt that is mid-length. I walked to the corner and had to wait awhile for the light to change. As luck would have it, up walks a person I know! I thought my knees were going to go out from under me. The light changed and we both walked across the street and he went one way and Barbara-Ann went the other. He never even noticed!

The restaurant (Minnies) was just a short walk, I went inside and the host directed me to a table by the window. The rest of this adventure was just great as the hostess took my order and we talked awhile about her friend. She asked what I was doing that evening and I said I was going out with a friend, but perhaps another time. The food was great and bit much for Barbara.

It was getting to be about 9:30. Back again to the truck and off to the Emerald Inn. I went back to my room and changed back to the other side of life. There was still several hours before Angel would be here, so off to the park I went. This time the parking was not so easy as everyone decided to going jogging, walking or sun-bathing. If you are looking for a place to just relax and feel good this was the place. Believe me, one has to experience a warm summer day with a cool ocean breeze blowing to know why the city of Seattle is such a great place to live and play.

It was now about 1:45 in the afternoon and time to return and get ready for the final day of my Emerald Fantasy. I drove into the parking lot and I could see that the cleaning crew was working in my room so I drove out again to return at 2:05 and the crew was just leaving. Angel had not arrived yet, but it would not be long before she did and I wanted to get dressed once again and take that walk across the open parking lot. If you could only feel my heart pound as I rushed to get my makeup on and in dress! I realized the cleaning team knew what I was up to... but you are who you are both inside and outside, and I’ve come to except myself as Barbara-Ann and the world should understand that is the way it will be.

A bit late 3:10 and off again. Opening the door, I went by the cleaning team and smiled said hello on my way. I strolled across the parking lot for the last time and into our secret room. Angel said Hi with a big smile as she sat there in a short skirt for the first time. If I could only lose the weight and look as beautiful as she did! Her size 6/8 and my 16 creates a bit of jealously, a woman thing I suppose. Yet, she always has a way of making you feel like you are a real beautiful person (her magic) both inside and outside.

As I entered the room, she stood up and walked over and gave me a great big hug and then asked how was my day. We sat down and talked for a while and I reflected on what I had done that day.

Our original plan for the day was to join a meeting with a group of girls that were having a picnic, but instead we decided to continue my shopping spree. I told Angel, "Let's look for something a bit “trashy” to wear to the club tonight." We agreed, and off we went.

After a few stores, the heels I was wearing were beginning to feel a bit tight, so Angel and I decided to do a little shoe store shopping. As luck would be, there was a sale going on at a Payless Shoe store, and did we ever take advantage. I mean for five dollars you could buy almost any style you were looking for. I found a great low heel wide toe shoes, and Angel just had a great time trying to buy the store. It was just plain fun as there were lots of people around and no one even gave us a second look. With new shoes, off we went for more shopping.

We decided to go to our favorite place “Ross” and search the aisles once again. Angel found a beautiful straight dress and a very daring bra, and I found a nice see-through knit top. Then you will not believe what Angel had me doing... into the lady’s dressing room we went! My knees were knocking but I walked right in.

We both tried on the clothes, and they fit perfect. As we walked back out of the dressing room several woman were on their way in, and not one paid attention to us. Now let me tell you something, if Angel had worn that dress out of the dressing room she would have had all the men in that store in heart-failure and some of the woman very jealous!

Now it was through the cashiers and off to another store. Angel suggested that we go to a large shopping mall. I just looked at her and said, "You have got to be kidding". This I was really nervous about doing. Yet, off we went to the Northgate Mall. As we entered, I thought "Please don’t let me run into someone I know." Inside, we walked the whole mall and shopped all of the major department stores, went by the security area several times and still not a person gave us a second thought. The only store we did not go into was Victoria's Secrets... now that could have been fun. Finally, I told Angel "let's go" as I had reach the end of my nerve level. She understood, yet reminded me that I had earned the "Mall Merit Badge".

By the time we left the mall, it was getting close to show time at the club, and we still needed to get back refresh our faces and get dressed. I decided to wear a tight black mini-skirt and the see-through knit sweater with only a sexy black bra on under it. Yes, and those heels also. Angel put on her new little sexy dress. We did our evening look with the makeup and agreed it was time to go enjoy the fruits of the evening.

Now it was time to go and have some real fun at the club. As we drove up I-5 and on to Capitol Hill, I couldn’t help but think about all the fun we had been having and how soon it would all be over. As we got to the club we found that the parking was going to be hard to find so we drove around and as luck would have it ....yes.. parked right in front. Now this was a adventure getting out of a low car parked close to the curb. I opened the door and managed to step out (mini-skirt), legs showing you might say clear to my ears, and managed to maintain a lady-like appearance. One has to proud of those assets that are for real.

As we walked across the street, we both said, "Let’s do it."

On our way in, I could hear the music, and a tingle went up my spine. Angel paid the cover charge and in we went. It was a showcase benefit and drag revue... and there were dresses there that would take your breath away...If I was a man then I’d thought I had gone to heaven.

The manicurist from the salon came by and thanked us for stopping in. Right after the show we found a table and sat down for a few minutes and Angel with all her energy said, "Let's dance!"

The only thing I can say here is that she is terrific. I normally do not dance that much, but she made me feel great. Again, I had those heels on and dancing was not a problem..... well not entirely. When I returned home my two little toes were barking. Yet I wouldn't trade a little pain for the unbelievable experience of dancing.

After the show we drove to a nearby pizza pub. I was beginning to feel a little on the down side, but did not say anything to Angel. I knew my time as Cinderella was coming to an end, and the hour of the pumpkin was near at hand. We sat for a while, had a drink and pizza and watched the people go by. I was not very good at conversation now, for I knew it all had to come to a end. I sat and reflected on all of the beautiful moments Angel had provided for me.

This was a very special Day Three.

Angel, you are a person I shall never forget and even though I have never really expressed how I felt, I will always be wishing life’s many success’s for you. I can only say to those who may get the chance to meet you that they will also will understand the feelings I have.

I thank you for commitment to our community, and may all of you dreams come true for you.

Barbara-Ann