We move well into year nine of the Kandi’s Land experience.
I move now into year 12 of the existence of who you know as Kandi.
I can see social security and Medicare on the horizon. We became grandparents in 2025. Life continues to grind forward, with blessings and challenges to enjoy and deal with.
I have reshaped my revenue-generating machine, which has brought me tremendous peace-of-mind. I have moved toward getting paid for my efforts directly and not investing in a future (sales) that may not have amounted to anything. I accepted who I am, not the finance person I wanted to be, not the salesperson I would like to be were I 20 years younger, but the truck driver that I am. I have embraced who I am and not what I wanted to be. I left behind empty thoughts and possibilities and moved forward with reality.
I have found an amazing groove in my presentation to the world. It has become like breathing, gotten better and better and more interesting each time. I have built an actual portfolio of acting and modeling gigs, having recently been asked to walk a show in a gown deigned for ME!
I intend to attack every opportunity to get out with such joy, with a grace and elegance to how the world sees me. I will try my best to foster and grow friendships. I will do my best to have an open heart and an open mind.
I am proud of myself. While I have not really had significant health issues to deal with personally or with immediate family (for which I am VERY grateful), I have fought through mistakes made and the issues which we all deal with here, in one form or another.
So, as we move into 2026 (I cannot believe I am saying that, still remembering Y2K, Prince’s 1999 and a high school graduation in the ’70’s), I am committed to finding ways to spend more time with our children and our beloved grandson (six plus hour drive and in Chicago, it is by no means a cheap trip) and I am stating it here and now. I know I have my doubters, this elephant never forgets. I am two months into intensive daily physical training, having added a treadmill to my home gym with an elliptical, spin bike, rowing machine, resistant bands, kettlebells and weights, along the treadmill. I delight in the daily grind, always seeking to work my body in a slightly different way, to step it up by increments every single time. Daily workouts are generally about 45 minutes, and I allow the off day about every two weeks.
I have a goal of running marathon number eight in September, which I expect will lead to my qualification for the Boston Marathon in 2027, five years after my last such experience. I will work tirelessly to reshape my body and build my physical stamina (I already have the absolute mental toughness to be successful) to meet these goals. And oh yeah, this training will make me beach ready and to look awesome in a sundress! There are a few things I know for certain. I can run a marathon, no problem. The issue is my time, that is the challenge. I could not care less what my time would be in Boston, but I need to run one exceptional race for this aged person to get there. I have selected the absolute flattest race in my geographic area to do so. This has been well thought out, and it will happen.
As always, the holidays with the extra down time bring introspection. Beside my physical commitment to earning unicorn status again, every time Kandi steps out, she will be so well put together, she will be so positively noticed. Recently, I have fallen into a groove with my presentation that brings me such pride. It is a combination of practice, practice, practice, investing in myself and just allowing myself to be the best me possible. I have not always done that. I have allowed myself to spend a few bucks for the right look. I always felt guilty about money spent on Kandi; I no longer do.
My new secondary job will create less wasted time at home, which has led to the bottle. I can therefore better manage drinking much less often. It will allow for the generation of the additional revenues to build toward my wife’s retirement, making the necessary upgrades to our now 30+ year old home and to spend more time and money on my Kandi time, without guilt. Taking an extra shift or two, not previously available to me, pays for a Keystone, Erie or maybe getting back into the model circuit (that costs money, does not pay money, but is amazing). It will also finance regular trips to The City with the Big Shoulders (Chicago for those who don’t get the reference, Windy City was too obvious).
Happy New Year to all of you! I love my sisters all, knowing what we go through and have endured. Represent yourself with grace, dignity and pride in who you are. I will remind all: be smart, be appropriate, be confident and be visible. Societal change is not microwaved, it is slow-cooked, we change minds one at a time!
11 Responses
Kandi ,
Happy New Year .
Sorry it’s sign of maturity ( old age ) but time does fly , for me it will be eight years of fulltime as Teresa next month . I’m looking forward to this year as much as past years , gaining new friends through my incresed involvement with art groups and the National Trust Group . Taking on new projects I thought I would never achieve , I live alone so I have little to lose but so much to gain , all I wish for is I remain healthy .
I might be getting older but I stil love choosing the right outfits to wear , I never tire of shopping whether it be a charity shop or a more expensive shop BUT I still prefer to shop in retail shops and not online , I’ve never lost the fun side of shopping , talking to SAs and customers .
I hope you get to see your grandson more , they grow so quickly , even after a few weeks , I’m sure you’ll be the best grandparent in the world .
Kandi,
I am so very happy for you, in all aspects of your life.
You are an amazing person.
Love,
Jocelyn
Happy New Year Kandi! I remain in awe of both your style and your dedication. I know that getting in shape would be beneficial for the male and female sides, I just need the right incentive to kick me in the rear. If I am fortunate enough to realize my plans for next week, that may show me what my goals are for 2026.
Enjoy your grandson, he will be the center of your universe for years to come.
Kandi,
We have been on a a similar course for 12 Years with you being highly successful in all your many adventures as Kandi as well as looking great in virtually all your presentations. Congratulations and may more are still to come.
Marie Anne
Happy New Year BFF! ❤️🎊
Happy New Year Kandi and congratulations on finding more a consistent revenue stream. I remember putting in 2000+ hours on a project and only getting $200 in royalty. A ‘learning opportunity’ like your clothing line. Good luck on re-obtaining your marathon body. You know the Big Sur Marathon is the two-fer that goes with the Boston race……..
Cali
Kandi, as I read your posts, I see a little bit of myself in your narrative. We go through life trying to find who we are as individuals. All the difficulties we face in life are ones others have overcome. I hope I can overcome the challenges that I find in my life, and like you see myself for the whole complex person I am. I have enjoyed reading all the wonderful blogs from the other girls in our community. Thank to all the wonderful girls who I have meet in Kandis Land. Most of all thank you Kandi for sharing who you are with all of us. Happy New Years to all the girls here, and wishing for a wonderful year discovering who we are.
Love to all
Julie
Kandi & all the other ladies I come here to appreciate and whom I appreciate being here, you are ever so uplifting.
Kandi, I read of your plans and mindset to achieve them this year. In the replies I read of where others are in their womanhood journies. As I have mentioned before, I feel so much like the little sister listening to the adventures her older sisters. It is so encouraging as I realize none of you arrived at where you are by the swish of some fairy’s magic wand. As I am so we’re all of you once, and as you are so I can become. You pushed forward to mature your own femininity in ways that were workable & appropriate for you. Thank you for sharing.
It seems my journey is so slow, yet I think of how far I have come in the past year. I just returned from shopping for me with my wife at her suggestion, almost insistence. (Yes, she did benefit from this spree also)
And her I sit in my kitchen in an ever so feminine new top and camisole and my G. Vanderbilt jeans, (which I wear regularly to work now), both of us going about our day as if my choice of dress is completely normal and natural. For me it is though I am not sure my wife has yet come to that understanding.
I am not a crossdresser. I am trans, a woman at my soul level. I have so far to go to be completely authentic to the world at large. Oh how I long to be that woman and like Teresa live as myself 24/7.
I can be sad I am not there or I can rejoice with where I am knowing I am headed in the right direction. I choose the later, knowing that focus will take me much further into my full time womanhood goal then lamentation about what I don’t have ever will take me.
Thank you all and may 2026 be your best womanhood year thus far.
Kindly,
Charlene
When I read comments like this, I know I am doing God’s work here. Bless you Charlene and thank you for being a vital part of our community here!
Happy New Year Kandi. I love you girl ❤️💕!
And I send my best wishes that 2026 brings you every thing you’ve wished and hoped for.
Love you as well darling!