<insert Appropriate Casual Girlfriendy Greeting Here>

[Guest Joy]

Hiya.

I'm new to all of this. up until my big self-admission and self-revelation (approx ten days ago) this sort of subject would have been on I pointedly ignored even as I surreptiously tried to take a peek.

I'm MTF, or maybe MT??... I'm not ruling out any end points on a path down which I've only taken the first tentative steps. I 'think' and 'feel' that as female as modern science will allow will be my end goal but I'm mostly trying to breath and not rush.

It's been a crazy week. Thanks to a friendly and understanding dress saleswoman I found a local club.. resource.. shop and already learned to do make up to hide my jawline and purchased a wig that just screamed my name at me.

It's Ironic that I didn't even know what passing was one another transgendered person told me "already passing after a week. that's pretty amazing..."

but I have a lot of work ahead of me. Mostly I'm concentrating on a combination of health/vanity fitness goals. Loss of body fat will reduce a variety of health risks and complications. increased core strength would be an asset in my job where I lift people for a living. and well. I have a belly I am motivated to lose now.

Anyhow so.. . um.. Girl-me is relatively newborn and giddy as school girl.. litterally. Ever since I admitted I was a girl at heart I've discovered I'm a giggly and playful one. Utterly unlike my straightlaced and often humourless male persona...

nice to meet you all. I hope we can be friends. And at the risk of sounding needy I thank you in advance for all the help on my journey that I'm going to get from you.

sincerely,

Joy.

[Guest April63]

Hey, welcome. I hope you find any help you need.

[Guest Jean Davis]

Hey Joy

Welcome to the family, so nice to meet you.

WOW you have been busy, I see that you have many of the basics down already and that's good.

But don't go too fast with your progress, you'll come to find that the people around you will need to catch up. If you come out too quickly you'll find that you will recieve more negative responces than if you do it gradually. And some of those responces may be harmful, so please try to have a friend with you when you present female in public. We want to see you with us for a long time to come.

LUV

Jean

[Guest Magan]

Nice to meet you Joy! Welcome to Laura's

[Guest van-na]

Hi Joy,

<<hug>>

Welcome to Laura's Playground.

Please feel free to come over and chat sometime.

The Chat room does require another registration that is separate from from your forums one.

Please read the chat room rules before coming in, and expect a short interview with one of the chat room moderators.

One of the things that they will ask you is if you read the rules.

We have MTF meetings-Mon & Sat 9pm est, and you are welcome to attend.

We all look forward to seeing you.

vanna

[Guest sarah f]

Welcome to Laura's Joy. I am glad you found the site and felt like telling us a little about yourself. Since you have not been greated by one of the Mod's yet, I will let you know that this is a moderated site to keep everyone safe. Please take a look at the Forum Rules to get yourself aquainted with the site. I know you will love the site as I do.

Keep on posting and after 5 posts you can PM anyone on the site.

Love,

Sarah F

[Sally]

Hello Joy,

I see that my friend Sarah has already greeted you and reminded you to read the rules so all I need to do is invite you into the member's lounge for a sit in the comfy chairs by the fire and share a cup of hot cocoa and a batch of fresh baked cookies with you.

We are pretty casual here because we exist to support each other and supply love where indifference, ignorance and intolerance seem to prevail outside of our playground.

So come on in, feel free to ask questions, comment on posts and just have a great time learning about us and yourself.

Welcome to the family.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Joy]

thanks for the warm welcome, I'll savour the odour of the cookiees but only have one... later.

Tea for preference, Clear.

I appreciate the thoughts and am listening to the instructions.

I've read the rules and would love to say I've taken your cautions about presenting early to heart. and, belatedly, I guess I have.

The first few days were as exciting and exhilliariting as I imagine sky diving might be. but in hindsight I've noticed a couple of moments where I let my pleasure in the view distract me from my altimetre and loosen my grip on the rip chord. Currently I have both feet on the ground and believe I've managed a safe landing despite some limit-testing and risk taking. I might go into details later.

but yes. I'm just trying take deep breaths and learn the territory before I go charging off in all directions. It's hard though. Emotionally at times I'm like a little girl on her first visit to the zoo.

"Hey! no.. don't play on the rail to the Lion's pit!"

Fortunately I'm not just my girl self.

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hello, Joy...

Welcome to the Playground, Hon!

Well, I see that you've taken the speed limit advice into account...good...

Some of us got going way fast and it cost us dearly...a smooth and gradual transition is the best...

It's really good to have you here....

HUGGS!

Donna Jean

[Guest ~Brenda~]

Welcome Joy

Now that is a happy name!! I can tell you are in a very good place right now... cool!!!

You came to the right place sweetie. Of course you will be helped along in your journey

HUGS and Love

Brenda

[Guest ChloëC]

Hi Joy,

Welcome to Laura's Playground, where I see you've already met a lot of the caring, supportive and friendly people here, and already have received some suggestions and advice. Hope to see you around here!

Hugs

Chloë

[Guest Joy]

Hello, Joy...

Welcome to the Playground, Hon!

Well, I see that you've taken the speed limit advice into account...good...

Some of us got going way fast and it cost us dearly...a smooth and gradual transition is the best...

It's really good to have you here....

HUGGS!

Donna Jean

Thanks. mostly right now, the plan is.. such as I have it. taking care of myself. learning from the professionals whom I haven't met yet. and laying good basic ground work for any future planning.

to that end. Now that I've redlined my credit cards on a few dresses and other items It's mostly about basic physical fitness and self care. There IS a vanity element in that I'm actually taking time on my appearance. Heh.. I put on a wrinkly shirt that wouldn't have bothered me at all two weeks ago and got an instant visceral reaction from my girl side. "we're not going out dressed it that. change the shirt."

my nails aren't just trimmed, they're buffed and I've discovered the joys of bubble baths.

fitness wise I'm really holding out hope that I've got true motivation to stick with my club membership and personal training.

your caution is duly noted. I don't think I've burned any bridges yet but I was definitely out on limb a couple of times this week.

[Guest Fanta]

Hi Joy! Welcome. ^.^

You'll never guess who this is. /gigglesnort

[Guest Joy]

Hi Joy! Welcome. ^.^

You'll never guess who this is. /gigglesnort

Hey HUGS, thanks for refering me. this place gives me a lot of hope.

[Guest viv]

Joy,you are so welcome hun . As you can see there is just reams

of advice here at Laura"s and I bet you will find Transition all the

easier with the help and friendship at hand. So hun, a little late but

welcome aboard ,,,luv,viv

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Joy

Another late WELCOME!

I usually let other do welcome duty now as so many are so good at it - but your intro post was so great!

It hit a chord with me! And the "JOY" is so apparent. Stick with us and we will have a grand ole time!

But if you get down! You come right here IMMEDIATELY - this is a SUPPORT group you know.

Plus you don't need to do a lot of explaining - we "get it"

Good that you were referred tooooooo - doesn't always get told that way!

Lizzy

We need to go SHOPPING!

[Guest Joy]

Yay! for shopping.

okay.. one thing. what is it about girls and shoes? I used to ask this as a guy and the very day I had my big revelation I experienced it myself on an emotional level.

What is it about shoes that seeing pretty/hot/fun ones. makes us answer when asked which one we want to buy...

"uh... all of them?"