Hi

[Guest Anne_W]

Hi to you all,

I’m Anne and am new to Laura's. I’ve been hiding in the background here for a week or so, plucking up the courage to join.

I’m 45 and have known since the age of about 9 that in many ways I was different to my mates around me and quite similar to 2 very close female friends. All through my life I’ve struggled with these feelings and habits deep inside, trying to make sense of the whole thing.

Three to four years ago I was having some counselling for the loss of my girl friend to cancer, when my gender issues came up and were explored in detail. However, up until now there’s never been the right time to explore these issues formally and ask for help. Something’s always cropped up and got in the way (does that sound familiar?). That was until last Monday where I found the strength to come out to my doctor and ask for counselling with a specialist gender therapist. I’ve suddenly realised that life is too short to been miserable any longer and it’s now time to let the woman out that I’ve repressed for all these years.

Thank you for listening.

Best wishes

Anne

[Guest Zabrak]

Hello, Anne, wlecome to Laura's playground.

Don't be shy, we don't bite! We give hugs and cookies though. I'm sure all the gals will be along shortly to offer you some.

We are here to help you and offer you our support and care. Once you get enough posts to use the PM system feel free to contact me if you're having any troubles using the forum or just to chat. I'd love to become friends sometime.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Oh my dear Anne!

WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME

The cookie wagon will be here soon!

We want you to come on in and stop 'lurking" - grin! I guess is you know pretty much what we do here - so I will skip that part. Post a few times - ask questions, make comments! Hey - lot of Brits here - and we love you as you are. Me? I've known I was a girl from day one - isn't it good to let that out?

Everyone will caution you though - its HARD being transgender - so we are here to support you best we can. PLEASE, when it gets difficult and the night turns inky black - log in and post on the forum or go to chat. But usually people are just happy to see each other here. Yeaaaaaaaa

And the name "Anne" with the 'e' - that's my chosen middle name - for two of my favorite people in the whole world - both deceased, now, to my despair.

But - there are some others here with 'Anne" as middle names - and i am sure they will agree, we are so happy to have one with it as a first name!

Lizzy

[Sally]

Hi Anne,

I'm the one with the refreshments today, we have choices for you, if it is cold in the UK today, have the hot cocoa or I can make a spot of tea (I use lose tea - I may be American but I love my tea, with milk as well), we also have cold milk and a choice of cookies today, Double Chocolate Chip (I split the bag open and well- extra chips) and sugar cookies.

The food may be virtual, but the warm feelings and family atmosphere are very real.

You've been hanging around so you know that - don't be shy come on in and sit by the fire while you have those cookies and then wander all around you are among friends now.

Some of us are just starting on this journey ourselves and much older than you I even admit to 57!

I see that Lizzy is here too, I don't know which one of us types faster, but weither you read her's first or mine - she's a great girl and a wonderful friend. You're going to love her.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hello, Anne....I'm so glad that you finally came in here with us! So, you have an idea what we're doing around here due to your lurking?...lol

Well, Hon...three of the sweetest people that you'd ever meet have already said "Hi"....

Thank you for joining us and having us in your world...I think you'll really like it here with us!

Now, don't be shy....

Gee...these double chip cookies are GREAT!! Yuummm....

XXOO

Donna Jean

[Guest JennyLee McKenzie]

Hello Anne;

I Am kinda new too(Very new actually! ) I hope you get as much out of this site as I do! Hi to all you other gals too.

Jennylee McKenzie

[Guest Felicia Anne]

hi anne - welcome to lauras playground!

(hug!)

[Guest Emily.SoCal]

Heya, Anne!

Welcome to the Playground. First of all, it's nice to meet. But I'd also like to applaud you for coming out to your doctor and getting a gender therapist. Not to mention coming here and being a part of the group here at the forums! Reaching out to those who are experiencing the same things as you and talking with a specialist is nothing but positive and important steps forward in figuring this all out.

You are not alone! It's good to have you with us. See you around the forums!

-Emily

[Guest Jillian]

Hello Anne

Welcome to Laura's Playground I hope you enjoy your stay here.

Jillian

[Guest DeniseNM]

Welcome to the best little crazy slice of heaven on the internet Anne. Glad you found your way here. You have already been welcomed by some of the great people here and as Zabrak said we don't bite (although there are a few you might want to watch out for ). This is a place to talk, laugh, cry, rant and get some great informationa and support. So sit back, relax, be yourself and speak what is on your mind.

The food tray Sally has is great because no calories (sneaking a bunch of mini-pecan pies onto the tray).

Denise

[Guest Irielle]

Hi Anne and welcome!

I THOUGHT there might have been someone in the shadows here but when I turned around she was always gone. Was that you?

I'm so glad you are recognizing your TG feelings for what they are and having strength to let yourself be yourself. ANY time is the right time for that.

Lots of good peoples here and yummy non-calorie food!

Iri

[Guest Faerie Princess]

Welcome to Laura's Playground.

[Guest Evan_J]

I'm glad you stopped hiding in the background and that all those "mysterious" obstacles stopped cropping up. I'm 40 so I know the realization that you don't want to give the rest of your life away to not doing what will make things better.

I hope you find all the information as well as support that the site has to offer. The info is priceless as well as the people. Welcome aboard.

[Guest leo]

yo

welcome to the best party on earth

[Guest Anne_W]

Thank you all for the very warm welcome, the cosy fire, mug of tea and the cookies. I’m glad I’ve come in from the cold and yes Irielle; it was probably me lurking in the shadows trying to do a ninja impression, Lol.

Thanks Sally for the refreshments; they hit the spot and tea with milk, very civilized!

Lizzy, it was lovely for you to share your chosen middle name with me, but I’m sorry to hear about your two late close friends.

I had some great news today. My Doctor came up trumps with the referral to a gender therapist. I continue my therapy on 2nd March, but this time with a gender therapist. I’m delighted with the news.

I have to say that I had a warm feeling about Laura’s, but that didn’t prepare me for the greeting I received and for that I thank you all.

Best wishes,

Anne

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Anne

You won't disappear again I hope? Please let us know how it is working out - and yes - confession time, Anne's in my life included my beloved grandmother Flora Anne - and my angel first wife Carol Anne who died in childbirth years ago. And my daughter (alive and kickin' - survived her mother's death) is Jessica Anne. My sister (too mean to be anything but living - grin) is Patricia Anne. And my grandmother was named after her grandmother Flora Anne.

Love that name! OMG - just LOVE It.

And you were greeted by some of the best people on earth...

Yeaaaaaaa

Lizzy

[Guest jaime_lynn]

Anne,

I'm a little late to the party here, but welcome from across the pond! I too have been here only a short time, but have found it to be such a warm and inviting place full of friends, shoulders and much love for each other.

Feel free to ask questions and be open, this has to be one of the most non-judgemental places I have ever been to.

Kisses and Hugs Sister!

Jaime Lynn

[Guest Sashel Trace]

Welcome ^^ New people are always good. Join in some conversations, make friends, enjoy ^^

[Guest Anne_W]

Thank you Sashel and Jaime_Lynn for your warm welcome. Oh Lizzy! My word doesn’t Anne have significant meaning in your life. I’m so sorry to hear about your first wife. I too have lost too many close friends in very recent years to cancer and a very close friend is clinging onto life in hospital due to cancer and I’m expecting the inevitable news at any time. All of this has helped me realize that life is so fragile, which in turn has helped me to decide that now is the right time to let the woman inside me out.

The name Anne chose me last autumn and wouldn’t go away when I kept dismissing it. At the beginning of January I looked up its meaning and the term ‘gracious’ just fits so well. So here I am!

Thanks again

Anne

[Sally]

Hey,

I just noticed that you have am appointment with a gender therapist on March 2.

That isn't all that far away, congratulations!

Be sure to come in and sit down and tell us all about it when you get home - I'll have a pot of tea ready and there will be milk, I might even be able to rustle up (a Texas term for find some) Scones if you would like.

Love ya,

Sally