Good morning All. Coffees on.

[Bri2020]

Well the first cuppa went way to quick this morn now I have to go for my morning walk.  I'm just losing motivation for exercise.  I've definitely plateaued my weight loss.  Which on the one hand is good- I think that means my t blockers and E have changed my metabolism on the other hand I was really hoping to lose 5 more pounds before that happened.  I've been on HRT about 5 1/2 weeks now.  Basically that's the only change I've noticed. I know it's early days but I'm rather impatient.  

Well, enough whining, I'm off to walk.  I will check back later , Kisses.

Bri

[Willow]

Good morning 

 

coffee just signals it’s ready.  I only share my Jr High swim class embarrassment with my therapist and wife but it’s on the order of super bad. Yes carried books wrong.  Ran wrong.  You name it, I did it and I sure as !! didn’t know why until pretty recently.

 

Willow

[AmberM]

Waking up to my cup of coffee slowly. Waiting on the pharmacy to fill the prescription, their current ETA is this afternoon. Got my Flu shot also done yesterday so waking up fairly sore, and because of medications I think it is NSAIDs, so I kind of am just going to tolerate it today.

 

My mom and I talked about this when we saw each other last weekend, and she could remember quirky things growing up where I avoided getting messy, the way I would dress myself, carry myself, and the way I would play pretend more often than playing cops & robbers, army, or other rougher things.

 

I remember so many things growing up that were suppressed at some point.

[KymmieL]

Well for me, it was wanting short shorts(cut offs)My mom asked,do you want to showoff your butt. School was just a nightmare. barely any friends none in Jr high. no girl friends.

 

well, chiropractic appt this morning then get my wig this afternoon. yeah. I'm going to be a happy girl today. sore maybe but a happy girl, none the less.

 

Kymmie

[Confused1]

13 hours ago, Jandi said:

 The locker room was terrifying. 

 

I always wondered if anyone else felt this. The locker room after gym class was the most horrifying experience of anything in high school for me. I told my therapist to think of the movie "Carrie" but from the male side. I was so out of place!

 

Hugs,

Mike

[KendraML]

 

Locker room was terrifying for me in high school also,I was asked if I was feminine in a very mean way.Wanted to punch the people that did it,my heart said no knowing it would of got me in trouble.Walked away was the right answer

[Mmindy]

Good morning everyone,

 

I'm finishing off the last of my 40 ounces of coffee. Yes it was HOT, STRONG, and BLACK.

People are noticing my weight loss and new clothes are sliding down the androgynous/non-binary scale. They're also asking about my hair and my intentions. My Biker friends have not issues yet. My Rodeo friends are worrying whether I'll have a man bun or top knot, they remind me that their knives are sharp. My Fire Service friend, just think it's a retirement freedom and are cool with it. In my head I'm thinking like the Joker... "Wait till they get a load of Me!"

 

I pray that my makeup is never that clownish, but I'm not going to shy away from it once I make the public outing.

 

Love you all,

 

Mindy???

 

 

[Jani]

12 hours ago, Berni said:

Maybe, all these years I was secretly in drag all these years?

Who knows!!!   I recall my therapist asking at our first appointment if I was wearing women's clothing.  I wasn't, but I certainly had chosen my wardrobe carefully as I always did.

[Kylie]

@JustineMThe new hair looks wonderful. It takes time to learn how to wear wigs right. I ended up doing sew ins for a while. Now that my hair is long, it drives me crazy! 
 

Up working on coffee #2 this AM. Been having some sleepless nights for no reason. Going on my first date tonight in a few years since my now ex and I split a few weeks back. Trying to be open to dating again. He is cooking dinner and a movie to watch. So excited for this outing. 
 

Hope everyone has a fantastic day. 

[Heather Shay]

@QuestioningAmber I think it's wonderful your mom brought up those things - that shows she is now going to think back on the indicators and help you. My mom and dad passed but when I told my Godmother (my mom's youngest sister) she did the same thing - told me about concerns my mom had about me and shared with my aunt and that tells me she is with me and that is comforting and helpful.

 

Again congrats on HRT - mark it on your calendar...

[KendraML]

Mom says I am much happier and doesn't miss her son she had once replaced with a daughter.I did tell her finally that I tried on a few of her clothes when I was 15 and 16 years old while she was at work last night.Said that is ok and said I was finding out who I was from the inside.I was relieved she did take it well.Found out her grandson I gave her will be her granddaughter came out as bigender and can't wait to meet her new granddaughter Allison on Saturday.Said she is going to support Allison through her journey too.

[Willow]

Hi everyone  So I have a question for you to consider.

 

generally we grew up as male.  We learned about cars right?  So, if we were already feeling feminine traits, why did we learn about cars and engines and why do a number of us work in the auto/motorcycle business?  That’s my question why did you, if you did, go towards auto parts, repairs, bodywork?  And I’m not asking something I didn’t do too.  
 

in high school I got a job in a motorcycle shop.  I still do all my own auto maintenance and and I am going to see if I can rebuild a marine diesel.  Well, if I can get it to bar over, I’ll put it back together I’m not sure if it’s damaged at the crankshaft or if it water locked but when it quit it wouldn’t turn.

 

Willow

[Bri2020]

3 hours ago, Kylie said:

Going on my first date tonight in a few years since my now ex and I split a few weeks back. Trying to be open to dating again. He is cooking dinner and a movie to watch. So excited for this outing. 
 

 

Good luck! That's very exciting. 

2 hours ago, KendraML said:

Mom says I am much happier and doesn't miss her son she had once replaced with a daughter.I did tell her finally that I tried on a few of her clothes when I was 15 and 16 years old while she was at work last night.Said that is ok and said I was finding out who I was from the inside.I was relieved she did take it well.Found out her grandson I gave her will be her granddaughter came out as bigender and can't wait to meet her new granddaughter Allison on Saturday.Said she is going to support Allison through her journey too.

All such great news!

[Bri2020]

1 hour ago, Willow said:

Hi everyone  So I have a question for you to consider.

 

generally we grew up as male.  We learned about cars right?  So, if we were already feeling feminine traits, why did we learn about cars and engines and why do a number of us work in the auto/motorcycle business?  That’s my question why did you, if you did, go towards auto parts, repairs, bodywork?  And I’m not asking something I didn’t do too.  
 

in high school I got a job in a motorcycle shop.  I still do all my own auto maintenance and and I am going to see if I can rebuild a marine diesel.  Well, if I can get it to bar over, I’ll put it back together I’m not sure if it’s damaged at the crankshaft or if it water locked but when it quit it wouldn’t turn.

 

Willow

WHile I still love cars from an aesthetic point of view, I really don't care how much HP or things like that.  I used to work on my own cars but between age and feeling more at peace with myself, if I never pick up a wrench again I would be a happy woman.  I learned because my dad insisted on learning and my first car was towed home on a rope behind my dad's car and he said, get it running and it's yours so...

[Bri2020]

1 hour ago, Willow said:

Hi everyone  So I have a question for you to consider.

 

generally we grew up as male.  We learned about cars right?  So, if we were already feeling feminine traits, why did we learn about cars and engines and why do a number of us work in the auto/motorcycle business?  That’s my question why did you, if you did, go towards auto parts, repairs, bodywork?  And I’m not asking something I didn’t do too.  
 

in high school I got a job in a motorcycle shop.  I still do all my own auto maintenance and and I am going to see if I can rebuild a marine diesel.  Well, if I can get it to bar over, I’ll put it back together I’m not sure if it’s damaged at the crankshaft or if it water locked but when it quit it wouldn’t turn.

 

Willow

WHile I still love cars from an aesthetic point of view, I really don't care how much HP or things like that.  I used to work on my own cars but between age and feeling more at peace with myself, if I never pick up a wrench again I would be a happy woman.  I learned because my dad insisted on learning and my first car was towed home on a rope behind my dad's car and he said, get it running and it's yours so...

[Bri2020]

Baby's got a new handbag!  Scored a Tory at consignment shop for only $65!  Now I need some pumps to match

[AmberM]

@Willow I never really had a fascination with cars to be honest. I had to learn to change my own oil because it would be a valuable life skill, but I only worked on my car a handful of times. Honestly I am with Bri, if I don't have to do something mechanical again with my car, I wouldn't really complain. I do work on designing computer software and implementing the design, which is still fairly male dominated. I think it goes back to my interest in understanding how things work, mixed with wanting to solve problems for others.

[Ivy]

When I was young, I didn’t really mess with them.   When the rescission hit in the 70’s I took a mechanic course with the GI bill.  I liked it okay, and always worked on my own stuff after that (but never professionally).  Of course in my case it was mostly a matter of keeping worn out junk functioning.  
We used to swap engines and stuff in the front yard.   Some of the stuff we did was scary.  
Interestingly, one of my daughters is a professional mechanic now.   She says she got interested watching the shade-tree stuff. 
When things went more and more to computers I pretty much got left behind, except for brakes and stuff like that.    And of course I’m older now, and laying on the cold wet ground in January has lost it’s appeal for me. 

[Jackie C.]

3 hours ago, Willow said:

Hi everyone  So I have a question for you to consider.

 

generally we grew up as male.  We learned about cars right?  So, if we were already feeling feminine traits, why did we learn about cars and engines and why do a number of us work in the auto/motorcycle business?  That’s my question why did you, if you did, go towards auto parts, repairs, bodywork?  And I’m not asking something I didn’t do too.  
 

in high school I got a job in a motorcycle shop.  I still do all my own auto maintenance and and I am going to see if I can rebuild a marine diesel.  Well, if I can get it to bar over, I’ll put it back together I’m not sure if it’s damaged at the crankshaft or if it water locked but when it quit it wouldn’t turn.

 

Willow

 

Nope. I can't even change a tire. I find female mechanics hot as heck though.

 

Hugs!

Edited October 9, 2020 by Jackie C.
Typing is hard. I blame keyboard gremlins.

[Willow]

Interesting answers so far.  I was expecting to read things like it was expected of me as a teen and I stayed with it until...

 

I was always the curious type that wanted to know how things were made or worked. And when I was older  I did those things that were expected.  I still do most f my own work but I figure those days are about over.

 

it will be interesting to hear from some more of the pros.

 

Willow

[Jani]

I never took any courses in school for mechanics and such.  I just have a sense for it.  I worked on jets in the Navy, and as a mechanic in a car dealership.  I do all my own work, excepting anything electronic which is out of my realm.  I was afraid I would have to give up this when I transitioned but I've found that women can do what we want!  I still play with cars, and have the tee shirt that says so! 

 

 

[Elizabeth Star]

I had to learn how to fix things, especially cars since I didn’t have the money to buy anything in decent shape. I have a knack for understanding how mechanical things function and have good hand-coordination. I fix things because I have to not that I want to. 

[Ivy]

2 hours ago, ElizabethStar said:

I fix things because I have to not that I want to. 

Yeah, this happens a lot.

[KathyLauren]

4 hours ago, Willow said:

Hi everyone  So I have a question for you to consider.

 

generally we grew up as male.  We learned about cars right?  So, if we were already feeling feminine traits, why did we learn about cars and engines and why do a number of us work in the auto/motorcycle business?  That’s my question why did you, if you did, go towards auto parts, repairs, bodywork?  And I’m not asking something I didn’t do too.  
 

 

I am tempted to say that women can be mechanics, so there is nothing un-feminine about working on cars.  But, though I believe that now, I didn't at the time.

 

The true answer in my case is that I was trying to pass as a guy.  I bought an antique car ('38 Packard Super-8 7-passenger sedan) because both my brothers did ('47 Chrysler and '53 Nash, respectively).  I learned to work on it because, well, what else are you going to do with it?  A friend of mine joked, "Great hobby: it keeps you off the streets!"

 

I joined the air force for the same reason, to pass as a guy.  Like all the guys on the base, I did my own tune-ups and oil changes at the base auto club.

 

*sigh*  It was really i mportant to me to pass as a guy.

 

I am good at all that stuff, because I learned by doing it, and because I had an aptitude for it.  But I don't enjoy it.  I enjoyed being good at it at the time, but I didn't ever really enjoy the activity itself.  I change my own tires, including installing my winter tires when the season comes, just because it is practical and I am cheap.  I don't do much under the hood, because, frankly, cars don't even look like cars under the hood any more.

[Lee H]

I hate working on the damn things, but, no surprise, I took Auto Shop in HS, went out with my father on plumbing contracting jobs as sort of an "apprentice apprentice," got a tireman job bustin' truck tires [that was about as male oriented as it could get], became the rigger in a boat shop for a summer, then finally drove school bus through much of college. Throughout, I had a '51, then '60's broke-down Fords. Hated working on them. Finally a VW, so I got the Hip VW Repair Manual, and followed all directions. "Take a break, light up a joint."

For me, it was a lot more nurture and necessity as opposed to nature and knowhow....

~~Hugs to all we "Women in Non-Traditional Jobs" from Lee~~