Good morning All. Coffees on.

[Willow]

Good evening 

 

@KymmieL the combination of changing employment fields and changing states is particularly difficult.  It takes time, patience and persistence.  Don’t give up and don’t get disappointed.

 

@Mmindy thanks for your comments.  DOT physical. Are you over the road or LTL

 

@KathyLauren it’s surprising how much Shingles shots hurt.  Just wait until tomorrow if you think it hurts now.  

 

Willow

 

[Jackie C.]

2 hours ago, KathyLauren said:

Ow, ow, ow!  My wife and I got our shingles shots today.  We both had chickenpox as kids, so we are vulnerable to shingles if the virus ever chose to wake up.  Now my arm is about as sore as for a tetanus shot.

 

I've had shingles. Do not recommend. My case wasn't bad, but occurred in a very inconvenient place and were painful if pressure was applied. To be fair, my case of chicken pox was pretty mild too. I had something like seven. I didn't even feel sick. I just got to stay home for a week.

 

I'd say the cure is better than the disease, but my system absorbs stuff like that without drama. I'm sorry you're less fortunate in that regard.

 

Hugs!

[Jani]

I had shingles but it was mild and since I'm not an "itcher" I left it alone.  The doctor at work told me what it was.  My mother had it.  By the time it was determined to be shingles it had moved from the side of her face around her eye.  It was several years ago and she's had permanent damage with multiple surgeries.  The pain from the shots (2 dose) took a while to abate but it was nothing like the real thing.  Its not an illness I would wish on anyone.  

[LaurenA]

I had a severe case of shingles at 5YO.  With nothing but calamine lotion to treat it I was in misery for weeks.  I suppose because of that I should get the shot, that and the pneumonia shot.

 

On a different note when I looked in the mirror this morning I was disgusted.  That face that looked back at me looked more like Deputy Dawg than the woman I wanted to see.  It put me in such a foul mood for the rest of the day.  As much as I wanted to drink my depression away I didn't  It was just that I realized that my face would never look feminine, no matter how well I used makeup.  That the only path that would work is $30k worth of FFS along with HRT.  Grrrr.

Is that GD?  I don't know.

Edited January 9, 2021 by Jackie C.
Request from OP

[LaurenA]

GF == GD

 

Can we get editing ?

[Mmindy]

@WillowI'vet had a Chauffeurs License since turning 18 in 1975, drove commercially for many different companies before joining Chemical Leaman Tank Lines back in 1979 in St Louis, MO they required Mechanics to carry a CDL so we could move vehicles between maintenance facilities. That lead to me becoming a regional driver, then I joined the Safety Department in 1993 to develop the cooperate hazmat team responding to our company crashes or spills. This allowed me to use my fire service certifications as a springboard into an area of the company that no one was prepared for. I was able to build a team that met or exceeded OSHA and NFPA standards. I'm of the mindset that you should never let a license or certification expire, because you never know when you may need to return to that occupation. This is a picture of one of our trucks on a rail car flatbed and we cleaned up after the derailment. I really loved the to MacGyver the unloading challenges. 

 

As for the relationship comments, I'm sure you knew and understood them. I was hopefully reinforcing what you had already said. Marriage is a team event.

 

Hugs,

 

Mindy???

[Emily michelle]

I like the pic Mmindy that is a pretty R model Mack. 
 

Well I had my meeting with hr and it went amazing. She was great. We came up with a plan to move forward. We talked for 2 hours and I was assured mean comments will not be tolerated at. 

[Willow]

@Mmindy I definitely understood your team comments and that you were expanding them which is also correct, I’m just not used to being inclusive of the other life styles of couples.

 

I was curious about your CDL because at one company I worked for I was responsible for a fleet of class 6 trucks involved in interstate private transport.  I was also the companies representative to American Trucking Association.  I could drive any of these 40’ trucks and did on several occasions but I never had a cdl nor a medical as it wasn’t required for non interstate driving and I never drove across state lines.

 

@Emily michelleim happy for you that your meeting went so well and supporting.

 

Willow

[Jackie C.]

10 hours ago, LaurenA said:

Is that GD?  I don't know.

 

It can be. On the other hand, it can just mean that you're not your type. That's OK. Preferences vary wildly from human to human. Recall the number of times a friend has indicated attraction to a particular woman, you looked and thought, "Really?" Tragically, being trans doesn't turn us all into supermodels.

 

Also, don't discount the power of makeup. I've seen some routines that make me think, "Witchcraft!" Immediately afterwards, I think, "Teach me!"

 

Hugs!

[Gabriel]

9 hours ago, Emily michelle said:

Well I had my meeting with hr and it went amazing

 

That's wonderful Emily, so glad for you. Wishing you the best for your next step  

[Kiera]

16 hours ago, AngelaC said:

 . . semi truck repair shop.Got the call today and excited.

        Another wrench monkey huh? lol Is it true you never learned how, can't drive the vehicles you fix? Need to call 'Chip' at the local truck auction house. I was delivering large granite boulders to stop the new Amazon drivers from turning around in his parking lot and offhand asked him: "do ya hire own drivers or just contract out"?

Has a single axle tractor in PA he just bought and may drive it back for him. Yikes! Weather permitting of course . . .

[Elizabeth Star]

 

10 hours ago, Emily michelle said:

Well I had my meeting with hr and it went amazing. She was great. We came up with a plan to move forward. We talked for 2 hours and I was assured mean comments will not be tolerated at. 

Congrats. I looking forward to hearing how this all works out.

 

I finally ditched the mini backpack I had been using in favor of a purse. I think it's referred to as a Hobo style, cross body bag. I got it from a co-worker. Her mother buys then for her whenever their on sale. So she had a small collection and I was able to pick the one I liked. I've only had it a couple of days but OMG it is so much easier to carry around then that backpack ever was.

 

Today is my turn in the Saturday rotation so I have to work. I was planning to wear my new skirt but I got the new bag that my wife still hasn't seen. My birthday is next week maybe I'll wear it then.

 

My wife has taken a bit of the "I don't want to know about it" stance. So I'm hiding things from her, I'm just not announcing them. I'm trying to play by her ever-changing rules.

 

 

[itselysemarie]

It's way too early to be this awake and yet...here I am, so I thought I'd say hi while I'm laying here thinking about Jane's eyes. They're so blue, like skydust, and I'm in awe.

[Petra Jane]

Must admit, I was awake just before 5am this morning, took ages to get back to the Land of Nod, but the next thing I knew, it was 9.30!

 

still, almost lunch time now. ?

[Kiera]

2 hours ago, Petra Jane said:

 . . still, almost lunch time now. ?

       Lunch in The Queen's realm? Just had 7AM breakfast served at church. Joined another "men's mission group", unsure how to easy break it to them there's a woman "admirer" in their mist . . . why sooo 'gendered', always "separate"?

 

Can't imagine what the "woman groups" talk 'bout, like hangin' with "the boys", unsure I want to find out.

[Audrey]

Good morning everyone, happy Saturday. I slept in today, which for me is until around 8am. Hoping to get some good exercise outside today, it's brisk but dry here in NYC. I also made a promise to myself some months ago that I'd clean out the closets in the apartment. I've lived here for almost 10 years now and over time stuff just accumulates. I have no idea what I even own buried in the back that's been there forever. I'm hoping to get my partner's help, but she's pretty sensitive to dust, so I think I'm on my own for this project.

 

@Emily michelle I'm so glad to hear that your meeting went well yesterday and that you'll have the full support of your company leadership while transitioning on the job, and helped a lot to reduce any anxiety you might have about doing that.

 

@LaurenA The mirror is something I struggle with too. I find it's so easy to get self-critical if I spend too much time looking, and it makes dysphoria and any related depression worse. Media images of impossibly beautiful people do a lot of damage to self-esteem. Yes I'd love to look like the model wearing the dress I just bought, but that kind of envy doesn't lead anywhere good. Finding peace in our own skin is an essential part of transition, and really life in general. Hormones and surgeries can only go so far - the real work is psychological.

 

2 hours ago, ElizabethStar said:

My wife has taken a bit of the "I don't want to know about it" stance. So I'm hiding things from her, I'm just not announcing them. I'm trying to play by her ever-changing rules.

Does this mean you can make rules too? Fair's fair.

 

Love,

~Audrey.

[Jackie C.]

1 hour ago, Kiera said:

Can't imagine what the "woman groups" talk 'bout, like hangin' with "the boys", unsure I want to find out.

 

From my experience? Mostly how stupid men are.

 

Hugs!

[Jackie C.]

1 hour ago, Audrey said:

3 hours ago, ElizabethStar said:

My wife has taken a bit of the "I don't want to know about it" stance. So I'm hiding things from her, I'm just not announcing them. I'm trying to play by her ever-changing rules.

Does this mean you can make rules too? Fair's fair.

 

So... basically Calvinball, but for relationships?

 

Hugs!

[Audrey]

@Jackie C. OMG yes I was thinking of Calvin and Hobbes too. I just didn't mention it! Bill Watterson is a genius.

 

Love,

~Audrey.

[Kiera]

1 hour ago, Jackie C. said:

 

From my experience? Mostly how stupid men are.

        The things that make one go "hummm" . . for putting up with such over controlling attitudes, constantly feeling the need to constantly cater to them?

        One of our group guys, a kindred "biker", was trying to explain to me how "socialist" Christianity is, or should be? I am admittedly, quite silently, very upset about the current political situation and he just dismisses all, says it's "all in God's hands".

 

Did "God" vote this election?

[Willow]

Good morning 

 

coffee is good and black.  
 

We can see the sun this morning, but I believe there is more rain expected later.  It’s supposed to be a bit warmer next week.  Yea!  
 

today is my day to make supper.  I’m making oven fried chicken.  
 

our church is closed for the time being.  Someone accidentally exposed the entire staff including our minister to Covid so they are all in quarantine.  Our numbers for the state are the highest they’ve been.  We are definitely staying away from people.  Masking, sanitizer, even medical grade gloves if we have to go out and need to touch anything not sanitized.   Absolutely no eating out, although we will do the occasional drive through or delivery.  The boat has become an important way to get out of the house, yet socially distance and then some.

 

Must have been something in the stars last night, I was up a couple times myself.  
 

i hope everyone has a great day today.

 

Hugs

 

Willow

[Jackie C.]

1 hour ago, Kiera said:

One of our group guys, a kindred "biker", was trying to explain to me how "socialist" Christianity is, or should be? I am admittedly, quite silently, very upset about the current political situation and he just dismisses all, says it's "all in God's hands".

 

He's not wrong. Lifting up others, taking care of each other and making sure everybody has enough to live are all very socialist and New Testament ways to live.

 

Hugs!

[Heather Shay]

Good Morning everyone - time to relax, recoup, regenrate and just let go a sigh of relief. For what you ask.... for moving ahead in your journey, for being in this forum and for being with friends here who care ----- A LOT ----- and that means the world to me and hopefully to you as well.

 

Have a joy filled day and enjoy YOU..........

[Kiera]

1 hour ago, Jackie C. said:

He's not wrong. Lifting up others, taking care of each other and making sure everybody has enough to live are all very socialist and New Testament ways to live.

       Still hummm ing . . but isn't THAT what "family values" are for and not flawed, inefficient & overreaching gov't? Never regarded family life as "democratic" though rather more autocratic, tow-the-line based on loyalty & obedience despite "agreement" or not.

       Well, men leading thru Jesus' example is basically the theme for "group" this next few months suppose not-so-stupid considering most are married or divorced with kids.

LORD KNOWS many parents could do with "counseling".

 

        There are a couple of younger adults also attending, early 20's or so, unsure why they invited weird-'lil-ole'-me like to think I bring a unique view on things?

[Jackie C.]

1 hour ago, Kiera said:

Still hummm ing . . but isn't THAT what "family values" are for and not flawed, inefficient & overreaching gov't? Never regarded family life as "democratic" though rather more autocratic, tow-the-line based on loyalty & obedience despite "agreement" or not.

       Well, men leading thru Jesus' example is basically the theme for "group" this next few months suppose not-so-stupid considering most are married or divorced with kids.

LORD KNOWS many parents could do with "counseling".

 

        There are a couple of younger adults also attending, early 20's or so, unsure why they invited weird-'lil-ole'-me like to think I bring a unique view on things?

 

Classic conflict between old testament, "Obey!" and new testament, "Love thy neighbors as thyself." People tend to fall down on that last one. You need to remember that we're all your neighbors, not just your actual neighbors (people who look, act and speak much like you do). Love thy neighbors is specifically about immigrants and promoting understanding.

Jesus is a socialist. Old testament god is an autocrat.

 

As for the government, well, good people have the duty to vote good people into positions of power in the US. There are going to be inefficiencies, sure but governments can be very good at providing services that everybody needs when allowed to exercise power for all people. It starts to get bad when the government is run for the few. Which, again, is against the message of Jesus who wants us to treat everybody fairly, ESPECIALLY in matters of wealth and privilege. We're supposed to have safeguards against that happening (again, the people voting for good people to govern them), but we've lost our way.

 

Here's a good article about the types of socialism, though it leaves out the version the Nazis used which boils down to taking things from an "out group" and giving them to an "in group." My personal preference is the Democratic Socialist model. I want everybody to have a strong safety net so we're not on the streets if we lose our jobs and have the resources to re-train ourselves to function in an ever-changing world.

 

Hugs!