Good morning All. Coffees on.

[Marcie Jensen]

15 minutes ago, Hannah Renee said:

Finished my first week of my first job in just over 2 years. The dead name issue is, so far, a non-issue. Everything is just so normal. Just the new woman at work. Hannah. She. Her. 

 

I've been so apprehensive about spring and being more visible as my "new" self, and now with the job. Everything is so normal. It's as if this has always been me. Oh, wait...

Hannah, I am so happy for you! It sounds like all is coming together in a good way. You rock!

[Mmindy]

5 minutes ago, Marcie Jensen said:

Again, thanks everyone for the support.

Good afternoon Marcie,

 

I'm glad you found a place to serve your needs for a nice place to do your clothing shopping.

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[Mmindy]

7 minutes ago, Hannah Renee said:

Gentle tears as I type this.

Happy you're finding your true self.

 

Hugs,

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[Heather Nicole]

@Marcie Jensen Sorry about that experience. I suspect that store may already be spiraling, and they likely know it. I've found that every single store, big or small, where I've ever encountered particularly bad customer service ended up out of business within a few years or so. It's a vicious cycle: Bad customer service drives customers away. That hurts the bottom line. The employees and managers notice things aren't going well, so they both stop caring, leading to worse working conditions and even more abysmal customer service, which drives more customers away. Then it all goes belly-up. And with online competition these days, that's something the brick and mortar stores really can't afford to mess around with, more so now than ever. Heck, the only Macy's out near me already shut down a few years ago.

 

Don't forget to leave a review in Google Maps!

 

[Marcie Jensen]

29 minutes ago, Heather Nicole said:

@Marcie Jensen Sorry about that experience. I suspect that store may already be spiraling, and they likely know it. I've found that every single store, big or small, where I've ever encountered particularly bad customer service ended up out of business within a few years or so. It's a vicious cycle: Bad customer service drives customers away. That hurts the bottom line. The employees and managers notice things aren't going well, so they both stop caring, leading to worse working conditions and even more abysmal customer service, which drives more customers away. Then it all goes belly-up. And with online competition these days, that's something the brick and mortar stores really can't afford to mess around with, more so now than ever. Heck, the only Macy's out near me already shut down a few years ago.

 

Don't forget to leave a review in Google Maps!

 

Thanks Heather Nicole. The support helps. Frankly, I was more angry than anything else about what happened. I also think you're correct in your assessment of the situation at that store. I will leave a review in Google maps. Had not thought of that one.

 

And, yes, online shopping is killing brick and mortar stores of all types. The pandemic did not help brick and mortar stores either. I don't know about anyone else, but most of my shopping is online these day, with the exception of groceries. I admit, I stil like to pick out produce, meat and dairy in person.

[Willow]

Hi shoppers

 

I would like to add a store to the good list, Belk.  Now, Belk is not your class A store.  However I’ve been to several different one and in different cities. I’ve never been mistreated.  Never denied any service.  However, currently Belk is operating under an austerity program so it is not only difficult (but not impossible) to get help, but it’s hard to find an open dressing room (using Covid as the reason) and or an open register.

 

Willow

[Guest]

Belk's has been around a long time. It is a shame they have come across hard times. Belk's has a foundation as well.

https://www.belkfoundation.org/tbf-dei/

 

I found this interesting. I just wish most shoe stores had more sizes that fit us.

[MirandaB]

Good morning!

 

Yesterday was our town's 4th annual Pride flag raising and 1st ever Pride Fest. Mrs was instrumental starting the Pride group years ago and is the emcee for the flag bit. I volunteered to help at the fest, so was there bright and early in a Trans flag tee, performing womanual labor, setting up rainbow arches, etc.

 

Then the usual speeches for the flag raising, except this time Mrs said she wanted to do the actual raising with me. And some of the speeches actually got me choked up, older man talking about the closet, and young kid who got the local high school to ease their graduation gown gendering.

 

Before my later 'shift' at the Pride tent I stood in line for the Sephora people who were there giving people eye makeup, so got some over the top pink and blue eye makeup done. I came out to a few people who know me mostly thru Mrs, some still aren't in on it and talked about my 'rock star' hair. 

[Mmindy]

Good morning everyone,

 

Even on this very warm Sunday morning, coffee is still the drink of choice.

 

I hope everyone has a great day.

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[Mmindy]

Happy Birthday @Jandi

 

I hope you have a wonderful day.

 

>Hugs<

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[CD Rachel]

Happy Birthday @Jandi 

 

hope you have a great day.

[Davie]

Not a happy day for me. Couldn't ride a bike yesterday. My legs are growing too weak. Don't know what to do. Pray for me.

— Davie

 

[Mmindy]

1 minute ago, Davie said:

My legs are growing too weak. Don't know what to do. Pray for me.

Davie, you are in my daily prayers. 🙏💖🙏

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[CD Rachel]

Hi @Davie I am saddened to hear of your difficulty. Please know that I too will be praying for you.

 

Is there any way you could get physical therapy? It may help strengthen you.

 

With love

~Rachel

 

 

[JustineM]

Made it home safely, but driving 500 miles in 3 days has this girl worn OUT.  Had an amazing time at the wedding, gendered and addresses correctly the entire time. Tina took great Pride in introducing me as her sister. Even the other family we met up with before the wedding gendered me correctly, well most of the time. All in all a pretty good weekend. 

[CD Rachel]

Well good Sunday evening to everyone. 

 

Today I went to the Stroudsburg pride celebration. I was fighting my anxiety hard. So many times I wanted to turn back. but Rachel helps me to keep going. I parked 2 blocks from the event and while walking the 2 blocks I noticed how closed up I was. It was as if I was trying to pull my body back into myself. But my feet kept moving me towards the crowds and the sounds of music. Once I got to the festival I felt more comfortable. I was among my people and the various smiles that I received booted my confidence. I wandered the event for a few hours. I purchased a gift for my daughter and enjoyed the feeling of being me in public.

 

I was a little shocked when a stranger walked up to me and told me that I looked great. I smiled and thanked her for the compliment. Over the next 2 1/2 hours I had gotten 5 more compliments and 2 hugs!!! Is this some kind of pride day thing? This did a lot to boost my confidence and just feel accepted.

 

One particular band that I enjoyed was called Rubrics pubic. They were high energy sort of punk band. I couldn't keep myself from a little dancing. When I finally left due to my shoulders getting sunburned I walked away with my head held high. I accept that I am a trans woman. The world will just have to accept me as I am.

 

~Rachel

 

Pictures are getting ready to go to Pride and at Pride.

[CD Rachel]

@JustineM Glad to hear that everything went well and that you are back home safe. That is a lot of driving.

 

Rachel

[Davie]

Thanks, @Mmindy and  @CD Rachel Feeling better to talk to a doctor, get advice and plan actions for tomorrow—and chiropractor, too. Watching a USA soccer game now -- their jerseys:

-- Davie

[Willow]

Hi everyone 

 

well, it’s the last Monday living on the boat.  I was beginning to wonder if this day would ever come.

 

A brief word from our sponsor, sing with me! “Chock full of nuts is that heavenly coffee, heavenly coffee, Heavenly coffee.”  Some times that just exactly how I am, “Sometimes  I feel like a nut, sometimes I don’t.”  Sorry, it just popped in my mind and flew to my fingers.  No more jingles, I promise. (Good for 24 hours)

 

Not much going on today.  But we are going to have to pick up a few things at the store today.  And the boat needs a new chain roller.  I suppose that can wait.  I’ve been trying to swab the deck, but I haven’t had enough water pressure.  Good thing I’ve got some replacement bilge pumps, neither one was working right yesterday.  The big one kicked in and was pumping a heavy steady flow.  That cause concern so I checked,  my bilge was nearly spilling over.  It had picked up oil so I had to shut off the bilge pump as it discharges the water overboard.  I had to get another pump and pump it into a bucket so I could dump it on land.  There wasn’t much oil but any oil in the water is an issue.

 

guess I’ll drink my coffee and contemplate.

 

Willow

 

 

[Ivy]

Davie-  Sorry to hear you're having trouble with your legs.

 

And it looks like you had a great day Rachel.  And a good trip for you Justine.

 

Just got home from spending the weekend at my daughter's house.  Had a nice laid-back time.

Their neighborhood is very welcoming, with the occasional Pride Flag.  The next-door neighbors have 2 transgender college kids, who I unfortunately didn't get to meet.

[Mmindy]

6 hours ago, Willow said:

There wasn’t much oil but any oil in the water is an issue.

I'm glad you're getting ready to have a home on land to stay in. I hope it doesn't get in the way of your sailboat adventures. As of the bilge pump picking up oil... I glad you were monitoring it and minimized the oil impact on the water. Most people don't realize how little oil it takes to look like a huge rainbow sheen.

 

Best wishes, stay motivated and ship shape,

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[KymmieL]

GOOOOOOOOD EEEEEVVVVEEEENNNNNIIIINNNGGG.  (trying my best Bella Lugosi) 

 

Willow, congrats on finally getting into your new place. We are still on the search, We looked at a place on Sat. Couldn't believe they wanted 300k for that place. Right now nothing in our price range. I guess that is the market now a days. sucks.

 

So far everything is going OK with me. I have an appointment with my GYN on Thursday. Being that both my wife and youngest are working days for the summer. I will be wearing a dress, Actually the one I planned on wearing to the reunion dinner that was to be tomorrow night but was canceled. Being it is forecast to be in the 80s in Cheyenne Thursday. I think it is some kind of moral imperative to wear a dress. 

 

Finally got one of my xmas presents to myself put in. Now to get the air tank, air hoses, and power hooked up.  Then for the biggie the  Warn winch.

 

Yeah, tomorrow is my Friday. a day earlier than normal. Don't mind.

 

Kymmie

[Heather Nicole]

3 hours ago, Hannah Renee said:

Comfortable, relaxing a little, yet missing something. Someone. Someone to hold me. Can't remember the last time someone held me. Maybe never. Maybe I was the one who was doing the holding. Maybe some day. Maybe not. But I'm still happy to be just me.

 

Oooh girl, for whatever it might be worth, you're certainly not the only one!!! Could've taken the words right out of my mouth!!! *fellowship hugs*

[Willow]

Hi friends

 

rough day yesterday.  Just about 1pm we get an email from our lender.  They can’t accept some of the things I sent them, the have to be in a specific file format.  Or other issues.  If I don’t correct them immediately we can’t close on Thursday.  We were out doing things in preparation for the big day.  So back home we go.  I am feverishly trying to get them documents in their format but not having much success.  Around here the bank lobbies close at 3 and it’s 3:30. One particular bank doesn’t provide certain data in an acceptable format.  Back and forth we go.  Call customer service they will get you what we want.  So I do.  No such luck.  Not only are they only able to do what I was doing , they were only willing to mail the data, not fax or email and only to me, not to my lender.  Very uncooperative.  We are getting to the panic stage.  The lender finally admits, actually you aren’t really scheduled to close on Thursday that’s just a date we put in our system as a place holder.  WHAT?  Then they say we have time because their appraiser can’t do his work until the 8th or 9th because when they went last week it wasn’t finished yet.  WHAT?  A while later I get an automated email to review the appraisal report, the one they said wasn’t done.  WHAT?  It’s dated June 2nd and has photos showing everything is done.  Do you think the lender is just making stuff up?

 

Anyway, we aren’t closing this Thursday.  We have no clue when we are closing.  We are at impasse. One document they want is a phantom of their imagination.  It doesn’t exist.  I’ve been fighting with them for a month over this phantom document.  Last week they accepted what I had as being the document they wanted.  Today it isn’t, now wha?  Seems they keep trying to cover up their problems by making them mine.

[Marcie Jensen]

40 minutes ago, Willow said:

Hi friends

 

rough day yesterday.  Just about 1pm we get an email from our lender.  They can’t accept some of the things I sent them, the have to be in a specific file format.  Or other issues.  If I don’t correct them immediately we can’t close on Thursday.  We were out doing things in preparation for the big day.  So back home we go.  I am feverishly trying to get them documents in their format but not having much success.  Around here the bank lobbies close at 3 and it’s 3:30. One particular bank doesn’t provide certain data in an acceptable format.  Back and forth we go.  Call customer service they will get you what we want.  So I do.  No such luck.  Not only are they only able to do what I was doing , they were only willing to mail the data, not fax or email and only to me, not to my lender.  Very uncooperative.  We are getting to the panic stage.  The lender finally admits, actually you aren’t really scheduled to close on Thursday that’s just a date we put in our system as a place holder.  WHAT?  Then they say we have time because their appraiser can’t do his work until the 8th or 9th because when they went last week it wasn’t finished yet.  WHAT?  A while later I get an automated email to review the appraisal report, the one they said wasn’t done.  WHAT?  It’s dated June 2nd and has photos showing everything is done.  Do you think the lender is just making stuff up?

 

Anyway, we aren’t closing this Thursday.  We have no clue when we are closing.  We are at impasse. One document they want is a phantom of their imagination.  It doesn’t exist.  I’ve been fighting with them for a month over this phantom document.  Last week they accepted what I had as being the document they wanted.  Today it isn’t, now wha?  Seems they keep trying to cover up their problems by making them mine.

Oh Willow, I am so sorry this is happening to you. It looks like your lender is playing some sort of games with you. Either that or they are so incompetent that they don't know what they're doing. Be patient, girlfriend. You will get the house in the end.

Hugs,

Marcie