Good morning All. Coffees on.

[stveee]

17 minutes ago, Heather Nicole said:

 

Ahh. That's a tough break 🙁

 

Only thing still open was Burger King. Not sure if it's a general Burger King truth or just because nobody goes to a rest stop Burger King to buy a coffee late at night, but that was one terrible cup o' Joe!

Ah, I remember stopping at a BK on the Ohio Turnpike years ago. It was post-apocalyptic. The burger itself probably was cooked a few days before and the pop was flat, the place was deserted and trashy. Like a Burger King in the old Soviet Republic and Corporate forgot to close it down years ago.

[Teri Anne]

I don't see why anyone goes to Starbucks to be honest.

The coffee isn't that good and they charge crack head prices for it.

The staff are rude and hateful and customers put up with it.

I have no use for those kind of people so I don't go there.

If I need coffee on the road I'll go to a Buc ees travel stop or any decent truck stop.

 

[Willow]

Hi

 

i had a great night with the teens.  The group was a bit smaller, but they interact better.  
 

the drive home was getting long but we stopped at a rest stop and went to the toilet.  (My wife went with me.). No, it’s wasn’t like the Ohio or Pennsylvania turnpikes or many others I’ve traveled.  No food, coffee or fuel, just restrooms.  
 

Got home and immediately took the dog for a walk.  Coming back, there was a cat by our door.  I was sort of jogging but the dog took off, pulled me down and even drug me before she stopped.

 

I was scrapped up, ruined my capris and I already have several muscle aches.  I imagine that I’ll really feel it tomorrow.

 

good night

 

Willow

[Ticket For Epic]

5 hours ago, Teri Anne said:

I don't see why anyone goes to Starbucks to be honest.

The coffee isn't that good and they charge crack head prices for it.

The staff are rude and hateful and customers put up with it.

The one I go to is amazing!  Nothing but smiles and open acceptance, several queer and gender nonconforming employees, at least two enby and if I'm not mistaken, one woman of trans experience in early transition.   I do however, live in the "happy valley" a VARY queer area. 

 

They are pricey though and Italian style coffee is often in conflict with the American palette.

 

Sorry to hear yours isn't up to par and hope you have or find a café you love!   They are imprtant!!!

 

[KymmieL]

I have never set foot inside a Starbucks. Don't care for the fancy coffees. Just give me coffee, cream and 3 sugars please.

 

Well less that 2 weeks until we close on our house. Uber excited as this is the first home we have ever owned. Now the fun is beginning packing, then lugging all the junk to a vehicle. Thankfully our new home is one level. Just a couple stairs. and a shorter carry.

 

Our oldest is in Colorado this weekend. The wife hasn't heard anything from him, as we hoped to have dinner with them. Oh, well. I am really starting to believe that our oldest is embarrassed of us. I just wonder if he will ever visit us ever again. 

 

Up early to get a early start at work today. Then early off, and the packing begins. ya

 

Kymmie

[Bri2020]

44 minutes ago, KymmieL said:

 

 

Up early to get a early start at work today. Then early off, and the packing begins. ya

 

Kymmie

Ugh, I hate the whole moving process but at least it's offset by owning your first place! Congrats.  Only advice- make sure the documents all have the same name as your IDs in case you started the name change process. (and don't forget the IDs when you go to closing). People forgetting their ID is the number one reason closings get delayed.

[JaelynnN]

Met my new neighbors this morning,very open minded.Last neighbors were a-holes towards my husband and knowing we are both transgender.Said they see any LGBT people like any normal person.

[Willow]

Good Saturday morning everyone.

 

I think every square inch of my body hurts today thanks to last nights dog verses cat chase.  (See previous post if you didn’t already). 
 

I was awakened by a thunderstorm out over the ocean.  Amazing how far the sound traveled here.  No hills or trees to muffle it.

 

the plan is or was to try to reduce our storage needs down to our smaller unit to save money.  I’m not real certain that’s possible but I’m going to try.

 

we have a couple of night stands made out of solid maple, a couple of antiques 4 bicycles, tools and boxes of sewing things.  We have way to many sewing machines.  And we already sold one and gave another to our daughter.  We still have three!  And a heavy duty heat press, a couple of cutting machines.  The thought was to start a custom t-shirt business.  Oh well.

 

weather permitting I need to finish clearing and cleaning my boat then take pictures so we can sell it.    I do plan on keeping the inflatable dinghy.  And I intend on selling a 15hp outboard I have..

pits unfortunate but I just can’t afford to keep the sailboat.  
 

hugs

 

 Willow 
 

 

 

[stveee]

ok after taking a step back i think i learned something about early transition relationships for me, like the first time i was seen and accepted as myself it ran the gamut of euphoric to weird to "is this it?".

And then feeling many "new" emotions that arise challenge to interpret the situation. 

Vacation time is approaching, and lesson from last year was planning far ahead. So weird last year's vacay I remember a couple months before deciding to transition I was just in a void, a funk. Just aimless. Hung out at home. 

This year trans girl is hitting the road, or something. 

 

[Ivy]

3 hours ago, KymmieL said:

I have never set foot inside a Starbucks. Don't care for the fancy coffees.

About the only time I have gone to one was to use the internet when away from home.  Yeah, the coffee is overpriced in my opinion.

 

In some states the pitstops are a concession - especially on tollroads.  Here in NC rest stops are just that - rest stops.  Bathrooms and vending machines.  Most are nice though, with trees and picnic tables.  The restrooms are nice, but I'm still scared to use them for other reasons.

 

I'm not a coffee snob.  Sure I like a good cup.  But it's just Folgers at home.  I have a grinder but seldom use it.

 

When I was still working (for the city) I would get it at convenience stores.  I learned where the decent stuff was.  Convenience stores are a crapshoot.

 

1 hour ago, Willow said:

I think every square inch of my body hurts today thanks to last nights dog verses cat chase.

Sorry to hear about your exciting time last night.

[WillowA113]

Heheh 😏🤭 

69 nice 👍 

[Teri Anne]

14 hours ago, Ticket For Epic said:

The one I go to is amazing!  Nothing but smiles and open acceptance, several queer and gender nonconforming employees, at least two enby and if I'm not mistaken, one woman of trans experience in early transition.   I do however, live in the "happy valley" a VARY queer area. 

 

They are pricey though and Italian style coffee is often in conflict with the American palette.

 

Sorry to hear yours isn't up to par and hope you have or find a café you love!   They are imprtant!!!

 

You shouldn't have to live in an "area" to get good service at an establishment.

My point is the caliber of employees they hire.

 

[Willow]

Oh my, now my back hurts.  We started consolidating down to a single unit. Still have a lot to do but on top of the dog injury’s I now have strained back muscles.  Can’t win.  Think I’ll go to the pool.  Anyone care to join me?

 

We have a Starbucks I can readily walk to.  Just across the street from our owners clubhouse.  I will drink Starbucks coffee, in fact the ground coffee I have is a Starbucks.  I will also occasionally go to the Starbucks out front.  If I get hot coffee, it’s an Americano.  But for the summer they have a virgin arnold Palmer sort of iced drink I like.

 

and I splurge and get a chocolate croissant.

 

Rest areas in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia are all just that Rest areas.  At least North and South Carolina both also have rest stops on highways other than interstates.  Between our home and Wilmington on Rt 17 we pass or stop at two one in each state.  Funny thing, they are only 14 miles between them.

 

@stveeemy first female outings even before starting hormones were mini vacations.

 

Willow

[Ivy]

35 minutes ago, Willow said:

Funny thing, they are only 14 miles between them.

NC has them near the borders, combination Rest Area & "Welcome Centers".

[Jackie C.]

15 hours ago, Willow said:

Oh my, now my back hurts.  We started consolidating down to a single unit. Still have a lot to do but on top of the dog injury’s I now have strained back muscles.  Can’t win.  Think I’ll go to the pool.  Anyone care to join me?

 

RICE sweetie. Rest, ice, compression and elevation. Some light stretching in a sauna if you have one available should help you loosen up too.

 

Hugs!

[KymmieL]

17 hours ago, Willow said:

Oh my, now my back hurts.  We started consolidating down to a single unit. Still have a lot to do but on top of the dog injury’s I now have strained back muscles.  Can’t win.  Think I’ll go to the pool.  Anyone care to join me?

 

Willow

I estimate that I will be in the same condition in a couple of weeks. The pool sounds great. Can I wear my bikini? LOL.

 

Hugs,

Kymmie

[CD Rachel]

Hi everyone,

 

@Willow I hope your feeling better. 

 

BLUF: I had a nice date with dinner and dancing. 

 

My Friday night dinner date went well. We had a great time and I truly enjoyed his company. We went to a local winery that has a nice Italian brick oven pizza and Italian I wore my pretty red sundress. I was very nervous initially about appearing at a place that Rachel has never been before and also about my "first date". 

 

I received a few extended looks when I first arrived in the dining area but I quickly spotted my date and I found his smile reassuring. We had no quickly engaged in conversation and I felt so comfortable with being Rachel and being around him.  We talked about many different things including sexuality and our ex wives. During our conversations I had mentioned that I love going to the club and dancing.

 

Our dinned was over much too quickly it seemed and we extended our date by wandering about the winery grounds. He then asked me if I would like to go up to the club tonight and go dancing. Which is what we did. The DJ was horrible and almost no one was dancing. At one point after a brief dance with my date another patron approached me during a song and pulled me onto the dance floor to dance with him. He was a great dancer and rather good looking as well. I admit I was rather smitten with his good looks and youthfulness and I enjoyed watching him. After our dance he escorted me back to my date and went back to his friend. 

 

Eventually I saw the owner at the bar speaking to the manager, soon afterward the manager pulled the DJ outside and when the DJ returned he canvased the crowd for requests. (I requested Ricky Martin Livin la vida loca) and soon the dance floor perked up as we all heard our requests being played. Eventually my date and I tiered out and left for the night. I told him how much I enjoyed his company and thanked him for taking me dancing. 

 

I very much hope that he enjoyed the evening as much as I did. I messaged him an Saturday telling him I hope we could go out again sometime soon. He told me he had a great time and when I get back from my up coming trip will will go out again. That should be around mid August.

 

Sorry for being so long winded. 

 

I hope everyone had a good weekend. 

 

~Rachel

[Willow]

Good morning 

 

@Jackie C. thanks for the recommendations for recovery.

 

@KymmieL if you have a bikini and want to wear it there is no rule against it. Just keep in mind that  a lot of units look at the pool and there are kids here in the summertime.  Modestly would be appreciated.

 

This coming week is supposed to be a hot one. Everyday the fenceometer will read in the nineties but the body will be saying 100 plus.  At least there aren’t supposed to be any storms.  And nothing in the tropics that mat become a hurricane.  
 

Anyone here ever hear of Dr Z phd on YouTube?  I guess she aims her talks about being transgender at kids, but I tried watching one of her recordings and quit.  She seemed to be talking in circles.  It was supposed to be all about what is dysphoria.

 

I’m sponsored by Green Mountain Dark Roast this week.  Not all dark roast is the same.  I like this one.  Try it sometime.  
 

My plan for the day includes a trip to my boat for some cleaning.  Although, I may forgo that due to the heat.  Thursday is my first court appearance.  My lawyer said I don’t have to go, that it’s mostly just to see that I have a lawyer and some brief formalities but I think I will because I want to see what it’s all about.  
 

I guess that’s about it for now.

 

hugs

 

Willow

[Ivy]

11 minutes ago, Willow said:

Anyone here ever hear of Dr Z phd on YouTube?

Oh, yes.  

I don't think she works with kids from what she's said.  Some of her videos are helpful.  She is also on instagram.   I got a lot out of her stuff earlier in my transitioning.  Less so now.  But that may be part of my own process. 

[Bri2020]

Dr Z help me with a lot of early stuff as well. I haven't watched her latest videos because the subjects don't pertain to my point in transitioning.  I realize as I write this, I have almost finished my transition! I think the hardest part, and the part that she can be so helpful is in the questioning stage, especially if you are in denial and or need validation of what you are feeling.  She is also very helpful in those early periods of figuring out whether HRT, medical intervention is right for you.  

I am at the point where I have my final surgery (gcs) in 2 months (YIKES) but feel like 99% of my social transition is on solid ground.  I still need to work through my relationship desires / status but hell, plenty of Cis people are figuring that out as well.  I'm probably going to still have some facial hair to continue to deal with too.  That never seems to be done-argh.

In 3 days I will be celebrating my 2 year anniversary of coming out.  It feeling like a lifetime ago, which in a way, I guess it was.

I'm not sure if I would recommend medically transitioning as fast as I did. Honestly, it's been traumatic physically, mentally and emotionally.  I really haven't had time to breathe and recover between interventions over the last 9 months.  All that said, my goal was to "be transitioned" as in past tense as quickly as possible to I can be free to live my life as my authentic self without the distractions of all the things that needed to get done.

 

[Bri2020]

My last post made me look back at my photo album.  This is 2 years ago, the week I started presenting at work and where I am today. A LOT has changed in that short period.

 

[Jackie C.]

38 minutes ago, Bri2020 said:

I am at the point where I have my final surgery (gcs) in 2 months (YIKES) but feel like 99% of my social transition is on solid ground.  I still need to work through my relationship desires / status but hell, plenty of Cis people are figuring that out as well.  I'm probably going to still have some facial hair to continue to deal with too.  That never seems to be done-argh.

 

Oh, I hope your employer knows. Congratulations, but the first couple of weeks are ROUGH.

 

Hugs!

[Marcie Jensen]

1 hour ago, Jandi said:

Oh, yes.  

I don't think she works with kids from what she's said.  Some of her videos are helpful.  She is also on instagram.   I got a lot out of her stuff earlier in my transitioning.  Less so now.  But that may be part of my own process. 

I agree with everything Jandi said. She was especially helpful in the early stages of my transition.

[JaelynnN]

Husband and I had all 3 daughters over and they surprised us.Said they love us no matter what to this day knowing we are both transgender.Plus found out our oldest whom is 20 did dump her boyfriend yesterday.Knew we had enough of him disrespecting us and we come first in her life

[Heather Nicole]

3 hours ago, Willow said:

Anyone here ever hear of Dr Z phd on YouTube?  I guess she aims her talks about being transgender at kids, but I tried watching one of her recordings and quit.  She seemed to be talking in circles.

 

Yes, she does unfortunately have a habit of talking in circles and can also take awhile getting to her point. The heavy-ish accent doesn't make things easier, either. Her videos definitely aren't very ADD/ADHD-friendly, which can make it difficult for me.

 

But I really like her expertise, and for that alone I keep going back to her YouTube channel. It can be helpful, like others said, especially earlier on when you're newer to the whole world of trans.