Leaderboard

Take a deep breath. Count to ten, scream and shout then cry a bit and look for the positives in your life. Sometimes life is like a shed full of stored stuff. When it's full we have to sort what to keep and what has to go. Not easy. I had a hundred old shirts once. Lots of hugs and cuddles.

I am truly going to miss President Obama and VP Biden when they're gone. In often quiet ways this administration did a lot for us!

Hi everyone! We're doing great, Nikki has responded to the Zoloft exceedingly well and continues with this therapy, although they bumped it down to monthly since he's doing so great. And we had a wild summer packed full of all things fun. (and i also managed not to explode and actually made the fireworks at the fourth of july this year!). I have 8 more working days, then I"m outta the job from hell. Nikki continues to look for a new job, but being back on an overall even keel has returned to his I like my job, just not my coworkers overall feeling about it and is doing fine. I'm mad at the library for not hiring him, I think he would have loved working there! Oh my gosh STeph, that is insane heat. The worst we hit was 98 degrees Fahrenheit, which my phone tells me is 36.7 celcius. I swear the pool is the reason we made it through this summer without hospitalization for heat stroke, the humidity has been weirdly insane for the lack of rain that fell this year. I've spent summers here since I was 8, and lived here full time since I was 23, and only in the last three years as the lawn ever crunched when you walked on it. Being so close to the great lakes it rained a LOT. My asthma is holding off great, summer makes me almost like a person with normally functioning lungs! I love summer. It's winter where things get...unpleasant. Nikki job hunts in Florida too, since I actually loved it there and it's warm all year round, but unlikely that he'll actually find anything, jobs like people already in the area. But a Bree's gotta dream, right? And don't worry about my hydration, you should see the giant water drinking thing I walk around with. it holds a little over a liter, and I fill it up and suck on it. Good for the diet and the hydration both, I"m always really full of water. I joke it's why I float in the pool so well, neutral bouyancy with all the water inside!

Seriously, contrary to facebook rumors, Bree is alive and well. It's just...summer. I can go outside. WOOHOO! Winter gets very long when you are cooped up and can't go outside without entering the er from the cold-induced asthma attack. Anyone here have asthma and know what I mean? Not being able to breath very suddenly sucks. So I have spent the last couple months outside with Nikki nearly continuously. (Yes, we should all be worrying about global warming, our local weather has gone very strange the last several years, and continues to do so). We cooked out, we swam, we chased pokemon all over the town, and we are having a great summer. Hope you are all aslo enjoying the great summer! (or winter, if you are in the southern hemisphere).

Just cut ties with my father. I've talked about him and the complicated relationship before, and why I didn't really know what I was holding onto. Well, he finally pushed that last button and I went nuclear. He called me stupid again, which I'm used to really, over my belief that we have to do better as a nation to care for people. There aren't enough jobs. They are getting shipped overseas en masse. The old get a job rhetoric is a joke, and there is no reason anyone should be homeless and starving in this country. We have the ability to fix it, we as a society choose not to. But to go on calling my son a loser over and over when he DOESN"T KNOW HIM pushed me over the edge. He has consistantly refused to talk to the boy on the phone or e-mail his whole life. How on earth can he accurately state anything other than that boy exists and his name? He doens't know it. So I told him off royally, including the phrase "you need to learn when it's time to shut the eff up" I am so done. From now on Nikki has stepped up to create the Great Wall of Nikki around me, and that man has lost access. Because I am done. Toxicity helps no one. I know a lot of people here will understand, because it doesn't matter if the core issues is transgender or racism, the emotional fall out is the same. The same ugly, the same judgement, the same crazy. I need a hug. This summer was going so well too.

Dear Bree and Steph, Have asthma, too, as both of my parents were heavy smokers when I was growing up. At first used an inhaler A.M. and P.M., plus an emergency inhaler when needed. Gradually got off the daily inhalers by keeping my apartment immaculate and taking precautions such as having no carpets and no pets. Tend to get an asthma attack when I encounter something I am allergic to, change in weather and coming down with a cold. Did not care for my Ear, Nose, Throat doctor, so I work closely with my Family Practice/Internal Medicine doctor. Try to avoid polypharmacy (taking too many different medications). Everything is prevention! Be well, my friends. Your friend, Monica

Hi Brianna, big hugs, you're better than this. Dump the shame, it's from controlling stuff that society or others have dumped on us. Once it's out it's out and cannot hurt us or control us anymore because it just is if that makes sense. Then realise that It's not you that should feel embarrassed in this case and finally a great big snoggy kiss from me. :-) (oh dear how embarrassing is that) lots of love and snogs.

I love it, Bree! I think it's terrific that you have this giant plush turtle and that it makes you feel good. That's all that matters my friend, that we have our plushies, our loved ones, a warm and cozy existence, and maybe some chocolate and brandy on the side table. And for me, a wonderful book or movie or both that I can escape into. It doesn't get much better than that.

As I often do on Sunday mornings over coffee I read The New York Times and this morning was no different. I ran out of things that interested me so did a search on "transgender" and found the following article about Barry Winchell's murder while in the US Army, who was in a serious relationship with Calpernia Addams, a transexual woman. I came close to crying in the neighborhood coffee shop as I was so taken by the depth of feelings that came up: An Inconvenient Woman I then checked Huffington Post's TRANSGENDER page which often has interesting articles and, thankfully, found one that was so delightful, about an 11 year old gay boy's first day at middle school, how he met and befriended an 11 year old transgender girl, and his wonderful mother: When My Son Met Another Out LGBTQ Kid On The First Day Of Middle School Okay, great, feeling better! At least until I read another one on Huff Post: Surviving The Waves Of History: Bathroom Bills Can Be Deadly which is about a transman's suicide over the weight that he could bear no longer from those who deny transgender people's validity and rights. He just missed Attorney General Loretta Lynch's speech where she said: "Let me also speak directly to the transgender community itself. Some of you have lived freely for decades. Others of you are still wondering how you can possibly live the lives you were born to lead. But no matter how isolated or scared you may feel today, the Department of Justice and the entire Obama Administration wants you to know that we see you; we stand with you; and we will do everything we can to protect you going forward. Please know that history is on your side. This country was founded on a promise of equal rights for all, and we have always managed to move closer to that promise, little by little, one day at a time. It may not be easy — but we’ll get there together.” We will, my friends, get there together. What a Sunday morning it's been. Here's wishing you a beautiful day. Go hug someone. Emma

I agree with you Christie, very very much. I wish Hillary the best but I fear that she is going to be so challenged on so many fronts. I wouldn't ever want to wear her shoes. But I think she's very wise and recognizes the winds of change as well as the real and valid rights of people like us. I think she's a good person and will carry on well from Obama, at least if she is elected. My biggest fear is like Brexit, there are too many people who assume that "no way could we elect Trump" that they will not get out the vote and then find ourselves with a real monster and tragedy as president. We must all vote with our hearts, no excuses.

Thank you. It being so public in front of just about everyone I know really didn't help. The flood of horrified friends calling to help did. There is a small petty part of me that is amused knowing he is going to be wading through a brigade of angry emails since my lovely friends are too graceful to do it on Facebook in public. And he posted his. It's moments like these you find out how you touched people's lives so I guess there was a small bit of good. But mostly I'm just feeling miserable, ashamed, and embarrassed right now. It's one thing when the toxicity is secret and private it's another thing when everyone gets front row seats to it.

As above, my love and best wishes for you too.

You got it, it's a giant plush turtle Nikki got me after the plush bear wore out. I have this stupid sleep disorder, and the cozy comfortable cuddle object convinces my mind I'm not going to be murdered in my sleep and I can relax and drift off. Brains are such funny things. But he's soft, cuddly, and awesome and when Nikki gets up in the morning he makes sure I have my turtle becuase he's probably fallen out of bed during the night. In the fall we like to hang out on the couch under the soft blankets with the dog and watch movies all cozied up, it's awesome! It's the only blanket time the dog gets, she's not allowed near the bed because she eats the bedding. X_X We got these new, giant, super plush beach towels too, and that feeling wrapping up in one just after getting out of the pool is amazing. People are always looking for the 'big dramatic moments' but it's the little ones that have a lasting, every day effect in my opinion.

Hi Bree, You got it exactly. I cherish those moments, and on Thursday evening that was exactly what I felt, cozy and comfortable. I've always been like that, loving curling up and tucking in. My mother told me that I loved the satin edging on my baby blanket so much that I simply wore it out. I don't judge your turtle plush whatsoever. But I have no idea what it is! I am giggling to myself at the moment, thinking of a plush green blanket shaped like a turtle, or a stuffed turtle that you can hug and curl up with. Getting cozy is a reason I love it when the weather gets chilly. Especially when the wind picks up (not too much) and the bushes and trees are swaying, cold air blowing through the windows. It's wonderful to wear a warmer nightgown and add a comforter to the bed. Emma

Because comfort is awesome. Whether it's a favorite nightgown, cozy blanket, or a turtle plush (don't judge, I need my turtle plush to sleep!) there is nothing like physical comfort and coziness.

Hiya Bree. As always, it is so good to hear from You. Bree, I have Asthma too, and I have to use 3 different Inhaler's, at least twice a day, every day of the year. With it being summer here in The U.K. as well, it has been so nice to wear My summer dresses, or summer skirt's and top's or blouses. This is My second summer living as a Female. Bree, I understand what You mean about the weather having gone strange, and We had one afternoon, with 44 degrees Centigrade - 111 degrees Fahrenheit. That was in the Shade. Unheard of here. It was definitely a case of keeping Hydrated, and drinking plenty of Water. Bree, I Am glad that You and Nikki are enjoying the great outdoors this Summer. Bree, I hope that Your Asthma holds off, and that You and Nikki keep in Good Health. Bree and Nikki, Take Care, Big Hugs to You Both, And My Very Best Wishes, Love Stephanie. xxxxxxxx

Ahh thank you Emma, sorry I got the wrong end of the stick. Big hugs. X

Hello Bree! It's great to hear from you. I've wondered how you and Nikki are doing. I am glad that you're enjoying the summer. Actually here in California it's cooling slightly as if fall is in the air. I find that delightful! Hugs, Emma