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Thank you Emma. She did it again. Apparently Nikki didn't take her to her crate when he went to bed, but she put herself in her crate before I went, so I thought she had, and she came downstairs when we were sleeping and ate the rest of the homemade bread I had out in the kitchen to dry out to make french toast. *headdesk* This dog is out to get me this week. So now Nikki and I have a strict protocol that whoever goes to bed first must take the dog with her or make sure the other person is aware to stop this scavenging monster! And today it's hit the funny stage. Yesterdays temper is today's laughter I suppose.

It didn't work out the way you meant but Nikki knows what you do for him, and you both are doing great. Hang in there kiddo. Emma

I've never been on your road, but I do understand it is a hard one and I think you handle it with a great deal of humor, grace, and self-awareness that will help you on this journey. I wish you all the success in the world and an awesome life to fill your future!

Hey Charl, thank you so much for your kind words and support xx yes it is so good too when I see a trans people being open and showing support like all of us lovely people who post on here. Congratulations for your 12 years! well done you should be so proud. Please by all means show anyone who might find this post helpful or even just posting on social media.

Hey Blair As always, I'm a big fan of your videos and love reading your posts. When I was younger I went through drug addiction / recovery. It's wonderful to see you writing about your journey. And it makes me proud to see trans folk like us being open and showing other folks who went through or who are still going through this difficult stuff that recovery is a long road, but a worthwhile one. I'm 12 years sober. Keep at it. Always love seeing your work. Love Charl

Hi Emma, I can share some of your reflections and add some of my own. I remember playing mummy in the Wendy house as a five year old too, playing tea parties. Joining the girls and wanting to be one of them. It was ok for them to play with me if they were alone but not so much when they were in a gang. They wanted to be mummy or a model and being a boy I was last in line for that role I was also confused and just didn't understand why I had a boys body when I was a girl. I had no interest in being a boy and so I became isolated. My boy friends were always those like myself who didn't quite fit in. Well no good getting maudling. I know I learned that it was wrong to be how I felt and learned how to suppress it even at that early age. My shame and guilt guided me into pretending to be a boy. My advice to anyone reading this is not to do as I had to. Things are so much more open now. Don't build walls around yourself to keep yourself safe. Take a risk, knock down the walls and take your inner girl out to play. She will love you for it. X

Dear Briannah and Emma, Strongly agree with the both of you. In fact, I will take it farther. Feel that no two marriages are the same. They are as unique as the two people involved! Your friend, Monica

Well said, Bree. Like so many things, I could've lived my life and marriage(s) much better but for a lot of things. I remember when in my twenties I just didn't comprehend wisdom. I assumed it was all talk that was used to invalidate me. About four decades later I get it. I certainly wish I knew then what I know now! And yes, truthfulness and open communication are everything. I was sort of open to my wife about my TG feelings before we married and about ten years ago. By "sort of" I told her what I thought I knew, which was very very hard for me given how much shame I carried around it. And when my feelings were categorically denied I suppressed as best I could (and I was well practiced in that) until almost three years when she encouraged me to return to therapy and fortunately, the therapist was encouraging and supportive in my oh so slowly and painfully letting it out. Which led to my exploration, research, and what I feel is much better understanding of who I am and self-acceptance. But now my knowledge that I am transgender is looking like it may be a deal breaker for our marriage. At first I was so deeply hurt by that understanding. I justified that hurt by telling myself that my being trans can be considered similar to other conditions that might arise, such as cancer, dementia, etc. But those are diseases and being trans is not at all in that category. And the more I thought about it the more I realized that if my being trans is a deal breaker for her then it is what it is. It's tragic for both of us and fault-free for both of us. Who knows why it bothers her so much but that doesn't really matter. I could try to guilt her into trying to become more accepting and maybe through that hope that she'd gradually become accepting. But that's no way to live for either of us. I think now that a fundamental characteristic of a successful/happy marriage is unconditional acceptance. Without that there is always that elephant in the room. But I also believe that unconditional acceptance doesn't have to mean that (for example) she needs to delight in my coming into the room wearing a dress. That would be great but maybe there is another way for us to achieve that. I don't know what it is and I'm willing to explore it with her if she's willing. Of that I'm not certain at this time. I'm exploring that with her in the coming weeks and maybe months. I do certainly agree with your characterization of the "defense of marriage." It's all hyperbole used as a way to justify fear-based prejudices and concerns that are baseless and otherwise unsupportable. I don't know why some people feel that way. I could guess and maybe I'd be close to the truth. My hurling attacks at them doesn't do any good so I don't bother. I just try to support what I believe in and live as good a life as I can. You're a wise woman, Bree. Thank you for your posts. Emma

Hiya Blair Jamie. Sweetheart, I AM Not going to Judge You, in Any Way, or Shape, or Form Young Lady. I Congratulate You, for the fact that You are looking to go into Detox. Babes, I AM So glad, that You and Your Sister's, have Come-Back together, as a Close-Unit. I Hope that Your Transitioning is going Okay now Honey. Blair Jamie, I Am unable to run at All, due to Osteo-Arthritis, but, I do try to Walk, as much as My Body will allow Me to. Good on You for doing Your Run's though. Please Keep In Touch Honey, and if You would like to talk Privately Honey, Please feel free to P.M. Me. Blair Jamie, Good Luck , Take Care Young Lady, With Very Best Wishes, Stephanie. xx