Decision Made & Going For It!

[Jean Op den Kamp (imported)]

GREAT

loveUall

Jean

[tugon (imported)]

Hi Tugon,

Thank you for the lovely compliment. I really appreciate it! My new avatar is a photo that was taken by a professional photographer at the Be-All conference in early June of this year.

I'm so looking forward to seeing you again this coming August at the MOM.

I do not think I will be able to attend the Mom but I will be in Chicago in September. Staying at the Palmer House and would love to see you. As plans form maybe I can plan to take you both out for dinner. As plans formalize I will PM you.

[EricaAnn (imported)]

I do not think I will be able to attend the Mom but I will be in Chicago in September. Staying at the Palmer House and would love to see you. As plans form maybe I can plan to take you both out for dinner. As plans formalize I will PM you.

Hi Tugon,

I would love to get together with you when your're in town. Please let me know when so that we can make plans

. I'm so looking forward to seeing you again.

[EricaAnn (imported)]

Hi Everyone,

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about the upcoming Midwest MOM. I so welcome the opportunity to see my dear friend and "sister" Danya, to renew so many old acquaintances as well as the chance to meet so many of you that I only know from on line.

Let's all hope the weather is summer-like and conducive to being outdoors.

To my friend Kristoff and Paolo, I hope you don't mind if a lady buys you both a cocktail or two.

I'm really looking forward to

doing some intensive partying with you both so GET READY gentlemen...this party girl is coming to the Twin Cities.

And River...I'm looking forward to those wonderful pancakes of yours.

[kristoff]

Hi Everyone,

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about the upcoming Midwest MOM. I so welcome the opportunity to see my dear friend and "sister" Danya, to renew so many old acquaintances as well as the chance to meet so many of you that I only know from on line.

Let's all hope the weather is summer-like and conducive to being outdoors.

To my friend Kristoff and Paolo, I hope you don't mind if a lady buys you both a cocktail or two.

[quote="EricaAnn (imported)"

time=1222081980]
I'm really looking forward to

doing some intensive partying with you both so GET READY gentlemen...this party girl is coming to the Twin Cities.

And River...I
[/quote]
'm looking forward to those wonderful pancakes of yours.

What brand the martini vodka? I usually do Canadian Communion Whisky. Martinis will be a good change of pace

[EricaAnn (imported)]

What brand the martini vodka? I usually do Canadian Communion Whisky. Martinis will be a good change of pace

Absolute or Sky would be wonderful. If you would like to introduce a more "Communion" style twist, we always do a grape flavor Sky vodka, but I'll leave that decision up to the good Sister.

[EricaAnn (imported)]

Hi Everyone,

I'm doing absolutely wonderful. Things are going great for me. I had a wonderful time at the MoM a couple of weekends ago. It was so good to see so many old friends and a chance to meet some members that I have not had the pleasure of knowing personally before. Thanks to all in attendance for a wonderful time.

My dilation schedule is now down to 5 times a week, basically Monday through Friday mornings taking the weekends off. There has been no changes in depth since going to the reduced schedule so that seems to be working out well. In another week or two I may try an every other day type of routine to see how that works out.

I also changed my hair color a couple of weeks ago. The black was beginning to look to harsh on me, so I stripped my hair color and am now what's called a medium maple brown. I love it. It's much softer on me.

I've also resumed electrolysis about 2 months ago. I did 11 laser treatments, which got rid of most of the dark hairs, but all it did for the gray ones was to bleach them white. So the electrolysis is slowly taking care of the white ones that are left on my face and neck. So far, so good. The girl that I'm now using is very fast and has the latest equipment, which does reduce the pain level a bit. So far she has totally cleared my face and around my jaw and is now working on my neck. She did do the bit of regrowth I had on my lower lip yesterday and that was a very a painful process to say the least. It definitely brought more than one tear to my eyes, but based on what she has accomplished so far, I probably have another 6-8 sessions to go to finish up. It's going to be great not to ever have to shave my face or neck again. I am so looking forward to that. I can't wait! It's also made a big difference in my complexion. The areas that she's done or so much smoother and my skin has a finer texture to it. She explained that the pores are now contracting where the hair follicles used to be and that's what's causing the wonderful change in my skin. Every little bit helps, that's for sure.

[paulault (imported)]

Hi Everyone,

I'm doing absolutely wonderful. Things are going great for me. I had a wonderful time at the MoM a couple of weekends ago. It was so good to see so many old friends and a chance to meet some members that I have not had the pleasure of knowing personal before. Thanks to all in attendance for a wonderful time.

My dilation schedule is now down to 5 times a week, basically Monday through Friday mornings taking the weekends off. There has been no changes in depth since going to the reduced schedule so that seems to be working out well. In another week or two I may try an every other day type of routine to see how that works out.

I also changed my hair color a couple of weeks ago. The black was beginning to look to harsh on me, so I stripped my hair color and am now what's called a medium maple brown. I love it. It's much softer on me.

I've also resumed electrolysis about 2 months ago. I did 11 laser treatments, which got rid of most of the dark hairs, but all it did for the gray ones was to bleach them white. So the electrolysis is slowly taking care of the white ones that are left on my face and neck. So far, so good. The girl that I'm now using is very fast and has the latest equipment, which does reduce the pain level a bit. So far she has totally cleared my face and around my jaw and is now working on my neck. She did do the bit of regrowth I had on my lower lip yesterday and that was a very a painful process to say the least. It definitely brought more than one tear to my eyes, but based on what she has accomplished so far, I probably have another 6-8 sessions to go to finish up. It's going to be great not to ever have to shave my face or neck again. I am so looking forward to that. I can't wait! It's also made a big difference in my complexion. The areas that she's done or so much smoother and my skin has a finer texture to it. She explained that the pores are now contracting were the hair follicles used to be and that's what's causing the wonderful change in my skin. Every little bit helps, that's for sure.

Hi EricaAnn the hair color sounds like something i might want to try once my hair gets long enough.

Like you i have done 9 laser sessions and last month started electrolysis, in addition to my laser every 8 weeks, i have booked at least a couple hours a week of electrolysis thru September. The white hairs are what are left with a sprinkling of dark hairs. She is having a harder time removing the hairs since the follicle seems to be larger than the hair shaft, we think it's due to the hormones.

Facial hair removal and my voice are top priority at the moment, i seem to have no trouble passing even with my voice which is a blessing.

Paula

[EricaAnn (imported)]

Hi EricaAnn the hair color sounds like something i might want to try once my hair gets long enough.

Like you i have done 9 laser sessions and last month started electrolysis, in addition to my laser every 8 weeks, i have booked at least a couple hours a week of electrolysis thru September. The white hairs are what are left with a sprinkling of dark hairs. She is having a harder time removing the hairs since the follicle seems to be larger than the hair shaft, we think it's due to the hormones.

Facial hair removal and my voice are top priority at the moment, i seem to have no trouble passing even with my voice which is a blessing.

Paula

Hi Paula,

The white hairs are by far and away the toughest to get rid of. Mine seem like tree trunks compared to the dark ones. I've never investigated the follicle size issue so you and your electrolysis tech may have a good point on that matter.

The voice is always a big issue in passing. I've taken several voice training classes which seem to have helped me, but it's really hard for me since I had such a baritone voice to begin with.

I'm so glad for you that your voice is passable at this point of your transition. That's very important.

[charlenebrown (imported)]

Erica,

i am new to all this , but also on a journey like yours, albeit less far down the road.

Erica, YOU have given me hope , encouragement and - well if i am honest , a sort fo role model to aspire to.

I wish You all the best, and will be thinking of You , hang in there girl.

Malcolm Fraser, an Australian Prime Minister, once said ' Life wasn't meant to be easy', and how true....

i lost 2 million dollars when i was 30, and business and house and wife , pretty much everything *external*, but managed to get through that, so really , ** everything ** is possible, trust me.

One just has to dust oneself off and start again.

I am so sure You will be fine , and look forward to a long and happy, if distant, association with You

Do take care Erica,

xxxx

charlene

[EricaAnn (imported)]

40]
Hi Everyone,

Just thought I'd

[/quote]

check in to let everyone know that I'm alive and doing well.

I've been busy lately with a major upgrade to the heating system in my home. I finally resolved a problem I've had since my home was built, that being a big temperature difference between the upper and lower levels of the house. Fixed this problem by having a zoned heating and air conditioning system installed. Now the lower level has it's own independent thermostat and it's own heating and air conditioning zone from the upstairs. I also had my 26 year old furnace replaced with a new high efficiency furnace which should save me a lot on my gas bill every month and with the current government program going, I'll be able to deduct 30% of the equipment cost off of my income taxes next year.

I went out for the Halloween this year and had an absolute blast. I was in costume for the first time in probably 15 years. I went as a Las Vegas show girl. Needless to say, I got more than a few looks from the guys in the nightclub that night. It was great fun!

Other than that, I've just been doing my daily dilating and continuing with my weekly electrolysis sessions to rid my face from this darn hair. She's made good progress and has cleared my entire face and is about half done with my neck area. I can't wait to be finally finished with that process. It's painful to say the least!

[Mac (imported)]

Good for you Erica. I bet that you had a great time. You are a great gal.

[SexlessC23 (imported)]

Good for you Erica. I bet that you had a great time. You are a great gal.

I shaved my legs complete for the first time tonight. They look and feel great. I don't know what will happen if my wife discovers it.

You can tell her you've taken up road biking

[EricaAnn (imported)]

Just checking in and wanted to wish everybody a Wonderful Holiday season. For the first time in over three years now I finally have begun to experience joy and excitement for the upcoming holidays. I have really not had any Christmas spirit since my family turned their backs on me and disowned me after coming out to them with my GID situation. I guess I have been mourning their lose in my life for these past three years, but as time goes by and more distance is created between this terrible time and now, I'm finally becoming capable of dealing with their loss in my life and I'm finding the ability to move on without them. So be it!

Another thing that has really lifted my spirits this year is the prospect of spending the upcoming Christmas Holiday with my very good friend and "sister" Danya. Her and I have become very close over the past 10 months and I have really started to view her as the sister I never had growing up. She will be traveling into the "Windy City" to spend the holiday with me and my immediate family

. I'm so looking forward to seeing

her again and to spend some more time with her. Bryan from the site will also be joining us for Christmas dinner, which will also be a treat. It will also give her the opportunity to meet Danya for the first time. So the decorations are up, the stockings have been hung by the chimney with care and the shopping and baking is all done, so let the festivities begin! I even went to the salon and got my nails done yesterday. They now sport a color by OPI known as double decker red. Very nice for the Holidays!

In other news my electrolysis technician has completely made it through my entire face and neck areas. I'm now down to going to see her once a week to maintain any new growth that might occur and even that will be coming to close in the next month or two. I can't believe what a difference this has made in my complexion and skin texture. I haven't shaved my face now in over a week and half with almost no noticeable facial hair growth at all. My hair is also looking fabulous lately as it increases in length and it now about 6" past my shoulders and a dark reddish brown in color. I just love it!

So to one and all, a Very Merry Christmas and a wish for all the best in the upcoming New Year!

[tugon (imported)]

EricaAnn it sounds like you will have a great Christmas. I am so glad Terri and Danya will be meeting. I am sure the joy of your day will warm many hearts. I look forward to reading all about the party where three wise and beautiful women come together.

[Danya (imported)]

Now that Tugon has replied to Erica Ann's post, I feel free to.

[Three wise women, indeed, my friend Tugon ]

Erica Ann and I had a wonderful phone conversation Saturday that left me even more excited about spending Christmas with her and her family.

While I don't have OPI Double Decker Red for my nails, I do have OPI Chick Flick Red. Our colors may clash, but I doubt it will be serious enough to interfere with the good cheer.

It was 10 months ago that Erica Ann and I first met, on another trip to the Windy City. We had spoken on the phone before that. Over the intervening months, I have continued to feel closer to Erica Ann, in the same way she describes.

Life can open up new possibilities for relationships and other good things at critical moments. This has definitely been the case with Erica Ann. I had no inkling on my February visit that I would lose my job in several months. But the foundation was already being laid for a very positive, caring relationship that helps me through this period of unemployment.

Beyond that, I also view Erica Ann as the sister I never had and that is awesome!

I suspect that, if they were still alive, my parents would have eventually accepted me and by extension Erica Ann. Unlike my siblings, who behave as if they are frozen in a 1950s time warp where they are incapable of changing their views, my parents continued to grow in their understanding and acceptance of others throughout their lives.

As I wrote awhile ago on my own transition thread, I have not enjoyed Christmas for at least the last 15 years. This year, that will change.

[EricaAnn (imported)]

It's the day of Christmas Eve and Danya has arrived to join us for Christmas. We had dinner together last night and spoke on the phone with both Terri and Jesus. It was great to speak with you again Jesus. I have not had the pleasure since the MOM back in early August.

After dinner I showed Danya the route to the hotel and helped her with her luggage. With my youngest son home for the holidays we just didn't have the room to put her up comfortably, so I arranged for a nice room for her at the Hampton Inn & Suites I built as the general contractor. It's only about a mile and and half from my home, so it's close by and very convenient.

I'm just so excited. This is going to be the best Christmas I've had in years especially with my sister Danya joining us.

[Mac (imported)]

..........

With my youngest son home for the holidays we just didn't have the room to put her up comfortably, ...........

I didn't know that you have children. Apparently you are very fortunate in that they accept your transition.

Merry Christmas to you Girl.

[EricaAnn (imported)]

I didn't know that you have children. Apparently you are very fortunate in that they accept your transition.

Merry Christmas to you Girl.

Thank you Mac. Yes, I have two sons, 27 and 24, who are both accepting of me. I am very fortunate to have them both as well as my spouse in my life.

Very Merry Christmas to you too!

[Mac (imported)]

Thank you Mac. Yes, I have two sons, 27 and 24, who are both accepting of me. I am very fortunate to have them both as well as my spouse in my life.

Very Merry Christmas to you too!

Yes, you are very fortunate to have a wife and 2 grown sons who all are accepting of you as a woman. Have you found any new ways to have fun with your wife?

Count your blessings! I am really envious of you.

Merry Christmas and a very good New Year to you.

P.S. I saw where you helped Danya to have a wonderful Christmas. You are a great gal and also have a wonderful family.

[EricaAnn (imported)]

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas this year. I haven't enjoyed Christmas this much in over 3 years and so much of it had to do with having Danya join us this year. She is a wonderful person and such a joy to be with. She is truly the sister I never had and I do cherish her so much.

She has helped me so much in bringing my Christmas spirit back. I didn't even think of my former extended family this year and wondering what they were doing without me. No more tears and anguish. They are no longer a part of my life and I have gotten past the lost and mourning of them. May they go off and live the rest of their lives in peace without me because that's exactly what I plan on doing. As I have said in the past...it's their loss, not mine.

[mrt (imported)]

A belated Happy Christmas and I'm envious you didn't call us! Its not many people who get to talk to Jesus (Or THAT one? Nevermind) on his birthday....

I'm really glad you had a good time and it was not filled with former family trauma. Uck! Anyway, best wishes!

[Danya (imported)]

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas this year. I haven't enjoyed Christmas this much in over 3 years and so much of it had to do with having Danya join us this year. She is a wonderful person and such a joy to be with. She is truly the sister I never had and I do cherish her so much.

She has helped me so much in bringing my Christmas spirit back. I didn't even think of my former extended family this year and wondering what they were doing without me. No more tears and anguish. They are no longer a part of my life and I have gotten past the lost and mourning of them. May they go off and live the rest of their lives in peace without me because that's exactly what I plan on doing. As I have said in the past...it's their loss, not mine.

Erica Ann is the sister I always wanted and I am so fortunate to have her in my life. She is very caring and fun to be with, and I trust her completely. I feel like I've known her my whole life. My only regret is that we live so far apart. As I was starting my drive home, I called Erica Ann and her spouse to tell them I already missed them.

This Christmas was my first without any contact from my family. Being with Erica Ann and her family helped me, too, to get past the loss of relatives. Besides, I cannot imagine anything having gone better during my visit. I had a wonderful time.

[EricaAnn (imported)]

I've had two wonderful experiences over the past two days. The first one occurred on New Years Eve while attending the big celebration of the event at a local nightclub known as Hunters. Late in the evening one of the bartenders came up to me and told me that someone had bought me a cocktail. Naturally being one who never refuses a free drink I accepted. About 10 minutes later a gentlemen approached me as he was leaving and introduced himself. He said to me "I just had to buy you a drink. You're the most beautiful woman in the bar tonight." He wished me a Happy New Year and then proceeded to depart.

The other occurred last night when at the invitation of a friend I went to a local establishment to hear a cover band which I'm familiar with and by the way is a great band. Shortly after arriving I was heading outside to enjoy a cigarette, when a young man stopped me and asked my name. He proceeded to join me outside along with another woman. We chatted for a minute or two and then he said to me "Do you mind if I asked a question?" I replied of course not. He took a minute to phase his question in a politically correct manner and asked "Are you trying to be transsexual?" I responded "No...I am a transsexual." He then told me that he has a degree in fashion design and that his thesis for graduation was a project on fashion for transgendered women. Because of this experience he had met quite a few transgendered women and that I was far and away the most beautiful and feminine TS he had ever met. He said "The hair, your face and the way I carry myself were all very feminine." He asked about my status and I told him I was post op and he was very excited to hear that and asked for how long. He then gave me a hug and said "How exciting. Good for you!"

All in all, it's been a weekend that was certainly good for my ego! I also wanted to say thank you to Danya for providing the photo for my revised avatar.

[Danya (imported)]

You are quite beautiful, Erica. I've always thought so and your new avatar shows this [I didn't realize this was from a photo I had taken - cool!] We women always love to be complimented on our looks. You're also beautiful on the inside.

I am so glad I have the photo of the two of us at Hunter's. I've been showing it to quite a few friends. I had a terrific time.

Hugs,

Danya