Im here, on the other side ladies.

I am a woman well into my 40s. I used to insist people call me by a man's name as a small child and growing up for a bit. I was raised in a very churchy midwest town, only child. The Thought of transitioning, then, in that area, was well kept out by church and lack of internet for us younguns. I barely knew what gay was, mostly from all the folk who called me butch and tomboy, got me curious to find out. Learned about cross-dressing but didn't realize there could be more than my jeans n tees already. Cried so hard the day I woke up with boobs as a teen, late bloomer and thought I'd be spared. And yeah, if I could have been a dude, I'd be a hella gay one. Was very confusing growing up with all nuclear family ideals and not fitting any of them, including their idea of the variety of the gender and sexuality spectrum that "wasn't allowed".

I also wonder if we had the internet media tech, medical knowledge and availability earlier, or was born later, who I might be.

Prompt: A joyful toddler, dressed in a festive holiday sweater and holding a throwing knife, stands in a warm and cozy living room, surrounded by the remnants of a chaotic Christmas celebration. Wrapping paper and ribbons are scattered about, with several presents bearing the marks of the toddler's newfound hobby - knives stuck in them at odd angles. In the foreground, a toy packaging box lies open, its bright and colorful design featuring the words "Knife Throwing for Beginners" in bold, cheerful letters. The room itself is a testament to the toddler's enthusiasm, with small knives protruding from the furniture, the walls, and even the floor. The atmosphere is tense and dramatic, with strong shadows and highlights cast by the warm glow of twinkling Christmas lights. The scene is reminiscent of a Thomas Kinkade painting, with its warm and inviting color palette, but with a darkly humorous twist, as if the wholesome world of Kinkade had been turned on its head. The style is that of a fantastical and slightly unsettling Norman Rockwell, with intricate details and textures that invite the viewer to explore the scene further.

Some friends and I went to eat at a fancy sit down place in our very late teens, dressed to the 9's in black, baggy or lacy duds, eyeliner all around. A couple there asked the restaurant to kick us out, they didn't like our way of dressing, it was rude(?!). Since we were polite and paying customers, the waiter just let us know, and that the staff had 0 problems with us... we should inform him if anyone trys to say anything to us. That staff there were some of the few nice people we encountered in our goth days.

I think it has cycles. Depends on what pop culture content there is to joke about, as well as writers and cast "meshing".

Wow... she just said that, huh? Then didn't blink when asked about it, and said it again!!

My SO got pulled over for not maintaining his lane while making a turn, through a newly set up construction area (wasn't there on his way into work, was at midnight on his way home, and, No One maintains a lane out here, ever).

They got him for a marijuana DUI, his blood test came back with the Lowest Testable amount. Like, the residual, not actively high amount. $10,000 of lawyers and repeat visits to court, and the MVD department (they can each charge separately out here?) After the 5th-ish visit on the hearings, the cop comes up to us after, "proud of you sticking to your story" ... then, since he didn't show to the next one it was finally dropped. Fuck the police.

Yes! The line between adore and hinder is hard to balance.

Ours is 19, has gone blind and deaf (at least mostly, we think she still sees bright light and deep dark shadow contrast) but, she still has one hell of a sniffer on her.

We get some feline lysine in a tube to add a little to our girls food in the evening. Our vet said the lysine and taurine are good for her, may want to verify for your situation. We keep some Temptations Purrree tubes around for an in-between meal hearty snack.Then we found a Bonkers hard treat with taurine too.

And of course catnip, cat grass, and little bits of un-seasoned protein treats when we are cooking (bit of chicken, tiny piece of steak). We'll actually cut a lil pice off and set it aside before we season, then give it to her cooled as we go to eat. High protein is no longer good for her, but she gets so happy for her little nibbles we can't help it, and it isn't very often.

I'll need to check out the Forza, maybe replace some of her temptation snacking with a little of that. She doesn't eat a whole lot at once, and due to a dog and greedy little brothers, can't really have food left to reach easy thus the regular snacking.

Sad violin music plays and swells, pan over wide eyed, hopeful Americans with light luggage packed, waiting patiently for their new family, an arm waves tentatively, friendly but scared...

Right? It didn't help me! Growing old, then having dementia or alzheimer's but still alive and thinking I'm thinking, has already been a fear of mine. Especially always knowing I would never have kids, thus no chance of anyone to be around to help, besides strangers. And, probably at whatever gov. med. level of care, as I cannot ever seem to make any real progress in bettering our financial situation. But, I'd rather be aware of it than ignorant to it.

How? Where? None of us have money saved anymore. Groceries and rent have made sure we can't save any money for anything.

...Unless, there is an adopt an American family movement I haven't heard of? Can we start one?!

Yeah... I'm gonna have to pass on this Netflix n chill night.