So far, I have posted the stories, with the exception of Megumi-Chan's, to the TG fiction list, and Sapphire's Place. I have begun posting them to Stardust, and Piper will be hosting them at her site as well.
As soon as I hear from Megumi, I will include her story along with the others. Thank you writers for your help, co-operation, and involvement with this new universe. As you all know, it means a LOT to me, and others.
All stories linked to the Home That Love Built universe, can be viewed with this url. My thanks to theTop Shelf administrators for their help with this.
I would like your input regarding posting your stories at other sites. specifically, The TG Fiction List, Storysite, and Stardust, and Piper's site, Story Portal.
If you all agree, I'd like to begin posting our stories at those sites. I will NOT post any of your work without your specific permission. They are YOUR stories and YOU decide where to post them, but I would really like to spread this universe to include writers who use those other sites. To keep canon, it would be a great help to have the stories already written by you, for reference to be used by others.
I want to thank you all for your kind words and the seeming involvement you got from my story. I hated writing it, I hated posting it, I hated everything about it.
I didn't choose to write Sara's Story. For real, IT chose me. There are writers here who put my poor efforts to shame, and any one of them could have done a much better job than I did. I wish one of them had been chosen instead of me.
I want to post this ahead of Chapter 3. It is a VERY emotional chapter, and it might make you angry, it might make you cry. This is the most emotion I have EVER felt, in any story I've ever written. I had to stop typing several times because of tears. Chapter 4 will follow, Sunday morning and, barring complications, it will be the final chapter in this story. THis story is dark, for a reason.
My best friend Tina's, Granddaughter died suddenly, at the age of three months. I don't know how long the process and everything is going to take, but my place is with her right now. Forgive me, and please say a prayer for little Tehya (Tay-uh)
I posted this in February of 2009. Since then, only one writer has taken up the challenge. In a thoughtful, emotionally charged short piece, Grover wrote exactly what I was looking for. A beautifully written story that embodied my hopes for this universe.
I hope that all of you have a wonderful, prosperous, healthy 2010. I hope that we will all be here this time, next year. I hope you are spending this day and evening with someone you love, and who loves you.
Me...I'm alone again, same as every new year in my memory. I guess I should be used to it by now, huh?
We are nearly into 2010, and I hope that the new year will bring you all joy and happiness.
In the midst of our celebration of the new year, I think it behooves us to take a moment or two to remember those who are no longer with us. Whether taken from us by illness, ageing, suicide, or violence, they have gone to a much better place, and are: In "The Arms Of The Angels."
Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There's always one reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
sitting here, grieving for friends who have passed on, either from health problems, or because they were taken from us by violence. The "In Memoriam" box, on the home page, has grown by too many names in just the last year or so. Some of them I knew, others I didn't, but all are sisters who were loved, appreciated, and are missed.
A few days ago I posted a blog entry that, after an hour or so, I realized i should have never have posted. I deleted it, but I had received a couple of responses,one of which I didn't acknowledge, and one I responded to in a totally wrong manner, hurting someone a great deal.
I have no excuse, and I wont even try to attempt one. I hurt a friend who has been nothing but supportive and understanding since we first met, and I feel terrible about it. Since then, she has removed me from her friends list, and ignored me, here. I don't blame her. I blame myself.
In her acceptance speech, she said, in essence, that this was a new beginning for Gays, Lesbians, Bi-sexuals and Transgendered people and that was going to be the focus of her term as mayor.
Houston biggest US city to elect openly gay mayor
Buzz up!691 votes
SendSharePrint
AP — Houston Mayor-elect Annise Parker, center, celebrates her runoff election vicotry at a campaign party …
Slideshow:Mayor-elect Annise Parker
By MONICA RHOR, Associated Press Writer — 19 mins ago
I'm wondering what to expect, if anything, that will or might be different from my use of progesterone pills and estradiol patches, as well as spironolactone pills.
Does anyone have anything they can tell me?
Oh, and Ugh is right. There are few things worse than heading into a holiday while suffering from the flu. YUCK!!!!!
but I feel it's leading me to yet another bout of non-communicative time. The last time this happened it took a year or so for me to get back "in the groove." Maybe part of it is post SCC letdown, maybe part of it is there are so many bad things happening to so many of us and I know there isn't a damn thing I can do to help. I know I do feel very helpless and dejected about that. I know, I KNOW! I shouldn't...but that knowledge doesn't translate to feeling any better about it.
When I arrived in Atlanta for Southern Comfort, I was as nervous as the long tailed cat in the room full of rocking chairs. I wasn't sure what to expect or how I should act. What I didn't expect, was the love, compassion, understanding, and support I received, even being just a first timer.
I received and gave more hugs in one week, than in my entire lifetime. NO one had a bad word to say about ANYONE, and everyone was amazingly open and caring. I talked to more girls in the space of the week, than I ever thought possible, and we had a BALL!!!
My fifth day at the most incredible experience I've ever had. This has been a total dream. Hundreds and hundreds of girls and guys...being themselves without fear. I never imagined anything like this.
I have to say that this conference has been a real eye opener for me. Coming from a relatively small town, the sheer numbers of girls here, from all walks of life, is mind boggling for me. I've had some wonderful conversations and met more girls from more places than I can remember right now.
The Top Shelf Girls, Jacqui(Grover), Ariel, Holly and I made our initial appearances this afternoon, after Holly did yeoman work getting the transfers ironed on. So far, the response seems to be very positive, with quite a few commenting on the matching shirts and the site.
Day two started under a grey, drizzly sky, with more rain expected. It's not cold or anything...just a little depressing is all. I don't know why, but I had this image of the Sunny South. LOL.
following a storm that would have made Noah go..."Ok. I give up." Grover and I are safely ensconced in our room. Grover is reading...I am destressing. We've already met two of the organizers of SCC and spent a couple hours just talking with them...so I guess that counts as a good start. I haven't had a chance to use the camera yet, but trust me...I will. We're going to make an early night of it, since there isn't much of anything going on yet at the Convention/conference.
I'll post updates as often as I can, and upload pics when I get them.
Tomorrow morning, at 5 AM, I set off for Columbia S. Carolina to meet Grover and her wife, Paula. I'll stay with them through Sunday night. Monday, Grover and I will set off for Atlanta Georgia and the biggest TG conference/convention in the world, Southern Comfort! I'm really looking forward to this trip, and to meeting people I've only talked with on skype, or in chat rooms. Holly, Ariel, hopefully Gwen, Scotty Bishop, and who knows who else will be there.
For the last 20 or so years of my life, I've been in with a bunch of guys who I loved like brothers. We've been there for one another and they are all great guys. I felt privileged to have been accepted by them as a friend. Almost every weekend we'd do stuff together...movies, RPG gaming, cards, trips to Buffalo to a place called The Super Flea, and much more.
If you haven't, may I humbly suggest you go and do so? Grover has improved with each posting, and this story is no exception to that rule. I truly believe that this Grover's best effort yet, and being a friend of hers, I want everyone to see and appreciate this wonderfully funny story. If you have a funny bone, this tale will give it a good workout. I've never done anything like this before, and I hope Grover will forgive me for gushing about her story, but it's just that darned good. See for yourself.
Now I know that you have to clean the outside of your computer screen, but did any of you know you know you have to clean the INSIDE of your screen? I sure didn't, but I found a place where you can get it done for free. http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf
Glad to have been of service. *giggle* This was sent to me by "understanding wife"
from my former employer, the most recent one, that I just left for health reasons. I'll transcribe it here. Remember that during the time I worked there, I transitioned, undergoing my Real Life Test. Their attitude during the time I worked there was understanding, supportive and caring.
"Dear Catherine.
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for the nearly 5 years of service that you have dedicated to CARTS (Chautauqua Area Rural Transport System) through your assignment here as an Office For The Aging Senior Aide.
I got to thinking about those who either purge, getting rid of all their femme finery, or need to clean out their closets, but hate to throw good things away.
Yesterday, while out doing retail therapy, on my way home, my car died on me. I managed to coast into a somewhat secluded parking lot, tried re-starting the car...no joy. I went inside a nearby business, called a tow truck, and went back out to wait in the car.
I began HRT while still receiving Social Services assistance. I was initially diagnosed by my therapist and then had it confirmed by a shrink who, while not necessarily agreeing that I was a good candidate for SRS, still started me on hormones and T-blockers.
Checks can be made out & sent to:
Joyce Melton
1001 Third St.
Space 80
Calimesa, CA 92320
USA
Note: $6000 is the operating, maintenance and upgrade budget. Amounts received in excess of the $6000 will be applied to long term debt accrued over the last 19 years.
