Well, thanks to web interfaces, I had a great post prepared, and at the last moment, poof! Gone. Here we go again...
A Day in the LifeLast Monday started out with a trip to my primary doctor's office to have blood drawn for my quarterly tests. This time I asked them to check for not just testosterone levels, but all three E's: Estrogen, Estradiol and Estrone. The same phlebotomist that I usually see greeted me, and in hushed tones asked me how "the change" was going. She's very interested, in a clinical way, but being uneducated in it, uses layman's terms. We talked frankly about the process, and at one point she said, "have you had it done yet?" pointing down. I have to do a little educating about proper etiquette, but she was respectful about it all, so we talked about what that all means. She had to pull out her manual to find out how to take all those E samples, and we chatted while she looked it all up. At the front desk Jeanine, who used to call me "Mister Steve," was as friendly as always and wished me a nice day. squee.
I've been seeing a chiropractor for the back pain I've been living with since before the Denver trip. The truly awesome thing is I don't think my doctor included my full history when he sent the referral, and nobody there seems to know my story. I'm just Stephanie to them, and the front desk ladies - and even other patients - and I have had some fun and extremely affirming conversations as we banter about hair and jewelry and clothing and just life-in-general. The back problem is just about fixed, and I'm going to miss my three-times-a-week visits there.
After having blood sucked out of me, I went to my morning back breaker appointment, and when I was done, I was feeling so good that I didn't want to go home. I did however, have a craving for a Starbucks Mocha, especially considering that I'd had to fast for the blood tests and had had zero caffeine so far, so off I went. I love being greeted with "yes ma'am," telling them my name to put on the cup (and usually telling them it's "ph" not "f" in Stephanie), and waiting for them to call it out. squeee. (Ahhh, chocolate and coffee. Almost as good as chocolate and wine, right, Kathy?).
From there to the auto parts store to return some touchup paint that was the wrong color for the Colossus. I'd bought it from a lady at the counter the week before, and was treated right then, and told if it was the wrong color, just bring it back. So I did. The guy at the counter wasn't sure how to take the return, so he called his manager, who happened to be the lady I'd already dealt with (yay, a woman manager at an auto parts store!). He consulted with her: "She bought this last week and needs to return it." "Yes, I remember her, do this and this." Squeeeeee.
I still didn't want to go back to isolation at home. On the way that direction I pass a local college where I've been considering taking classes. I was certain that the class catalog would be online, but I wanted more social interaction, so I drove in and went inside. The nice lady in the registrars office gave me paperwork to take home, and lots of affirmation. Squeee!
On to the post office to check the PO box. I remember driving over there late at night and surreptitiously sneaking in and out when there was no one to see. No more. Troop in, smile at everyone, get smiles in return, and check the mail. SQUEE!
Still not wanting to go home, what to do? Hey, we need groceries! Off to the Wall Mart's Superduper Store. On the way to the grocery section, I get pulled into the women's clothing department. Ooo, that's cute! I restrained myself, though I did go to the cosmetics section and pick out some new lipstick. In groceries the women smiled back and the men moved out of my way. Checking out I channelled Tia and struck up a conversation with the cashier, leaving us both smiling as I left. At the exit sensors the gentleman in front of me set off the alarm and we bantered a little about what to do about it, with no drama or weirdness. More smiles, and out to the Rocket Skate. SQUEEEEE!
I had finally exhausted all excuses for not going home. While I ate lunch I reviewed the paperwork from the college. Dang, they want copies of transcripts from high school and previous colleges. There is no way they are going to see such things with a mismatched name on them. So what the heck, I got online and started researching if I could change the name on ancient records. The high school stuff was hazy, but the path seemed pretty clear for my college records. I had attended for three years in the early 80's until the school and I mutually agreed that we didn't like each other any more, and I went into the workplace, creating my own career without their help. With minimal research I found an email address, and after a few messages back and forth, one including scans of my court order and driver's license, they wrote back that they were changing it and here's how to order copies. SQUEEEEEEEE!!!
It was an incredible day. I'll state again that while such things will be expected and unremarkable some day, right now it just feels so good...
But that's not all.Yesterday I received something in the mail I never expected to see. My college transcripts arrived, with
Stephanie Rhapsody Bensinger on the top. She is less than a year old, and she's already been to college!
SQUEEEEESPLOSION!!! [emoji769]
Stephanie
