A day in a life of Cynthia Ann

[CynthiaAnn]

Hello Susan's place MTF forum....

Have not started many topics since joining in late 2010 here at Susan's place, usually have answered other's topics and enjoy adding something to the conversations when possible. This topic I am creating will be only my 6th since joining, and it will be my personal diary of a mostly post transition life. I say mostly, because even though I've taken many steps physically and socially to transition to female, there are areas of female life where I feel I am still exploring and learning in, they fascinate me and I am one to believe in "life long learning". When I joined these forums I quickly realized that many here have created their own personal topics, and I've been starting to read and post in some of them, some are many years in the running, how fun and useful ! I've answered most of the polls here already, I've answered in many of the transition related topics that I can relate to, so here it goes my personal topic,

  My wife is working now and so am I as I type this, we mostly work today because we are helping our 20 somethings have a better life. Our oldest daughter is a FAA licensed commercial pilot, working on increasing her marketability in the aviation field. I personally have everything in life I could ever want, a happy marriage and a family that loves me, stable employment, home ownership, and my health and well being is the best ever. Thankfully I've solved many of the dysphoria related issues I suffered with over the past decade. I look forward to moving on from my day job sometime soon, and hopefully traveling more (we are cruising the inside passage this summer), playing more music, and enjoying many of the crafts and sewing I like to do.

  So today real life includes 5 miles of exercise soon, it's a cool showery morning here in the Puget Sound region. Getting our RV ready today for a Puget sound island trip and beautiful waterfront location to ride my bicycle, hike in the coastal forests there and be with family, here is what it looked like there last year.



Real life awaits this topic.....

Thanks for reading

Cynthia -

[Northern Star Girl]

@CynthiaAnn
Dear CynthiaAnn:
Thank you for starting  your new personal diary of your "mostly post transition life" ...  as you already know, I am in the same kind of life stage that you are regarding having the big life changing transition events behind me and now like you are, I am just living day by day doing everyday normal things that people do without continual and total focus on our past initial transition journey life changing endeavors.
 
Still, I am continuing to learn about living my new life but I am very fortunate to have the acceptance of many acquaintances,  good friends, and some romantic encounters too,  that helps me to start each day with a positive attitude, always trying to make the next day better than the last.

I am very happy to read how you are "helping" your 20 something kids and encouraging them... and reading about your happy marriage and family makes me smile and be glad for you. 

Oh yeah, enjoy doing some traveling... you will certainly enjoy the "inside passage" cruise this summer...  think of me when you get close to Alaska. 
I love the picture that you posted of your spring season beautiful green grass and water and mountain view of the Cascades and Olympics... and either the Straits of Juan de Fuca or of Puget Sound.... 
***I think that I may be guessing correctly about all of that.

The weather you are having there is making me envious for sure.  As I reported in my thread, I woke up this morning to a foot of new snow and it will be snowing all day and into tomorrow...  temps in the mid to high 20's (F) at night and today staying the low 30's (F)

For me, as it probably was for you, it has be quite an exciting ride, this transition journey, and looking back it was well worth the trials, tribulations, disappointments, failures and all of those things that threatened to sidetrack our journeys.

Thank you for starting your new "everyday life" thread, I will be eagerly following it as you feel so led to post your updates.
Hugs and best wishes as always,  [emoji172]
Danielle

[CynthiaAnn]

@Alaskan Danielle thank you for such a wonderful and thoughtful reply to my diary post, you are correct the image above was taken from Marrowstone Island bluff looking north toward you, and that's point Wilson in the left foreground and the straight of Juan de Fuca. It's beautiful to have spring again here and all of the bulbs and flowering trees are in bloom. I will be thinking of you as we head up that coast this summer and I look forward to updating this thread. There are many twists and turns life can take, I plan on writing about some of them as we move into the future....

Our oldest daughter just came home excited this afternoon, as she met her new "Multi Engine" flight instructor today and has the next lessons scheduled now, she needs about 15 hours of training to complete this endorsement. Her S.E.S (special endorsement sea) training begins in Sept now at Kenmore air.

For the sake of this thread here she is having fun posing on a T 6 (texan) at Paine field a few years back before she flew this plane with the museum pilot.



Have wonderful day !

Cynthia -

[CynthiaAnn]

Update 7 am PDT, it's cool this morning at 39f, sunny and bright here. Look forward to exercise out after my meeting with Cisco today and planning their big technical conference later this spring. Clothes shopping has been fruitful this spring, several new tops and skirts, and I have a wonderful new dress and sandals for a trip to CA this year. Out on exercise yesterday and this 30 something woman waves at me from her car, I seem to notice this a lot from women in our neighborhood, they are just being friendly and it's great to be on the receiving end of some of that...I learned a new song this past week, and it's always fun to go through the motions, I love ELP songs....Oldest daughter showed me her new Ruby ring from her boyfriend in Edmonton from her last trip there, we are getting closer I believe to being empty nesters it seems. Dual citizenship is in her future. I really like this guy she met, and he is perfectly at ease with me....Thoughts of what I'd wear at their wedding.....

Have a great day....

C -

[Northern Star Girl]

@CynthiaAnn
Dear CynthiaAnn:
The springtime is always my favorite season of the year... new life, new blossoms, and a nice change of pace from the long darkness and cold of winter... although I do love the winter season, in spite of the weather and darkness it has it's own type of beauty and up here we do lots of things indoors when it gets really nasty outside, plus it gives me lots of time to read a good book in front of my fireplace in the evenings.

Ahhh.... springtime is a wonderful time for changing over your wardrobe to new colorful and light summer clothes... even showing a little more skin if you dare.  Lots of fun.  Lots of fun dresses, tops, shorts and skorts... and capris.... and shoes.... etc.   

This year, my gym-gals group and I did not get to do our big overnight annual shopping trip to the big city (Anchorage) as we did last year in early Spring.  That was when I shared a hotel room with my Tooth Fairy Dental Hygienist Suitor #4 ....   I was so very nervous but that has all worked out very nicely as I have been reporting in my thread.
Hopefully we will get that trip arranged before summer starts.

Oh yeah, as you mentioned it is so affirming and such a good feeling to get the friendly waves and looks from other women... and men too.   As a married woman I am sure that you are more careful with how you respond to men flirting with you...  I assure you that it is a wonderful feeling and as you know from my threads, I have dated several men and gotten into some romantic endeavors with a few nice guys in the recent past.  (i.e. past Suitor#1 and also ShyGuy Suitor #3)

Thank you for your posting, and for sharing....
HUGS,  [emoji171]
Danielle

Update 7 am PDT, it's cool this morning at 39f, sunny however look forward to exercise out after my meeting with Cisco today, planning their big technical conference later this spring. Clothes shopping has been fruitful this spring, several new tops and skirts, and I have a wonderful new dress and sandals for my trip to CA this year. Out on exercise yesterday and this 30 something woman waves at me from her car, I seem to notice this a lot from women in our neighborhood, they are just being friendly and it's great to be on the receiving end of some of that...

Have a great day all

C -

[CynthiaAnn]

@CynthiaAnn
Dear CynthiaAnn:
This year, my gym-gals group and I did not get to do our big overnight annual shopping trip to the big city (Anchorage) as we did last year in early Spring.  That was when I shared a hotel room with my Tooth Fairy Dental Hygienist Suitor #4 ....   I was so very nervous but that has all worked out very nicely as I have been reporting in my thread.
Hopefully we will get that trip arranged before summer starts.

That's so awesome your "Tooth Fairy" friend, I am so happy for you Danielle ! Anchorage is the "Big City" for your neck of the woods. Been there several times over the years, had a friend that lived in Chugiack. I remember being stuck in Anchorage back in '89 when Mt Redoubt blew her top and they closed the airport there for several days. That was an interesting trip.

Yes reading by the fire, I enjoy that as well. I am sure you are quite ready for Spring / Summer there, you are gaining precious minutes of day light each day

Yes attention from guys is a whole topic in it's self, and an adjustment as a married woman...


Hugs and have a wonderful day Danielle !!

C -

[CynthiaAnn]

5/2 evening update with coffee, the trip to Marrowstone island was fantastic and it's good to be back, I'll simply say what great family time, we caught fantastic weather, and all the equipment worked, except for the having to clean and repair the connection to the trailer. Just doing our laundry now.

Here is #2 daughter and me visiting the lighthouse...



and sunset 4/29



Have a great day !

Cynthia -

[CynthiaAnn]

  Good morning, just sipping my coffee and getting caught up on many threads here. All the laundry is done and everything pretty much put away. Reflecting on going out with daughter and my soul mate shopping in Port Townsend this week, and how it's taken years since transition for all of us to be comfortable doing routine things out in public together. I can recall many awkward moments in the past, and now it's just 3 ladies out shopping and dining. I found a nice skort in the consignment shop there, only 4 dollars, and such bright colors, I did not need it, but it was too good to pass up, this girl loves a bargain. Really thinking about opening a 401 k roll over account, my investments are doing very well with stock market at or near record highs, and it's making this girl really nervous. When do I cash my chips in, I've earned in the big casino ? I am practicing being retired today and it feels great, no deadlines, no emails, just gonna get 5 miles of exercise in, it's core training day. I like planks and hula hoop among other things. Tonight it's dinner with friends, I have a new dress and cardigan to wear over at their place. Life is really good when gender fades into the background, thanks for reading and have a great day !



Cynthia -

[Northern Star Girl]

@CynthiaAnn 
Dear Cynthia"
Great photos.
Looks like that the weatherman cooperated and that you had a wonderful day-trip with your daughter...
I was happy to read that you repaired the trailer issues...
...one thing about RVs, there is often something to fix every time you use it.

Here the weather turned to winter again...  the temperatures are hovering around 30 deg F and it started snowing sometime overnight...  it is 6:30 am here and there already is over an inch of snow on the ground.

I hope that this is the last blast of winter.

Thank you for sharing your day and your pictures on your thread.
HUGS,
Danielle

[CynthiaAnn]

Saturday morning update - Dinner last night with friends was great, she made jambalaya, so spicy, lovely. We are all pretty much on the same page politically, so we all can vent, it's the one group of friends I hang with where I can actually talk about that stuff, and we mostly come to similar conclusions. I purposely avoid religion and politics, and divisiveness topics here for good reason, it's simply not worth any emotional investment typing that stuff. My good friend said she purposely removed herself from social media because of the divisiveness recently. I never joined social media myself, so I keep going to her "told you so". It felt nice to be complimented on my new dress and sandals 

Today the sun is out, it's beautiful here, gonna take care of my yard / property. I was fun to catch up on some of the threads here with coffee. Put the SPF 55 on today !

Have a great day !

C -

[Susan R]

Hi Cynthia Ann, I ran across your thread here and had to tell you it's nice to get an periodic update on what you've been up to.

I purposely avoid religion and politics, and divisiveness topics here for good reason, it's simply not worth any emotional investment typing that stuff. My good friend said she purposely removed herself from social media because of the divisiveness recently.

I used to enjoy a good chat about politics and religion but 'something' changed a few years ago and things can become too explosive too quickly to delve into such hostile territory.  Like your good friend, I'm not on any mainstream social network or platform.

Well, that's all.  Just thought I'd say, Hi!

Susan R🌷

[CynthiaAnn]

Hi Cynthia Ann, I ran across your thread here and had to tell you it's nice to get an periodic update on what you've been up to.

I used to enjoy a good chat about politics and religion but 'something' changed a few years ago and things can become too explosive too quickly to delve into such hostile territory.  Like your good friend, I'm not on any mainstream social network or platform.

Well, that's all.  Just thought I'd say, Hi!

Susan R🌷

Hi Susan, glad to have you stop by here  , yes I just started this online diary a little while back for those that want to keep up with my "real life" and small happenings. Chime in anytime ! I read your update on coming out to daughters.

Yes, the climate has gotten so toxic, that it's just not worth it. Yeah, social media has essentially created this "alternate consciousnesses", that seems manipulative, so yeah I avoid it, here at Susan's place is essentially the closest thing to "social media" I participate in, but I don't engage in certain topics.

Hope life is treating you well Susan

Hugs

Cynthia -

[KimOct]

Hi Susan, glad to have you stop by here  , yes I just started this online diary a little while back for those that want to keep up with my "real life" and small happenings. Chime in anytime ! I read your update on coming out to daughters.

Yes, the climate has gotten so toxic, that it's just not worth it. Yeah, social media has essentially created this "alternate consciousnesses", that seems manipulative, so yeah I avoid it, here at Susan's place is essentially the closest thing to "social media" I participate in, but I don't engage in certain topics.

Hope life is treating you well Susan

Hugs

Cynthia -

Hi Cynthia I like the idea of a post transition woman just talking about her life here.  I tend to focus my posts and replies toward those struggling with the prospect of transition or those early on in that journey.

What I think is great about your thread is it is the story of someone living their life as just a normal life.  Which really is the goal of all of this.  It's nice for those that are following us on this path to see that the turmoil can come to a conclusion.

As for the social media references that you and Susan mentioned it is a very toxic environment, sadly.  I keep very abreast of current events and politics but I tend not to engage with those that disagree with me.  I don't need the aggravation and most of us are so deeply rooted in our beliefs few of us change our minds anyway.

I had an interesting discussion in another thread with Ann W.  I strongly disagreed with most of her points but we had a lively and interesting discussion and thanked each other in PM for keeping it civil.  Sadly that is the exception and not the norm these days.

Lastly I enjoyed reading that you are still learning.  I fear sometimes I come across in my comments as thinking I have this all figured out.  Far from it.  I am very confident in my insight into transitioning and living authentically however I still am struggling with my body dysphoria and sexuality.  So while I MAY have an area of expertise I am still learning as well.

Thanks for a change of pace topic.

[TransParkie]

Hi Susan, glad to have you stop by here  , yes I just started this online diary a little while back for those that want to keep up with my "real life" and small happenings. Chime in anytime ! I read your update on coming out to daughters.
Hugs
Cynthia -

Hi girls, Greetings from the Southern Shores of the beautiful Salish Sea.. In the shadows of Mt. Tahoma.... I've been following this a couple weeks now, and thought I'd finally toss in my ten cents worth.. (due to inflation, a penny for ones thoughts is now up to a Nickle, and your two cents worth? is now up to ten cents)... Anyway, a couple of random comments...
1) Kim, Like you I also keep very abreast of current events... but I learned many years ago, that as an Amateur (ham) Radio Operator?? (The original form of international social media) to never discuss religion or politics... That it is always best to be an ambassador of good will. Every one stays much happier that way.... especially since the whole world can listen to you conversation... giggle..
2) Susan, since I am unable to look at profiles, or use the search function on this site (I guess admin has to "approve me" or something).... and my wife and I are planning a trip back East to see our newest grand baby later this summer.... It's time to finally have the discussion with Daughter #2 about my transition... and thought your article on the subject might be a great read, along with any other info on the subject..... Since discussing anything with daughter #1 went down in flames a few years back.....
3)and of course Cynthia Ann... it's always a pleasure to meet another "girl" living on the Shores of the Salish Sea...
loves and kisses
Brigitte

[TransParkie]

Hello Susan's place MTF forum....

Our oldest daughter is a FAA licensed commercial pilot, working on increasing her marketability in the aviation field.
Thanks for reading
Cynthia -

Cynthia Ann.... I was talking to my wife, and we were kind of wondering who your daughter is flying for??? We're both ex airline folks here... Although we both hold A&P licenses.. My wife also holds her Flight Engineer license with both a Recip., and heavy jet ratings, as well as her her Advanced Ground Instructor rating... Before retiring (due to medical issues), we worked for United I as a mechanic/radio/avionics, and her as a mechanic/avionics tech., then as a Flight Engineer on B747, B727, B707, DC10's and others, then (as her MS got worse) as a ground instructor. Before finally coming home and spending a few years before retiring as a maintenance training instructor for Alaska Airlines.... She worked about 15 years longer than I did... as I effectively retired back when I was 39.... because not only was I born XXY? and all the stuff that came with that?? (as I found out much later, due to a tremor, and several falls that started back when I was 16yrs old, the final blow being a nasty fall at work, that entailed falling off the top of a B777, all the way down to the hanger floor, and no, I didn't bounce.. giggle),That I also was blessed with a little gift that runs in the female line of my moms family.. Here's the crazy part, I was Dx'd when I was 50, with Juvenile Onset Parkinson's Disease... (Yup, the 6th person(girl) over 4 generations on my mom's side of the family DX'd with PD, all women), and because Juvenile onset is the only type that's genetic, affecting the 1% of the 1% of those with Parkinson's?? my Neurologist had my DNA sequenced, as well as the chromosome work-up to see where the genetic defect was, on which specific gene?....We also found that out that gee, I was also XXY... giving me the final piece to not just my Parkinson's issues, but also to all my gender issues, and dysphoria over the years as well... Talk about a serious weight off my shoulders..... WHEW
Brigette   

[CynthiaAnn]

Hi Cynthia I like the idea of a post transition woman just talking about her life here.  I tend to focus my posts and replies toward those struggling with the prospect of transition or those early on in that journey.

What I think is great about your thread is it is the story of someone living their life as just a normal life.  Which really is the goal of all of this.  It's nice for those that are following us on this path to see that the turmoil can come to a conclusion.

As for the social media references that you and Susan mentioned it is a very toxic environment, sadly.  I keep very abreast of current events and politics but I tend not to engage with those that disagree with me.  I don't need the aggravation and most of us are so deeply rooted in our beliefs few of us change our minds anyway.

I had an interesting discussion in another thread with Ann W.  I strongly disagreed with most of her points but we had a lively and interesting discussion and thanked each other in PM for keeping it civil.  Sadly that is the exception and not the norm these days.

Lastly I enjoyed reading that you are still learning.  I fear sometimes I come across in my comments as thinking I have this all figured out.  Far from it.  I am very confident in my insight into transitioning and living authentically however I still am struggling with my body dysphoria and sexuality.  So while I MAY have an area of expertise I am still learning as well.

Thanks for a change of pace topic.

Hi Kim, I've enjoyed reading your posts and answering when I feel I can add something. You write some great responses to others I might add ! I recall the Ann W "smacks the hornets nest" post was one example of a civil disagreement here on our moderated board. I am glad it did not devolve into flames, although she had to close out the topic, it seems the angry hornets were buzzing around  . Keeping a positive attitude about things here online, brings much enjoyment, I can tell you enjoy yourself here Kim, you project great vibes into our forum, I like to try and emulate that as well 

Real life gives us experiences and chances to grow. I for one enjoy new learning and experiences, I am glad you chimed into my topic Kim  It's been great walking along side you sister on this road of life it is.

Hugs

Cynthia -

[CynthiaAnn]

Cynthia Ann.... I was talking to my wife, and we were kind of wondering who your daughter is flying for??? We're both ex airline folks here... Although we both hold A&P licenses.. My wife also holds her Flight Engineer license with both a Recip., and heavy jet ratings, as well as her her Advanced Ground Instructor rating... Before retiring (due to medical issues), we worked for United I as a mechanic/radio/avionics, and her as a mechanic/avionics tech., then as a Flight Engineer on B747, B727, B707, DC10's and others, then (as her MS got worse) as a ground instructor. Before finally coming home and spending a few years before retiring as a maintenance training instructor for Alaska Airlines.... She worked about 15 years longer than I did... as I effectively retired back when I was 39.... because not only was I born XXY? and all the stuff that came with that?? (as I found out much later, due to a tremor, and several falls that started back when I was 16yrs old, the final blow being a nasty fall at work, that entailed falling off the top of a B777, all the way down to the hanger floor, and no, I didn't bounce.. giggle),That I also was blessed with a little gift that runs in the female line of my moms family.. Here's the crazy part, I was Dx'd when I was 50, with Juvenile Onset Parkinson's Disease... (Yup, the 6th person(girl) over 4 generations on my mom's side of the family DX'd with PD, all women), and because Juvenile onset is the only type that's genetic, affecting the 1% of the 1% of those with Parkinson's?? my Neurologist had my DNA sequenced, as well as the chromosome work-up to see where the genetic defect was, on which specific gene?....We also found that out that gee, I was also XXY... giving me the final piece to not just my Parkinson's issues, but also to all my gender issues, and dysphoria over the years as well... Talk about a serious weight off my shoulders..... WHEW
Brigette

Hi Brigette, and thanks for introducing yourself here in my "real life" topic also in the shadow of Big Tahoma here, where it's a beautiful morning as I type this, sipping coffee, it's currently 49f with bright sunshine here, going to be a great day here, thinking about getting out on my bicycle a bit later 

Our daughter is currently up this morning in a twin engine getting her 2nd multi engine lesson. She is still in training, and earning her wings, we hope soon that she can find some work in the field at some point. She now has her BS aviation science, and ~ 500 hours total, with several endorsements. She hopes to complete "multi engine" FAA endorsement next, then SES this fall. We are very proud of her.

That's terrible to read of your falls and your medical situation. Glad you are getting the dysphoria pieces worked out, it can be very debilitating. Best wishes with coming out to your # 2 daughter, I hope it goes better this time.

I came out to both our daughters when they were teen aged (13, 16) back then, thankfully all is well with our relationships today, way better in many ways !

I hope you have a wonderful day Brigette 

Cynthia -

[EllenJ2003]

Hello Susan's place MTF forum....

Have not started many topics since joining in late 2010 here at Susan's place, usually have answered other's topics and enjoy adding something to the conversations when possible. This topic I am creating will be only my 6th since joining, and it will be my personal diary of a mostly post transition life. I say mostly, because even though I've taken many steps physically and socially to transition to female, there are areas of female life where I feel I am still exploring and learning in, they fascinate me and I am one to believe in "life long learning". When I joined these forums I quickly realized that many here have created their own personal topics, and I've been starting to read and post in some of them, some are many years in the running, how fun and useful ! I've answered most of the polls here already, I've answered in many of the transition related topics that I can relate to, so here it goes my personal topic,

  My wife is working now and so am I as I type this, we mostly work today because we are helping our 20 somethings have a better life. Our oldest daughter is a FAA licensed commercial pilot, working on increasing her marketability in the aviation field. I personally have everything in life I could ever want, a happy marriage and a family that loves me, stable employment, home ownership, and my health and well being is the best ever. Thankfully I've solved many of the dysphoria related issues I suffered with over the past decade. I look forward to moving on from my day job sometime soon, and hopefully traveling more (we are cruising the inside passage this summer), playing more music, and enjoying many of the crafts and sewing I like to do.

  So today real life includes 5 miles of exercise soon, it's a cool showery morning here in the Puget Sound region. Getting our RV ready today for a Puget sound island trip and beautiful waterfront location to ride my bicycle, hike in the coastal forests there and be with family, here is what it looked like there last year.



Real life awaits this topic.....

Thanks for reading

Cynthia -

Hi Cynthia, I just found this thread - Oooh!  Noice scenery from your property!

I miss the water!   For most of my life I lived less than a mile from Lake Michigan.  When I was upset I used to walk along the shoreline to think about things, look out over The Lake (due to its size, it's more of a small inland sea - you cannot see the shore on the opposite side), and listen to the soothing sound of the waves.  Unfortunately, I live 10 miles west of the Lake Michigan shore, so it's a bit more of a hassle to go for a walk along The Lake.

Ellen - On a Lazy Sunday Afternoon

[CynthiaAnn]

Hi Ellen, very nice on growing up near lake Michigan. That bluff picture is from Marrowstone Island and belongs to the State of WA. Can you picture a phased vertical array like a 4 square diamond on that bluff for 160 ?, with just this super low angle take off, and salt water Fresnel in the near field ! I dream about locations such as this for that purpose, to be electro - magnetically quiet for listening, no urban RF pollution, just imagine the possibilities !

I know you are into guitars Ellen, so I'll invite you to have a look at the "show us your Axe ?" topic here at Susan's

You can see a few of my Basses there

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,245844.0.html

Have a wonderful day !

C-

[EllenJ2003]

Hi Ellen, very nice on growing up near lake Michigan. That bluff picture is from Marrowstone Island and belongs to the State of WA. Can you picture a phased vertical array like a 4 square diamond on that bluff for 160 ?, with just this super low angle take off, and salt water Fresnel in the near field ! I dream about locations such as this for that purpose, to be electro - magnetically quiet for listening, no urban RF pollution, just imagine the possibilities !

I know you are into guitars Ellen, so I'll invite you to have a look at the "show us your Axe ?" topic here at Susan's

You can see a few of my Basses there

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,245844.0.html

Have a wonderful day !

C-

Ooh!! You're giving me Amateur Radio pain!!!!  The ultimate ground plane salt water!!!  BTW, where I grew up and lived on the Lake Michigan shoreline, had 150 foot tall bluffs.  I used to climb them during my rock climbing days, to the worry and chagrin of my parents.

Hmm, I'll check out the guitar thread, thanks for letting me know.

Ellen