I know I'm a woman, but I kind of...don't remember not doing it, although at different times it was less often.When I read about women who, like, have to be taught, it kind of confuses me. Score one for hippie lack of shame, I suppose. I think the book we used was called "Growing Up and Liking It" Strangely, though, my mother would still rather talk about biology than emotional things around these kinds of issues. I was once busted like Sally Draper by one of my SPED teachers though. I thought I was in trouble, but my mother gave the teacher hell instead. I did get an extra-encylopedic definition of what "private" is.

I got the book "It's Perfectly Normal" by Harris and Emberley

That was the book I got for the boys. Gave it to them, told them they were always free to ask any questions. I believe it was the book recommended here. I never had a sit down The Talk. I was always open and comfortable answering any questions although few were asked. We have had a good number of teachable moments with unexpected teen pregnancies and so forth. Mostly my standard position with them has been 'no sex (alcohol, smoking, etc) until you are 35 or married, whichever comes first'. They also have been told that any potential spouse has to ask my permission first before they can marry. Brendon has told this to a number of women, but none of them have asked me for his hand yet.

I'm pretty sure the book we had was something like Growing Up, Feeling Good, but I remember learning a lot more from looking through my mom's copy of Our Bodies, Ourselves. I'm not sure I ever had, like, a sit-down Talk with my parents, but they were always open & willing to answer questions and made me feel like I could ask them anything. It worked out pretty well!

ION, D and I have been married 2 years today!

Congratulations!

It was an interesting decision I made, scheduling HPF's dentist appointment for the day after Easter.

So, here we are. I'm nodding off in the corner of the room while someone else gives her another talk about brushing. Which is fine. I'm glad it's not me.

Ginger, continuing the good outcome vibes.

Good luck LeN!

Happy anniversary, Erin and DH!

Happy anniversary, erin!

The procedure wasn't bad at all, except for the amount of time I spent being shut in various rooms and told someone would be coming for me soon. It was never soon. Results are in about a week.

I got back to find a message from Angela in the oncologist's office saying that I needed to come in for a bone marrow test. Angela is the one I saw three weeks ago who decided it had to be done in at the hospital and scheduled it there for today. Possibly Angela has gotten into the good drugs.

Passing grades, Ginger!

Best of luck, LeN!

I said it in Natter, but I'll say it again, because you guys rock as a couple. Happy Anniversary, Erin and DH!

Erin, you continue to be one of my heroes. And happy anniversary!!

omnis, I don't know whether to thank you or curse you* for linking those "Single Dad Laughing" posts. I went on to read his posts about bullying, and it's brought up a whole bunch of shit I had forgotten about or at least tried.

And my parents are about to arrive in three days, and I just sent them an email asking them to consider carefully before they vote on Amendment One, and I'm back dealing with the fact that it's been thirteen years since I came out out to my parents, and I still think twice-three-twenty times before I mention anyone gay.

And I'm pondering how all that affects who I am and how I am now, and my game of "affection chicken" (TM Cheeks) with StW, and my feelings of loneliness and insecurity.

Fun times. I'm practicing being here with all of it, letting it flow over and not swamp me. God, I want a cigarette so bad right now.

In better news, I did a lot of stretching and stuff last night and one of my vertebrae has popped back into place that has been out of whack for a long time, so that feels good. The lessening of pain is a good thing.

* thank you

smonster, I spent a whole night last week sucking up Single Dad Laughing, and thinking a lot about bullying and single-parenting and such.

It was a thoughtful evening for me.

Fingers still crossed, Ginger. Always.

Ma for LeN, too.

Congratulations to Erin and DH!

Less pain is a very good thing, smonster. And, you know, in general for everybody.