1. I keep buying cheap books rec'd on SmartBitches. They are between $.99 and $2.99 on Kindle. Almost bought one of the ahem, sex toys, advertised on the site, but decided against it. (It was a cute little...rabbit. Seriously you have to see this thing to believe it - so I'm providing a picture:

According to the reviews on the site - it doesn't actually work, nor does it really look like a rabbit.
Oh, and they have a cute little unicorn.

Remember when these things were all pretty much phallus shaped? Well not any more. What can I say? Sex toys are coming up in the world.
Menopause has helped calm that part of me down, finally. No longer annoyingly horny. (Although I knew how to take care of it - which boggles my mind is other people don't.) The pluses of menopause? No periods. Sex drive is calmed down. Weirdly free of the whole thing. The cons of menopause, outside of the fact that you can't talk about menopause without people freaking out on you? (People are weird about anything related to sex or male/female sexuality, we've discussed this.) Are hot flashes and night sweats (although that could be diabetic related - I've been seeing a pattern). Also frequent urination (also potentially diabetic related). So maybe no cons? Outside of not being able to give birth - which is only a con if you particularly want to, and I do not.
My mother raised me to be able to discuss sex and human bodily functions kind of freely?
Mother: It's the human body, what is people's problem?
Me: They feel it is private.
Mother: About what? We all have bodies. We all do these things. It's not top secret or anything.
Me: Well you don't like to do public displays of affection or openly talk about your sex life -
Mother: That's different. Although -
Me: I don't want to hear about your sex life. Please stop.
This comes to you courtesy of all the Valentine's Ads that I feel inundated with. Gad, I hate February. And it always feels interminable. This year feels interminable. I felt like January lasted a year. I am losing patience with this year. Speed up already. 2024 has barely begun and I already want out of it.
2. I keep getting these emails from Jeremy the Moon Card Reader. I'd mind, except they are oddly inspiring and reassuring. Possibly what my Unitarian Universalistchurch society would call siren calls? One told me to embrace my inner goddess (that was the gist - it wasn't that short, they seldom are). Another to face my fears - and be open, and let go of biases.
3. I'm thinking of creating picture books of my artwork using an online "photo book creator", although Adobe Photoshop may make more sense. I got the hardware for it. One would be the people I see on the subway, and the other about a bird breaking free of its cage. I'll do markups, then maybe shop around for an agent or publisher?
Also considering writing a fictional novel about my paternal grandparents and great grandparents. I got one too many stories in my head and no time or wherewithal to write them all down.
When I retire? I'm becoming a full time artist and novelist. What I'm doing on the side as a hobby, is becoming my gig. I am tired of shoving it off to one side. Half of today, I had my grandmother's voice humming in my ears as a child...along with her story.
4. My hands can't handle any additional handwashing. They are getting rough. I keep putting lotion on them. I think the soap at work is the problem. Also the fact that I wash them about six times at work (every time I go to the bathroom, and before/after lunch.)
5. Started a new book entitled "Wedding by Dawn" - I like the main female characters, who have stolen a ship, sailed to Italy, and are attempting to start a new life in Malta. One wants to study to be a surgeon, and the other is going to export goods and run a shipping line - she's great on a ship, even though she can't read or write. This is...god, I don't know when, sometime during the Regency period? It's pre-1800s at any rate. She was wearing a tri-colour hat (?) and the hero a wig, and his hair tied back. So thinking early 1800s or late 1700s. But were there women surgeons back then? I don't know, maybe there were? Historical accuracy in romance novels doesn't bother me, I kind of hand wave it. I don't expect historical romance novels to be factual in any way. Historical novels - yes. Historical romance - no. I'm less lenient about mystery novels - mainly because unlike historicals - they are plot centric, and kind of dependent on the world. Romance novels are character centric and dependent on the emotional arc and motivations of the characters, plot and world be damned.
The plus side of this one - no pining. The pining is to get away from the men. Or get the money to save the estate. The characters are very pro-active, and do not want to be attracted to each other.
Basically enemies to lovers trope - which I adore. Because - no pining. It's more banter. Bickering (which can be annoying - if it doesn't lead to banter). But no pining or yearning. Even the fantasy novels I was reading were plagued with pining, so too were the horror novels. I had to find a romance novel - a Harlequin - to get no pining. That's just sad.
Of course it's early still - we could end up with pining down the road.
6. Going to bed. Tired. Maybe I'll sleep? That would be nice - to sleep through the night, no getting up in the middle of it, or waking? Been having funky dreams though - so obviously I have been sleeping - just not as much as I want to.
7. Almost forgot...I have a picture from my walk down the train platform at lunch time. (I walk the train platforms at lunch time now, no one is really on them, and its quiet. Well, except for various co-workers who are also doing it.)



According to the reviews on the site - it doesn't actually work, nor does it really look like a rabbit.
Oh, and they have a cute little unicorn.

Remember when these things were all pretty much phallus shaped? Well not any more. What can I say? Sex toys are coming up in the world.
Menopause has helped calm that part of me down, finally. No longer annoyingly horny. (Although I knew how to take care of it - which boggles my mind is other people don't.) The pluses of menopause? No periods. Sex drive is calmed down. Weirdly free of the whole thing. The cons of menopause, outside of the fact that you can't talk about menopause without people freaking out on you? (People are weird about anything related to sex or male/female sexuality, we've discussed this.) Are hot flashes and night sweats (although that could be diabetic related - I've been seeing a pattern). Also frequent urination (also potentially diabetic related). So maybe no cons? Outside of not being able to give birth - which is only a con if you particularly want to, and I do not.
My mother raised me to be able to discuss sex and human bodily functions kind of freely?
Mother: It's the human body, what is people's problem?
Me: They feel it is private.
Mother: About what? We all have bodies. We all do these things. It's not top secret or anything.
Me: Well you don't like to do public displays of affection or openly talk about your sex life -
Mother: That's different. Although -
Me: I don't want to hear about your sex life. Please stop.
This comes to you courtesy of all the Valentine's Ads that I feel inundated with. Gad, I hate February. And it always feels interminable. This year feels interminable. I felt like January lasted a year. I am losing patience with this year. Speed up already. 2024 has barely begun and I already want out of it.
2. I keep getting these emails from Jeremy the Moon Card Reader. I'd mind, except they are oddly inspiring and reassuring. Possibly what my Unitarian Universalist
3. I'm thinking of creating picture books of my artwork using an online "photo book creator", although Adobe Photoshop may make more sense. I got the hardware for it. One would be the people I see on the subway, and the other about a bird breaking free of its cage. I'll do markups, then maybe shop around for an agent or publisher?
Also considering writing a fictional novel about my paternal grandparents and great grandparents. I got one too many stories in my head and no time or wherewithal to write them all down.
When I retire? I'm becoming a full time artist and novelist. What I'm doing on the side as a hobby, is becoming my gig. I am tired of shoving it off to one side. Half of today, I had my grandmother's voice humming in my ears as a child...along with her story.
4. My hands can't handle any additional handwashing. They are getting rough. I keep putting lotion on them. I think the soap at work is the problem. Also the fact that I wash them about six times at work (every time I go to the bathroom, and before/after lunch.)
5. Started a new book entitled "Wedding by Dawn" - I like the main female characters, who have stolen a ship, sailed to Italy, and are attempting to start a new life in Malta. One wants to study to be a surgeon, and the other is going to export goods and run a shipping line - she's great on a ship, even though she can't read or write. This is...god, I don't know when, sometime during the Regency period? It's pre-1800s at any rate. She was wearing a tri-colour hat (?) and the hero a wig, and his hair tied back. So thinking early 1800s or late 1700s. But were there women surgeons back then? I don't know, maybe there were? Historical accuracy in romance novels doesn't bother me, I kind of hand wave it. I don't expect historical romance novels to be factual in any way. Historical novels - yes. Historical romance - no. I'm less lenient about mystery novels - mainly because unlike historicals - they are plot centric, and kind of dependent on the world. Romance novels are character centric and dependent on the emotional arc and motivations of the characters, plot and world be damned.
The plus side of this one - no pining. The pining is to get away from the men. Or get the money to save the estate. The characters are very pro-active, and do not want to be attracted to each other.
Basically enemies to lovers trope - which I adore. Because - no pining. It's more banter. Bickering (which can be annoying - if it doesn't lead to banter). But no pining or yearning. Even the fantasy novels I was reading were plagued with pining, so too were the horror novels. I had to find a romance novel - a Harlequin - to get no pining. That's just sad.
Of course it's early still - we could end up with pining down the road.
6. Going to bed. Tired. Maybe I'll sleep? That would be nice - to sleep through the night, no getting up in the middle of it, or waking? Been having funky dreams though - so obviously I have been sleeping - just not as much as I want to.
7. Almost forgot...I have a picture from my walk down the train platform at lunch time. (I walk the train platforms at lunch time now, no one is really on them, and its quiet. Well, except for various co-workers who are also doing it.)


no subject
Date: 2024-02-10 07:27 am (UTC)What lotion do you use? I have recently started using Vaseline Dry Hands Rescue that is apparently specifically meant for hand washing and I've found that it made a huge difference for my hands, which were pretty dry thanks to all the washing and the chilly weather.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-10 02:38 pm (UTC)I used something the dermatologist rec'd ages ago - the one I saw way back in 2015, and have lost track of. (Most recent one I didn't bother asking.) It's called Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream - intense moisture for 24 hour hydration, helps restore skin''s natural moisture. It works wonders. Hands aren't chapped and remain soft. (They just feel painful after multiple washing at work, but once I use this, fine. I got it for my legs - because they dry out in the winter months due to the radiator heat.)
no subject
Date: 2024-02-10 10:00 am (UTC)Also, I got prescribed some really thick handcream, called Unguentum M. Made by Almirall ltd. Seems to work.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-10 02:34 pm (UTC)Also, I lie. I still have it. Just not as intense - mainly because, for reasons I don't quite understand ? It was always the most intense during or right before a period. (I wouldn't think I'd be the most fertile at that point - but who knows?) Now with that gone - the sex drive is less intense, thankfully. I don't want it. (But I'm also blessedly single.)
ETA: Hand cream that I've been using, which does actually work well is Cetaphil - dermatologist rec'd. I use it for dry legs as well.
Agreed on the unicorn - I honestly don't see how it would work either. Or fit. I find sex toys to be amusing. There was also a glass twisty phallus being advertised on Smart Bitches, that perplexed me.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-10 05:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-02-11 03:03 am (UTC)Of course everyone's vagina is different, as is everyone's sex drive or needs. We are not a one size fits all species. That's why the subject is hard to discuss - because people are often shocked that not everyone has the same reactions, perceptions, needs, desires, etc.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-10 12:51 pm (UTC)While a lot of vibrators were phallus-shaped, a standard massager sold as for the relief of achey muscles was likely to be just as effective and less embarrassing. Those look twee and probably a bit useless.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-10 02:30 pm (UTC)I agree they do look twee and a bit useless. The reviews of the rabbit were a bit hilarious. (They said it didn't work, or they couldn't get it to work. While SmartBitches was pushing it, the reviewers on the actual site? Not so much. ) I honestly don't know how they use the Unicorn. A basic massager would work much better - which you can find your local pharmacy. It's also cheaper.
I find sex toys amusing. There was a glass phallus with a brownish orange tint design inside.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-10 03:40 pm (UTC)There was a medical school on Malta, but as it was founded by Jesuits I doubt it was female-friendly, even after the Dominicans took over. Maybe she was going to drag up?
I once did a TV interview in front of a case of sex-toys, mostly rather alarming dildos: but I don't think the programme ever got completed, or if it did, accepted for broadcast.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-10 06:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-02-11 03:11 am (UTC)Interesting on the historical front...I'm not sure when it took place.