Saturday, July 6, 2019

The End


After 12-1/2 years, I have decided to put an end to this blog. I am tired of writing it, have nothing new to say and want to spend the time doing something else.

It has been an interesting trip. I grew a lot writing the blog and I believe I helped some of you readers to grow, too. And I invented a word, femulate.

My job is done. Goodbye and good luck.

92 comments:

  1. oh no and it wasn't too long I started to red this blog

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  2. AnonymousJuly 06, 2019

    Oh no! You will be missed, Stana! You have been a voice of reason and experience in the trans community!

    Dani

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  3. Stana -

    You will be missed. And I hope you change your mind soon.

    Hopefully, our paths will cross again.

    Take care.

    M

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  4. Thanks for all the wonderful blog entries, and I hope everything goes well for you for many years to come.

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  5. Przecież nie musisz pisać co dzień. Rzeczywiście nie zawsze jest coś ciekawego do opisania. Ale czasami jest. Niech ten koniec nie będzie definitywny.

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  6. OMG Stanna - My morning will never be the same. Please read my additional thoughts. http://www.rhondasescape.com/2019/07/a-femulate-tribute.html

    You will so missed!

    Rhonda

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  7. I am very sorry that you are calling it a day. Checking in on what you have to say has been a regular pleasure for me and getting know you and your approach to femulating has been both enjoyable and enlightening. I do home that you do not completely scuttle the blog and that when the muse strikes you come back and share your thoughts with us. I can only imagine the work you have but into your blog work. You have been a beacon on light to many.
    I wish you and your family love, peace, health and happiness.
    Pat

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  8. Bless you, dear Stana. Many like me have learnt and grown as a result of your hard work, I'm sure. Thank you. You will be missed.

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  9. AnonymousJuly 06, 2019

    Perhaps someone else will take the reigns. But honestly I read it mostly to hear about the (mis)adventures of a lovely and courageous human being.

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  10. Blessings to you,dear Sister. You have instructed, informed, educated and entertained us all. I pray the next adventure you have is twice as fun and half as challenging.
    Peace to you, Sister Frind!

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  11. I totally get needing to stop it, but I wanted to say thanks for doing it. This was a great voice for our community and I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog all these years.

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  12. Everyone deserves retirement although I think you will change your mind because I tried stopping as well. Take a break and then see...:)

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  13. I'll miss your insights and beauty, Stana. I do find it interesting that you're going out at just about the same time as MAD magazine. :)

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  14. AnonymousJuly 06, 2019

    Thanks for 12+ years interesting, thoughtful content. (I've been around since the beginning.)

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  15. You will be missed, Stana!

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  16. That’s sad news to hear but I’ll respect your decision to bring it to an end. I will REALLY miss your blog as it was one of the first things I’d read each morning. Imogen (Australia)

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  17. AnonymousJuly 06, 2019

    Stana, sad news as I love your blog. A big thank you for many enjoyable posts and for leading by example! I will continue to femulate... a great addition to the English language. Love and best wishes from Tara J

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  18. Dear Stana,

    Thank You for your years of giving us your wonderful blog. I wish you the very best!

    Love,

    Sheila.

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  19. Stana,
    Thank you for all the hard work you put into creating and maintaining this fabulous and inspiring blog! I know I would not have made the progress I've made in accepting and celebrating my feminine self without your words and pictures.

    Good night and good luck! And I wish you great fulfillment each and every time you get to femulate!

    Hugs and beat wishes,
    Lori

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  20. Good luck in your next adventure and thank you for sharing so much with us.

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  21. AnonymousJuly 06, 2019

    I think anyone who has ever maintained a blog knows how exhausting it is. I wonder how many thousands of words you've written over the years?

    I've enjoyed reading your work immensely and I look forward to seeing you, virtually and in real life, in the future. Thank you so much for maintaining this space for 12 years.

    73 de Trish

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  22. AnonymousJuly 06, 2019

    Your blog has been a real refuge to OUR COMMUNITY.
    Please DO reconsider and adapt your blog to post input from your loyal readers.
    We would LOVE to hear more from you and your future GROWTH, not to mention your great style sense.
    Happy retirement,
    LIVE LONG AND PROSPER!
    Velma SAD :-(

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  23. I will certainly miss reading your blog. Take care,

    John

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  24. AnonymousJuly 06, 2019

    I think you need some help. tried to shoot yourself 4 days ago. I suggest you talk to a professional counselor.

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    Replies
    1. You have misread that post it was a quote from a film.

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  25. Dear Anonymous, you need to re-read her comment carefully - otherwise you'll jump to an erroneous conclusion... ;-) Stana, I'll miss your blog. It would be extremely difficult for me to write something like this on a regular basis because I simply don't have it! I appreciate that you shared your thoughts with us and I wish you a happy life. Keep on being you and inspiring others to be themselves. Drop us a line now and then. Good luck!

    Hugs, Tanit

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  26. AnonymousJuly 07, 2019

    Dear Stana - thank you very much for your wonderful blog. Your infectious positivity has guided me on my journey from the closet to the outside world - please come back from time to time - Lilly

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  27. Stana,
    Thank you for the wisdom and friendship. This is your call, and you do what is best for Stana.

    If I may suggest - just let it be the end of a regularly updating blog. Post to it now and again when you have something to say. There will be times… maybe it is once a week, once a month, whatever. Do not feel you MUST post often. Let your friends know how you are doing. Retire from the blog as a job, but maybe a busman's holiday now and then.

    Best wishes,
    Fiona

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  28. Sorry to hear you're ending your blog, but thank you Stana. Best wishes.

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  29. AnonymousJuly 07, 2019

    Stana,
    Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your may years of blogging, which have been a great inspiration to so many of us.
    For years a day has not been complete for me without checking for your latest post. It feels a little like a bereavement.
    I have two requests:
    Firstly, please leave your blog up as a resource for the community, and
    secondly, please at least occasionally let us know that you are still alive and femulating.
    Thank you and best wishes,
    Penny in Edinburgh.

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  30. Stana, very sorry to see the end of this blog, but understand how much work this must have been to keep going. Thank you so much for doing such a service to the community! It'll be missed!

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  31. AnonymousJuly 07, 2019

    I totaly agree with what Rhonda wrote on her block.

    All the best to you, Stana, thank for all the advice you gave me here in your wonderfull blog...

    Be save and maybe you will write some lines about how you are in the future, i will look here for that...

    Hughs from Germany
    Eliza

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  32. Oh no! Like so many of your readers, I looked forward to starting my day with Stana’s insights. Rhonda has said so much of what we all feel. My dear, rest assured that you will always be in our thoughts, and we will always find comfort and inspiration from reading your old posts. (Maybe, just maybe, we’ll hear from you again…) “Thanks” does not say it all.

    My novice ham license lapsed eons ago, but 73 from KN2APE.

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  33. I hope you find enjoyment in your new ventures. You will be truly missed.

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  34. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  35. AnonymousJuly 07, 2019

    I have read your blog for many years, you have been a positive influence an a good reference. I will miss you every morning!
    Wish you all the best! Love, happiness and many happy adventures!

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  36. I can understand taking a break. I support those others that want you back though! Your blog was so classy and thoughtful about just those issues that mean so much to us CDs--wives reactions especially, self esteem issues, looking for just the right clothes, passing etc etc. You hit them all for me and when you posted it was like hearing from a friend. You inspired me to be more courageous in my dressing and going out and I cannot thank you enough for that extra confidence you gave me. Please take a good break but come back for a weekly or even a monthly column. You have a gift for this and so please consider this heart felt request. Best
    Laura

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  37. I'm very much in debt to you, as are we all, for your contributions to Mikki's growth as a "femulator". I'm so much more in tune with my female self and my awareness of the world around our community. Over the course of your blog, society has come to recognize us more as real people rather than some dangerous, creepy "whatevers" because they couldn't bother enough to find out anything about us. Of course,m society ebbs and flows, and now we have a certain part of our society that is taking aim at us, and pretty much anyone who dares to "color outside the lines". But thanks to our visibility, helped along by blogs such as yours, knowledgeable people are pushing back and supporting us. In the past those people would have just ignored us.

    I've become one of the ladies who very much looked forward to your daily enlightenment. Rather than bemoan to loss of Femulate, I want to thank you and let you know how grateful I am for the opportunity to learn from all the knowledge you've shared with us. I'm a much better lady/person/femulator, all because of you. I can't thank you enough.

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  38. Echo that which has been said, I also look forward to your posts and will miss you

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  39. Stan, I have enjoyed the blog very much and learned a lot too. I think you are an engaging writer and an interesting thinker. I wish you well in your future endeavors and know that you will be successful in whatever you choose to do.

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  40. Good luck! I know the strain of writing a daily blog.
    Best wishes!

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  41. AnonymousJuly 07, 2019

    My every morning started with your blog, I have been remiss in that I seldom commented and never gave back in spite of all the good insights, stories and encouragement I got from your Writing, please be safe and be happy. You will forever be in my mind and thoughts and I hope to someday hear or read from you.
    All the best, Anna from Mexico

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  42. Best wishes for all your future endeavours. We shall all miss your amazing blog, but understand there comes a time to let things go, and do other things. Jenn xxx

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  43. Good luck to you and yours, and best wishes for every success. You will be missed!

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  44. I offer a very heartfelt thank you and wishes of joy, peace and strength in your endeavors.
    Much love, Heather.

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  45. Go gently into the night fair maiden. You have led many a confused wandering waif through the shaded wood into the sunlit glade , and showed us that we are all beautiful and unique but most off all that we weren't alone and you taught us to fly our femme flag fly. Yours in silk and lace Stephaniesometimes

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  46. Go gently into the night fair maiden. You have led many a confused wandering waif through the dark wood into the sunlit glade and showed us that we are all beautiful and unique, but most of all your blog proved we weren't alone. You gave many of us the courage to let our femme flag fly.
    Yours in silk and lace stephaniesometimes

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  47. AnonymousJuly 07, 2019

    Send you a private e-mail Love Debbie

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  48. I sent you an e-mail Stana.

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  49. Stana, thank you so much for your many years of writing this blog. We have all been changed for the better by it, and the word "femulate" is a wonderful contribution to the lexicon. You will be dearly missed. Hugs, Tina

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  50. AnonymousJuly 07, 2019

    So sorry I never got to meet you. Your blog has been a regular part of my day for several years now. Thank you for all you've done!

    Jessica Britton, Asheville, NC

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  51. Stana, as many have said here and at other times, THANKS for all you have done for our community. Your almost daily voice will be missed by many as we always looked forward to starting our day with comments and thoughts from you about your daily travels and philosophy of life. Many of us were then allowed to live vicariously through you. You will be missed. Best to you and your family.
    Of course should the spirit ever move you perhaps an occasional post under this tagline would always be welcome.

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  52. Sorry to see you go. I totally understand how much time a blog can take up. I also know that just like dressing, blogging can be very hard to give up. So, I hope you'll take some time for yourself and pop in occasionally and let everyone know how you are doing!

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  53. AnonymousJuly 08, 2019

    Hallo Stana,
    like all others here i was very suprised to read that your quitt your job here.
    But as Rhonda in her blogg wrote i understand why you did it....
    For me it was a must to read all your lovley posts every day, i will miss that.
    So, i hope you come by sometimes to let us know your alright and well, maybe one or two new pic´s on flickr every now and then?

    Thank you for all the help you gave me over the time and hughs for Germany
    Eliza

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  54. AnonymousJuly 08, 2019

    Stana

    I am so sad you have taken this decision. Like (I see) so many others I go to your page almost every day I have access to my computer. You have kindly published some of my articles, and it was always a thrill seeing them in print - as well as getting responses to them. You have helped so many over the years and I thank you so much for what you have done.

    I very much hope I will see you in print in some form or another, and whether I do or not I wish you the very best

    Michelle Bowles

    xxx

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  55. AnonymousJuly 08, 2019

    Stana good Luck with what ever you decide to do
    You will have more time to watch The Redsox
    Baseball has been going 270 years, the first recorded game was in 1n September 1749 at Walton-on-Thames UK
    Lucy

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  56. Stana, I am also one who has enjoyed your writing, insight and inspiration for most of the life of this blog, yet never commented until now. It's difficult for me to put my feelings into words as to how much you have meant to me and as you have seen above, all your followers and fans. Fortunately, as always, there is a song that sums it up nicely:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQJaZO2nfGg

    Thank you sister, for all you have done for us. "We have been Changed...For Good."

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  57. Please add my thanks to all the others. I've enjoyed checking in here for many years to read about your adventures. I'm hoping you'll post updates occasionally - every six months? or maybe a holiday letter every Christmas? I've often wondered what happened to the fascinating people I met in CD groups years ago. These days there's no way to find them. So, please Stana, drop us a note now and again.

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  58. Goodbye Stana. Thank you! It's been great. Good luck. Take care of yours... and you!
    And, in a real way, thanks for not just disappearing as sometimes it means the worst. Not always, but hey, we have some fragile people, as tough as they are.
    Love, always.

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  59. I keep hoping that Stana will do like the store that had a "going out of business sale"... it was so successful they did not really close!

    With no apologies to Brandon deWilde..... Stana... STANA! Come back!

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  60. AnonymousJuly 08, 2019

    This blog is as good as it gets: a global archive of femulators, a thoughtful personal diary, a place to ask and receive answers, but most of all a community. I can't express enough my gratitude and admiration over the years I read your blog, I live in a country where until very recently there were no sources or friends to look for, and you provided both in a way.

    I wish you well and hope to follow your brave example, many of them.

    Best wishes,

    Ale

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  61. AnonymousJuly 08, 2019

    Stana, THANK YOU for all the time and the effort you put in making this blog work for the past 12 1/2 years. I've enjoyed your comments and I've been amazed at the time, the work, the effort you put in finding and posting all the photos. Again, thanks for all you have done to help educate and enlighten us all.
    Michelle

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  62. Oh, dear Stana, best wishes for a fabulous rest-of-your-life! We will miss your candid posts on your very interesting life.

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  63. AnonymousJuly 08, 2019

    I'm sad to see you go, but thank you for being here this long.

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  64. Just writing to say thanks! I always enjoyed your blog and the many examples you always found of femulation on screen and in magazines!

    I do know from my own blog, YouTube channel and Instagram how much time and mental effort it can cost to maintain it.. and if the spark isn't there anymore, there's no point in forcing it.

    I also hope you will let this blog stay visible as there is a wealth of information here for lots of new readers to enjoy!!

    All the best and take care,
    Natassia

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  65. Stana, I also was fascinated with the Sears catalog, dreamed of Halloween, thought I was "the only one", had a special stash, purged, luckily found a supportive wife and support group, enjoyed doing outreach at colleges and lead a pretty normal life for a 69 year old CD. For the over six years I've started my day checking your site. I'll surely miss your posts and I hope that you after you take some time off for yourself and your family you'll be able to come back. Also, I hope you'll keep your site up so all your fans can dig through the archives whenever we need a dose of "Femulate" to get us through the day. Best wishes and THANKS for all your hard work. Lisa

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  66. Stana, I've always loved your blog, your thoughts and your inspiration. I shall miss you and I wish you well as your life journey continues.
    Hugs
    Ashley

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  67. Stana, I will miss your blog, your thoughts and your inspiration. I will miss you and I wish you well in your life's journey. Hugs Ashley

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  68. AnonymousJuly 08, 2019

    Merci, adeiu and bon chance!
    Maybe our paths will cross some day.
    Fondly,
    Juliet Lewis

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  69. Dear Stana, you have given to all of us in your community so much more than you may ever know. Have a lovely retirement. Peace and health to you.
    Oak

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  70. AnonymousJuly 08, 2019

    73 (or 88) ...

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  71. AnonymousJuly 08, 2019

    Stana, Many Thanks! Such a heart felt mission you completed. Quality writing. Great topics. Be well, God bless. Best wishes. Tora Detroit

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  72. Stana, thank you very much for all your efforts and for sharing your thoughts. Many kisses from Argentina

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  73. Stana, here is an idea... download and save your blog on Digital Transgender Archive!
    Save our history!

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  74. thankyou stana it has been a wonderful journey, bye bye and good luck XXX

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  75. thankyou stana, it has been a wonderful journey and good luck bye bye. XXX

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  76. AnonymousJuly 09, 2019

    I will have a hole left in my day :( Thank you for all your insight and wisdom. I will miss you and reading your adventures. But We all must move on, and I wish you all the best :)

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  77. Stana:

    Your faithful followers 💕 love you and will sorely miss your inspirational blogging and fervent support of all who femulate. May that word — FEMULATE” — forever be associated with you, Stana. You are a star, and I wish you well on the next phase of your journey.

    Peace, my friend.
    Best regards,
    Rhonda

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  78. thankyou so much Stana for many years of your blog.I hope that your decision to finish it will only be a break.
    lots of love Manfred

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  79. AnonymousJuly 10, 2019

    Ms Stana,
    Thanks for the ability to learn so much from you and become a better femulater, but you have much to say but just on a weekly basis and not feel compelled to do so every day

    Your readers love you and your smile
    Your readers became better because of you
    New readers realized they were not alone in this lifestyle or hobby
    Admirerers commented on how fantastic you looked (male and female)
    The FT8s well they still think they are communicating

    Maybe another book is in you

    It was fantastic to meet you in person
    God Bless Femulaters

    Hugs and Love
    Brenda

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  80. AnonymousJuly 10, 2019

    Stana
    Just to let you know I have really enjoyed reading your blog and I always looked forward to the photos of female impersonators of the past that you posted.Thanks
    for all the great advice and please let us know how you're doing in the future.
    Lots of love Amanda UK

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  81. Thank you for keeping the blog going for so long. I will miss it.
    But I completely understand that everything has an end.
    Best Wishes
    Didi Willis

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  82. AnonymousJuly 11, 2019

    Stana, enjoy your well deserved retirement. I can imagine the amount of time involved in creating an average of one post per day. If you do think of something new to say next month, we would be glad to read it. I read other well established blogs that now only post every few months. Just something to consider.

    I hope to meet you in the ham world someday.

    88,
    Nicole

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  83. Enjoy your retirement Stana. Will miss you and your blog that I follow daily. May you be able to femulate to your heart's content.

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  84. Possibly you could keep it open and comment now and then and maybe bring us up to date rather than stop altogether?
    Matbe once amonth or so?

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  85. Dear Stana,
    Your blog was my daily highlight! Something new? Something interesting? Maybe not everyday, but nearly every second post had a new highlight to read and to see. I highly appreciated your discoveries of other femulators - in the real wordl, but also on stage, in TV and cinema.
    Every year I was curoius about your halloween costume and how your colleagues would (re-)act. And it was always great - your apperance and your experience, you shared with us.
    Going out enfemme/ femulated (yes! you invented this word "femulate"!) and having such a good time... I think, many of us were disappointed, not to be that brave and courageous to go out - and jealous, to be not that good looking like you! (yes! - you pass as a very attractive lady!).

    I might understand, why you throw in the towel. 12.5 years debating all the same stuff, explaining why you can´t go on fulltime,.. private duties and problems in the job... looking for proofs and colleagues who are showing a very good femulation... legal problems with lunatics in Washington D.C. ... It´s like the rat race: everyday the same stuff and nothing is really gonna change. This is not only boring, this costs a lot of energy! Therfor you have my full understanding, that you do not want to go on. But I kindly like to ask you, to - at least - to keep that blog online. Take your time, make some kind of vacation from that blog. Fill up your energy and maybe... you will come back. Not eyeryday, not every week, but here and there, sometimes when you are in the mood and like to share your thoughts and experiences.
    However you will proceed - THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your time and efforts, to keep this blog running!

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  86. AnonymousJuly 12, 2019

    Belatedly read your latest and last entry, been in hospital. enjoyed all your entries over the years, the first thing I turned to every morning.
    Would reread your blog if left up so please keep it maintained. Chris1

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  87. Stana - thank you for all the wonderful writing you have shared with us over the years .

    Hope that all is well with you .

    Wishing you all the best in the feminine future !

    Love,
    Angie

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  88. AnonymousJuly 13, 2019

    Stana,

    As stated about you will be missed by all. We understand but will still miss you.
    Good luck in all you journeys.

    Please, keep this blog activity if you can for us to go back and reread your adventures.

    Thanks for all the please you have given us, God bless.

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  89. AnonymousJuly 13, 2019

    This blog was, and still is, a brilliant resource.
    Each morning, I would check in for a new update while enjoying my coffee.
    I will continue to check in from time to time, just in case you feel you have something new to say.
    I don't see this as a Goodbye, but more of a See You Later.

    Alyss Hart

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  90. Jenna Renee EvansJuly 14, 2019

    Thanks for all the fish!

    Hugs, and see you at the Hamvention.

    Jenna

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  91. So THRILLED to see you have not yet given this fabulous site an end. Even an infrequent post by you would still keep us all in tune. Your posts were like my daily cup of coffee....which I cherish beyond belief!
    Thanks Stana. Hugs, Heather

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