Ovulation

Robyn
Ok I have 2 questions here:
1.  (This may be a stupid question too) after being on the pill for 15 years and now off of it, how do I know I'm ovulating? Is there a sign before you do? I know there are tests but since I'm not regular now, I don't want to keep testing. 
2.  Is it a myth that a couple days before you ovulate and you have sex, it will most likely be a girl? Or is that true?
Sorry for my dumb questions but I'm new at this! Thank you!