Sunday, January 30, 2011

Socially Acceptable Hate?

As I have said before, I am fat (heavy, overweight, a BBW whatever you want to call it).  Now, I don't want this blog to focus on fat, fat-acceptance, losing weight etc, but something I saw today irked me enough that I needed to come here and vent.

When did it become socially acceptable to make fun of fat people?  I was out and about doing my shopping and saw a car in front of me with a bumper sticker that said "No Fatties".  There are so many things wrong with this bumper sticker.  Let's start with the fact that this person felt it necessary to put into writing his hatred of a certain subset of people.  Now, I fully understand that not every person wants to date a woman or a man of size, but why on earth would you put it on a BUMPER STICKER?

As a fat woman, this sticker upset me.  I would hope that ANY woman that saw this sticker would steer clear of this "man".  What self-respecting woman would want to be with a man that for unknown reasons needs to profess the fact that he hates people?

I might not find men with beards attractive, but I am not going to make up a sign that says "No Beardies", I just wouldn't date them.  Is a "man" that needs a bumper sticker like this over compensating for something, feeling repressed desires for "fatties" or just a jerk?

Yes, I am fat, but I am a PERSON, I have feelings, dreams, desires.  I am not a lazy person, but I do have a medical condition that makes me gain weight quickly and have a hard time losing it.



I am fat, I have ALWAYS been fat and even if I lose weight, I will probably always be fat.  I am not here to please you, so if you don't like the way I look, then don't look at me.  I will not give you the power to depress me or make me want to stay shut in at home because I am worried about what people think.  I am lucky to have found DBH that loves me for ME and not the way I look.  So, I wonder when people will finally get the fact that it isn't ok to make fun of anyone for any reason?

This is the car decal I would hope my DBH would sport:
Go here to purchase this decal!


Saturday, January 22, 2011

Online Shopping Spree

I got an email from OneStopPlus advertising 40% off all clearance prices.  I love this store - it goes up to a size 44W.  If you want to take advantage of the sale, use code OSPWEEKEND40.  They have shirts starting at about $4.  It is only good this weekend (1/22 - 1/23), so you gotta be quick!

I managed to snag a few things (seven to be exact) for about $45 including shipping.  Here is what I got:
One pair of panties (just looked cute and were cheap):  $2.87
One black pair of sandals:  $7.26
One natural color pair of sandals:  $7.26
One rouge colored plaid shirt:  $8.69
One blue lagoon colored handkerchief style striped shirt:  $9.59
One vintage rose colored t-shirt:  $3.29
One avocado green colored t-shirt: $3.29

With shipping ($6.99) it came to $45.76.  That is a steal for shirts in size 30/32 and two pair of wide width sandals.  You have no idea how hard it is to find sandals for me due to my wide width feet!

Pay It Forward

I got this idea from Hester.



Even though I only have 4 followers at this point, I promise something handmade to the FIRST 5 people who leave a comment here. So, if you are just joining the party and see an open space (even if it is June! lol) you can comment and get in on the fun!

The rules are that it must be handmade (or homemade) by you and it must be sent to your 5 people some time in 2011. To be eligible, you must re-post this status, offering something handmade to 5 other people.  Ready, set, GO!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Feeling Good and Somewhat Peeved?

Since today was grocery shopping day, my two sisters, my son, my niece and I all piled into my tiny car to set out.  I was feeling pretty good as I had taken the time to put some makeup on and that always makes me feel a little more confident.  First stop of the day was Dollar Tree.  I wanted to check out the hair accessories and see if they had any cute jewelry or anything.  I struck out on the jewelry, but did find a few hair accessories.  I scored two Goody's hair bands that retail for about $4 at Wal-Mart.  I am tired of doing nothing with my hair, so I am going to work hard to incorporate different hair styles.

We stopped at Steak N Shake which is my favorite place to eat (and cheap - my meal and John's meal came to a total of $7.77).  Although it wasn't the healthiest thing I could eat, I did better.  I ate half of my meal and was satisfied.  I am under no illusion that I am going to be stick thin (and don't know if I want to be), but I can make better choices - which I am doing!

I thought I could find some cheap fashion jewelry at Wal-Mart, and I did find a few things I liked, but they were all $10 and I decided I would wait for clearance or look around online.

While looking on ebay for some steals/deals, I ran across the following auction:

Ebay Highway Robbery
Do you see it??  I almost choked on my Coke Zero.  Seriously?  SERIOUSLY?  $60 freaking dollars to "economy ship" from within the US??  You. Can. Keep. Them!  I understand what they are doing - seriously I am a seller too.  They are trying to get around paying the listing fees and auction ending fees.  When I see someone want $4.95 to ship a pair of earrings, I am fine with that, but $60??  So these sellers think that a pair of sterling silver earnings with a few garnets (NOT DIAMONDS or anything) are worth over $60?  I seriously think that Ebay needs to put a stop to this.  I am fine with paying a little to cover the packaging and the seller's time, but there is no way on earth that is appropriate!  I wonder how many people get suckered into a "cheap" auction and then realize the shipping is out of the world high!?!?

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Down the Rabbit Hole

Every once in a while I manage to fall down the rabbit hole - internet wise.  I always like to look at the blogs that the people I am "following" follow (does that make sense?  lol)  And it led me to an interesting rabbit hole - one I have been in for the past few days.

It started out innocently enough, I found a plus-size fashion blog.  Well, as I have said before, I am fat so naturally I was interested in what it has to say.  Over the past three days I have ready every plus-sized fashion blog I can get my hands on.  Most of them wear stuff I would never be comfortable wearing, but I do admire them (and secretly wish I has the nerve to wear fun and fashionable stuff).

If you are not fat (plus-size, obese, chunky, chubby whatever you want to call it), you may not know how hard it is to find clothes in my size (or any size over a 12).  I am a size 30/32 right now so that makes it exponentially harder!  While I have found some great web sites that cater to the full figured, I can not afford to buy new clothes right now.  But I have been inspired to try to accessorize and glam up my current clothes.  I have never been a frilly girl - I like to sleep for an extra 10 minutes rather than put make up on.  But I am going to try to take a little time for me and make myself feel pretty and put together.

I have been scouring ebay for cheap accessories, but haven't had much luck.  It makes it harder because I need an 8 inch bracelet and can't wear necklaces that are less than 20 inches.  I am not going to give up, I will manage to find cute/fun/cheap accessories.  (If you have any go to places, please let me know!)

After that "fat fashion" blogs, I fell down another rabbit hole - although it is closely related to "fat fashion".  This hole was all about Fat Acceptance or FA.  Let me just tell you that I truly admire these ladies that have learned to love themselves - fat thighs and rolls and all.  I am going to work on my love for me as well as working on my weight.  There is no way I will ever be a size 2 (but then I am not sure I would WANT to be that skinny), but I can be smaller and healthier.  I would love to be a size 14/16 or 18/20.  I know that is still huge to some, but to me, it is a goal and is attainable.  I just want to be able to move and enjoy life and at this point I am not enjoying being like this.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

The Road Not Taken

I have been in a great mood today!  I really need to work on being more upbeat on a daily basis.  Today, even mouthy sixth graders managed to make me laugh.  That has got to say something! lol

On my hour commute home, I got to thinking about a poem I learned in 9th grade English class.  I was offered the elusive "extra credit" if I memorized it.  I worked for hours that week, reading the poem over and over.  Finally, I managed to memorize it (well enough to satisfy my teacher that is).  The poem I am referring to is The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost.  Even though parts of it are hazy, I still remember the sentiment and most of the words.  


The poem got me pondering my current situation (work, life, etc) and I came to a startling conclusion.  Even though I didn't choose the road I am on, I am happy where it is taking me! I can see that things will change and I needed to change some major things to get the ball rolling.  So, the end of last school year, I was forced kicking and screaming down the road less traveled, but I believe it was truly the road I was meant to be on.  While the track I am on might not be my final destination, it is a means to an end and I am truly thankful for it!



The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost


Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Bring It

So, it begins.  A brand new shiny year full of hope, dreams, and expectations.  This year, I will not sit back and wait for good things.  This year will be different.  This year I will finally be an active participant in my life.  If I want change, well then I gotta change!  Seems simple?  We shall see.

Five years doesn't seem so long, but thinking back five years I was a different person in a very different place.  I didn't have my son, wasn't a teacher, was living in Orlando in a condo, both my Grandmother and Father were alive.  So many good things and negative things have happened in such a short time.  It brings me hope to think about where I (and my family) could be in 5 years.  That is what will keep me changing.