These are pictures my Dad sent to me of my old neighborhood after the Blizzard of 2011. 20 inches of snow has fallen and it is STILL snowing! Lake Shore Drive is shut down due to abandoned cars. the Chicago Public Schools are "considering" closing for a second day. Hopefully they will be able to have the side streets plowed by the weekend. Here in Houston, I woke up to temps in the low 20s, could have sworn I was back in Detroit! Glad I saved my Down Coat from the Moving Purge I did last summer.
My Parent's car in a 4 foot snow drift... they aren't going anywhere!
Today I saw a lady, very un-ironically, wearing one of the ugliest Christmas sweaters I have ever seen. I had to stop myself from asking her where she got it. It was a joyus Christmas moment.
This year, because of financial situations (i.e. moving cross country, getting paid less than I was last year, not getting a check in July and finally catching up on late bills from the summer etc.) I was not able to fly home for Thanksgiving nor will I be able to fly home for Christmas/New Years. I came to terms with this in September (after seeing $400 plane tickets and saying “Hecky naw!”)
I am fine. (or at least that is what I have convinced myself to think)
This is not the first year I have been away for these holidays. I have been on call for either Christmas or New Years or both for the past 3 years. I don’t feel particularly sad. I just wish I had more money. I would do things like finally get my couch put together, buy a kitchen table, go on a “real” vacation.
The problem comes when people ask, “What are you doing for (insert holiday here)?” If I say “Oh, nothing,” people feel awkward. They really want to talk about family traditions, taking their most recent boo home for the obligatory inspection by the family, or, hell, even the parking at the airport. I know that I have probably had these conversations in the past with people who were doing “nothing.” I kind of felt sorry for them. Now, when the shoe is on the other foot, I see the error of my ways. I almost feel obliged to take some vacation days myself.
I have had a couple of invitations to other people’s houses. Tempting as it is, I just want to relax and revel in the quiet. It’s not relaxing to be on your best “visitor” behavior. Wash up the dishes, take out the trash, be a guest. I politely decline. To avoid all this, I have taken to lying,
“I am going to Austin/California/Florida,” "Do I need a ride to the airport? No thanks!" "I’ll call you when I get back!"
Etc and so forth.
The best part of the situation is that the weather in Houston this time of year is great. Perfect golf, running, walking, whatever weather. I am going to expand my usual 3miler Sunday to 5! It is pretty awesome actually. I see the decorations at the mall and hear the music they play but I just don’t FEEL “Christmas-y.” Do I miss the seasons? A little, but then I turn on the news and watch the “spin out videos.” (thanks to InfoMania and currenttv.com!)
I found this awesome specimen at Wal-mart for $15 in the "Plus Size" section. Apparently, we fat chicks like sweater-vests. Who knew?
I also bought a fabulous black mock turtleneck with holly printed on it (which is just too hideous to be seen in pictures, and makes my boobs look like they need their own area code!)
THEN while I was looking for Christmas lights for my windows. I found some Battery operated micro LED lights. They even twinkle!!! I sewed the lights down (making some good surgeon's knots) and even sewed in a little pocket for the battery pack.
And Voila! $20 later, Instant Christmas Ugliness!
If you haven't enough time to D.I.Y. (and you want to pay shipping) you can buy a very ugly sweater here and some with lightshere! (Woah! They run from $60-$100!!) You can also look to Esty and buy something handmade.
A Marie Claire Blogger wrote a response to seeing the new sit-com Mike and Molly. This is a show about two fat people who meet up in an Over-eaters Anonymous meeting and now have started a romantic relationship. Apparently, they "made out" in an episode once and that sent this "former anorexic" blogger into a tizzy:
The author is obviously a sad sad woman with nothing better to do than bully fat people.
Her patronizing health "advice" is snarky at best:
(I'm happy to give you some nutrition and fitness suggestions if you need them — but long story short, eat more fresh and unprocessed foods, read labels and avoid foods with any kind of processed sweetener in them whether it's cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup, increase the amount of fiber you're getting, get some kind of exercise for 30 minutes at least five times a week, and do everything you can to stand up more — even while using your computer — and walk more. I admit that there's plenty that makes slimming down tough, but YOU CAN DO IT! Trust me. It will take some time, but you'll also feel so good, physically and emotionally. A nutritionist or personal trainer will help — and if you can't afford one, visit your local YMCA for some advice.)
I recently lost about 15lbs on WW and by going to the Gym! (shocker) It was realllly hard to get motivated at first and to stay motivated, especially 'cause I have a long way to go and on first glance you probably couldn't tell that I lost any weight. But really it is not about YOU now is it??
This lady is so leotarded. She says that fat people should "walk more" but a few lines prior she says:
So anyway, yes, I think I'd be grossed out if I had to watch two characters with rolls and rolls of fat kissing each other ... because I'd be grossed out if I had to watch them doing anything. To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room — just like I'd find it distressing if I saw a very drunk person stumbling across a bar or a heroine (sic) addict slumping in a chair.
I take a Zumba class 2-3x a week (and end up a big sweaty mess!). I walk the 1.5miles to the Reliant center and back. I lift weights. I eat food that doesn't suck, well maybe my cooking ain't that great, but it is nutritionally sound.
And then, you know the chicks on The View had something to say
I have a subscription to Marie Claire 'cause I thought they were a little more progressive than the other chick magazines out there. However, if their editors let this poorly written crap slip through I will not be renewing my subscription.
More Pics from the Chicago Tribune. Stay warm people!
