tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54053873276436885032024-03-13T14:03:39.597-07:00The Rebellious BodyDesign, DIY, Cooking, Crafting, and a dash of fashion. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-84236470891897549212012-11-08T19:36:00.002-08:002012-11-08T19:36:38.125-08:00Decoupagers Anonymous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4n2Cl8dCHew/UGyTejRoKXI/AAAAAAAAALk/rjfNsRyhbd4/s1600/This+New+House+feature+Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4n2Cl8dCHew/UGyTejRoKXI/AAAAAAAAALk/rjfNsRyhbd4/s400/This+New+House+feature+Banner.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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My name is Lara and I'm a Decoupager.</h2>
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Before last month, I had never, to my knowledge, decoupaged before. I don't know what I have been waiting for. I knew I always wanted to, but I just never had the balls and opportunity to actually do it. My "This New House" project gave me the perfect excuse x 2!</div>
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My first chance came when my mother purchased a pair of fairly plain but size and color appropriate night stands for one of the bedrooms. You saw them in the previous This New House post about headboards in their final state. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their original state in their amazon photo.</td></tr>
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I unfortunately did not use any common sense and take a picture of the roll of contact paper I used for this project. I got it from a bin of contact paper at a local Goodwill. Total find. You can see it fairly well in the next picture.<br />
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Starting this project, I realized that I had a problem. I fell in love with decoupage. It took two fairly boring tables and totally classed them up. Decoupage can be pretty neat, pretty tacky, or just plain pretty. I think I did a good job of keeping it simple and not going the crazy scattered route. Maybe I can go that way another time when I sack up enough to commit. </div>
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I don't think I really need to explain the decoupage process. There are about a thousand videos and instruction blogs for that. </div>
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Well after I finished those little tables, I soon got another opportunity to do it again. I found this banged up coffee table at a Goodwill for $12.50. It was tagged as $25 but it was half off that day! SUPER! </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">It just managed to fit in the back of the car, but only just. I got it back, scrubbed it down, oiled and shined up up, and decided it was perfect for decoupage. I got a roll of wallpaper for cheap down at Menard's and went to it! This project was a bit more difficult owing to the shear size of the surface. Air bubbles abounding. I managed though and even put on a shiny sealant coat and new knob for the fake drawer. (Why won't this section stop being centered? Weird.)</span></div>
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I think it turned out perfectly even though it had air bubbles. I think That's enough decoupage for me for a while. It's a pretty involved process. Maybe on a smaller scale? I don't know. </div>
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Next on This New House: Seat cushion recovering!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-19443646013763689622012-11-05T09:45:00.001-08:002012-11-05T09:48:53.785-08:00Your Curvy Sisters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Because I am human, I have a Tumblr. Actually I have two, but the other is dedicated to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and we don't talk about that here. Anyhow, on my Tumblr I follow lots of people, friends, celebrities, scientists, journalists, and a Tumblr account called Your Curvy Sisters. If you want to check it out, you can <a href="http://yourcurvysisters.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. This group addresses the everyday problems that the larger of us deal with day to day whether it's just an airing of grievances or asking for specific answers. They're not always progressive enough for my tastes, but they hit the nail on the head most times. The picture above, while dealing with the shallower side of the issue, is one of those times.<br />
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In case you can't read it...<br />
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Anonymous asked, "For me, Slim girls don't understand how lucky they have it. They are able to wear clothes that fit them and can wear clothes for women who are bigger and still pull it off. They will never understand what it's like to squeeze their figure into the biggest size of the main range before having to shop in the plus rail to get something that fits.</blockquote>
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I think this is a case of the grass is greener on the other side. Yeah, plus size shopping can get annoying because a lot of the clothes are expensive and they aren't readily available at any store. But there's the other side of the story and that's when slim girls don't have the curves they would like to fill out their clothes. <b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Instead of focusing on who has it better, we should all learn to be happy and appreciate our own lives in our own bodies.</span></b> :D -Olive</blockquote>
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This kind of thin hate is pretty popular among the general fat lady community and it's distressing. I understand the reason because I am too am fat and grew up with skinny girls all around me. I understand the jealousy and the resentment that lingers on from the years of teasing. I understand the urge to pick on them and call them twigs and tell them to eat a sandwich. I get it.That said it's just as bad to say those things to a skinny girl as it is to call a fat girl a beached whale. You don't know the person you're picking on. You don't know the reason for their body size. You don't know the damage you could be doing with your hurtful words. </div>
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Maybe your words bounce of that person, skinny or fat, with no effect, because they are indeed happy with who they are and appreciate their body but do you really want to risk it? Skinny girls are not immune to body image issues. Do not fall to the level of the children who picked on you then or the assholes who pick on you now. Rise above it. Realize how beautiful you are in your own skin. That realization is really what makes someone beautiful. Confidence is so much better than all the makeup and clothes a person can wear. </div>
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I know it isn't always easy and backsliding is common. It isn't a goal you can reach. Just take each day as it comes and try to remember you are precious. I know because I said so. </div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;">Love, Lara</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-74621455878580728622012-11-04T11:40:00.001-08:002012-11-04T11:40:58.378-08:00Everything is up to date in Kansas City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I may have mentioned that I recently went to Kansas City for the very first time. I can't say that this was on my list of top places to visit, but I was pleasantly surprised by KC nonetheless.<br />
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My gal pal, Ann, and I struck out for KC and were overwhelmed by how nice the hotel was that her company put us in. Even though it was a Holiday Inn, it was a boutique version called the Aladdin. Built in a restored and historically listed art deco building, all I can say is the Aladdin is RAD, y'all. I wish I had taken more pictures during this trip, but it was all a bit of a blur. If you want to check it out yourselves, please do at <a href="http://www.hialaddin.com/" target="_blank">The Aladdin website</a>.<br />
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While the free champagne, affordable valet, and cushy rooms were super nice, we were there with a purpose: to attend an art show for a sister to Ann's company, Fine Line Studios. I can't remember the name of the studio we attended off the top of my head. If I remember or get around to asking Ann, I'll edit it in later. Fine Line Studios and it's affiliates works with developmentally disabled adults to find and focus their creative side through art instruction and outreach. Also, super rad. Seriously, if you're into art and awesome people, I'd check them out. You can do that <a href="http://rhd-mo.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Now, please enjoy some photos of us and a small sample of the art we witnessed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking fine.</td></tr>
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I have a few of the "we're so cute" photos, so I'll intermingle them with the others. Clever, I know.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the studio that was doubling as a gallery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I told you we were cute.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is actually a giant eyeball structure behind those paintings. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still cuting it up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some awesome ceramic work. I liked the little penguin.</td></tr>
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<br />After checking out the gallery and making a purchase, which hopefully I'll show on here at some point in the future, Ann, I, and her co-workers struck out into the Kansas City night to do some gallery hopping and eventually some pre-Halloween partying. <div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dramatic music plays here.</td></tr>
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<br />The first gallery was probably the most interesting. I was introduced to Jennifer Jarnot's work and was completely blown away. Very stylized, very fluid, and yet very pop art. I loved her concept of using such a familiar style and playing with it in ways that brought something new to the table. Some comments that were made by others included a disappointment that it seemed to be all the same. I personally disagree. It was a single show of many artists, not a retrospective on an entire life's work and development. <div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ukes were my favorite, but I'm biased.</td></tr>
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<br />You should seriously check her work out. <a href="http://revisingloneliness.com/2012/09/10/painting-as-engagement-a-conversation-with-jennifer-jarnot/" target="_blank">This</a> is an article and interview about her and I would highly advise reading it. If you don't, I do want to copy one of her pieces into this blog post as I found it one of the most striking things of the evening.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://revisingloneliness.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/birdsof-reflection2.jpg?w=560" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="398" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #8a8a8a; font-family: Garamond, 'Hoefler Text', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-style: italic; line-height: 30px;">birds of reflection . jennifer jarnot . 2012</span></td></tr>
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<br />At the same gallery (?), I think, there was a wing dedicated to politically themed works which to me = yawn for the most part. I feel like there hasn't been anything original done with this in so long that I just don't really care anymore. How many statements about dehumanization of government and Walmart being evil can be made? No more than have already been apparently. </div>
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There was ONE standout. A group of ladies dressed in varying historical garb with picket signs regarding women's rights. I had their card and like the responsible person I am, I totally lost it. Anyhow, their message was clear, their execution was right on, and it was fun! Cheers to them. Have a picture.</div>
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After the galleries, we all went out to various parties. People got super drunk and danced. I did neither because I'm a big stick in the mud and also the permanent DD. Also, there was a gigantic gun.</div>
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End scene. I did tons more in Kansas City, but I think that is more than enough for one blog post. Oh! Did I mention I had about 2 hours sleep before this incredibly LONG day? Now I did. </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Love, Lara</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-24114719625005306842012-11-02T12:09:00.005-07:002012-11-02T12:11:23.787-07:00Aloha Friday Blog HopI'm participating in....<br />
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If you are here from the Hop, welcome and I hope you find something you like! Leave me a comment and let's get to know each other.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-2739398226914842312012-11-02T01:00:00.000-07:002012-11-02T01:00:07.938-07:00NaBloPoMo and other silly words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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November kicks off many marathon events that are both fun and silly. There is Movember and it's brother Novembeard. There is the less popular No-shave-vember. And every writer's favorite NaNoWriMo.<br />
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I am not a writer. I have never pretended to be. I enjoy blogging, but when it comes to making things up, I absolutely fail. I can have an idea for a premise but when it comes down to the whole package, you know, plot, character, setting, etc., I totally lose it. I got about 600 words in to some depressing drivel and remembered that.<br />
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That said, I am participating in NaBloPoMo or as my friends and I have decided to call it BloMo. It's a challenge in a similar vein to write a blog post every day for a solid month. Maybe it will be fun or interesting, but the idea is to get into a daily writing routine which has to beat my daily routine of watching America's Next Top Model and eating ice cream.<br />
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They've offered prompts to get people writing and today's is "If you could live anywhere, where would it be?" That's a toughy. I've lived a few places and have always found something to be dissatisfied with. Chicago was so dirty and expensive. Dallas was way too hot and really boring. Ireland... was really drunk? At least I was so I can't really say. I would like to live near the water, but it can't be so secluded that I don't have good internet access. If that's handled, I think I could live pretty much anywhere. Mostly I just want to live with friends nearby. A few of my friends and I have floated the idea of creating an artists' commune of sorts. Build a farm, hook it up with DSL or whatever, and all live there in self sustaining harmony. Talk about a fantasy. That would be the best though. IT'S NOT A CULT. Maybe only a little polygamy. I kid.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com0South Bend, IN, USA41.6833813 -86.250006641.5885123 -86.4079351 41.7782503 -86.092078100000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-87033649646111856012012-11-01T13:13:00.002-07:002012-11-01T22:42:06.479-07:00OOTD: Resolutions and RennovationsI got dressed up to do a bit of cleaning around the house and yet MORE yard work. It's been a battle and a half with all the trees on this property and, of course, the wicked winds that seem to deposit the entire city's leaves in our driveway. Luckily, since I love the fall, I also love the chores that come with fall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dressed warmly and ready for action.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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I thought I'd use this as a nice excuse to get into what other bloggers do occasionally which is an Outfit of the Day post. This helps as a jumping off point I think. You talk about clothes if you want or just use it as an excuse to photograph your lovely self and then talk about whatever you want!<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still rocking the residual hairspray from last night.</td></tr>
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<br />Soo um clothes... The shirt I picked up at Goodwill a couple weeks ago on the most successful thrifting trip I've ever had. The pants are from Fashion Bug. The vest is Torrid. Shoes are... Target? Maybe? They're old, stinky, and falling apart and I love them. <div>
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<a name='more'></a>In other news, LEAVES!!!</div>
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<br />I didn't really get any good shots of the sheer amount of leaves that had clogged up our drive way, but I have a mountain of bags full of leaves to prove it if anyone is doubting. I mostly just took these pictures because who doesn't like to look at pretty fall things. <div>
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Finally, I just got word that my basement home will almost certainly be ready for me in a little over a week! Yay! The floors are leveled and the flooring is going down by Monday at the latest. Then it's just the odds and ends that need doing and I drive down Sunday the 11th and start settling in. After that all I need to do is GET A JOB! So if anyone in the St. Louis area knows of anywhere that is hiring someone spunky with varied experience levels in many fields, let me know. </div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Love, Lara</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-24673221236861073612012-10-31T15:48:00.002-07:002012-11-01T22:42:13.714-07:00Happy Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I dressed up! But I actually kind of cheated because I had just purchased this dress and ran out of time for a costume so I decided why not fat Joan Holloway? I did up with with time appropriate make up and even taught myself to bouffant with the best of them. As a non hairspray user, this is impressive.<br />
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I set up a desk, lamp, office chair, and candy little scene for myself to hint at what I might be. I even brought the sound track to Mad Men to help out. This didn't really make much of a difference in the end.<br />
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Anyhow, I look fabulous, but there are no trick-or-treaters in this neighborhood which sucks. Since this outfit deserves better than an hour out in the cold wave at rush hour traffic, I'm taking my mom out to the movies. Maybe the dollar theater will appreciate this fabulosity.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Stay safe and Happy Halloween!</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Love, Lara</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-88980402763658954682012-10-09T22:45:00.001-07:002012-10-09T22:45:58.751-07:00SIgh. A Plea for Funds.<h2>
I know no one really reads this yet...</h2>
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But if you happen to stumble upon this page, please take a second to look at this.
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<a href="http://www.gofundme.com/">Crowdfunding</a></div>
<script type="text/javascript">var rand=Math.random ();var widgetproto = ("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https:" : "http:"; document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='"+widgetproto+"//funds.gofundme.com/index.php?route=widgets/typeb&d=888&c=0&url=/1bl0ls&t=12&v="+rand+"' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));</script>
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If you could donate or pass the word on to your friends and followers, I would greatly appreciate it.<br />
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Thank you.<br />
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Love,<br />
Lara</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-38137378079041197602012-10-08T23:14:00.002-07:002012-10-08T23:14:48.236-07:00On the Road Again<h2>
The Life I Love is Making Music with My Friends</h2>
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As I have mentioned before, I am in the process of moving to St. Louis and in with some of the bestest friends ever. This weekend I came down from my exile in South Bend to visit them and go to Kansas City (see upcoming post for all the fun deets on that) with Ann. </div>
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Ann and I had long ago decided that there is too much talent between us that we are robbing the world if we don't band together and form, well, a band. So a band was born and it's name is Port Manteau. One of the nights I was there we recorded an extremely rough version of a song Ann wrote currently dubbed "Guilt Song." If you like, you can check it out here. Helpful comments welcome bearing in mind this is a first pass.<br />
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I also picked up a penny whistle because who doesn't need one of those.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-42935424148758715412012-10-03T23:30:00.000-07:002012-10-03T23:30:02.753-07:00Talking About Fat<h2>
Can we talk about Gaga for a second?</h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to the internet, something incredibly important has happened. Lady Gaga gained 25 lbs after eating a whole lot of Italian food. Earth shattering, right? I know. I stumbled across this revelation on The Daily Mail, you can see the original article <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2206418/Lady-Gaga-blames-25lb-weight-gain-dads-delicious-food.html">here</a>. Now I know that so little goes on in the world that digging for stories like a couple extra pounds is nothing but I'm not even here to talk about that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After reading the article and wondering why I had, I came across the comments section. I made the ghastly mistake of not instantly closing the page and burning my eyes right out of my skill and actually stuck around to read some of them. I'm not even going to talk about the bad, fat shaming, what a cow, how can I jerk off to this, did she eat Madonna comments. They happen. I'm over it. Whatever. What I do want to address is the "supporting" or "fat friendly" or "helpful" comments. I have had just about enough of people making excuses about fat be it mine or anyone else's. Who's business is that I am fat or how I managed to get that way? Sure, Mr. Fat Shaming Guy, maybe I did eat one too many donuts and should know better now that you've enlightened me. It's possible, Ms. Voice of Reason, that I have a thyroid condition or that the weight gain is due to a Lupus diagnosis. But you know what, it doesn't matter. Fat is fat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't want people to try and excuse away my fat. I don't need people to make it more palatable by making it seem like I have a good reason to be that way. Maybe I'm this way because I like it. Maybe I'm this way because I'm too lazy to be any other way. Maybe you should just leave it the hell alone. Writing fat off with an excuse like a mental disorder or physical problem belittles the fat person. It assumes that something HAS to be wrong with you if you're fat. It's like making a point to compliment a fat friend on some existent or not weight loss. Oh, you look great. Did you lose weight? Not only are you implying that there was something wrong with the way they looked before, but you also assume that they want to hear they lost weight. Not every fat person is begging to be thinner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am currently losing weight for a reason that I don't care for. I'm on a restrictive low fat, non-dairy diet because of gallbladder issues. I have an extremely painful attack that can last for hours and requires drugs they give to cancer patients about once a week. But, oh yes, I am pleased as punch that I've dropped five pounds already. Joyful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who knows? Maybe I do have a weird thyroid issue that keeps me at a usually steady 235 lbs even though I used to eat a pretty normal diet. I don't know. It isn't affecting my health in any other relevant way as far as I can tell. I'm happy with my fat. Stop trying to take that away from me. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-33433098695474462482012-10-03T13:30:00.001-07:002012-10-03T22:45:29.122-07:00Convertible DIY Headboards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So as I have mentioned before, I am currently staying a house owned by my parents in South Bend, IN while the ultimate destination home in St. Louis is being built. So that I don't feel useless and so I don't go stir crazy while I'm there I have been making little projects for myself to help my parents get the house ready for renting during next years football season. The goal here is to have it look like something that you would spend $800 for a weekend in shared between 5-10 people. In my opinion that's a pretty reasonable price. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That said, one of the first projects I knew need need needed to happen was some headboards for each of the main bedrooms. They each have a "king" sized bed in them. When I say "king" though, I mean that it is two twin beds strapped together with something called a bed band and a bit of soft sheep thing in the middle to bridge the gap. This may seem janky to you, but there is a method to our madness. Not only is it way cheaper to get 4 twin beds, but also if you have say a group of bros that want to rent the house but think it's way skeezy to sleep together, then, voila!, four twin beds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My challenge: Create 2 Beautiful King Sized Headboards that could convert easily into 4 Beautiful Twin Sized Headboards.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did a lot of DIY research on the headboard front. At first I thought it would be neat to make something out of upcycled dresser drawers for additional storage. But realistically, how much do you bring to a hotel that needs to be stored directly behind you. Also, interesting dresser drawers are hard to find on short notice at thrift stores. I ultimately decided on padded slat style headboards. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I'm not the most experienced when it comes to building something out of nothing, so believe me when I say I was just making it up as I went along. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step One: Obtain Your Lumber.</span></h3>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--UfkpOwYI-E/UGZl_wUZlLI/AAAAAAAAAFY/1w4Ga6VqscY/s1600/Headboard+lumber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--UfkpOwYI-E/UGZl_wUZlLI/AAAAAAAAAFY/1w4Ga6VqscY/s320/Headboard+lumber.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plywood and friends are easy to come by at your local hardware store. If you aren't sure they have what you need, don't rely on their website. Those are generally wrong or list things that won't be at your specific location. I suggest calling ahead to ask about exactly what you need. In my case I went for 1/4" Plywood cut into 12 planks 39" x 12" as well as these cheap thin slats made for deck building cut 52" and I kept the left overs from that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My original plan was to have shaped the top of the headboards, but I ditched that last minute because we had a party of five (yes, I just said that) coming to stay at the house and I needed them done pronto!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step Two: Obtain Your Fabrics </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If there is any advice I can give you here, it is two fold: First, be extra careful in your measurements. I wound up getting almost exactly the right amounts I needed but I think that was from sheer luck. Second, make absolutely certain that if you're trying to match colors that you have the exact shade your matching to. The bedroom I'm showing you here is a strange color of blue. My mother managed to find bedding that works with it without fail, but the first time I went to buy fabric for this headboard I managed to be so far off the mark it almost made me cry. Luckily while I picked up some fabric for a decoupage project that was perfect instead. I went to Joann's where I got it initially and was prepared to put down some serious cash for this baller upholstery fabric, but it was HALF OFF!! I wanted to cry all over again.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPXKdUELu7k/UGZl7qtjtoI/AAAAAAAAAFE/2MB81-31WH4/s1600/Headboard+batting+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPXKdUELu7k/UGZl7qtjtoI/AAAAAAAAAFE/2MB81-31WH4/s320/Headboard+batting+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, yeah. You'll also need enough batting for three layers. This will make a lightly padded headboard. If you want something that looks thick and lush and have the money to plunk down, I'd go with a nice layer of 1/4" foam topped with batting, but that is SPENDY. Your choice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cut your batting and fabric to size so that you have AT LEAST one inch over hang on all four sides of your board. I would definitely go for two inches if you can. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step Three: Making Your Cake.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you don't choose to work outside where the fumes won't choke you, like me, make sure to put something protective over your work area. In my case the carpeted living room got the unfolded cardboard box treatment. This wound up being the perfect shape for what I needed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using a can of spray adhesive, I prepped the board. I used <a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000028007181&pid=NMG6074&adurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unbeatablesales.com%2Fnmg6074.html&usg=AFHzDLvSZccxq6ATkR3MoFLoMUARP-0oDw&pubid=582551" rel="nofollow">Aleene'S 23501 Aleene's Crystal Clear "Tacky"Spray (Google Affiliate Ad)</a> and wound up using a little over a can and a half. Then I laid down each layer of batting spraying more adhesive between each one. Finally the fabric. Take extra care here that your fabric goes on smooth and as free of wrinkles as possible. You might consider ironing before hand if you're into that kind of thing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It should wind up looking something like this. I flipped it over so you could clearly see the layers. I don't show it so much in detail here, but at the corners of the board I cut away the batting so that it lined up with the edges of the board, like an inverse corner leaving just enough so I wouldn't have a sharp edge. I also put in diagonal cuts at the corners of the fabric. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step Four: The Fun Part!</span></h3>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32ETF02mCZE/UGZkHmel6rI/AAAAAAAAAEk/8cWxfMS1Kc4/s1600/Headboard+staple+gun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32ETF02mCZE/UGZkHmel6rI/AAAAAAAAAEk/8cWxfMS1Kc4/s320/Headboard+staple+gun.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting from the center of one of the long edges, fold the fabric up on the back of the board and staple it down using your handy dandy staple/nail gun. I used 3/8" staples. Work from the center to the end of the board. Then return to the center and work the other way. Make sure to hold your fabric taught. You don't see me doing it, because I was hold my camera phone taught at the time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After doing both long sides, go into gift wrapping mode. This is where you become concerned about the appearance of corners. Fold the diagonal corners in so that they wrap around the the corner and envelope the fabric. Your main goal here is to keep a nice looking line and not to have anything hanging out or any sharp edges. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do this until you have at least three boards finished (or however many boards you're taking to make a single headboard.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step Six: Put On the Legs.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carefully lay out your completed boards so that they line up with each other. Lay your decking strips on them making sure that you've marked the height from the floor to the bottom board on each strip so that you don't have a wonky headboard. I used brad nails LIBERALLY to attach these strips to my boards and it was successful. You could also use more stables if you only have a staple gun. I also decided to use the remaining parts of the decking strips here to reinforce the legs. I would say then I used the remaining fabric to wrap the legs so that I didn't have bare wood hanging out, but I was running out of time and didn't do it. I WOULD HAVE DONE IT THOUGH and I do suggest you do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step Seven: Put In Place and Pat Yourself On the Back.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so freaking proud of the way this project turned out. I haven't taken pictures of the other bedroom yet, but when I do I'll add it to this post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next on This New House!</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DECOUGPAAAAHHHHHHHHHGE!</span></h4>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-77624902661769713462012-10-03T00:46:00.002-07:002012-10-03T13:32:12.496-07:00My Soul's Melody<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have had favorite bands and favorite songs before. I grew up adoring the Beatles and I still do. I love musicals and Ke$ha. I love LMFAO and Frank Sinatra and Cake. I have an unending love of all things music, but I don't think I really understood what it meant to really connect with a band before the movie adaptation of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World came out and I was introduced to Metric. I heard the wail and reverberating thump of "Black Sheep" and I was sold. There was something haunting in that song that I couldn't put my finger on, but it spoke to me on a level that I had never felt before. I wanted more. I even PAID for all of their available albums, the utmost in respect from me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That year I went on a road trip mostly by myself 5,000 miles around the USA and listened almost exclusively to Metric. It never got old. I learned the words. I wailed right along. New bands and songs and sounds came and I listened and enjoyed them, but Metric was always right there for me to go back to. Metric had a song in a Twilight movie. I made peace with it and moved on. Finally their latest album, <i>Synthetica</i>, came out and they announced they were going on tour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't normally like going to see live shows. Most of the bands take forever to get on stage. There are uninteresting opening acts. There isn't any seating. I don't really like large crowds. I've had terrible experiences with dehydration and sun stroke at past events. That aside it took me about .002 seconds to buy my tickets to the Metric show at The Pageant in St. Louis. At the time I bought the ticket I thought I would be living there by then and it would be a nice way to break the city in. I turned out to be overly optimistic but that doesn't matter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight, I saw what I am proud to say is my all-time favorite band in concert and it was AMAZING. Not only did I finally get to wear my new outfit put together specifically for this ocassion, but I got to go with two of my besties who I will soon be living with in St. Louis.</span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The crowd wound up being more of a jeans crowd, but I did not care one hoot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like I said before I don't think I really understood what it felt like to really have a favorite band before. But let me share with you one of their songs. I know it's one of their more popular ones, but the lyrics to me are really outstanding and have a great message. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That song, other than being totally rocking, reminds us that while we're still sucking down breath our lives are ours to live and no one else's, so do what you damn well please. Isn't that the best? All in all, I really enjoyed the show. The music was loud and the lights were bright and Emily was a little more of a hippy than I expected but I did not care in the least. If she's liking the good vibes she gets from St. Louis then yay! Come back again soon! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this leaves me with a question. What is your favorite band/song and why? Have you had the chance to see them live and did they live up to your expectations?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a great Tuesday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lara</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-6354749099896773372012-09-29T00:02:00.000-07:002012-10-03T22:50:47.030-07:0020 @ 26<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inaugural Link Up</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To really kick this blog off in the right direction I want to break the first rule of fat ladies on the internet and post a full body picture of myself shamelessly. To give me a decent excuse to do this I am participating in The Nearsighted Owl's "I am proud of my size" Link Up. For her, it's number 17. For me, the first of many. Shall we get on with this? Yep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I go into a bit of a rant here so I'm putting this under a jump. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since this is only my second blog post I want to take a moment to explain my choice of blog title. I called it <b>The Rebellious Body</b> because that's what I'm living with and my attitude is towards. This doesn't only apply to my weight, but that is a big part of it. I'll go into that later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I live with psoriasis that attacks my hands and feet as well as occasional bouts of alopecia or balding which presents in either severe thinning or complete baldness of spots or sections of my scalp. These are both autoimmune diseases. For those who don't know, an autoimmune disease is, in the most basic of terms, when your body gets drunk, decides it doesn't like the way that cell is looking at it, and gets into a bar fight. What the body doesn't know is that it just punched it's brother. Basically my own body sees parts of it as foreign and attacks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me it's relatively minor, but it is unseemly to most people. Some folk, when the notice my psoriasis on my hands or ankle either ask me what happened like I walked in in a body cast or get this weird look on their face like they might get it too. I understand human curiosity and I understand the fear or disgust. I get it. That doesn't make it hurt any less every time I have to tell someone that I have a disease and have had since I can remember. I tell them that no they won't get it and yes it does itch like the dickens. When I get annoyed I tell them I got it rescuing triplets from a fire or that they should see the other guy. Mostly I just get tired. I wear tights and avoid showing my hands. I part my hair to the other side or wear large headbands. I try to hide it. This is exhausting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realize that many people do the exact same thing, except for them it isn't for a disease, it's because they're fat. We wear unassuming, non-revealing or baggy clothing. We try to take up as little space as possible. We are constantly aware of our bodies. We don't want to sit because people will judge us for being lazy. We don't want people to see us sweating. We think that if we pretend we're furniture, people won't notice that our body size is different than theirs or they just won't notice us at all. That's how I grew up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't think that way anymore. It's taken a long, long time and the realization that I deserved the space I took up and the air I had to suck up into my fat fat fatty lungs came at a really awkward time. My parents joined Weight Watchers and have lost 110 lbs between them as of last week. When they first joined, it was... uncomfortable. When we got together for a dinner or some kind of outing, if we happened to see another fat person it swiftly became one I hope I never get to be like that comment after another. Aren't they disgusting? Aren't they sad? They must be miserable. I'm so glad I'm changing.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: x-small;">I'm so sad eating this delicious burger right now. How can I go on?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got so angry. I've always fought with my dad. That's just our relationship. This was right up my alley. I raged against him. I didn't know why but his disdain for a fellow fatty made me madder than I had ever been. I shook with it. I told them that I was happy that they were doing something that made them healthier because I love them and want to see them live as long as possible. I told them that I also thought they looked great the way they were and that it made me incredibly sad to know that they didn't agree. I told them that what they say about other fat people hurts me personally as I too am fat. I had never expressed this before. Afterwards I thought I had lost it and was so angry because I was falling into my old I'm super angsty with my parents routine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I even joined Weight Watchers myself and lost 15 lbs. It was terrible. I counted calories and points and measured portions. I exercised every day. I was sore and hungry, but I was determined that I would lose weight. Then I started hanging out with my first body positive fat friend. I won't call her my first body positive friend. I don't know how many of my friends are body positive. They never spoke to me about it. She did though. She is fat, happy, and proud. She introduced me to fat acceptance and body positive blogs. I haven't looked back. My parents still make me angry and sad, but I'm learning to live with it. They're happy and that's what really matters. I love them no matter what they look like. I can only hope they feel the same way about me. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: x-small;">Me on the right as we all pose as "accidental pin up" girls.</span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a bit more to say about this, but will save it for a later post. I don't want to blow my whole blogging load at once do I?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for sticking around and reading. If it was TL and you DR, then take this away: I am fat; I am sick; I am not hiding anymore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lara</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405387327643688503.post-10344463062024700392012-09-28T20:46:00.001-07:002012-10-03T13:32:55.471-07:00Greetings!<h2>
Oh, look. Another blog from a mid-20s fat lady. </h2>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: x-small;">It's hard to wave at a camera you're holding yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So, yeah. After doing extensive research wherein I ate like half a jar of peanut butter while reading body positive fashion and food blogs with Supernatural playing in the background, I decided I was doing neat things too AND I too am fat and happy. Why shouldn't the internet get to hear my voice or read my voice, I guess?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Let me introduce myself then. I'm 26, in between cities though at this second located in the quaint town of South Bend, IN, and a freelance transcriptionist. This essentially means that I have a lot of free time, not a lot of money, and an exceptional word per minute rate. I have dabbled in many things: print making, metal sculpture, print making, figure drawing, comic making, trombone and saxophone playing, singing, ukulele playing, piano playing, t-shirt designing, radio producing, sound editing, and uhh foods baking. I'm a jack of all trades, master of none, but I don't let that get me down. I enjoy everything I do and hope that others like it as well. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">I appreciate the talent in others way more than my own most times and I don't take compliments easily although I secretly love them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: x-small;">This pose is called "The Great Gobbler."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After four years of living with one of my best friends (see above photo) and eight years in the Windy City total, I have finally decided to relocate. I am in the extremely slow process of moving to St. Louis into a house with another couple of my best friends (see photo below.) They are currently renovating their basement for me to move into and while it's taking longer than anyone could have expected I am staying in one of my parents' houses in South Bend. In repayment for their generosity I am undertaking the project of decorating this house and making it ready for future renters. I try to squeeze thrift store shopping and crafting in to my busy schedule of TV watching, internetting, and gaming. Trust me; it's a hard life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: x-small;">A modern American Gothic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">That all being said, I hope that you will welcome me to your community. I'm happy to be here.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08898850956836553362noreply@blogger.com0