Dear So and So

[lph]

channlluv, if it's any consolation, the only way I see you is that big, victorious smile in your avatar, and it's gorgeous.

[maillotpois]

channlluv, if it's any consolation, the only way I see you is that big, victorious smile in your avatar, and it's gorgeous.

+1!!!

And big yay to RD and Mimi.

[NbyNW]

channlluv, if it's any consolation, the only way I see you is that big, victorious smile in your avatar, and it's gorgeous.

^ What lph said. And hugs. I'm sure you've developed ways to deal with the comments, but we all have days when things get to us.

Mimi: seriously, would you like company for dinner? DH is out of town this week so I can bring something over!

[bmccasland]

^ What lph said. And hugs. I'm sure you've developed ways to deal with the comments, but we all have days when things get to us.

Mimi: seriously, would you like company for dinner? DH is out of town this week so I can bring something over!

TE dinner party to cheer Mimi up? Or to drive her crazy and wish for quiet!

[Biciclista]

Mimi: seriously, would you like company for dinner? DH is out of town this week so I can bring something over!

I would love that. it's so quiet here without the Donald. It really doesn't normally bother me, but it is bothering me with him in the hospital like this.

[snapdragen]

channlluv, if it's any consolation, the only way I see you is that big, victorious smile in your avatar, and it's gorgeous.

+1,000,000,000

Maybe we can come up with some snappy comebacks...

[indysteel]

Dear retail gods: Why is it so hard to find a wool winter coat that fits? I go through this every few years and it's always torture. Enough with the vanity sizing for one. I'm not skinny, so why are most coats huge on me? On the flip side of the coin, why does J. Crew think that the average woman has toothpicks for arms? As I tried your coats on, I heard several women experiencing the same problem that I was. The coat otherwise fit but was cut much too tightly under the arms. Argh. And enough with the weird designs, too. Why would I want a winter coat with three-quarter length sleeves or a lapel as big as my body? Just give me a classic, well proportioned cut. In a camel color preferably. Black is no good; I have cats.

Thank you.

[tangentgirl]

Classic but true: mean people suck.

[Bethany1]

I've had the "so when are you due?" question before. I just smile and say, "Thanks for asking, but I'm not expecting".

What gets me are the skinny girls that are always complaining about being fat. I figure I have a right to complain, but they just sound pathetic.

[indysteel]

I've had the "so when are you due?" question before. I just smile and say, "Thanks for asking, but I'm not expecting".

What gets me are the skinny girls that are always complaining about being fat. I figure I have a right to complain, but they just sound pathetic.

I am truly sympathetic to anyone with weight issues. That includes thin people with a distorted body image or those who use calorie deprivation as a means to self-medicate. Trust me; it's no walk in the park either.

[OakLeaf]

Exactly. If weight were self-determined, then Karen Carpenter was fat the day she died.

[channlluv]

You guys are all so thoughtful. Thank you.

I realize body image is all relative. I've got a friend who is tall, uberfit, gorgeous, and when we come off a 12-mile ride, she complains about her pooch to the other thin women in our group (which is all of the other three -- I'm the only fat one riding here). This leads them all to complain about their own bellies or thighs or whatever...I just stand there thinking, "Are you kidding?" But it's all relative.

It's okay to make jokes about fat people in our society. On one of my favorite TV shows, the beautiful female police detective got all bent out of shape because a carnie weight guesser said she weighed 145 pounds, and it became a running bit through the show. "He was right about every one else. Why would he say I weigh 145? Do I look like I weigh 145?" Turns out the guy was part of the bad guy ring and was just calling her fat - 145 is fat - to rattle her and derail her investigation, and it worked.

People feel free to lecture me on nutrition, too. Like my cart's not full of organic veggies and lean meats and whole grain whatever. They had success with such-and-such diet and I should try it, too.

I know they mean well, so I just smile and nod. It's all relative.

Roxy

[ladyicon]

A lot of weight has to do with DNA and hormones. I should know since I keep gaining weight during menopause.

[NbyNW]

Indy, check out Brooks Brothers for coats.

I found a beautiful camelhair coat there last year. Very classic cut and style, it's going to last me many years. It replaced a black wool coat that I bought in 1996. It might be worth a look for you, because I think they don't change their outerwear styles too much from year to year.

Brooks Bros. is not cheap. But we lucked out because we were there on Black Friday, to find DH a new suit. We were the only people in the store and boy were the salespeople glad to see us! I had been keeping my eyes out for a new coat and here was one my size (in a color and style that I've been dreaming about since I was a broke 20-something a million years ago), and my mom was with me and she wanted to buy it for me! She has a dismal record with remembering to send birthday and Christmas gifts (not that I care), so I let her.

[channlluv]

Point taken, Indy. Thank you.