....and the one I read today made me cry. While I usually enjoy the books I read, it's not often that it makes me cry to the point that I use up half a box of tissues.
I'm what most people would call a "larger woman." I've never been what people consider skinny. Even at my lightest weights, I was still bigger than most other girls. I first read one of Jennifer Weiner's books a few years ago (In Her Shoes) and was amazed at how well she understood the "big girl's" mindset....so finding out that she was writing from experience wasn't too surprising.
She frequently has a character that is a big girl who is handcuffed emotionally and/or mentally by her size. Usually, the character has a skinny sister or friend with whom she has a love/hate relationship.
But I just finished Good In Bed.....what a great story!!! As usual, the lead character, Cannie, is a "larger woman" and has just broken up with her boyfriend. Although in a slight twist, he was very much in love with her and she broke up with him (typically, the woman is dumped because the boyfriend can't handle her size in these types of stories). While he ends up not having been a prince, he has the right attitude about "Loving a Larger Woman."
Cannie has the typical emotional/mental issues with her size, but in this story it hasn't kept her from being successful not only at her job, but also in relationships. She's a serial monogamist who is sexually aware. She's funny and irreverent. And while she's trying to lose some weight, it isn't the sum total of her existence.
In the end, without giving too much away, Cannie works through her anger and shame after a few mis-steps. She learns that while some people just aren't capable of truly loving relationships, you can surround yourself with people you love, who will love you back.
And in the end, when you surround yourself with the right people, size really doesn't matter....
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
The incredible disappearing me....
Well, guess I really dropped the ball on my blog.....
It's been over a year since I last wrote here. Reading my first two posts I can't believe how much has changed.
Shortly after that last post a friend of mine miscarried for the first time. I was happy to be there for her since I knew her pain. It didn't make anything better that three friends of ours announced their pregnancies right after she miscarried and around the one year anniversary of my miscarriage. "It's so unfair!" we exclaimed. "Why does everyone else get to have this so easily, but we don't?"
A month later, I got pregnant. I didn't know for sure until early November, but then we knew!!! We were having a baby....first came the excitement....then the guilt. How could I tell my friend...she was still grieving for her recent loss. I decided that I wouldn't hide anything from her, but rather talk to her about it and help her through it. It seemed to go pretty well. She had recovered much better than I had from the miscarriage. Unfortunately, another friend of ours got pregnant about the same time I did which didn't help her cope. And then the worst happened in the spring, my friend had a second miscarriage.
She has amazed me though. Her ability to recover and bounce back was so much greater than mine was. I don't know if I could have been as positive after a second time as she was. She just kept getting right back on that horse. I'm so proud of her and how strong she is. Oh, and I'm happy to report that she is now six months pregnant and just found out she's having a baby girl.
As for me, my own little girl arrived in July after plenty of issues (illness, loss of 50 pounds during pregnancy and gestational diabetes) and a somewhat lengthy birthing process (induction for 20 hours followed by a c-section). I will never complain though. She is the best thing that ever happened to us.
I'm currently trying to be a WAHM. Only two days in and I'm still trying to figure out my schedule, but it's a work in process right. Things will change as my little one grows and wants to do new and different things.
It's been over a year since I last wrote here. Reading my first two posts I can't believe how much has changed.
Shortly after that last post a friend of mine miscarried for the first time. I was happy to be there for her since I knew her pain. It didn't make anything better that three friends of ours announced their pregnancies right after she miscarried and around the one year anniversary of my miscarriage. "It's so unfair!" we exclaimed. "Why does everyone else get to have this so easily, but we don't?"
A month later, I got pregnant. I didn't know for sure until early November, but then we knew!!! We were having a baby....first came the excitement....then the guilt. How could I tell my friend...she was still grieving for her recent loss. I decided that I wouldn't hide anything from her, but rather talk to her about it and help her through it. It seemed to go pretty well. She had recovered much better than I had from the miscarriage. Unfortunately, another friend of ours got pregnant about the same time I did which didn't help her cope. And then the worst happened in the spring, my friend had a second miscarriage.
She has amazed me though. Her ability to recover and bounce back was so much greater than mine was. I don't know if I could have been as positive after a second time as she was. She just kept getting right back on that horse. I'm so proud of her and how strong she is. Oh, and I'm happy to report that she is now six months pregnant and just found out she's having a baby girl.
As for me, my own little girl arrived in July after plenty of issues (illness, loss of 50 pounds during pregnancy and gestational diabetes) and a somewhat lengthy birthing process (induction for 20 hours followed by a c-section). I will never complain though. She is the best thing that ever happened to us.
I'm currently trying to be a WAHM. Only two days in and I'm still trying to figure out my schedule, but it's a work in process right. Things will change as my little one grows and wants to do new and different things.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Just another day in the neighborhood....
Not too much new to talk about. Weeded the yard and gardens on Saturday and Sunday. Sold our old couches on craigslist. It took us the better part of an hour to get the damn things out of the basement (when we finally popped off the feet it took all of 30 seconds...duh!). The new lazyboy couch and chair are coming on Wednesday. I can't wait!!!!
Started my FirstStrides 5K walk training again yesterday for the Women's 5K Classic in October. At least it gets me moving again...I've just got to keep up with the training this time.
My second Wilton class starts tonight. This one is all about flowers and basket weave cakes. Can't wait! I really do enjoy these classes.
This weekend is the twins' 3rd birthday party and the big summer bbq that one of our friend's parents in NJ throw every year. Should be a fun weekend!!!
Started my FirstStrides 5K walk training again yesterday for the Women's 5K Classic in October. At least it gets me moving again...I've just got to keep up with the training this time.
My second Wilton class starts tonight. This one is all about flowers and basket weave cakes. Can't wait! I really do enjoy these classes.
This weekend is the twins' 3rd birthday party and the big summer bbq that one of our friend's parents in NJ throw every year. Should be a fun weekend!!!
Friday, August 1, 2008
The first one...
...well, here it is...my first blog entry. Not many people will probably read this so it'll act like more of a journal than a blog really, but who cares...I might as well put my thoughts out there right. Maybe someone will identify with it....maybe it will help someone or make them think....you never know.
Anyway, a little more about me than what's on the profile....graduated Penn State with two BS degrees in 2000....graduated NYU Stern School from the Langone program with my MBA in 2007...married Scott in 2003 (he's a dork, but I love him)...moved back to PA from NJ in 2004...have 2 nieces and 2 nephews (1 niece is my sister's, 1 nephew and the twins (1 niece and 1 nephew) are Scott's sister's)...parents in Florida....Scott's parents in NJ...most of our friends in NJ...means we go there at least every third weekend if not every other...
I'm definitely a nerd...enjoy math and puzzles....read a lot of books (Scott hates how much money I spend at bookstores)...used to be a major tomboy....got more girly in the last few years (actually wear makeup, buy purses and shoes a lot now)...still like sports although I don't play a lot anymore since I gained so much weight...
Like I said, we're trying for a baby...lost the first attempt last fall...hate that most people hide that they've had a miscarriage and then come out of the woodwork when you have one...trying to be upfront about it with people....yeah, it hurts, but maybe someone will feel a little better knowing they're not alone if it happens to them and know they have someone to talk to if they want...took a while to get over it though...still having trouble since pretty much all my married friends (and some who aren't married yet) have just had or are having babies...hurts...I know it's not their fault, but that doesn't make it hurt less...makes me scared to keep trying sometimes but we keep plugging along...
That's all for now....check back later for more stream of consciousness posting....who knows, maybe I'll actually write something funny one of these days...
ttyl, sarah
Anyway, a little more about me than what's on the profile....graduated Penn State with two BS degrees in 2000....graduated NYU Stern School from the Langone program with my MBA in 2007...married Scott in 2003 (he's a dork, but I love him)...moved back to PA from NJ in 2004...have 2 nieces and 2 nephews (1 niece is my sister's, 1 nephew and the twins (1 niece and 1 nephew) are Scott's sister's)...parents in Florida....Scott's parents in NJ...most of our friends in NJ...means we go there at least every third weekend if not every other...
I'm definitely a nerd...enjoy math and puzzles....read a lot of books (Scott hates how much money I spend at bookstores)...used to be a major tomboy....got more girly in the last few years (actually wear makeup, buy purses and shoes a lot now)...still like sports although I don't play a lot anymore since I gained so much weight...
Like I said, we're trying for a baby...lost the first attempt last fall...hate that most people hide that they've had a miscarriage and then come out of the woodwork when you have one...trying to be upfront about it with people....yeah, it hurts, but maybe someone will feel a little better knowing they're not alone if it happens to them and know they have someone to talk to if they want...took a while to get over it though...still having trouble since pretty much all my married friends (and some who aren't married yet) have just had or are having babies...hurts...I know it's not their fault, but that doesn't make it hurt less...makes me scared to keep trying sometimes but we keep plugging along...
That's all for now....check back later for more stream of consciousness posting....who knows, maybe I'll actually write something funny one of these days...
ttyl, sarah
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