MLK Day!

Today is Martin Luther King’s Birthday.   I think we may have forgotten what the man stood for.  We have turned the celebration of his ideas into a one day event just like the presidents birthdays and Independence Day.  We are so focused on the parade or just the fact that we get the day off that we don’t reflect on what we should be doing on these days.

 Did you think about the difference in the world we live in now compared to the times of Dr. King?  It’s not as different as he would have liked us to be by now.  How many times have you said or thought an off-handed comment about someone of another race?  Do you openly accept all people?  No matter, race, color, creed or religion?  In truth the answer is no.  We may be further along than our grandparents were but is it because we want to or because we have been so beaten with the term “Politically Correct” that we have just learned to hide our true feelings.

 My best friend is of another race and I embrace her culture with all of what that means and yes all our cultures have our stereo types but that is what makes us great and different.  Our challenge is to accept that they are different and learn from that.  NOT, close our minds to the new experience because they are “weird”, different or just not the right color.

I challenge you to look inside and then see what you really believe.  Step outside of your comfort zone and learn something new about a culture you don’t know anything about.  Meet someone and ask about their family traditions.  Eat something different and experience it for yourself.

Open your mind to the ideas that Dr. King wanted us to truly embrace and let’s make a real change in our worlds!

Get yourself on TV!

Hey Hey, Look what I found…

 

 

 

 

Skyline Productions is looking for the full figured for a casting call for a reality show based around the life of a plus-sized person.

They are looking for that “Thick N’ Sassy” attitude so that they can put us in a positive light.  Which we all know we deserve.  “Our idea is to look at the lives of big women without the shame and stress from a Size-0 dominated media. We want to show the world that big women can be just as fun, interesting, successful, and loved, as everyone else. After all, there is nothing wrong with having “a little meat on your bones”.”

If you want to give it a shot, just contact them at skylinetvcasting@gmail.com.  They will need the following info:
Name, a photo, contact info and a bio about you and what your story is.

So, get out those “diva” pictures and send them in.  I would love to see one of our own TNS ladies on the screen.

For more info check out this link  www.houseofcurves.com

Tell us if you enter too.  We want to follow your journey and get the TNS family to support you 100%.

WTF, 3 Strikes Against Curvy Women

I read an article by Fester Whipple, from October 1, 2010 that was posted on Shine from Yahoo and I wanted to share some of its finer points with you.  The title of it is 3 Strikes Against Curvy Women.

The title is what got my attention, well ok, it really made me angry!  There should be NO strikes against curvy women.  BUT, to his credit everything he said had a point and really got me thinking.

His First Point: Smaller paychecks

We get smaller paychecks than our thinner counterparts; 6% less actually.   Rebecca Puhl, PhD, director of research at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University said; “That wage penalty has been consistently documented,” she says. “It’s pretty bad.” What’s new is that males don’t take nearly the hit.  

This I have firsthand knowledge of.  While I am usually well paid, I am not as well paid as my thinner counter parts.  The other issue that we have is that due to the discrimination that we face in getting promotions, raises and hired in the first place, we fall into another category.  This would be the depressed and anxious category.   The cycle is never ender and while society as a whole is growing in size, and I mean pant size not head count, we are facing more discrimination and exclusion than ever before.

The Second Point: If you get fired, you’re on your own.

There are no “weight discrimination” laws written in any state but Michigan.   So, the rest of the nation can say if the uniform doesn’t fit, you get to quit.  That is a bunch of BULL.  I can’t be fired for being a woman, gay, American Indian, pagan or disabled.  BUT, I can be let go because I am over a weight limit or uniform size that does not fit the image of some company.   I am pretty sure that we have deemed obesity a disease and that some people with eating disorders have illnesses no different than alcoholics or addicts.  So, why are we even having this discussion?  Because some people in our society see overweight people as just lazy and not in control of themselves, never mind the illnesses, obsessions, depressions, family history and diseases that may have led us here.   It could be more eye-opening if people had to walk a mile. 

The Third Point: The Corporate ladder does not have a wrung for us.  At least, not by the top

In corporate America, the top is filled with men, not a bad thing, IF they are qualified to be there.  I totally agree that if you are qualified for the position and can do it correctly then you should have it.  But equal pay for equal work needs to take place.  As we know that is not the fact and will not be any time soon.  We have seen that by sending our jobs overseas.  It’s just a matter of the BBD theory.  Everyone is looking for the “Bigger Better Deal”.  With all of that being said, it is not hard to imagine that women only make up for 40% of the managerial staffing; and they only make $.79 for every $1.00 made by men.   Factor in the weight issue and we all know where that gets us.  Stuck right in the middle. 

With all of this being out there against us, I want to raise a toast to those of you Thick N’ Sassy women, who said I can do this on my own.  If you have your own company or just pushed until you got where and what you wanted, I want to say “WAY TO GO!!”

Be sure and watch out for each other, and think about this if you are one of the “little” people.  You may not always be where you are.  You may need one of “US” to help you one day, or you may become one of us!

Share your stories of discrimination with me.  I know the stories are not happy, but they are real and just remember you are not alone!  Stand together and we can make a change!

DECIDE TO MAKE A CHANGE.

In our current times it is hard to pick the days that will be bad and those that will be good.   It seems that everyday comes with some sort of a challenge.  I believe that it is all in how you handle that challenge that will create the outcome.  If you think that the day is too much and it is a horrible situation, well… then the day will be too much and turn out to be horrible.  If you think that this is just one more thing for you to think your way through to move on to better things, then it will work itself out.

I am a firm believer in the power of positive thought and that there is such a thing as Karma.  I don’t like to expose myself to negative energy and I try and keep as many “bad” thoughts from my head as possible.  It’s been a long road and I have definitely had to learn patience and understanding along the way, but my life is so much better for it.

Sound like a lot of “hooey”?  Well then you are a glass half empty, everyone is against me, life just sucks kind of person and I wish you well.   But if you think, hey I like that and I can see that as being true, welcome back from the dark side.  It will truly make your life a better place if you spend time with positive people, look inside at what you are giving off and decide to conscientiously make a change.

My advice to you…

Pick your battles.   You can’t win them all without loosing a few friends and loved ones.   And, does it really matter that the trash did not go out today? Really?  Make a stand on the things that are deal breakers.

Do at least one nice thing for someone you don’t know everyday.   Even if you just let someone in line at the stop light.  You never know what their day was like and this might just be the thing to turn it around.

Tell someone you love them everyday.   Not your husband or your boyfriend.  Call your mom or your sister, tell your best friend.  Let someone know that they are important to you.

Take 5 for yourself.   If you don’t spend just a little time on yourself each day then you will drain all of your energy and be no good to any one over time.   Even if you just hide in your room for 5 minutes of quiet time before the dog, kids, spouse, etc… barge in to see what you are doing.

I wish you all the best as you read this and hope that over all, this has at least made you think about those people that you love and how you treat them.

Welcome Back!

Both to me and to you!

I took some time off because I found that what I was focused on each day was not the positives in life, but what was bad.

Don’t get me wrong, I am still going to post my “WTF” postings, but they won’t be everyday and now I want to send out some positive energy to everyone.   We could all certainly use it.

So, let this be your heads up that “I’m Back”.   I will have some new and great things to share in the next few days and weeks and hope that you will stop by often to check us out.

Be sure and stop by the magazine too!   We have some great new photos to share and our cover model Monica is HOT!   So, take a minute to give us a look and be sure and comment on what you see and want to know about!   We love to hear your comments and are happy to review, research and share with you!

Talk at you tomorrow!

What a great idea…Dumpster Pools

I know!  If you don’t know what this is then you think that this is gross!  I have to agree.  When I first saw the headline I thought.   That is gross, I would rather swim in the Trinity and any one that knows the Trinity, does not want to swim in it.

BUT, here is the deal…

Designer David Belt, from Macro Sea created these dumpsters last year where they debuted in Brooklyn, NY.
They are an amazing way to recycle and are a great thing to have in public areas for citizens to use.
They are completely recycled, relatively inexpensive and very easy to transport.

The dumpsters are reclaimed, cleaned and then felted and lined with a standard swimming pool liner.  The only real building required is the wrap around deck.   Any if anyone has ever lived in a “mobile” home, then you know that those can be built in a matter of hours with the right motivation and supplies.
They can hold up to 10 at a time and are a great way cool off with out digging, moving grass, pouring concrete or any of the other things that are required for the standard in-ground pool.  They are very eco-friendly.

I love things that make us more green and these are amazing.
You can find them now in New York City.  Let’s hope we can find them in other areas soon.

Only In Texas

Ok, as most of you know things are different in Texas.  Football is a religion, hair is big, cows are pets and you can ride your horse downtown.  And that is in the major cities… If you have ever been or driven thru then you know what I mean.

Yesterday I experienced another “only in Texas” moment.  I had to take a friend to the doctor and did my time sitting in the waiting room.  While I expected to read the standard two month old Parenting or Diabetes Monthly, I began sifting through the stack of magazines by my chair.  I had to stop and stifle the giggle that was dying to get out when I looked at the top magazine.   There looking up at me was American Riffleman. 

American Riffleman??!!  I am pretty sure that most doctors are against guns in general due to their standard hazardous to your health status, but to have one provide a magazine about guns?  That just threw me for a loop.   Don’t get me wrong.  I am not against guns and feel like anything in life, if you are going to have one you should be educated about how to use it and keep it safe.  Just like your car.  

I just had to share this, I really found it funny and could not for the life of me ever remember a magazine like this being in any other doctors office.  I have spent a great deal of time in the waiting room for many different doctors in several states across the nation and this is truly a first.

I know that Texas is a place where things are just a little different, and I really do love it here.  But, this just had to be shared!

Happy 4th of July!

We used to call today “Independance Day”.  It still is referred to as that sometimes but we have grown to know it as simply “the 4th”.  It tends to loose the meaning with that name but we as Americans seem to be ok with that.  (we shouldn’t)

Today you will have a barbque, invite some friends and family over.  Watch some fireworks and have a drink or two.  This is a great day in our history and should be celebrated.  I would ask that you all take a moment and think of what we have given up in order to be able to celebrate today.

We (as Americans) have given our lives in order to fight for freedom.  Remember those that have perished and those that are fighting today and won’t be having a steak or drinking a beer.  Those whose idea of “fireworks” are A LOT different than yours.  They are protecting our rights and fighting for those that have asked for our help or have been mistreated.

If you are a soldier I stand and thank you for your dedication and hope that you know there are people who believe in you and what you are doing for us!

If you are not, I hope that you are aware of the sacrifices made by others so that you can be where you are today.

I wish everyone a safe and happy Independance Day and ask that you just take a moment and thank a soldier or remember the fallen.

Words of Wisdom

I know I have been really down on things lately and I needed to step back and look at what I was providing to you!  So, here is a word of advice.

Do something for yourself today. 

Today, speak as kindly to yourself as you do to others.

Allow someone else to help you the way you help other people. 

Give yourself the same permission to make mistakes that you give to others.

Do this for yourself today. You deserve it. 

Remember, you can better care for others when you have first taken care of you!

Guess What… It Failed!

Check this out…  BP had the following to say about their great idea…

“BP PLC Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles said the company determined the “top kill” had failed after it spent three days pumping heavy drilling mud into the crippled well 5,000 feet underwater. More than 1.2 million gallons of mud was used, but most of it escaped out of the damaged riser.

In the six weeks since the spill began, the company has failed in each attempt to stop the gusher, as estimates of how much oil is leaking grow more dire. The spill is the worst in U.S. history — exceeding even the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster — and dumping between 18 million and 40 million gallons into the Gulf, according to government estimates. (Excerpt from Yahoo.com)

Every 8th grade science student could have told you this would not work.  I think it’s time to let someone else take over and get this taken care of.   The oil company “Emergency Teams” have had their chance.  Now lets get someone in their that may make a difference.  It’s worth trying to let others have a shot, because something new and different may be just the thing.

The oil has closed the beaches and washed into the marshes, some are saying that they will never recover from the impact of this leak.  Who do they turn to for restitution, resolution or a solution?  The blame game is going on still!  It’s like 3 little kids standing around a broken cookie jar and they all have crumbs on their hands.

So here we go into round 34 or whatever we are at now.  The plan was announced today by BP “The company plans to use robot submarines to cut off the damaged riser from which the oil is leaking, and then try to cap it with a containment valve. The effort is expected to take between four and seven days. “We’re confident the job will work but obviously we can’t guarantee success,” Suttles said of the new plan, declining to handicap the likelihood it will work.  He said that cutting off the damaged riser isn’t expected to cause the flow rate of leaking oil to increase significantly. The permanent solution to the leak, a relief well currently being drilled, won’t be ready until August, BP says. Experts have said that a bend in the damaged riser likely was restricting the flow of oil somewhat, so slicing it off and installing a new containment valve is risky.  ”If they can’t get that valve on, things will get much worse,” said Philip W. Johnson, an engineering professorat the University of Alabama. (Excerpt from Yahoo.com)

If it were the human body, we would clamp the vein before the tear and then run a new artery or put some bovine parts in there.  It would seem to me that we may be making this too complicated.  They are digging a relief well that would “Solve” the issue but that won’t be done until August.  The caps haven’t worked.  The “top kill” didn’t work.  But they say they are “CONFIDENT” the robots will solve the issue but they can’t “GUARANTEE” that it will work.   Could you back pedal faster please.  If you are not sure what CYA means…  just watch these guys in a press conference.

Greenpeace took this picture and it shows what the coast looks like.   Want to take your kids there for the holiday weekend?  Think about the dolphins that are swimming in this?  Or the pelicans that are diving in for their food, that has now died or migrated somewhere else?  They don’t fly well with oil in their wings.

It’s going to take thousands of bottles of dawn and thousands of people to save the animals that have been impacted by this!  There are entire ecosystems that are gone.

Just imagine how the fishermen feel?  You can’t catch shrimp in that, and if you did, would you want to eat them?  Yum, dish me up a plate of sludge gumbo? Take a minute and think of all the things that are being effected.  Now stop for a minute and think about how this will impact you.   It really is mind boggling!

Still want to hear your comments!