My Fat Acceptance journal began many years ago when I first discovered BUST magazine and their article on the Chubsters of the U.K. (WOW! I still, so want to be an official Chubster!) I was directed to various web sites and blogs and came to choose my own faves along the way. Yesterday I was going through said faves and cleaning out some old links that are no longer updated and realized just how long it’s been and how far I’ve come.

It amazes me! It truly does. While Fatshionista (a livejournal community) has given me the most empowerment I think, I have found so many incredible people in the fatosphere and beyond. While I don’t know any fats in real life (as they say), I feel that I know many in the world and enjoy being a part of the FA community overall. But now? Now we have podcasts and t.v. shows and new blogs and wonders abound!

You guys?! There are ZINES, Books, fat yoga, Big Moves (Fat Fly Girls), events…you name it! We’re out there, being fat, in yo faces! Ha-ha! Sorry, that cracks me up! (I think almost anything you follow-up with “in your face” is hilarious). I just feel so very fortunate to be a part of this and bear witness to it and participate and we all get to enjoy this thing that we’ve all helped create. It’s AMAZING!

Y’all saw me struggle through the Big Fat Summer Challenge and you’ve inspired me. You’ve encouraged me and I feel so loved. Thank you for that. Thank you for reading this blog and sharing your thoughts, too.

I want to share a recent revelation with you now. Last Sunday, driving back from the Renegade Craft Fair in SF with my BFFs, my friend Q and I were chatting about our lives and hopes and dreams and fantasies. We talked about my cafe and how that’s going and how I feel about it. I feel good, but overworked. I have good days and bad like anyone else at any job. I explained my constant struggles with money (both direct and emotional). And somehow the conversation turned into what I want to do next.

It turned into this fantasy of starting my own fat thrift/consignment shop! What? I know, never thought of this before. But the words came out like nothing else before. I pictured a couple of rounders of clothes organized by sizes and styles and gorgeous accessories and other things and I would have a men’s section and have consignment offerings of gorgeousness and a big chandelier in the middle of the shop and I would have a little cake stand (vintage) and would offer mini cupcakes to my customers and tea and just enjoyment. I want it to be a destination for the fat community and to have events and just be a great big fat haven!

Holy crap! I cannot believe I never thought of this before! And then my logical self piped up, “Oh! But to start a business from scratch all over again?! UGH!” But, wait! This would be much easier. No food safety courses or health department inspections (though I don’t mind them a bit) and expensive equipment and supplies to source…this could actually be a lot easier! But the biggest issue we talked about was location. Big problem! Location was something I struggled with for my cafe. Happenstance stepped in though and I ended up just fine, but I took a humongous risk! It was terrifying, I won’t lie to you. It still freaks me out from time to time, just the instability of starting and owning a business. It could all go up in a wisp of smoke in a second, or so it seems at times.

I don’t know that I will absolutely do this or when, but it was so wonderful to daydream about. And who knows? Anything is possible. I’ve done what I and others said wasn’t doable. I feel like I can tackle anything now. So? Bring it on! Life is a lot of work, but so very worth it every step of the way. I cannot believe I have this rich & full life (without money Ha-ha!). I am amazed at the things I have accomplished with the support of my friends. And you!

“I’m Fat! Let’s Party!”

http://www.seibei.com/shop/iflp.html