It’s a good time, for a number of reasons, to pay a little tribute to myself. I am inspired, of course, by AGR, but also all the other appreciations I’ve seen around here. There’s just so much to appreciate!
- I love my body. I am five feet one half inch (used to be three quarters of an inch) tall, and I’m very curvy. I’ve always been curvy, whether at 155 pounds or 250 pounds. When I’m fatter, I’m rounder, but other than that, I tend to have the same shape, small-ish back and tush, big round tummy, big strong thighs, squishy strong arms, very large round breasts, and a sweet round face. I’m pretty strong, I have awesomely muscular calves and overall, I’m a force to be reckoned with.
- I have really pretty hair. Curly dark brown hair, that when the weather and my hair products align just right, ends up in ringlets.
- I’m kind of smart. Sharp, really.
- Even though I’m smart and witty, I’ve trained myself to keep most of the snarky or mean things I might think to myself. I have learned, over time, that just because something is clever, it isn’t always worth saying.
- I amuse myself.
- I’ve always felt pretty comfortable with myself sexually. I feel like I really lucked-out in this regard, given that I was fatter than many of my girlfriends growing up and many of them were not as comfortable with their bodies and sexuality as I have been.
- I love that I’ve managed, even though life has sometimes crushed me like a tiny bug, to remain an open, friendly person. My heart always seems to grow right back.
- I have really pretty eyes, brown with gold flecks. They are kind, warm, friendly eyes.
- Kids seem to like me.
- I am a shamelessly fun dancer. Only a very mean person would make fun of how I dance, considering how much fun I look like I’m having dancing. Lately, I let myself think I’m a fat fairy dancing around, and this makes me feel more graceful while I’m swirling and twirling and leaping and soaring across the dance floor. And when I dance to hip hop, I know I look like a ridiculously white fat girl, but a ridiculously cute white fat girl, bouncy and like I’m on the drill team. At age 40.
- I am a pretty good mom. I read a mean story, make a killer glass of chocolate milk, and sometimes I even know how to diffuse a grumpy superhero princess. I was really good at nursing, which I hope makes up for some of the areas where I’ve not been ideal as a mom.
- I’m a good friend, in the sense that if a friend needs something, and they come to me, I’ll help however I can. This is true of new friends and old friends and not very close friends.
- I am a fan of everyday beauty, which I feel like I see everywhere around me, and unless I’m in a deep funk (and sometimes even then) it’s like I have this lense that sees beauty everywhere.
- I have a knack for finding lost things. And I’ve got pretty good google-fu.
- I’m good at explaining things.
- I have grown in several ways that surprise me as I’ve gotten older. I’ve gotten to have less of an ego (in a good way), and I’m better at math than I used to be. I used to be terrified of public speaking (after a really bad experience one time with a large audience) but now I really like it (after much practice and then a really good experience with a large audience).
Thanks for the chance to appreciate me! Remember to be FAT-UP* with yourselves!
* Forgiving, Accepting, Tolerant, Understanding and Patient!
Angry Gray Rainbows 
And may I add all-around awesome person. Oh – and you forgot your writing talent.
Awwww…. thanks! I’ve enjoyed reading your comments here, too.
You are indeed awesome with sparkly sprinkles on top!
Also, you make me feel tall. At 5’2 1/2″, that doesn’t happen often. Thank you.
You are towering, Twistie! People generally seem to assume I’m taller than I am, which is kind of cool. Thanks for the sparkly sprinkes, which I happily share with you!
Don’t forget to add that you have a real talent for describing yourself in a way that makes your awesomeness obvious without indicating even a hint of egomania. As someone who has been job searching, I really recognize that as a talent in itself. This post really was lovely and inspiring!
Thank you Trabb’s Boy. I was nervous after posting this that I might come across as “conceited” — so it’s nice to see that I came across as lacking in egomania.
I hate having to promote myself when I am applying for jobs, but I think I’ve gotten better over time.
This was a really good exercise, I recommend trying it.
I loved this! You are made of awesome.
I like the whole fat fairy thing, mostly because I love to dance. One of the advantages of living by myself is I can just bust out a dance move without feeling embarassed. I love moving my hips, so a lot of my dancing involves lots of bumping and grinding (against an invisible guy, lol).
I love the way you described yourself, you’re a great writer.
And the FAT-UP thing? Love that. I may have to write that down and tape it by my mirror.
I love your blog, Charlotte, and I do wish I could dance by myself a bit more often. Sometimes superhero princess asks me to stop dancing (ouch) but other times we danced together, so that’s good.
I have FAT-UP written on a piece of paper on the wall of my cubicle at work. Along with a few other inspirational things. It seems sort of cheesy, but unless someone is installing something on my computer, they don’t read it.
I loved reading your appreciation, too, and I’m in awe of your chosen profession and obvious talents to be able to pursue it. I love singing and I wanted at one point to be a rabbi (maybe it’s still in the cards as a 3rd or 4th career, I’m already on my 2nd career) and I admire what you do. It takes courage and audacity (and faith) to lead the way you do.
And as far as Hebrew goes — I’m fluent in spoken Hebrew (probably about a 3rd grade level, though, if that) and I can barely read, but I love reading the torah portion in Hebrew because I can glean additional meanings.
Y’sher Koach — Power to you!
Google-fu for the win!
I don’t remember where I first heard that word, but I love it.
FAT-UP rules. And so do you!
You rule, my friend. You rule.
Wow, wellroundedtype2! You ARE awesome. Bust out a super cool, hip dance move (they still say hip, right?! lol). And you actually caused me to learn something: before reading your post, I had no idea what google-fu meant! ROCK ON!
I was really impressed with your appreciation, too. I’m not at all surprised that your friends consider you a strong woman.
Also, I’m about 105 miles north of you off of I-5.
I still say hip, although I think there are other words the kids are using these days. I would learn them, but I’m afraid I’ll use them wrong.
Well said, WRT2.