I Found The Perfect Dress!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

I must admit that I've been looking around for quite some time for a dress for my step daughter's wedding. I wasn't even sure what it was supposed to look like or what the length was supposed to be but I was looking. Then, my hubby finally remembered to ask her for more details. It had to be long and blue or purple. She would have preferred black (she's having a black and white wedding - very chic) but I couldn't bring myself to wear black and neither could her mother. What mother wears black to her daughter's wedding??

The search was on for "the perfect elegant dress". The first problem I ran into was that most stores don't carry long gowns, especially in larger sizes. Macy's told me to order one online. I looked online and found a nice dress but wasn't too sure about sizing. Then I found another upscale department store that carried the same dress. I tried on what I thought would fit only to find out that it was way too big (A round of applause here! ) Not only that, but without the jacket, it just hung on me and looked like a sack. Perhaps something besides the scale is showing my progress! That would be the the 5-10 hours a week of exercise that I'm trying to do!

I found a very elegant purple dress that was off the shoulder and sparkly on the top with a chiffon skirt which I was sure that I'd end up with and couldn't wait to try on and I grabbed this other strange looking one on my way to the dressing room because it was hanging on the end of the rack. The purple one was elegant but I wasn't sure of the fit so I came out of the dressing room and amid the oohs and ahs asked the sales ladies what it looked like in the back. They thought it was lovely.
Keep in mind this was something I would never have done two years ago when I first joined Spark People because I was so self conscious. They asked me if I had any others left to try on and I said yes the odd looking one with the bias cut skirt and I pointed to another one. They asked me if I would mind modeling it because nobody had ever tried it on because of the way it looks on the hanger. Honestly, I could see why. It just didn't look that great on the hanger but I figured what the heck. So back into the dressing room I went. The dress is a navy blue knit type material that was cut on the bias in layers with a jacket. The bodice of the dress has iridescent jewels sewn in one small area in the front. The jacket has complementing jewels sewn along the neckline and down the front edges. The bottom of the sleeves are slightly flared. The effect of the bias layering with the strategically placed jewels was stunning. I was shocked! It looked like nothing on the hanger. When I walked out to model it for the sales ladies, it had the same effect on them. Both of them said at the same time, this one wins, it's stunning! They were both glad that they got a chance to see someone wear the dress because it looks kind of odd on the hanger. If anyone would have asked me if I would be buying that dress when I went into the dressing room twenty minutes earlier, I would have said no! Yet, here I was walking out of the store knowing that I found the perfect dress and in a much smaller size than I could ever have imagined I could ever wear!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RUTHIEBEAR 8/27/2010 10:06AM

COngrats! Can I ask where you found it (what store?) I need to get a dress for my neice's wedding in October and have no idea what size or where to look. Report Inappropriate Comment

SLENDERELLA61 8/26/2010 10:11PM

That is exciting! It is a great confidence booster to have something you feel good in and look good in. So happy you found it! Report Inappropriate Comment

MOM23CUTIES357 8/25/2010 10:11PM

I am so proud of you and excited and well I had goosebumps reading your blog. I am so proud of you and I can not wait to see pictures. Report Inappropriate Comment

CHINAGAL 8/24/2010 5:10PM

I can't wait to get to where I can enjoy shopping for clothes again! Yes, we must see pics! Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNABRIGHT 8/24/2010 4:18PM

When is the wedding? We'll look forward to seeing pictures. Doesn't it feel good to buy those smaller sizes? I'm hoping for my next step down by late Fall. Let yourself feel good about how well you are doing on your fitness and that you have an important dress purchased and ready to go for the big day. Report Inappropriate Comment

EILEENV3 8/24/2010 3:49PM

The dress sounds intriguing. I hope you'll post some pictures. So glad that you're showing progress in a way that counts way more than the scale. Report Inappropriate Comment

A Great Team Walk

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Initially I was afraid that with the back to school shopping rush going on I would be the only one at the team walk yesterday. I was wrong. To my delight, AMANDAJC and OLDMOM3 and their children and grandchild came too. We had so much fun that before we knew it an hour and three brisk laps and passed and we were all finished. What a great group! The kids were too cute for words and made it the whole way! The thing that I love about the team walks is the fact that it gives the whole family a chance to be involved in a Spark activity. The children don't have to wonder where mom or dad is going or what they are doing, they can come along and see for themselves. It also models great behavior - exercising and drinking water - and gives them a chance to participate too.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AMANDAJCD 8/22/2010 10:32AM

I'm so slow catching this -- good gracious! Yes, it was a great walk, and like Marsha I feel like a celebrity now LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

VICIOUS421 8/17/2010 3:57AM

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SLENDERELLA61 8/15/2010 1:50PM

Great Walk!! Thanks for the mention. I feel like a celebrity!! Thanks so much for organizing our group and keeping us all going in the same direction!! Just love our local team! -Marsha Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNABRIGHT 8/15/2010 1:15PM

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MSPOOH404 8/15/2010 12:33PM

I like the idea of Team Walks. One of my teams does monthly walks and I'm very interested in attending one. I think it would be helpful for me to get to meet some of my teammates in person and get some inspiration and encouragement. Report Inappropriate Comment

Water Aerobics In the Pouring Rain

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

We tried to squeeze in as much of our water aerobics class as possible this morning before the rain hit. We completed a solid 30 minute workout. Then, it started to sprinkle. One of the ladies said to me, "Just wait until you feel this. It's the weirdest sensation! It's almost like getting an all over body massage with water" I thought it couldn't be that bad because we were in the pool and already wet! All of the sudden the rain started coming down harder and it was the strangest sensation I've ever experienced! It was like standing in a hot tub (the water temperature turned way down) with the jets coming down on you from above and the pool swirling all around. Over the next 5 minutes, the rain increased, the guards blew the whistle and they closed the pool area so we had to get out. They closed it because you have to be able to see the bottom of the pool for safety reasons and it was raining too hard to see it. I've decided that I don't like the sensation of hard rain when I'm in the pool trying to move about. It bothered the nerve endings on my skin. For me it was akin to running my fingernails down a chalkboard. The next time it starts to rain harder, I'm not going to be a hero and tough it out. I'm going to do what feels good and safe to me and get out of the water!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TBRANCH2 8/12/2010 12:07PM

better to be safe than sorry! How many people each year are struck by lightening by doing dumb things!!! Glad you at least got the water aerobics in, though. Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNABRIGHT 8/12/2010 9:55AM

Interesting experience - at least now you know. I've always been afraid lightning would be around somewhere (you know how it is in central Florida) so I've never been comfortable in a pool when it started raining. Good for you to follow what feels right to you! Report Inappropriate Comment

Look, I Can Do It All By Myself Now!

Monday, August 09, 2010

This morning I had the pleasure of observing something really cute at our water aerobics class that I want to share with everyone. Traditionally, pools are only open in the mornings for classes. This includes swimming lessons as well as water aerobics class. Our class has had the pleasure of watching the little ones progress from being afraid to get their faces wet to jumping in head first into the water.

Today was no exception. There was a young boy who screamed so loud at the end of June that we couldn't even hear our instructor. He carried on, waling and crying until his father just took him out of the pool and sat with him on the side and rocked him back and forth. But Dad and the guards never gave up on the little guy. Fast forward to today. Today, the little boy asked his father to sit in a chair at a table under an umbrella on the side of the pool. He got out his swimming goggles, walked over to the deep end, patiently stood in line for his turn, put on the goggles and dove into the water and swam about 15 feet to the guard who was waiting to catch him. When he was all finished with his lesson, he walked over to his dad and said, "Did you see me Daddy? I can do it all by myself now!"

I can't help but draw a parallel between myself as I was first starting out on my Spark journey and the way that little boy started out. In the beginning, every time I looked at the things I couldn't have or the things I knew I had to change, I did a silent scream. I kept on until one day my choices became habits and then I didn't have to scream any more. I could say to myself, "Look, I can do it all by myself now! I may stumble. I may fall, but I will get up and I'll get right back to the business of being healthy."

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TBRANCH2 8/10/2010 9:39PM

aaahhhh, how cute and also, how astute! It sure put a smile on my face!! Hugs, Theresa Report Inappropriate Comment

EILEENV3 8/10/2010 1:33PM

Cool analogy! Thank you! Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNABRIGHT 8/10/2010 9:30AM

This is a great blog in many ways!!!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLENDERELLA61 8/9/2010 7:01PM

Great observation! Well-told story! So glad you recognize tht you have come so far and progressed so much. Good for you!! -Marsha Report Inappropriate Comment

My 2 Year Spark Anniversary

Thursday, August 05, 2010

August 4 (yesterday) was my 2 year anniversary on Spark People. I've come a long way in the two years since I first joined this site. For the first 9 months that I was on the site, I spent hours every day online. I was obsessive about everything. After a while, the new things became habits. Now I've learned to temper my obsessions a little bit. I still spend time online but I'm not as addicted as I was. I see that as a very healthy thing for me. I even occasionally skip a day without having a melt down! I feel like I'm growing. I'm trying to learn the meaning of the word moderation. It hasn't been easy for me but I'm going to keep at it! Moderation in all things - eating, computer, exercise, taking care of myself and protecting myself. I'm a work in progress but, I'm making progress!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VICIOUS421 8/8/2010 3:08AM

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1AVERY 8/5/2010 8:47PM

Congrats on your sparkiversary. My 2 years was in January. I have come along way and gone back away as well in that time. I am starting over again as of July 14th was my new beginning. I also was very addicted when I started hours a day on line I became obsessed then life got in the way. I am with you on learning to word moderation thanks for that advice for my new spark journey. We have been sparkfriends for a long time and you have always been there for me. So to a long happy sparkling future to us. Teri Report Inappropriate Comment

IMMORTALTESSA 8/5/2010 8:11PM

Congratulations on 2 years! You have been such great support for me and your progress is such an inspiration. Keep up the good work! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLENDERELLA61 8/5/2010 8:00PM

CONGRATS on your 2 year Sparkiversary!! Progress in learning moderation is a big accomplishment. Celebrate! Celebrate!! -Marsha Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNABRIGHT 8/5/2010 5:31PM

Happy anniversary - my 2 years was in July - how fast the time goes by! Report Inappropriate Comment

2CATS2LOVE1 8/5/2010 5:14PM

"HAPPY SPARKVERSARY"!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

WILD4STARS 8/5/2010 4:13PM

Happpy Anniversary !! Report Inappropriate Comment

RUTHIEBEAR 8/5/2010 4:05PM

Happy Sparkaversary, my friend! Mine is coming up on Aug 8th. Keep up the good work! Report Inappropriate Comment

JACOBSS914 8/5/2010 3:54PM

Wow thats great, 2 years, you have come a long way. Report Inappropriate Comment