Trying to Get New Clothes & A New Roof

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

We're hoping that this week we will get a call from our insurance company adjuster to come out and inspect the damage to our roof. I found out that our roof is 18 years old so I really hope they replace it instead of repair it. I know they are overwhelmed with claims right now due to so many people getting damage in my area from the hail storm.

I went through the pants, shorts, and capri pants in my closet yesterday and while I can wear what I have, they aren't too flattering on me and are a little baggy.

I have no dress clothes whatsoever now so I really need to find something that I can wear in case we have a situation where I need to dress up. The weather is turning hot here now so I really am trying hard to find new summer clothes that flatter me and aren't ones I'm making do with.

  

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KISSFAN1 4/13/2011 2:51PM

EMPTYNESTER60 - I'm really hoping our insurance pulls through for us and says that they will pay for a new roof and not a repair since our roof is so old. Our car was under the carport thankfully, but I had my husband's work car with me in another town because I was shopping. It seems to be fine, but if it had been home I'm sure it wouldn't have. I was in the hail when I was out shopping but I don't think the hail was as large as it was at my house, hence why his car didn't get damage that we can find anyway. Yeah, I go through the same thing. Sometimes I am so excited about new clothes and then after I've tried on what feels like hundreds of pairs of pants and nothing fits right, then I hate/dread it, LOL. Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 4/13/2011 2:47PM

Cheryl - I hope you're able to get some "new" (whether from the store or thrift store) soon. It's a bummer wearing baggy clothes and not ones that flatter you. Report Inappropriate Comment

EMPTYNESTER60 4/12/2011 8:23PM

Will send happy thoughts your way that the insurance will take care of your roof. So glad no one was hurt and that it was only the roof that had the problems. How about your cars? We had a little hail here & I was concerned about my car, but it was fine. Our hail was tiny compared to what you had WOW! Good luck on the clothes shopping. I go through spells of "I can't wait to get new clothes" to "I hate having to buy clothes again". Sometimes I love having my daughter go with me & other times I just want to go by myself so I can deal with the frustration on my own. Why does it still have to be difficult? ? ? ? I'll be watching your blogs to see how you make out this weekend! Report Inappropriate Comment

-CHERYL 4/12/2011 2:05PM

I'm having problems with all my clothes being baggy right now also. I'm down to a few pants and tops. I'm still going down and don't want new. I'm hoping we'll have some extra money next week for me to hit the Salvation Army for a few things to wear! We are broke broke broke this week! Hope your roof gets fixed soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 4/12/2011 12:27PM

Thanks, I really hope they replace it too, but trying not to get my hopes up. I hope you get yours replaced soon. It's always something isn't it? Report Inappropriate Comment

CONTENTCHRIS 4/12/2011 12:01PM

good luck as they may tell you that since your roof is so old they will only pay some of the cost to replace it. I hope they pay for the whole job. My roof started leaking today ..just a little but I have to start planning a new roof right away. Report Inappropriate Comment

We Have Roof Damage From Hail Storm & More Clothes Frustration

Monday, April 11, 2011

Well I went clothes shopping again yesterday since my shopping got interrupted by an unexpected hail/thunderstorm on Saturday. I didn't have any luck but at every store I went to I found that all of the 10's were way too big and I had to go with a size 8 and a few 6's. That is insane because I don't remember ever fitting in those sizes before. I tried different brands and it was the same situation.

I'm definitely not complaining about smaller sizes at all, but I am frustrated because I'm having the same problem I had when I was larger, getting clothes to fit me correctly. I don't expect perfection, but it's so frustrating when everything is way too big in the waist (pants) and I end up thinking I will buy shorts/Capri's that have a drawstring like I did when I was hugely overweight. You're supposed to have an easier time finding clothes when you're smaller, LOL!

I thought at first it was the particular store I was in (Ross Dress for Less) but the same thing happened at Kohl's. I'm not complaining, but I had a hard time finding anything to fit me correctly so I will have to make sure I go clothes shopping again next weekend since I don't think my husband is on call.

I cleaned out my closet thoroughly this time (minus the pants which I didn't work on because I don't have a lot of those and currently most of them are too big although they were purchased a few months ago when I hit my goal weight) while my husband was home so he could give me a second opinion, and I ended up finding out half my closet was way too big for me. I have cleaned it out several times and thought I was done but the huge pile of too big clothing was staggering.

I really need some dresses (the few I had are way too big now) and/or dress pants for special occasions but really have nothing now. It was 85 degrees yesterday and I had to wear jeans, but would love to find some flattering clothes that fit me okay. Most of the clothes (pants anyway) that I bought a few months ago when I hit my goal weight are too big now so I'm afraid to buy too much.

I finally got around to straightening out the items that didn't sell at the last church consignment sale when I got back from shopping and as I was putting things up in the attic I noticed that I could see the sky through the roof, so we definitely got damage from the hail. There were some water on containers I had up there and pieces of shingles all over.

The bad thing is we are expecting another storm system (severe) coming our way tonight/early tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll have an indoor pool upstairs now, LOL.



I seriously hope we can get our roof fixed soon though. My husband contacted our insurance company by email and placed a claim so hopefully I'll hear from them soon. He didn't know if they would just repair the roof where there are holes or completely redo it (I'm hoping for the later).

On the news last night I saw a video of a twister that was right at the Sam's Club I was inside yesterday which freaked me out again to see. They said the weather service confirmed that a tornado touched down in a town about 15 miles from me although we were very lucky that it didn't touch down in my town, but of course, we had the terribly huge hail, unbelievable rain, lightning/thunder.

  

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KISSFAN1 4/12/2011 10:57AM

Thanks, I'm glad all of us are okay too. We got a call from our insurance company today and eventually when they get past all the people who called before us, they will get to us about inspecting our roof. Yeah the clothes situation is very frustrating right now because I don't have many clothes to choose from and have zero dressy clothes. Report Inappropriate Comment

ARMYGIRL1968 4/11/2011 9:07AM

Wow! You should have done two blogs! Sorry about the damage, but very glad you are OK. I have the exact prob with the clothes now. 8's fit me the best (I have 7 stubborn pounds that I put on over Christmas), but I can still wear 6's. You have to keep in mind wear all these clothes are made - China, Taiwan, LA! I tried on a size 6 in LA for the commercial shoot at 120 pounds and couldn't get them over my hips! And bless Walmart "size 4's" - it makes you feel good, but definitely not reality. You will be pleasantly surprised when you shop for skirts and dresses - you will be able to go smaller and if you lose a little more, it won't make a big difference. Good luck with the roof. - JD Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 4/11/2011 9:02AM

I think altering clothes is the only solution for me, which I don't want to do, LOL. I have two belts now, but that won't help with the huge gapping in the waist. I wish I could find clothes that fit well in the hips and the waist, but other than drawstring pants (which aren't the most flattering) I see no other solution but altering them. I'm going to give it one more try at other stores in my area this weekend if my husband isn't on call and see how successful I am in finding some summer clothes. I don't mind a little bit of gap as I am used to that, but won't buy something that is gapping big time, which is what my issue was this weekend. Yeah the roof situation is worrying me as I don't want any water/mold issues as a result. This weather has been so incredibly "crazy" this year. I woudln't be surprised if we had snow tomorrow the way it's been going, LOL. Report Inappropriate Comment

JLITT62 4/11/2011 8:44AM

You're most likely going to have to either invest in a few good belts - or tailor your pants. I know it's a pain, cause I'm usually in the same situation. I find Old Navy to fit pretty good - a little loose in the waist but not terrible - and of course they frequently have really good deals. Sure hope you're not dealing with any leakage today! We once had a small tornado not far from our house in TX - didn't actually see it since we were hunkered down in the bathroom with the cats (before we had dogs). And actually had one pretty close when we lived in VT once, too. Thankfully it's pretty rare to see that weird green sky here, altho there's some potential for thunderstorms over the next few days here, too. Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 4/11/2011 8:31AM

Thanks, I'm sure we'll eventually get the roof situation figured out, but I'm really concerned about the severe weather we are predicted to have tonight/tomorrow morning. Holes in the roof and torential rain is not a good combination, LOL. I'm thrilled to purge my closet of too large clothing, but am panicking a little bit because I'm back in the same situation I was when I was overweight, and that is not having that many clothes to wear, LOL! I'm somewhat okay with shirts although I have tons I had to get rid of because they were too big on me, but pants and dresses I have hardly any that fit well. I'm sure you will do well with your weight loss journey and I completely understand you not wanting to buy new clothes until you get down a size. I thought I was okay with buying lots of new clothes when I got down to my goal weight, but now those particular new pants are too big (again not complaining about weight loss, but about having no clothes, LOL). Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 4/11/2011 8:27AM

I'm definitely NOT turning to food when I get frustrated or upset, LOL. I am an emotional eater, but have worked on a lot of extremely painful issues in my life and hopefully the emotional eating is behind me. I haven't done it once since I started Spark People, so I'm hopeful that I've learned other ways to deal with the stress and food not being one of them. I have watched that show many times and also went to their website. I'm afraid I may have to just have clothes altered, which I really don't want to do as it can get expensive. My waist is just so much smaller than my hips and so there is always the issue of my pants gapping at the waist to the point that even a belt wouldn't help. Of course I'd rather be thinner and have the same problem as I did when I was larger, but it's still so frustrating because I thought it would be much easier to find clothes at this weight. Report Inappropriate Comment

LEEZAB 4/11/2011 7:43AM

I hope all works out with the roof! It can be frustrating. BUT! I will bet you are not turning to food! I understand the clothes problem. I would try different stores and keep notes on the brands. I have a similar problem but at a higher clothes size. I finally found pants at one place (sag harbor stretch), and shirts I usually get online through coldwater creek but use the outlet for sale price. I don't know who the manuafacturers think they are measuring for but it isn't most of us! Also look at your undergarments. I found that mine were contributing to the problem. I also taught myself to look at the clothes in terms of where the darts or seams were etc. My daughter's insistence on me watching What not to wear contributed to all of this! Take care! Report Inappropriate Comment

INSTICKS 4/11/2011 7:38AM

Sorry to hear about the damage to your house, but I'm trusting it will be short-lived. Congrats on your weight loss! I am so looking forward to having hour problem some day. Would love to purge my closet of clothes that don't fit. First, I think I am in serious contention for "World's Ugliest Wardrobe," but I refuse to buy anything else in my current size because I am determined to change that. You might have to resort to what Stacy suggest on TV and buy a few good clothing pieces, then pay to have them altered. Report Inappropriate Comment

Went Shopping & Got Stuck in a Hail & Thunder Storm!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

I went clothes shopping yesterday to look for summer clothes and found myself a bathing suit and one shirt at Ross Dress for Less. I tried on so many pairs of capri pants and other clothes that I am literally sore this morning, LOL.

I wanted to go to other clothes stores and look, but I had to pick up my church consignment sale items (unsold and also my money made) and ran to Harris Teeter for just a handful of deals and then Sam's Club. While I was shopping at Sam's Club I got a phone call from my father (in another state) telling me that we were under a tornado warning.

Since I had been out shopping and my husband doesn't watch the news much, I had no idea. I called my husband and let him know and time as I called he said it was hailing and he had to run. Needless to say I was very worried and it wasn't long afterwards that it started thundering/lightning and then raining while I was in Sam's Club.

I started hearing a very loud sound on the metal roof there and realized it was also hailing at the store. My cell phone was on overtime with phone calls back and forth making sure that everyone was okay and me calling my father updating him, etc. He kept telling me to run to the bathroom and stay there, LOL.

I finally figured after I didn't hear hail anymore to check out (in case they lost power) and to head back home. That was a huge mistake because as soon as I got on the interstate the rain poured so hard you could barely make out the lanes and it started hailing again!

I screamed several times because it sounded like the windshield was going to explode everytime a piece of hail hit it. There was no shelter to park under (unless you completely blocked all lanes of traffic on the interstate) because people were parked under the underpasses all the way home on the far right lane.

My husband said some of the hail we got at our house were baseball-sized and it sounded like the house was exploding everytime it fell on something. I think we have a little roof damage (luckily our car was under the carport and I had my husband's work car when out shopping) but we're not sure how much since it rained continuously most of the day/night after all the hail.

Here's a picture of some of the hail my husband gathered and took a picture of:



We had crazy thunderstorms/wind/tornadoes in my area just a few days ago so it seems like we can't get rid of the unpredictable weather here.

  

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PJCHILIS 4/11/2011 4:55PM

Wow! Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 4/11/2011 7:13AM

It was incredibly scary driving in it. It was bad enough hearing it hit the metal roof of Sam's Club and hearing my husband tell me how hard it was hitting our house while we were on the phone. I was literally freaked out driving home because I thought the hail had passed us by. The sound hitting the glass windshield was incredibly scary! Report Inappropriate Comment

EMPTYNESTER60 4/10/2011 7:30PM

I wondered about you when I heard about the nasty weather down your direction. We got a little hail the night before but only got some rain yesterday. Glad you made it home safely. It sure is scary driving in hail, isn't it? Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 4/10/2011 12:24PM

Thanks, it was very scary. I wasn't with my family since I was out shopping and they had a tornado watch/warning (whichever it was)in my city and surrounding cities and it freaked me out because I didn't know all the details since I hadn't been at home. When I heard the hail hit the metal roof of the Sam's Club it scared me because I didn't know if we'd get a tornado or not. I was worried about me and worried about my kids/husband at home. I had to drive home in the hail and super heavy downpour and that wasn't fun at all. I told my husband we need to call our insurance company just in case there are any issues with our roof that we don't know about. We need to replace ours as well, LOL. Report Inappropriate Comment

SHEILA1505 4/10/2011 12:23PM

Goodness - the weather gods really do know how to play nasty round your neck of the woods! That's scary stuff. Glad you got home safely. Report Inappropriate Comment

JLITT62 4/10/2011 11:55AM

Wow! Definitely big hail. If you've got insurance, get someone out there to check it out. We'd had a pretty good hail storm not long before we moved & the inspection showed potential damage. The insurance adjuster recommended a new roof, which they paid for, which was sweet cause we were going to have to do that before selling anyway. Glad you're ok - that must've been very scary! Report Inappropriate Comment

Finding Ways to Be Thrifty When Times Change

Saturday, April 09, 2011

I really hope I get a chance to look at bathing suits (not that I'm looking forward to that, because I'm not, LOL) and some capri pants/shorts today since tomorrow my husband is on call and I hate shopping when he's on call since it is stressful to me since I have to drop whatever I'm doing and rush back home so he can go to work.

I have to pick up my unsold items and money made at the church consignment sale today and I really hope most of my items sold although I'm not holding out much hope since there were tons of things there yesterday when I dropped my items off and did my volunteer time. It's amazing how much we all accumulate when we have children, LOL.

I wish I had known about those type of sales in my area when my children were younger although I rapidly got into yard saling when I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I would love to get back to yard saling again (shopping, not having them) before it gets too terribly hot, but it seems my weekends have been taken up by all these sales and other things including my husband being on call at work and my kids are not good shoppers by no means, LOL.

With the price of gas being around $3.70 now in my area a gallon (unleaded), I will have to think twice about going to that many this year, but I really would love to go to a few and see if I can find some wanted/needed items. Luckily the kids have plenty of clothing to last them through this summer, but I always have been one who likes to shop ahead of time and buy the next size up as cheaply as possible and store them in containers in my attic (after washing them of course).

This has saved me so much money over the years. Most of my daughter's coats (and my son's when he was younger) and clothing came from yard sales and I know it would shock me to know how much money I saved over time just from that. I've also found numerous great household items, books, toys, etc.

Unfortunately as I mentioned, due to the gas situation I probably won't be doing much yard saling this year unless I pass by some on my way running errands or they are near my home.

It's situations such as the gas increase that make me change what once was a great thrifty practice and focus instead on an alternative such as going to thrift stores since they don't require me driving all over town to find bargains.

I've found that I really have to adapt my thriftiness according to change that makes it way into all of our lives from time to time. My children are not into toys like they used to be because they are older, so now I'm forced to find ways to save money on the bigger priced items (Kindle, video games, etc.). I suppose that is one of the things you have to be willing to do when you want to save money, adapt to change and unexpected situations.

  

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PJCHILIS 4/11/2011 4:33PM

Good point. See if you can share rides with someone for garage saling. Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 4/10/2011 12:38PM

That's for sure. I love that thrill you get of finding exactly what you have been looking for and it's an awesome price too! For it to brand new with tags is even better, LOL! The great this is I can buy items at yard sales and then resell them at consignment sales when the kids outgrow them. I haven't had a chance to really yard sale this season very much though. Report Inappropriate Comment

KATIKID 4/10/2011 12:16PM

I agree with you on the yard sale ideas! I have long bought coats, good quality clothes (some with original store tags still on!!), pricey party dresses, even dress shoes sometimes, furniture, etc at local yardsales and auctions. Estate auctions are a big favorite of mine, but I get such a thrill out of a bargain, I really have to pay attention no to buy somethings just because "it was such a great deal!" Sometimes I take the kids on a bikeride to assess the local yard sales, putting aside the things I'd like, then come back with the car after the bike ride to pay for and pick up things. Or pay then and guarantee the hold. No matter what, I good deal is always a thrill! Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 4/10/2011 12:04PM

I look at it the same way you do, it's a treasure hunt and a game to find the cheapest price for a quality item/items. I definitely don't mind used at all. I'm picky about what I buy because I want it to be good quality and look nice, but it doesn't bother me a bit to buy used items as long as they are clean and good condition and of course, a great price, LOL. Report Inappropriate Comment

TINKSMOM1 4/9/2011 9:39AM

I am a very thrifty person...we started to make a game of how much we can save to put away for our vacation next may. Its kind of fun! I love kids consignment stores, especially for my daughters jeans, since she's growing so fast! Thrift store shopping can be fun too, since you never know what you will find! Craigs list can be a great place to find used bigger ticket items too, and we look for used wii games anywhere since they tend to cost an arm and a leg..! Here's to adapting to change, I guess its all you can do with the times we live in. Making the best of a sometimes sour situation is a great way to deal with some of the rough stuff. Hope you find some great deals and save lots of money!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Last Consignment Sale of the Season, Can't Sleep, & Decluttering Still

Friday, April 08, 2011

I don't know what is going on with my crazy sleeping cycle, but every single morning I wake up around 4:30 a.m. and can't go back to sleep. It's literally driving me crazy because I feel like I'm not completely there during the day and it's making me irritable as well.

Getting older stinks sometimes, LOL. I was always a night owl when I was younger, but now I fall asleep earlier in the night (well if you call 10:00 early) and like an inner alarm clock 4:30 comes around and I'm popping awake. Uggh!!!!!!

My last consignment sale is early this morning and I couldn't be happier because I think participating in four of them is more than enough, LOL. I'm so tempted to take everything that doesn't sell to Good Will, but I know I probably will only do that with some of the items and save the rest for the next spring/summer sale next year. Of course some items can go to the fall/winter sale (jeans, etc.) so I'll probably hang on to most things.

I am in such a decluttering mood right now that any small amount of clutter drives me nuts. I've been searching the house up and down for any possible item/items that could be taken with me and I think I've got anything that the kids will let take with me packed up in the car, tagged, and ready to go, LOL.

I'm shocked that I'm still finding too large clothes in my closet because I thought I had it weeded out pretty well, but I'm still finding shirts that are way too blousy on me and I'm gathering those to take to Good Will.

For the longest time I haven't had the house the way I like it to be (very organized) because that's hard to do with kids. It's much easier if you're single and it's just you, but with 4 people living in one home, there seems to be all this extra "stuff".

My kids tell me that I want to get rid of everything, but I really don't, I just want anything that takes up space that is never used or has no purpose out of here. I keep telling the kids if they are willing for me to sell some of their unused items (hence tons of Lego's, etc.) that they will get the money if they sell, but so far they haven't agreed although they haven't picked them up to play with them in over a year.

My son loves to put Lego kits together and then they sit there and get dusty and I have to move them and dust underneath his collection. I wouldn't mind it if he actually played with them after they were put together, or he took them apart and put them back together over and over, but they sit there gathering dust and looking lonely. The same thing with my daughter, she has tons of them but never does anything with them.

  

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KISSFAN1 4/8/2011 1:48PM

I've been pretty ruthless with my stuff, but can't be as free to do that with the kid's things, LOL. Luckily my daughter finally gave up some items that made her room less cluttered so we're getting the entire house done in time. :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

PJCHILIS 4/8/2011 1:11PM

I'm with you. Because we have a storage area with a lot of empty bins, I'm stripping my kitchen. If I need to pull it out of the bin, I'm using it. If not, in one year it goes. Report Inappropriate Comment