Seriously ... seriously ... just about three years ago, I thought I was a sturdy Flemish woman. No kidding. Folks, you never can tell what's under a lifetime of flubber.
Some days I read around the threads here and imagine that someone else will find that they really are small like me. It's exciting and I want them to DO IT!

I know exactly what you mean, except I was Olga the tractor-driving woman with 57" hips. ;)

Oh Meg ... the mental picture!

Self tanner applied to shins ;)

I was going to tell Susan to wear darker hose, but it occured to me that it's likely warmer where the rest of you are. :lol: My legs are always covered in bruises, and besides my pure white Irish skin never tans, only burns and peels! In contrast, my DH already has a tan. All he needs is about 10 minutes in the sun, I swear! Yesterday it was - finally - in the 60's here, and we ate lunch in our south facing deck. I'm sure he was darker after lunch....

I am the worst hose person! I'm the one who has to run to the dollar store the day of a party to find some ... wear them, wreck them and pitch them.

I belong to a charity group where we try to teach manners and such (via a mother-daughter tea). Three years ago, we finally voted to no longer require wearing hose! No one here likes them (especially when it gets over 120 degrees!). At my old job, we were allowed to go hose-less from Memorial day to Labor day only (regardless of the fact that it could be over 110 degrees outside of those dates).

UGH! I HATE pantyhose. I even buy them in queen size so they aren't as tight on my thunder thighs.

My first pair of shorts via eBay arrived today. They're Eddie Bauer size 4 and are a little big so I'll have to wear a belt. They were $1.50 plus shipping and still have the $24.95 tag on them.

If I had a quarter for every pair of shorts I've tried on in the last two years ... I coulda bought four pairs today :D. I finally found a pair that fit so I bought one of each colour ... black, light khaki and white. Midrise, 6 inch inseam.

Yesterday, I dropped off a dozen of DH's work shirts at Goodwill, so I said to myself, "what the heck, I'll go in and look for some shorts." I couldn't believe how many there were. Racks and racks of them and so many of them fit, even a few size 0! I settled on 2 pairs of denim and one pair of black denim. I'll still need to get some lighter weight shorts for the heat of August, but I'm thrilled to have some clothes that fit. The total cost: $7.48.

Today, I learned I am the high eBay bidder on a pair of Old Navy Kahki pants, a pair of Old Navy olive pants, and a Gap olive denim skirt. All size 4 so I hope they won't be too big due to vanity sizing. (Today, I'm wearing a Gap size 2 shorts that normally should be marked a 6) If not, I spent less than $10 on each of them so it's not a big deal.

Good work, Carolyn. :) My DH buys shirts at the thrift store all the time. He scored a Ralph Lauren plaid sports shirt for $2 not long ago!

Oh ... I coulda gone to the thrift store!
Today's haul was two tops, two belts, a skirt and two pairs of shoes. Metallic flats and a pair of casual sandals.
I'm liking some of the rouching (sp) that's happening, between the boobs or up the sides ... reminds me to stand up straight.

Yeah Susan, I'm happily wearing pair # 2 of the 3 pairs of shorts I bought at Goodwill. They look brand new and it's so nice to have something that fits.

Enjoy your new clothes.

DD and I spent the day at the mall buying her new clothes, shoes, purse and jewelry for her B-day. I bought myself 2 pr. of capris that I found on sale. It feels so good to find so many clothes that fit me and still wear the same size that I've worn since starting maintenance last summer. I even picked out 2 shirts for DH that were on sale. Woohoo, I just love to shop now.

The store was so crazy busy, that I didn't try the capris on til I got home. Both are size 5 in Jr. Miss. They fit perfect.

Yesterday, I went to Goodwill again in search of a pair of jeans that would come up to my waist, but not look like 'mom jeans'. After trying on 20 pairs, I found a pair of Calvin Kleins that fit perfect except that they need hemming. There were a few others that fit, but turned out to be low rise and I'm getting tired of always tucking my shirt back into my pants - that's if the shirt can even reach down to the 'waist' ban. When I complained to DH, he said, "you've got 'it' so flaunt it" meaning my stomach's looking good these days. I just don't feel that a 46 year old should be walking around exposing her tummy, no matter how good it might look.

Lily - I just don't know how you can pick out pants and not try them on until you get home. You either must have a really good eye for your style or I must have an odd shape to fit!

The 2 pairs of pant and 2nd pair of shorts that I ordered on eBay arrived yesterday. The Woolrich shorts fit great. I'm wearing them right now and am very pleased with them.

Both pants were a little big in the hips and thighs. I'm hoping a run through the washer and dryer will snug them up. The Old Navy olive pants turned out to be low rise but the Old Navy khaki come up to my belly button. Neither have belt loops, so if I lose any more weight, they won't fit.

Now that DH will be going back to work, I'll be able to start shopping in stores again. I'm excited about getting sundresses for the summer.