Six!?

My husband got a brand-new wide-angle lens for his camera. He was snapping this picture this morning and said in all innocence "Wow. It's neat to be able to get your whole body into the picture."

And then, after an awkward pause, "I probably should have said that differently, huh?"

Me: "Oh sure. 'Yeah, Nicole, it's great to have a lens big enough to get your entire big fat ass in the frame!' "

But I knew what he meant.

So is it stupid to buy a dress you don't particularly like ... because you just LOVE the size tag?

Let me back up.

My husband and I took a "mental health" day off from work today and went into DC to see the cherry blossoms on the Tidal Basin, something I've never done even though I've lived here pretty much my entire life.

The good news: We got there very early and were able to stroll around the Tidal Basin without encountering too many other tourists. Which was nice, because the sidewalks along the waterfront are a lot narrower than I realized, and I don't know how there aren't people falling in the water left and right when that area is busy. Between big families walking side by side and people wielding giant SUV-sized strollers, there's not much margin for error on those paths.

The bad news: We didn't have a lot of company because it was horribly cold. It figures; after a week of fairly warm temperatures, things started going downhill yesterday afternoon. The wind this morning was brutal and relentless, the very special and talented kind of wind that manages to blow straight into your face no matter which direction you turn. We toughed it out long enough to walk around the entire Tidal Basin, with detours into the World War II Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial. By the time we got back to the car, we'd already ruled out a trip to the zoo. I think my ears would have frozen and snapped off if we'd done that.

We didn't want to go home so early, so we ended up riding out to the outlet shops in nearby Leesburg. After buying myself a pair of soft, comfy PJs at Dress Barn, I peeked into the Old Navy outlet. I rarely find things I like there, but once in a while I'll get lucky.

I'm starting to get good at "eyeballing" clothes and guessing what will fit me. And they had a rack of dresses and skirts that looked loosely cut. Even though I giggled at myself as I did it, I grabbed a size 8 skirt; it honestly looked like it might fit. I laughed even harder when I grabbed a loose-waisted size 6 sundress to take into the fitting room. What the hell, I figured. I already doubted they'd fit, so if they were too small it wouldn't be a big hit to the old ego.

They both fit. Okay ... the size 6 dress is a little snug in the chest, but with a better bra under it, it'll be okay.

The thing is that I didn't particularly like either item. And yet I just couldn't bring myself to put the dress back on the rack, although I did give the skirt up. I walked back to the display twice. I just couldn't surrender it. I mean ... size 6.

I finally justified the purchase by telling myself that the dress will be the absolute perfect clothing item on one of those hellish summer days when it's about 100 degrees out with 200% humidity and I want to wear something that touches my body as little as humanly possible.

It's odd; I haven't lost any significant weight lately. March was a rough month for my eating and exercise; the cold I had really messed everything up. But I've been lifting weights much more regularly, and I think my body is in one of those periodic rearrangement phases where things start shuffling around like tectonic plates. I feel smaller again.

And even though I can make the usual disclaimers that I know the size 6 isn't typical for me and I've got ranges of every goshdarn size up to XLs in my closet, I also have to admit that at this point, I'm accumulating a nice little collection of things with small sizes on the tag.

Have a great weekend.

Comments

[Jeni]

That's so exciting! I love finding new sizes, even if we all know how crazy messed up they all are. DC looks so much fun. I went to grad school there and loved cherry blossom season. So pretty!

[Amy Vallery]

Congrats on the size 6, even if it isn't typical! Just don't get sucked into buying things because of the size instead of the fit (like I always do), it's about how good you look, not the number. That feeling of getting smaller is so awesome, I miss it!

[shauna]

HELL YEAH! I would have bought it even if it was lime green made out of string with that label :)

and i like that pic, you look gooood! see, even the building in the background looks happy to see you! hehe

[jodi]

i work in DC and am a few blocks from the cherry blossoms - haven't been yet this year and like you said, its too damn cold... its not like they don't bloom every year so perhaps next year...

i also love the outlets at leesburg and what a joy to find something in old navy - half the time i think their clothes are made for girls that aren't developed (meaning, no hips or thighs)... their tank tops are great for workouts though... :o)

have a great weekend...

[PastaQueen]

I think the best time to go to the zoo is when it's slightly drizzling. The rain scares people away, but if it's just a drizzle it's not a big deal if you have an umbrella. I kind of like going to places when they're deserted.

And woo-hoo on the 6! If I fit into a size 6 I'd have to wonder if they sewed the label in upside down :)

[Debbie]

Congrats on the size 6. I look at that picture and wonder why are you still trying to lose weight? You look like you're there already.

[BigGuns]

The other day the love of my life made this comment: "Hey, your butt is a lot less fat!" Of course he meant it as a compliment, and I took it as such, but there was still that nanosecond of "Heeeeeyyyyyy . . . are you seriously telling me that my BUTT is FAT??!!" :)

Congrats on the size 6! You rock, girl!

[Judi Finneran]

Way to go on the size 6 dress. I would have purchased it also. In fact, I have done that in the past and I can't wait to get back into those smaller sizes.

Cheers,

Judi

[Lynda K.]

wow! I am SO glad you submitted your wonderful blog to Delightfulblogs. It's inspiring, fun to read and I love all the comments. I can't wait to spend more time digging around.

All the best,
Lynda Keeler
delightfulblogs.com
delight.com

[Marla]

Mmmmm, size 6. Wallow in it, baby, you've earned it!