I had an interesting experience on Saturday while shopping.  Certainly one of my favorite past times.  It was an unplanned stop at a little "mom and pop" shop that specializes in beautiful dresses of all kinds.  One never knows when a special occasion will present so I began looking at the long elegant gowns.  I fully realized that I might have been in an area of sizes that didn't quite reflect my present state.  I am extremely hopefully and like external motivation so I felt it was appropriate to be looking at those gowns.  We had a nice sales lady who was very helpful and softly  informed me that most of the gowns "ran at least 1 to 2 sizes small".  Not to be deterred, I found a gown, much to my liking and decided that I would attempt to see how it looked on me.  I know all of you have been in those small shops that have just curtains for doors on the dressing room with some type of wood panel creating a "stall".  So in we piled, two of my daughters and myself and drew the curtain closed creating only a limited visual barrier but all conversations were still very much public.

When a situation is almost ridiculous, the humor of it begins to overcome all reason.  I instructed the girls to just help me get into the dress and then to attempt to zip it as much as they could. Surely I am not the only one that has ever attempted such a feat.  Well, low and behold, they got that dress zipped with just a few comments of "hope I don't bust out the zipper".  There was no way I could sit down but the skirt of the dress was touching the ground and I was actually feel fairly prideful that I was in that size.  I ventured out of the dressing room, to the awaiting sales lady who appeared to have amazement on her face.  I assured her that this was the size that I wanted and would be working really hard in the months ahead to be able to wear the dress without so much exposure.

As I entered back into the dressing the room, the sales lady mentioned that there was a similar dress on the rack that she wanted me to view.  I agreed and began to change.  As she returned to my stall, she gently stated that she hoped that I was not offended  as she handed the dress to me.  The second dress was very similar to the first but one distinct difference.  The size of the second dress was 3 sizes larger than what I had just tried on.  I supposed that based on her prior comment that dresses ran 1 to 2 sizes small, this was her best estimate of what I actually wore.

Not to be discouraged, I thanked her for her help and just reminded myself that I actually zipped the other dress...nothing that about 25 lbs couldn't really fix.  So, I have my eyes set on that dress.  What a great external motivation to continue to run and make good choices.   I will post the pics when I get this dress. Actually, the greater challenge would be for me to find the exact same dress at half the price cause it was a bit pricey. I love a challenge!!!  Check  back with me....