A BIG thank you!

Thank you to all of you who responded to my begging! Jacquie already sent me clothes! Can you believe it?!

The sisterhood rocks. Thanks again!

I ain't too proud to beg!

Yep, I am reducing myself to begging, once again. I emailed a few of you directly begging, but now I'm willing to publicly humiliate myself.

I am nearly out of clothes that fit. And I am not only broke, but I'm also frugal enough that I hate to spend money on clothes that aren't going to finish my journey with me. Anyone cleaning out their closets soon and want to contribute to the sisterhood via me?

I'm in need of:

16/18 (W or regular) capris/shorts/jeans
L or XL tops (short-sleeve and/or tanks)
XL or 16/18 sundresses or skirts
XL workout/casual wear (yoga capris, etc.)

I stay home with my kids, so casual is great. We live in FL, so summer stuff is perfect. I'm 5'10", so unfortunately, petites don't really work for me. If you have 14s and no one else needs/wants them, I'd be happy to take those as well.

Thank you thank you thank you. My wallet thanks you. My neighbors thank you, as not only will I not be walking around naked, but I'll also be able to afford window coverings if I don't have to go on a shopping spree. And finally, I thank you. I really, really, really thank you.

I puffy heart the sisterhood!

I have to tell you, I think the sisterhood is the best thing ever. Especially since I finally got my butt in gear and sent out four boxes of sisterhood clothes today.

I have received stuff from 5 or 6 different very generous people. Those items were worn and loved, and they are now on their way to four more bandsters who I know will greatly appreciate them. In fact, of the 60+ lbs of clothes I sent out today, probably 90% were clothes that had been sent to me. I'd also already sent out several boxes months ago to a few bandsters with my original clothing, and I know several of those items have also made their way to other bandsters.

And in response to my request for clothes last week and my dress crisis, I have several packages coming to me. I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate all of this. I tell EVERYONE about the sisterhood, and they all think it is the greatest thing ever. I completely agree.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your generosity! You guys are the greatest. Here's a big slobbery kiss just for you! SMOOCH!

Sisterhood Request

(Yes, I *still* owe a bunch of sisterhood stuff. I PROMISE to get it out this week. Pinky swear promise.)

Anyhow, I could really, really use a few things if anyone wants to send any of the following my way. Since I'm soliciting, I'll happily pay for postage!

*I'm in desperate need of spanx/sucker-inner, specifically one that goes over the thighs/hips in like a 20W or 2x (maybe 1x if it runs big or is a bit stretched out). I really need something to wear under the dress I'm wearing to BIL/SIL's wedding, and I hate to buy one when I'll likely only wear it once.

*Workout bottoms - my favs are capri-length yoga/stretchy-type pants. 18w/20w/1x/2x.

*Casual bottoms - 20w/22w/1x/2x (capris, shorts, etc.)

*Sundresses or skirts in 18w/20w/1x - my new favs!!

*Swimsuits in 18w/20w/1x - even if they are in rough shape, I'll happily take them. We have our own pool, so it's not like I'm seen by others, but I'm down to one suit that fits me!

*Sports bras in 38/40 DDD or thereabouts.

Feel free to leave a comment or email me at achio4444 at gmail dot com.

Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much in advance!

Sisterhood time, yet again

I have a pretty big box of stuff set aside for the sisterhood. The fun part is most of these clothes have come from other bandsters, so it's not their first sisterhood trip.

Generally, the stuff is 3x and 26/28. Some are smaller sizes, but runs big(ger).

I have yoga capri pants, a really cute strapless brown dress from Joey, lots of short-sleeve shirts, tanks, denim capris, and more. Most of the shirts are work appropriate, assuming you can wear business casual.

If you need anything in those sizes, let me know, and it's yours. And if there's something in particular you are looking for, let me know. I'm happy to take pics and post them, but I know there aren't tons of us who wear that size, so I don't waste my time if it's not necessary.

Long live the sisterhood!

This and that

I swear, I am losing my mind. I am having a hard time focusing on things, remembering stuff, and keeping my life straight. I am normally very level-headed, have a great memory, and feel very 'together'. But being overwhelmed at both work and home is pushing me right to the edge of insanity! Ahhhhhhh.....Anyhow, some randomness for your Tuesday:

Even eating ice cream last night, the scale was down another .2 lbs this morning. Have I mentioned lately how much I love my band? She rocks!

I have a fill tomorrow - I'm thinking .25-.5cc should really, finally, be the fill that brings me to my sweet spot. And I love a good sweet spot! ;)

No one has asked for my sisterhood clothes! WAAAHHHHH! I hate being the fattest sister. LOL Seriously, I will hang onto them for a week or so, just in case someone comes along and wants them. But if not, I will sort out the work wear for our local Dress for Success type organization and the rest will go to Good Will. ETA: You guys rock! I so appreciate all the support about being the fattest sister. But no worries - I was saying it in a very tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic way. I wish my very dry sense of humor translated to the written word, but alas, it does not. I am by no means upset about being one of the largest bandsters. I wear it like a badge of honor, and anyhow, who else will be able to say they lost 200 lbs!?!?!? And when that happens, you can all be soooo jealous of MWAH! Smooches!

The most I ever lost on a diet was 59.8 lbs on Weight Watchers' Core plan July 2006 - March 2007. I am quickly approaching that amount and am excited to pass it right by! If my fill is tight, I anticipate doing that next week!

DH still doesn't know when he'll be coming home. Not this weekend, but maybe next. In case you are counting, that would be 3 weeks! I think it's the uncertainty more so than the length of time that is making me nutso.

DH's aunt, who is the controller for the company, is heading to Orlando tomorrow, and the owner told her not to leave FL without a signed contract for a warehouse. So, if all goes well, we should have a better idea of when we are moving by the weekend. However, I'm not getting my hopes up, as I've thought this a few times and it's not panned out yet.

While this journey with the band has not been super easy, it's also not been super hard. If that makes any sense. OTOH, I've had to work for every ounce of these 56 lbs without being in the green zone. OTOH, I haven't worked nearly as hard for every ounce of these 56 lbs as I have when dieting in the past. Something is working right, even if it's not working as right as I would like it to!

Off to drink my latte and attempt to get some work done. Toodles!

My turn to repay the SISTERHOOD!

Yes, it is that time.

I cleaned my closet out yesterday, and I have the MOTHERLODE of clothes to pay forward.

Here's the deal. I have TONS and don't really have the time or patience to take pics of each and every item, and since...well...there's no graceful way to say this, there's only a few of us who started out as large as me, let's do it this way (unless it violates the Sisterhood rules). If you need business-casual or weekend-casual clothes in size 28W (a few 30W) or 3x (a few 2x that run large), send me an email at achio4444 at gmail dot com, and we'll work out the details.

I have lots of wintery stuff in those sizes - sweaters and a beautiful Columbia jacket system in periwinkle in 3x (with matching hat, scarf, and gloves).

I have ONE sundress - black from Lane Bryant, floor length, size 26/28. It is loooong - it was almost too long for me, and I am 5'10".

I have a pair of black pants, a brown pair, and a pair of jeans from LB - size 8 blue. They are average, but again, I am tall, and they are long enough on me.

I have several blazers and tons of casualish shirts - appropriate for work unless you have to dress up for work.

ETA: I also am getting rid of quite a few sweaters in the 2xish range. Since we're moving to FL, i don't think I'll need them next winter...also, they should be TOO big!

Anyhow, email me and let me know.

Also, hit 56 lbs today. Although I just shared a leftover Coldstone ice cream with DD, so who know what the scale will say tomorrow! :)