Almost Finished!

I must admit I am completely bored with my subject.  Kitchen is not done yet.  But we are close.  Very close.

It is exciting and excruciating at the same time!  In the next week, I should have my home back.  No longer will there be legions of men in my house, making loads of noise at all hours of the day.

I will have my bedroom back as a bedroom.

I can move the kitchen items back into the kitchen. 

My office will be relocated from the 6 bags of files in the closet, back to my office.

My dogs will be able to live in the whole house and not just our bedroom.  Molly will no longer destroy everything in site just to let me know that she isn't happy to be trapped in a room with scary noises outside.  My house will smell better.

I have been busy waiting.  The best part about this situation?  I have been coaching the heck out of myself!  I have learned so much about thought work.  I am confident in my craft.

Now I am ready to coach the heck out of you.   www.losinggracefully.com  Lets work together.




Good Enough VS The Best

Last week I cleaned out my closet.  I love my closet.  Years ago, we converted a bedroom and made it into a closet. The only set back is that I have to share it with my husband.  I hate sharing with him.  If I could figure out a way to get him out of there and in another closet, I so would!  Alas, I  will survive...

As I went through my clothes, I noticed that I have a ton of 'good enough' stuff.  You know, the clothes that look good, but not necessarily great.  An example would be T-shirts from the Gap.  They are fine, but I don't stop traffic when I wear them.  No brainer clothing.  I only have a few pieces of clothing that I would consider 'the best'.  These are clothes that make me look thin, young, tall and basically fantastic.

I noticed that there are some women who always look fantastic.  It seems they only wear what is best for them.  I want to be them,  I think I am going to try to do that.  I would rather have less clothes and know that every piece will present me at my best than have a ton of clothing that makes me look ok.

What do you do that is just good enough and not the best? 

Not As Small As I think I am!

Yesterday I was leaving a friend's house who has a circular driveway.  I drive a small car and thought that I could get around her car without driving on her grass.  Well, I am not even to the end of the block before she calls and tells me that I am not as small as I think I am.  Apparently I had driven over her grass.

We giggled about her comment, but it did make me think.  When we go through a large weight gain or loss, people get body dysmorphic.  I call it BBI, bad body image.  People think they are either larger or smaller than they really are.  Once I had lost 200 pounds, I found myself trying to shop in the plus size department.  I was no where near a plus size, but I thought those clothes would fit.  Of course when I was bigger, I would order size large from catalogues and would be genuinely shocked that they wouldn't fit.

For years after I had lost weight, I would look in the mirror and see the 340 pound person still in there.  It took me forever to get rid of her.  We can get BBI from just some slight changes in your body.  Lately, I have been working out more often and have noticed my body changing.  Things that were jiggly are now muscle.  I look in the mirror and am kind of shocked.  I am about to be 50 years old and my body is getting leaner and meaner!  I have to really look at myself when I look in the mirror.  I have to be honest with my image.  Are you honest with yours?

Everyone Needs Help!

As you all know, I love to shop!  I only wish I had great style.  I think people are born with the talent to put things together.  My friend Paige always looks stylish.  Everything she wears looks like she just threw it on with no thought and it is perfect!  I know Paige and I know there is thought put into her look.  She has the gift of style.  I need someone to put me together.  Those of you that are older and can remember, I want someone to ‘garanimal’ me.  Garanimals were a group of clothes that when you matched the shirt tag with the pant tag, you knew it went together.  The way fashion is today, it is twice as complicated.  You want to look like you are not trying to look put together.  The whole thing makes my brain hurt.

This is where Rebecca Rigby comes in.  She is manager of the Nordstrom Wedding Suite at Northpark.  She has great style!  She is also a personal shopper.  She is awesome!  I first met Rebecca when both step-daughters needed clothing for my niece’s wedding last year.  For each girl, Rebecca had pulled a nice selection of dresses for each to try on.  She has an eye for on trend items and was able to do jewelry and shoes in the same visit.  Both girls loved their outfits and we all had a happy shopping experience.  I met with Rebecca again when we were shopping for bridal dresses.  She was so patient with us!  Though we did not choose a dress at Nordstrom, it was for her lack for trying.

Lately, I have gone to Rebecca in search of the daunting Step-Mother of the Bride dress.  She did a terrific job!  I have a great long and short option that are both reasonably priced.  The best part is that she does not cost extra.  Through my multiple trips to Nordstrom to try on different items, we have added several other clothing items that I now wear quite often.  I am starting to look like I have style!  She can do this for you as well!  With weight loss, people need to learn what works with their new body.  They need to get to have items tailored to fit their body.  I would advise you to call and make an appointment with Rebecca.  Have her help you get a few basics and maybe a trendy item as well.  She is good.  I may not havegreat style, but I have a Rebecca!  I think everyone needs one.