On buying a bra!

Sunshine! How I wish for the sun! Thankfully, I don't suffer from SAD, but it sure would be nice to see the sun once in a while! It tries really hard on most mornings, but quickly gets buried in the clouds. The winter has been weird so far. We've had lots of snow, but not all at once. Lots of small snowfalls, which leads to the question - should I shovel or wait? 

That, plus the lack of sunshine, means that everything is snow-covered, and not bare like our sidewalks usually are! We had a discussion last night at the Virtual Retreat that if there is snow on the ground, we should get double or triple steps on our activity trackers, depending on the depth of the snow. That snow just adds to the challenge of walking! 

It's not really slippery, except when the treads in your shoes fill with snow, but I've not really had any issues. 

As usual, I accomplished a lot in the day, but it never seems to be enough. I was discussing this with DH at dinner last night. As much as I go through the paper and other crap, there just doesn't seem to be an end. I know - patience! There's a LOT of crap to go through. The office has always been used as the dumping ground for anything we didn't know what to do with. There are still a few dregs of M's stuff that need to be sorted, and I'm working on that as well. 

So -- YES, the crap is pretty much all located in the office now, which wouldn't have been possible before. So I just need to give myself time and remind myself that I've come a long way! 

And eventually, all the hidey-holes will be revealed and emptied. Slow but sure! At least there are areas in the office, like under the computer desk, that are clear! 

I have recycled so much paper, and I know there's going to be a lot more to come! Oh my — I found paperwork for a class I took so many years ago that I had forgotten I had taken it. I even found a certificate - something to do with sewing for the home - making curtains, and duvet covers! Oh my --- look what I found!!! Yes -- this was a pattern for a duvet cover, and I actually made that. The duvet cover is long gone, and now so is the pattern!

A pattern for a duvet cover

I found a bunch of quotes because I love quotes!! And this is what I need to believe in - it will happen. Just not overnight. 

Quote

And then I found this quote, which I thought was hilarious! YES -- I will prove to the world that I got this! I'll just do it my way and in my own time! DH says I don't need to check everything out. He's right, but sadly, I can't just throw things away! I need to touch it, thank it for its service (or not!), and toss it!

My new directive in decluttering! 

I whittled the HUGE two piles of crap down into two smaller piles, and the one with the folders is what got pulled from the filing cabinet. I need to focus now on dealing with that stuff and NOT introducing anything more into the mix. That has always been my problem. I see a bit of success and then pile on more to deal with. I MUST not sabotage myself. Slow and steady! 

Today's piles of crap to deal with

So I will continue working on it and hopefully get to the bottom of those piles later today. It's hard to say "goodbye" to some of the paper, but I'm getting so much better!!!!

I would say that my biggest issue is the "to-do" lists. I have come across so many of them, and all were created with good intentions. From the look of it, most of the items got done, and what didn't - well, there's no need to go back. But I must devise a better system for creating a to-do list. Do I use the computer? I like the satisfaction of crossing it off. Do I make one huge master list on the computer that I can keep adding to and subtracting from, and then pick a couple of things to do each day? That is one thing that I have yet to find a good solution to. 

A while back, someone asked me why I gave my SIL the blog nickname "KU". Hmmm --- need I say more!!

KUs indoor shoes!

Yesterday, when I walked with the girls, it was incredible. Yes - it was minus 20, but with the proper clothing, I was toasty warm. I was even sweating at one point. But my face wasn't cold at all. Why? Because there was zero wind! And the sun was out - it was a glorious morning for a walk, and both girls had no problem doing their normal distance. 

OK - so I need to tell you the story of the lingerie shop. There are no pictures, so you don't need to look away! I am not the best shopper for any type of clothing. If someone could bring it to me, I'd be happy. But I do believe in buying good quality, especially for the unmentionables! Many years ago, I started to buy my bras from Susan's Fine Lingerie in Mississauga. And I've been buying from her ever since. 

Oh my—when I checked her website, if you look at the bras on the banner, the style I love is the black one with the smiley faces. Except mine don't have the smiley faces, although they have the circles, and they are not black!

I hear so many people complain about their bras not fitting well, not lasting, etc., etc. Well, if you have your bra professionally fitted by someone who knows bras, you would never complain about that. 

OH - you might be shocked at the price. But I bought two bras from them many years ago, and I finally had to toss one a couple of months ago because the fabric in the front had stretched so badly that - well, it wasn't pretty. And the second one was getting worse, too. 

I finally bit the bullet and stopped by the store when I did my car errands earlier this week. I had no idea when I had last been in the shop. I asked because they keep a record of what you buy. OH my - it was 2017. I thought, "That's not so bad," and then I realized, "That was almost ten years ago!!" Good god - no wonder those bras were stretched! 

But here's the thing- I paid $150 for the new bras, so let's say I paid $100 for the old ones. They cost me slightly more than $10 a year. That's not expensive! Because someone with a whole lot more knowledge than I do is fitting the bra, it fits like a glove! And comfortable? You don't even know you are wearing one!! That's how good they are!!

So when I needed new ones, I had no qualms about going back to see Susan. 

Now, here's the issue many people face when buying a bra. They get the fit around their chest OK, but they buy a bra with a cup size that is usually way too small. And that just looks darn right ugly. The bulges are, well, not attractive to say the least. And it's mighty uncomfortable when your skin is being pinched along the edges. 

I remember watching a popular talk show host (I am very unhappy with a particular interview that she did, so I refuse to name her). Anyway, they did a show on bras, and it was shocking to see the difference between an ill-fitting bra and one that was fit properly with the PROPER cup size! Did you know that cup sizes go up to N? Considering they start at A, there is a huge range! 

I'm sad to say that my cup size has increased! No, my breasts are not bigger; there's just more flab to deal with, and it's got to go somewhere. 

It's humbling to stand in front of the mirror, wearing only your bra (of course, you still have pants on), to see how it fits. Oh my!!!! That should make anyone want to stand upright like a soldier, and well, it's humbling, but worth the couple of minutes. 

What's exciting about all this is that they still sell that same bra that I bought years ago. I LOVE it, and so I'm getting more of the same! Why change something if it's not broken? Sadly, they didn't have my size in the store, so they checked inventory (In Belgium!), and they should arrive in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I'll hobble along with my stretched-out bra.  

And I'm sure there are instructions to hand-wash these bras, which is never going to happen at my house. So I throw them in the washing machine and then let them air dry. And they lasted probably 8 good years before they technically needed to be replaced. So the next time you poo-poo spending money on ill-fitting bras, why not treat yourself and buy a GOOD bra that is properly fitted? You will be thrilled you did!

A trip from Susan - NEVER buy a white bra. They go yellow or grey before you know it and look sad. 

The same for underwear. I won't mention the style of underwear I wear, but I also buy them from Susan. Yes, they cost a lot of money, but they last forever! I treated myself to some new pairs in wild colors! Again - never buy white - gosh - I can't even remember how long ago I stopped wearing white underwear. What I wear is very comfortable and fun! And no  - it is not a leopard print thong! Just in case that's what you thought! 

Well, on that note, I must get myself organized for the day. I see it is much warmer this morning - only minus 10, but with wind!

Here is the link to the Virtual Retreat today, Sunday, January 25. We start at 3 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89869001291?pwd=h57kT9axwTnd2xtJvuO0z2UOmUo45w.1

Meeting ID: 898 6900 1291
Passcode: 136711

Have a great day!!!!

Ciao!!