Weight Update 164

I only like to do these updates when I have good news.

I have been consistently under 165 for the past couple of weeks. It's not the best, but I'll take it.

I have cut down considerably on eating out and drinking soda. I have been eating yogurt and oatmeal at work instead of chips, chocolate, and soda. I noticed a change within a week, which motivated me to eat from home instead of the drive-thru more and more. I've been trying to save the money I'm saving from not eating out so that I can have a shopping spree, but things are really tight right now, so I'm letting the money go to groceries and clothes for the children instead.

I haven't been to the gym in months. My schedule is nuts right now and I just don't have the time. I need to take the time, but it will come. I wish I could be more consistent, but my life is not my own right now; I have kids. I convinced DH to start walking Orso, and he and I took the dog out once last week and it was great, but he seemed to want to get all the exercising done in one day, so by the time we got back and I was done with homework, dinner, and reading, it was 9:30pm and time for bed! Something's gotta give though - spending time with DH is important, exercising is important, eating healthy is important, but I find I don't have time for any of it.

I am pleased with the weight loss though. My hairdresser noticed. I love it when it's enough that people can actually notice.

Look of the day - Black Lace Skirt

Tshirt - ModBod
Skirt - Minka Rose
Shoes - BCBGeneration

*Sigh*.

So I bought this skirt at Costco.

(I actually bought the shirt at Costco too)

I think I have a problem. (not really)

The shoes are my Mother's Day present to myself.

I wanted a black skirt with a batten burg lace overlay, and I happened to be in Costco picking up milk, and there they were. I went back the next day, and there were only a few left, so it's good I didn't wait around and think about it, or they would have been gone.

This skirt is so comfortable. I am in LOVE. It's the perfect lady-like length, and I think it looks great. The right side of the skirt looks weird in this photo, but I think it's just the way I'm standing.

I did a Polyvore set of this outfit over a year ago, that's how long I've been wanting a skirt like this.

I'm so glad I bought it.

Look how long my hair is getting!

Weight 166.

What’s been going on

Weight: 168

I gained a bit due to a caffeine binge, went off caffeine, went through withdrawals, lost a little, and feel better now. I’m trying to stay off the Dr. Pepper until Labour Day, and am hoping to stop drinking soda all together by the end of the summer.

I went on a nail polish buying fast for May and bought no new nail polish. As a reward, I bought 4 new colours – one Essie and three O.P.I. I bought the O.P.I. at my favourite place, ULTA, where I am a ‘member’. Turns out there was a buy two get one free deal going on, so I got 3 colours for $20.00! That made me very, very happy. I'm back on the fast and hope to continue through the summer.

I got a free sample of Sexy Hair’s Argan Oil with my purchase at ULTA. It smells incredible and I love it. It works great. I’ve been a Moroccan oil follower for years, so I’m wondering what the difference is. I’m getting my hair done tonight, so I’m going to ask Tristann. (She used to be a Big Sexy rep, and she is the one that turned me on to Moroccan oil, so she will know)

The centre where ULTA is located just had an H&M open up and are building a Gap and Old Navy. I am saving up my pennies over the summer and will reward myself with a shopping day if I’m a good girl.

I jumped on the BB Cream bandwagon, and after a few internet searches and magazine articles I have gained more of an understanding of how to use the product. I must say, I am very pleased.

I haven’t been to Yoga since the middle of April. Life keeps getting in the way and this is making me sad.

I got my craft room cleaned up and organized so I have room to create. I am so excited and hope to be able to work on some awesome projects over the summer.

DH was upset at me for spending $28.00 on nail polish exclaiming that I had more nail polish than I could use in a month. I haven’t counted, but I’m pretty sure I don’t have more than 60 bottles of nail polish. (60 equals one colour for toes, one for hands for 30 days in the month.) My response, however, was “challenge accepted. I will change my nail polish every day for a month and go through every colour I have.”  After we had this argument, life happened, and I went without colour for 3 days, so I haven’t started the challenge yet. We’ll see if I can put my money where my mouth is. I should be able to considering what a big mouth (literally and figuratively) I have.

I have been blonde for more than six months and I still love it. Six months is usually my limit when it comes to hair. I think the fact that I’m growing it out is helping with my tolerance level since even though I am keeping the colour, the style keeps changing.

That’s all for me. What’s going on with you?

Look of the day

Necklace - gift from Peru
Shirt - Dickies
Sweater - Costco
Belt - Ross
Pinstripe pants - Chadwicks
Shoes - Pleaser

"Mom, you're supposed to wear your belt in your belt loops to keep your pants up."

I love living with boys.

Adding a pop of color with the red necklace.

169 lbs.

Look of the day

Cardigan Chadwicks
Shirt Dickies
Skirt Ellen tracy
Tights Chadwicks
Shoes Fluevog

It's the end of May, but it's been rainy and cold lately. I thought that I was done with wearing tights, but I got to haul them out this week!

Yay! I love tights!

I can't wear these Fluevogs without hose, so it was nice to haul these beauties out of the closet too.

In other news, look how long and shaggy my hair is getting. I'm at the point where I have to use product, a round brush, blow dryer, and flat iron in order to have it behave properly. My 'doin' my 'do' time hast gone from zero to twenty minutes.

I'm sad about this, but it was my choice to grow my hair out, so I guess I get to live with my choice.

Weight: 168.

Weight - 164.4

This week I have been watching my weight decline every day.

What's happening?

Has it been the Yoga? Probably not, since I've missed 2 weeks.

Has it been the cut down on fast food? I hope so, but I haven't been nearly as diligent as I would like.

Has it been the wipe out of Dr. Pepper? Don't think so, since I haven't been as on top of this as I would like either.

Is it the change in the weather, the melting of the snow, that's making me feel less depressed and therefore lighter? Probably not, but I'll take it.

Is it the new dose of thyroid medicine? I sure hope so. It would be nice to finally have that taken care of.

Is it the stress of life to the point that I'm skipping so many meals? Probably. In my old life, when I was stressed I used to lose weight because I just didn't feel like eating. I have come back to that part of my life.

I wish it were more healthy habits that were causing the weight decline. Now that I'm in a lower weight bracket, I'm hoping that I can replace my unhealthy habits with more healthy ones and stay in the low 160s.

Weigh-In 168 ish

Hey it’s been awhile since I posted about my weight; mostly because it’s been depressing. I was initially trying to LOSE weight last year and I actually gained.

So the beginning of the year was caffeine free and I think that helped although I’ve been off the wagon for a couple of weeks.

I had my thyroid checked and even though they said I was fine, I changed my dose and things have leveled off a lot better. Instead of yo-yoing between 175 and 169, I’ve been balancing between 170 and 167 or so. I feel a lot better too.

I’m feeling a lot better maybe because of the yoga. I’ve been going once a week for the last three weeks. I’ve been feeling so good that I’ve decided to add another class and go twice a week. Maybe after that I’ll be brave enough to add a Zumba class. We’ll see.

Weight update - 170

I started this blog so that I could document my descent into my old fabulous more skinny but not too skinny body.

FAIL.

I was reviewing my blog posts and at the beginning of the year I was hovering between 162 and 165. Now I’m lucky to be 168!! This is not good, people. The year I was going to focus on losing weight and being more healthy has had the opposite effect.

I thought when you weighed yourself everyday you were supposed to be more conscious of what you ate and you automatically lost weight! Guess not.

The saddest thing is that I haven’t changed anything. It’s not like I have less activity or I’m eating more or even eating less healthy. I’m eating the same and exercising the same and I’m gaining weight! I know this is partly a hormonal thing, but it’s also a Dr. Pepper/cheeseburger/not-walking-Orso thing.

For the first time in my life, I am actually considered overweight for my height (5’7”). This is not acceptable. I never ever thought this would happen to me. I have never had to worry about my weight. Like, EVER.

I don’t care about the number as much as I care about how my clothes are fitting. My wardrobe choices are diminishing as my “fat clothes” are all I can wear right now. It is unacceptable to literally have nothing to wear and I refuse to buy new clothes because that is accepting defeat.

I’m due for a check-up and I know I need my thyroid re-checked. That might help.

Weight - under 160!

White jeans - Canadian tuxedo

Yesterday I weighed in at 159.6 and today was 159.4. I am completely wowed.

Here's what I've been doing:

• Last week I vowed to stay away from fast food. Since last Friday, I have had no fast food.
• I am on vacation, and therefore am not making my daily 7-11 run for 34 oz of soda.
• Dewey has had me jumping with him on the trampoline.
• I have not been sitting at a desk all day, but running up and down the stairs cleaning various areas, doing laundry and ironing.
• My period is ending.
• I have been eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner thus not bingeing on a burger in the middle of the day and then feeling so gross about myself that I don't eat anything for dinner. I have also been eating at home, so I'm sure that my sodium intake is at least half of what it normally is.
• It's summer, it's so hot. I normally lose weight in the summer because it's so hot all I want to do is drink water and eat fruit and vegetables, which is what I've been doing the last few days.

Here is my Canadian tuxedo. I've also heard it called a Texas tuxedo, but I'm Canadian, so I'm going with that. A Canadian tuxedo is denim with denim. Normally, I abhor such behaviour, but I thought I could get away with it by wearing different types of denim - like the above white jeans with a jean jacket. Not so, according to canadiantuxedo.com, but whatever. You will not catch me DEAD wearing blue jeans with a blue jean jacket or denim shirt.

Stone Necklace

This necklace was bought for me by my DH and my son Huey at the Pioneer Day weekend in Emery, UT. I very much like it, it's kind of rock star, yet I will wear it with a blouse in place of pearls. It's another one of my favourite accessories. 

Weigh In for June

Still the same. No change. Not surprising as I have continued to do nothing to encourage my weight loss with the exception of ridding myself of my hair.

Having seen a teeny tiny result in giving up fast food for Lent, I have vowed to give up fast food for the summer. Hopefully with having it be a longer period of time, I will see more results.

I still haven’t walked the treadmill while I watch TV. “Dancing with the Stars” is done; “The Good Wife” and “The New Girl” is on hiatus; I have to pay attention during “Mad Men”, so I can’t walk the treadmill with that show on; and “Pretty Little Liars” and “Parenthood” haven’t started yet. Can I moan “there’s nothing goooooood onnnnnnn!” Please?

I could walk the dog, you know. He would be SO thankful.

I am going to be on vacation next week and I’m not going anywhere. (sigh, I had planned on a trip to Vancouver, but I’m not going – unless I decide to run away tonight, it's still up in the air)

I am going to use the time off to regroup, clean the house, read something, watch a movie, walk the dog, focus on my goals, and maybe paint a bathroom or two.

We’ll see, the last two times I was on vacation, I had all these delusions of grandeur and by the time my vacation was over I felt like all I had done was dishes and laundry, and that’s all I get done on a regular day. I also had the added lovely bonus of breaking my husband’s hand on my last vacation. Good, good times.

Weight Update - Still going nowhere

So the going without fast food thing was a big hit. I was able to do it and I was able to get under 160 a few times. That felt good.

I also started eating breakfast which is something I don't do much of. Holy Cow did I feel good after doing that!

The last two weeks I have been really bad about what I put in my face. I've had fast food just about everyday, haven't been eating breakfast or dinner, and been drinking more soda than I would like.

On Friday alone, I've had three Dr Peppers.

Needless to say, I'm hovering more around 162 and less around 159.

I had decided to record my shows downstairs where the treadmill is so that I can walk on the treadmill while I watch tv. So far, I've just gotten behind on my tv shows.

I did take Orso out for a walk last Monday night. It was a beautiful night, I remembered to wear Deep Woods Off, so I didn't get eaten alive, and there were a ton of people out. It was like community night at 9:30 in my neighbourhood. I came home, showered, and got in my newly made with clean sheets bed. It was so excellent that I didn't do it again.

My main reason for not doing it again was that my eleven year old son needs constant supervision or he doesn't do what he's told. He's going through a "thing" I think. We only have two more weeks of school and then he will be done with the sixth grade. I'm hoping that things will improve when I don't have to constantly ride him about getting his homework done.

I'm hoping that I will be able to cut back on the fast food and soda again, and start walking more and even work up to going back to the gym more regularly. I would really like to see some more improvement in the way my clothes fit and in how I feel. I would really really like to feel as great as I did when I was eating breakfast every morning. That was pretty awesome.

158.4!!

I have done nothing to support my weight loss.

I have no right to be depressed that my weight stays the same.

I have not been exercising or even walking the dog.

The only thing is that I gave up fast food for Lent. I had decided to give up fast food and replace it with walking the dog, but so far, all I’ve been able to do is give up the fast food. It’s been rough. I crave onion rings and French fries and Whoppers and pastrami burgers.

All.

The.

Time.

My poor co-workers who have to listen to me moan and cry “when is Easter?”

The other day I was pondering to myself whether I could go longer without the stuff. It’s not like I feel any better, but I surely could do without the expense of it all. I’m also not looking forward to how my body will react when I go back to eating that junk. I know that I will feel awwwwwful.

I haven’t given up junk food. I still eat like crap, but I’ve cut down considerably on the Dr. Pepper, and managed to keep cut back, so that’s good.

I hadn’t noticed a difference in my life, but when I stepped on the scale this morning, the heavens opened and choirs of angels reigned down on me.

I now have more motivation to take the dog out and stay away from greasy fast food.

We’ll see….

Lady Grey 159.8

Grey Tights

I bought this dress as Costco on the day before Thanksgiving while in line. Its super comfy, but shows every line and bump. One needs SERIOUS shapewear in order to wear it.

I got the tights the same day as the dress, but at the grocery store. I was just looking to see if I could find some grey tights that I liked, and found these. I love them so much and think they are darling. Unfortunately, this dress is the only thing I own that they go with.

New favourite Steve Maddens and lip colour is the 24 hour Maybelline lip colour in "Constant Cabernet". No one in my family likes this lipstick but me. I care not because the scale registered at below 160 today!!

Weigh in 161.2

I mentioned that I needed to lose 5 pounds, so I cut my hair off. I had been hovering between 165 and 164 before my haircut, and now I’m around 161, so I guess it worked!

I haven’t been blogging partly because I was sick of taking a daily photo, because I was bored of my clothes, and also because I was frustrated with my weight not going anywhere.

I’m still weighing myself every day, I’m just not blogging about it daily.

Being frustrated with where I was caused me to act. I knew I wasn’t going anywhere with my weight because I wasn’t doing anything about it.

I started cutting down the fast food and Dr. Pepper. I found I was going out to eat for lunch 4 to 5 times a week, and drinking 44 oz of Dr. Pepper every day. Not only is this bad for my body, but it’s expensive too. I decided that I would cut this down to once a week. I have been doing this for three weeks now, and I have noticed the weight staying around 161 rather than 165. Now I'm trying to go two weeks and see where it goes.

I have also decided to start walking my dog again. When we first got Orso, I walked him every day, sometimes twice a day. On weekends, we would go for miles. In the first three months, I lost ten pounds! It started getting too hard to get up in the morning to take him out, and afternoons/evenings can be crazy in my family, so I quit walking him all together. I still have a hard time getting up in the morning (thyroid issues), but I have found that if I take Orso out after I get home from work, it gives me the energy boost I need to get what needs to get done in the evenings. It clears out the cobwebs of sitting in an office all day, gives me some fresh air and endorphins, and lets me deal with the rest of my day. It’s also a good way to wind down from work and change gears into Mom mode.

I will let you know my progress next month!

Pic for beginning of Feb

I needed to lose 5 lbs, so I cut my hair off.

Hair before

Hair after

I have really thick, heavy hair. It’s like the rain forest.

I’m really proud of my hair. I’ve always thought I had good quality hair density.

When I was three years old, my long, blonde, wavy hair was halfway down my back. My grandmother noticed how docile I was and told my mother she needed to cut my hair because it was “sapping her energy”. My mum thought she was crazy, that I was just a mellow kid. That summer she gave me a Dorothy Hamil pageboy and she said that it was like I was floating I had so much energy! I became a normal kid!

Weird, right?

Wrong.

I have this long, thick, wavy hair. When you run your fingers through it, you can get lost. It is SO heavy. It hurts my neck. Several times in my life I have grown it out long because it’s so pretty, but I can’t handle the weight or the maintenance of it. It doesn’t matter how many layers I get, it’s still so thick and so heavy.

Also, it doesn’t grow straight down like Marsha, Marsha, Marsha, it grows OUT. Like a triangle. I grew it down to my waist when I was on my mission, and it was like a cape around my shoulders in the winter time. That was a good thing because it helped to keep me warm. In the summer, I just French braided it and tucked it up so that it wouldn’t weigh me down.

I was growing my hair long so that I would have long beachy hair for our trip to Kauai. It was driving me crazy because there was so much of it, but I endured. I found that if I invested the time to blow it out, that the style would last for days and I didn’t have to do it every day. It takes 20 to 30 minutes to blow out my hair. In order for it to be done properly, I have to section it off in four layers, blow it out with a big round brush, and then flat iron all the sections.

My arms and shoulders hurt so much after spending so much time up above my head. Between washing it (ten minutes of scrubbing and making sure that all the soap got rinsed out), having my wet hair be EVEN more heavy, and then all the sectioning, blow drying, and flat ironing, it was a wonder I didn’t have massive guns. Drying my hair was exhausting.

I had planned on cutting it off into a shaggy bob when I got back from Kauai, but a couple of girls in my neighbourhood just cut off their long hair into the exact same haircut, and I didn’t want to look like I was copying them, so I debated whether or not I was ready to cut if off just then. Maybe I should wait until spring or something.

When we got back from Kauai, I noticed my weight was up to 165, so I decided it was time to chop. The last time I cut my hair off two years ago, I got a longer pixie/shorter shag cut and I really liked it, so that’s what I got.

I feel free again!

The only downside is that this haircut does not look good curly. I have to at least iron my bangs. I’m okay with doing this as it takes less than 10 minutes to do my hair now. That includes washing.

The funny thing is, my hair cannot be around humidity or it curls. Living in Utah, that is not usually a problem, but this month has been one of the wettest Februarys that I can remember, so my cowlick is now out in full force.

Ah the irony…

40th Anniversary Fluevogs - 162.4

I stand befuddled in my closet daily staring at my clothes and deciding what to wear so that I can blog about it. You would think I would come up with better ideas, but like every woman on the planet, I have nothing to wear. These are my Fluevog 40th anniversary reissue Truth Pilgrims. They are so comfortable. They fit my feet perfectly, give the right kind of support and don't hurt my back. If I ever meet Mr. Fluevog again I will kiss him directly on the mouth for making these shoes.

I had some extra time yesterday morning so I did my nails. I try to do my nails once a week and theme my outfits around my colour choice. I didn't have enough time to do a full on manicure, so I couldn't do the dark colour I really wanted to do, so I thought I would go with a "different" colour, so I chose this Barbie pink. I had planned to wear mostly black and white this week as I don't have much in the way of Barbie pink. In my morning haze, however that was completely forgotten.

I had decided on the Fluevogs, the grey tights, the white t-shirt and grey cardigan, but couldn't decide on a skirt. This olive plaid skirt caught my attention and I hadn't worn it in some time, so I grabbed it. Was running late as is usual on a Monday morning, so the hair got thrown in to a ponytail, and there you have it. Happy Monday everyone!

Afghan Sweater 163.4 Yay! Down from yesterday!

I had a bad night and morning and needed something comforting, so here it is:

My socks match my sweater, but no one could see because of my boots. It has the same effect as wearing sexy lingerie. No one knows you're wearing it but you and it gives you a confident awesome feeling.
I think The Photographer is getting better, but I think I need to smile and perhaps take the photo at the beginning of the day as opposed to at the end when I'm tuckered right the heck out. (yes those are wedding photos behind me)
Here are the socks:

The boots are my first Fluevogs. John Fluevog is so excellent that he deserves a post of his own. Same with these boots. I hope I can do it justice. Here is the Fluevog website.
My husband HATES the sweater/vest/afghan with a belt. He has no idea about what's in style, so I often don't take what he has to say in to consideration. My whole life I have taken risks when it comes to dressing. I dress for me and not for others and mostly always have and I am always happier when I dress for me. It's like I'm my own Barbie doll. I was having a bummer morning, and this sweater reminds me of the Afghans that my mother (the genius with anything involving needle and thread) used to crochet. I needed to have a "blankie" today, so I wore it.
Here are the boots:

The boots honestly do deserve a post of their own. To be brief, I have been a fan of Fluevogs since I discovered cool things around grade 10 which was in 1987. These are second generation Swordfish boots that I saved up for a year to buy and are the first pair of Fluevogs I ever owned. I bought them in 1990. They have been everywhere. I took them with me on my mission (thanks for the advice, Yra!), I wore them to my first trip to Hawaii, they have gone through rain and sleet and hail and sun and snow. Every gig I went to in every club in the early grunge years and many many times dancing were experienced while wearing these boots. I even wore them to the Calgary Stampede this year. Usually worn with jeans, I wear them with any kind of pant and they work for me. They are the only 'cowboy' boot that I wear on a regular basis.

June 1991 - This is what I wore for my mission farewell

I let my hair dry naturally today, so I wore my hoops to go with the '90's hair. (just kidding). The "base" of the outfit is a plain old ivory turtleneck and my black trousers that I've had since 2002 and are so faded that they are almost grey. I've had to fix the hem on these pants 3 times. They are super comfortable and cut in a way that I've been able to wear them at least once a week through Thick and Thin. I would really hate to see them go, but I DESPERATELY need a new pair of black pants. I seriously hate shopping and hate spending money even more. If it can't be done in 20 minutes, I'm not interested. So investing the time to find another pair of perfect black pants is seriously daunting and something I'd prefer not to do. I also only like shopping with someone I really really trust so that they can run interference with the irritating salespeople. I don't have anyone really like that here in Utah, so I end up going by myself which I don't mind too much other than having to deal with the irritating sales people. Having been an irritating salesperson for my first career I understand that they are just doing their job, and I can appreciate it, but I'm shy and I already don't want to be there, so I'm grumpy and not interested in becoming best friends with the bored clerks in Banana Republic or wherever I am. Because they're pants, I really do need to try things on and I hate the return process hassle with online shopping, and I need to be able to see the product up close, so I actually have to go out and SHOP. One day I'll have all my chores done and the boys' father will be busy doing something fun with them so I don't feel the guilt of leaving them abandoned to do something so selfish like shopping and I will find the perfect pants, but not until I lose 13 pounds.

Black and White 164.6 - up from yesterday, JOY!

I'm a simple person, I have simple tastes, I like simple, clean lines. I like Japanese and Scandanavian interior design. I don't like things to be cluttered or busy or too fancy and swirly. I don't like things that have too much going on.
Since I like to start with shoes, today's are black and gold stilletos. Instead of leather, these shoes are HAIR. Cool, no? (to each his own, I suppose). They are splattered with gold paint and have gold heels. Since the shoes have a lot going on, the rest of the outfit is pretty plain.
Take a look:

Black hose, black pencil skirt that doesn't fit and needs desperately to be altered but I don't have the time nor the desire to do so, White long-sleeved t-shirt (one of many, many white shirts I own) and black cardigan. In my hair I have a black and white Laura Ashley scarf that my Mother-in-law bought for me when I was first married.

I used a "photographer" today, my first born son. He didn't do such a hot job. My second born son insisted on being in the photo. He's adorable, so I let him. My first born warned him: "This is going on the internet, you know." Second born answered, "I don't care". There you have it; the difference between Jose and Hose B. Jose tells me he doesn't want me posting any more pictures of him on Facebook, Hose B. could care less. (more on why another time)
My jewelry is simple, pearl earrings, because the sweater is so fancy with the embellishments on the shoulders and the aforementioned shoes. I also went without hoops because my ears hurt from wearing cheap $5.00 earrings two days in a row.
About Hoop earrings and pierced ears: I got my ears pierced when I was 5. The rule was that I had to wait until I was 6, but my best friend had her 6th birthday in August and mine isn't until December, and she didn't want to have her ears pierced all by herself, so her mum convinced my mum to let me have my ears pierced at the same time. At the time we lived in a cul-de-sac. My best friend lived on one side, we lived at the top, and on the other side lived a family of boys - the Browns. Mrs. Brown was a beautician, so she pierced our ears at our houses with an ice cube. No gun for us! We were hard core! My best friend and her mum came over to our house and Mrs. Brown did hers first since she was the one who was technically six, and then did mine. I don't remember anything other than my best friend was so terrified and I held her hand and next thing we knew, she had these pretty gold balls sparkling in her ears. I was next. I remember the right earring going in fine, and then I remember waking up on the couch in my bathrobe. Apparently, when Mrs. Brown did my left ear, I promptly threw up all over her and passed out cold. So, so sorry Mrs. Brown! I had no idea that would happen. I felt so grown up and cool getting my ears pierced and it looked so easy when my friend had hers done, I had no idea that would happen! Afterwards, my friend said to me "and I was the one that was scared!" When I was 13, I had a second hole put in my left ear. I went with my Nana and my little sister to the Bay to have it done. My little sister was 6 and getting her first set of holes. My little sister's birthday is in November, so my Nana was taking us both for our birthdays. Little sis went first. As I was getting in the chair to have my ear done, my little sister melted into the floor, fainting. One minute she was standing there like everything was peachy, and the next she was a blob on the floor. Little sis had a history of fainting, and since I had fainted when I was six, I assured everyone that this was normal and she would be fine, and I picked her up off the floor and helped her sit down. So they pierced my second hole, and all the blood flew out of my head. I said, "oh, I'm going to go too", and promptly put my head between my knees. We were both fine after that, but I feel terrible still for my poor Nana having to deal with her two fainting granddaughters in the jewelry department at the Bay!
Once I was able to wear regular earrings after my initial piercing, my Aunt Shelley gave me some tiny gold hoops. The kind that connect in to each other so that they can spin around in your ear. They were supposed to be good for newly pierced ears because you could move them through the holes and there was less chance of infection. They were very pretty and delicate, and I loved being able to sit in class and stare out the window and spin my hoops in my ears. I wore those hoops consantly
When I got to Junior high school (grade eight), I got my first pair of big hoops. They were white plastic and about 3 inches in diameter. I loved them and wore them with everything. White goes with everthing, right? About grade ten was when the obsession began. I got a pair of silver hoops, also about 3 inches in diameter. I loved them so much I got another pair, then another. I kept getting bigger and bigger hoops. The goal was to find a pair of hoops that would touch my shoulders. When I was in grade twelve, I achieved that goal - a big ol' pair of 4 inch silver hoops. I would wear the big hoops in my two main holes, and a tiny hoop or a cubic zirconia stud in the second hole on my left ear. I worked at a clothing store in the mall and wore my hoops every day. I had gold ones, silver ones, white, turquoise, houndstooth, you name it. If they were hoops, I wore them. Customers would come to my store when I wasn't working and would ask for me, but they could never remember my name. They would say, "I was here yesterday and this girl was helping me with some jeans. You know, the one with the hoops." After that I was known as "Hoops" amongst all the mall personell. Weirdly, I also played basketball, but I was no good, the "Hoops" nickname had nothing to do with my prowess at basketball.
One time, my boyfriend was nuzzling my neck and it tickled, so I pulled away. When I did so, he started screaming in pain and holding his face. Turns out that when I pulled away, my hoop got stuck in his nostril. The hoop was stretched out in to a U shape instead of a C shape. I felt terrible and never wore those earrings around him again.
I served an LDS mission when I was 21, and as a representative for the Church, one must dress conservatively, so I had to give up the huge hoops. As a going away gift, my Grama gave me a pair of beautiful 24 carat gold hoops that were only 1 inch in diameter, so I could wear them on my mission. Sadly, I lost one of them on the airplane from Vancouver to Salt Lake City, UT. I was devastated. When I got home, I realized that I had a lone gold hoop from another set of earrings that was also 1 inch in diameter. To this day I wear them as a set and no one can tell that I'm wearing two different earrings.
After my mission, I kind of got out of the habit of wearing hoops. They just sat in my jewelry box while I wore tiny delicate studs. This was the post-grunge era, so the wearing of accessories kind of flew out the window. As I got older, I still loved hoops, and have a pair that are 1/4 inch in diameter that I would wear, but I was too self-conscious to go back to my bigger hoops.
Over the last year or so, I have quit caring what other people think of how I look, and quit trying to fit in so much, and I've gone back to wearing hoops. It is glorious and wonderful. I only wear hoops that are 2 inches in diameter or smaller, and I don't wear them every day. I still have the 4 inchers in my jewelery box. I guess I'm saving them for Halloween.