Thanks

Thanks to all the folks who helped me about the coat size thing. I'm going to return it.

I wanted to be all optimistic, but I think you guys are right. Even if I lose the weight, if it doesn't fit, it doesnt' fit. And, as Susan noted, you don't tend to lose a lot of weight across the shoulders, and the shoulders was one of the tight places. And as Kathy A. said, too small stuff doesn't get worn, and I don't need a coat I'm not comfortable wearing. (Speaking of clothes I don't wear, I need to go through and take some stuff to GoodWill.)

But, just this once, couldn't it have fit?

Now I have to decide what to do about the gift certificate thing. Maybe long johns? It's not as visible as a coat, but I wear them a LOT. All the time in winter, especially when I go out.

Have you noticed that LandsEnd isn't carrying much in the way of basic wool v-neck sweaters these days? I have an old one, a great bold purple, but I've worn through the elbows because I wear these things all the time, day in, day out, for everything (once it's cold). I'd buy another nice purple v-neck wool sweater in a minute. (That one's relegated to around the house and gardening and stuff.) (They have cashmere, which is nice and soft, but twice the price and not quite as warm.)

To keep my focus for the weight loss, I made myself a little chart with my weight, bmi, a waist measurement, and a couple goals (10% weight loss, an additional 10 pounds, and a final goal), and then reasonable dates for those goals (looking at about a pound a week).

I'm finally bringing my bike back in today. I had it in, and then went riding after Thanksgiving, and haven't brought it in since. I need to do something if I'm going to sign up for that spring ride in Yellowstone!