My hubby loves me!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess what?! I went shopping yesterday! I posted day before that I did not know how to dress myself anymore and asked for some ideas. My hubby and I had the rare day off together. Shawn, my brother in law school, had left part of a briefing at Mom and Dad's house and since Mom just had a knee replaced they could not take it to him. We did. I had not seen him in awhile, he called Mom to tell her he could not believe how good I looked. Then, we went shopping. I thought it was for Christmas presents for the kids. Turns out he had hijacked me into a shopping trip for me! I kept picking up things and he would take them away and put them back on the rack. He said,"You have worked so hard,you do everything for everyone else, you deserve to do something for you for a change!" He picked out a little pink and grey mini with a pleat set in the front on an asymmetrical slant and a soft pink off the shoulder cowl neck sweater with a lovely little rhinestone brooch on the shoulder. I laughed at him and told him to pick out something in my size. He said,"Wake up Honey! This is your size!" I rolled my eyes at him and said that if it made him happy, I would try them on. OMG! It not only fit, but I looked good. For the first time in my life, I looked at my self and thought that I was pretty. I stood there sobbing and crying for 10 minutes in the Fashion Bug with my hubby holding me. He also bought me a silver belt in a MEDIUM! And a ribbed white turtle neck in a LARGE!!!!! I can't even think about it. I am blown away. Combined with my new funky haircut. People, I am so happy!! Thank you all for being there to support me through this. Combined with the long black velvet skirt I have enough outfits to mix and match to get me through the holidays.

That is SOOOO sweet Crystal.. makes me want a hubby too!! Keep up the great work and know that you deserve to be spoiled too!!! Ms P

Crystal!! You have finally retaliated against the dreaded "image monster" that resides in our brains!! I have gone from a 24/26 to a 10 petite since March. I ever so often catch a glimpse of myself in the window of a business and think how thin "she" is. Then realize a half second later that it's me!! Ain't it grand!!! Happy thoughts, Va 5' 3.5" 232/143/13? -89 pounds -80 inches

I think your profile needs a picture of you in that snazzy new outfit! Congratulations! Joy

Dear Crystal, your joy and enthusiasm for life just shines through your post. And you made me cry. Then I went to your profile page and I cried some more. You share yourself and your life with such genuine honesty and your generous spirit embraces the entire world's population! How refreshing, how humbling after these last few months of the most hateful, embittered political season in the history of our country. You have reminded me that there is good and decency and kindness and simple joy left in the world. Honestly, thank you for your post. No matter the compliments, no matter how many people tell me how great I look in a day, no matter how gracious I am in receiving those compliments and responding to them, there is always this tiny voice in my head that whispers, "You don't understand...." You do, Crystal. I weighed 332 at time of surgery. I am now in the 190s and I don't see it, I don't feel it. It scares me. But I know I am not alone in this, thanks to you and everyone else on this board. Have a great day and much love to you, your wonderful husband and your family. God bless, Maureen

Wow - that is just fabulous Crystal! Now you just have ONE task to follow up with and that is to GET A NEW PICTURE ON YOUR PROFILE! I just keep clicking in there to see what you look like now and nada, nothing....zip. So share with us!!! Share!!! Dina

YaY Crystal!!! How sweet of your hubby. My hubby said the same thing the other day. Except he wanted to take me to victoria secrets! I was like whooaaa there buddy... One step at a time... how about some nice jeans that fit snugger. but he is convinced. I took a picture of myself yesterday and was shocked at how my face had thinned out. I look in the mirror everyday but never realized it until I actually took a picture! Now I have to update my profile to show my loss! I am soooo happy for you!!! Life is just getting better and better woo hoo!!!! Elizabeth M