I Got My Work At Dog Mom Pretty Back

I had a moment yesterday. A big huge moment. A moment that paralyzed me. In the bedroom. In front of our full-sized mirror.

To back up a bit...

I have never liked denim jeans. I don't like the feel of them on my skin. I have never found a pair of jeans that fits comfortably because of my body shape and short legs.

In addition, for the longest time, it was almost impossible to find jeans that went much above short rise. 

Just for the record, I'm not a fan of the high rise, "mom jeans."

A couple of years ago, after the super low rise denim jeans fashion wore off a bit, I decided to order 2 pairs of jeans at a popular retailer. They were expensive, but I hit a killer sale and I had an online coupon.

I was excited because the 2 pairs of jeans I ordered were made for my body type and preference.

When the jeans were delivered, I tried them on. 

Both pairs were too small.

I had to use some serious muscle power to pull them up.

Buttoning and zipping them up was not an option.

Not even close.

I put them on hangers. 

In the back of our closet.

When we moved into the house we bought in February of 2020, those jeans came with us. And, they hung in our bedroom closet. At the far end.

To be completely honest, I forgot about them.

Until yesterday.

I was in the middle of doing housework and baking.

I was getting things ready to have a Girls Night with a dear friend of ours.

My original plan was to throw on a skirt and turtleneck.

I love skirts.

Out of the blue, I thought of those jeans. It's like someone whispered in my ear, "Try them on..."

So, I did. Without hesitation. 

Well...

Both pairs of jeans fit.

Not only did they fit, but I can put them on and take them off without unzipping or unbuttoning them. They are on the verge of being too big.

I was completely shocked. 

I stood in front of our full-length mirror in our bedroom.

Stunned.

Exited.

I have no shame in admitting that I got a bit choked up. 

I kept asking myself, "How did this happen?"

I'm not dieting. I don't have a gym membership or a home gym. I'm not adhering to a novelty diet or sucking down protein shakes. 

I eat carbs. I use real butter. I indulge in the occasional dessert. I don't count calories. I'm certainly not running marathons. 

I've been seriously thinking about how I've gone from these jeans being much too small to now being almost too big.

Here is what I have come up with in the past 24 hours...

The stress level has gone down a tremendous amount over the past year since we bought our house in February of 2020.

Our life no longer revolves around outside extreme, and often times intentional and unnecessary, noise levels.

Those noise levels stressed out our kids morning, afternoon, and into the evening hours.

I can play music whenever I want and that translates to dancing my ass off when I cook, do housework, and other miscellaneous stuff around the house.

A large chunk of my Work at Home Dog Mom life schedule involves prepping healthy meals for, not only our kids but for Lisa and myself. 

We enjoy lots more indoor and outdoor playtime with our kids because they are more relaxed and there is no longer the worry of a shared yard with other dogs.

Lisa's vacations no longer revolve around house and pet sitting or helping "friends" with their home improvement projects.

It's extremely quiet here which means we are not wakened throughout the night or during those occasional moments when a power nap is needed.

Yeah.

I feel sort of pretty.

I don't feel like a shlumpy Work at Home Dog Mom.

It is a humbling moment.