24-Update (108) & Poor Old Ethel

It is hard to believe another two weeks have passed!  Today is my biweekly attempt to squeeze into my old size-24 jeans.

Here is the link to my first attempt:

http://annssmalljourney.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-do-i-get-myself-into-these.html

The last time I tried on my old size-24 jeans, I was able to get them over my legs with ease, which was great progress!  They fit well in the legs, but the hips and bum kept me from even coming close to zipping/buttoning.

The jeans were VERY tight on the hips (as in "second skin")  I estimated the distance between the button and buttonhole to be about 4" at the time.  Forget about zipping them up - no way.  The zipper halves weren't even in the same zip code for the abs "hill" between the two.

So, what are today's attempt results, given I'm probably a good 5 lbs lighter?  I've posted them below:

24-Update # 3

The jeans are still tight on the hips, but the distance between the button and buttonhole has gone down approximately one inch!  The zipper is still not close to closing, but the tummy bulge has reduced enough that at least the zipper halves can see each other now, from a distance.

Since I have yet a good 3" to lose on my waist, just to button the pants, and at least that much remaining to lose on the hips, I think it is clear I have to shoot for Christmas, rather than Thanksgiving, to get into these pants.  Still, I am enjoying watching the progress, and thank Sharon (again) for the suggestion.  For now, I've tucked the old 24 jeans back into the drawer, for another 2 week nap ...

The above is just a progress report, but I DO have an NSV (of sorts) to share. 

My neighbor's dog, who has adopted us as her own, and enthusiasticaly greets us every time she sees us, stood in her driveway and barked at me last night, as she does for complete strangers. 

Both her owner and I were very surprised and perplexed.  Ethel (the dog) loves me.  I mean to say, aside from her owners, I'm the next favored person in her world. 

Well, when I opened my mouth to ask Ethel why she was barking at ME, she turned into her usual adorable self, all excited and happy to see me.  Both her owner and I were baffled by her initial barking reaction.

Well, this morning I walked down the driveway to get the paper, and Ethel was out.  She didn't bark, but the old gal didn't greet me either, as she usually does.  She just sort of stood at the end of her driveway and growled uncertainly, with hesitation. 

When I asked my neighbor what was going on with Ethel, the dog turned back into her enthusiastic, happy self, racing over all tail-wagging and tongue. 

My neighbor figured it out.  Ethel has poor eyesight, and it turns out, he thinks she was having trouble recognizing my profile (the visual way she recogizes people from a little distance).

Yesterday, Ethel flat out didn't recognize me on site, across the distance of our driveways.  This morning, she was uncertain.  Maybe next time, Ethel will have my new, smaller tummy profile memorized!  LOL  Poor, old Ethel ... I love her so!


DDDY12 Update:

Calories today, so far:  1,561

Water today, so far:  11


Day 108 ... and I'm going to try to get in some walking this afternoon.  If I can squeeze a half hour out of my day (what am I saying?  Of course I can do that!) today's walk will be my third exercise of the week, meeting my personal goal for this week.