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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / July 2005[OT] Tactfulness, thy name is Mom (not)
Let me preface this by saying that I love my mother. She is a good person, she's kind-hearted, and she doesn't mean to hurt anyone. It's just that she seems to have no filter between her brain and her mouth. So yesterday, I'm on the phone with my parents. I tell them I was going to get a few pairs of shorts appropriate for work. "Well, you shouldn't wear shorts to work. It looks bad." "I know the shorts I have aren't appropriate for work. That's why I'm going to get a few nicer, longer pairs. Lots of people wear shorts at this company." "Well, good, because you look awful in those short shorts you have now." @#% !#!@#~@!~ Let's review. I tell my mom I'm planning to buy longer shorts for work, and she tells me that my current shorts look awful (because, you see, I'm heinously fat, at least according to my mom. Nevermind that I mountain bike for miles at altitude in the mountains, that I practice martial arts and go hiking with my friends ... that's not important. What's important is the number on my pants, and clearly the way to get me a smaller number is to lambast me about how I look like crap at every opportunity). You know, I really try to have a good body image ... DH loves my body. Sure, I'd like to shed a few pounds, but then, so would the vast majority of Americans. I'd rather be overweight and active than thin and inactive, that's for damn sure. I don't know how to make it so that comments like this don't hurt. She doesn't just pull this stunt with me ... while we were staying with my aunt, a woman that my mother adores and who has had several unsuccessful marriages, my mom somehow went off on a tangent (unrelated to my aunt) about how you wouldn't want to be a woman who's been married several times ... when all of us immediately tried to shut her up, she kept trying to "explain," making it worse every time. While we were visiting some of my aunt's friends, one was talking about a horrible flight back from Germany in which, among other things, she was served no food. Mom instantly insisted that "You're lying. Lufthansa always serves great meals, and you can ask anyone." And then proceeded to defend that thesis vehemently while the rest of us turned pale and tried to shut her up. There's a quote I found ... I honestly don't know where it comes from (anyone know?) ... but I wish I could somehow make Mom's words pass through this filter before they came out her mouth: "The Sufis advise us to speak only after our words have managed to pass through three gates. At the first gate, we ask ouselves, 'Are these words true?' If so, we let them pass on; if not, back they go. At the second gate, we ask, 'Are they necessary?' At the last gate, we ask, 'Are they kind?'" -Eknath Easwaran  Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > Let me preface this by saying that I love my mother. She is a good > person, she's kind-hearted, and she doesn't mean to hurt anyone. > > It's just that she seems to have no filter between her brain and her > mouth. Your mother is my mother... and you can keep her ;-) I swear this - they are one and the same woman - they speak in indentical terms! > So yesterday, I'm on the phone with my parents. I tell them I was > going to get a few pairs of shorts appropriate for work. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > @#% !#!@#~@!~ Count yourself lucky. Whilst in my mid-twenties, and *slim* I was wearing a short dress. My mother told me not to wear it as... wait for it... remember I'm in my twenties at the time... I was "no spring chicken anymore." > Let's review. I tell my mom I'm planning to buy longer shorts for work, > and she tells me that my current shorts look awful (because, you see, [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > I don't know how to make it so that comments like this don't hurt. They do hurt. They *know* it hurts. Sadly. It's something some mothers do. On the plus side, my mother having the tact & diplomacy section of her brain being the size of a gnat's testicle, made me acutely aware of just how damaging thoughtless remarks from a parent to a child can be - as a result, she did me a favour, I really make a concerted effort *not* to be like that with Nathan :-) Cheers, helen s > > Let me preface this by saying that I love my mother. She is a good > > person, she's kind-hearted, and she doesn't mean to hurt anyone. [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > > Cheers, helen s Yep, me too. I made a concious effort to tell my children, at least once a day, how smart and beautiful they were. Even now I tell my daughter what a good mother she is, how gorgeous she is, how smart she is (she's going for a B.S. in nursing and she's acing all her courses!) And I tell my son what a good, strong, caring husband and father he is and how brilliant he is (he is *amazingly* creative). I wish people would realize that if they want to change a person for the better then they should quit criticizing and start complimenting. The more you compliment a person, they harder they will try to live up to your good opinion in order to not only get more praise, but to feel they deserve the praise they're getting. It really works! My children grew up for the first, critical, years of their lives with an abusive alcoholic for a father, yet they remain untraumatized and unaffected by that - they are strong and healthy (mentally and physically) adults who are rearing wonderful, healthy children of their own!!!!! Hugs, CatNipped > Yep, me too. I made a concious effort to tell my children, at least > once a day, how smart and beautiful they were. Even now I tell my > daughter what a good mother she is, how gorgeous she is, how smart > she is (she's going for a B.S. in nursing and she's acing all her > courses!) And I tell my son what a good, strong, caring husband and > father he is and how brilliant he is (he is *amazingly* creative). That's great =) If you asked my mom, she'd probably say that she does this, too. She honestly believes that she is doing these things. I know that she is very proud of me in a variety of ways. But that's not what she usually vocalizes. > I wish people would realize that if they want to change a person for > the better then they should quit criticizing and start > complimenting. I've also noticed that wearing more revealing or nice clothing seems to help me avoid food temptation. Again, positive feedback. ("I look nice, and to keep looking nice I should avoid eating those Krispy Kremes my company set out on the counter ...") > The more you compliment a person, they harder they > will try to live up to your good opinion in order to not only get > more praise, but to feel they deserve the praise they're getting. I agree with this 100%. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > The more you compliment a person, they harder they > > will try to live up to your good opinion in order to not only get > > more praise, but to feel they deserve the praise they're getting. > > I agree with this 100%. This is how my mother raised me, and it worked to keep me focused on trying to be a better person and do the right thing. I only wish I could once in my life live up to how brilliant and beautiful and funny and etc. that she and my Dad thought I was. I have had the distinct impression that the general public is just not *quite* as impressed with me as they were! <G> > > > The more you compliment a person, they harder they > > > will try to live up to your good opinion in order to not only get [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > public is just not *quite* as impressed with me as they > were! <G> LOL No, but I bet they gave you the self-confidence to not worry about what other people think of you! [I worried for a while that my son had *too* much self-confidence, he always thought he could do *anything*, but it turns out he was right!!!] ;> Hugs, CatNipped > Let me preface this by saying that I love my mother. She is a good > person, she's kind-hearted, and she doesn't mean to hurt anyone. [quoted text clipped - 55 lines] > ask, 'Are they kind?'" > -Eknath Easwaran Re Weight: I know exactly what you mean. I think this may be the only society in the history of the world that's producing perfectly healthy young women who are deliberately starving themselves *TO DEATH* because they've been brainwashed that "thin is beautiful". Nevermind that as large a percentage of people are born to be ectomorphs as are born to be endomorphs - your genetics will determine that and there's nothing you can safely do that will change it. Never mind that as long as you're healthy it shouldn't matter what the numbers on the scale say. I wish "Twiggy" had never been born!!!! When a gorgeous woman like Marilyn Monroe would now be considered fat - well our standards are warped! Had you lived in the time of Botticelli you would have probably been considered way to skinny!!! Re Moms that drive you crazy: I know exactly what you mean!!! I spent a large portion of my live trying (and failing) to get my mother's approval and love - and though I love her dearly, I finally had to learn how to become my own nurturer because I was *never* going to get it from her! {{{{{{{{{{Monique}}}}}}}}}} Try not to let it get to you, sweetie! Hugs, CatNipped I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to 100-110 pounds.... A load of BS if you ask me My mom once said I should be a size 4. She hasn't said it since, but i've never forgiven her for saying that. Kristi > I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to 100-110 > pounds.... A load of BS if you ask me [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Kristi Unless you are 2 ft 6 ins high, she has got it well wrong ;-) Cheers, helen s >> I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to 100-110 >> pounds.... A load of BS if you ask me [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Cheers, helen s I have an idea that USA sizes are not the same as UK ones. What would be the bust/waist/hip size for a USA size 4? I think the shoe sizes are different too. Tweed > >> I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to 100-110 > >> pounds.... A load of BS if you ask me [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Tweed I can fit in some 3/4s, but sometimes have to get a 5/6. Bust - 34 inches (86.36 cm), waist - 23 inches (58.42 cm), hips - 34 inches (86.36 cm). [In figure measurements I prefer inches... 34-23-34 sounds much better than 86.36-58.42-86.36!! ;>] I have humongous clown feet (even though I'm only 5'5") and have to get a size 8W - my feet are 10 inches long and 4 inches wide. Hugs, CatNipped >> >> I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to 100-110 >> >> pounds.... A load of BS if you ask me [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > CatNipped Great measurements! When I was 18 I measured 34/22/34 but the dress size was 12 at that time. I think they changed the sizes to flatter the ladies. They don't seem to have done that with shoe sizes, however. > >> >> I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to 100-110 > >> >> pounds.... A load of BS if you ask me [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > was 12 at that time. I think they changed the sizes to flatter the > ladies. They don't seem to have done that with shoe sizes, however. Yep, you're right. When I was a teenager the "perfect" size was a 12 and there wasn't any such thing as "negative" sizes as there is now. Hugs, CatNipped > I have humongous clown feet (even though I'm only 5'5") and have to > get a size 8W - my feet are 10 inches long and 4 inches wide. Very funny. *I* have humongous feet. I'm 5'5" with ... hrm, depending on the shoe, but let's say 9 1/2 wide. Or more likely 11, since it's hard to find shoes wide, so I just get them extra long. If I can get away with it, I buy men's shoes, in which I'm about an 8 1/2. (Depending again on the width). More accurately, I'm a European 41 wide. Not only that, but the part of my foot that sticks out, making it so wide, is also extremely sensitive. Buying ice skates, ski boots, etc is a nightmare for me, especially as conventional wisdom is to buy them as tight as possible for best control. I eventually bought professional-grade men's ice skates, a model specifically intended for wide feet, in a wide size, and then also had the sides punched out. Finally my feet aren't screaming after an hour on the ice. Ski boots ... I've been through so many pairs of ski boots, all of which made me miserable. The latest pair is the best -- I got a wide women's boot with a custom foam liner and orthotics. $1500 later, yes, just for boots, I can ski for more than an hour or two without crying. I thought that I was screwed for finding nice shoes, but then I found this store called Phelps. They carry foot-friendly shoes. Specifically, they carry Germanic brands like Birkenstock and Dansko. Now, I had no idea that Birk makes some darn nice shoes, but they do. No pointy toes (my feet can't do that, anyway), but neat strappy things that can actually be worn with dresses. I finally think I understand why so many women enjoy shoe shopping. I've always hated it, because they rarely had my size in stock at all, and if they did, the shoe that looked so cute as a size 6 on display looked like a boat on my foot. What a nightmare. I can't count the number of times I've cried, or felt like crying, when shopping for shoes for some special occasion. But at this store I found, wow, even some of their display shoes fit me. They carry lots of wide stuff. I'm like a kid in a candy store. Unfortunately, the average cost of a pair of shoes there is about $100 ... but even my ultra-frugal mom insists that good shoes are worth good money, because if your feet aren't happy, you aren't happy. Now that I actually have some nice shoes that I don't mind wearing, I find myself wearing nice clothes more often. It's such a difference. Literally, I used to think about wearing something nice and think, Yes, but I don't have any shoes to go with that, or well, there's this pair, but they make my feet ache. Now I can actually say, yes, I'll wear that, and I'll wear it with this pair, and I'll be comfy. It's amazing. And since this is a thread about mothers, I'll share another one of my mom's amazing statements. When I was a late teen/early college kid kind of age, my mother told me that I've been ruining my feet by wearing sneakers. Yes, ruining. You see, according to my mother, not only should I have been wearing flats to not ruin my feet, but they would have kept my stride shorter and more lady-like. To be honest, I'm sure my years of barefoot martial arts have at least something to do with the width of my foot. My feet were so callused as a teen that I could walk across gravel painlessly. I even got a screw embedded about a quarter inch in my foot, and it didn't hurt. But while I've been "ruining" my feet, I've never had a cracked heel or bunions, unlike my mom, who IIRC had bunion surgery. Because, you know, she kept her feet healthy by wearing 5" spike heels for years. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca I have the exact opposite problem. My feet are small and I had trouble finding shoes that fit. Maybe I should get kids shoes. I found Echo shoes quite comfortable. But they are usually >$100. I bought a few pairs when several shoe store closed and had a sale. Birkenstock sandals are great, but I haven't seen nice shoes from Birk. I agreed with spending $$ for comfortable shoes. My feet don't hurt anymore since I started wearing comfy shoes. I wish I can find comfortable dress shoes. I just wear sandals in the summer and heavy boots in the winter. Winnie >> I have humongous clown feet (even though I'm only 5'5") and have to >> get a size 8W - my feet are 10 inches long and 4 inches wide. [quoted text clipped - 60 lines] > or bunions, unlike my mom, who IIRC had bunion surgery. Because, you > know, she kept her feet healthy by wearing 5" spike heels for years. > I have the exact opposite problem. My feet are small and I had > trouble finding shoes that fit. Maybe I should get kids shoes. I [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Winnie Echo or Ecco? A friend of mine sings the praises of Ecco hiking boots, but maybe she spelled it wrong ... Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> I have the exact opposite problem. My feet are small and I had >> trouble finding shoes that fit. Maybe I should get kids shoes. I [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Echo or Ecco? A friend of mine sings the praises of Ecco hiking boots, > but maybe she spelled it wrong ... Sorry, Ecco. I got several pairs including sandals. They are all very good except for one pair. Winnie >> I have humongous clown feet (even though I'm only 5'5") and have to >> get a size 8W - my feet are 10 inches long and 4 inches wide. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > with it, I buy men's shoes, in which I'm about an 8 1/2. (Depending > again on the width). More accurately, I'm a European 41 wide. Wow. I'm exactly the opposite. I have very small feet for my height. I'm 5'6" and wear a 7, sometimes a 6 1/2. I just measured my foot like CatNipped did and it's 9 inches long and 3.5 inches wide, lol! But it's not that great either because that seems to be the most common size and they are often sold out of the pair that I want in my size. I feel really bad for my mom, she grew up in Germany after the war and wore nothing but hand me down shoes. Now her toes are all crippled looking and folded over each other. She only wears closed toed shoes and was too embarrassed to have a foot massage here in Thailand when she visited me. She also has a hard time with ski boots. -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Wow. I'm exactly the opposite. I have very small feet for my height. > I'm 5'6" and wear a 7, sometimes a 6 1/2. I just measured my foot > like CatNipped did and it's 9 inches long and 3.5 inches wide, lol! > But it's not that great either because that seems to be the most > common size and they are often sold out of the pair that I want in my > size. Yeah, I've heard this ... I guess the grass is always greener (but at least you know the manufacturer even *makes* shoes in your size!) > I feel really bad for my mom, she grew up in Germany after the war and > wore nothing but hand me down shoes. Now her toes are all crippled > looking and folded over each other. She only wears closed toed shoes > and was too embarrassed to have a foot massage here in Thailand when > she visited me. She also has a hard time with ski boots. That's so sad. And I can just imagine how hard it would be trying to find ski boots. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I have an idea that USA sizes are not the same as UK ones. What > would be the bust/waist/hip size for a USA size 4? I think the shoe > sizes are different too. I think I just looked at a tag recently that said USA 12 / UK 16. Then again, those numeric sizes seem to mean different things to different manufacturers. In fact, I was trying on shirts, and a medium was just right for one shirt; for another shirt by the *same manufacturer*, it was way too small. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I have an idea that USA sizes are not the same as UK ones. What would be > the bust/waist/hip size for a USA size 4? I think the shoe sizes are > different too. > > Tweed I think you're right, they're different. They also vary, I've found, with higher-end clothing stores here. I wear one size Wal-Mart, K-Mart clothes, and a whole size or two smaller at Dillard's or Macy's. Of course I've only bought one thing from Macy's in my whole life though. I'm not much of a clothes horse. I wear overalls most of the time. Sherry > I have an idea that USA sizes are not the same as UK ones. What would be > the bust/waist/hip size for a USA size 4? I think the shoe sizes are > different too. > > Tweed USA dress size is different in that a USA 4 is a 6 over here. Cheers, helen s Then there is petite sizes for those of us under 5ft 4in. A size 4 petite is different from a size 4 regular. Winnie >> I have an idea that USA sizes are not the same as UK ones. What would be >> the bust/waist/hip size for a USA size 4? I think the shoe sizes are [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Cheers, helen s > Then there is petite sizes for those of us under 5ft 4in. A size 4 > petite is different from a size 4 regular. > > Winnie Petite just means they're cut shorter, doesn't it? Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> Then there is petite sizes for those of us under 5ft 4in. A size 4 >> petite is different from a size 4 regular. >> >> Winnie > Petite just means they're cut shorter, doesn't it? Yes, you can get 'petite' in quite large sizes for those of us who are either short, or who have shorter than averge arms and legs, but long torsos. But it isn't easy to find good selection. Some manufacturers seem to think that all petite people wear sizes smaller than, say, 10, and all people wearing over size 18 are six feet tall. SignatureCheryl >>> Then there is petite sizes for those of us under 5ft 4in. A size 4 >>> petite is different from a size 4 regular. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >think that all petite people wear sizes smaller than, say, 10, and all >people wearing over size 18 are six feet tall. I wish ladies jeans, etc. came in inseam sizes the way men's pants do. I'm barely 5'3" and even petit jeans usually drag the floor unless I wear heels. Nan "Nan" <summershade80NOSPAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message > I wish ladies jeans, etc. came in inseam sizes the way men's pants do. > I'm barely 5'3" and even petit jeans usually drag the floor unless I > wear heels. I do too. I'm 5' 11" and have a 35 inch inseam. Virtually nothing fits - particularly in Canada, there are fewer tall sizes available. More in the US. I get tired of sales people stiffling their laughter as I come out with nice pants above my ankles. Susan M Otis and Chester > "Nan" <summershade80NOSPAM@yahoo.com> wrote in message > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Susan M > Otis and Chester Have you considered a sewing machine and some lessons? My sister is also almost six feet tall, and for the most part makes her own pants and skirts. Kristy >>> I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to 100-110 >>> pounds.... A load of BS if you ask me [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Tweed Yes, they are different. The Australian sizes are different too. I noticed that an Aussie 8 is about equal to a US 2. So maybe the UK sizes are the same as the Aussie sizes. -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >>>>I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > noticed that an Aussie 8 is about equal to a US 2. So maybe the UK > sizes are the same as the Aussie sizes. They're not far off - an Aussie 8 is pretty close to a UK 10. But folks, don't believe the measurements they write on the labels. Even if the label says 26" waist, if you measure it you can bet it will actually be cut to fit more like 29-30". I was a clothing pattern cutter for many years before my current job, and like all new pattern cutters in their first job made my first pattern to fit the measurements printed on the label and was very promptly told that you never do that, 'cause if someone fits into your clothes and thinks their waist therefore must be 26", they'll be happier and more likely to buy. And there I was hoping the buyer would be happy because she knew she was deserving of our quality cloth and great workmanship! Go figure. seriously, you might be surprised what people really measure. Even professional models, who look even skinnier in person than you'd believe from their pictures, rarely have waists smaller than 27" nowadays. > >>>>I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to > > [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > professional models, who look even skinnier in person than you'd believe > from their pictures, rarely have waists smaller than 27" nowadays. I have noticed that now-a-days women do have larger waists than when I was young - I wonder why that is? When I was 19 my waist was 20", but I have exceptionally small bones and I grew up training to be a professional dancer and practicing 6 - 8 hours a day (plus, hoola-hoops were first introduced when I was a kid and I spent hours doing that). I've been hearing lately that milk (e.g. calcium) helps keep weight off especially around the waist - and when I was a kid doctors recommended drinking *LOTS* of milk, so maybe that had something to do with it also. Or maybe it is something as simple as women wore girdles and waist cinchers back then instead of hip-huggers and halter tops! ;> Hugs, CatNipped (plus, hoola-hoops were first introduced when I was a kid and I spent > hours doing that) Thanks for jogging a wonderful summer memory. My sister & I had the distinction of being the first kids to have a hoola-hoop that summer. Of course, we only had one and had to share it :-) Sherry > (plus, hoola-hoops were first introduced when I was a kid and I spent > > hours doing that) [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Sherry Bummer - I bet that caused lots of fights! "Mommmmmmmmmm! She won't let me hoola-hoop, she's hogging the hoop!" ;> Hugs, CatNipped > (plus, hoola-hoops were first introduced when I was a kid and I spent >> hours doing that) [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Sherry My hula hoop was pastel green. The envy of the street. Tweed > I have noticed that now-a-days women do have larger waists than when > I was young - I wonder why that is? [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > - 8 hours a day (plus, hoola-hoops were first introduced when I was > a kid and I spent hours doing that). 20"! Dang! I never hoola-hooped much as a kid, but I tried it at a party as an adult -- and man, does it give your abs a workout! Hrm, I should get myself a hoola hoop .. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > I have noticed that now-a-days women do have larger waists than when > > I was young - I wonder why that is? [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > adult -- and man, does it give your abs a workout! Hrm, I should get > myself a hoola hoop .. Man, I used to keep a hoola-hoop going for hours - making it go down to my knees and then up to my hands raised over my head. Back then they didn't have the "shoop-shoop" hoops (whatever that is inside that makes a rattling noise) - I think that unbalances the hoola-hoop and makes it harder to keep up and going. What we had were just very light-weight hoops. Now you've got me wanting to go buy one - yeah, they were very good for the waistline - as were the dances we did back then, like the twist! ;> Hugs, CatNipped >> I have noticed that now-a-days women do have larger waists than when >> I was young - I wonder why that is? [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > adult -- and man, does it give your abs a workout! Hrm, I should get > myself a hoola hoop .. It's actually making a comeback as an exercise routine. I read something about it in Oxygen I think. You can get weighted hoola hoops, 3 lb and 5 lb I think and there's a video with all sorts of exercises you can do with it. Sounds cool if you have a large room to do it in without knocking your cat off the coffee table! -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > It's actually making a comeback as an exercise routine. I read > something about it in Oxygen I think. You can get weighted hoola > hoops, 3 lb and 5 lb I think and there's a video with all sorts of > exercises you can do with it. Sounds cool if you have a large room to > do it in without knocking your cat off the coffee table! Ack! I don't need to add weight to a hoola hoop; it's hard enough as is! Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>>>>>I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to >>> [quoted text clipped - 56 lines] > > CatNipped Yup, I think the girdles had a lot to do with it. A bit like foot-binding really - you tie something that tight around your middle for that long, your body is eventually going to shift itself around and grow into the new shape, even to the extent of your internal organs moving out of the way. Couldn't have been too healthy, could it? Then again, we still put braces on kids' teeth... > Yup, I think the girdles had a lot to do with it. A bit like foot-binding > really - you tie something that tight around your middle for that long, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Then again, we still put braces on kids' teeth... I have small feet, and I used to be teased about binding my feet. Both my grandmothers didn't have their feet bind. Winnie > Then again, we still put braces on kids' teeth... Yeah, but my front teeth came out in front of my milk teeth. Until I got braces, I couldn't properly close my mouth because my front teeth were at a 45 degree angle. My lower teeth had braces, but it didn't take all that well. Getting braces on my upper teeth was life-changing, though. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca Ah yes, let's talk about braces. When we were all young, our dentist recommended braces. It was not covered by insurance, and my father said 'no way'. For what it's worth, 4 out of 5 of us grew up with relatively normal teeth. They straightened out by themselves. My sister, however, is the exception. Her teeth did not grow straight. In fact, her bite was so out of whack that in her 20s, after being married for several years, she finally had to get braces for years, then go under the knife to have her Whole Jaw removed and rebuilt, then put back in. Several accidents and 7 major surgeries later, she's known as a 'train wreck'. someone who will never get better. She has most of the function of her jaw, but peanut and hard crunchy items are only a distant memory. She get TMJ headaches that make her want to kill herself. In this long drawn-out process, they discovered a few other wonderful things about her body. As a family, we heal well, by the way. She's healed well, just not completely. They had to take out ribs to make her a new jaw hinge. What's the point? She blames our father. I say 'who knew'? My teeth looked awful when I was a child, but they grew in fine later on. We all did, except for her. By the time they realized how bad it was, she was in her late 20s, and married. Don't blame Dad, and don't blame the dentist. It was just 'one of those things'. She should have had radical orthodonture much earlier. Of course, I might feel differently if it had been me. I'm about to embark on a still-experimental treatment with my dentist to try and get my bite back to normal, but that's a whole 'nother thing. It's called neuro-muscular dentistry. I'm excited about it. Jane - owned and operated by Princess Rita, Orcat(t), and Spot. >> Then again, we still put braces on kids' teeth... > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >My lower teeth had braces, but it didn't take all that well. Getting >braces on my upper teeth was life-changing, though. I had braces when I was in my 30s, followed by jaw surgery so that I can chew with my front teeth. It was no fun. My insurance from work at the time paid for part of the expenses. I still have wires and titanium screws inside to hold my jaws together. Good thing I don't set off the metal detectors. I grind up almonds before I eat them. As a kid, my dentist said he would pull some teeth so to save my parents money in getting me braces. But the missing teeth may be causing gum problem. Now I don't have insurance anymore to pay for any dental work. Winnie > Ah yes, let's talk about braces. When we were all young, our dentist > recommended braces. It was not covered by insurance, and my father [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] >>My lower teeth had braces, but it didn't take all that well. Getting >>braces on my upper teeth was life-changing, though. > I had braces when I was in my 30s, followed by jaw surgery so that > I can chew with my front teeth. Winnie, why did the dentist want you to chew with your front teeth? Do you mean the bicuspids or the FRONT front teeth? Used to be my upper and lower front teeth don't touch while my back teeth are already touching. As a result I can't use my front teeth to bite when I eat, I guess chew wasn't quite the right word. I had an 'open bite'. My upper jaw was lowered to correct the bite. Winnie >> I had braces when I was in my 30s, followed by jaw surgery so that >> I can chew with my front teeth. > > Winnie, why did the dentist want you to chew with your front teeth? > Do you mean the bicuspids or the FRONT front teeth? > Used to be my upper and lower front teeth don't touch while my > back teeth are already touching. As a result I can't use my front > teeth to bite when I eat, I guess chew wasn't quite the right word. > I had an 'open bite'. My upper jaw was lowered to correct the > bite. Ahh, I see. I got you. I don't know exactly how my bite is "weird" as he did not elaborate. I have a bit of an overbite but it doesn't really show as I have a plump lower lip. If that makes sense. OMG, I sound like a monkey! Oh! Sorry you have to go through that. I watched my sister through all this, and never realized that she had a twin jaw out there. She's been written up and her jaw presented at dental seminars, and her X-rays and CT scans have so much glare they're hard to read. Yeah, she talks about setting off metal detectors, too. So far, not. She has lost most of her insurance, too, and her dentist is fighting madly to get further treatment covered, somehow. She has the million- dollar jaw. And now she has the million-dollar baby to match, but that's another whole story..... Jane - owned and operated by Princess Rita, Orca(t), and Spot >I had braces when I was in my 30s, followed by jaw surgery so that >I can chew with my front teeth. It was no fun. My insurance from [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >may be causing gum problem. Now I don't have insurance anymore to pay for >any dental work. > Ah yes, let's talk about braces. When we were all young, our dentist > recommended braces. It was not covered by insurance, and my father [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > Jane > - owned and operated by Princess Rita, Orcat(t), and Spot. Do you ever wonder if dentists sell us a bunch of work we don't really need? My teeth are straight and I have never had a cavity--however, my dentist has always told me that my bite is very weird. Do you think one day he will suggest I take a treatment to get it normal? Or is yours not normal for some other reason? > > Ah yes, let's talk about braces. When we were all young, our dentist > > recommended braces. It was not covered by insurance, and my father [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > I take a treatment to get it normal? Or is yours not normal > for some other reason? Ack - don't get me started on dentists! I once changed dentists when I moved a few years ago and my new dentist told me I had 6 cavities and that my teeth were so full of placque and tartar that they needed to be scaled. Well since I haven't had a cavity in the last 40 years I decided to go back to my old dentist (50 miles away) for a second opinion. Sure enough, not only did I not have any cavities, but my teeth just needed a light cleaning! That quack was going to drill 6 holes in perfectly sound teeth! And this happened to me *AGAIN* when I tried to find a new dentist in my area. I finally just gave up and I drive the 50 miles and see my old dentist! Hugs, CatNipped > > Do you ever wonder if dentists sell us a bunch of work we > > don't really need? My teeth are straight and I have never had [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > happened to me *AGAIN* when I tried to find a new dentist in my area. I > finally just gave up and I drive the 50 miles and see my old dentist! That is really scary. > Do you ever wonder if dentists sell us a bunch of work we > don't really need? My teeth are straight and I have never had > a cavity--however, my dentist has always told me that my > bite is very weird. Do you think one day he will suggest > I take a treatment to get it normal? Or is yours not normal > for some other reason? Dentists vary, like any other group of people. I saw a documentary in which a reporter went to a dentist in each of a number of Canadian cities with the same story - new in town taking up a professional position (ie possessed of dental insurance), looking for a new dentist, a routine checkup, and answers to a couple basic questions on her teeth. The cost and the work recommended varied enormously. I think only one dentist came up with the same advice as their 'control dentist' a professor from a dental school - no work needed, just keep up with regular checkups. My dentist tends to be quite conservative about doing stuff. I did have some orthodontic work done when I was younger, by another dentist, but that wasn't for a bad bite, it was for a more complicated problem. I sometimes think if I'd had my time back, I would have had the offending tooth removed even though that would have meant general anesthetic. The realignment etc. was painful and expensive. SignatureCheryl I think, like any professional, it's a case of 'some do and some don't. Maybe they even think they're trying to help us with proactive care. I do know that my current dentist has found problems that my other dentists didn't find, like the metal fillings were cracking my teeth. I've lost two already to that cracking, but he's managed to save 3 more by replacing the fillings with bonded ones. My first year with him, he worked on SIXTEEN teeth, and honestly, my teeth have never felt better. The reasoning behind this latest thing, the neuromuscular dentistry, is because 'they' have found that a lot of us have lived for so long with tense jaws that our bitess have become permanently maladjusted. The biggest clue in my case is these rotten headaches that I have had forever (since 3 years old). I'm a grinder, too, apparently, and have the mouth guard for that now. It also helps cut down on the headaches, at least when I wear it. So the real answer is, who knows? All I know is that I trust this guy more than I've ever trusted a dentist in my life. Jane >Do you ever wonder if dentists sell us a bunch of work we >don't really need? My teeth are straight and I have never had >a cavity--however, my dentist has always told me that my >bite is very weird. Do you think one day he will suggest >I take a treatment to get it normal? Or is yours not normal >for some other reason? > I think, like any professional, it's a case of 'some do and some don't. > Maybe they even think they're trying to help us with proactive care. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Jane Thank you for the input, Jane. You brought up a key point: we have to be able to trust the dentist we see. I asked because when I had my wisdom teeth removed (they were healthy but I have one of those heart-shaped faces with a very small jaw, so even just 32 teeth--the normal number--was too many) my dentist said I needed two root canals in other molars. Now, over fifteen years later, I have never had a toothache or any pain, and subsequent dentists have not found any cavities at all. So how could I have really needed two root canals? Maybe there is a dentist out there who can answer this! > >Do you ever wonder if dentists sell us a bunch of work we > >don't really need? My teeth are straight and I have never had > >a cavity--however, my dentist has always told me that my > >bite is very weird. Do you think one day he will suggest > >I take a treatment to get it normal? Or is yours not normal > >for some other reason? >those heart-shaped faces with a very small jaw, so even just 32 >teeth--the normal number--was too many) my dentist said I needed [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >Maybe there is a dentist out there who can answer this! I have 2 crowns and a bridge, all solid gold. (As long as they were back teeth, I wasn't going to pay for a tooth to be colored yellow, so I got real gold). All on LIVE teeth. I asked a dentist years ago about root canals, and he said that if the root wasn't actually damaged or infected, there's no reason for a root canal. So....I've fought tooth and nail to keep my roots, and so far, I'm winning. One of my teeth was SO rotted when I was 17, that the dentist had to dig down below the root, by hand (and let me tell you, that was NOT pleasant), but he saved the tooth AND the root. 10 years later I had to have the tooth crowned, and 15 years after that, the tooth was re-crowned. It's still a live tooth. I've always fought it and won. Not only do I not need the bill, I prefer my own roots. So fight for your teeth! Root canals aren't always necessary. Jane - owned and operated by Princess Rita, Orca(t), and Spot > >those heart-shaped faces with a very small jaw, so even just 32 > >teeth--the normal number--was too many) my dentist said I needed [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > So fight for your teeth! Root canals aren't always necessary. Actually, I did not go back because I was chicken! But this is good to know. > I think, like any professional, it's a case of 'some do and some > don't. Maybe they even think they're trying to help us with > proactive care. I think this is true. My previous dentist seemed like he was constantly coming up with new ways for me to spend my money, so I got a second opinion from a dentist I had reason to trust. The second dentist had a different opinion. It sounds to me, though, like a lot of this is a matter of judgement call. My previous dentist said that he wanted to crown some teeth to prevent potential cracking; my current dentist says that crowning creates a lot of trauma for the tooth, potentially resulting in a crack. He's more laissez-faire, I guess. But that attitude suits me better. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> I think, like any professional, it's a case of 'some do and some >> don't. Maybe they even think they're trying to help us with [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > tooth, potentially resulting in a crack. He's more laissez-faire, I > guess. But that attitude suits me better. Let me start by stating this is only my own opinion. I am not accusing any particular dentist. I have seen a lot of instances locally where a dentist has sold his practice when he retired to two or more young dentists. And where the patients that I know have suddenly needed a lot of expensive dental work. I have the idea that at least around here we have more dentists than we really need. As in it is difficult for many of them to maintain a profitable practice. And I know "practice development seminars" have become very popular with some segments of the dental services community. Sometimes this means learning how to run their practice better, sometimes it means learning how to milk your clients for more money. I'm very grateful to have a dentist we've used for years and that I trust. He stays plenty busy without dreaming up things to "fix" Jo >>> I think, like any professional, it's a case of 'some do and some >>> don't. Maybe they even think they're trying to help us with [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > Jo Due to facts that there is a shortage of dentists in the UK, and I hate going to the dentist anyway. Until last year when I lost a filling, I hadn't seen a dentist for 28 years, that filling was the only problem I had. Unfortunately the dentist I saw damaged the adjacent tooth, that has since been removed. I'm still wary of dentists. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) A house is not a home, without a cat. **Don't believe everything you think** > > I think, like any professional, it's a case of 'some do and some > > don't. Maybe they even think they're trying to help us with [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > tooth, potentially resulting in a crack. He's more laissez-faire, I > guess. But that attitude suits me better. When we first moved to this town, 36 years ago, I needed to find a new dentist. I went to one, who told me it would cost so much to put my teeth in good shape that I should just have them all pulled and get false teeth. I found another one who was more interested in saving teeth than in pulling them. They were fixed up for a lot less than the course the first dentist suggested. Joy > **Don't believe everything you think** > > > I think, like any professional, it's a case of 'some do and some [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > them. They were fixed up for a lot less than the course the first dentist > suggested. See, now this is what I mean about dentists. I have never had one I trusted. And having declined expensive procedures and then having no pain or any problem at all for years afterward, it is hard to believe my old dentist was trustworthy. >When we first moved to this town, 36 years ago, I needed to find a new >dentist. I went to one, who told me it would cost so much to put my teeth >in good shape that I should just have them all pulled and get false teeth. >I found another one who was more interested in saving teeth than in pulling >them. They were fixed up for a lot less than the course the first dentist >suggested. My current (lovely!) dentist has his new patients fill out a questionaire. Mostly it's about our fears of pain during dental work (he's very sensitive to that), but part of it is about our beliefs. We had a choice of 'money is no object, do anything to save my teeth', or 'whatever my budget can bear, but no heroic measures', or 'I don't care, just pull 'em all!' It was cool. For what it's worth, I'm in the 'whatever the budget can bear' school. I'm not rich, but I have a terrible fear of losing my teeth. I mourned for months when I had one pulled. This fear was probably given to me by my mother, who did lose a lot of her teeth due to poor care, so she was absolutely obsessive about our teeth. Good thing, too. And, this dentist saved no less than THREE cracking teeth by changing the fillings from metal to bonded. The bonded fillings hold the teeth together better, for longer. That's what he said, anyway. Jane - of the shiny yellow (but complete!) smile > >When we first moved to this town, 36 years ago, I needed to find a new > >dentist. I went to one, who told me it would cost so much to put my teeth [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > Jane > - of the shiny yellow (but complete!) smile He sounds like a great dentist! I wish I could find one around here like that. > My current (lovely!) dentist has his new patients fill out a > questionaire. Mostly it's about our fears of pain during dental work [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > my mother, who did lose a lot of her teeth due to poor care, so she > was absolutely obsessive about our teeth. Good thing, too. I have the same fear, and I would be very close to the "money is no object" line. Unfortunately, after this weekend, it looks very much like I need a tooth extracted. But there may be some miracle ... seeing my dentist this afternoon to discuss options. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I have noticed that now-a-days women do have larger waists than when I was > young - I wonder why that is? [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > cinchers > back then instead of hip-huggers and halter tops! ;> I also think, not about weight around the waist but general waist size, that height has a lot to do with waist size and the re-naming of sizes. Because I'm so tall, 5' 11", it is an impossibility for me to have a waist size of 24 inches, no matter how slim I am. I'm just "bigger". I believe that its reasonable to resize sizes to compensate for the increase in height amongst the population in general. My mom is 5' 4" and, if we were both in the same physical shape, she'd wear a smaller size just due to her height. I'm not a huge person but, because of my height and my broad shoulders, often wear an XL in a shirt. My mom, 7 inches shorter and relatively much more "round" than I am, wears a M. It's really amazing that anybody can find anything off the rack, if you think of it - we're all so vastly different! Susan M Otis and Chester > > I have noticed that now-a-days women do have larger waists than when I was > > young - I wonder why that is? [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > Susan M > Otis and Chester Yes, that's true. Due to better pre-natal and early-life nutrition and care now-a-days, children are just getting bigger than ever in history. But everyone has different body shapes. I'm only 5'5", but I have very long arms and legs and a short torso. I have a problem getting pant legs and sleeves that are long enough. I also have *very* small bones (DH says I have itty-bitty-birdie-bones) - I wear a size 4 on my ring finger and my wrist is only 5.5" in circumference. That's why I need a smaller size - but the smaller sizes tend come only in "petite" - it's almost impossible to find a size 4 regular or tall (and when I find pants that actually fit below the ankle, the waist is usually under my boobs, and when a blouse or jacket sleeve comes down below my wrists, it swallows me in the torso!!). You're right, it's rare that off-the-rack every fits exactly right. Hugs, CatNipped > Yes, that's true. Due to better pre-natal and early-life nutrition and care > now-a-days, children are just getting bigger than ever in history. But [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > jacket sleeve comes down below my wrists, it swallows me in the torso!!). > You're right, it's rare that off-the-rack every fits exactly right. I'm also long-waisted and short-limbed, although neither small-boned nor thin. I am also 5'5" which was at one time exactly average for a woman of North American/north-western European ancestry. And I have exactly that problem, which is why I almost never buy long-sleeved tops. I have to make an exception for winter jackets, but then I don't mind them having extra-long sleeves so much! My mother periodically helps me out with odds and ends like articles of clothing she claims to have picked up for absolutely nothing, maybe I can make some use of it etc. One of her recent picks was a knit top with long sleeves ended in kind of floppy cuffs or something, and cut short of course, since cropped tops are so popular these days. It was absolutely awful on me! I wish those extra-long type styles would come back in again. I have, if I like the top enough, chopped off the ends of the sleeves. But if there isn't enough fabric to cover your belly, there's not much you can do with it! SignatureCheryl >I'm also long-waisted and short-limbed, although neither small-boned nor >thin. I am also 5'5" which was at one time exactly average for a woman of >North American/north-western European ancestry. And I have exactly that >problem, which is why I almost never buy long-sleeved tops. I have to make >an exception for winter jackets, but then I don't mind them having >extra-long sleeves so much! And my family are all BIG. Even if we weren't fat folk, we'd be BIG. Tall. Long limbs. Big feet and hands. I'm 5'7 1/2", with an 8 1'2" wrist, size 11 feet, and a 33" inseam. As my brother says 'my sister. Big, Strong like ox' Both of us girls are. Of course,my mother made sure to let me know, often, that I was a huge disappointment to her for not being petite. She wanted petite daughters, not these Amazons (she wasn't petite either). When I was a whopping size 16, she used to cry about how I'd 'never lead a normal life because I was So Fat'. 200 lbs later I feel like I fit my self-image,finally. And, in spite of her, I have a perfectly fine life. A good career that I love, that actually pays a living wage, lots of friends and a rip roaring social life. So I never got married. Big deal. I have a college degree, the first one in my family! Finally paid off my last student loan at age 44, too. I done good. She didn't live to see me succeed, though. >My mother periodically helps me out with odds and ends like articles of >clothing she claims to have picked up for absolutely nothing, maybe I can >make some use of it etc. One of her recent picks was a knit top with long >sleeves ended in kind of floppy cuffs or something, and cut short of >course, since cropped tops are so popular these days. It was absolutely >awful on me! That's one of the reasons I like to sew for myself. At least my clothes fit. Pants are long enough. Sleeves are long enough. My butt is covered. (when I want it to be). My sister asks me to make clothes for her daughters, too, because it's getting harder out there to find little-girl clothes that aren't modified hooker-wear. They're gonna be tall ones, too. 6-footers at least. The family tradition continues. >I wish those extra-long type styles would come back in again. I have, if I >like the top enough, chopped off the ends of the sleeves. But if there >isn't enough fabric to cover your belly, there's not much you can do with The style will come back, eventually. Everything old will be new again. Jane - owned and operated by Princess Rita, Orca(t), and Spot. > And my family are all BIG. Even if we weren't fat folk, we'd be > BIG. Tall. Long limbs. Big feet and hands. I'm 5'7 1/2", with [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > paid off my last student loan at age 44, too. I done good. > She didn't live to see me succeed, though. Often all our mothers are doing is projecting their own insecurities on us. Mine sure did. My niece is an absolutely gorgeous Jessica Simpson type young woman. Her mother is petite and cute. My poor niece wanted to be just like Mom and tried to dress cute till she was in her thirties. Her wedding dress was one of the first things I've ever seen her wear that suited her own size and shape. Now my niece has a infant daughter. I'm sure her mother and grandmother are at a complete loss. The baby is adorable, but her hair is too dark to even pretend it is blond. (Unlike theirs) And it is straight as a stick. (Unheard of to either of them) Jo > Yes, that's true. Due to better pre-natal and early-life nutrition and > care [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > jacket sleeve comes down below my wrists, it swallows me in the torso!!). > You're right, it's rare that off-the-rack every fits exactly right. I'm the opposite, I guess. I'm 5'3" and have huge bones, short arms and legs and a "normal" length torso. Thank Bast Mandy took after Rob's side of the family...she has long legs and arms and small bones. She doesn't look like she pulls a plow for a living. Pam S. Pamela Shirk wrote: >> Yes, that's true. Due to better pre-natal and early-life nutrition >> and care >> now-a-days, children are just getting bigger than ever in history. >> But everyone has different body shapes. I'm only 5'5", but I have >> very long arms and legs and a short torso. I have a problem getting >> pant legs and sleeves that are long enough. I also have *very* >> small bones (DH says I have itty-bitty-birdie-bones) - I wear a size >> 4 on my ring finger and my wrist is only 5.5" in circumference. >> That's why I need a smaller size - but [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >> boobs, and when a blouse or jacket sleeve comes down below my >> wrists, it swallows me in the torso!!). You're right, it's rare that >> off-the-rack every fits exactly right. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Pam S. Dennis has a long torso and short legs. He usually can't find pants that aren't way too long. So he gets them hemmed, but that usually removes that bottom of the jeans part that's kinda frayed looking. Jeans just don't look right without that. There was one store in Canada that would cut that part off and then sew it back on and you couldn't even tell. We have yet to find someone over here who gets that concept. It's so funny seeing Dennis with all his relatives. You can totally tell they are all from the same family because they *all* have these really short legs. -- Britta (who gets a kick out of family resemblances because she doesn't resemble anyone in her own family) "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > They're not far off - an Aussie 8 is pretty close to a UK 10. But > folks, don't believe the measurements they write on the labels. Even [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > because she knew she was deserving of our quality cloth and great > workmanship! Go figure. Is this true for men's clothing as well? I've always preferred buying men's jeans because it seemed like their measurements were more consistent, and the numbers actually made sense. (32" waist at least is a reference point; wtf does "9" mean?) Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > Is this true for men's clothing as well? I've always preferred buying In my experience, men's sizes vary a lot from brand to brand and from "type" to "type". For example, I can be a 34" waist on brand X jeans, but 35" on brand Y jeans *and* 36" waist on brand Z slacks. SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com >>They're not far off - an Aussie 8 is pretty close to a UK 10. But >>folks, don't believe the measurements they write on the labels. Even [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > consistent, and the numbers actually made sense. (32" waist at least > is a reference point; wtf does "9" mean?) Good question - I don't really know for sure as I only did womens' and childrens' wear, but I believe that mens wear sizing does tend to be more truthful. It's interesting that the childrens' clothing rarely has measurements printed on the label, at least here in Oz. For toddlers up, all you get is a size number which is roughly meant to match the age of the "average" child the garment is meant to fit. > >>They're not far off - an Aussie 8 is pretty close to a UK 10. But > >>folks, don't believe the measurements they write on the labels. Even [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > all you get is a size number which is roughly meant to match the age of > the "average" child the garment is meant to fit. I'm not sure if this is urban legend, but it is plausible. Mens' sizes were standardized seriously as a result of the US Army in WWI finding that different manufacturers quoted sizes differently, and this caused procurement problems. The Army supply people measured a lot of men and published the specifications for sizes. If any manufacturer sent uniforms that didn't match their specification, the clothes would be returned. >I'm not sure if this is urban legend, but it is plausible. Mens' sizes >were standardized seriously as a result of the US Army in WWI finding [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >uniforms that didn't match their specification, the clothes would be >returned. You mean the folks working at the issue point actually cared enough to try to get unirforms to fit ?!? ;-) SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and the Evil Spot with loving memories of Rocky (RB) stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html For toddlers up, > all you get is a size number which is roughly meant to match the age of > the "average" child the garment is meant to fit. Heh... pretty much the same here in Canada. I have an 8 yr old, who apparently is the size of an average 12 yr old, and she's a girl! Kristy > I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to 100-110 > pounds.... A load of BS if you ask me > > My mom once said I should be a size 4. > > She hasn't said it since, but i've never forgiven her for saying that. AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That's horrible! Would she rather have an anorexic daughter who dies of a heart attack before age 30, or a fine healthy daughter who'll be there to take care of her in her old age!!!???? I *HATE* this "image is everything" society we're living in! People need to learn what's important in life and stop judging people by what's on the outside instead of what's on the inside. I still say, it's the size of a person's heart that matters, not the size of their hips!!!! Hugs, CatNipped > Kristi Hey, I am a size 4, size 2 sometimes depending on the manufacturer. But I am far rom anorexic. I eat my fair share. Just have small bones. All my life I've never been in a normal weight according to the chart. As a kid, I was teased about how skiny I am. Only found out recently my classmates nicknamed me sticks. My doc is not concerned, even told me to watch my sugar intake as I have a family history of diabetes. And I am way past my 30s. I am counting the years before I can collect a pension as I don't have a job. Winnie >> I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to 100-110 >> pounds.... A load of BS if you ask me [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > >> Kristi > Hey, I am a size 4, size 2 sometimes depending on the manufacturer. > But I am far rom anorexic. I eat my fair share. Just have small bones. All [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Winnie Oh Winnie, I didn't mean that everyone who is a size 4 is anorexic (in fact my daughter is a size *negative* one and is far from anorexic). What I meant is that if you're not *meant* to be a size 4 but that's your "ideal" and you starve yourself to get there, then *that's* a problem that can lead to serious medical risks. Being health has nothing to do with the numbers on clothes or scales - either small or large, it has *everything* to do with eating healthy and exercising appropriately. Hugs, CatNipped > >> I'm five feet tall exactly and I'm supposed to be closer to 100-110 > >> pounds.... A load of BS if you ask me [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > > >> Kristi Asians have a greater chance of diabetes, cause it runs in my family too. So I've got that against me and i'm "overweight" so as my mom put it I have a "50 percent chance of making it to age 60" or something like that.. hmph Hell, i'll be happy if I can just make it to 30. Sure I want to lose weight, but I also want to finish school. I want to train and be on the diving team next year and do well. I want to fix my financial situation and learn a lot more at work. I've got a ton of things I want to do, and losing a lot of weight just isn't that important to me right this moment. All my friends say I look fine and I feel fine. I'm happy to be alive and have the things that I have, and to me that's enough. All I need to do now is get financially independent and fine a nice man, and I'll be happy. Kristi Kristi, I am also Chinese and my age plus family history puts me at risk for diabetes. The only going for me is my weight. But I will lose more weight if I cut my sugar intake. So it is a catch-22. My cat Rusty is like me. He has always been skinny. TED told me to watch he doesn't become overweight. I only feed the recommendated amount and prescription food is just too costly to overfeed. Recently I found out Chico, the cat who live at TED's is the same weight as Rusty. So I think he is fine. I am sure you will make it to 30, way past it too. I remember how it was when I was 27, working at a dead end job. I was paid the equivalent of a high school grad, even when I had gone to graduate school. Granted, I didn't get any graduate degree. Eventually, I went back to school for my computer science degree. I had a fight with my Dad about putting me thought college for the 2nd time. So I ended up putting myselft through college and got my 2nd B.S. I went to university in U.S. paying foreign student tutiton fees with Canadian $$. It was about $1 Can to 80c U.S at the time. Fortunately I graduated during a hiring blitz and got a job right away. But after 20+ years on the job, I lost it due to downsizing. Don't worry. You will eventually be financially independent. Recently friends suggested me to train to work as a vet tech as I like cats. I also had experiences working with animals in a college dept. of zoology. But I don't want to go back to school again as I am near retirement age. BTW, I never found a nice man. But I am doing O.K. so far on my own. Winnie > Asians have a greater chance of diabetes, cause it runs in my family > too. So I've got that against me and i'm "overweight" so as my mom put [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Kristi > Sure I want to lose weight, but I also want to finish school. I > want to train and be on the diving team next year and do well. I > want to fix my financial situation and learn a lot more at work. > I've got a ton of things I want to do, and losing a lot of weight > just isn't that important to me right this moment. See, this is my problem. I'm into lots of strenuous exercise, and it's awfully difficult to lose fat when you're also trying to at least stay even on your athletic performance. If you eat less, you have less fuel for the workout. I do want to lose weight, but not if it means feeling like I'm dying every time I go for a ride. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > Sure I want to lose weight, but I also want to finish school. I > > want to train and be on the diving team next year and do well. I [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > -- > monique, It's probably much better to have some extra weight and feel good and be healthy. Skinny isn't always healthy. That's what's important. At least you're fit; that's the most important thing. A girl here I went to school with had that stupid stomach-stapling thing done last year. She wasn't even what you'd call morbidly obese. Always was a |
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