It's so hard to say goodbye...

...to your favorite pair of jeans.

I know I said I had things to post about Ukraine, but when crap happens, you just have to be flexible. If there's one thing I've learned in life...

I knew this day was approaching, but I never imagined being so.... bummed. 'Cause what do I do now? I mean really, what does one do after their favorite pair of jeans rips down the seam of the crotch, reminiscent of a fat guy in a little coat? Have a visual? Need I say more?

Don't be alarmed by the graphic images you are about to see. I just had to show you the poor things, embarrassing as it may be.

(Notice the large tear on the left side? Yeah, that happened almost a year ago but I couldn't bear to say goodbye yet, so I patched them up. Twice. In the same place. I think that's why they finally gave up and ripped on the other side. There's no salvaging that. You'd think I'd learn my lesson, lose some weight or just give up and buy some new jeans. But nope, uh uh, not me.)

Let's rewind three years to when I first bought said pair of jeans. I received a gift card for my birthday and it didn't take much thought to decide that I would spend the money on some new pants. I mean, what better way to spend birthday money, right?

They were in a stack of about six other pairs that I took into the dressing room and the last ones that I tried on. They were a size smaller than I usually wore, but I pulled them on, turned side to side in the mirror about ten times and decided they looked and felt fabulous. They were a little tighter than any other jeans I'd ever owned (and a lot more expensive) but the reflection in the mirror and my friends' reactions solidified the decision to purchase them. It was a done deal. An instant love. My first pair of Guess jeans.

Of course, I have gained some weight since then. Not a ton (ahem), but enough to stretch them. To their limit, apparently.

But they were like a true friend to me - they went with me everywhere, made me feel like a million bucks, and never let me down. They were everything - birthday jeans, night out jeans, dress up jeans, dress down jeans, make-out jeans, travel jeans, designing jeans, school jeans, feel good jeans... everything jeans. And they are the most well-traveled pants I have ever owned. They went to Seattle, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Las Vegas, California, London, Ukraine, Germany and Portugal. Gypsy jeans through and through. Time goes by so swiftly when you have pants like that. It was a good three years. Sniff, sniff. (Yep, you heard me... THREE years. Now that is a solid pair of jeans.)

However, now that they're gone I am running low on the jean count and will need to replace them as soon as possible. I'm sorry, jeans. Know that I loved you and will miss you dearly. You will be in my memory forever.

May you rest in peace. Goodbye, favorites. (Sniff, sniff, sniff).

Shopping anyone?