NSV

Those of you who have been weight-loss blogging for a while will recognize that today's title stands for one of those unexpected, always-hoped-for benefits of diet and exercise and healthy living – the non-scale victory.

I haven't had much in the way of scale victories lately, so it was with great delight that I slipped – yes, slipped! – on the pair of jeans that have not fit all winter. It was cool enough yesterday that jeans were welcome. I have refused all winter to buy a larger size (I've been living in yoga pants the past three months), but I have also refused to try this pair on because I didn't want yet another blow to my ego.

I've been doing a lot of physical activity lately, though, and felt that maybe, just maybe, they would fit. They not only fit, they were comfortable.

My go-to NSV has always been my wedding ring. When it starts sliding around my finger, I know some changing is going on.

I worked at the garden center yesterday afternoon and brought home a little of my paycheck: two small azaleas and a gardenia, which will be the centerpiece of a brick planter in front of my house. They all look like not quite enough to fill the space, now that I have them here.

When I moved to this house, the areas on either side of the front porch were filled with tall, ugly evergreen shrubs, things no one ever trimmed or cared for. They were taller than I was, which made trimming impossible. I eventually had them taken out. We had the concrete porch redone several years ago, and at the same time had brick planters built. I've got some perennials in there – hostas, dianthus, artemesia, some other pretty plants that I can't name – but it's haphazard and unattractive. I think the plants I brought home yesterday are a good start in the landscaping home improvement project.

I won't be weighing myself on the first of the May, as I'll be out of town. Not sure yet if I'll record this month's progress on April 29 (the day I leave) or May 4 (the first full day I'll be home). I'm thinking the 29th, as the trip will mean navigating some tricky food situations. One thing for sure: I'm having birthday cake at my baby girl's 40th birthday party.