As I have gone down a notch on my watchband and nearly a notch on my belt, I decided to pull them out and give them another try. The verdict? All but one fit comfortably and the one snug one was still wearable. Granted, this only means that I finally fit the size that I've claimed to fit for the past decade. Still, I can't help but feel a great deal happier at this discovery. If nothing else, it substantially increases the number of pants that I have available for my use.
Yet this discovery's real treasure is how much happier it has made me. Old jeans do have many uses.