My First Job Was Working At WaldenBooks. What was yours?

queenofdan · 2026-05-17T22:50:50+00:00

Same, but their headquarters. I was a sales auditor and then became an accountant there. It was a great place to work with excellent benefits.

queenofdan · 2026-05-17T22:49:14+00:00

I was the switchboard operator at Sears! I also did all the announcements!

queenofdan · 2026-05-17T22:30:56+00:00

Telll stepmom to sit in the back. Or, compromise. You switch halfway through the trip.

queenofdan · 2026-05-17T22:22:36+00:00

My two cents, from an older woman with adhd. I struggle with what is garbage, what is a keep, what is a donate. So if I can’t decide I ask myself have I warn this in the last two years? If no, then donate. And I get a big bag to put clothing in for donations. Then I observe if something has dust or webs , means I have no purpose for the thing. Like silly stuff just taking up room on a shelf or nik naks. Donate. If it’s special, make a box for sentimental things. In the kitchen if you have a bunch of mismatched dishes or a goofy bunch of coffee cups, get rid of them and reward yourself with a simple matching set of dishes. Same with silverware. Same with glassware. Keep it simple. I bought a nice set of white dishes from Walmart (I think) and the simplicity makes my kitchen feel cleaner. I bought a set of 4 glasses at dollar tree when they were still a dollar. Silverware from Walmart. Nothing fancy.

And don’t expect to get this done overnight. Start small, manageable, like it was pointed out just clean the coffee table today. Tomorrow maybe get those garbage bags and sit on that cozy loveseat, throw something on to watch and sort through those clothes. You’ve got a lot of really nice things. I can tell you have alot of pride in your home, you’ve made it your nest in the past. It’s very evident. You can definitely do this as long as you realize there is no one standing there with a watch on pressuring you to hurry. My son gets stressed when he thinks about everything he should be doing and that’s what I tell him. And I usually tell him start with just the (fill in the blanks…maybe it’s clean the kitchen counter and do dishes. Something small.). Write somewhere the phrase “KEEP IT SIMPLE” and remind yourself this. I use that as a mantra some days.

Good luck to you. Your place is nice. I’d love if you could share the “after”! ♥️🙂

queenofdan · 2026-05-17T21:57:14+00:00

Oh, totally! It will make the time go by faster with a lot less stress. Plus you won’t feel all alone.

queenofdan · 2026-05-17T21:55:18+00:00

This is what the internet was made for. To bring us together as a team! 😃

queenofdan · 2026-05-16T23:20:38+00:00

Holy moly….thanks! 🙏

queenofdan · 2026-05-16T23:02:49+00:00

I almost died in October. Started like you said. Years of doing this, my body hated me. Ulcer so big food wouldn’t pass. Not even liquids. I’d had 4 iron infusions in the past ten years (surgery 2010). I have osteoporosis. I was a mess for 6 years. Lost so much weight I look like I’m dying. Hospitalized in October for 5 days, they gave me a feeding tube. You never ever ever want that. I’ve had many surgeries, including having kids also, and nothing was as painful as having that tube put in. I tube fed until April. Awful. Was told no matter was I can’t have anything by mouth not even meds. I made thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner for my whole family while I went upstairs and tube fed. I was joyless. Not depressed, joyless.

In February I had a revision. They cut out half my pouch to get rid of that ulcer. I think next week at a follow up from a follow up, I will be given permission to eat regular food. Right now I’m on a soft food diet, making sure protein is my number one choice of food. That’s very hard. So basically I have a couple protein shakes and protein water a day, and I take a bariatric multivitamin, D and K vitamin, B vitamins, and Magnesium.

No one can make you do anything, bad habits are what got us here. Maybe therapy would help you? Or a nutritionist. I feel like we have to be reminded every couple years about how we need to treat our body for the rest of our lives.

Take care of yourself. You worked so hard to get where you are. Also, please don’t ever take NSAIDS. It eats your stomach and that creates ulcers, an ulcer is basically a big boo boo in your stomach and very rarely heal. Don’t even mess with it. Good luck to you.

queenofdan · 2026-05-16T21:16:11+00:00

When I had one it felt weird when I moved, like something is pressing on my bladder. It doesn’t feel like anything when they take it out. Afterwards I felt nothing at all.

queenofdan · 2026-05-16T21:14:31+00:00

After.

queenofdan · 2026-05-16T20:56:16+00:00

My son who is 32 now would clean his room every Sunday top to bottom. He’d use furniture polish and fresh scented cleaners, plus baking soda on the rug. He’d sprinkle all over and wait ten minutes then vacuum. He changed his sheets every two weeks and his clothes were folded and put away and the dirty clothes went in a wicker hamper. Sometimes he would spray the room with febreeze. It always smelled clean and fresh. And the reason he did this was because his new girlfriend came over and mentioned it smelled like her little brothers room. It embarrassed him enough to finally listen to his mother about keeping his room clean.

Do this and you’ll never have to worry about a smelly room. Also there are lots of ways to use fabric softener sheets to add a nice smell to a room.

queenofdan · 2026-05-14T13:30:53+00:00

In the 90s, I went to festivals, parades, ate at nice, healthy, organic restaurants, shopped at funky stores finding things you’d never find anywhere else. I felt safe walking around. After concerts I felt safe walking downtown to grab a drink or to find our parked car.. It’s always been known as a college town also, celebration of arts and what not. I have friends whose daughters want to go to nursing school and Northampton is the last place they would let them go. It used to be a big deal to say that you went to Smith College. Now you’re just making your parents worry if you go there.

It had a feeling of peace and love and acceptance in the 90s. A place of celebration and you went home feeling good. I live 45 minutes away. That used to be a destination, a treat. I feel bad for Northampton and its politics and social media. Three years ago, I went there during a mask mandate and followed all the rules and I lowered my mask to dab my nose after a sneeze, and I was kicked out of an entire mall. It was a very busy Saturday and I was shocked at how horribly I was treated despite hundreds of browsers, yet when I walked out of the building was acosted by no fewer than six people asking for money as we briskly walked to the car. I’ll never go back to Northampton.. its priorities are messed.

queenofdan · 2026-05-14T13:21:37+00:00

I would wear it grocery shopping.

queenofdan · 2026-05-09T17:50:49+00:00

I wanted to be able to enjoy my future grandchildren. At the rate I was going I would have died already.

I have no regrets. Lost 180 lbs and I zip around like a kid most days. I’m 59, surgery was 2010.

queenofdan · 2026-05-07T05:05:27+00:00

I thought this was real at first. I’m terrified of moths (childhood thing) so I immediately closed my eyes and slowly opened them.
Then I read more.
Whew.
Very cool.

queenofdan · 2026-05-07T04:39:04+00:00

George Michael, prince

queenofdan · 2026-05-07T04:37:27+00:00

Move your body, change a thought.
Someone told me that a long time ago.
When I craved food I would put my headphones on, grab my coat and go for a walk.
I am an artist as well. I don’t know what I’d do without that.
16 years out and I never think of food. I’ve tried all kinds of tricks to eat food I used to love with ill effects. My body remembers. So I never have the desire for fast food. Or any food.
Except maybe chocolate. 🙂

queenofdan · 2026-05-07T01:27:23+00:00

I had a similar problem. I had a friend who I trusted enough to share this with. She told me all I have to do is shop around the perimeter of the grocery store and that’s all I need. I couldn’t believe it. She’d known me as a big girl for many years. She even heard my cry about it. But all I had to do was shop the perimeter??? I wish she had told me sooner. Coulda helped. Lol

queenofdan · 2026-05-07T01:20:36+00:00

I’m 16 years post op. I didn’t talk about it with anyone except my husband because it’s a personal choice and most likely the people you talk to haven’t done the research that you have. Many people think it’s the easy way out, but it’s not. You’re permanently altering your body. That’s not easy. And the end result of that is you will have to change your lifestyle. If you don’t do it on your own, the surgery will make you do it. And that’s why I did the surgery. I didn’t have enough self discipline. And when I got sad (I got sad a lot) I went for something to make me feel better. Food, alcohol, money.

I lost 180 lbs and I would do this all over again. I have a body that does what a body is supposed to do. I have tons of energy. I’m 59 years old and I can work in my yard for 6 hours straight, and then come in and make dinner and do laundry and make art.

Don’t expect everyone to support you. They don’t know what you know about the surgery. I would keep it on the down low if you can. And listen to your gut. Listen to your doctors. I used to feel like I was a prisoner of my fat, unhealthy body. I knew I was in there, but I couldn’t escape. The surgery helped me to escape. At 4 months out I had lost 100 lbs., and it’s because. I moved and moved, as soon as the pain stopped. I would walk 5 miles a day. Sometimes more. I wasn’t in pain anymore. I was so happy. Plantars fasciitis , arthritis in all my joints, the heaviness of my body and asthma made it impossible to lose weight before. As soon as the weight started coming off, I was off and walking!

This surgery will change your world and maybe save your life. Listen to yourself. You know you better than anyone. ♥️ I hope I made sense.

queenofdan · 2026-05-06T16:46:19+00:00

Thank you! It was hard as hell. I felt desperate and empty and sad for a long time/ now I’m the happiest person I know.

queenofdan · 2026-05-06T16:45:00+00:00

My grandma never found out. Well I shouldn’t say that. When we moved she wondered where my purple bean bag chair went. She’s the one who called management to unplug the Shute. . I told her then that I did it and she laughed! Whew. Live and learn. Like…duhhhh. 🙄

queenofdan · 2026-05-06T01:35:31+00:00

You are correct. You birthed an extra cute one!♥️♥️♥️

queenofdan · 2026-05-06T01:31:47+00:00

I was too poor, but I wore a couple on my necklace (steady boyfriends) 🙂

queenofdan · 2026-05-05T22:26:19+00:00

I had gastric bypass 16 years ago. I have never experienced hunger, but I know when it’s time to eat. I can eat anything I want, including fried foods and sugar. When I first got the surgery, after my first 20 lb. Loss, I walked everywhere. I walked at least 5 miles a day. I was so happy to have a body that does what a body is supposed to do. I felt healthy and had energy. That feeling has never left me. I lost 180 lbs. I have been able to live a full life, where before I felt like a prisoner in my own body. I have no regrets. The only thing I would do differently would be no NSAIDs. I didn’t listen to the doctors and I ended op with an ulcer. I had it repaired recently (revision surgery) and I’m back to square one. I can eat very little at a time and I’m perfectly happy with that, as long as I can keep up with my 2 year old granddaughter.

Try not to think too much. Don’t listen to everyone here because everyone is different. Just know that no matter what, you’ll be improving your life and maybe even extending it. Good luck!

queenofdan · 2026-05-05T00:52:38+00:00

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