Finally good luck at Goodwill yesterday!

13 years ago

I went to Goodwill to look for some scrubs and jeans. I've lost 46 pounds and every time I go to work several people make comments about how big my scrubs are. I am wearing larges now, down from 1x's. I didn't think they were that big, but whatever. One nurse even told me that they were so big it looked tacky! I said something like "gee thanks" and then she said "that was a compliment!" REALLY?

I've been waiting for an old friend to send me both jeans and scrubs she can't wear anymore and offered to send. She just moved about a month ago and had to go search for them. Well, I'm not going to ask her where they are (that would be rude), so I thought I'd try Goodwill. I never seem to find clothes that fit me there or anything I would wear. Lauren and I went through most of the jeans, none in order of size, it was rather annoying and I wear petite (short) so didn't have any luck there. I ended up going to Wal-mart because their jeans are so cheap compared to other places and bought two pair for now. I got a swim dress too for our upcoming trip to Florida.

I did manage to find a few scrub tops at Goodwill, though! I'm so glad because they are so expensive and I don't know how long I'll be able to wear them. So, today I'm going to Lexington for pants and some thread to hem some scrub pants that I bought several years ago but never got to wear because I gained back all the weight I had lost at that time.

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Comments (21)

patti43
13 years ago
First, congratulations on the 46 pounds. That's amazing! I know it was a tough way to lose it, but you must be thrilled. I wouldn't spend too much on clothes at this point either. Who knows how long you'll be able to wear them.

Did you get to go to the park yesterday to walk? You probably do plenty of that at work. If your VA (isn't that where you work?) is as big as ours, you should burn off a lot in just one day. I count on Harry's appointments so I can get some exercise wheeling him around :-)

Have fun at Disney. Your exchange students will have another great memory to take home with them.
User
13 years ago
How did you lose all that weight? Great Job! When I bought scrubs I found them at thrift stores & yard sales, $1.to $5.
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des_arc_ya_ya
13 years ago
Girrrl, I am so proud and happy for you! 46 pounds is a LOT of weight! Try picking up a 50 pound sack of something and you'll REALLY feel a sense of accomplishment!

The Goodwill store that I go to in another town just keeps charging higher and higher prices. Saw a food processor in there the other day for $35.00! Uh, I don't THINK so!

Glad you at least found a few things.
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
13 years ago
Well, I guess I won't be scrub shopping today, seems they are all closed.

No, Patti, never did make it to the park. I do walk a lot at work, but for some reason it never seems to help with weight loss. There are a lot of overweight nurses at work right now on diets and we work out butts off.

Joann, I had gastric bypass surgery in December.

I paid $2.50 for each scrub top. Two were fairly worn but the third was nearly brand new so I think I got a good deal since that one scrub top alone in the store is about $26.
susanjf_gw
13 years ago
good for you! and yes it was a complement from your co-worker...when anyone can tell you're getting smaller it's sweet!
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
do you happen to have a Garden Ridge in your area? if so go there they have tables and tables of scrubs for dirt cheap $6. I see them at Big Lots often also, and they do have them at walmart too. Back when I had to wear scrubs I would buy material and make them they are very easy to make, if you know anyone that sews well you can probably hire it out for cheaper than most places sell them. I have made them for several of my friends too.

http://www.gardenridge.com/default.aspx
ruthieg__tx
13 years ago
I make them for my daughter too. I buy fabric when it is on sale and always have a stash.....I try not to pay more than $2 per yard on closeout....and then it takes 2 yards so I make them for about 4 dollars. I see them around town for 10 or 12 bucks but the quality isn't the same. They are easy to make but if you have to pay full price for good fabric then it's hardly worth it................
vala55
13 years ago
Congratulation Kathy. Glad to hear it has been successful. I think it was a compliment, even if it wasn't, you should take it as one. You've earned.
cate52
13 years ago
Well, our fair city has 2 Goodwills, 2 charity thift shops, Salvation Army, and a Habitate ReStore store.. I am blessed! But I will say that the quality & variety of what is donated varies!! One Goodwill is close to the University & get's completely different stuff than the other one! So I say - check out the stores anywhere you go! You might also just check out your local newspaper or go online?
nodakgal
13 years ago
Way to go Kath!
Wish I could help with the scrubs. I seen them in our second hand store, never looked at them though. Are they as spendy at Walmart? I know I've seen them in our Walmart..
socks
13 years ago
Good for you for the weight loss and for being economical about sizing down on the clothing. You must feel like a skinny-minny million dollars!
mboston_gw
13 years ago
When are you coming to Florida? If you get a chance to pick up a thin inexpensive rain jacket (the kind that folds up into a little square), get one for each person. We will start getting those daily thunderstorms soon and they are so short its not worth leaving the park to wait it out.

Fanny packs are great to use to keep your money, meds, or ID's in. If someone doesn't mind wearing a backpack, its great to have water and snacks in to save on buying them.
Disney is one place that allows you to enter with stuff.

Make sure to use the system where you schedule ahead of time the rides you want to go on. I can't recall whats its called but its like call ahead seating. Doesn't get you out of waiting in line totally but puts you ahead of those that don't do it. Get a map ahead of time and plot out the order you want to do the rides.

Some people, if they are staying close, will be in the park at the opening time, then take the hottest part of the day off to rest and head back out in late afternoon. Thunderstorms can come up anytime but as I said, they are scattered for the most part and you can get indoors easily.

It will be hot and humid here for you all - we are already into the mid 80's and even though its still nice in the morning, its hot by 10 or so.

Sunscreen is a must, baby powder is also good for skin chaffing and its best to wear a shirt with a little sleeve in it part of the time - the tops of the shoulders will get burnt even if you use sunscreen and its most uncomfortable so pack a t shirt in the backpack to slip on in mid-day.

Sorry, I know you didn't ask for advice but having lived in Florida and being at Disney where you see everyone burnt to a crisp, I thought I might offer some ideas.
Hope you don't mind. Enjoy your vacation.
summer_tx
13 years ago
Wonderful news about the 46lbs Kath. I didn't know scrubs were so pricey to order but everything else is so it shouldn't be too surprising I guess. Glad you found some changes at Goodwill. Hopefully you'll find more. Do you have like a Women's Crisis Center in your town. They might have a thrift store you could check out too. Or a clothing consignment or second hand store?
sue_va
13 years ago
Kathy, you have done so well with the surgery and doing all the right things. Congratulations!

I have been shopping for jeans recently and no matter where I look, any size that would be comfortable will be too long. I don't know any women who are 7 feet tall.

Sometimes I can find some at WalMart, and have them hemmed. I find WM jeans wear well, and since they are cheaper, two pairs will out last one expensive pair.

About the compliment, maybe she didn't mean it the way it sounded, but I would say it was a very tacky way to give a compliment.

Keep on keeping on!

Sue
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
13 years ago
Ravencajun, can't wear Wal-Mart scrub pants, they don't carry short sizes and they are all drawstring/low rise. Maybe I'll go to Garden Ridge and check them out. There's one in Lexington, haven't been there in probably 5 years or more.

Mboston, I bought all of us rain jackets when we went to Germany two years ago, the kind that fold up, we never used them. So, we have 3 of them if we need them. I'm bringing my purse, which isn't really big, but I'm keeping my wallet with me, cell phone, etc...a fanny pack won't carry all my stuff in it. Thanks for the tips, though. We are planning to use the fast pass system...I think that's what it's called.

Sue, I know what you mean, even the petite jeans I bought at Wal-Mart are a little to long for me.

I found some t-shirts and a pair of capris, which I never buy but they were cute (salmon colored) and comfortable. I'll probably look dorky because they are normal length and I'm so short, but I don't care. Went to Kohl's and Elder Beerman.
tami_ohio
13 years ago
Kath, congratulations!

Sorry, can't help with the scrubs, but found something else you might find useful for Disney. While shoe shopping at the Finish Line, I found Anti-Chafe. It's in a blister hanging package, and the container looks like a solid stick deodorant. I just bought mine, so haven't tried it, but I sure wish I had it years ago! I will be using it a lot this summer. It can be used in any body area that chafes.

Tami
mboston_gw
13 years ago
Kathy - I know what you mean about the pant/capri length - I am only 4'11" and the capri length is generally long on me. I was wearing a pair the other day and my husband asked me if they weren't a little "high watered" thinking that they should be long pants length. I told him no, that they were actually a little long for me. He looked at me like I was crazy and I just told him they were supposed to be shorts!
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
any that are too long just pick up some of that fabric tape at walmart or any fabric store, you just cut off the pants fold over the amount to hem grab an iron and put a strip of that tape in the fold of the hem and heat with the steam iron works great I have been using it for years. If you think it is a fabric that will fray just turn the edge under and make sure it is under the tape and that will seal it all closed.
this is the brand I always used
Stitch Witchery Fusible Web Tape

I had to find an easy method because every pair of pants I buy is way too long, and it is so hard to find the petite length.
kathi_mdgd
13 years ago
Congrats on the weight loss!!

Do you have a DAV(disabled anerican vets) thrift shop near you?? We have one here and there are always tons of scrubs there.
Kathi
redcurls
13 years ago
kath.....I thought you had the LAPBAND, not the gastric bypass...??? Or am I thinking of someone else....????
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
13 years ago
You're thinking of someone else Redcurls. I thought about the lap band about 3 years ago but decided against it.

Kathi, don't know about the DAV thrift shop, never heard of one in Lexington so I doubt it. There are Goodwills and Salvation Army there, and there's Peddler's Mall, which I never thought about looking for scrubs there. I may go by there tomorrow when I go to Lexington. Have to work today.

Finally good luck at Goodwill yesterday!

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patti43

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Finally good luck at Goodwill yesterday!

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