Random Questions

I tried a magnet on my cookware and none of it will work with induction. sad trombone noise

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I also have the same as @Sunflower. I’ve used it for five years or so. I use the sunset feature too, and also wake to the bird sounds, haha. The bird sounds are realistic enough that in the summer I get confused when actual birds (with the same morning song!) are chirping earlier than my alarm :blush:

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I have a steam iron that requires demineralizer in the water tank, I need to swap it out and I’m wondering if I need to dispose of the old in a certain way. Google just told me that most people throw it out but I can’t figure out what its made of to feel ok with that answer. Anyone here know?

It’s this, but the product description is sparse https://www.amazon.com/Mineralizer-Gravity-Feed-Steam-Iron/dp/B004YTHWTU/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=sapporo+iron+demineralizer&qid=1581195420&s=arts-crafts&sr=1-9-catcorr

Our stove came with a full set of nice pots. That’s so weird but it did! Including non stick. But our old pans were hand me downs so we didn’t mind switching them out.

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I just looked up my social security online. After using last years smaller income, they did lower my benefit amount at retirement. The income they are currently using is a much more reasonable (much smaller) amount than the previous year when I made lots of extra commission. Now fingers crossed that it does still exist in 20 years. Thanks for the info, you guys!

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Good ideas for organizing gloves and hats that’s wall-hanging and doesn’t stick out too far? I was thinking maybe decorative hooks or something. The entryway we use the most frequently isn’t near any closets and is basically just a small hallway off the kitchen so I’ve been stashing my gloves on the counter but my wife doesn’t like the clutter

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Hmm there are a lot of Pinterest/diy projects using clothespins on a wall hanging for notes, I wonder if that couldn’t translate to hats/gloves with extra spaces in between rows?

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For our baby wraps, we do cloth grocery bags on wall hooks. Corrals lots of little pieces, visually clean.

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For that matter just attach the clothespin directly to the wall. You can glue one side to a wall and then still be able to use the pinching function.

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I’d be worried about hooks damaging any knitwear, if any of your hats are knits.

I like the clothespin-glued-to-wall option! That seems really flat to the wall but relatively easy even if you’re coming back in with cold rigid hands – you don’t need a ton of dexterity, just to be able to shove the heel of your palm against the pin and to hold the glove/hat in your other hand.

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I feel like clothespins would slow down the flow of traffic at the door? We don’t have to deal with gloves here but coats all go on a big hook thing and shoes all go on the bottom shelves of a wire shelf unit (bonus: all the dirt falls through to the bottom and is easily vacuumed). If we had anything more energy intensive than a coat hook it would never get used because we’re lazy.

Gloves - maybe like one of those mail sorter things? A smaller version of this or a clear wall hanging unit if you need something more shallow?

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The wall hanging thing might work. I’m gonna look at some ideas when I go to Lowe’s for some other stuff later this week.

It’s mainly my couple different pairs of gloves that I use for chores and whichever kid is doing chores with me that month and a hat so not a ton of stuff. I just like the convenience of having it right there by the door.

Pretty sure my wife would veto clothespins on looks alone

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I use these: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Houseware-Pockets-Hanging-Organizer/dp/B07CG2R9ST/ref=asc_df_B07CG2R9ST/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241956005702&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10422600026764781033&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027744&hvtargid=pla-450465023969&psc=1 all over our house and they’re amazing. Granted, they’re mostly in closets, so you’ll have to decide how you feel about asthetics (although you could get opaque ones). On walls, I just put screws into the wall to hang them on instead of using the over the door hooks. I have one on each side wall in our coat closet and one on a wall in our cleaning closet. We put shoes, keys, gloves, hats, all our family’s socks, etc. in them and they’re amazing for that. Easy to stuff, grab, or go.

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This is basically what our grocery bags mimic:

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I know socks have been discussed before, but not specifically wool sock recommendations I don’t think.

I do really like SmartWool socks. I used to have (years ago) more pairs, but I am down to just 2 of the heavier duty winter hiking socks. I just threw away a dozen old, not good, (not wool) socks, and I want to get some more wool socks. Not cotton or silk (although silk sock liners are great) or any kind of synthetics - my feet freeze nearly year round and the only remedy is wool socks. Even in summer wool are better for hiking.

So my question is, are there any other brands that are just as good as SmartWool but more economical? I only have experience with SmartWool. I have heard the REI brand are good, are they as good? Or even better (but more expensive) recommendations? I am right now specifically thinking about short wool socks for summer (ankle socks) but any wool sock recommendations (including knee socks, but those are super expensive) welcome. (Also silk sock liners.) :slight_smile:

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I’ve not been impressed with the durability of any particular wool sock brand. I love the wicking quality of them but everything I’ve tried seems to last about the same amount of time (REI, Smartwool, Darn Tough, Kirkland, Goodhew, with Wigwam being a notably shorter lifespan sock). My pair of Darn Tough was my favorite pair in initial quality but I still need to get around to going through the warranty process (they have a lifetime guarantee) and see how that goes before I’ll commit to buying any more. Currently I’m mainly wearing Kirkland/Costco brand because middleweight crew socks work for me in nearly every season and they’re only like $3/pair IIRC. I might get some more REI ankle length for summer because my current ankle socks are pretty worn but they’re $10-12 a pair.

I will note you can often find good deals on wool socks (including Smartwool) that are close outs or 2nds on Sierra Trading Post. They do have some physical stores as well.

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I second the recommendation of Costo/Kirkland wool socks and wear them year round. They are about $3/pair.

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I looked at the Costco website and they don’t have them in womens sizes, only mens. The smallest mens size is far too big for me, so it looks like this won’t work for me. (I also don’t have Costco. My parents do, but I would have to have them find and them send them. Which might work, but only if they would fit, which it does not appear to.) Many reviews also seem to state that the quality has gone down over the last few years?

My SmartWool socks that I still have are around 20 years old, I wear them about once a week in the winter, and on big hikes, but not in the summer because they are too tall (and they are quite thick). Come to think of it, I think I did get them at Sierra Trading Post all those years ago, when I lived in Nevada. It is possible they have a higher merino component now(?). I also really like their ecological and sustainability stances.

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They do have ladies size socks in store, but not 100% sure if they have them all the time or only occasionally.

20 years??? Dang. I am lucky if I get 5 years and many have only lasted 1-2 years but I tend to wear mine several days in a row before changing them.

Check and see if you have Sierra near you. There’s one only 45 minutes away from me. But their shipping rates aren’t too bad.

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The Costco socks are on Amazon in the same patterns as before. They’re a wool blend thats a lottle fluffier than others and have lasted the longest of any brand I’ve worn. By far my favorite in the last 20 years. I haven’t bought them in two years so can’t speak to the most recent batches.

I have this year’s REI wool socks and they’re great. I’m not a big Smartwool fan, at least in the last ten years; it just doesn’t last as long as other brands I’ve used. I only have one pair of DeFeet socks, and they’re cycling socks so not thick, bit the wool gloves I have from them are amazing.

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