White noise machine

Middle's boy's mom got this for him. It is a white noise machine. He uses it pretty much where ever he sleeps, unless middle has it, then he sleeps with a floor fan, like I do.

Middle just finished summer school. She had a roommate, she was in a noisy dorm, and she did not have a window air conditioning unit.

The last two years, she has had a window unit put in her room (asthma and allergies). And that allowed her to use the unit as white noise. Whether she had it set for cold air or was just using the fan, it worked great to mask the noise of her dorm. I slept in her room many times last year, she was at the junction of two halls, could not hear a thing outside her room.

Middle sleeps with an air filter running at home.

I sleep with a floor/box fan running on medium at home.

We are both white noise people.

When her summer school room was very noisy, her boy brought her his white noise machine to try. She and her roommate loved it.

You can see from the size (below) that it is very convenient.

So, she and her roommate used his white noise machine for their last several weeks of school.

It came home with them one weekend so I could try it.

I loved it too.

So, I ordered two. One for middle and one for me.

Mine is in my travel case, with the rest of my packed things, so I can just GO anytime needed. I still use my floor fan at home.

Middle has hers (white noise machine) because she will be in the same type of room (central air, not window unit) next (her last already!) year. She will have the same roommate who needs white noise too.

I ordered ours from Amazon.

I ordered two single units. I got free shipping.

There was also an entry to buy a dual pack. I could not figure out why the dual was more expensive than ordering two of the singles. I must have been missing something. But if you are ordering, check it both ways to get the best deal.

This little unit will solve a lot of travel problems for me. I need white noise. Taking a boxed fan is not very convenient, but we have done it. Sometimes we count on being able to use the fan on the heating/air system in a hotel room. Sometimes these can be left on all night, sometimes they turn off and on many times during the night. That on and off thing is a real problem for me.

Oldest will be home later this summer. I am going to have him try my new unit to see how it works for him. He travels a lot. He is a white noise person.

Youngest refuses to be a white noise person because she does not want to be dependent on a machine.  I understand, but that philosophy makes it harder to live with her. The rest of have to sort of live our noise life around her sleep schedule. We have a pretty quiet house. We no longer have a house phone line, so that is not ringing (actually most of the time I had the ringer turned off because that jarring noise really bugged me). There are doors on nearly every room in the house and we use them. We keep music and TV's volume at a very reasonable level. The whole house winds down in evening hours. We had a nearly silent garage door opener installed. We are quiet- ish people. I would prefer she sleep with white noise and just accept dependence like the rest of us, but so far she refuses.

My husband would prefer not to sleep with white noise, but acquiesces because I have to have it. And  there is a huge difference in my quality of life with sleep vs without sleep. And my quality of life impacts everyone else's quality of life.

All of us use white noise vs sounds from nature or music. I think some of us need the white noise to block other jarring sounds. And some of us need the noise of the white noise itself AND the noise blocking. I am in that second category, dual need.

Dresses - I have to try on multiple sizes, every time.

I had a year where I lived in 3/4 sleeve blouses. Then I didn't wear them for a several years, and almost got rid of them. But this year, I wore them all spring. Beloved again.

The summer of the boot (2012), I lived in the four skorts that now live at Brenda's. Lived in them. But then wanted them gone because they were confinement related.

Last summer I had several dresses I wore and wore and wore. This summer, I can't even remember which ones those were.

I am not sure how I found the dresses (below). I don't read Women's Day or Women's World, so it wasn't there.

I have not been able to wear wrap dresses in the past. Just never worked right with my chest.

These dresses work great. I don't know if it the dresses or the fact that I had my chest 'fixed', but either way, these dresses work super well for me, now. But I had to reorder to make them work.

I always order things in two or three sizes, to try.

This time I only ordered (the first two dresses below) in medium. I wore them several times each.

Then I thought - wonder if I should have gotten these in smalls?

So, I hemmed and hawed for a few days and reordered in smalls. When they came, I realized, yes, I did need the smalls.

I could have returned the mediums, because at LandsEnd you can return at any time, for any reason. But I did not feel right about doing that (it was my own mistake, I had worn them several times each). So, I passed them on to a friend.

Moral of the story - must try everything in at least two sizes and sometimes three. Something will seem as if it fits, but unless I have comparison, I don't really know which is the best fit.

This dress is very fitted all the way around the bodice. Very fitted, which I love. The way the top is cut and hugs, it makes me think of ballet or yoga clothing. Really love it. And the wrap, lays perfectly. No tugging, no awkwardness.

The cut of this dress reminds me of Marilyn Monroe era dresses. Not as full, but that same sort of style (in my mind anyway). This dress looks like a million bucks. I am a sucker for blue and white floral print, really like it. Chest works perfectly fine on me. In the past, it would not have.

I ordered the same blue print in orange. Looks great with my denim jacket. Love the combination of orange and denim. 

This is a great green with blue dots. Same cut as the aqua one above. Love this one even more. 

Actually returned this one (to Sears). It looks great in the picture (same as aqua and green dresses above). But in person did not like the pink dots. Too something for me.

Still making headbands for extended friends and family, fun little project

Headband post #1

Headband post #2

So today is the third headband post.




I needed more 7/8" black velvet ribbon.

Went to JoAnn's because I only needed enough for 3 headbands (ribbon/elastic headbands from post #2 linked above).

My husband was with me. We looked high and low and could not find the right spool.

My husband finally said - I think you had better go find a clerk.

I found a good one, assistant manager who has worked there forever.

I explained that I had bought a whole spool of 7/8" black velvet a few weeks ago. And now could not find it.

She looked, she checked shelf tags.

Finally she said - you bought a whole spool?

Yes.

She asked if I remembered how much it was.

$3 something.

She asked if was still wrapped in plastic, unopened when I bought it - ?

Yes.

She said I had picked up a buy the yard spool which had not yet been opened and the checkout person had sold it to me at the buy the yard price. (So I paid for 1 yard and got many yards.)

She said - Deal of the century.

I said - Really deal of the century because I also used a 40% coupon . . .





So, if you (reader) are making these headbands, order from my ebay lady.

7/8" velvet ribbon in 5 yard lengths ($1.48 per yard)

1 1/2" velvet ribbon in 5 yard lengths ($1.20 per yard + shipping)


Shipping is free on the 7/8" and if you talk to her thru ebay, using "request total from seller" button on shopping cart page, she will adjust shipping for multiples on the 1 1/2" too.

The real bonus, besides the price, is she has great colors.

skorts for riding my bike

Brenda will remember this, because she now has them.

When I was in my boot for the whole, very hot, summer of 2012, I wore several skorts from LandsEnd.

LandsEnd has generous cuts. They were size 6 and very roomy. So I could get them on and off over the boot, they were loose and cool in the heat, I could put my foot up and not flash the world.

At the end of the summer, they were boxed and sent to Brenda because they were darling, someone should get wear out of them, but I was totally sick of them.

I still can't look at the chair I sat in for middle's pregnancy (she is now 20). So, this is a trend for me. Some things are beloved and worn until they wear out, but if it is a confinement thing, when the situation is over, I want them g-o-n-e.

I am a skirts and dresses girl almost all the time. I go to the grocery store in a dress. I run errands in a dress. I clean out the dishwasher in a dress.

The first time I got on my bike to ride to the pool, I was wearing a dress. I pulled the front part of it sort of through my legs and sat on it. And I almost fell over trying to maneuver because the dress got hung up on the seat. Middle saw this and my husband saw this and said - that is not going to work.

I just am not so much of a shorts girl unless it is absolutely necessary (zip lining for example).

I did not want my same type skorts again (still sick of even the general idea of them) so I looked for other options.

I found solid KNIT skorts from LandsEnd that are shorter and fuller. Not obscenely short, but shorter, which actually looks very cute and is great for being out of the way on a bike. And while they were skorts, they do not look at all like the ones from the summer of the boot. Totally different vibe.

I had never really understood the appeal of running skirts until I tried these skorts. I realize they are not the same thing. But the look is similar. Now, I totally get it.

Both of the skorts pictured below are a full skirt with a full short under it. It is NOT a skirt in the front and shorts in the back like some skorts are made.

When I was looking online, this is the style I thought I would love. I ordered it in a 6 and an 8. When it came, the fullness around the middle bothered me. I definitely needed the 6 (actually wondered if I needed the 4). I had to try the 6 on, several days in a row, to decide if this was a keeper. And jury is still out, I get to edge of returning them, and then can't decide and wait for the next day to try again. 

This skort is perfect example of why I have to TRY different garments in different sizes. Looking at this style in the online catalog, I did not think I would like it. But since there were only two knit, plain skorts, I ordered both styles in two sizes each. This one ended up being the one I LOVED. I needed the size 6 in this one also. 

I immediately ordered this same style in gray (size 6). And ordered two more in navy. When I am home from my bike ride, I can do lawn work in these skorts or do my abs/arms work. I know from experience if I LOVE something, get more, because next week or next year, they might not be available. And these are so basic that they go with anything. Very generic bottom.

I am not a khaki color girl. But this skort does come in that color. 

Father's Day

Karen Anderson (2011) with one of my very favorite Father's Day posts.

My new bike

My former bike was a garage sale find.

We got a new seat and handle bars.

The additions allowed me to sit up straight which was easiest on my lower back.





The last time I was on that bike was 2011.

In 2012 I broke my foot/was in a boot for the summer and was having equilibrium problems.

In 2013 I did not get on my bike nor in the pool (for whatever reason).





My family rides bikes to and from the pool all season.

Even if I was not getting in (the water and weather is WAY to cold for me so far) the pool, I at least wanted to go with them this year.





My husband has not liked the narrow tires on my garage sale bike since the beginning. He is afraid of ruts and holes in the street, crevices between grass and sidewalk in many lawns, space between planks on wooden walking bridges.





We bike shopped last week. We went to each bike shop in town saying - we need wide tires, peddles slightly forward of seat, handlebars which would allow me to sit upright, broad seat, 3 speed, back peddle style brakes.

These were beach cruiser style bikes.

I really just had to ride each one to see what I liked.

Yes, expensive.






I ended up with a Brownie.

I have ridden it to the pool and back, several times now.

It is very comfortable, easy to ride, steer, stop, balance.

I like it very much.

It was worth the money.





I honestly thought middle would immediately want one, but surprisingly she did not. She actually prefers a boy, cross country type of bike. That is good. My husband was not buying another one.  .  .





Here is a borrowed picture of the light lavender color brownie I got -

Here are 2 borrowed pictures of the basket my husband got for me -

Basket detaches from the bike with the push of a button and can then be carried by its handle. So I can put my pool things in it, and then carry the whole basket into the pool area. I can't carry anything heavy (like 5 water bottles or script for youngest's next show in a big binder) or it messes with the steering. But my towel, phone, drink, etc is fine.

If you have college or graduate school age guys in your life, you might have noticed this trend . . .

Beards.

Some of these guys grew beards as part of the No-Shave November movement. And then just kept them.

Some grew them as a bit of rebellion coming out of high schools with strict no facial hair policies.

Some grew them because they were finally able and wanted to show every other guy they knew that they could (a definite guy thing).

Some grew them because they have baby faces and realized they would look older with a beard.

Oldest (who did grow a beard last winter) says he thinks it is a reverse percentages thing. Because beards are not worn by the majority, they are desirable to a minority who want to look different. We have not yet seen his beard in person, will see him later this summer.




And if these boys have steady girl friends, whom they spend a lot of time kissing, they need to know about rinse out conditioners.

A good rinse out conditioner softens a beard hugely (and prevents beard burn on their girl friends).

Beard burns hurt (and show).

It is news to most younger guys that they need to condition their beard to protect their girlfriend's skin.

The headbands continue

I wrote about The Great Headband Project of 2014 that was my first headband post. Today is the second. (Later, I wrote a third headband post here.)

In comments (on that post) Jen left links to headbands made with ribbon. Link one. Link two. Silky or grosgrain type ribbon on the top for decoration, velvet ribbon on the under side to prevent slipping, elastic in the back to hold it in place.

7/8" ribbon

I tried a couple and the girls loved them.

My girls have smooth/silky type of hair. We have great difficulty with things (headbands, barrettes, etc) sliding. It wouldn't seem like velvet ribbon stay put in silky hair, but it really does.







So, I started on headband project #2 -

We obtained the circumference needed for each girl (I was making for middle, youngest, middle's best friend, then another of middle's friends who happened to see the headbands and wanted some too . . .) by tying regular headbands (from my original post) on their heads, slipping off, measuring.

I discovered, while making ribbon headbands, there can be a half an inch difference in circumference of ribbon headbands, depending on whether I take an inside measurement or an outside measurement. This must be due to the thickness of the layers.  So I learned to slip the ruler inside to get an exact circumference as I made each one.

Both of my girls needed 21" (inside measurement) headbands. Middle's first friend needed 19" (she is from the Far East and very tiny). Middle's second friend needed 21" also.

As I mentioned, I tried a couple headbands (before buying bulk supplies). To see if I could do it. To see if the girls loved them. To work out the whole measurement thing. Really important, ribbon is expensive.

The original set of instructions (link two at top of this post) used two different widths of ribbon (wide silk, narrower velvet). I used the same width for each headband. I made some headbands with 7/8" ribbon (silk and velvet). I made other headbands with 1 1/2" widths (silk and velvet).

I used 3/8" elastic on the 7/8" ribbon and 1/2" elastic on the 1 1/2" ribbon. I used white and black and nude elastic which I bought at JoAnns with 40% off coupons. 

I am on JoAnn's email mailing list. They send a couple sets of coupons every week. I also am on their snail mail list. And they put coupons in newspaper. They allow multiple coupons in each checkout. I bought a few things each trip. EVERYTHING I bought was with 40% coupon.

I bought all my silky and grosgrain ribbon (washable, NO wire) at JoAnns (using 40% off coupons on each spool). 

I ordered all my velvet ribbon from jpribbons on ebay because I wanted matching colors. JoAnn's has a small amount of black velvet ribbon only (at my store).  On ebay, ordering from jpribbons, click the "request total from seller" (top of shopping cart, in tiny print) about making shipping come out right if ordering multiple kinds/colors/widths. Here is her 1 1/2" velvet ribbon. Here is the 7/8" velvet ribbon. She and I chatted on email about colors (she carries a lot of browns) too, she is very helpful.

The instructions (links at top of this post) fused the two ribbons together when sewing (to prevent slipping and to hold in place because they used two different widths of ribbon). I did not find that necessary (at all). I have been sewing for a very long time. I used the same widths of ribbon.

The instructions sealed the ends of the ribbons by singe-ing.  I cut them with pinking shears and then zigzagged the ends (to prevent fraying and to hold the elastic). I also turned the cut edges of the ribbons in/folded them under, I am not sure the instructions did this.

The instructions used precise measurements. With turning the edges under and the slippery-ness of the silk ribbon, I did not rely on the accurate-ness of my cut measurements. I cut everything carefully. But slipped the ruler in, before sewing the second end of the elastic (closing the circle), for a final measurement. The final measurement for my girls (and one extra friend) was 10 1/2" (21" folded in half measuring on the inside). And for middle's best friend it was 9 1/2" (19"). If I measured on the outside, the inside was actually a full 1/2" smaller which made the headbands feel too tight on all of them.

I made a sign and tacked it on the bulletin board above my sewing machine so I did not get confused as I sewed:

Middle and youngest and middle's other friend
21" finished
10 1/2" folded in half
Cut ribbon at 20"


Middle's best friend
19" finished
9 1/2" folded in half
Cut ribbon at 18"






Yes, I am visual too. I took step by step pictures for you.

Two ribbons, wrong sides together, stitching down sides.

Here you can see the two wrong sides, together.

Here you can see the edges folded under to seal the pinked ends. I didn't actually pin as I sewed, but I pinned here so the ends would stay under so you could see.

I stitched all the way to the end and then reversed stitching to lock

I then slipped the end of the elastic between the two ribbons

I put the needle down into the ribbons, lifted the presser foot, and turned the ribbon so I could first straight stitch over the end, holding the elastic in place and then zigzagged over the end several times.

Here is the zigzagging (hard to see)

Then I sewed down the long, second side of the headband, turning the edges under when I got to the other end

I then took the headband out of the machine to do an inside measurement (9 1/2" for middle's friend on this one). I then cut the elastic, pushed the end down between the two ribbons and sewed the other end shut with first a straight stitch and then a zigzag stitch.

Right, front side of finished headband

Back, right side of headband

Close up of elastic on back, right side of headband

Wrong, back side of finished headband

Close up of the wrong, back side of an end. All my girls (receiving these headbands) have long hair. The elastic does not show when they wear them. 

1 1/2" ribbon, 1/2" black elastic

7/8" ribbon, 3/8" white elastic

7/8" ribbon, 3/8" black elastic

1 1/2" ribbon, 1/2" white and nude/flesh elastic