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Replacing the much lamented 'On My Mind' profile option, this thread is for musings, jottings, whimsies, preoccupations and the rest of the thesaurus for anyone to jot down anything they please.


I can't remember what the maximum character count was before, can anyone else? But anyway it wasn't very many so let's keep to that.

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cwillie,

I could never wear Sketchers either. New Balance or Naturalizer brand for me. If you have wide feet or any kind of feet trouble these two brands will fit nice.
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A mall store carried Sketchers years ago, and the sales clerk convinced me they were wide. Had to take them back.
That was when I learned I really did need to buy a "wide" sized shoe.

Used to buy Easy Spirit.

Looking now for "barefoot" style shoes, but not off the internet.
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Castle, I bought a pair of Sketchers on clearance from Coldwater Creek in 2019 and I love them. They are very dilapidated but still so comfortable. I’ve bought a few others but still keep hoping the company will bring back that particular style.
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I wish I could buy Sketchers but I haven't found any that fit right, I need wide shoes that will stand up to the miles I walk. Maybe I should go shoe shopping and check them out again.
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Burnt: Right! DD sold $$$ of my clothes on consignment.
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Since I'm trying to distract myself from probably having to take mom to the ER today for a chest x-ray (suspect pneumonia), I will go off topic to my new favorite shoes - Skechers!! I even found some flat, black, dressy looking ones that dress up jeans but don't look at all like sneakers. And the slip ins and memory foam sneakers are like walking on air. Got two pair on clearance BOGO 50% off came to $45!

I've loved the brand for a long time but that was the first time I'd been one of their stores, usually buy online. So impressed with the variety. After I checked out the cashier said "stay comfortable!" 😄
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@Khrules

Thrift Hack: No, they're not. Wealthy people in retirement communities who can afford expensive designer things don't donate them to Goodwill. They have adult children and even grandchildren who sell that stuff on Poshmark, the RealReal, and through actual brick and mortar consignment stores. The only time you find something high-end designer or a piece of jewelry that's valuable in a thrift shop is if the person or persons who donated it didn't know it was valuable. Wealthy people know what they have and if they don't, their families certainly do.
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Thrift Hack: Shop Goodwills in wealthy retirement areas. The finds are insane barely worn luxe for pennies.
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MG8522.. Many still do! i wear a 0.5 in Chicos,,, I have to crack up at that one!
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Hothouse, I have a closet full of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans in every color. I haven't bought any new in a few years but I loved finding a new shade, and could always match shirts and shoes/sneakers. I miss Payless because their shoes and sneakers fit so nicely and were so affordable that I could find colors that matched the GV jeans (which I would buy on sale from JCP or Kohls).

I don't know whether this still holds but for many years expensive designers would make their clothes larger than regular manufacturers so that wealthy and celebrity women could claim to be a size 2 or 4 when they were "really" a size or 6, for example -- still smaller than most of the general population.
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@97yearoldmom

Don't ask AI anything because it's almost always wrong and full of sh*t. Want to know the reason why clothes (especially jeans) don't fit like they used to back in the day?

It's because they're not using true American sizing anymore. It's also super rare to find jeans that are 100% cotton like they're supposed to be. I still have Levi's from the late 1980's. They were 100% cotton had no "stretch" and you couldn't wear them out. They were also made in U.S.A. and true to American sizing. Same with shoes. One name brand like Levi's made be made in a dozen different countries so no two pairs are going to be the same size-wise. I have jeans ranging in size from a 10 to a 16 and they all fit. The AI is full of crap.

@Send

I can't imagine using cleaners that look and smell like food. No way. I don't use soap or hair products that look and smell like food either. That's gross. For bathroom 'spray' I use Pecksniff's from England. It comes in a glass bottle and is a pump. Two sprays and the bathroom smells fine. Never over powering and non-aerosol.
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I hate laundry detergents and fabric softeners that have scents. And I hate the smell of Febreeze.
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That sounds gross Send....kinda like pumpkin spiced shampoo.They have all these flavors of shampoo these days that I'd never want to use.
I like clean,plain and normal soaps and shampoos.
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NOooooooo!
Limited Edition!!!
Shopping online in October
I found this:
Mr. Clean All Purpose
Spiced Harvest Multi-Surface Cleaner, 101 oz.

It is the color of maple syrup.

Do you r e a l l y want to clean with that?

I think I am going to lose my mind.....
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cwillie, I was having this same thing today! I have jeans from a 12 to a 6! I have found it depends alot on the cut or style.. slim fit, loose fit.. obviously Some are slimmer and some are baggier! I am weeding them out and passing the larger ones to friends. We have all lost weight over the past few years so its a win win for all of us!
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I like my Gloria Vanderbilt’s. They are cheap, they wear like iron and their sizing fits me perfectly. I have a drawerful of them and won’t need more for years.
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CWillie,
I asked AI.

Here is exactly why your size 10, 12, and 14 jeans are breaking all the laws of logic:

1. The "Fabric Stack" Slicing Effect

In mass-production factories, denim panels are not cut one by one. Manufacturers stack dozens of layers of heavy denim on top of each other and cut through the entire stack at once using a massive, automated reciprocating blade. [1]

The top layers shift slightly outward and yield a larger cut of fabric.

The bottom layers get compressed down by gravity and the weight of the machine, yielding a narrower cut.

The result: Your size 12 was likely cut from the very top of a massive fabric stack, while your size 14was cut from the very bottom. Both are labeled with different sizes, but the physical pieces of fabric are practically inverted. [1]

2. The Allowable "Tolerance Discrepancy"

Major brands like Levi's openly acknowledge that they operate with an acceptable "tolerance window" for human and machine error during assembly. This window can allow a variance of up to one full inch (wider or narrower, longer or shorter) on identical tags. If your size 12 was stitched on the absolute maximum edge of the tolerance window, it can easily balloon past a standard size 14. [1, 2]

3. Elastane vs. Age (The Size 10 Miracle)

Your oldest pair fits perfectly because of two factors: shrinkage and fabric blend. Older denim styles from the Signature line often used heavier cotton with lower amounts of elastane (stretch). Over years of being washed and dried, that cotton has permanently molded and shrunk down specifically to your body's shape. Newer pairs rely heavily on synthetic stretch blends that feel looser off the rack and lack the tight hold of classic denim. [1, 2, 3, 4]

4. Different Sub-Styles or "Rises"

Even within the Walmart "Signature" line, there are distinct cuts (e.g., Bootcut, Straight, Skinny, Totally Shaping) and different rises (High Rise vs. Mid Rise). [1, 2]

A Mid Rise size 14 is meant to sit lower on your hips. When you fill the pockets, gravity pulls them down past your hips because they don't lock into your natural waistline. [1]

A High Rise size 12 is patterned to clear your hips entirely and fasten at your narrowest point. If it doesn't grip your waist, it will instantly collapse, requiring a belt to keep it suspended. [1]
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I have 3 pairs of Levis Signature jeans from Walmart - the oldest is a size 10 that fits perfectly, another is a size 14 that are fine but tend to slide down when my pockets are full, and then there's the size 12 that is so huge they need a belt to stay up (obviously didn't try those on before buying). Make it make sense!
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I’m sorry about your friend, Ali. That was a real shock. I hope her treatment works.

We don’t know what tomorrow brings to ourselves or to others .. One day at a time is all we’ve got.
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Random thought, as I was reading through the past 15 or so comments here: I have a once-best friend who lives 5-6 hours away and has been busy for years and years raising her son, growing her garden, working her career, and generally living her life. We haven't been in touch much for the past 10 years, though she was very supportive when I was struggling during caregiving and sent me a couple of fun gift packages.

I reached out to her recently and learned she'd been diagnosed with an aggressive and highly fatal cancer. It's been treated, and she may recover—too soon to tell for sure.

It really makes it hit home - that we aren't promised tomorrow or good health. My friend is in good spirits, from what I can tell, and she says this is her new normal, and she's made her peace with it. I hope, for her teenage son's sake, that she can get better and feel more like her old self.

But we really never know for sure about ourselves or our loved ones. We just have to keep doing the best we can and enjoy the health and time we do have.
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Thank you all I appreciate you and your comments.

CW – hasn’t time flown since then . Sometimes seems like yesterday.

Hothouse – thank you. That’s the best we can hope for.

Llama – thank you too. Hope you’re doing well.

Gershun. Thanks. You are very kind.

Ali. Thanks to you too. I am blessed in many ways.
It’s true we haven’t been posting as often on these conversational threads or on the dysfunctional family one. But it sure is nice to still keep in touch with people here. I feel like we’re a bit of a family and miss those who don’t post anymore. This summer, I have been slowed down by one thing or another and too many fibre flareups. Hopefully they will calm down soon.
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*I have to remember to look at the dates on your comments, all. You all haven't been as active as it used to be around some of these threads, I guess. I look back 10 comments and want to say something, then realize you posted months ago. :) Well, it's nice to read your news, anyway, and how you're doing and feeling, even if it's not new news anymore. :)
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Good luck, Hothouse. I don't envy you. Moving is always such a big event and takes a lot of effort and energy; I hope you and DH can pace the work and just do what you can each day and take breaks when you need to. I'm happy you'll be closer to your daughter and grands. 🌻 It will be a new chapter in your lives.
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Happy belated, Golden!! I'm so happy you're doing well. I'm glad you aren't dealing with most of the indignities and discomforts that come with aging for so many. Keep looking after yourself; it's working! 💕
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Happy Birthday Golden!

89, Wow! You wear it well.
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Happy Birthday, Golden.
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Happy belated birthday Golden. Hope you have a happy and healthy year. 🎂🎉🥳
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Oh Golden, can it really be that many years ago we were contemplating your 80th while we were all caregiving? Happy (belated) birthday!
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I reached 89 years last month. 10 years ago was the year of the big fire and evacuation from Fort Mc I don’t think I could do now what I did then. Ten years makes a difference..
Apart from the CFS\FM, I’m doing very well. Even with that I have a decent life, if a bit restricted. I am so thankful not to be plagued with any of the health issues so many people my age have.
Once I get new eye glasses I’ll be set.😎
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Hothouseflower,
The decision is made and hopefully by now you are well on your way. You are still recovering and still grieving. Your daughter and grands are beyond fortunate to have you and your DH be so supportive. Wishing you much success and a great school year with lots of new friends for everyone. Hugs
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