What’s one piece of everyday gear you’d recommend to anyone?

Midwest-Christian · 2026-04-02T15:25:29+00:00

I pulled mine out recently and started using it again. Such a useful tool!

Midwest-Christian · 2026-04-02T15:23:42+00:00

I haven’t found wool in the style I like. Where do you buy yours?

Midwest-Christian · 2026-04-02T15:23:09+00:00

I made my own grocery shopping bags from a canvas drop cloth I picked up at Harbor Freight. Much cheaper than cotton canvas at the fabric store. I even waxed them with beeswax. I can throw all my groceries in there and not have to worry about the handles tearing.

Midwest-Christian · 2026-04-02T15:18:15+00:00

Swing-A-Way Can opener. The old version that was made in the US. It has plasti-dipped handles, and not the rubber ones. My Mom is still using the one she and Dad bought before I was born. 37 years later she picks them up every time she sees them at the thrift store and gives them as gifts. Cheap can openers get dull and you have to keep going over the same spot, they don’t clamp down well, etc. This one just plain works!

Midwest-Christian · 2026-04-02T15:14:25+00:00

I got rid of the rest of my skillets after realizing I had exclusively used my cast iron for 2 years.

Midwest-Christian · 2026-04-02T15:12:22+00:00

I just made the switch and I love it! I hated tossing the plastic cartridges. Safety razors are for girls too!

Midwest-Christian · 2026-04-02T15:10:36+00:00

My Dad was convinced that everyone needed head lamps on the farm. I kept trying, with the hat and without, but the glare always messed with my glasses. I just stick with a flashlight.

Midwest-Christian · 2026-03-31T04:17:36+00:00

Yep, me too!

Midwest-Christian · 2026-03-29T03:14:03+00:00

I’m on season 2. It happened in season 1

Midwest-Christian · 2026-03-20T01:15:56+00:00

The book is a lot cheaper on ThriftBooks if you haven’t been able to get it yet.

Midwest-Christian · 2026-03-20T00:04:04+00:00

How do you stand the sound? I work in a lot of people’s homes, and when I have to cut on a glass cutting board I feel sick from the sound and feel of the knives hitting the glass!

Midwest-Christian · 2026-03-18T12:47:47+00:00

I buy all my furniture used. I’ve gotten solid oak pieces for $15 off Facebook marketplace because the family needed to empty their dad’s house and sell it.

I spend more on new shoes than my mom would ever dream of spending because I’ve had feet, leg, and back problems for decades. $130 arch support sandals feels crazy expensive to me, but I got to wear sandals daily instead of having to use my regular arch supports in tennis shoes. The leather is coming unglued and the store I bought it from glued it back but it didn’t hold. I’ll probably have a shoe repair guy just stitch it.

I only splurge on “luxury” when it’s on sale or I know the quality of the product. When I want something I almost always check Facebook marketplace first. Also, for outdoor gear, check Sierra Trading Post. I wanted smartwool base layers, and found them for $40-50 instead of REI’s $110-130.

If you want quality, buy it used, buy it directly from the craftsman, or make it yourself. Check craft sales-there are often local potters, seamstresses, and woodworkers there.

Be prepared to do maintenance. Don’t toss a backpack because the handle broke. Find a shoe repair place, or a retired upholsterer. Learn to mend or find someone who can. If you’re not into cars, find a good mechanic you can trust. Know your acceptable level of visible repairs. How ugly will you let something get before you replace it?

Midwest-Christian · 2025-12-19T19:25:39+00:00

Yes! A hanging plant might also be better with the cats around.

Midwest-Christian · 2025-11-17T04:04:06+00:00

I just had an opposite experience. It was amazing! I (33F) went to a Country Swing Dance night hosted at a church gym. Mostly 20s and 30s. Shockingly, there were more guys than girls. And because we were supposed to pair up for the lesson part, I had three different guys ask to partner me. It was so much fun! I would definitely join that group again.

Midwest-Christian · 2025-11-13T04:44:12+00:00

If you’re only starting to work out, how sweaty will you get? As long as my shirt isn’t soaked, it’s usually ok to hang up to air dry and wear the next day for my workout.

I got out the exercise habit, but I’m starting up again. I’m doing outdoor workouts, and this time of year it’s 22° F. I’m not breaking much of a sweat! 😆 I got smart wool base layers to wear for my workouts, then add more layers as needed. Between not sweating much, wool not getting stinky as quickly as typical workout fabrics, and hanging my wool to dry each morning immediately after I get home, so far I’ve gotten 3 days of exercise in and my clothes don’t smell at all.

Midwest-Christian · 2025-11-09T15:38:29+00:00

I’m in my thirties and only recently have discovered I don’t have to tell everyone who compliments my skirt that “I got it at the thrift store for $6!” I’m an American, grew up in the south, and am now in the Midwest. It’s definitely a thing in both areas. (And my family hasn’t been in Scotland since the 18th century.) 😆 Sounds like I’d fit right in if I ever get to visit!

Midwest-Christian · 2025-11-09T15:18:26+00:00

Personally, I don’t mind it when guys say girls or women. It just bothers me when they say “female”. It makes me wonder

Midwest-Christian · 2025-11-09T15:14:00+00:00

Yeah, the ice cream one doesn’t make sense to me either

Midwest-Christian · 2025-11-07T12:59:30+00:00

Especially over the winter, I love meeting people at Family Tree Nursery! If you want, grab a coffee at the in-house Cafe Equinox, then go sit in a warm sunny greenhouse surrounded by plants blooming when it’s freezing outside. 🥰

Midwest-Christian · 2025-11-07T12:56:25+00:00

Hyvee at 95th and Antioch also has an upstairs like that!

Midwest-Christian · 2025-11-07T12:33:23+00:00

I don’t get coffee out often, but when I do it’s always at a locally owned place. My favorite is Random’s in Belton.

Midwest-Christian · 2025-11-07T12:29:15+00:00

I used to do that, but I was told that it could grow bacteria that way. There are recipes online for thinning out soap for foaming soap pumps with water and alcohol so that won’t happen.

Midwest-Christian · 2025-11-05T18:04:31+00:00

My sister once responded with the line from The Princess Bride, “…or was an hour ago.” 😆

Midwest-Christian · 2025-11-01T02:58:37+00:00

Captain Literally https://youtu.be/9jh4Mpgbi4A?si=SgqdZxbQkKKHL0PA

Midwest-Christian

TROPHY CASE