Historic Homes of Noblesville--195 S. 10th St.

Location: 195 S. 10th St.


Owners: Billy and Kandi Jamieson, since 2009

Style and History: This circa 1874 Italianate was built by Noblesville attorney Francis Trissall and is defined by a deep, bracketed cornice and ornate window and door trim. The home’s footprint remains the same, although the concrete porch was likely added around the 1920’s, replacing the original wood porch.

What are your favorite features? “We fell in love with the large windows. We have three bay windows and an original black Italian marble fire place in the front room, and original hardwood floors, baseboards and trim.”

What work have you done on your house? “The ceilings had drop ceiling panels to cover the damaged plaster, the floors were covered in layers of linoleum and carpet and it didn't have a working kitchen. We’ve restored all the rooms back to their original height and size. My father taught us how to re-plaster and drywall. We put in new ceilings, restored the oak floors, and put in a new kitchen. We're working on refinishing the floor in the front room so we can enjoy the fireplace and use the room as the Arthouse office. We plan to tackle the outside of the house with paint and landscaping. I look forward to the day I can look at the outside of my house and see how marvelous it must have looked a hundred years ago.”

What do you like about this area/neighborhood? “We love the location, it's perfect for a business and a family home. We're two blocks away from Seminary park, and in warmer weather we take the family on bike rides around the neighborhoods. We have lovely neighbors and feel at home here.”

Beware of food from groceries?

It’s that time of year again—time to start planning the garden and gathering seeds to start inside. Last spring I wrote about the importance of buying pure, heirloom seeds and supporting those companies that have taken the ‘safe seeds’ pledge—the pledge not to include seeds from huge biotech conglomerates in their stock. These huge biotech corporations are the same companies that manufacture dangerous pesticides, which I also refuse to use.

I mentioned in my column that I purchased Botanical Interest seeds, a seed company that is committed to heirloom, pure seeds, and I purchased them at Allisonville Nursery (double bonus—supporting a local business. And Botanical Interest seeds are in stock now!)

I received a wonderful response to that column from Michael DePape of Botanical Interests, and here it is, in part:

“Gardeners and consumers of all kinds should be more concerned about the food that they are purchasing in the grocery store. There is no law to require labeling of foods that contain GMO (genetically modified organism) products. Chances are you may be purchasing cereal, fresh corn, corn tortillas, soy products, and all sorts of processed foods that contain genetically modified ingredients.

The best thing you can do to vote with your dollars and for your own peace of mind is to grow your own food and purchase certified organic products. (Organic products cannot contain GMO ingredients.)"

Ever think of growing some of your own food? It may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Although you can build your own raised beds or till a new garden, which is great, to start out you might want to plant edibles right into your existing flowerbeds, amidst your other plantings, and expand from there.

Going Strong--Crossfit Indy North has come a long way since its beginnings in a garage

I wrote this fascinating cover story for this week's Current in Noblesville. 

Bring your own bags, or pay the price

How would your plastic bag usage change if you had to pay for them? I recently read about IN House Bill 1521, a bill that if passed would mean consumers would be charged 10 cents per plastic bag they use at stores. I’m a bit of a cynic when it comes to politics and don’t want to get my hopes up, but I can’t help but be giddy at the thought of a fee to use plastics and how it would hopefully make people think twice before loading up on the things.

What I’d really like to see is a ban on plastic bags altogether like San Francisco has done, but hey, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. This is after all the Midwest, not exactly known for its progressive prowess. But speaking of San Francisco, has anyone been to the city since the plastic bag ban was instituted? I would love to hear from you. People are surviving okay without them, right?

The reasons to avoid plastic bags as much as possible are obvious and it can only be good news for all of us and for the environment.If passed, the plastic bag fees will become effective January 1, 2012. I’m hopeful that this topic will get exposure and becovered widely in the media and that more and more people will become conscious of wasteful plastic bags.

I love that our awesome library stopped offering plastic bags to patrons over a year ago (way to go, HEPL!). People seem to have adapted just fine. You go into Aldi's, you pay for your bags or bring your own. You go into Costco? No free bags there, either. You learn to bring your own, or pay for plastic, and it’s really not that hard. Once again, just like most things, it becomes a habit.

Some reader responses—keep ‘em coming

I’m writing this column in the midst of ‘Icepocalypse,’ or ‘Icephoon’ or whatever-you-call-it, hoping the power stays on long enough to finish this and my other writing deadlines. Hopefully it will be on the way to becoming a distant memory by the time you read this.

I’ve gotten some great comments on several of my recent columns, and as always I appreciate and enjoy dialogue with you.

One reader wrote in response to my ‘Six Items or Less’ clothing challenge column two weeks ago that he was disappointed I wasn’t taking part, because “if anyone can do it you can.” He went on to say, “my niece asked me a few weeks ago why I have the same few pullovers/shirts on every time she sees me. I told her the less I have, the less I have to think about what to put on!”

Maybe I will participate after all, but I’ll wimp out and do it in the spring or summer for my own sake, since right now I wear about six items at once in my c-c-cold house where the thermostat sits at a cool 65 degrees.

Another reader said that she is taking on the challenge this month because it’s a short month (good thinking!) and she’ll let me know how it goes.

In response to my ‘foam free’ world dream, a reader commented that the wax-lined paper cups are just as bad, if not worse, than polystyrene cups. I don’t necessarily disagree, which is why the best solution is to bring your own travel mug to the coffee shop.

And if you forget your own mug or make an unexpected coffee stop? Most people don’t know this, but Noble Coffee and Starbucks will serve you your drink in a real mug if you ask. That’s so much better than foam or paper cups.

Historic Homes of Noblesville--744 S. 9th St.

Location: 744 S. 9th St.


Owners: Jae and Cathryn Tolliver, since February 2009

Style & History: This 2 story vernacular home, built sometime between 1898-1905, was occupied as a rental for a number of years. A 2 story garage was added in the early 1900’s and housed an apartment on the 2nd floor. The home has a staircases with original woodwork, and also has much of its original trim and wide plank pine floors. When wallpaper was removed it was discovered that it had been hung in 1905.

What are your favorite features? “We like the appeal of clean, modern lines thanks to the previous owners’ renovations. The kitchen cupboards are custom with clear glass display panes, the dining room has a coffered ceiling, and the parlor has built-in bookshelves.”

What work have you done on your house? “I found that my color palette tended toward warm and bright so we’ve painted colors like Martha Stewart Pencil in the kitchen, Summer Field green to bring out the light turquoise tile in the downstairs shower, and Stone Gray to bring out the travertine tile in the upstairs bath. We plan to add a concrete patio, fence and detached garage as time and money permits!”

What do you like about this area/neighborhood? “When I was first introduced to Old Town Noblesville I told my husband, “I would love to live in a place like this”. I loved the quaint, colorful homes and the small town feel of people taking pride in their renovations.”

10 Tips to Get Back What You Paid--Tricks and Tips on Becoming a Indy Resale Pro

Savvy shoppers can often break even on purchases by buying items and re-selling them when they're outgrown. With everything from books and music to kids resale shops, swaps and online selling, here are 10 ways to sell your stuff and make a little Green while being green:
1. Books, Music, Movies & Games: Cash offers are made while you wait. Bonus: It's a great way to clean out bookshelves and a potentially free outing, depending on how many books wind up in your shopping basket.
2. Consignment Sales: These sales, often held in three-day increments in the spring and again in the fall, offer current baby gear, toys, clothes from newborn to size 12 and maternity clothes. Consignors earn 60-75% commission from sales.
3. Kids Resale Shops: Parents may sell clothing and accessories purchased within the last five years for cash.


4. Sports Equipment: Some sporting goods stores will turn your used sports equipment that has lots of life left into cash, or trade it for new or used equipment.
5. Women's Consignment Stores: Consigning your in season and current clothing is a great way to make 40-50% of the selling price. Stores usually consign clothing for 90 days, after which it's either donated or can be picked up. Some consignment stores also offer cash buyouts.
6. Online Selling: Whether selling on eBay or craigslist, the best way to sell clothing via these venues is usually by the lot in order to make it worth your time.
7. Mom Forums: Local forum www.indianapolis.momslikeme.com has an active Buy & Sell page. With categories for Baby & Kids, Toys, Clothes and Household, it's a free and easy way to let other moms know what you have.
8. Garage Sales: If you're planning a garage sale in the spring, here are some tips: neatness counts—keep clothing items grouped by size and gender and on tables and racks. Advertise on craigslist and local forums. Price to sell. Good signage is key, as is neighborhood participation. (People are more likely to stop if there are other sales nearby.)
9. Online Swaps: Who doesn't like getting packages in the mail? For just five bucks plus shipping, thredUP online clothing swap allows parents to pick from boxes of gently used kids clothing, buy it and get it in a few days. Then you list a box of your own (it is a swap after all) and ship it for free.
10. Local Swaps: Indy has a monthly free swap at Earth House Collective. For small groups, organizing a swap at someone's home is a fun & frugal way to acquire some new clothes or accessories as well as declutter some items you'd donate anyway. Leftovers get taken to Goodwill or other thrift stores.


Indy's Child website.

resusable bag GIVEAWAY!

on my other blog.  check it out here.

Starting the Preschool Hunt

The February issue of Indy's Child has my article on different preschool philosophies, and  here is the Cincinnati Parent version.


Starting the Preschool Hunt

Tips for Finding the Perfect Learning Environment for Your Child
by Krista Bocko

February 01, 2011

Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire." –W.B. Yeats

When it's time to enroll your child in a Preschool, choosing the right preschool is often a difficult decision to make. The wide range of options available presents new methodologies of teaching of which parents may be unfamiliar. However, learning about the different options is fascinating and informative because Indianapolis offers a host of preschool programs and philosophies.

Here are seven preschool philosophies that may be right for your child.


1. Montessori

Philosophy: Italian educator Maria Montessori founded the philosophy in 1907, one of its premises being that children are capable and individual learners. Teachers guide and intervene when necessary.
In the classroom: Working within mixed age groups, children help each other to become independent in an environment prepared in such a way as to foster success. The clock doesn't reign in the classroom and children may engage in their work for as long as they choose.

Teacher talk: "For most of us our school experience was a blizzard of paper work—much of it boring and the waste of a good tree! The goal is to facilitate the child's ability to learn on her own in a multi-sensory fashion. It's not only a philosophy, but a lifestyle," says Vivian Cain, Head of Montessori Academy of Indianapolis. Cain also points out, "In a traditional school, children ages 3 years to 6 years use a lot of workbooks and work sheets (what Montessori calls busy work); whereas, Montessori uses hands-on concrete materials without workbooks and worksheets."


A little more info: A school may use the Montessori name without being affiliated with either the Association Montessori Internationale or the American Montessori Society and there are many shades as to how strictly the school adheres to original Montessori principles.


2. Waldorf
Philosophy: Founder Rudolph Steiner opened his first school in Germany in 1919. Waldorf emphasizes play-acting, stories, and open ended and imaginative play.
In the classroom: Natural materials in the classroom are emphasized—toys are made of cloth and wood and the environment is unhurried, calm and low tech.
A little more info: Waldorf programs are regulated through the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America. The AWSNA holds the trademark rights to use the Waldorf name and any variation of the Waldorf name, e.g. "Waldorf inspired." There are currently no Waldorf schools in Indiana, though there are playgroups that practice the Waldorf philosophy (see sidebar).
3. Reggio Emilia
Philosophy: Named after a city in Italy where the townspeople first developed the philosophy, Reggio Emilia was instituted after World War II and is a fairly unstructured learning environment. Teachers are viewed as collaborators in learning and students are encouraged to explore their natural curiosity.
In the classroom: Parents, as their child's first teacher, are viewed as an integral part of Reggio and often volunteer in the classroom. As in Montessori, teachers are there to guide students, who are then encouraged to take the lead in their own learning and pursue their own interests.
Teacher talk: Ron Smith, Director of the Warren Early Childhood Center, says, "The children have opportunities for problem solving and critical thinking. Through projects, children pursue their own interests and the arts are fully integrated with other parts of the curriculum."
At The Children's Museum preschool, both the Reggio and Montessori principles are integrated. Director Cathy Southerland says, "the children participate in project work by their daily exhibit visits. As they explore topics and skills that interest them, they begin to advance their thinking skills, demonstrate increased socialization and practice early literacy skills."
A little more info: A significant emphasis is placed on community and collaboration of teachers, students and parents in Reggio. Teachers often photograph children at work to document their creative process as well as the finished product.
4. Project-Based
Philosophy: Similar to Reggio Emilia in that it is another fairly unstructured, student led learning environment, teachers guide and work with children to plan projects that lead to learning in a positive, spontaneous way.
In the classroom: A real-world connection is emphasized with field trips and hands-on learning being and integral part of the learning process. Children are active and self-motivated learners, free to follow their own interests with their teacher acting as a guide.
Teacher talk: "We are Unit-based, which is somewhat like project based. Some activities may vary but many are the same from year to year, which is a little different. It could also be termed 'play-based' as the children are busy with hands-on activities and move around the room. Our emphasis is on instruction for high ability learners," says Francine Clayton, head of early childhood at Sycamore School.
A little more info: Project-Based Learning is one aspect of the Reggio Emilia influence, along with many others, but can also be implemented in classrooms that don't utilize the Reggio philosophy

5. Play-Based/Traditional
Philosophy: Many preschools fall under the play-based umbrella where the order of the day is encouraging free play. An emphasis is placed upon cooperation, sharing and other social development tactics.
In the classroom: Toys and materials encouraging open-ended and imaginative play, such as dress up clothes, musical instruments, toy kitchens and play food, blocks, puzzles and books should be prevalent.
Teacher talk: "I enjoy this philosophy because it maximizes the huge learning potential of the child's first five years. I have seen how it prepares children for success when they reach elementary school," says Marsha Hearn-Lindsey, director at Day Nursery.
"We believe in our Balanced Learning philosophy, which is a balance between a Montessori and a traditional approach. 'Love, laughter and Happily Everafter' is what we wish for all the children," says Valerie Hall, director at Primrose School at Bridgewater

A little more info: Play-based schools can run the gamut from being more academic focused to being more social-based, to everything in between. Free play and experimentation are both important, and some schools are more structured than others.
6. Cooperative
Philosophy: Co-op preschools involve the whole family. Parents share in running the business operations of the school and meet monthly for a parent meeting. Under teacher guidance, parents also log hours volunteering in the classroom.

In the classroom: Co-ops are often play-based, and children are encouraged to interact and problem-solve together, as well as to develop their autonomy through choosing what activities to participate in (e.g. choosing whether to play outdoors or indoors). Parents volunteer on a regular basis in the classroom.
Teacher talk: Carol Shipley, 4s teacher and assistant director at Meridian Hills Co-op says, "One of the many aspects that I love is the team-building between teachers and parents. After the holidays, a parent brought in a large bag of packing peanuts and there was a high energy level, so the peanuts were stuffed into pillowcases and became amazing punching bags! They loved that."
A little more info: Play dates become easy, with parents and children knowing one another from the classroom. Tuition is often half that of other preschools, making it more affordable, especially for families with more than one preschooler enrolled.
7. Community/Religion
Philosophy: The philosophies and curriculum of community and religious preschools will vary based on the program, so it's key to visit and ask questions. Often the programs are play-based (see above).
In (or out of) the classroom: Depending on the school and amenities, children in community preschool programs may have access to museums, gymnasiums, pools and playgrounds.
Teacher talk: "Young children learn best by doing. Our primary role is to provide an appropriate learning environment and many firsthand experiences that invite children to investigate, represent and share," says Erin Mills, director of early childhood Education at JCC.
A little more info: The Y, JCC, and maybe even your local recreation department all may offer preschool programs. Many churches offer preschool programs, as well.



Krista Bocko is a freelance writer and lives in Noblesville with her husband and four children. She can be reached at kbocko@sbcglobal.net.





Local Examples



While there are hundreds of preschools in the Indianapolis area, here is a brief list of examples. For a complete list of preschools, visit www.greatschools.org.



Reggio Emilia

Warren Early Childhood Center

http://www.earlychildhood.warren.k12.in.us/

St. Mary's Child Center

http://www.stmaryschildcenter.org/



Both schools are part of the Indianapolis Reggio Collaborative along with Butler University.



Montessori

Maria Montessori International Academy

http://www.mariamontessiro-intl.org/ and http://www.indymontessori.org/
Full day, half day, extended care and summer programs are offered.

The Children's Museum Preschool (Reggio/Montessori)

cathys@childrensmuseum.org, 317.334.4119

Meeting in 14-week semesters, the current semester runs through April 29. From 1-3 times weekly children can learn in the world's largest classroom—The Children's Museum, participating in project work inspired by their museum visits.

Primrose School at Bridgewater (Montessori/Traditional)

http://www.primrosebridgewater.com/


Waldorf

There are no formal Waldorf preschools in Indiana, but there is a local Waldorf Community that hosts Waldorf-based play dates and community events. Contact IndyWaldorf community at indywaldorf @netscape.net

Play Based/Traditional

Day Nursery

http://www.daynursery.org/

Seven locations throughout central Indiana offer a full day, year round program to meet the needs of working parents

Early Childhood Education at Sycamore School for Gifted Children

http://www.sycamoreschool.org/

Gymboree

http://www.gymboreeclasses.com/

Two hour classes include letter and sound recognition, science, art, gym time and the Handwriting without Tears® curriculum.

Project Based

Early Childhood Education at Sycamore School for Gifted Children

www.sycamoreschool.org

Cooperative

Meridian Hills Co-op

http://www.meridianhillscoop.org/

Indiana Council of Preschool Cooperatives

http://www.preschoolco-op.org/

Community

JCC Early Childhood Education

http://www.jccindy.org/

The JCC is open to everyone regardless of faith, ethnicity or financial circumstances.

Choosing the preschool that is right for your family


• Many children will thrive in more than one style of preschool, which is important to keep in mind if you're the parent of more than one child in preschool at the same time. Keep in mind that many preschools offer sibling discounts.



• Visit the different preschools you're considering to observe the classes and speak with the director. Take into account your child's temperament and try to imagine how your child will assimilate into that particular setting.



• Select the approach that you feel is best for your child and your family.



• Preschool programs may also be limited based on your schedule and needs. Many follow the school calendar, however, some are year round. Some offer classes every day and some are 2-4 times a week.



10 Signs of a Great Preschool from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)



1. Children spend most of their playing and working with materials or other children. They do not wander aimlessly, and they are not expected to sit quietly for long periods of time.



2. Children have access to various activities throughout the day. Look for assorted building blocks and other construction materials; props for pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as matching games, pegboards, and puzzles. Children should not all be doing the same thing at the same time.



3. Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day. They do not spend all their time with the whole group.



4. The classroom is decorated with children's original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling, and stories dictated by children to teachers.



5. Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences. The natural world of plants and animals and meaningful activities like cooking, taking attendance, or serving snack provide the basis for learning activities.



6. Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at least one hour) to play and explore. Worksheets are used little if at all.



7. Children have an opportunity to play outside every day. Outdoor play is never sacrificed for more instructional time.



8. Teachers read books to children individually or in small groups throughout the day, not just at group story time.



9. Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead, as well as those who need additional help. Teachers recognize that children's different background and experiences mean that they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.



10. Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel secure about sending their child to the program. Children are happy to attend; they do not cry regularly or complain of feeling sick.



Visit www.rightchoiceforkids.org or www.greatschools.org for more information

Indy's Child--Time for Baby! by Rebecca Todd

This was written by Rebecca Todd, but I gave her several area midwives contact info, as well as some area homebirthers so that she could present a more complete picture of the Central IN birthing scene (I love to see alternatives presented in mainstream pubs!).  My friend Joni Heredia was quoted and I think it's great--the link is here.  This article was also published in Cincinnati Parent.

Going green seems to be the road less traveled

I feel like an eco-freak a lot of the time. Sometimes it’s pretty easy to forget when I’m in my own little world here. My little world is an oasis, an environmentally friendly oasis. I feel kinda good, like I’m making some sort of difference: recycling everything I can, reducing and reusing, collecting wine corks that would otherwise be thrown away, and on and on.

Eco-consciousness colors everything I do.

And then I get a jolt. Recently I went on a trip and was acutely aware of waste at every turn—from the large, bleached paper napkins the size of hand towels to the auto flush toilets that trigger three times per trip on average. At least they’re low-flow, right? And then there were the pretty much non-existent recycling options. It’s enough to make me crazy!

I felt so guilty at every turn, from the jet fuel spewing over the landscape on the flights to the fifty-six seat charter bus for our meager tour party of seventeen. The bus idled during the times we weren’t on the road. You know I’m anti-idling. Twist the knife again!

I did what I could. I asked for a real mug instead of the typical polystyrene cup when we stopped at the local coffee shop. I wiped my hands on my pants in the restroom as opposed to paper towel usage when there weren’t auto hand dryers, and I declined maid service during our hotel stay because we didn’t need daily fresh towels and sheets.

I brought my own stainless steel water bottle and travel mug along with me, so that also helped assuage my guilt a tiny bit.

And I wondered. What did the hotel do with the heaps of extra food left after the breakfast buffet? The perfectly good scrambled eggs, potatoes, and bacon didn’t go into the dumpster, did they?

I saw all this waste and I felt like an island. An eco-freak island. Does anybody else care, I wondered? I know there are other eco-freaks out there, where are you? Treading lightly on the Earth, inasmuch as we can, should be a priority. If your complaint is that it’s too hard, the only way it will get easier is to practice it daily and together.

Hoopers converge for workshop in Noblesville

Scott Nelson spins LED 'twins' at the HoopPath party

Over thirty hoopers from all around the Midwest “hooped it up” on Jan. 21 through 23 at the Boys and Girls Club in Noblesville. Attendees honed their skills at a HoopPath Indy workshop, the first workshop of its kind in this area.

Hoopdance is a unique, meditative and relatively new phenomenon that has been catching on worldwide for around ten years, incorporating spins, tricks, and a core and full body cardio workout. In hoopdance, also known as ‘hooping,’ larger, heavier hoops are used.

“I love hooping because it makes me feel like a real dancer. I went to HoopPath to work on opening up into that dancer identity,” Bloomington resident Clara Kallner said, “and I came away with a whole new understanding and appreciation of my body and mind. Nothing makes me feel as free as spinning with my hoop.”

Jonathon Baxter, founder of the HoopPath movement, resides in Carrboro, North Carolina, and travels worldwide teaching the HoopPath style of hooping in a series of three day workshops, emphasizing techniques that strengthen the Mind, Spirit, and Body connection.

Students came away with a deeper level of understanding of not only their current hoop practice but the levels to which they could take their practice. “I went to learn and learned more than expected," Noblesville resident Nikki Goodwin said.

Weekly Hoop Classes are held Tuesday evenings from 7-8pm in downtown Noblesville by hoop teacher Lynn Nelson. Classes run in 4 week sessions for $45. The current session is full, and the next session begins February 15.

Newcomers can try the first class of the new session for $15. Hoops will be provided. Contact indyhoopers@live.com or visit the IndyHoopers page on facebook for more information on local classes.

Can you live on six items (or less) of clothing?

I’ve been giving a lot of thought to clothes lately. This is kind of unusual for me, in part because I am not a recreational shopper, I generally try to reject consumerism, and I really don’t buy that many clothes or pay much attention to fashion anyway.

However, recently I heard about this ‘Six Items or Less’ challenge where participants commit to swearing off the rest of their wardrobe, only wearing the same six items (or less) for a month. It’s like a clothes diet. In conjunction with hearing about this I was in the midst of a rare shopping spree, where over the course of a few weeks I bought eight items clothing and a pair of boots, all new, all for me.

Yikes. Buying new clothes is a sure way to induce guilt in the eco-conscious me, even though I try to assuage the guilt a tiny bit by bringing my own bag. I justified it though, because sometimes I just can’t find what I’m looking for on the used clothing racks. And, I am constantly purging items out of my own closet and into the stream of secondhand shops.

But then there’s the whole ‘privileged’ angle. I’m acutely aware of that, too. Here, we are privileged in just about any way imaginable. We, who can access just about anything we want with the click of the mouse or a short drive, have so much more than billions of others on this planet. We are so spoiled. Yikes again.

So, back to the clothing challenge which, by the way, doesn’t include underwear, outerwear, shoes or workout wear. I read about it on the website (www.sixitemsorless.com) and really considered trying it.

Ultimately I decided not to do it, in part because I don’t really want to spend more time and energy doing even more laundry, which is probably the biggest hindrance to me trying it. But, I am done buying new clothes for quite awhile, which is part of the challenge too. It’s a worthy challenge it seems, and would be really interesting for a high school class experiment I think. If anyone decides to do it, I’d love to hear about it.