I am officially a fan of Redhead Wool Socks. In late 2007, I bought four pairs of them which my husband and I shared for two winters. My favorite pair (a tad smaller than the three other pairs) got so much wear that by early 2010 both the toes and heels had holes.
In doing some online window shopping to prepare for coming back to USA to restock our necessities, I discovered that these socks have a lifetime warranty. I contacted the company and was told I could return the socks (by mail or in person) for a free replacement pair. I admit I was suspicious that it would really be that easy. But when I walked into the Memphis Bass Pro Shop with my holey socks, the greeter immediately knew what to do. He sent me to the returns desk where they told me exactly where to go to get a new pair. It was so easy. No one asked when I bought them or accused me of mistreating my socks. (I did have to fill out a form and show identification, but I know that returns often require that sort of thing.)
These socks are only about $10 per pair, and considering that you can wear them for LIFE, it’s quite a bargain. Besides my free pair, I bought three more pairs. I can’t imagine that I would ever buy any other winter sock again. These socks are really thick and really warm, a necessity for us living in (south) China where most homes and public places have no heat. Of course, we use space heaters in our home, but it is never truly toasty inside. So we wear many layers indoors, including wool socks and suede slippers.
I know, it’s sandal weather, and here I am blogging about wool socks. But a lot of this trip is about stocking up for the next three years in China, so preparing for the future is always in my mind. Tucked away in our six trunks are:
- jeans (flannel lined and regular)
- unmentionables
- socks
- spices
- loads of homeschool books
- cookie sheets & wire racks
- fitted sheets (impossible to find in Asia for some reason)
- craft materials and science projects/lab equipment
- a small sewing machine (thanks to my mom)
- merino wool thermal underwear
- medicines
And already, our hopes of keeping within our 6 trunk luggage allowance has gone out the window. We are sure to need at least two more pieces to fit in all we need to take back. Anyone got an old trunk or piece of hard luggage you’d like to get rid of? 
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Hi, I'm Jimmie, and this is my online collage -- a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but mostly homeschooling with a loosely Charlotte Mason style. You're welcome to poke around and leave a comment if you desire. 
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Jimmie,
Thanks for the tip about the socks. I’ve never heard of a lifetime warranty on socks – that’s amazing! We’ve got some friends moving your direction in the next few months – maybe we can bless them with some of these socks. Do they have youth sizes also? How does Sprite keep her tootsies warm?
I wish I had a suitcase/trunk to give you but I will pray that your needs are met abundantly. Our Father “owns the cattle on a thousand hills”, I’m sure He can find you a couple travel cases for your stuff.
Blessings,
Karen H
My only question is: How on earth have you been able to find all the winter things this time of year??
If I had an extra trunk, I’d totally give it to you.
.-= Kris´s last blog ..Review: In a Heartbeat =-.
Well, with the power of internet, you can buy most anything year round. Stores generally don’t have these items in stock, but online shops do!
We have some luggage. You can come and get it.
This is just all so fascintating. Do you stock up on clothes for everyone for the next three years? Or can you get what you like in China? And do you buy three years worth of school books? Where are you storing all the stuff you are buying before you go back? Is it hard getting spices and stuff through customs?
.-= Deb´s last blog ..A Haircut Story =-.
Are you able to contact expats that plan their move to China and ask them some container-space for an acceptable fee?
Are there any companies in your home town that ship to China?
Are there moving companies in your home town that have a shipment to China and are willing to help you?
It’s been fun reading your U.S. posts! I’m so sorry you had trouble at the start in Seattle. We are only 3 hours away from that airport – we’d have met you at the gate if we’d known! My feet are always cold – I must investigate those socks. Are they the ones used for making sock monkeys (ever heard of them?) Looking forward to following your trip as you post. Enjoy each day!
-Kate
O.K., those socks are NOT the sock monkey socks. Just thought I’d comment on that (if anyone cares!!) However, they DO look very warm. Terrific warranty – cool!
- Kate (again)
Thinking about wool socks makes me feel itchy and sweaty. I wear flip-flops almost all year long– and I have the tan lines on my feet to prove it.
Wow, I can’t imagine trying to venture a guess as to what I would need in the next three years. How fun that your mom got you a sewing machine! It’ll be interesting how you use it in the next few years.
.-= Marsha´s last blog ..my new bracelet =-.
Six trunks seems like a fabulous dream. We usually went back and forth (and my parents still do) to Africa with one suitcase and one carry on each. Included therein were clothes for the duration, a carefully carefully packed mega jar of jiff peanut butter which I could make last a year and a half by eating one measured teaspoonful every three days, books, music and unmentionables. My dad still packs his suitcase with nuts and books and very little else. I hate the long night of pairing down–taking everything out of its packaging, deciding what you guess you can live without, painstakingly packing everything in while trying to stay under the weight limit. In the old days, before we each had a computer to carry, my mother would spend the night packing individual pieces of Royal Dalton Victoria Rose china in her hand luggage. One time she managed to take a cat (live, not china). Just this weekend I am carefully constructing a flat flat flat package of things to send them with a traveler headed that way.
I’m always a sucker for good value… maybe I’ll have to get me some of those!!
My husband has to tell me often, ‘but it’s not a good deal if you don’t NEED them…’ uh. yeah. going to the States is hard for me 
hey, I wanted to give you these two links I found in my rummaging around online this week… thought they MIGHT be interesting?
The mammals of China and Mongolia (Volume pt.1)
http://www.archive.org/details/mammalsofchinamo01alle
The mammals of China and Mongolia (Volume pt.2)
http://www.archive.org/details/mammalsofchinamo02alle
amy in peru
.-= amy in peru´s last blog ..Nature Study… discussion! =-.
Thanks for the tip on the socks. You may have saved us hundreds of dollars. My boys were so excited when I showed them. They go through socks like crazy- and they even wear them waaaaaay past the point where the soles are completely gone. It’s crazy! They are now trying to figure out how to convince their papa to make the trip to the nearest Bass Pro Shop so they can stock up.
.-= melissa telling´s last blog ..Should A Homeschool Curriculum Be Flexible? =-.
thanks for the tip! WE are moving to Australia in September… it’s hard to be warm with no central heating. This is just what I’m looking for!
.-= reneegrace´s last blog ..A Spiritual Cry =-.
I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how your trip is going. Sounds like all is well! If you come to Memphis on your next USA trip, I am going to hunt you down so we can have some coffee (or tacos!). I hope you fully enjoy the next month with lots of blue skies and puffy white clouds!