Damn, now I'm crying at my desk. Wearing my mom's sweater because we finally went through her things yesterday and wondering how the hell you can hate someone and blame the ills of the world on them just because of their age.
Sorry about your mom. I was pretty crazy (like irrationally irritated a lot) after my mom died. It would sometimes really sneak up on me. But it's best to see it for what it is, misplaced frustration than go down in a message board blaze of glory. I'm not a long time poster here, so I may be missing other context, but I know grief.
I can't get on board with correcting grammar on here simply because I think we've all seen the havoc autocorrect can wreak.
well I'm certainly not going to start correcting comma splices or typos. Especially since I often post from my phone and can't spell for shit - but this right here is where I draw the line.
I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL.
You realize that this is a karmic invitation to have your phone change a "your" into "you're" right?
And when you post "You're link isn't working" THERE WILL BE NO MERCY.
SBP!! You too?? Don't do this to me. Rein. Like a horse. It is a phrase actually used in horseback riding - to rein your horse in - meaning to shorten your reins to signal to the horse to slow down.
I can't get on board with correcting grammar on here simply because I think we've all seen the havoc autocorrect can wreak.
well I'm certainly not going to start correcting comma splices or typos. Especially since I often post from my phone and can't spell for shit - but this right here is where I draw the line.
I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL.
You realize that this is a karmic invitation to have your phone change a "your" into "you're" right?
And when you post "You're link isn't working" THERE WILL BE NO MERCY.
SBP!! You too?? Don't do this to me. Rein. Like a horse. It is a phrase actually used in horseback riding - to rein your horse in - meaning to shorten your reins to signal to the horse to slow down.
I can't get on board with correcting grammar on here simply because I think we've all seen the havoc autocorrect can wreak.
Which is why sandodisk's comment to correct my grammar was met with a yawn.
There was a time after WW II when clothing was made in the U.S. by union members who were paid a living wage. Consequently clothing was relatively expensive; in a family with a sole breadwinner (the ideal if not the norm of the era), home sewing was critical to balancing the family budget.
I'm old enough to remember shopping with my grandmother just before she died in the late 1960's. One of the things she bought me was a classic oxford cloth shirt that was $6, or $43 in today's money. That was a lot of money for a child's shirt. Lands End sells a similar shirt today for $27 but of course there'd be a 30% sale before anyone actually bought it. Or I could go to ON or H&M and buy a 3 shirts for that same $27.
If I were to want to sew that shirt today, I'd have to buy a pattern for about $6 (retail $12.50) and buy 3 yards of fabric (100% cotton pinpoint) at about $8/yd plus buttons, interfacing and thread- there's no way I could duplicate the LE shirt at the price they charge. There's no economic inducement to learn to sew. And that not factoring the cost of my time or the investment my sewing machine represents. Counter that with an education system that has made budgetary cuts around "specials" so that many students aren't exposed to things like sewing or basic wood working in school and you can see where the numbers of home sewists would be down. FWIW, both my millenial DS and niece can do basic sewing but have little interest.
It's funny. In the same era that sewing was a zero order skill for adult women, people ate the majority of their meals at home or brought from home. Eating out was a rare event. Today people get take out or dine out for a lot of the same reasons they buy rather than sew their own clothes- there are more less expensive options avialble and people are pressed for time in dual career families. But people didn't stop learning to cook- in fact, rather the opposite happened. My millenials are very food aware and many of their friends are more competent in the kitchen than their own moms and dads ever were.
And let's see...which generation was it that demanded those budget cuts? Which generation is now screaming and shouting that THEY shouldn't have to pay property taxes like everyone else because their kids aren't in school anymore and therefore schools should just cut everything out so they don't have to pay? Hmm...
I think that's an over simplification.
IME, it's more about what the community supports. I live in a community with a lot of senior housing and empty nesters, but for whatever reason they support the schools. I think they figured out that a great school system directly impacts the value of their homes.
And let's see...which generation was it that demanded those budget cuts? Which generation is now screaming and shouting that THEY shouldn't have to pay property taxes like everyone else because their kids aren't in school anymore and therefore schools should just cut everything out so they don't have to pay? Hmm...
I think that's an over simplification.
IME, it's more about what the community supports. I live in a community with a lot of senior housing and empty nesters, but for whatever reason they support the schools. I think they figured out that a great school system directly impacts the value of their homes.
Sure. Are the schools filled with white or brown kids? Because the moment California schools started becoming significantly less white and more brown in the late 70s, this "great generation" and their adult boomer children were like "fuck you public education" and passed tax "reform" laws that decimated public education in the entire state.
My neighbors have brown kids, the people next to them have kids who are English Language Learners (Eastern European), the lady next to them is a retired teacher who volunteers in a literacy program, the people across from her sent their kids to private school and the ones next to them are from Korea.
And let's see...which generation was it that demanded those budget cuts? Which generation is now screaming and shouting that THEY shouldn't have to pay property taxes like everyone else because their kids aren't in school anymore and therefore schools should just cut everything out so they don't have to pay? Hmm...
I think that's an over simplification.
IME, it's more about what the community supports. I live in a community with a lot of senior housing and empty nesters, but for whatever reason they support the schools. I think they figured out that a great school system directly impacts the value of their homes.
So those seniors don't get a senior property tax exemption?
Post by tacosforlife on Oct 21, 2014 11:15:23 GMT -5
I don't think anybody is saying that individual members of any generation are all selfish, horrible people. And NOBODY is saying that someone deserves to die just because she is old.
I am sorry for your loss, sandonisk. I know that I will be a wreck when the day comes that mamaharpy passes.
What we are saying is that AS A COLLECTIVE, Boomers have enacted policies that have hurt younger generations.
It's sort of like saying that white people have screwed over black people doesn't mean you think that each individual white person has directly contributed to the oppression of an individual black person.
IME, it's more about what the community supports. I live in a community with a lot of senior housing and empty nesters, but for whatever reason they support the schools. I think they figured out that a great school system directly impacts the value of their homes.
So those seniors don't get a senior property tax exemption?
They sure do. My Grandmas tax bill was 1/4 of mine and her house was worth 3 times as much. I almost passed out when I saw her bill.
I don't think anybody is saying that individual members of any generation are all selfish, horrible people. And NOBODY is saying that someone deserves to die just because she is old.
I am sorry for your loss, sandonisk. I know that I will be a wreck when the day comes that mamaharpy passes.
What we are saying is that AS A COLLECTIVE, Boomers have enacted policies that have hurt younger generations.
It's sort of like saying that white people have screwed over black people doesn't mean you think that each individual white person has directly contributed to the oppression of an individual black person.
ETA: And we make fun of white people TONS.
When I say boomers ruined everything, I mean boomers as a group not individual, specific boomers. They bear responsibility for the decisions and choices they've made while being the ones in control. And I don't think it is mean girl behavior to point out their failings - as the group in power, making decisions. No doubt my own kids will be like "those damn genXers and millennials!!" I won't take that as a personal insult because I am sure we as a group will also make poor choices and mistakes.
But really, none of the above should matter, because despite an element of truth in my statement, it was a joke. In my world, "I hate them so much," is a phrase I use to jokingly convey my annoyance and irritation. Sometimes I even say "I hate them so much. SO much." Or my husband responds "so much." Idk it's our thing. It makes sense to us and others seem to usually get it.
I can't get on board with correcting grammar on here simply because I think we've all seen the havoc autocorrect can wreak.
Truthfully, though, I didn't give it that much thought. Plus, my silent generation father was a whole language learner and he's the one who taught me to read. Consequently, I can't spell for shit. Fucking oldz. Teaching their kids not to read good or do other things good, too.
You don't need to read good, you need Business Skills. That's what college is for!!!! Learn a trade!!! Be a Business Person!
Post by mominatrix on Oct 21, 2014 12:25:08 GMT -5
back to the original study...
yes, the study is sexist and stupid... but it's also the case that we're losing a bunch of skills that are, IMHO, important to life.
people should be able to sew on a fucking button, or fix a dropped hem. they should also be able to change a light fixture (not a bulb, an actual fixture), change a faucet fixture, paint a room, cook a meal without a recipe, and get somewhere on a city bus. etc etc etc
it continually amazes me that people hire others to do what I consider to be really basic tasks. It's one thing to not have the time for it, it's another to simply not know how to do it... and as much as I want to believe that's generational, it's really not.
I honestly think that there are people who think they're competent to do stuff, so even if they don't actually know how to do it, they'll look up instructions and give it a whirl... then there are others who are like, "oh, NO, I couldn't POSSIBLY change a light fixture! I'd burn the house down!!!" and don't even try. It's THAT which has me worried, because the percentage of people who lack the confidence to try seems to be going up with every generation...
Like, my parents (my dad was born in 1934, my mom in 1943), they'd try anything home-repair related. And this was pre-internet... they asked, they bought books, and they figured stuff out by trial and error.
...but people my age (born late 60's), it's like they're freaked out... and those younger are even moreso. If your shirt's lost a button, what do you think could go wrong if you TRIED to fix it, and failed??? But they don't even try. I know people (my age, so this isn't a generational thing) who'll pay a seamstress $5 to sew on a button, but complain that they are having a hard time making mortgage payments.
I have another friend (also about my age) who absolutely hates her dining room light fixture... when I told her to go pick out another one and I'd teach her how to install it, she was totally shocked that I knew how to do it. Really? I could see being shocked if I knew how to frame a room... but installing a light fixture?
I dunno. I think it's a basic task of parenting to either teach your kids how to do this basic stuff, or give them the confidence to teach themselves and try it. It's one of the reasons why I worry about helocopter parenting so much: how are these kids going to learn how to do anything valuable, if everything's being done for them??
/way to make this post about EVERYTHING in P&CE land!
IME, it's more about what the community supports. I live in a community with a lot of senior housing and empty nesters, but for whatever reason they support the schools. I think they figured out that a great school system directly impacts the value of their homes.
Sure. Are the schools filled with white or brown kids? Because the moment California schools started becoming significantly less white and more brown in the late 70s, this "great generation" and their adult boomer children were like "fuck you public education" and passed tax "reform" laws that decimated public education in the entire state.
Prop 13 ... right idea but too many loopholes- residential limit in property taxes I can get behind but the corporate property tax loophole, get rid of it !
i will say that it was nice to see a lot of homemade costumes in the halloween kid thread the other day. i think i only had 1 or 2 store bought costumes when i was a kid. now im not that good of a barometer since we were poor, but i see poorer family members shelling out $40 for a costume when i know you can make it cheaper. if they knew how.
as a whole, we have shifted to store bought costumes for kids on halloween
I keep thinking that making my own will be less expensive, but it's a lie.
When I buy the nice costumes from Costco, they're $25.
Making costumes = always more than that. If I'm using fabrics or yarns from my stash, I'm not paying for it outright, but there's still cost there. My head, though, is in a different place if I go to Costco and drop $50 on two costumes, then if I go to a fabric store and drop $30, then to Michaels or Target or Staples or Home Depot for incidentals for another $30. It doesn't register as 'costume', it registers as 'supplies'. But it's almost always more.
Heck, I probably paid more than $25 for stuff for DD's Hermione costume, not including clothes she can wear to school as part of her uniform.
Haven't read the whole thread, but for the people that mentioned the impact of disposable/super cheap fashion, I have a book recommendation: Overdressed. It's super interesting and goes into the history behind the garment industry and how we've gotten to where we are. It's a great read.
Haven't read the whole thread, but for the people that mentioned the impact of disposable/super cheap fashion, I have a book recommendation: Overdressed. It's super interesting and goes into the history behind the garment industry and how we've gotten to where we are. It's a great read.
Along these lines, Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster is a great read about how even the high-priced designer clothes have gotten cheaper in terms of quality.
i will say that it was nice to see a lot of homemade costumes in the halloween kid thread the other day. i think i only had 1 or 2 store bought costumes when i was a kid. now im not that good of a barometer since we were poor, but i see poorer family members shelling out $40 for a costume when i know you can make it cheaper. if they knew how.
as a whole, we have shifted to store bought costumes for kids on halloween
I keep thinking that making my own will be less expensive, but it's a lie.
When I buy the nice costumes from Costco, they're $25.
Making costumes = always more than that. If I'm using fabrics or yarns from my stash, I'm not paying for it outright, but there's still cost there. My head, though, is in a different place if I go to Costco and drop $50 on two costumes, then if I go to a fabric store and drop $30, then to Michaels or Target or Staples or Home Depot for incidentals for another $30. It doesn't register as 'costume', it registers as 'supplies'. But it's almost always more.
Heck, I probably paid more than $25 for stuff for DD's Hermione costume, not including clothes she can wear to school as part of her uniform
Yeah. I did a make or buy for my belt this year. The belt was $30 on etsy. To gather the supplies to make one (and clay instead of resin at that) would have put me at about $45 plus time. So I bought. But I'm used to this because while my $30 skein of sock yarn will make superior socks, I can get five pairs for that price at Target.
Mostly I make when the thing I want isn't available or I'm entertaining myself.
Only if they live in a dedicated 55+ community. If you live in a traditional neighborhood, you don't.
are you sure about that? you can look up tax records and see if there is an exemption. homestead is what it is called in IL
eta: I think it is a homestead exemption. it might be circuit breaker. anyway the exemption is you get to pay taxes on the value of your home when you bought it, not what it is worth today. someone buying in the nice 'burbs in the 60s is paying WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY less than the family next door that bought in 2007
We have a homestead exemption. In my state it give us an exemption of $10,000.
Only if they live in a dedicated 55+ community. If you live in a traditional neighborhood, you don't.
are you sure about that? you can look up tax records and see if there is an exemption. homestead is what it is called in IL
eta: I think it is a homestead exemption. it might be circuit breaker. anyway the exemption is you get to pay taxes on the value of your home when you bought it, not what it is worth today. someone buying in the nice 'burbs in the 60s is paying WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY less than the family next door that bought in 2007
I believe the way they do it here is they freeze your assessment when you turn 65. It could be that they freeze the tax levy but I think it's just the assessed value.
Only if they live in a dedicated 55+ community. If you live in a traditional neighborhood, you don't.
are you sure about that? you can look up tax records and see if there is an exemption. homestead is what it is called in IL
eta: I think it is a homestead exemption. it might be circuit breaker. anyway the exemption is you get to pay taxes on the value of your home when you bought it, not what it is worth today. someone buying in the nice 'burbs in the 60s is paying WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY less than the family next door that bought in 2007
Our homestead doesn't have an age restriction. I know we got information on it when we were in out place for about 5-6 years.
Post by autumnfire on Oct 21, 2014 14:09:28 GMT -5
This is just an odd article. In my group of friends we all actually do more crafting/sewing / diy then my parents ever did. I learned to crochet/sew/embroider with the help of youtube and my grandmother. Just from my circle of friends I feel it's actually not true and our generations are seeking ways to teach themselves if their parents didn't teach them, with the help of technology, books and classes.
Post by MixedBerryJam on Oct 21, 2014 14:14:13 GMT -5
Well, my son is 17 and he's been doing his own laundry since he was probably 10. He can make a grilled cheese sandwich worthy of the Food Network and can replace buttons and whatnot. I actually got him a crockpot for his birthday (which is today, so he's 18 not 17!), which he asked for.