Follow
Share
Read More
Find Care & Housing
Way, your daughter has a point. Who makes their own clothes anymore? I quit sewing clothes when a vogue dress pattern topped $20. And the price of quality fabric if you can even find it - outrageous.

It is sad when someone can’t sew a button on though.

EXCEPT when it’s your soon to be ex-husband and you use a seam ripper to cut all but one thread holding all the buttons onto all his shirts. Then it’s karma.
(3)
Report

I compromise. I buy OpShop clothes to beat the over-consumption that makes fashion a serious waste problem, but I hand-sew to make them shorter, fit better, look smarter by ‘upcycling’ etc. In fact more “me”. But I don’t mend socks!
(5)
Report

My mom kept a burnt out light bulb for darning too, dad's wool work socks worn in rubber boots often needed repairs. I have my grandmother's darning egg and will sometimes repair my favourite warm socks, acrylic socks are warm but not very durable.
I did not take home ec in high school but I was a 4-H member for many years and learned all about cooking, sewing and gardening there. My grandmother taught me how to crochet, braid and do embroidery but it was my mom who showed me the basics of knitting. And now I'm just not interested in any of it.
(3)
Report

psue - that's hilarious!!! At least you had a cover. Re teenage girls - I think it's more the age than the beauty. Things change very fast and it takes a while to get used to them. Vogue really were the best patterns. Re your ex you didn't, did you??? There's a tiger underneath that sweet exterior.

nacy - sounds like hubby is getting better Yay! I wish I had had shop. I would have loved it. Awful for that poor girl.

ana - lol I hear you! When you get to my age you can strut again no matter how you look!!!

way - I guess your dd is just not a sewer. It's probably becoming a lost art. Obviously she is managing her life without having to sew on buttons. Nowadays stuff is thrown out rather than repaired. Handing down skills was the old way.

ali - What a story. That was lovely! I am sure your grandmother's place looked great. You have lots of talents! But you went in with your dreams and hit a major obstacle. I remember you posting about that business here years ago. Sad. My understanding is that darning is what you do to socks, I kind of enjoyed the weaving in and out. Otherwise it is mending. I doubt many do it these days. The most important reconstruction and weaving you did then was in your relationship with your grandmother. No one can take those memories from you,

Good for you. Margaret! You certainly have some sewing talent.

Yes cw - I'm awake again! You could get lovely darning eggs in those days but anything round and firm worked. 4H was a great group. I've wondered about crocheting again. Mother knitted several Norwegian sweater in her late 80s, then went on to scarves. But it hasn't happened for me yet either.

R has a few drawers full of sox on which I commented the other day. He said "I don't darn them any more. When they get holes, I throw them away. I figure he's good for a few decades. In case you wonder, he does his own laundry so I am not aware of the state of his sox. He sews reasonable well too and mends occasionally.

I have been somewhat shameless this season buying a few new outfits. It's over now I hope - but maybe just one more piece. it will go so well with that other set.
(2)
Report

Whine on behalf of R and request for prayers to anyone who does. His headaches, at times, nearly blind him. The concussion PT did a manipulation which brought him some instant relief, but, of course the headaches returned. Yesterday was really bad, and the sun on the snow makes it worse. Glad at least he has some hope that the PT will help eventually.
(3)
Report

Golden, I will pray for R - I already did pray for R, and for you because you are worried and worry hurts. I don’t want either of you to hurt.

Nacy, what a relief for your DH. I’d much rather be sick myself than have a sick husband. How about you? Any symptoms?
(2)
Report

Golden, oh yes indeed I did do that. Not only that, I took a hammer to all of his pants zippers. I figured, why does he need them to close? They apparently weren’t closed all that often anyway……
(2)
Report

nacy - so glad your hub is starting to recover and that you are ok.

psue - Sounds appropriate and I hope it helped. Like I said, there's a tiger in you!🐯 Thx for the prayers. I hate seeing him in such pain, He has a very high tolerance for pain but it still shows

Humidity going up. Why didn't I do this sooner?
(1)
Report

Sis is blowing up my phone with messages , on a continuous loop .

“ I don’t need to be here , I hate it . How would you like to be put away too young?
I have rights , I refuse to be drugged .”

She refuses her Seroquel . 😫😫😫
(2)
Report

Way, I'm going to speak from pure novice anecdotal experience here: Seroquel can be far too sedating. Can her psych Rx something else, another calming anti-psychotic like Abilify? Or, there are many, many other meds to choose from.

Seroquel makes one very sleepy and groggy. Again, I have very limited experience with myself and hearing this from others, but I get why someone would refuse it if they're cognizant enough to do so.

Idk who her advocate is. In my opinion, a lot of folks refuse Seroquel. And psychiatrists get lazy and fall back on rx'ing the med that calms folks down so they are compliant. I hope her psychiatrist tries something else; something she agrees to take as prescribed.
(1)
Report

Way, Risperdol? That’s what DH was prescribed in the ER but I admit, I did not give it to him since he has maintained his calm since that fateful day and I read it can cause dizziness.

Golden, the tiger within me has tamed a lot since husband #1. We were both young and stupid. You can add ‘petty’ to my list but vandalism was better than what I wanted to do (and what he deserved IMHO) - he got off easy.
(1)
Report

My nephew ( her son ) is POA.
Sis did well on Seroquel Oct 2023 when she had delerium after back surgery after a fall .
Not all sedatives can be given with Lewy Body either.

Before Lewy was diagnosed , They tried Abilify April of 2023 for delerium from metabolic encephalopathy and sepsis . She almost died , but went to rehab and then back home . She could not tolerate the Abilify in rehab , she refused it . A lot of tremors and other symptoms . She did well in rehab and went home that time .

At this point she now believes there is nothing wrong with her and does not need any meds. She will refuse all sedatives . She still googles on her phone . She insists she can take care of herself . She is often agitated in this loop quest to go home . She will only take her regular meds for BP , thyroid , blood thinners etc . Only months ago she knew she had dementia and even said she knew she would need to go to a facility soon . The past 4-6 months significant progression .
Anesthesia from back and hip surgery ( falls ) have not helped .

She left rehab a month ago and is in a very nice board and care . The other day my nephew took her to the orthopedist for recheck for her fractured hip ( 3 months ago ). When they got back she refused to get out of the car . The owner had to coax her to go inside .
(2)
Report

Golden: Prayers for R. Bad headaches are terrible; I know as a migraine sufferer.

Nacy: Prayers for your DH.
(3)
Report

Way, I was missing a lot of pertinent info when I commented and should have refrained. I hope there is something that will help your sister. She's on a bad journey emotionally and mentally, and since she has your phone number, you get to ride along with her. 🙃 Anesthesia can kick off so many mental and physical problems, plus the LBD. That's a formidable combination. I'm sorry.
(3)
Report

Last night, I was reminded of another way I mend clothes. 😄A friend is in town for the weekend, and we went out yesterday evening for dinner. I pulled a lightweight cable sweater out of my closet that I hadn't worn in at least a year, and during dinner, I noticed a tiny hard spot on the front. I noticed it just from brushing across it; it isn't visible.

I instantly knew what it was--It's a smidge of clear nail polish on what was surely a very small hole where any stitching would have accentuated the hole, but a drop of clear nail polish keeps the fibers from fraying. 🤓 I don't remember doing the repair, but I knew that's what it was. 😁

Anyone else ever used this trick for tiny holes? I learned it in high school because I wore pantyhose often (due to the dress code), and nail polish is, of course, a great way to stop a run. Just thought that was funny, and reminded me of the mending talk lately in this thread. It's neat to hear all the ways you all have learned to sew things, or saw your parents or grandparents do things.
(1)
Report

Ali, I never want to hear the word “pantyhose” again. ( ;-b)
(3)
Report

My whine: I’m new to caregiving, my mom is 81, and we’re in the process of getting her into a retirement community. I’m the daughter (2 brothers), childless, semi-retired, and live closest to where she’ll be, so thus far, the bulk of the work has fallen on me. My brothers want to help, but one lives about 8 hours away, the other 2, and both have more standard work schedules. I’m trying to dole out some of the responsibilities, but it ends up being easier just to do it all myself. I’m not necessarily asking for advice, just whining!
(2)
Report

Llama - thx for the prayers. R 's head is very bad again this evening. Trying to find something that helps.

Way I'm so sorry you are going through this. I hope the drs find some meds that help her. There is not much more that can be done. I know it's hard to hear her anger and blame. Please look after yourself and don't get too weighed down by this. It is out of your hands. (((((((hugs)))))

Ali - I used to use nail polish on panty hose too. Don't think I have used it for anything else but it is a good idea.

Psue - I am with you!

nacy - she pretty well did her own thing anyway didn't she?

TB welcome. Glad you are getting your mom into a facility. Caregiving often falls in one person's shoulders.
(2)
Report

Golden: You're welcome. I hope and pray that R can get some relief soon.
(1)
Report

Golden, I’m thinking about you and R tonight. I hope some relief can be found for his pain and you both can get some sleep.
(1)
Report

AnxietyNancy,

Thanks for the clips idea. I found our small metal ones and they worked. Now, I can put them on much easier!
(3)
Report

Thx again for prayers. He is too good at tolerating pain so doesn't say anything until it is pretty bad. It's more effective to take meds sooner for pain, but he doesn't like to take pills. Catch 22!
(3)
Report

AnxietyNancy,

Yes, and I was confident that I would find an answer here. Safety pins didn't sound too good for socks, but clips did. I have a compression sock aid that helps me put them on. I fold them inside out over this half tube, press it down some, and then point my foot to place my foot in that hole. I pull up on the two sides of the aid, and when I remember to spray my legs or use baby powder, the socks slide right on.
(1)
Report

Many, many thanks for prayers. As of yesterday, R is much better. We had a great family brunch this morning then drove south, His head is pretty good. He is now delivering presents to a grandson for his birthday. I am enjoying some quiet. So thankful he is better.
(5)
Report

Golden, that's REALLY good to hear R is doing better. You're in my thoughts.
(2)
Report

Golden,
So good to hear R is doing better!
(2)
Report

Golden: Such great news about R.
(1)
Report

Yes thank you, all. He looks and acts 10 yrs younger. Now to keep him this way.
(4)
Report

Golden that’s wonderful - what a relief!
(1)
Report

Things are not going well here. Too much at once. Mom slipped and hurt herself (not severely but she’s 89), brother is in the hospital in CA having emergency coronary stents placed, hubs did not do too well on his first visit to the AL facility, and I cried on the phone with his ex-wife! His EX-WIFE! I feel like Chicken Little.
(1)
Report

Start a Discussion
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter