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NHWM, I now own three watches I almost never wear because I have clocks available on phone, computer, kindle, microwave, stove, etc. The first is a timex I purchased for myself but traded to Mom after she had her hip replacement surgery because she could read my watch without her glasses. The second is her watch I started wearing and the third is one of my Dad's watches he gave me when he purchased his last gold wrist watch. My dad was a small man and I have large hands so my wrist is almost the same size as Dad's. They sit in my jewellery box until I go to court; since cell phones are not allowed, the watch is useful again!
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Yes, it is Pfaff! ;)

I learned to sew when in the 5th grade on my Mom's circa, probably about 1940's Pfaff, not a treadle but very antique looking. I sewed nearly everything I wore through junior high and high school. Then lots for a my daughters when they were in elementary school. By junior high, they were much too cool to wear something mom made other than homecoming/prom dresses in high school. Mom taught me how to knit when I was in the hospital for a few days when in about 2nd grade. But, mom wasn't a knitter, my grandma was! Beautiful sweaters. I never knit much of anything other than hot pads that weren't very effective. I have embroidered samplers and smocked a couple of dresses for my girls when they were young.

Now trying to figure out what to do with about 50 bolts of wool fabric, about 70 yards each to continue with my mom's business that exploded in about 1995. Beautiful fabrics! And I probably have a couple hundred cones of yarn that were used for sewing garments together! Any ideas, anyone?
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I learned to sew on my mother's treadle Singer. They were pretty amazing machines Mother sewed all kind of things on it including a woolen tailored suit for herself which looked like it came from a fashion house. I kept the machine oiled and working. She did smocking too. When we were young we had smocked dresses she had made. Mother knit up into her late 80s making Norwegian style sweatwers with silver buttons, and wonderful warm colourful long scarves. Dd has inherited these skills and also embroiders beautifully, but she hasn't for a few years. I used to sew quite a few of my own clothes when I was young and knit, embroider and crochet too, but not for quite a while. I am bringing my collection of crochet hooks with me, and still thinking about the knitting needles. I used to do baby blankets and shawls etc and give them to the thrift shop for something new for babies whose mothers shopped there.
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What is the most unusual item that you saw or purchased in an antique store?
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cw,

It’s the memories that are attached to those pieces that make them so special. That wasn’t a fair way to divide things.

Grandma asked me if I wanted her machine. I said yes and I did use it for a long time.

I still have her ‘how to’ crochet and knitting books too. She crocheted and knitted beautifully. I have tablecloths, doilies and bedspreads that she made.

Grandma was German and she knitted in the German method. She taught my mom to knit that way too. Mom taught me but I forgot how.

Mom made beautiful baby items. I have some that she made for my daughters.

My MIL did all these things too, plus beautiful embroidery and cross stitching. Her mom did too. Her mom did tatting and smocking.

Not as many people do these things now. Some do. I hope it will continue.
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When my grandmother died I wanted her treadle sewing machine because she had taught me to sew on it, but it was decided that the fairest option was to put everything up for auction and let everyone buy what they wanted - that wasn't very fair to those of us who were the youngest and least able to afford anything. Just as well I suppose, it would only have been another heirloom I have no place for.

And sorry Techie but I'm coming back to be pedantic, I can't help myself. Its Pfaff
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TN,

What a cool story! I think you should donate it because it is in it’s original condition. That is fabulous!

My grandmother’s machine is not in the original condition. It does work though. They were stylish looking machines.

I have always thought the old decorative cash registers were beautiful! Of course none of the beautiful artistic pieces are practical to use now.

What about the fancy telephones from long ago? Children have to go to museums or look at photos of old pieces because everyone uses cell phones today!

Do you remember when you wore your first watch? I loved mine! I never wear a watch now. I look at my cell for the time.
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I have my grandmother's "manual" sewing machine (you pump with your foot to supply power - a real antique) and my mother's phaff machine, a 70 year old electric machine that does everything including lots of embroidery stitching. Mom used to make drapes on it but the layers of heavy material messed up the stitching adjustments so I started buying the new drapes when I began working about 40 years ago. I'm not a big sewer like Mom and Grandma were but they made sure I know how and I still "amaze" the younger generation by adding some embroidery or a button hole or even an extra strip of elastic to a waistband. Grandma's machine is in my living room with a sheet of plexiglass across the top and serves as a entry table until I show it off (it still works). When I move out of this house, I plan to donate them to the local college's museum of Appalachia along with some articles made and modified with them. My grandfather was a mason and Grandma always took fabric from the back legs of older pants and sewed it onto the front of his work pants, making a double layer where he would lay bricks or blocks across his legs to "cut" them with a trowel.
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cw,

I have donated remnants of fabric and thread to churches for quilting. Donations help enormously.

I have two sewing machines. Mine. a newer modern machine, which I use from time to time and my grandmother’s which is the one that I learned on. She bought it from a door to door salesman! LOL

It used to be a ‘knee’ pedal operated machine but my mother converted it to the ‘foot’ pedal. Mom was very handy and could fix a lot of things. She hated if my dad asked my uncle to fix something. Oh my gosh, he meant well but things would end up backwards. I remember the light switches going in the opposite direction and so on.

My brother has my mom’s machine and he uses it occasionally for hemming things.

My daughters don’t have an interest in sewing. I think I will donate my machine at some point in time.

I don’t know if anyone would be interested in grandma’s machine. I don’t think they have any monetary value. Maybe a museum or antique shop, or possibly my neighborhood thrift shop.
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The thing is, if there is access to a vehicle, it can sit for 2 weeks without a concern.
The minute you cannot use it, there could be panic and early onset of cabin fever.
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Nah, it's just whoever shows up. There are a couple of women that bring their sewing machines and a few more of us that cut the fabric and do the ironing. It would not be worth the effort if we didn't have a huge stash of donated material, but it appeals to me because it's about doing instead of praying.
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cw,

Are they expecting you to be there at church or is it a more casual arrangement?

I enjoy sewing but haven’t made any quilts. My dad’s mom made them. My mom occasionally did too. Quilts are so beautiful.

I am sure they will understand if you miss it.

Taking a taxi or Uber works if you really want to go to church.

Being in a walkable area helps a lot.
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The church is in the town where I grew up about a 15 or 20 minute drive from here, I'm no longer a regular attendee but I have been donating my time to the quilting group.... more for social interaction than for their benefit because I am not talented🤣
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cw - I can do without my car for a week. Can you walk to your church group, or beg a ride with another member? Worst comes to worse there are always taxis.
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I can walk anywhere in my town, it's only a mile and a half long and my daily walk takes me pretty much end to end. I did my grocery shop this morning (because Tuesday is senior's day!) and took the car because I wanted potatoes and some other heavy items. Leaving town for activities is not a necessity, just a want.
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I’m sorry, cw. You won’t be able to get out now. I hope your fridge is stocked.

I go to the store when I am low on coffee! LOL 😆 Food, eh…I can take or leave but I need my coffee! There’s usually something in the freezer or pantry, staples like peanut butter and crackers.

Our stores are cleaned out when there is news of a hurricane approaching.

Hurricane season is over but on the news last night a tropical storm was mentioned stirring around. They can and have hit after hurricane season has passed. Honestly, it’s hit or miss with weather reports. My husband says that it’s the only job that a person can be wrong 50% of the time and still keep their job.

Was it a special event with church or something that is the same every week? Either way, I am sorry that you can’t make it due to the curbs being replaced.

It’s sad that cars are being broken into. Unfortunately that can be a common problem. We have carjackings in our city. It’s awful.

Doesn’t it always seem like construction is going on at the most inopportune times?
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Too late now!
Cars left on the nearby streets have been broken into and I don't have anywhere else to put it. I was going to go to my church group on Saturday but c'est la vie🤷‍♀️
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cw,

How far away will you have to park it? You may end up needing to go somewhere that you hadn’t expected to go.

I would probably move it. Many people routinely go through this scenario with concerns over weather conditions.

For instance, living on a street that floods during a heavy rainstorm. It’s easier to move the car to higher ground before the storm hits.
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They are pouring the new curbs along my street and I was told if I don't leave now I won't be able to get my car out for a week. Will I regret leaving my car parked in the drive🤔?
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I love Bob McGrath. He was a sweetheart.
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Also R I P Bob McGrath
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R I P Kirstie Alley
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on my mind...
my elderly LO is having a very hard time keeping a straight face. i'm talking about a very serious topic: how to prevent UTIs. i have a dead serious look. and my LO keeps laughing.

(mayyyybe it's the xmas reindeer antlers i'm wearing)
(i even sleep with the antlers on) (wake up with them) (type with them) (you get the picture)
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FYI everyone who knows NeedHelpWithMom (NHWM), she is back. She just posted a while ago.
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yup alibobali, i agree. it’s also called “playing dumb”.
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I learned a new term for that concept recently, FF. "Weaponized incompetence." That's when people either act like they don't know how to do something, or they do it so poorly that you are forced to take over.

Maybe there are other descriptors for it, but I thought that term summed it up pretty well. I saw the term used in a Reddit of women commenting on how their partners do this exact thing, e.g., they act like laundry is just too complicated for them to do properly.

I hope everyone's having a nice, peaceful Thanksgiving celebration.
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What I wrote regarding all the things one had to do during the holidays was 1973 to 1993. Superwoman? More like Stupidwoman not knowing how to set boundaries.

Too blind to realize that when I had asked then Hubby to help with something, he would mess it up so bad that I would automatically do it myself next time, that was all part of his plan. I still remember the time when I asked him to help vacuuming until the vacuum got a hold of a throw rug.... good grief, you'd think Hubby was fighting off a mountain lion. Oh well, he did fix the hole made in the wall fighting the dreaded throw rug.

Lot changed over the years. My now sig-other will help in the kitchen, I no longer need to ask him, he will ask if there is anything he can do :) We decided years ago no running from store to store for gifts and then boxing and mailing, went to using Gift Cards. Guest stay at nearby hotel, which sig-other will pay, which has a gym, pool, full breakfast, thus no need for us to clean the upstairs.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. We finished our home made spaghetti [we made the sauce from scratch], and cooked a frozen pumpkin pie. The Pillsbury "crescent rolls" were the most challenging thing we had to do, mainly figure out how to open the can and figure out the dough inside :P
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FF, my mom was like that. I did a lot of that when my kiddos were young. It is absolutely exhausting! One year I tried to push through, forcing myself to get some cookies and house decorations. Pushed too hard , ended up getting a flu that went into pneumonia for Christmas, with a collapsed lung. I have never been so sick! Got down to 100 pounds and I am 5'10" ! I got Xmas gifts from my kids early that year, they thought I was going to die.😟😟

Nothing tasted better that Xmas than hot and sour soup that came from a restaurant seen in pictures next door to Club Q.

These days are much easier, the kiddos do what they can do and are much better at boundaries than I was. They are still 150 miles from here, next year I hope to be much closer. This screwy economy needs to get straightened out.

Happy Thanksgiving, all!
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My goodness, ff. How on earth did you do it? I gave up on all that years ago and am happy to spend a quiet time with myself or LOs if it works out that way.

Happy Thanksgiving to all those in the US. 🦃🥘🥧

Have a good day and take care of yourself!
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Fregflyer,
You were, or still are, a Superwoman.
Can I borrow your cape?

Lost mine many years ago. Now the holiday brings anxiety.
Try feeding someone who does not want to eat once the work has been done.

I am okay though. It's the holiday that is not ok. imo.

Did I say I am okay?
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