Well I for one, mowed my own yard up until two years ago and probably still would do it if my family let me. My son in law now mows it. The men in our family do all of our work that some might hire. We never hire much done and do it ourselves. Our family does their own plaster work, wiring, tree trimming and other things. I have baked a cake, pie, and things in a wood burning stove and it hasn't been all that long ago that I did it, just to see if I could. We never had to do that at home before I was married. I think the reason a lot of people hire things done is because they are older and or unable to do things. I am now 75 years old and I wish I could hire someone to do my housework. It isn't because I don't know how.

Sue

Azzalea, I agree with you up to a point. The younger generations have become spoiled.

You are 60; I am 3 weeks away from being 86. You still have your DH; I was widowed 27 years ago. There is a world of difference there.

My DH did all the gardening, vegetable and flowers. It was his joy.

Living alone, the time came to sell our home and for me to move to something smaller. I managed all that alone. I then did all the yard work until age/health prevented it.

Now I live in a Retirement Community where all maintenance is taken care of.

The book that came with my microwave says you should not run it without food cooking in it for more than 1-2 minutes; could cause damage to the oven and may start a fire, so using it for a timer is not a good idea.

I am happy for you and wish you many long years with your DH. Do try to remember we are not all in that situation.

And yes I have an electric tea kettle. I don't consider that a luxury.

Sue

Oh, no NEVER run the microwave oven empty. That's not what I was talking about at all. If your microwave is anything like the 3 I have, there is a SEPARATE timer feature that can be used even when the oven isn't cooking anything--just like the timer on your regular range can.

Thanks ladies--you're exactly proving my point. Those of us of our age, DO these things for ourselves, as long as we're able. And then we do ask for help--understandably.

I just think it's a shame to see healthy, able, intelligent young people who think they cannot choose a pair of curtains without professional help, or who will throw away a perfectly good item of clothing because they don't know how to do a minor repair, or who can't afford to pay their electric bill because they MUST have a cleaning lady regularly. It's also sad to see younger people cooking who don't understand enough about cooking to adapt recipes for what they have on hand (you need to bake two things at the same time, one calls for an oven temp of 350, one says 400--what to do? the recipe says to bake in an 8" square pan, you don't have one?? What now?)

And this really wasn't about that electrick kettle--we all have our little splurges. It was more the fact that a mom was making concessions so her child wouldn't have to learn responsibility (and I DO understand worrying about the kids burning the place down--don't think I'm not sympathetic to the situation. Been there, worried about it--LOL.)

Not sure what we can expect with the number of people who raise kids to be so concerned with styles and trends. I find it disgusting that someone would replace appliances that work perfectly well just because they're avocado, coppertone or harvest gold. That's shameful. There is a thing called paint if you're so offended by the color, but for the ones who picked bisque and now MUST have stainless steel because the fashion magazines say so, well, it says something about that person. I look at house ads and see "kitchen needs updating" and think, no wonder there's so many lawyers advertising to come to me and file bankruptcy.

I enjoy watching the shows that update houses on a budget. Especially with a "designer" involved. Usually the first thing is THAT PAINT HAS *GOT* TO GO!!!! Ironic that the same color scheme painted over in one show is the destination in the next.

And of course if someone can afford it and wants to "treat themselves right", go ahead. I'm talking about the ones who are so brainwashed that style is the only thing in their lives and then lose their homes even though they deserve it.

I do agree with several of your points, but, where
does your DH have access to someplace to change the
oil in your cars? And, what on earth does he do with
the used oil?

That would be a huge no-no around here - and most
places I know.

Around here you take your used oil to a place like Auto Zone and they take it and recycle it. Our men always change the oil in their vehicles.

Sue

Some changes are good. I for one wouldn't give up my GPS for anything! Even my husband who is very frugal says it was worth every penny and he's a great map reader (me not so good). wouldn't give up my garage door opener, dishwasher, and lots of other conveniences. I consider myself a good cook that uses recipes. My grandmother didn't use recipes nor did my mother and their cooking wasn't that great. However, your point is well taken. Times have changed and the younger generation does not pinch pennies the way we did.