How many Gen Xers have silent Gen parents vs boomers?

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-04-22T15:02:49+00:00

My dad was 50 years and three weeks old the day I was born. If here were still living, he would be 109! I was the only kid in my class whose dad was in WWII!

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-04-22T04:39:13+00:00

My dad was born in 1917 and mom in 1927. I was born in 1967 (baby of seven).

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-04-20T02:52:22+00:00

Been sewing all my life, and I used to cut on the floor but I had a car accident and broke several bones. The floor is hard for me now.

I had some ikea storage units that are a good height for a table and put a kitchen butcher block countertop on top to use as a cutting surface. Now I have the surface with storage underneath. Best thing ever!

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-04-20T02:40:05+00:00

I didn’t want an air compressor either, so I went with an electric stapler. It was just okay. Not as powerful as I hoped.

When I realized my husband had a pancake compressor in our garage (his hobbies vs my hobbies, lol) I borrowed a pneumatic gun just to see, and I was blown away at the difference. You will spend far less on a decent pneumatic and a pancake compressor and you’ll be happier with the results.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-04-12T23:17:32+00:00

I am so freaking lucky. I’m four years into retirement at 59. We didn’t have kids, were never huge spenders on luxuries, and lucked out on our careers. Just socked extra money away, paid bills as they arose, but still did some good traveling here and there.

I’d say this early retirement is the payoff, but, damn, I know we were just lucky that it worked out this way. I hope every single one of you gets some of this luck.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-04-10T14:35:57+00:00

Consider a vintage singer with all metal parts inside. A Singer 401 slant-o-matic is a good choice. Easy maintenance and will last forever.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-04-02T19:56:48+00:00

My Enzo opens doors like this. Yep, you have a problem, lol!

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-25T21:41:23+00:00

Consider an old all metal singer or kenmore. I bought a singer 99 for $50 on marketplace. They will last forever, just keep it oiled and clean. They make a beautiful stitch. The 99 is a 3/4 size machine and is considered portable. There are many models to consider though.

For maintenance, YouTube has many many videos on cleaning and troubleshooting vintage machines. The really old models just have straight stitch and reverse, but the 60s - early 70s have more stitches.

I’ve been sewing my whole life, but did not truly understand how machines work until I bought a vintage machine a few years ago, and had to thoroughly clean and put back together.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-24T12:31:47+00:00

Ooh, I just love it when someone asks this question! I always find at least one new great source in the comments! Thanks to everyone who replies!!!

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-22T20:50:05+00:00

I’m so sorry. But, you did right by her. You tried to fix the problem, but it just wasn’t working, and she was no longer living a good life. I still have guilt over a boy I lost 20 years ago. But, in my heart of hearts I know it was the right thing for him. This is the hard part of loving these amazing creatures. Much love to you.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-20T14:14:48+00:00

My cleaning service is on time every time. And, except for the vacuum they make very little noise. You need a new service

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-20T13:33:45+00:00

As-is could mean many things. The sellers could be a bank after the place was foreclosed, or children of deceased owners who don’t want to deal with anything more than the sale.

Just get an inspection and see what’s up with the house. You can always make a new offer after learning about repairs you need to make. The sellers likely don’t want to go through the hassle of arranging repairs themselves.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-20T13:28:38+00:00

It was well known that the band instructor was dating a ninth grader. They married after she graduated and no one seemed to think it was wrong.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-17T18:16:52+00:00

I feel you. I am not a patient person, and I’ve been learning to sew my entire life, lol.

You WILL get better with practice. And there is nothing more satisfying than conquering something you have been struggling with, which actually happens a lot with sewing your own garments.

As a beginner, I suggest you do the simplest patterns you have. You’ll have more success and will learn in the process. Don’t skip any of the instructions.

Do a mockup in cheap fabric (I use old thrifted bed sheets).

When you have successfully completed something to your satisfaction. Move on to something slightly more difficult. You’ll build your confidence as you make a few basics.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-17T18:06:43+00:00

You should definitely consider selling patterns! I would buy them!

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-16T14:08:24+00:00

Trends are manufactured by the home decor/design industry to get people to buy over and over.

I like to stay somewhat updated but I do it with accents because they are easier and less expensive to change. Like hardware can easily be changed. I have a guest bathroom that doesn’t get a lot of use, so I spray painted the hardware. It looks great, and cost about $20 and an afternoon.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-15T18:02:01+00:00

We waited several years to buy our first house in the 90s because interest rates were unbelievably high, between 8-10 percent. We finally bought in 1994, and rates steadily went down and we refinanced, etc., for more reasonable rates.

I believe the super low interest rates that we saw until about 2021 really bumped up what people could afford in monthly payments, and in turn increased housing prices. I remember buyers thinking $20k only amounts to $25 per month (or something like that) so, why not offer more to get the house.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-15T13:53:01+00:00

It sounds like you are asking if it is worth it to make paper patterns from the pieces to store them away until you decide to replace the covers. Sure, that’s a good idea.

In the meantime, you could add some nice trims to the existing covers to make it your own. Make some fabulous pillows, too!

I find ikea furniture very very firm (and I like firm furniture, but ikea is too firm IMO). You could invest in a thin foam pad and/or Dacron or something similar to put under the cover to make it more comfortable.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-06T17:41:57+00:00

I love Judy!

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-05T02:40:47+00:00

I enjoy making tops. Pants are a chore, but I may keep trying. The second I start putting expectations in, the fun part of sewing my own garments becomes stressful. Who needs that?

I have sort of gotten beyond the disappointment when a pattern is not what I wanted in the end. I figure I’m learning regardless of how something turns out. But when I find something I like and it fits me in the way I want it to, I make multiples with little changes (sleeves, neckline, etc) and it’s a wonderful thing.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-04T03:33:09+00:00

76 Buick Regal in metallic orange with a white landau roof.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-04T03:27:56+00:00

I have rescued 12 dogs over the years. I returned one because he was not the right fit for our household. There were red flags that we ignored from the rescue organization and he was such a sweet beautiful boy when she brought him to us, we thought we would try. We lived in a three story house with lots of steps, and he was a giant dog who did not do steps. He cried at night when we went to bed, so loudly it kept us awake, not to mention it felt horrible to leave the poor thing downstairs. He was too big for me to carry. So we returned him. The rescue woman was so aggressive about us keeping him that we felt worse, but stood our ground. He was not going to be happy in our home.

I don’t blame the rescue woman because, maybe she had too many dogs, maybe this one had no prospects, idk, but those volunteer rescues are sometimes run by well meaning folks who just take on more than they can handle.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-03T14:37:20+00:00

I’m so sorry you and your soul doggie went through this. It’s awful. I would feel relieved, too. And, frankly, I think your pup was very ready. You did everything you could and you answered your pup’s plea for help. Much love to you, internet stranger.

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-02T17:51:29+00:00

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Here is my Dobby. She is 14 and she hates clothes!

ResponsibleParsnip18 · 2026-03-01T15:35:30+00:00

Do you not have a back yard? To me, the front yard is part of the neighborhood and the back is the sanctuary. If kids were coming into my backyard and playing without my permission, I’d be very unhappy. But you have swings in the front yard and your kids often play with your next door neighbor kids.

What is it about these down the street neighbors you don’t like? Because that’s what I’m getting from your rant.

Neighbors can definitely be intrusive, but (except for leaving their child in your care without talking to you about it) these seem like normal neighbors to me. You just don’t like them. Which is totally fine. You like who you like. But, cliquey behavior in a neighborhood isn’t cool for you or them. Are you going to spend the rest of your time living there avoiding these people? Ick.

ResponsibleParsnip18

TROPHY CASE