It was a 1971(? I think) Kenmore of all things. I had no idea Kenmore even made sewing machines, but apparently they did. I still have it. I couldn’t get the zipper foot to work and the proverbial straw was that not only could I find no help online, but the guy at the repair shop said “Why are you bothering?” Although that did rub me the wrong way, admittedly. I took it to a different shop and they said essentially the same thing but in a much kinder and gentler way. (I bought a new machine from them instead of the first guy.) I decided I wanted something I could at least find help for on YouTube, and in fact I have watched videos a few times when I couldn’t figure something out… or whenever I want to do a blind hem because I can never remember how to do it.

lol I agree! Hand sewing is so slow. I only do it when I absolutely must.

As a kid I liked cross stitch, and I think I still might (I’m also a knitter so slow processes are fine) but I don’t enjoy the end product so I never do it.

I’m not sure I’m quite there yet but I’m on my way: my sewing machine.

I sew clothes for me and my husband. I sew my kids’ Halloween costumes. I sew bags; my last two purses have been made by me. One is still in great shape aside from the handles; my kiddo said I should get (or sew) a new purse and I replied, nah, just need to re-sew the handles, no biggie.

The only reason I don’t think it’s paid for itself quite yet is because I bought a pricey machine in 2021 after struggling with a hand-me-down for a while.

I’m honestly not sure it has ever occurred to me to treat deodorant like perfume and cycle through scents. But maybe now I’ll try it…

Oh yeah except I pretty much only like lavender scented deodorant so I’ll probably just stick with it.

It sounds like this guy was on board, if he wants another. But being on board with the ideal is different than being on board with whatever is actually gonna happen when those kids are in the picture. I’d say the same thing about a lot of things, namely marriage and relationships. A lot of people seem to only dream about all of the “good” parts without being realistic with themselves about the less rosy parts.

I don’t even think she looks ugly in the OP photo. Her smile is radiant.

Rita Repulsa from Power Rangers. I’m shocked I remembered her name; my younger brother loved the show to bits but I thought it was stupid. In my defense, I was probably about the age my oldest kid is now (11) and he also thinks anything he doesn’t like is stupid so I think it’s a preteen thing.

I knit sweaters. I don’t like knitting socks, I don’t wear hats, and so sweaters it is. I get lots of compliments on them and when people find out I knit them myself, they’re always pretty astonished.

I think your number 2 is in the wrong order.

As a Californian, this is how I react to earthquakes.

I am not a financial guru so hopefully someone will correct me if I’m wrong about this, but your credit score is affected positively the more available credit you have. So by voluntarily lowering your available credit, you’re actually hurting yourself way more than the card companies. At least I think that’s how it works, or rather one of many factors.

Yeah what is up with that? There are so many of those stupid stickers lately. There is no way so many cars are being driven by student drivers. I told my kids that when they’re learning to drive in a few years, there’s no fucking way I’ll put one on my car.

Knock it off with that making me feel old stuff, geeze man. (Holy shit, it’s been 15 years?!)

There was a big scandal some years back because an Apple employee left a prototype phone at the bar/restaurant next to the campus, so they definitely do it. I’m a bit surprised that they didn’t crack down harder after that incident, but to be fair to this guy, he didn’t take it out and about and just took it home. I can’t say I’d be overly worried about something happening to it if it was just at my house, but I also don’t have people crashing with me frequently…

I’m good at it. But, at the same time, I live in a pretty diverse area and I’ve met plenty of people who are clearly not super comfortable with it. So it’s an interesting balancing act to do it enough to be showing respect but not so much that I creep them out. Mostly I take my cues from their own eye contact levels.

My husband has been wondering if he should get formally diagnosed for ADHD now that our kid has been. (Talk about a carbon copy of a parent, this kid, geeze.) This explains a lot about the way he cooks. He always says it’s because he “needs more practice” but all I see is a chaotic stressful experience, and of course if I try to help him I just get in the way and make him irritated that I seem to think he can’t manage it on his own. Anyway all I’m saying is that it’s interesting to read your comment because I wonder if that’s my husband’s trouble, too.

I’ve read a few from T. Kingfisher this year and they’ve all been awesome.

Also really enjoyed the Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi, and the Emily Wilde books remind me in a good way of the Lady Trent books which I loved.

I’ve also read a few romantasy books but they’re unfortunately forgettable. I think I’m kind of over the genre. I want my fantasy with a bit of romance, not the other way around.

BookWyrm is great, seconding!

I was 100% in agreement with all of them until the last one.

We did that with PG&E. Except we did get something in return: lots of dead people.