Comments for Modern Retro Woman

Comment on Let’s Pretend by Kathy Warnock

Kathy Warnock — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:43:37 +0000

A friend told me that after World War II the American menu changed, apparently influenced by travel. Before that our food was rather plain. It was interesting to see the five menus posted, and I wouldn’t expect young people today to find them inspiring.

My standards for entertaining? I try to see my house and the event through the eyes of my guests and “put my best foot forward.” Readiness is key. I want my house to be clean and orderly, and of course, that applies especially to the kitchen. I want to appear calm, collected, appropriately dressed, and in control. I want the food to please. I will have planned how to serve the meal and prepared as much in advance as possible. Hopefully, I will have done as much as possible without a “meltdown,” but I have had plenty of meltdowns trying to put on the perfect event.

Comment on Isn’t Being Quite Grown Up Exciting? by Ann

Ann — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:20:35 +0000

my copy is on its way too!!

Thanks for the suggestion Dr. Julie – I look forward to following along as well.

Ann

Comment on Do the Hardest Thing First by Dr. Julie-Ann

Dr. Julie-Ann — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:50:23 +0000

Hi Beth, I’m sorry you are having trouble reading it. It was supposed to be white but for some reason, for some people, the white doesn’t show up. I will need to change the entire template (I don’t know how to do CSS or HTML) and won’t be able to get to it until next week. In the meantime, I’ve put up the very first template I used with the blog (it has issues of its own but at least it is easier to read).

Comment on Do the Hardest Thing First by Beth

Beth — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:36:44 +0000

Could you do something about your background? It is nearly impossible to read your post through the plaid. Thank you.

Comment on Do the Hardest Thing First by Kathy Warnock

Kathy Warnock — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:21:42 +0000

My copy of The Home Economics Omnibus came yesterday. Has anyone else ordered the book?

Comment on Do the Hardest Thing First by Christy

Christy — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:46:15 +0000

Brilliant! Will try this the next time I am faced with a day of cleaning.

Comment on Do the Hardest Thing First by Kristen

Kristen — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:23:35 +0000

I have to try this method. It would do a lot for my productivity!

Comment on Do the Hardest Thing First by Lyn

Lyn — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:43:42 +0000

Hey have you been checking on me and my bathroom? 

Comment on Do the Hardest Thing First by Kathy Warnock

Kathy Warnock — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:07:53 +0000

Yes, our grandparents were wise. I guess I can’t say all of them espoused such thinking, but I think as a society there was more agreement in how to get through life. They understood that the “rules of life” were meant to be followed.

I also like the timer idea. My mother made lists in order to keep herself focused on what she needed to do. She treated homemaking, including her sewing and handwork, as her job. I am retired and love being home but have failed to establish standards, though my card system is ready. (I’d rather organize the system than follow it.)

Comment on Who Wants to Do Things that are Unwise or Foolish? by Kathy Warnock

Kathy Warnock — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:50:58 +0000

I’ve given a lot of thought to this post — why I do what I do. I was just installed as president of an organization of women old enough to be my mother. I have only been a member for two years. Last year I served as secretary. I truly don’t want to be president and dread some of my duties. Why did I agree? Because my oldest sister sponsored my membership, because I see that there’s logically no one else to do it, because they need me, because it’s the right thing to do.

My ideal of the retro woman is my mother (1909-1997). It wasn’t that she was a great housekeeper. The time she devoted to her love of the feminine arts interfered with keeping a straight house. But she had her standards nevertheless. For instance, the dishes were to be washed and put away before we left the house, and this applied to every meal. As a young person I felt that these standards of good housekeeping placed undue strain on the household and failed to establish such standards for my own home. In other words, I missed the point. But I am beginning to see that if I don’t follow some disciplined course of action, I won’t have the quality home I desire, neither will I be the person I want to be.