3catwoman3
3catwoman3's JournalConsidering a new sewing machine/ recommendations appreciated.
I have an ancient Kenmore machine that my mother gave me in my early 20s - I'm now 73. It still works well enough, but has one major drawback. To go in reverse, there is just a little lever that does not lock into place so must be held down continuously by the right hand, leaving only the left hand to guide the fabric. The lever isn't broken, this is a design flaw.
The other problem with my current machine is that it weighs a freakin' ton and is hard to get out of its carrying case and up onto my kitchen island. Something lighter would be very nice.
I'm not by any means an accomplished seamstress. My mother was quite capable, and her mother was very skilled - she could and did make everything from coats with linings to tiny doll clothes, and got her own labels made that said "Grandma's Creation." Their skills were not inherited. I don't make clothes. I don't quilt. I mend and do minor/simple alterations. So, I don't need a pricey, ultra-sophisticated machine.
My local Joann Fabrics has a Brother ST531HD Strong and Tough model on sale, $199 down from $329. 4.5 stars in 96 customer reviews.
Any thoughts from those more experienced and accomplished than I?
Tacky/Gross/Stupid Product Names
Dude Wipes - just saw this commercial in the past few days. Moistened wipes apparently designed specifically for cleaning up after man-sized fecal deposits. Quite explicit with big blue stains comparing the efficacy of this product with competitors, and male actors dropping their drawers to show off their unstained tighty whities. TMI. No dignity, no class.
Love Sak - a sectional couch. Perhaps it is my long career in health care that makes this product name seem like a euphemism for scrotum. "Let's go curl up on the Love Sak." Nope.
I will not be buying either of these products.
Black voters will vote for Trump because they like sneakers - WTF?!
We were just watching Michael Steele filling in for Chris Hayes, and he showed a clip of a Fox talking head claiming that Black voters are going to switch to Trump because they like sneakers, and will love the gold sneakers. Claims Trump understands culture better than anyone.
Despite knowing that so many on the right are racists, the blatant nature of this statement spoken aloud made my jaw drop.
Michael Steele had a couple of choice comments.
Need help finding a post on beautiful painted figures.
A few days ago, one of the many very talented artists here posted a picture of some beautifully done plastic/resin figures they had painted. Very detailed, and exquisite colors.
I wanted to show this to my husband, who does airplane models and appreciates the skills of others. He has several friends who do figures.
I meant to bookmark it, but apparently did not.
Anyone here had the tail of your pancreas removed? How did it go?
I'll be having this done March 7th, to remove a cyst that has changed from fluid filled to having some solid characteristics, which is suspicious for potential malignancy developing.
The surgeon doing it is the head of the department of surgery at the University of Illinois in downtown Chicago, and is highly regarded worldwide. Stellar reputation, bio, and credentials. My GI specialist called the surgeon's staff last Tuesday, they called me on Wednesday, and I had an appointment on Friday. I'm favorably impressed so far.
Based on what he sees on the CAT scan, the surgeon doesn't think the "thing" looks malignant now, as the shape is smooth rather than irregular, but because the appearance has changed from all fluid-filled to solid components, it needs to come out anyway. It will likely be done laparoscopically.
The cyst was what's known as an "incidental finding," discovered at the end of March of last year, when I was being worked up for what ended up being a ruptured appendix. I'm thanking my appendix for getting infected. Had it not, I would not have had any other reason for getting my abdomen scanned, and this "thing" could have gone undetected for a long time.
Any "heartless" DUers? I have a few hearts left...
...and would love to distribute them.
January 12th, February 12th, and December 12th.
I am the last member of my family of origin - mom, dad, my younger brother, and me. In the summer of 2021, I had to chose grave markers for all 3 of them. They died at very different times, and when I was choosing the markers, I noticed that each life either began or ended on the 12th day of the various months.
-My brother died on 2/12, 1978, in a scuba diving adventure gone awry. He was only 23. Not married and no children.
-My dad was born on 1/12, 1921. He made it to 90.
-My mother died on 12/12, 2020. She was 98.
All were cremated. My parents never interred my brother's ashes, not did my mother inter my father's. I don't know why. Maybe it was too hard. My parents had purchased 3 cemetery plots about 10 years after my bother died, but that's as far as it went. Neither my brother's nor my dad's ashes were on display in decorative urns; just kept in cardboard boxes on a closet shelf.
Having to perform this filial duty for all three at the same time was quite draining emotionally, and I found myself feeling rather resentful that it had all fallen to me, and wishing that my parents would have accomplished this for my brother.
I miss them all, of course, my brother most of all. Your siblings are the ones who are supposed to still be around after your parents are gone. He's been gone so long that it sometimes feels as if I imagined him.
I don't think all the 12s mean anything at all. Just something interesting that I noticed.
What do you miss most when you are away from home?
For me, besides our 4 cats, I miss our main bath room. Hotel showers don't always have good water pressure, and hotel hair dryers are often small and wimpy.
"...I'm not quite sure how something that's just a little tiny prick could be so powerful."
Say what? A phrase from a new commercial for some sort of medical weight loss intervention that involves injecting something into your abdominal skin.
Who the hell chose this wording? It sends my mind to the gutter every time I hear it.
A text from our younger son that I will cherish forever.
About an hour ago, my husband and I each got this text message from our younger son. He is 31, a self=employed photographer/videographer, and has been married to a delightful young lady since September 8th, 2022.
Thinking a lot about you guys today and how much you've done for me and allowed me to do growing up. I hope you know how much I appreciate you both. Love you!
What more could a parent hope to hear?
Profile Information
Name: MarthaGender: Female
Hometown: Rochester NY
Home country: USA
Current location: greater Chicago area
Member since: Thu May 17, 2012, 02:09 PM
Number of posts: 24,598