Spending a few days sicky-pooh in bed gave me a chance to think about a few things. I woke up one feverish morning and had an ah-ha! moment.........
I think for five years I have unknowingly been living a 1940's life!
Now there are many things I do not do (or know how to do) that a traditional 1940's woman or housewife would have known how to do. I don't know how to "mend and make do". I have no clue how to make an apple pie. I don't know how to crochet or knit, and home cooked meals happen about three times a week, if I am lucky.
When I became a stay at home mom I didn't have any guidelines to follow. Both my mother and grandmother were already gone for so many years and I really didn't have any other females in my life that were knowledgeable about things like that. I did join a moms group online but unfortunately found women to be caddy and competitive.
Through the years I have found my own way of doing things and I'm still figuring out some other things. I still have a lot to learn!
Now why would I say I realized I was living a 1940's life? Well, its because I feel as though my family and I (although I know we are not alone and also not everyone is feeling the hurt of the bad economy) have been living a life of rationing, couponing, swapping, selling, bartering, and cut backs---one after another. I was not born rich but I wasn't born dirt poor. I mean looking back I feel in many ways we were but I always remember that others have it worse. So I grew up without a lot and well things haven't changed much. I mean we have a house and a car but we have to live every day very carefully and very planned.
We live without a lot. Most people have fancy cell phones-we have only one that is 25 dollars a month talk and text only. We have no cable and use internet for Netflix to watch movies for the kids. We buy minimal food and minimal everything else. Basically we are careful. I feel like women in the 40's especially during the War had to watch everything they bought very carefully, they had to plan meals around what they could buy, and wear what they could get their hands on. My God I feel like one of those women!
Parties for the kids have had to be more creative as well to cut costs (of course this has to be done at 2am LOL). Gifts during the holidays and birthdays have also gotten more creative and minimal. Everything that I have that is geared to my vintage life have either been thrifted, swapped for, gifted (ie Birthday/Christmas), or I have sold things in order to get it.
Just yesterday I received my order of my very first vintage dress from the 1950's. I scored it with a coupon on etsy for 35 dollars! I cannot wait to show you all! I was able to purchase it because I sold a few things on ebay. I decided recently to focus more on my wardrobe and my hair practice than photo shoots for the time being and let me tell you how amazing it felt to have that dress in my hands. But then women in the 40's couldn't normally afford a new dress every week, having a new dress was a treat for them just like its been a treat for me.
So many little things I find I can relate to the women of that generation. The struggles they had to face especially while their men were at war (my husband is away a lot with his two jobs), the cunning and creative ways they had to come up with for dinners, parties, and holidays. And lets not forget doing all that and trying to keep your household nice looking, clean, making sure your children have all their needs met, and meeting your own needs all on a tight budget and sometimes on a budget that doesn't exist at all!
Someday I'd like to live in the thriving 1950's but until then I am going to keep on keeping on my 1940's world! *wink*
xox
Bunny, you are an inspiration to me. I feel like I'm at the other end of the spectrum (not that my husband and I are "rich") and its too easy to forget that other people can't do what I do, and don't have what I have. You put all that in perspective for me. Thank you for not being too proud to share :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such an excellent, honest, inspiring post, Bunny. I think that many of us (myself included) can wholeheartedly relate to it, and will feel a light bulb like moment occur as they read your points, and are by the realization that they too have been living akin to a 1940s housewife for some time (if not our whole adult lives), too. In many respects I see that as a good thing. There is a great deal to be said in favour of things like responsible spending, stretching every dollar and morsel of food, and planning for the future instead of living beyond your means in the moment, but like you said, it is enjoyable to daydream about the more spendthrift days of the fifties, too.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
We've had to watch and count our pennies a lot, grant you we are very blessed with so much such as cable and cell phones, but we do realize how blessed we are and try our best not to take it for granted.
ReplyDeleteCrocheting and knitting are easy to pick up, but some of the stitches are really difficult to learn as I'm finding out. And since my mom went back to work in 2004 my sis and I have been homemakers ever since and love it. It gives us so much time to spend with family.
Thank you ladies! I'm happy I shared this with you all. And know you are all inspirations to me as well!! xox
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cute post, Bunny! No wonder you have such a strong connection to that era. You're the perfect 1940s woman! It's amazing how, although today is so different, families really went through the same struggles. So much has changed, and yet not so much.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I wish: I wish more families today had a strong structure. I grew up in a household where I ate dinner with my parents every night and we did fun things, like go to the movies together and go bowling. Even when I was in high school. I think that's why I'm so close to my parents today. My boyfriend (and so many of my friends) on the other hand, did not grow up with that at all. And now Rian has virtually no relationship with his parents or siblings. They all act like strangers who are forced to be together on holidays. It's pretty sad, and I feel like a lot of families are like that now. :S One thing is for sure, if I ever have kids, we're going to be spending time together whether they like it or not! LOL! Sorry, I went completely off-topic here, didn't I...
Jennifer I didnt think of that-youre right-because of our situation we are always together and always doing things together. I like it that way. I figure whats the point of having kids if youre not with them to enjoy them. I am so not saying we cant use a date night or a break here and there heheh but for sure being together way better than any other alternative!! xox
ReplyDeleteWow, I really liked reading this post.
ReplyDeleteDear Bunny,
ReplyDeleteI think you hit the nail on the head with this post. I too have always lived a life of stretching every penny. (I pick up every penny I see on the ground, as a way of appreciating all that God has given me. Growing up, we literally had to count every penny, and now things are not that tight. Thank you, Lord!)
I always appreciated the 1940s simple way of living because that was my own reality. I have come to love this way of living, and I believe that my life is actually richer because I have not always had everything that I want. That makes it easy to get excited about all the happy little pleasures life holds. And when bigger things come around occasionally, they are that much more appreciated.
The pictures you chose for this post are precious!
You are doing a great job!
♥Hope
Dear Bunny,
ReplyDeleteI have been married over 40 years and grew up in a 1940 life. Although I was born in 1956 we lived thrifty and were a financially lower income family but I never knew it. Once my parents died and I went to Grandma's home 1940 was a reality. She was born 1894. She lived through many historical eras and struggled through them all. The lessons learned and passed on were amazing.Reading your blog is inspiration and hopefully will guide today's households to take a step back and renew their lives to what is really important.
thank you,
Jeanne
Dear Bunny....I truly appreciate your ability to spend time with your husband and children. My husband has always worked overnight, family dinners don't exist in our home. I've always worked also. Days and nights, as needed. However, we have managed to cook, clean and provide for our children and ourselves
ReplyDelete