Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: SummersEchos
Date: 06-13-2005, 05:21 PM (1 of 32)
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Seems we have more night people here, or at least the oens who answered. I like the nightime myself, seems so calm and peaceful. This weeks questions come from Sancin. Thanks for the questions, I do appreciate input. What do you do for a living? Stay at home mom, full time worker, part time. one of the ones who has started their own home based business? If you are retired what did you do? Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: Mother in Law
Date: 06-13-2005, 08:02 PM (2 of 32)
At the moment a domestic engineer, housewife. But if you count running a Mobile home park, running a Roofing business all out of my home I do those things also. Other than that I sit and sew all night. 
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User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 06-13-2005, 08:42 PM (3 of 32)
I was a cake decorator for 30 yrs. (arthritis made me quit that). So I tried working with the public (at one of the local BX's)  I will (try) never to do that again.I'm a stay at home ferret mom...(which means I take care of my house, 4 ferrets, my neighbors, when they need it, my yard, 2 cars) Truth be told...I'm lazy...I prefer not to work, unless I can work on my own terms, BY MYSELF. I have hobbies and I keep myself as busy as I need to be. Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: DragonLady
Date: 06-13-2005, 08:51 PM (4 of 32)
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Right now, I'm a domestic engineer...although I don't really know what I'm building. I was doing full-time web design, but I really got burned out on it. And I got thoroughly sick of people wanting me to give them advice & fix their web problems for free. They don't ask their hairdresser for free perms or their lawyers for free advice. It took me many, many hours of hard work to learn to do it right, but they think since I work at home that somehow I'm not "professional" enough to deserve my pay.  Before that I ran a web auction. That took almost all my time...I was working 50+ hours per week & may family was really paying for it. I was here, but I was never here. I had people selling quilts who wouldn't simply say "Quilt for sale" but would come up with something weird - "One of a kind fleece sandwiches" or "Precision machined body rug". Then I had people looking for plain old quilts and not finding anything.... I watched people offer a thing or two at a reasonable price & sell them..then immediatly raise their prices to where no one was ever going to bid then write to me and complain because no one was buying.... 
"No more twist! No more twist!"
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User: DragonLady
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 152 
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From: allie-oops
Date: 06-13-2005, 09:57 PM (5 of 32)
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ROFLOL - Dragonlady, you crack me up!!!!!!!!!!! "Precision machined body rug"....oh I'm falling off my chair. I've been a SAHM for 13 years. In that time, I discovered quilts and embroidery - so my dream is to make some kind of business out of that. Being disabled, I can't go out to work, so I'm working with Vocational Rehab to get a grant......but still not exactly sure how or what to market. Allie "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282 
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From: OnAMissionBC
Date: 06-13-2005, 10:28 PM (6 of 32)
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Was a SAHM for the first 9 years of marriage...doing little seasonal things on ths side...greenhouse, berry picking, that sort of stuff. Got my florist certificate and worked part time for a year before DD was born, then stayed home again. LOL Went back to school and became a Pharmacy Technician 8 years ago and have been working fulltime for the past 5 years (good thing too, DH hurt himself and has been unable to work)
Barb
Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia. |
User: OnAMissionBC
Member since: 03-16-2005 Total posts: 20 
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 06-13-2005, 10:47 PM (7 of 32)
| I am a little slow bare with me but what exactly is a SAHM? |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: esrun3
Date: 06-14-2005, 12:13 AM (8 of 32)
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MIL-SAHM is stay at home mom. I'm an RN who after 10 years of working the floor now works for an insurance company doing case management via telephone. I love working the floor until it got to the point where the nurses were more hotel staff than nurses as well as patient load increasing and them taking away the certified nursing assistants. Now instead of 3 12hour nights I work 5 8 hour days, which is ok-no weekends, no holidays but sometimes I still miss only working 3 nights a week. I used to pick up overtime all the time but don't want to pick any up now that I'm working 5 days a week-if I pick up OT I'm out most of my weekend. I sew and craft as much as I can in the evenings and on the weekends. I'm lucky in the fact that my children are grown, only 1 still at home and I love my grandchildren but my time isn't worked around them so much anymore as it was when they were growing up, now I get to do what I want to do when I want to most of the time anyway. I think I was a SAHM for a year after my first child was born but when there wasn't enough money for me to do anything if I stayed home I went back to work. I've been divorced now for 24 years so I don't see staying at home anytime soon in my future LOL. 
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: esrun3
Date: 06-14-2005, 12:15 AM (9 of 32)
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Hey Summer, this is a great question! It's fun getting to know everyone a little more and what they do.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: carman
Date: 06-14-2005, 12:31 AM (10 of 32)
my friends call me a "kept " woman lol. i was a sahm of two dogs and 2 cats and a husband, but the 2 dogs have been put down in the past 6 months and so we have two toddler cats, and in 7 days we have a baby pug "winston" that we are picking up. so back to baby hood, again  i am a run around aunty though in the evening and for school. my sister is a single mom so i pick up alot of the slack in running the kids from A to B. as well as i LOVE to quilt and play on various computer programs and i am currently editing all my mom and dads old super 8 videos onto dvd's and then editing sound and effects to them, that is a bunch of fun, but boy does the time zip buy doing that.
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User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 06-14-2005, 01:03 AM (11 of 32)
Thanks Esrun, I didn't know what that stood for.  Thanks for clueing me in on that.
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User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: Domestic Goddes
Date: 06-14-2005, 06:15 AM (12 of 32)
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I work for the British civil service full time, in the UK with occassional secondments overseas (recently did 5 months in Lithuania) but have been at home for 10 weeks due to an injury and hope to go back in July as - I never thought I would say this ever - I really miss work! However, I've now completed my first quilt (thanks for all the tips on here ladies) and rediscovered knitting. I've also discovered jewellery making and am turning out bead necklaces and earrings. |
User: Domestic Goddes
Member since: 01-04-2005 Total posts: 108 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 06-14-2005, 07:40 AM (13 of 32)
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I write freelance for a local newspaper. I generally do the lead feature story for the weekly tabloid insert. I really enjoy it because it is something different every week and people don't run when they see me coming. For years I was a staff writer for a newspaper covering government --everything from small towns and school boards to our local Congress persons. I loved it, but now I'm too old for all that running around, long hours and irritating politicians. I'm enjoying early semi-retirement. I work from home -- in fact my office is in a corner of my sewing room. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 06-14-2005, 07:41 AM (14 of 32)
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Oh -- I forgot to mention I once owned a small cross stitch and needlepoint shop. But I hated being a shopkeeper. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: esrun3
Date: 06-14-2005, 09:20 AM (15 of 32)
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Dorothy-nice to see your priorities are straight-your office is a SMALL corner of your sewing room-not the other way around LOL Must be exciting and interesting work - or at least the potential to be so.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: MaryW
Date: 06-14-2005, 12:19 PM (16 of 32)
I am a full time web editor for Sew Whats New making less than minimum wage.  When you love what you do, $$ doesn't really enter into it until the bills can't be paid.I designed and sewed childrens wear for about 5 yrs. while working in the local fabric store as asst. mgr. I had a mail order fabric company for about 7 yrs. This site has been my main focus for the past six yrs. I have been sewing for 37 yrs. OMG, that is a long time. I am wife to Barry (38 yrs.) and we have three grown children and four perfect grandkids. One is living with us, he is going to be 15 soon. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: AdvaP
Date: 06-14-2005, 12:33 PM (17 of 32)
chrysantha and dragon lady, loved your posts  this is a nice game.... i too am lazy. i worked different jobs over the years. nothing thrilling, although for a while after i decided to quit a certain job, i missed going to work, and having an excuse not to do housework . now i don't have an excuse, but still don't do it  . i love to stay home, be free to go shopping or to lunch with my friends, and quilt when no one's home. i also love to travel, so need the free time, but also a job to help out with expenses. DH said so....
Adva Price
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User: AdvaP
Member since: 10-15-2000 Total posts: 325 
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From: Magot
Date: 06-14-2005, 02:37 PM (18 of 32)
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Good Lord Mary, is that boy nearly 15!!! I worked in various supermarket and cleaning jobs while my kiddies were small collecting a nice selection of hairnets and name tags. As they grew less dependant I worked as a lunchtime supervisor (I ran the team of 6) and worked in Learning Support with the less able or straight forward behaviourally challenged kids. They used to give me the 'naughty boys'! I switched jobs this Feb to return to my first love, science. And I am now the Lab Technician for my school, running and organising 4 lessons at a time and loving it! Back in a former life I worked in microbiological research but I love my time with the kids. I also run a Study Support group after school 3 days a week. And I wrote 3 books. And I write the sunday school stuff each week.... when do I sew? occasionally. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: grandmasue
Date: 06-14-2005, 05:11 PM (19 of 32)
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I mustn't like to have much free time so I work full-time at a 8 bed group home for mentally handicapped adults. I also teach a quilting class, and sew custom figure skating dresses near-full-time. I also work full-time hours at a strawberry farm when that season is running, We opened yesterday.... YUMMMM! I am also a wife to a very understanding man, and mom to a 15 year old DD
Grandma Sue
------------ At the end I am not showing up at my grave all pretty and well preserved...I am coming in sliding, yelling "What a ride!" |
User: grandmasue
Member since: 10-26-2004 Total posts: 138 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 06-14-2005, 06:40 PM (20 of 32)
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Sue -- When I had a 15-year-old daughter I worked as much as I could too. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 06-14-2005, 07:13 PM (21 of 32)
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I work full-time. I started off my working life as a Kindergarten specialist and elementary school teacher (7 yrs). Was unemployed after that, so I took a night-time secretarial course for a year. The typing skills I learned helped me get a job in the federal government where I have been working for the past 25 years. I started as a word processor, have trained word processors, worked as a computer helpdesk support person and finally transfered to my current job as an IT professional responsible for a corporate computer system within my department. Looking forward to retirement!!!! (5 years, 4 months and 13 days...but who's counting. :wink Then I hope to do more sewing, especially quilting, than I have time for right now. In the meantime, I am building my stash in preparation for the day when I won't be able to buy everything I see!
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: grandmasue
Date: 06-14-2005, 10:12 PM (22 of 32)
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Yes Dorothy I do understand what you are saying. I had that feeling of just wanting to run away when my 2 older girls were in that age bracket. So far with this DD we have been very lucky to have a smart girl who appreciates us, doesn't think we are the strangest parent ever born, and enjoys bringing friends over to hang out at our place. She is on a 6 day trip to Boston this week and I actually miss her!
Grandma Sue
------------ At the end I am not showing up at my grave all pretty and well preserved...I am coming in sliding, yelling "What a ride!" |
User: grandmasue
Member since: 10-26-2004 Total posts: 138
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From: Julia's Nana
Date: 06-14-2005, 10:29 PM (23 of 32)
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Hmm, think I belong with the "lazy" group or maybe a "kept woman" like Carmen. My front plate on my car says "Spoiled but not rotten". The gals at work kept telling me, "Norma, you are so spoiled!" that I put it on there in protest. My husband made it quite clear when we were first married that he didn't want to come home to a empty house..........and worked very hard to supply enough income so that I could be here when he and the kids came home. We made due a lot when the kids were home so I could be the mom who volunteered at school, went on field trips and was there accept packages for the neighbors who weren't home. He was in the military and we had no family close by and felt our kids needed at least one person they could always count on being around............... One of those volunteer jobs turned into a paid one when my youngest was in Jr. High. I got a job as a first grade reading aide, and worked at that part time for almost 15 years until I quit to take care of my newborn grand daughter while my daughter climbed the job ladder. She is like her dad and not like me and staying home was out of the question..........she needs the stimulation and is quite successful at her job so it was a good mix as I love being home full time. Since then I have gone from taking care of one grand daughter three days a week to taking care of her and her brother five days a week. They are four and a half and two and a half..........and I have never worked so hard in all my life!! DH works second shift so he is here in the mornings and we really have enjoyed being a major part of seeing these little one's grow. I spend time on the computer, quilt and think about quilting, read and now and then I clean house although with the two little ones, I don't do as much of that as I used to! Looking forward to retirement in about three years..........DH and I hope to buy a motor home and come and go at will................ |
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001 Total posts: 361 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 06-14-2005, 11:30 PM (24 of 32)
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Before I got married (26 1/2 yrs. ago) I worked at the two major fabric stores in town. Then I had my DD & became a stay at home Mom for 2 yrs. Went back to work for 2 yrs. part time but when DD # 3 came along I needed to stay home Daycare was too expensive & DD 1 was in school . So I became a full time Mom & volenteer. I did some daycare in my home for godson & nephew & most recently Grandsons. So I was a full time SAHM until last Sept. when I went to work serving lunches at the elementary school DGS is at. I really enjoy it even though it was a hard transition at first. I hope I can keep it. I just got a notice that I have been displaced. I have my union working on it because we don't think it was done above board. There are too many things in our contract that tell me I can't be displaced by this person. The big problem is we think the union president is in on it & he won't return calls. Today my union rep called someone else in the union who is checking it out for me. I have quite a few people agreeing with me so I may get to stay. I will let you know later if I am a lunch cashier or a SAHM again. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: ninifav
Date: 06-15-2005, 12:49 AM (25 of 32)
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Wow, it is so nice to discover a little more about all of you...so much talent; and such diverse lives...I've been married 36 years and we have 5 DC and 8 GC...I was an R.N. but never worked much for the first 10 years (too busy having kids...then I started part-time working with my husband -big mistake; I'm still there, although just a couple of days a week... Sewed when the kids were young; started back with birth of first GC...have since learned smocking, have an embroidery machine (BIG learning curve), a serger, took six-week lesson and made my first quilt ..yippee....wish I could sew more but three of DC live out of state; so I spend a lot of time making sure the take good care of my precious GC!!! I love to garden, we do a little camping; and are beginning a major house renovation now that all of the kids are out of college and we can finally rub two nickles together...lol...I am not complaining because it was very important that they all be able to make a good living...so that they don't move back in with us!!!...lol One DS will be finished his degree in May and can come into his Dad's practice and then we can retire in a few years....he asked if I was staying to do the books and payroll...told him that he had his own wife...train her!!! Jeez, this is wordy...and I could probably get more sewing done if I stayed off this blasted computer...But you all and a good cup of French Market coffee..well, it doesn't get much better than this...Paula |
User: ninifav
Member since: 09-06-2004 Total posts: 204 |
From: Mother in Law
Date: 06-15-2005, 01:37 AM (26 of 32)
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Hey Paula, welcome to sew whats new. What part of South Luzzzzanan are you from? French Market coffee huh? Got to be close to New Orleans. I'm in Chalmette. If you are close there is a club meeting this Thursday at a place called Sew and Sew on the westbank if you'd like to go just bring your appetite, it's for 6:30PM till around 9:00PM You'll love it there if you are close. Talk to you later. Susie |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: ninifav
Date: 06-16-2005, 10:09 AM (27 of 32)
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Hi, Mother-in Law, I've been following your posts for a year now...I live in Lutcher: half way beween N.O. and Baton Rouge but grew up in what is now called River Ridge...It was the "sticks" in those days... I am on my way to Panama City for two weeks to play grandmother for dil and DS..they just had their third and the oldest is four...When I return, I have to dive into the details of the renovation; then I should have some time to call my own...I will have to find out where your sewing group meets...I belong to the one in Baton Rouge and we have several ladies who come from N.O., Lockport, north of the lake, too...It is a very talented group of ladies and we have some great programs...I am just in awe of some of them... Will catch you when I get back...I bougt my D1 from Sewing Station so I take some classes from them; but prefer the Baton Rouge store...Anyway, ya'll have a good Fourth of July...hope we can bring our guys and gals home soon...Paula |
User: ninifav
Member since: 09-06-2004 Total posts: 204 |
From: Sancin
Date: 06-19-2005, 01:23 AM (28 of 32)
 Seeing I never did introduce myself when I signed on this list, which I think is the best on the net, I should pop in here. I have been contributing so perhaps some of you know me. I have lived in the middle of Canada in the most Western province for 30 years but have salt water in my veins and may one day get my act together and move. I am single having divorced many many years ago. I love being single! I single parented my 2 children (1 male, 1 female) through their teens and loved it. They are now both 34 + 35 and doing very well, but live on the other side of Canada from me. Much to my sorrow grandchildren do not seem to be on the horizon. I retired as a registered nurse 3 years ago having always worked. For the last 35 years of my 40 years career I taught nursing, every type of nursing program going - hospital school, college diploma (US associate degree), LPN, refresher and university degree. My initial area of practice was pediatrics, but turned into maternity and surgical. I have taught almost every aspect of nursing in classrooms. I was and am interested and practice alternate and complementary health practices. I liked being both a nurse and an educator and am surprised I don't miss it. Both nursing and education are very hard work and the first areas to be finances need to be cut. The last few years of my career there was a shortage of nurses both in clinical practice and in education. I was in the first wave of the predicted retirements. I spend too much time on the computer, the only hold over from work. I have sewn most my life, having lived with and close to my grandmother who was a seamstress. I rarely shop for clothes other than to see what's being sold then go home and make it - but I have a real weakness for expensive shoes, which I can't make! Unfortunately I have developed fibromyalgia and have extensive osteoarthritis so my energy level is not great in doing things lately which I find VERY frustrating. I am an avid reader of fiction and non fiction. I have a dream of a strata townhouse with a separate sewing room, great neighbours and a patio garden with lots and lots of containers, a small green house and a strong willed minature schnauzer. I became interested in quilting about 40 years ago, but have not done much other than plan and dream until recently. When I really think about it I did make my children their baby quilts and a few others. I have made other sewn things as well - its in my blood. I like embellishing 'things' and have a silk suit waiting to be hemmed before winter sets in again. I am now overwhelmed with ideas, fabric, patterns, lack of energy and 2 UF gorgeous flannel quilts for great nephews that I hope to finish before they start school. Then they have siblings to consider! Nancy  HeyJudee - you said "a job in the federal government where I have been working for the past 25 years." I sure hope you weren't one of those women who wasn't paid as much as a man for your skills. I was appalled when that was made public knowledge in Canada, though I do have a cousin who was trying to get it all straightened out before she retired last year. I also hope it doesn't affect your pension. One of the reason's I always worked and became involved in the women's movement as soon as Betty Friedan's book came out was the things I saw happening to women from my positions as a nurse.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: allie-oops
Date: 06-19-2005, 04:19 AM (29 of 32)
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My gosh what an interesting bunch of women we have here. I am in awe. I always tell my boys that the person hasn't been born yet that I couldn't learn something from.....and y'all prove it. I'd love to get into a gabfest with every one of you. Sancin, what do you do for your osteo and fibro? May I ask? I've been diagnosed but can't get medical care - no insurance. The lack of energy is awful! I'm 46 and feel like 100. I'm always wondering how other people cope. Allie "onward through the fog"
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User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002 Total posts: 282
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From: toadusew
Date: 06-19-2005, 09:41 AM (30 of 32)
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I am currently a stay at home mom. My girls are 6 years apart in age and my youngest is going to college in the fall, so I'm not sure what I'll do then, although my oldest is planning on me helping her for a week or so when her second child is born this fall. I think I'd like a semester to get the house in order and do a bit of planning, thinking, dreaming about my "new" life as well. I have taught beginning sewing in the past and would like to start that again, although I think the market around here has changed. One thing I know I will do is lots of sewing! I am a former teacher. In fact, I have taught junior and high school English. The only grade that I did not teach was 9th. I also "taught" (I use that term loosely) pre-school. I was a part time teacher for a Mother's Day Out program for several years when my girls were little. That was fun, but I was glad when I could quit and just stay at home with my own kids. I am also interested in how those of you who have fibromyalgia cope with it because a good friend of mine has it, along with arthritis, and she often complains that she has no energy. However, I do think that she rests when she gets really tired; she seems to take regular naps every day. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 06-19-2005, 10:30 AM (31 of 32)
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HeyJudee - you said "a job in the federal government where I have been working for the past 25 years." I sure hope you weren't one of those women who wasn't paid as much as a man for your skills. I was appalled when that was made public knowledge in Canada, though I do have a cousin who was trying to get it all straightened out before she retired last year. I also hope it doesn't affect your pension. There was a pay equity ruling a few years ago that applied to the word processing groups and I got back pay for those years. But I've been in the computer systems group for many years now and I believe this is a "male" dominated group so have no worries about not getting equal pay. Pension is usually calculated on the highest earnings in the last five years. So if I was able to retire today, the last five years have been my highest so I am OK there too.
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 06-19-2005, 10:57 PM (32 of 32)
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If I don't give my answer the day I ask the questions I forget! When I graduated from college I was a teacher in the Detroit Public Schools. I was in high school with the special ed class. Now if you know about inner city bad schools, well you know about Detroit. I had no supplies, and the kids were the cream of the crop. I had drug sellers and addicts, teenage girls who would be having a baby or just had one, and all the other little things that happen to these children. At the end of the school year I had learn so much from them and they learned from me. Not the 3 R's but things they could use to cope in this world. No they were not changing their ways, in to becoming model citizens, but they learned a few things from me. When I found out I was having my first child, I left for the safety of my baby. From there I became at SAHM for quite a while. I was a respite for troubled youth and their families. When my youngest was old enough for me to go back to work I went back into teaching. I did special needs as a sub teacher, but I had one classroom for 5 years. I had the physically, mentally, emotionally impaired children. This was in the special education school district, so we never had to interact with the normal children. We did go out and do jobs, like rolling silverware into the napkins, cleaning places, simple things that the children could do. When I left I figure I would be happy as a lark----NOT. I started working at JoAnn's part time. It turned into full time, then back to part time. Now I do that and am the caretaker to my mom. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
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