The Generation Gap .............
I have come to a conclusion.
The Generation Gap is not about multi-colored hair, piercings or the love of Justin Beiber.
It is about the life of stuff.
A little history ......... I grew up as a daughter of Depression Era parents. My grandparents were thrifty, frugal people that just made do. Nothing was really ever thrown out ........ just because. They were keepers.
I grew up with cupboards made by my great-great grandfather. We had beds that came down the Ohio River, up the Mississippi River and across the Illinois River ...... before the Civil War. And I played with fabulous china dolls that were lovingly and carefully packed away in a cedar chest .... until my next visit with Grandma.
My parents too, were keepers. When they were married 60 years ago ... they bought a sofa and chair. Since that time, the sofa has been cut down to a loveseat ........ and both have been recovered more times than I can remember. But they are still there.
I grew up to be a "keeper".
Honey and I sleep in a bed that was made in the 1880's. An iron bed that belonged to my great-great aunt is in the guest room. And the newest piece of furniture we have, is a sofa that I bought in 1990.
I was taught ..... you save your money and buy the BEST you can afford ..... take care of it and you will have it for a long time. My parents had their Maytag washer and dryer for 25+ years. Honey had his Whirlpool washer and dryer for over 20 years.
But me .... I decided that I wanted energy efficiency. I wanted water savings. I wanted to take better care of the clothes that I had. So I bought what I thought ... was a quality washer and dryer that would last 15-20 years.
Obviously ... I did not buy a quality machine. I bought their line!!!!
The saga of the washer continues ........ and the details are too long and boring to re-hash. But here is a quick synopsis.
I called the manufacturer, told her the current chain of events and got this response.....................
It is almost 5 years old. What do you expect??
I'm almost 59. Am I obsolete??? (Do NOT answer that!!!!!)
I have researched and researched washers. I have read review after review. And I have come to one conclusion................. Stuff doesn't last.
We are a consumer-driven society that has gotten used to replacing cell phones every 18 months and televisions every three years. And let's not talk about computers!
As I look ahead to retirement and trying to live off pensions, 401K funds and social security........ it doesn't look good as I plan for needs.
I am sooooo keeping this baby!!!!
The Generation Gap is not about multi-colored hair, piercings or the love of Justin Beiber.
It is about the life of stuff.
A little history ......... I grew up as a daughter of Depression Era parents. My grandparents were thrifty, frugal people that just made do. Nothing was really ever thrown out ........ just because. They were keepers.
I grew up with cupboards made by my great-great grandfather. We had beds that came down the Ohio River, up the Mississippi River and across the Illinois River ...... before the Civil War. And I played with fabulous china dolls that were lovingly and carefully packed away in a cedar chest .... until my next visit with Grandma.
My parents too, were keepers. When they were married 60 years ago ... they bought a sofa and chair. Since that time, the sofa has been cut down to a loveseat ........ and both have been recovered more times than I can remember. But they are still there.
I grew up to be a "keeper".
Honey and I sleep in a bed that was made in the 1880's. An iron bed that belonged to my great-great aunt is in the guest room. And the newest piece of furniture we have, is a sofa that I bought in 1990.
I was taught ..... you save your money and buy the BEST you can afford ..... take care of it and you will have it for a long time. My parents had their Maytag washer and dryer for 25+ years. Honey had his Whirlpool washer and dryer for over 20 years.
But me .... I decided that I wanted energy efficiency. I wanted water savings. I wanted to take better care of the clothes that I had. So I bought what I thought ... was a quality washer and dryer that would last 15-20 years.
Obviously ... I did not buy a quality machine. I bought their line!!!!
The saga of the washer continues ........ and the details are too long and boring to re-hash. But here is a quick synopsis.
- Part #1 finally comes in .... was installed ... does not work. Techs that live overseas inform repairman that we need part #2.
- Part #2 comes in 3 weeks later .... was installed ... does not work. Overseas-dwelling tech says ....... Oh, part #1 must be faulty.
- Replacement part #1 is ordered.
- Owner of washing machine breaks down in tears.
I called the manufacturer, told her the current chain of events and got this response.....................
It is almost 5 years old. What do you expect??
I'm almost 59. Am I obsolete??? (Do NOT answer that!!!!!)
I have researched and researched washers. I have read review after review. And I have come to one conclusion................. Stuff doesn't last.
We are a consumer-driven society that has gotten used to replacing cell phones every 18 months and televisions every three years. And let's not talk about computers!
As I look ahead to retirement and trying to live off pensions, 401K funds and social security........ it doesn't look good as I plan for needs.
I am sooooo keeping this baby!!!!
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