"Old-fashioned"

On a previous post, Ronda of Island Mother said that she was curious about the title of my blog and wanted to know my thoughts, feelings and perspective on the word "old-fashioned." 

Well first, let's see what good old Webster's has to say...

Let me get one of mine off the shelf.

Why not look it up on Google?

Just wait, we'll get to that ;)

For those of you born after 1990, this is a Webster's dictionary:

It has these tabs that have letters on them and you go to the first letter of the word you're looking up and search through the pages for your word.

Just letting you know in case you come across one in an antique store.

Ahem 

;)

This one has seen better days, but a beloved puppy of mine chewed it up years ago and besides, it has an inscription on the inside.

People used to do things like that when they gave a book to someone. 

I still do.

Anyway, back to looking up the word old-fashioned...

Hmm... styled or done in accordance with, or favoring, the methods, manners, or ideas of past times; out-of-date; antiquated; outmoded.

Also a cocktail! 

Love them, but that's not why we're here ;)

I also love the word underneath:

I'm an old-fogy?

Who knew!

I did ;)

Yes, by those descriptions, I'm definitely old-fashioned and an old-fogy.

What makes me this way?

I dunno.

I've been told that I have an old soul and maybe I do, but I also think it might have something to do with the fact my mom's father, my grandfather, was born in 1908 and raised her with the values that he was raised with, and in turn, I was raised with.

To give you an idea of what I mean, I'm 45, my mother is 64, my grandfather would have been 106 and my great-grandmother (shown below), born in 1880, would have been 135 years old this year.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think it's pretty unusual (but not unheard of) to have a great-grandmother that's 90 years older than you.

My point is that I grew up with some very Victorian values, which makes me an odd duck these days.

I live a traditional life, in the fact that I have been a stay at home mom since my children were born, I do the cooking and cleaning and when I was married, my husband went to work, took care of the cars, and did most of the yard work, which is exactly how I was raised and choose to live.

Not to say that I have a problem with anyone that doesn't live a traditional gender role lifestyle, but it's what I wanted and how I live.

I'm also not one of those women that doesn't voice her opinion.

Trust me ;)

Oh and for anyone that doesn't believe that women could have an opinion back in the old days, I wish they could talk to my great-grandmother. From what I've heard, she had an opinion on everything!

I think it runs in the family.

So, what else makes me old-fashioned?

Well let's see...

I'm odd in the fact that I do things like look up words in a dictionary, instead of Google. Not that I never use it, but it's nice to know that I can just grab a book in a pinch and look up whatever I want without having to turn on a machine.

Which is nice when the electricity or the internet goes out.

You will never see me using or owning a kindle, that's for sure.


I also have a mostly "use it up, wear it out, make do or do without" attitude and when I buy something, I try to buy things that were made before 1970 (preferably before 1960), because they last and they were better looking, in my opinion.

Hence my 1950s fridge, 1930s sink, my 1940s pyrex, my two percolators that were made in 1960 and 1940 (I have two in case I need to make more coffee than 8 cups. Usually for company.), my furniture and decor that is mostly made before 1950, with some exceptions, etc, etc, etc...

I am not a fan of the throw it out society that we've become.

When I need to replace something, the original item goes to goodwill or I sell it.

I said mostly, because on occasion I do buy modern things, like the occasional trinket, like a pillow, or major purchase item. For instance, I just sold my old car, Clarence and I'm buying a "new to me", modern car next week, because it's just not practical to have a car that can't drive over 55 MPH comfortably, no matter how much I fought it.

Not to mention the fact that I don't have anywhere to keep him out of the weather, because my 1930s garage won't accommodate him.

Bye Clarence. It was nice knowing you.

"sniff"

Anywho, where were we?

Oh yes...

I wear a lot of vintage clothing made between the eras of 1920 to 1960.

Except underwear.

Ewww.

The reason is, I like the ladylike style. Yes, I do own some modern things, like jeans, but I'm just not a fan of the clothing these days. I think a lady should look like a lady, especially in public.

Please excuse the dog toys ;)

I don't always dress like it's 1940 something, but you will never see me walking around, in public, wearing yoga pants, sweats or pajamas.

I have this hanging up in my home.

Let's see... what else?

I don't have a dishwasher, because I never understood the purpose of washing dishes before they were washed and although that myth was debunked by my sweet friend, Benita of Chasing Quaintness, I still don't want one.

Besides, where the heck would I put it?

There's just no room.

This list could honestly go on and on, but let me finish with manners and etiquette.

I believe in them.

I say please and thank you.

 I think men should hold open your door.

I don't text or talk on the phone in the presence of company, during dinner, or at the store.

I know how to set a table.

But I also know not to say anything, when someone is doing it wrong.

I know how to host a party.

I know how to be a guest.

And most of all I know to be gracious.

So, my friends, I guess all of that is what makes me "old-fashioned" and I wouldn't have it any other way.

xo
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