The last couple of days Brooke's class has been focusing on pioneers. I've always thought that I would probably be a crappy pioneer, but after I joined them on a field trip to Old Poway Park, I was able to pinpoint a few specifics
1 - Laundry: I can't even get the loads done with a modern washing machine. They had an exhibit at one of the old houses there showing that a woman would have spent around 60 hours doing laundry a week. Is that even possible? I guess they had to iron everything (there were numerous versions of the irons shown below) This week I"m going to try to go all week with zero hours of laundry - how's that for appreciating modern conveniences?
2 - Electricity: I realize this is sort of obvious, but seriously when the kids started listing all the things you wouldn't be able to do (I guess they didn't have computers?) . seriously rough life..
3 - Sewing : I am bad enough at sewing, so the idea of not even having fabric and a sewing machine isn't really working for me. They actually taught the kids how to make their own thread from sheep's wool - I mean, that is a lot of effort for a blanket! Thanks to Sunshine (who, as a sidenote would be an awesome pioneer) for the awesome contrasting lining/authentic ties pioneer dress she fashioned last year and let Brooke borrow for dressing up today. If something does happen and we are living like pioneers again - I'm stalking Sunshine and living next door.
Of course, being a pioneer wasn't ALL bad..
on the plus side:
1) No gyms - you pretty much get a workout just wearing your big pioneer dress and doing all the work around the house constantly!
2) No calls to 911...
3) Kids did a lot more work back then (I'll be working to incorporate some of my learning into our chore charts) - Ashley will be fetching water from the neighbors and Brooke will be going around trading our old fabrics for fruits and vegetables - keep an eye out, they'll be on horseback :)
The "rendezvous" at Old Poway Park is actually there through the weekend and was really pretty cool - they had people dressed up in mountain man outfits with all the gear, actually camping there all weekend with their families, I might even go back with the little kids!
In the meantime, I think I'll just be thankful for what we've got, which reminds me I get to go to the grocery store tomorrow - unless someone has some milk from their cow they want to give us?
8 comments:
I tried to think of how I would do it when I threw my back out. I do think that they let their clothes get a little dirtier then we do before they wash, but 60 hours a week?
I would never have survived that life.
Your pioneer girl is cute.
I am with you on the whole laundry thing. 60 hours...that is just pure crazyness.
Seriously, when they say we live in the toughest times, I always beg to differ. I can't imagine being a pioneer-no epideral! I guess Sunshine could have done it!
LOL, I totally agree, I'd be a crappy pioneer too.
Make sure you stick to that "no laundry this week" pledge. although, that just means Robie will have twice as much to do when he returns..you'd be a very good pioneer, you'd have an itinerary all planned out for our trek and outfit suggestions too. I'd cross the plains with you.
Brooke looks super cute as a pioneer! I think it would be fun to be a pioneer, but only if I was a rich pioneer that could afford a sewing machine, real thread, and outside laundry services!
I like # 3, LOL. Would youlet your kids ride horseback up here? I have some pretty tasty fruit ;-)
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