#you want to start that hobby? i'll find all the resources I can and drop them subtly towards you

[as-rare-as-trees]

My fatal flaw is that if my friends jumped off a bridge I'd do it too

[thephilosophersapprentice]

Goodbye, Magic Cabin. I'll miss you.

I'm having a bit of a sad today.

I wanted to buy some nice wool roving for a friend and I went "I know! I'll check Magic Cabin, that's where I got my wool roving when I started spinning!" only to find that Magic Cabin (now Hearthsong) is not remotely as magical or cabin as it was 15-20 years ago. They don't have any of the kits I cut my teeth on (candlemaking, knitting, crochet, drop spindle…) in their catalog any more. It's mostly play furniture and the same kind of novelty craft kit you can buy at Walmart for $15 (inexpensive, but still MASSIVELY overpriced for what you're getting in my opinion). Maybe slightly better quality from Hearthsong, I don't know. Heck, they don't even sell their dolls or doll kits (which were formerly one of their signature items) any more!

And I'm sad, I'm grieving this generation of kids who doesn't have access to the tools and resources I did, all conveniently in one package for a family that doesn't already have these skills. Because these skills, particularly spinning, are already niche and on the way to becoming lost arts. It's one less entry point kids have to hobbies that would give them a lifetime of joy.

[simplifyingyourlife]

Why seniors should downsize before they have to: A Guide for Adult Children

When is the best time for a senior to downsize and consider a move? 

Ultimately, before they have no choice where they want to go. 

As my parents started to age, I brought up the subject about looking at senior’s residences with them, so that they could begin the process of downsizing and have a place where they didn't have to do so much work. My mother was totally against the idea and said, “if you ever put me in a home, I'll come back to haunt you”.  She was so against the idea she never gave me any idea of the type of home she would be comfortable in. So obviously I dropped the subject. Fast forward a couple of years, and my mom had a stroke. And then she had a couple more strokes and ended up in the hospital. We had no choice but to find a place for them to move before they would discharge her as she could not come back to their existing home. Unfortunately, there were not a lot of choices. I could not take her around and show her different places and there was a huge time constraint to get her out of the hospital. So, the onus was with me to choose where my parents were going to spend their remaining years. I brought my dad with me, but he was obviously very distraught with his wife being in the hospital. I had to make the best choice possible.

There are several reasons to consider downsizing – or at least begin the planning: 

Maintenance

As we age it can become more difficult to maintain a larger home, both physically and financially.  Downsizing to a smaller home, apartment or senior residence can make it easier to keep things clean and organized as well as reducing the cost of maintenance and utilities. 

Cost of Living

Many retirees are on a fixed income and may not have the financial resources to maintain a larger home. Downsizing to a smaller home can help reduce the cost of living and make it easier to live on a reduced income. 

Safety and accessibility 

Some older adults may have mobility issues and find it difficult to navigate the stairs or other parts of a larger home. Downsizing to a home that is more accessible such as a single-story home or apartment with an elevator can help make life easier. 

Community

Moving to a Seniors Residence where you also have the option of cooking in your own suite or going and having lunch or dinner in a communal dining room is nice. A lot of seniors tend to stick to themselves more and become isolated. Moving to a Seniors Residence gives you the opportunity to make new friends, learn new hobbies, join in new activities that you like and not be so alone.

Medical Care

Living in a senior's residence is nice because you've always got somebody there such as staff and other residents to watch out for you. If you're usually at the dining room at quarter to 12 every day and you don't show up, chances are pretty good somebody's going to come looking for you. Unfortunately, if you are in your own home and your children or your family live far away or have busy lives, it could be many hours or days before somebody realizes that you're not where you're supposed to be.

Another reason to downsize or move is looking for change. A lot of people have lived in the same neighborhood or home for 20, 30 or 40 plus years and they might be looking for a change in their environment. This could be the chance to move to a part of the city you’ve always wanted to live in!  

It's important to note that downsizing can be a difficult and emotional process especially if you have lived in your current home for a long time. It is important to weigh all the factors before making a decision and possibly consult with family, friends or a professional like a real estate agent or professional organizer to help you with the downsizing and purging process. The sooner you start the process, the easier it will be for all involved. YOU will be able to make more decisions, YOU have decided what is happening with your cherished items.  YOU will have a choice.  

Why wait?  Let’s chat and start Simplifying YOUR life today! 

[sera-wasnever]

nerd shit that no one here cares about but I really hate how much I like the actual mechanical and character creation changes we know about in this 'one dnd' shit given how much I detest the announcement overall with its focus on moving towards digital (video game industry-ification of dnd ahoy with microtransactions and all) and the general resentment of all attempts to squeeze more money out of republishing core books etc