I really admire my ancestors for living without...

[CarolBurns]

I don't envy my ancestors for how they lived but I do admire them - they were toughies in the " good old days"

Carol

[Gadget]

Totally agree Carol. They had such hard lives and just got on with it.

Gadget 

[Leanne68]

I really admire my maternal ancestors for living without .....

real choices

[MrsLizzy]

Yes Leanne you are so right.  That is what I think I would have found heartbreaking.  Actually if you read the novels of Anne Perry she often addresses issues, such as women not being able to pursue careers or vocations that were perceived as male only.   They are great stuff, her books, although I like the William Monk series and the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series the best.  They are set in Victorian London and I do recommend them.

[wheeldon]

Leisure time - I bet they didn't get much chance to chill out - I'm allways moaning that I don't get enough time to myself but just imagine looking after 10 kids, working and keeping a home without a cooker or washing machine - the poor women must never have stopped.

[kerryb]

I really admire my maternal ancestors for living without .....

real choices

Leanne

I have to agree with you.  I can't think of any worse than not making my own choices.

Kerry

[GRACELAND]

  Our Ancestors may have missed out on all the New Gadgets ,, But like was simpler 

[kerryb]

Oh for a simple life!!

Kerry

[MrsLizzy]

Well we've just said we want choices - and ultimately if we don't live gentle, simple lives it's because that's the way we've chosen.  If we want gadgets etc, we have to pay for them.  But I think at some point, you have to decide whether you want this house full of junk, whether it's too dearly bought, and maybe think about "downsizing", concentrating on more rewarding things.