The Years Of Living Dangerously

Where's those 30-odd years of my adult life gone? I'm 50 next week. Not that I'm in the least bit bothered about reaching my half-century, I'm simply amazed that I got this far.

All those things we're advised not to do, travelling abroad alone, accepting lifts from strangers, accompanying strange men to their flats for that after-the-pub coffee, walking back from nightclubs barefoot, pissed & oblivious, wading in to break up pub brawls, skinny dipping on remote Asian islands, gatecrashing the Hells Angel clubhouse, being stopped in the street by a man I only vaguely knew and becoming his flatmate 24 hours later.........I've done it all (& more) and come out the other side, battered, bruised but still here to tell the tale.

And will reaching what can only be described as late middle age (in the highly unlikely event that I live to see my 100th birthday) make me calm down? Hell, no! In less than five weeks time we'll be flying halfway around the world, landing at 2am with neither accommodation or any plans whatsoever. That's if we survive the week ahead, I'm already out for four of the next seven nights.

It's just as well us old 'uns have got some get up and go as I'm not seeing much action from the town's youth. We were out last night, braving the cold to fight against austerity, protesting against the proposed cuts in education, libraries, arts and culture which will massively affect the next generation and where were they? Conspicuous by their absence. Not doubt guzzling fast food and moaning on social media about boring Walsall is. They'll be even more bored in a few years time when everything has been sold off or put into storage and there's nothing but a massive Primark and 14 branches of McDonalds (I kid you not, read THIS) left to entertain them. On the bright side we've made The Guardian and have Noddy Holder, Andrew Tift and Grayson Perry on our side.

Frank's op went well although he wasn't too happy about it (the above photo is his post-surgery face) and has just been back to the vet for a check-up. I stayed in and kept him company for the first 48 hours then made up for lost time by going out on a charity shop spree. I love charity shops in December, most shoppers are so caught up in the madness of Xmas that they're often deserted and usually bursting with stock due to people having a massive declutter to make room for all the tat they're expecting on 25th December. 

Clockwise from top left: Susquehanna Hat Company "Marlowe" Fedora; Fringed lurex & velvet shawl; 1950s Dunlop plimsolls; 1980s velvet mini dress; Alexon wool coat; St Michael cord blazer; Fair isle hand knit; 1980s crushed velvet body suit; Mustard tartan midi; Huge 1960s "Tatton" screen print curtains; fake leopard hat; fake fur hat; Derby tweed cap; 1950s Tootal scarf; St Michael tweed jacket; Jaeger jumper. 

I've been living in these metallic Chelsea boots since they arrived last week. The fad for them must be well and truly over as they're already on eBay and half price on the website. To make room on my shoe rack I stuck four pairs of car booted/charity shopped and handed-down boots from my collection on eBay which not only paid for my new ones but yielded enough money to buy all of Jon's Xmas presents, a couple of maxi dresses for me and some factor 30 facial sun cream. Not bad considering all four pairs only cost me a total of £12!

WEARING: 1960s suede mini (Second To None, 2014), Big sleeved blouse (made by me using 1970s Rose & Hubble fabric bought from a charity shop), mustard tights (charity shop), Vintage pendant (the fabulous Em)

We're trading at Dee's vintage fair (Kinky's final one for 2016) in Taunton on Sunday and, as it's a three hour drive away, we're travelling down tomorrow and staying overnight.  It'll be the first time we've left Stephen Squirrel and Frank together in the house. I've invested in some Feliway Friends to reduce the risk of any skirmishes and the cat sitter is popping in twice.  I hope we've still got a roof over our heads on our return.

See you soon!

Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday