More than meets the eye

 

There's a man who lives nearby who always says hello to me; we see each other around fairly often and have slipped into the habit of exchanging a greeting, even though we don't know one another at all.

Today, we met on my street and he announced, that's a different look for you - very Rock Chick. I like it!

 

We had a bit of a laugh about that; he says he can spot me at a distance because I'm usually wearing something bright, colourful and floral.

Since he's always casually dressed, scruffy even, I wouldn't have had him down as someone who would notice what I (or anyone else) was wearing. Which just goes to prove you shouldn't make assumptions.

1970s lurex jumper, denim jacket, leather skirt, ankle boots, tights and bangles - charity shopped

1950-60s tapestry bag - gift from Emma Kate

1970s necklace - vintage market

 

 I had an interesting conversation this week with one of the volunteers at my shop. 

 

Up Where We Belong was playing on the radio, and she said that's my old friend singing. Given our location, it wasn't overly intuitive of me to guess that she was referring to Joe Cocker rather than Jennifer Warnes. We chatted about how she met Joe in the 1960s through her future husband, also a musician, and how they all became friends. 

She recalled the release of Joe's first album With a Little Help from My Friends in 1969, and told me that she, her boyfriend and Joe stayed up all night playing it over and over again. And how that occasion was the first time Joe had heard the album played all the way through, start to finish - on my little record player! she laughed.

 

I like that story for all sorts of reasons. Decidedly Sheffield, down-to-earth and non-starry, it's an endearing snapshot of another time, and a brief, unexpected glimpse into someone's personal history. 

 

People. They can surprise you, no? Sometimes by being utter arseholes, it's true, but just as often by sharing stories and observations which make you look at them again and think there's more to you than meets the eye. 

 

 

Any claim to Rock Chick-ery I ever had is long gone, but perhaps the leather, denim and studs in this outfit are a little nod in that direction. 

 

A grown-up Rock Chick? I'd settle for that.  

Can't do the Big Hair anymore...

(Oops - I told you an inadvertent fib when I said I only have one jumper. I forgot about this sparkly Seventies one. 

How could I?)

It's interesting to speculate about what our clothes tell others about us. Of course they say something - we're all visible, and we make choices about how we present ourselves. But everyone has a story, and appearance only tells part of it. 

There's more to us than meets the eye.

PS. We're going away for a few days, but I'll look forward to catching up with you all when we get back.

xxxx

Oh what fun we had

Friday already? Another busy week has whizzed past in a bit of a blur.

There have been the usual Ebaying and charity shop duties, but also parents' evenings for Owen and Nina, and a musical performance at Claudia's school.

Owen is in Year 6, a year of school which has been dominated by increasingly intense preparations for SATs in May. Despite the fact that he's doing fine, either hitting or ahead of his "targets", we were told that he should be working to increase those levels still further, and that nightly revision was expected in order to achieve this.

When I was tidying up our noticeboard at home, I spotted this postcard from our trip to Oxford last summer, which reflects both Owen's and my feelings about that idea...

SATs' results matter far more to the school that they do to the kids. I know everyone at school is under pressure, but seriously, these children are only 11, give them a bloody break. Hey, teacher - leave them kids alone!

1960-70s Designed for California by Tom Jones maxi dress - vintage fair

Levi's jacket (I get it on weekdays, Claudia has weekend custody), bangles, ankle boots and scarf - charity shopped

On Wednesday evening, the whole family went to watch Claudia perform as part of the cast of Olivia! 

Claudia's costumes courtesy of my wardrobe, of course. 

 (I knew that black silk skirt from the flea market last week would come in handy.)

She sang a solo and beamed throughout, as usual.

I'm not the biggest fan of musical theatre, but I can understand why schools choose that genre for their productions. The Year 7, 8 and 9 students who made up the cast and crew did a very confident and professional job, I was impressed by the talent on display, and the level of maturity and commitment. Well done, kids!

Nina and I took photos in the interval.

I've been in school again today, doing two of the things I like most - hearing children read, and making a display of their artwork. I wish I had taken a photo, some of the drawings were really fantastic. 

But since I didn't, and since Nina hasn't had much of a look in during this post, I'll show you some of her art instead. 

Oh dear, this has all gone a bit Proud Mama, hasn't it? Please bear with me, I promise it won't happen very often.

Today's outfit for Red Nose Day at school. Not that I wouldn't wear it any other day too.

What family resemblance?

Now here's a completely random question which has nothing to do with anything else in this post; can you think any great names for a cafe?

Friends of mine are buying one and need to change its name; we've been trying to come up with ideas but nothing has been quite right so far. It will be a family-friendly venue with a breakfast and lunchtime menu, but they might open for themed evening sittings in the future. The emphasis will be on great home cooking, a classic/traditional core menu with seasonal and imaginative specials, using locally sourced produce wherever possible, and a friendly comfortable vibe. They don't particularly want to use their name, or anything which tries to be funny or uses a pun.

So come on, throw some names in the pot; if your suggestion is chosen, you'll get a free lunch! (Sadly winners must pay their own travel costs...)

Have a great weekend!

xxxx

Me ears are alight

Sometimes, the things people do or say leave me shaking my head in wonder or bewilderment. 

Sublime to ridiculous and all points in between - we humans have it all covered, don't we?

Walking to school with Nina yesterday, a woman I know only slightly stopped me to say that her grandfather came from a tribe in Nigeria, and she loved my dress because it reminded her of their traditional colours.

That made my day.

We went out for delicious Chinese food on Friday night, and the kids used chopsticks with aplomb. 

I have been trying to remember the first time I ate in a Chinese restaurant; I think I was 21, and it took me some years after that to get the hang of chopsticks.

The differences between their experiences of childhood and my own sometimes leave me breathless.

Then again... some things never change, man's inhumanity to man being one of them.

Nina was mocked and insulted by two children at school about the appearance of her skin. As she always does, she asked them to stop, since what they were saying hurt her feelings. They didn't. She told a lunchtime supervisor, who advised her to ignore them.

No. That is not an adequate response from an adult. It's a cop out, a lazy way to deal with inappropriate behaviour on the one hand, and distress on the other. How do those children learn that such teasing/abuse is unacceptable if it isn't addressed? And why should any child with a disability (or indeed without one) have to accept it?

Rest assured I will be talking to school about the incident, and suggesting that there is a training need here. 

1950-60s Hawaiian barkcloth dress - flea market

Jacket, bag, bangles and necklace - charity shopped

Ankle boots - community fair

The prize for the most inappropriate donation to a charity shop this week goes to the person who thoughtfully gave us a half-used tube of anal lubricant. 

Thanks for that.

The weather has been utterly bizarre this week; glorious sunshine, howling gales, snow and hail storms, all within moments of each other. Or indeed at the same time. 

How is a girl supposed to know what to wear? 

As predicted, we're sharing the jacket. And the scarf, apparently...

My friend has just adopted a kitten. He's adorable. 

Despite my advice that it wasn't necessary, she insisted on buying him a bed. I suggested that if he had the run of the house, he would likely choose his own spot to sleep, and anyway, cats love boxes so a cardboard box with a blanket would be just as good.

She was horrified. She said it would look as though they didn't care about him sufficiently to buy him a bed. 

Because kittens are known to care about how things look, and what has been spent on them.

I don't know. 

 

I listen, but sometimes I wonder if I'm hearing things right. 

 Much like this guy.

 

(Nina doesn't get it, and asked what's a tape?)

xxxx

 

You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life

 It's Friday already, and I'm sneaking in a quick post before we head off for another weekend away.

We're going to Liverpool, and I need to sort, pack, make sandwiches for the train - you know the drill.

But first;

 

more florals.

I'm so predictable.

Vintage frock; cardigan; denim jacket; boots; vintage bag; a mish-mash of jewellery.

 

A uniform? 

 

Maybe, but self-selected, flexible, colourful, and a relection of my taste and personality. (You all read Vix's post about that, right? Check out her words of wisdom here.)

We were out last night to watch a show of musical and dance performances at Claudia's school.

It was a great evening, I enjoyed seeing so many kids demonstrating their talent, hard work and commitment to performing arts.

 

 

Tandem are a surprisingly professional-sounding band - a little Arctic Monkeys-esque, but that's not a bad thing. 

 

 I can't claim that Claudia has any particular technical ability, but she loves to dance, has good rhythm, and best of all, she isn't afraid to show the joy on her face. She beamed throughout, and so did I.

 

(On a side note; there was a clear gender split. I'm generalising a little, but it seems the girls dance and sing; the boys don't dance but they play instruments. What's that all about then?)

 

 

1970s maxi dress - Ebay

Cardigan, jacket, bangles and rings - charity shopped

1950s tapestry bag - flea market

Necklace - was my mum's 

 

Right - must get on. That suitcase won't pack itself.

Have a great weekend; I intend to do just that!

xxxx

Out of the blue

If red is the colour of energy, good fortune and happiness, then shades of blue and green must represent calm and relaxation. 

 

 

Which is what I need this week.

Bring on the maxi skirts!

 

1970s maxi skirt and beret - flea market

Cardigan, top, scarf and bangles - charity shopped

Boots - retail (sale)

 

 

 

1970s Canadian-made wool maxi skirt - gift from Shelley

Jacket, scarf, beret, tights and bangles - charity shopped

1960s tapestry bag - vintage shop in Birmingham (on a bloggers' day out)

I've been feeling really tired this week; I always have a slight dip after a big event of some kind. I recognise the cycle and allow it to be, making sure I get in a couple of early nights.

I gave my apologies to the teacher in whose class I usually volunteer, and headed home. I just intended to bake a birthday cake for Simon (the man of the house) and had no other plans.

 

 

 

 

How serendipitous that I was home; I got a call out of the blue from a very old and dear friend who was in Sheffield today. She now lives in France, and I haven't seen her for ages, so it was brilliant to catch up.

J and I were at university together, 1982-5. We talked kids, grandkids, France, cats, friends, memories, vintage, charity shopping, flea markets, vide greniers, and an afternoon just wasn't long enough.

Don't worry, the cake got made too. Coffee and walnut. 

I'd show you, but we ate it all.

 

This evening, we went out for a celebratory Chinese meal. 

Our walk to the restaurant...

 

 

 

 

...through the urban jungle.

 

Eldest bought these for Simon;

 

 

just what a middle-aged man wants for his birthday.

 

We may have sniggered. A lot.

 

So; our bellies are now ridiculously full, and Vix has predicted we will all be in bed by 9 o'clock.

 

She's probably right. She has witchy powers.

 

Night all!

 

xxx

Same as it ever was

Time. Where the bloody hell does it go?

I had great fun catching up with Patsy at the weekend, but failed to take any proper photos, apart from one or two in Matlock, including this one.

And I was round at Joanne's with the girls on Sunday night, but it's probably just as well I didn't take any pics then either. I laughed so much, I cried all my mascara off, which was not a pretty sight.

The kids are on holiday this week, and we have no particular schedule, which is lovely. 

Having wardrobe favourites is also lovely, and this outfit is comprised of a few of mine.

Denim jackets, maxis, berets, boots, a variety of bangles, plenty of colour - these are my go-to, feel-good items.

 1960-70s Co-op maxi skirt - vintage fair

Top, suede waistcoat, denim jacket and bangles - charity shopped

Beret - quiz prize

Boots - Ebay

Tapestry tote bag - made by me

Now, I have a confession to make.

Oh don't worry, it's not that I've been shopping at Primark, or anything truly shameful...

But it has been brought to my attention that I might be a bit of an old fart when it comes to music.

I know; a shocking accusation, but it has some foundation.

Patsy was talking about the music she likes at the weekend, and reeled off a list of bands and artists, some of which I knew but couldn't really name any songs, and some I hadn't even heard of.

Well, what are you listening to? she asked.

Err... Lately, that would be Talking Heads. Soft Cell. Early Robert Palmer. The Smiths. Stevies Wonder and Nicks. Roxy Music. Joni Mitchell. Elvis Costello. Lots of old soul, funk and Motown.

So basically, the same music that I have listened to for the last 25-30 years...

 See? Old fart. One look at my blog posts titles this month gives me away; all song lyrics, by Talking Heads, Elvis, Roxy Music, The Seekers, David Bowie, Jackson Browne and Canned Heat. Down with the kids, I am not.

  Sure, I enjoy dancing round the kitchen to Happy as much as my kids, and I'm not suggesting for a minute that current music isn't as good or as interesting as the stuff I listen to, not at all.

I just hear a lot of songs which remind me of something else, and it sends me back to the original. Maybe I am past the age where music really knocks me for six and engenders lifelong love. Remember buying vinyl, and pouring over the sleeve and the lyrics and playing the album over and over and over again? It's a love affair, I suppose, and those early loves have shaped my tastes so much that nothing else quite matches up.

So come on - help me.
What should I be listening to?
Recommendations will be investigated and given a fair chance, honest.

Or when it comes to music, are you stuck in an old groove too?

 I'm showing up terribly late to Visible Monday (sorry, Patti.)

Same as it ever was...

xxxx