Old stuff

You know, there is something comforting about old people. I don't know exactly what it is, but I adore them*. I kinda can't wait to be one. I can wear polyester elastic waist pants and say whatever I want because I won't give s___. I will hopefully live in a double wide that needs minimal maintenance. I will spend my time taking codeine syrup for my "cough" and reading romance novels. I mean, I'll be old. Who cares?

*Unless they smell, in which case it's a no go. For instance the other day on the way to church we pulled up next to a car full of three really, really old people. An ancient, heavy breathing man was taking up a lot of the driver's seat (okay, technically his pot belly was taking up the driver's seat, sheesh), while two shriveled up crones huddled in the back. They were all wearing copious amounts of polyester bought from previous decades. Had it been colder outside, I'm positive the windows would have been fogged up with their wheezing. To be honest, I was unsure if all three of them were still going to be alive by the time they reached their destination. I turned to Sam and said, "I don't think it smells very good in that car." And he said, "no." (God bless him.)

I have been thinking about all sorts of old stuff lately. We are currently in escrow on an older house. Did I mention that? Yes, some crazy bank has finally decided to accept one of our offers...but only after this house had fallen out of escrow TWO times, and we made THREE offers. And also our realTOR (apparently we've all been mispronouncing it these past years), like, prostrated himself and begged and slit his wrists and made risky deals with minor demons 'n' stuff. Okay, not technically, but something like that. Thank the LORD. However. Please everyone keep all your fingers and toes crossed because it is not ours yet, and until they hand over those keys any number of things could go sideways.

Now, this house is not crazy old. It is just kinda old. Like 80s old. Okay, wait--I know what you're thinking. When I think of an 80s house, I tend to think, "ahhhhhh, get thee away from me! Oakey-brass-yuck!" But luckily the previous owner(s) of this house managed to get rid of all the icky 80s-esque things like popcorn ceilings, black-rimmed windows, oakey cabinets, etc. It has a nice classic look now, AND it has all these great period attributes still intact. Yes, I just called the 80s "period". It has gorgeous cathedral ceilings. The banister is beautifully curved and perfect for displaying Christmas garland. Speaking of Christmas, I can't wait to put a glowy, sparkly tree in the bay window this December. Oh! And it has these beautiful book-matched wood doors that I love, love.

Why does everything have to be "new"? Why can't it be old? Old is good; it's very good. Old juxtaposed with modern is even better.

Okay, my dream, dream house would be a 2000 square foot Arts & Crafts house from 1912, perfectly restored and in a Traditionally Designed Neighborhood. That would be the epitome of old being the best. But, hello, that's truly just a fun dream to me, and not one that I intend to realize. In this real life I will take my old 80s house in an older, quaint neighborhood and plant my flag with pride.

Some other old stuff I've been pondering is old style. I am on a style blog kick to supplement my sewing blog obsession, and I find I'm really drawn to all these vintage style ones. A favorite one, Casey's Elegant Musings, recently posted on how to do your hair up in this really cool vintagey rolled back style. I took this and ran with it, and now I've been rocking these double french braid and twisted back updos. Scarily, this week both my mom AND my dad have told me, "hey Leah, I really like your hairdo." Ack! But. It's totally because they're old. And I did say I liked old stuff, so I'm just going to have to let that one go.

The thing about old style, old dresses, & old updos is that they're...romantic. Having cut my teeth on Anne of Green Gables & 80s Victoriana revival, anything romantic (or even broody romantic) feels comforting and nostaligic to me. I think that's what the appeal, be it old people, old house, or old style boils down to: romantic idealism. Romanticize the past and look to the future with hope...yeah...that's it.