aah this post really takes me back :-) When I was little my folks didn't have a lot of money to throw around, raising three kids on mostly a single income. But we would go to the 'Drive In' as a family instead of the cinema and those were some of the most fun evenings I ever had as a child! We were also very fortunate to live near a wonderful nature reserve, a short drive from some great beaches and had a built in swimming pool too, so I had a wonderful childhood and was raised on the outdoors. My parents would often take us "on a Sunday drive" to nowhere in particular. We'd all just pile into the car with a few snacks and drinks and off we'd go. We'd usually end up "window shopping" houses, in the wealthiest coastal suburb in Durban (I grew up in South Africa) and marvel at all the mansions and estates as we drove by. I remember my dad always used to drive past Harry Oppenheimer's estate in La Lucia, and tell us about his legacy in Diamonds with De Beers and Anglo American. Anyway, thank you for bringing that blast from the past back to me! What a great memory with my family, not lost forever anymore :-)
Hang in there with your home and decor. It is still your baby even if you are getting some help with the renovations. It will still be a reflection of you and your character. I do love the idea of browsing around ebay etc looking for select pieces for each room. I don't know about you but I am usually late to the party when it comes to liking certain styles and by the time they have grown on me, the fad has passed in the shops and items are no longer available. And then I can't find what I want :-( so this is a great little nugget of wisdom you shared. And IKEA, yeah can't get away from them for certain things :-)
We did this too :) My older brother took me and another brother to a double feature - I saw Nightmare on Elm Street 3 at the Drive-in. I was seven.... :D
I am guessing that things have changed a lot in SA since. Do you still live in the region?
Me too. I often don't even make it for their retro comeback!
bwahaha...this is so true! I did finally get myself a "record player" lol. At least mine is now a bluetooth turntable and hooked to 2 bluetooth speakers. Only decades late to the party though! and a few years later to it's revival. I do have Alexa and Amazon music on a number of wifi speakers around the house so all is not completely lost! "Nightmare on Elm Street"...brave! I'm not one for horror films. I get too freaked out lol. I remember seeing Grease and Zanadu at the drive in though. My parents loved musicals and I'm a fan too :-) I've been living in the UK since 2001. Things are tough out in SA. Corruption is rife in government, small businesses stifled unless they follow the B.E.E. model (which is not always feasible or equitable), unemployment is very high and poverty sadly is widespread, which drives up the crime rate. Recent mass political unrest and rioting was particularly scary for family and friends still living out there. The country and it's beauty remain very fond in my memories and a great holiday destination, but sadly I don't think I could ever move back due to the economic and political instability.