The world according to Sarah

[Stottie Girl]

Thanks Davina, Thanks Emma! You can thank your lucky stars you aren't nearby or I would have you stripping wallpaper in a flash ha ha!

Some good news today, found a heating engineer who is able to fit my heating system for nearly £3,000 less than my previous 2 quotes. That is great news as things have been getting more and more expensive for me as I uncover more issues. I'm still at the demolition stage of the house so I can't wait until I get to put Sarah's touches to the house. I'm feeling confident to embrace a much less masculine approach to interior design and decorating this time around.

It's not the house that has been upsetting me really, at least not directly. It is the fact that when I let Sarah off the leash on here back at the start of the year I have been on a one way track to womanhood. I have discovered so much about myself, discovered that it isn't just an impossible dream, it can be real. I have really honed my make up skills and found my style when it comes to clothing. I have chosen a name (albeit it was prechosen by my mum before I was born) and I have started to live as Sarah every moment I have any time to myself but now, my life is in boxes, scattered all over, I have no safe place to be myself. I am living in boy mode full time. I feel like I am loosing everything I have gained. Like I am loosing my sense of self.

At the same time I have also been having a few difficulties with medication and heart arrhythmia which is obviously not great and necessitated a pause in HRT. All looks good again now though but frankly it was bloody scary and the stopping of HRT at this time has left me feeling even further away from my goals and well....me.

[davina61]

When the universe is ready for full on Sarah you will know, think of it as getting ready. When the house is done and to your taste you will make up for it.

[Lori Dee ✅]

I agree with Davina. We can predict the speed of our transition, hard as we may try. Just remember that WHO YOU ARE has nothing to do with what anyone sees. You have always been Sarah. And living out of boxes and suitcases can be stressful, but it is also making you stronger. Once you get settled in, it will feel like a huge weight has been lifted off you. Until then, be strong, carry the weight, and know that we are right there with you.

I like Emma's suggestion for a huge Susan's Place Block Party!

[Stottie Girl]

Thanks peeps. I am feeling better than I have for a couple of weeks to be honest. I might have turned a corner. the house is just getting messier and messier and more torn apart but after next week the process can begin to start making it a beautiful home.

I mentioned this place is like a timewarp. It has not been touched since the 70's. Some of it (like the carpets, bedroom wardrobes and kitchen have to go) But other things like the plate rails in the hallway and the westminster chime doorbell are probably good to integrate. Proabably the coolest features are the sliding yellow bubble glass doors. The doors to the living room and dining room and the double partition divider doors between them are like this. It's a pretty unique, very 70's retro feature that I quite like. I am busy plotting how to incorporate them into a more modern colour scheme. I'll have to take a picture of them and maybe get some opinions. I'm sure they won't be everyones cup of tea but i think i can do something quirky with them. These are the exact same doors I have:-

[tammy753]

WOW! I am glad you are feeling better. I hope everything is better now. I know housing issues can be overwhelming.

[Stottie Girl]

Thanks Tammy.

[Lori Dee ✅]

The doors to the living room and dining room and the double partition divider doors between them are like this. It's a pretty unique, very 70's retro feature that I quite like. I am busy plotting how to incorporate them into a more modern colour scheme. I'll have to take a picture of them and maybe get some opinions. I'm sure they won't be everyones cup of tea but i think i can do something quirky with them.

I love them. I have never seen them on a full-size door, just cupboards or half-wall room dividers. I say keep them and do something quirky with them.

Now you need a large bunch of the glass grapes to go on the coffee table and a console stereo against the wall. Maybe a Zonk blacklight poster and framed copies of Furry Freak Brothers comics. Yes, I am just an old hippie.

Have fun with it!

😁

[Stottie Girl]

I love them. I have never seen them on a full-size door, just cupboards or half-wall room dividers. I say keep them and do something quirky with them.

Now you need a large bunch of the glass grapes to go on the coffee table and a console stereo against the wall. Maybe a Zonk blacklight poster and framed copies of Furry Freak Brothers comics. Yes, I am just an old hippie.

Have fun with it!

😁

Ha! We think alike Lori! I was thinking of trying to find an old teak stereo console or record cabinet and popping a modern wireless record player in it. At the very least you can buy teak record decks that are 70's retro. That will probably suit. I need to build some form a large room storage for the dining room end of my through lounge to store my records and other stuff. What I have in mind has nods to my memory of the homes from my childhood in the 70's and early 80's but with a more modern twist. We shall see though. I know of a few quirky retro furniture places near me. This will be the fun phase of the house move.

[davina61]

Love the doors, yes my thought were the same, old gram with modern stuff in it, a 70s sideboard and stacking tables. Go steady on the cacodylic wall paper though!

[Lori Dee ✅]

And to match the doors, you'll need gold shag carpet!

[Devlyn ✅]

...and one of these...

[tammy753]

Ha! We think alike Lori! I was thinking of trying to find an old teak stereo console or record cabinet and popping a modern wireless record player in it. At the very least you can buy teak record decks that are 70's retro. That will probably suit. I need to build some form a large room storage for the dining room end of my through lounge to store my records and other stuff. What I have in mind has nods to my memory of the homes from my childhood in the 70's and early 80's but with a more modern twist. We shall see though. I know of a few quirky retro furniture places near me. This will be the fun phase of the house move.

Are you sure we aren't related. I have a massive music collection and the first thing I bought when I moved here was a bluetooth record player. I do have mostly CDs and Vinyl. You are building my dream home. I hope you find everything you and I dream of!

[Stottie Girl]

Ha!

And to match the doors, you'll need gold shag carpet!

I'm not Austin Powers Lori! ha ha!

[Stottie Girl]

...and one of these...

That pic suggests there is a story attached somewhere.........

[Devlyn ✅]

That pic suggests there is a story attached somewhere.........

Standard shaggin' wagon. 🤣

[Stottie Girl]

Well that's most of the kitchen stripped out. I've smashed the concrete fire surround and hearth out too (weighed a ton) but whoever installed the coal fire was a total cowboy builder. I think he has removed the lintel across the builders opening. I'm going to have to get a builder to install a new lintel but if he's coming I'll get him to make an inglenook fireplace which should give me some options.

The horrendus anaglypta wallpaper is coming off easier than I thought it would which is a blessing as the whole house has been covered in the stuff. They've even wallpapered the ceiling! Who the hell does that!!!

The garage roof is now finished and I have the heating engineer coming to install the heating system tomorrow and Friday. Hopefully should have hot water at the weekend yay! Electrician in next week then contact plasterer to make good and after that it's on to the fun stuff of making it look nice!

[Lori Dee ✅]

Wow, you are making quick progress! Good job!

Perhaps the reason for wallpapering the ceiling is that they spent a lot of time passed out on the floor? They wanted to see something nice when they regained consciousness.

🤣

[Stottie Girl]

Wow, you are making quick progress! Good job!

Perhaps the reason for wallpapering the ceiling is that they spent a lot of time passed out on the floor? They wanted to see something nice when they regained consciousness.

🤣

I have no idea what was going on in their minds Lori! You should have seen the kitchen! Bright turquoise wall tiles, bright orange doors on the bottom base units. White fake marble formica top on one side of the kitchen only, fake oak formica wall units with bright lemon inset panels on the doors. Peach walls and a terracotta lino. It had to be seen to be believed. The whole thing was filthy too🤮🤮

[Lori Dee ✅]

I have no idea what was going on in their minds Lori!

Perhaps the answer is psychedelic hallucinogens?

I've been looking at houses, and sometimes I think the same thing: What were they thinking?

Take your time and make it yours.

[Captain.Val]

Ha!  I'm not Austin Powers Lori! ha ha!

Wow, you are making quick progress! Good job!

Perhaps the reason for wallpapering the ceiling is that they spent a lot of time passed out on the floor? They wanted to see something nice when they regained consciousness.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You girls are gold
🤣