flashback fridays death defying

Today I am thoroughly enjoying the cool breeze sweeping through the house.
Last night we had a roast dinner. Well, remind me to check the long-range forecast before I plan the week's menu. It was a wee bit warm in our place. My lovely Mum put the dinner on because I wasn't due home from work until 7ish (more Christmas retail fun) and we sweltered through it.

I am going theme free for the Flashback and uploading a favourite photo from about 1980.
It was taken by my Dad at the London Bridge formation, part of the Twelve Apostles down near Port Campbell on the Victorian South coast.
The amazing thing about this one is that a year or so after this photo was taken, the whole bridge collapsed into the sea. I'm quite glad it held off until I got off!! Maybe I hastened its collapse by jumping around in my terry towelling tracksuit?
We tripped on down to the Apostles last Summer with the kids, and the environmental safety of the formations and the people wandering on them has been tightened up dramatically.
Still, I like the death defying charm of my early experience.
I am busily "puffing" up a storm in anticipation of a visit to a new wonderful retailer. I'll post some details later.
Happy days of coolness to everyone

flashback fridays hippie days

Hello to all Flashbackers!
This photo was taken in 1980 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl at one of many events labelled F.E.I.P. (for free entertainment in the park) I guess it was a jazz music concert, as my folks were pretty into a bit of JAAAAZZZZZZZZ. Of course, even though I look quite happy in this photo, I found the whole jazz thing extremely tragic and boring as only a sophisticated teenager could.
Still, it looks like it was a beautiful day and I am wearing the hippie-ish batik pants suit thing which was elasticated around the chest region(to hold it up of course)
I have gone on to drag my own kids to some lovely outdoor music events and I fear they are on the cusp of pre-teenager rebellion. Won't be long now!! Cue exaggerated eye rolling and deep sighing.
I am eating a black stump.
Kerrie, that comment was for you!

flashback fridays on the road again

I'm pretty sure that this was the welcoming party for the first NEW car that my parents had ever bought.
It's a pity that it's a little hard to see the detail, because I think Mum & I looked pretty spiffy (check my gorgeous ensemble. It's a little bit flamenco!) and Dad was sitting proud as punch in the driver's seat.
I totally missed the last weeks Flashback, just couldn't think if the right thing. When you are in family of three, there are few opportunities to get a good group shot. I'm sure they exist, just not in the collection of snaps that I've got my hands on. I can't actually remember many photos that captured the three of us together. Note to self...get some now, for MY kiddies to remember!

flashback fridays mums glorious mums

Don't we love those wonderful Mums? Here is my v. late Flashback post.
My Mum & Dad and a few of their friends used to have themed dress-up parties. Wild crazy debaucherous affairs as you can see from this photo. My Mum is the one dressed in a tiger costume.
I think that Mum always has an air of glamour about her. I used to follow her from room to room as she was getting ready to go out. I loved to watch her putting on her makeup, checking her reflection and clouding herself in perfume.
These are some great photos. Thanks Mum!

flashback fridays

Me, me, me..it's all about me.
I used to really like "helping" my Dad in his studio. He's a bit of a groover, no doubt about it. His studio was set up in a room of our house. He also made himself a darkroom which I loved to help in too. The red light was so magical, the mystery and wonderful chemical smell of the toner and other stuff were intoxicating. Watching the images appear on the film was mesmerising. Plus my Dad had all that wonderful stuff like glue, sticky tape, paint, photographic paper, rulers and ink. Who wouldn't love it?
I loved jazz ballet. I did a few years worth of lessons, achieving the wonderful "silver star" level medal. All I can remember now are "ball-changes" and bum walking on the floor which I guess toned our tiny toned buttocks!
I loved going horse-riding at Pine Farm. This horse was my horse (for the lessons only) and it was called Munchkin. Once I was thrown off, onto a jump when Munchkin decided to forgo the "jumping" bit of the activity. I was also very keen on the warm bacon sandwiches my Mum would bring after my lesson, wrapped in foil..salty and delicious.
I loved riding my bike. Now I'm not sure whether or not this was my bike. It looks a little big. I bet that seat was burny-hot in bathers! This bush behind me was called Pampas Grass. It was quite a striking looking garden feature but sweet jesus did it hurt if you sliced yourself on it!! Each blade was like a serrated machete.
I loved my skates as you can see. I think this is such a cool photo. Look at that waistcoat..that jumper with the ring-pull zip and the gorgeous cords. These were the kind of skates that were adjustable & screwed together in the middle over your shoes. I can almost hear the gravelly "shushing" of them rolling down the footpath.Happy days everyone. Thank god this week of retail is over for me! I was one of those surly shop assistants whom I despise. On a happier note..there are so many fantastic new books out & about in book buying land right now. Get yourself one and have a read.

flashback fridays

Here's a pic of my beloved vegie patch with broad beans flourishing, rocket rocketing and my gorgeous Deb Cotter mermaid overseeing the lot. In fact, this was a couple of weeks ago and NOW it's absolutely b(l)ooming!
Wow, I am honoured to be picked by Angela to suggest the next Flashback theme.
I've been a little distracted lately by goings on, and I neglected to post a photo for last week.
Sadly I don't have any Pop photos for this week, so selfishly I will suggest a theme for next week that I can actually participate in!
Here we go..What about BEST & FAVOURITE TOYS & ACTIVITIES.
Thanks you so much to everyone who left lovely comments on my Lampshades photos. I'm hoping they'll get picked up today. I also hope that I can find some crafting mojo to get me going now that that's o-v-e-r. It's too nice a day to spend on the compooter, so I'm off. Have a great day everyone!!

flashback fridays

Here's one of the only photos I have of my maternal grandparents. It was taken in our garden during their visit to Australia from Scotland.
Sadly, because of the enormous distance between us, I never really had a relationship with them and I can't come up with any "nana wisdom"
Still, it's a cute photo. Look at my Nana's funky shirt and specs! And my Mum..what can you say..she has great style! I was an early adopter of moccasins too.
So, it's Friday again and the final weekday of the school hols, and the sun's shining.
We're going to see Hairspray, I'm going to do some washing and I'll be working on the "shades" in every spare minute.
Do you ever agree to do something then wonder what the hell you've got yourself into???

flashback fridays

Contrary to today's theme for Flashing Back, I did not have a kangaroo as a pet. This photo was taken around 1971 at Healesville Sanctuary. I particularly love my knicker-skimming dress. This makes me think of My Poppet's gorgeous little bloomers. I know my Mum made me some to match a couple of my dresses, but they would've looked a treat with this one.
Neither did I have a little parroty friend. But I did meet this friendly boid at Mornington Pier.

I'm very happy to see my teeny vegie patch well-soaked after a great rainy night. I hope my broad beans start to bulk up a bit, I'm dying to try them. Now I can't believe how blue the sky is. I felt sure it would pour all day.
I'm off to visit Miss Cintia, then maybe a trip to Mikes as well.
What I really need to do is apply my powers of creativity to my lampshade dilemma. Bit tricky to fully focus during the school hols, but I'm down one squid & the other is a bit low in energy today, ready for a telly day in pj's.
Have a Fab Friday everyone!

This Goes With This

Today I have had the great pleasure of meeting another so-crafty gal, Miss Cinti of My Poppet fame.
Now as well as Meet Me At Mikes and Lulu, the Utter Puffery range of hand made fabric clips, hair elastics and badges can be found at a new location! You must have a look at the BEAUTIFUL baby and kiddly things at Miss Cinti's gorgeous new shop.
My Poppet can be found at 717 Glenhuntly Rd in Caulfield South.
I wish Miss Cinti every success for the future in her lovely venture. If you need to find a special gift for a beloved babe, then this is the place to be!
Of course it's also Flashback Friday and cheesy grins are the order of the day.
These pics are taken in our old backyard at the height of the groovy seventies, could you tell?
Yes the denim pantsuit got an airing last Flashback Friday, but I love these photos.

flashback fridays

Good Morning fellow flashbackers. I haven't got a Sunday best photo, but maybe this was taken on a Sunday and surely this is my BEST denim jumsuit photo.
This photo must have been taken about 1978. I think I am about 10 and wearing the most amazing denim all-in-one jumpsuit. That's my dog Sophie who famously dug up the dead body of another precious pet, a cat called TumTum who was buried in the back yard. Not on the day this photo was taken!
Now I must have a walk. God I am so flabby. Must also start trying to rally the troops for school holiday kid-swap-orama. Working Mums of the world unite...or maybe WonderMums Power ACTIVATE!!! Who used to watch SHAZZAM?

flashback fridays

Well here's today's offering, complete with guitar.
I think this was about 1981. I was learning guitar at school with a teacher whose name I'm sure I will remember as soon as I turn off the computer. I don't think I was any virtuoso and I recall one awful day getting off the school bus and hearing the sickening "clonk/crack" of my guitar hitting the steps behind me as I carried it off. I knew I'd be in trouble. Funny that now I can't remember whether or not I copped it. Shamefully, after all those lessons, I can't remember a thing about how to play.
End of the month, we're out of internet juice, so I think it'll take half the day for my photo to load...better get cracking!
One more thing..I MADE that lightweight jacket that I'm wearing in this photo, with help from my clever Mum. I was very pleased with myself. I wonder what happened to it? It was white with teensy red polka dots. V. cute.

flashback fridays

Well this is a tiny group, but a group nonetheless. It is a photo taken at my kindergarten in 1973.
I'm not sure that anyone else could recognise themselves in this photo but stranger things have happened! I don't have a strong recollection of kinder except for these few things.

*There was a chook shed in the garden. We used to crowd behind it to poke blades of grass through holes in the tin for the chooks to grab. That was very thrilling because we couldn't see the chooks and when they snatched the grass it was a big surprise.
*I have a vague idea that I may have had a boyfriend called Charlie (not sure about that..but I have always been a bit boy crazy)
*The kinder teacher was called Sister Sawyer.
*We had fish 'n chips on Fridays.
*We had cooked peas and carrots other days, the smell of which made me gag. Yuck!!
That's me in the blue. I like that red dress even though it's a tad brief.

flashback fridays

Well I'm being sneaky and getting this all ready for the morning because I'll only have time to click the publish post button before I have to go to work.
This photo is my costume for the school trip to Sovereign Hill in about Grade 5.
If I'm remembering correctly I "helped" Mum to make this lovely skirt and mop cap, with a "mini-me" cloth dolly with matching, yet contrasting skirt. The term "mop cap" has a dastardly ring to it...maybe I wasn't as helpful as I fantasize myself being...and maybe Mum got stuck with finishing the job?
Thank God it's (flashback) Friday everyone!

flashback fridays

Well the flu-fog is finally clearing. Thank goodness. Thanks to everyone who offered support and understanding. One great thing I did yesterday was fossick through some of the old photos at Mum's while I was wallowing in self-pity.
I've chosen this one for todays flashback because it's a beauty of an afro shot, big sunnies and high-waisted jeans. But it does have a hint of glamour too, something my Mum can bring to most outings.

flickr frustration

I'm not sure what's wrong with me but I can't seem to work out how to "do stuff" on the computer.
I'm trying to join the flashback fridays flickr group but my photos aren't going in to the collection. GGGRRR.... I don't get it! I've been going round and round like a moron. I'm sure there's a simple explanation. Huff. And the Web Ring.. Oh I give up.

flashback fridays

I have to show my hand here. When I was little my Dad was studying to be a graphic designer. A large part of that course and an abiding interest of Dad's was photography.
Have I mentioned the fact that I'm an only child?
So, I think I'll be able to keep pumping out the pre 1985 shots for a while yet.
It's been a busy but fun week, no school for my kids today so I think we'll take in the Pixar exhibition and a bit of pho in Victoria St today; look at that beautiful sunshine beaming coolly down because I don't think it's gonna last!
Happy flashback friday everyone!

flashback fridays

I must be feeling the cold. As soon as I found this photo I knew it was "the one". Flashback Fridays is such a divine idea. I loved being forced to learn new things, like how to scan a photo! I am a bit of a newbie at the computer.
When I was little we had an above ground pool in the backyard. Kids in the neighbourhood would come over after school to make whirlpools.
A couple of years later one of our favourite activities was getting bikini-ied up and posing as Big M girls with our EGG-FLIP Big M's.
Cheers lovelies..have a great wet Friday.