We had people over for dinner tonight and during the course of the evening, for some reason, the wedding photos were brought out. They are a whole other Flashback Friday, but when I was putting them all back I came across this photo.

This is the group of people I spent much of my teens, and all of my 20s with on an almost daily basis. I think it must have been taken in the mid 90's. Most of us met at dancing class in 1984 (year 9) and we were inseparable for well over a decade. This photo makes me miss those days so much - before, husbands and wives, before kids and mortgages, when every day was an adventure and we lived for each other.

I am happy to say that every one of these people is well loved, with families and big joyous lives. Doesn't stop me missing 'us' though.

(By the way, that's me at the front in the delightful cream canvas coat thingy!)

Once again I was unable to find a shot that fulfilled the theme of this week, but I did come across this photo of my bedroom in 1985. (Year 11)

I spent ages looking at the detail in it and was surprised how many memories it brought back. My gorgeous pink floral wallpaper is covered in pictures from Dolly Magazine, photos, nightclub invites, party invites and other gems. I was quite surprised to see school folders open on my desk as I was not known for my dedication to academia! Hence why I obviously abandoned the study to take random photos of my room.

As well as the mandatory boyfriend photo on the left of my desk - Hi Tony if you're out there in cyberspace - I noticed what must have been my first ever patchwork cushion!!! It actually looks identical to the ones I make for CHALK . Freaky!

If you knew me in 1985 you may very well find yourself on my wall.....

Sorry Ali - nearly forgot...

This weeks theme is Grandmothers so here is my gorgeous Grandma - Winifred Fraser, with me in 1969 at her home in Caulfield.

She was a gentle soul who loved anything blue, was a proficient sewer, a marvellous bowls player, and the best grandma in the world.

In this photo she is sitting with Mums' dog Jennie whom I have the dubious honour of being named after!! (Some of her other dogs were Zorba, Bijou, and Satchmo so I guess I should be thankful!)

Happy Flashbacking.

Oops - nearly forgot. Mum and Dad are back from their travels so I was able to get my hands on an album.


Here is a photo that brings back memories of camping trips taken every Easter at Tocumwal on the Murray River.

Every Easter we would load into the car at some ungodly hour of the morning, preferably while it was still dark, and head up to the Murray. I remember Mick and I would go straight back to sleep in the nest Mum and Dad had made on the back seat. No need for seat belts in the 70's obviously. Why Dad felt it necessary to leave so early I have no idea - must ask him.

We would then spend a glorious Easter with a couple of other families doing what kids do best... swimming, digging, swinging out over the river on a tyre, eating jaffles, hunting for wildlife, making fires, (you could do that in the 70's too!) and generally running amok and having a ball.

There would be a massive communal fire going day and night, trench toilets that you filled in as you went, 3 of the mums were teachers so there were always activities going for anyone who was interested. One year we dyed every tea towel with natural dyes we made over the camp-fire and bark paintings that eventually became part of a gallery exhibition we put on for the grown-ups. Every night there were poetry recitals, charades, camp-fire songs, and more jaffles and sticks sprouting hot runny marshmallows.

The tents were triangular and orange and there were very few mod-cons but what splendid times they were.

Note - left to right, Jenny Pearson, Sally Waring, Georgie Gamble, Jason Gamble (up top), Cindy Gamble, Mick Pearson (on pole)

I didn't chose this photo so much for the hair as the outfit. I have such vivid memories of this windcheater - I thought it was the coolest thing. Tight, banana, and a khaki palm tree. HOT!!!! And tell me you had shoes like these! They were 'ice cubes' and I had them in about 3 different colours. Jeeez they must have been uncomfortable. A slave to fashion way back then. By the way this is 1981.

Weddings\formal\Sunday best

This is Christmas Day in the mid-70's outside my family home in Glen Iris, Melbourne. I particularly remember this Christmas as it was the first time I felt really grown up. I felt so pretty in my floral dress and I had such lovely strappy sandals as well.

These are two of my Aunts on the left and my wonderful Grandma on the right. Looking closely at this photo I have realised that my family all had pretty good pins! I love the fact that my Dads idea of dressing up for Christmas meant a very tiny pair of belted denim shorts. Go Dad!

This post has reminded me of something I have been wanting to ask all you wonderful Bloggers. I am looking for a Christmas photo to enlarge for my Christmas window display at CHALK. I am after a family photo set in the 60's or 70's (even 80's) showing a typical Christmas scene. If you have one in your albums, and are willing, I would love to see them in the hope of choosing 2 for our window display.

Please email them to j.kielys@optusnet.com.au

Have a great weekend - maybe drop in and visit me at the shop on Saturday and brunch in Yarraville...

What happened to the days when parents felt comfortable letting their children ride scooters up and down their street, or climb ridiculously high trees, or ride their bikes to the creek for some yabbying (whatever happened to Yabbies? Are they still out there?), or let their firstborn share her blankie with their boxer dogs? Yes DOGS. There is a photo somewhere of me asleep wedged between two of these gorgeous creatures. This one is the matriarch of our Boxers - Bijou, who was Dad's first child and who graciously made room in the family for me.

Photo removed due to the fact that it may incriminate others.

I think the less said about this photo, the better!!!!

This is a bit of a cheats Flashback Friday as this is of my beautiful husband (on the right), not me. Most photos of me pre '85 are still in Mum and Dad's albums and as they are away I can't get my hands on them.

I LOVE this photo.

This is how I remember James, a salt encrusted surfie dude with a shock of blonde fringe. James was in my brothers group of friends down at Point Lonsdale where we spent our holidays. To me, three years older, they skirted around the periphery of those lazy summer days. I was always aware of James - as you may know I have a thing for slim pretty boys! - but it wasn't until I spotted him again in his 20's that my radar went off.

I particularly love the fact that compared to his mate Bolly, he was so slight, the board is hardly upright! Bolly is also a part of my childhood as our parents are good friends, his brother was one of my first buddies and their house was just up the hill. The asbestos shed in the background, the old mals, the dunes, the tan, they all evoke such strong feelings in me. This is Australia in summer as I knew it.

And this what Bolly's brother Steve and I were probably doing on that day!

(I'm on the right in the navy bikini with matching hair ribbon no less!!)

If you haven't already done so please visit these 2 very special Flashback Friday posts! Believe me it is worth it. They will make your heart sing. Bec and Call and Poppalina

God It's Flashback Friday again already and I nearly forgot!!

This photo just scrapes in as it's taken in 1985. It's one of my favourite photos as it is so evocative of my fabulous school days. This is Kris and I catching some rays in the corridor at school and although I look like I'm puckering up for a kiss I 'm sure Kris was just offering me some of her lunch. This photo makes me want to go back to those days so much... when you spent all day with your best friends instead of trying to catch a spare half hour together around kids, work, husbands, LIFE!!!

Here's my latest Flashback Friday photo. I'm pretty sure I did not always sleep in a Corn Flakes box. Mum and Dad assure me this was taken on a camping trip and not at home but I have my doubts. (this must be from around 1969)

Welcome to Flashback Friday.

Angela at Three Buttons has started Flashback Friday and CHALK is joining the fun.

My daughter particularly likes this shot although she still does not really believe that it is me. I'm loving the 70's tan I'm sporting. (And I wouldn't mind those thighs back!)

Join in and I'll add your blog to the list.