Yesterday i had a great day. In the morning i went to Mums and we went opp shopping, and i got some great finds! We had snitzels at the pub for lunch and went for a little wonder on a nearby beach.

In the afternoon i went to see my good friend Krystel who i hadnt seen in a long time.

It was so much fun to catch up after so long and see how much our lives have changed (houses, partners, kids etc)

Yet how much we're still exactly the same people, and still get along and laugh just like we used to all those years ago!

I loved remembering old times we had together, and telling each other 'that is just so you' when we said something that sounded just like our younger selves from back in the day:)

Yes we definately need to get together again soon. I didnt take a single photo so here are some old photos of us instead...

this sais* Me and Krystel on our favourite swings at the park.

The swings are one of my favourite places in the world because you get closer to the clouds, your hair goes everywhere and its a place that all of my friends love so it reminds me of them, even miff when she hasnt been their in years!

This is the two of us at a pond around the corner from Krystels aunties old house. We had so much fun at this place, finding tadpoles and getting nice and muddy and wet regularly with all our friends.

 Krystel has two gorgeous sons, these are photos i took of her oldest when he was little, i cant believe hes 6 now! Her other son is a cute curly haired 4 year old. Theyve grown so much since i saw them last

Oh and i mentioned to Krystel the other day that Benny and I are getting photos done at the end of the year by an amazing photographer in who is in Bute. (she does on location shoots, were getting ours done at port hughes beach, yippe!!:)
Her name is Valeska Wehr and here are links to her website and blog, check her out!

my smile (*** before the blog)

today while looking for an old photo i came across this little scrappy book i made while i was in high school and thought it was about time it had a place on my blog   

this sais *moments of pure bliss, taking a breath and swimming until your lungs could explode, feeling adrenilin

some photos of my friends, cousin, sister and I at the time

thes pyjamas pants were my old bohemian pants, i wore them rolled up in summer to the beach, over warmer pants in the winter.

 They went every where i went and i still have whats left of them (super thin faded fabric whith frayed legs and a split in the crotch!)

 I love them so much, I look at them and feel the pure joy of the memories they hold.

There will be more photos of them in other before the blog posts im sure.

Their origins- my cousinds Madi and Lil bought them for my aunty Helena (their mum)

 and then they were Madis, and then they were lils,

 and then they were mine and lils shared pants.  

Me and lil (yes one of us was probably wearing the pants!)

In photography class we were allowed to go down the street to take photos 'for projects'. Im so glad we always took extra photos. This is me up a tree at the park blowing bubbles

this sais * Im absolutely and totaly in love!!!

 (with)...

the beach!

Its my absolute favourite place because its outdoors, theres water and sand to play and create with, you can be there with friends or alone, i never get bored because theirs always somewhere to explore, or a spot to watch the water sooth me into deep thoughts.

Another school photography class 'out take' (these photos meamn far more to me than the ones we were supposed to take!) 

When i was younger i remember regularly dropping my school bag on the park grass on the walk to school to do a few cartwheels before continuing my journey. Because i could and it made me feel happy  

sing your heart out***(before the blog)

Aj, i love these photos of us being silly at the Mount Barker house. They remind me of so many mornings getting ready for school back in the day! You are so much fun:)

I don't remember what song we were singing and listening to but it must have been good! We always had a favourite together that we'd turn up loud and sing and dance to at any chance we got

what lil means to me***(before the blog)

(written by my cousin lil in my journal on my17th birthday)2.6.05-

What Karen means to me...

everything!

(written by me)

what lil means to me... everything x100000

No matter what or how i feel in life, when im with lil she has a way of keeping me occupied all the time, distracting me from any worries or sadness and helping me feel happy, care free, bohemian. We have an awesome time together doing everything because we'll do anything for eachother so few ideas go rejected!

When im with her i feel happy, confident, content being myself and i value myself as much as i value lil! She makes me feel like where the most important, coolest, funnest people in the world, which together we are. I feel sorry for anyone who doesnt have a lil in their lives.

This is because i know i wouldnt want to be if i didnt have her to lift me up when i need it. I wish she was here right now.

climb a tree(before the blog)

Mum, Dad, remember this day?

I remember that i found this tree one day when i was out exploring dirt roads on the outer edges of Kadina.

I came home and convinced you two that you had to see this beautiful tree and the view from the top of it. Really i think i just new it was good for all our souls to do something as simple as literally 'embracing nature'.

As is often the case in life-

THE JOURNEY WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE DESTINATION

Our minds were still as we thought of nothing more than which branch to grip onto and and how beautiful this world of ours is

I cant think of anything in life that's made me feel more fulfilment than this day. Money cant buy joy like that

I love you both

Very much. Thank you for the love of nature you both instilled in me during my childhood, its made me who i am today