Week 3 Challenge: I had a lovely childhood. I haven't got too much to complain about. We were an average family. I don't remember going without too much. Although Mum and Dad tell me they had to scrape everything every week to make sure we had what we needed. They did a good job. Mum …
Week 3 Challenge:
I had a lovely childhood. I haven’t got too much to complain about. We were an average family. I don’t remember going without too much. Although Mum and Dad tell me they had to scrape everything every week to make sure we had what we needed. They did a good job.
Mum stayed at home and Dad was a bank manager. We moved every 3 years or so. At the time I used to get heart-broken that I would be leaving friends. But now, when I look back, I didn’t mind it. I have friends from ALL over. I tell Mum and Dad now it’s their fault I keep buying, selling and building houses… ha! I can’t sit still for long.
We had a family holiday most years – from what I recall. We used to drive north to QLD or Port Macquarie or we’d drive west to my Mum’s family in Urana (not far from Wagga actually).
Amie and I were always close. There is 2 and a half years between us. We were also really lucky and got a surprise brother when I was 9 years old.
Our holidays weren’t flash or fancy, but I remember they always consisted of Dad driving a FORD – and I’m not just saying that. It’s true! I have proof. I remember he loved his Ford’s. We got a new one every few years.
I remember one year we were headed to QLD and were staying in a cabin somewhere close to the theme parks. We were going to go to Dreamworld… It was September-ish and the Rugby League Grand Finals were on that afternoon when we arrived. My Dad is Manly-mad! Still is! He’d snuck our footy jumpers in to the back of the Ford and when Mum was inside the cabin unpacking, Amie, Dad and I put our jumpers on and surprised her! Needless to say Dad watched footy for the rest of the day haha! I can’t remember… did they win that day Dad?
Here are some photos of our holidays…
This is me (and Amie behind me) on a holiday we had at Port Macquarie in 1981. I was 4 and Amie was 2.
This was at the snow (obviously) near Canberra in 1985. Go the leg-warmers!
This is me in 1986 feeding birds at Greenpatch Point (near Jervis Bay on the South Coast NSW). Look at that jumper with the Koala’s! And not to mention, my sexy pants! Thanks Mum!
Nice legs! This was 1987 at The Big Pineapple in Queensland. Who’s been there?? I was 10 and Amie was 8.
This was also 1987. We were at Dreamworld. I remember this holiday well. I went on all the roller-coasters! Amie, you should have kept those sunnies.
This was taken at my Grandparent’s house at Urana in 1987. We loved dressing up in Nan’s clothes! They still live in that house. My Mum grew up in that house. Ahhhh the memories…
This was 1988. Here is my little brother! This was taken at Kangaroo Valley in NSW. We were living at Nowra at the time. I was 11 years old. There is Dad’s Ford in the background! Another awesome jumper Mum.
This photo was taken in 1995. I was away at boarding school. Dad left the bank and they bought a house in Albury. They still live here. They’ve done lots to this house since this photo was taken. I had to do a double take. Here are my Dad’s Ford cars. He has a serious love for them. I learnt to drive in that little yellow beast.
So there you go. There are some memories I have of childhood holidays.
You know what I am going to ask you next… have you voted yet? Or AGAIN? Vote again. Vote from another email! I promise it’s all over soon. 1 more week. Why am I begging you to help me win? Not only is it about the car, but it’s about me heading to the biggest blogging conference in da world (BlogHer). The reason you NEED me to go is so I can learn more stuff and bring it all back to share with you. I need to learn more about this blogging game to give back to you. What works, what doesn’t, what’s hot and what’s not. There is a panel of judges who will consider me too. So fingers crossed the judging is based on my potential to bring home lotsa knowledge! Because after all, if I win, I’ll have you to thank and it’ll be the least I can do!
Plus – don’t forget that you could win $5,000 JUST for voting. Easy-as.
Thanks for putting up with me while I ride this wave 🙂
PS. Just a final note on the car – I am still enjoying it immensely. I have people stopping me in the street that I don’t know (who must read my blog) asking me about the car. I even had a friend ask me questions for another friend about aspects of the car. She was in the market for one. So whatever promotion I am doing, it’s working. Proof that bloggers are good marketers!
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Comments
A-M
The cutest photos!… loved the fashions! I visited the Big Pineapple in my youth…. but didn’t get to Dreamworld until I was all grown up…. and it’s just down the road… don’t know what happened there? We had a Ford Cortina and then a Ford Falcon back in the day. I thought the Falcon was a limo, it was so glamorous for the time… I don’t think air conditioning was invented back then and I thought the air vents that blew air were so amazing! It even had a radio and a tape player! Ha!
Off to find a new email address to vote from… might go visit my brother today!
A-M xx
Katrina
I remember the car I learnt to drive in had no air cond. It was manual too. Tape deck. I loved it! Mum would let me take it sometimes when I was on my P’s. I had a boyfriend though who had a car with air cond – so that was special!
Michelle Hayward
I loved this trip down memory lane, love the old photos, love the vibe! Ahhh what a blissful time! The world was so different! I still have a Ford…poor old thing…but seriously…Fords NEVER EVER die. They GO FOREVER! Hence I want…I NEED another one…mine is dying a slow death! 🙁 I want to take a family road trip but I need a new car first 😉 I sooo hope you win this car. I think they’re amazing personally! I could Blog about them all day long too! I’ve been eyeing them off for ages, now I just need to win Lotto…or…ummm maybe FORD could give me one and I’ll be their promo machine for 5 years! Seriously!!!!!!
Katrina
Right – next year we’re getting you in this competition!
Michelle Hayward
Awww 🙂 That would be soooo cool! I hope my car lasts til then… of course it will, it’s a FORD! 🙂 I have a friend who has a rental car biz, and she raves about them too! Yesiree Jimbob, I sure DO need a new car!!!! 😉
Michelle Hayward
You’re so lovely Katrina xxx Thank you!!! xxx
Luci
Just voted for you (finally!). Good Luck!
Katrina
Thank you! Spread the word.. 😉
Mishaps and Mayhem of a gluten free life
Katrina, love the family shots! Reminds me of my sister and I I actually have the same shot around 1987 with my head in the dead on alive slot I think at dream world! Great memories thanks for sharing!
Katrina
Hilarious hey!
le_third
done and dusted with the vote 🙂 Like you as a child I went to the big pineapple … two years agao I took our boys – ITS THE SAME !! like a time warp 🙂 best le xox
Katrina
Wow! I’d love to go back there!
Emma
He he he…..I think I may have had that jumper with the koalas! Or one frighteningly similar!! Just voted, best of luck! X
Katrina
So funny! I’m getting lots of messages today saying they had similar jumpers! ha!!!
Penny
Oh the childhood memories.
My first car was a red ford laser. Gosh I loved that car.
I just found another email address and voted again
Fingers are still crossed
Pen x
Katrina
I had a red Ford Laser too! Then I had a white Ford Telstar. Then Amie had a blue laser and put a sticker on the back which said “get any closer and I’ll flick a booga at ya!”. Hahaha! Classy.
Fee @ Oh Gorgeous Baby
Haha I reckon I had a few jumpers like you and Amy had! My family also owned a few fords during my childhood. My Dad brought me my first car for $2000.00 which was an XE Ford Falcon & I learnt to drive in it plus travelled around Australia. I’m currently looking at buying a Ford Territory actuslly as we need a bigger car due to our exciting news of having baby number 4 soon!
Best of luck in winning and making your way to BlogHer, I would totally squeal if I got to attend and will probably squeal for you too! X
Katrina
Get the Territory – I’m not just saying it. Great car! And yay to you for baby number 4! 🙂
Regan
Brought back so many childhood memories. I also have a sister close in age who I am very close too & a younger brother. Every year we would hit the road in the Ford & head North to QLD to visit Dads family. This is like looking back over my family album. I must also admit I had that exact Koala jumper & my sis did too in another colour! Love reading your blog. Hope you win so you get to share your experiences at the conference. Good luck!
Katrina
These jumpers must have been the in thing. So many people are saying they had them. Hilarious!
Alexandria Emporium
Love the photos!I have been to the Big Pineapple many times, the great Queensland icon. Love the Fords too. I always think of you now whenever I see a Ford Territory! Good Luck! Mx
Jo
I could have sworn that the photo of you and Amie at your grandparents was the two of you going off to the Logies. Or a taste of things to come maybe?
Katrina
Hahaha!!!! Love it.
Niki
Laugh out loud at the Koala jumper & pleated front jeans. Add a frizzy perm(I was a bit older) & we were twins. Ha.
Hope you win, I am off to vote again. x
Katrina
Ha! Thanks chick. I do too.
Tracey
OMG!!!!! Your father’s little beast that you learnt to drive in is a identical twin to my first car, colour and all. I loved that car and was so reluctant to get rid of her 🙁
Jane
Oh Katrina! I loved this post. So many flashbacks to the 80s ☺. We were always a Holden family. We did the family trip to The Big Pineapple in 1981 – must dig out the photos! I’ve voted for you, of course. I’m crossing everything crossable. J x
Katrina
Thanks so much Jane.x
Sheridan
Gosh I see so much of your little boys in Aime when she was little!
Carly
Oh Katrina, I had that same blue koala jumper! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Voted again too, best of luck 🙂
Kimberly
Love the photos! How great is it to pull out the old memories!?! Did you know you can’t feed the the birds at Greenpatch anymore? They are still there..but rangers monitor it and no feeding of the birds or kangaroos. Still a beautiful spot to visit!
I can’t believe you lived in Nowra.. you have been everywhere! Nowra has been home to me for the last 12 years, where I met my husband (he grew up in Kangaroo!) and where we are now raising our gorgeous kiddies. It’s a lovely place to live.
I hope the Ford will be yours to keep and the Ford holiday memories can continue! xx
Chantelle {fat mum slim}
OMG! I used to live in Nowra. What school did you go to?
Katrina
WOAH! ha! Nowra East Public.