Jen and Row - grade 1

I was sorting through cupboards, paperwork, photos etc during the school holidays and came across this photo of Jen and I in our Grade 1 class photo - taken in 1982! Even back then we were sitting side by side in the front row (as we were always the shorties and still are!).... Jen on the left, Row on the right.

With all of the tragic natural disasters that have been happening this year, it kind of makes us really sit back and enjoy the simple things in life and the people who really matter...

Hope you are having a great week! 
Row & Jen
xx

31 Year Friendship

I think it is fair to say that given Rowena and I meet at start of the school year at Kindergarten (3 years old) we have been friends for approximately 31 years now.   Although we only ever attended school together for about 3 years, we somehow managed to maintain a very close and loving friendship throughout these 31 years and have been there for each other through some very trying times and some really wonderful times.

We have even lived together, which is a sure fire way to kill any friendship.  I think we have had all of one argument in our friendship, and even that was via email (terrible medium for sorting out differences) and we ended each email with "sent with love".

We both have a strong group of friends that we can count on in a second, but our friendship is something special and enduring.  Row has been a constant support to me through various tumultuous times including three miscarriages, which most friends in my experience, find very hard to relate to and end up saying just the wrong thing.  Thank goodness for Rowena who has listened to me cry and rant and rave and have crazy ideas and always supports me.  We have gone months without contact and can get on the phone (Row and I live in different states) and it feels like we just chatted the day before.

So thanks Row for 31 years of a beautiful friendship, and I think we have at least another 50 in us.  We will be the two little old ladies with our cups of tea who after 81 years of knowing each other, still can chat non-stop.

Luv Ya

Jen
www.shimi.com.au

Shimi Girls Catchup!

Jen and I opened our online Shimi store two years ago, but haven't actually seen each other for about 5 1/2 years! We live in two different states. Due to the technology that we have these days, we were able to communicate all business operations via email or phone.
And of course, on a personal level, we are always talking over the phone too. However, sometimes that is just not enough! There is nothing better than actually sitting and laughing with a friend - in person!

So, in July this year, we had a weekend together... Some of it spent just the two of us - over a quiet dinner and the rest with Jen's gorgeous family.. I kept having moments of de ja vu - when we flatted together in Cairns - many years ago! Very funny..

I am so grateful for the precious time we spent together - we have vowed not to leave it so long next time! xx