Watch Priya with Me

Watch Priya with Me Priya is a teddy bear who lives in the window of the Blackwood Hat Shoppe Victoria Australia and use love from Karen and Priya Bruno
theblackwoodhatshoppe

In March 2020, when the world began to go into deep distress as a result of COVID19, a Facebook movement began that was called Aussie Teddy Bear Hunt. I decided to create a window in my Hat Shoppe in Blackwood Victoria with my Teddy Bear called Priya. I decided to only use items that I have at home or make from scratch. As we are in lockdown, I couldn't go and buy things even if I wanted too. For

take he first 30 odd windows I did not even take photographs but as Priya's popularity grew, I was encouraged to post them online so that people who could not get down to see them in person, could still follow the daily exploits of Priya, her cat and her friends. Our local community became involved and people began offering props and dolls and teddys for Priya to play with and some even volunteered to create windows themselves in my hat shoppe window. As of August 2020, Regional Victoria is again in lockdown due to COVID19 and so Priya has once again come out to play. I do hope you enjoy these windows and any time you are in the area, please call in and say hi.

This was another post from the album cover series. I can o surprised at how well I managed to get Priya flying without s...
09/01/2025

This was another post from the album cover series. I can o surprised at how well I managed to get Priya flying without seeing any of the wire. Gee we had time on our hands during lockdown. That part was great
Another bloody lock down Day 30 for Melbourne: Guess which album

From September 21. One of my all time favourites windows! It is of course Miley Cyrus wrecking ball but I wouldn't tell ...
26/11/2024

From September 21. One of my all time favourites windows! It is of course Miley Cyrus wrecking ball but I wouldn't tell you that until the next day cos it was a guessing game

Another bloody lock down Day 18: Guess which album?
Todays album cover cracks me up and sorry Cat, but this is definitely a solo so no room for you today. If you know it dont post the answer- you can pm me so that others can have fun guessing.

Yesterdays album was Abbey Road by the Beatles and everyone got that answer. Lets see how you go today with a more modern but iconic image.

The Album covers were fantastic fun and this one is from September 21.Another bloody lock down Day 19: Guess which album...
26/11/2024

The Album covers were fantastic fun and this one is from September 21.
Another bloody lock down Day 19: Guess which album?
Yesterdays was guessed by many- of course it was Miley Cyrus "wrecking ball" but it was actually on the album Bangerz (thanks Keith) If you havent seen the clip, watch it and see how well Priyas sexy pose compares to Mileys.
Lets see how you do today- another classic but don't post the name - pm me if you want to know sooner but lets others have a guess. Have a wonderful Wednesday

26/11/2024

Hello everyone. I have been thinking of Priya quite a bit lately and of those long days of covid lock down. What a crazy time it was. But one thing I loved about those days was how much time we had. The Watch Priya with Me windows took 4-5 hours somedays by the time I made costumes, arranged Priya and Cat in their positions then photographed then uploaded then responded to texts or chatted to locals (from a distance) who had come down to see her- it all took time. But what a wonderful way to spend it!
So I thought I would go back in time and re post some of my favourites for us to enjoy. But be warned there are many!
If you would like to enjoy this journey down memory lane, or see it for the first time, follow the "Watch Priya with Me" page and enjoy the ride.

13/03/2023

The beauty of Priya touched me again today when I met one of her friends. Was at a park in Ballan with Rani and one of her doggy mates and a lady came up and asked if I was Karen. Lyndall was her name and she had been following Priya's adventures. Lyndall shared her COVID story and the huge changes she had been through during lockdown and we reminisced about the windows. Lovely to meet you today and I wish you well.

Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas day.
25/12/2022

Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas day.

On the third day of Christmas, Karen isn't feeling so good so Priya said lets pause.Hi everyone I decided to pause a bit...
15/12/2022

On the third day of Christmas, Karen isn't feeling so good so Priya said lets pause.
Hi everyone I decided to pause a bit as part of my new approach to life. I have wanted to share a bit about what happened to me a while ago and it looks like Priya is going to be the avenue. In June last year I had a major depressive episode (aka breakdown) that lead to me going to hospital and spending a long time away from home here in Blackwood. I stayed with friends in Melbourne who supported me and encouraged me to take gentle steps towards health. My recovery has felt long ( although I am told quick). I am grateful that I reached out for help that fateful Sunday and for the help I received from family and friends and wonderful professionals.
I have learnt many things during my recovery. I realized the “event” was a culmination of unfelt grief, extended periods of financial and physical stress, extended periods of exhaustion, loss of mum and dear friends who were my guides and COVID. Thankfully Priya gave me a reason to get out of bed during lockdown and get through the awful isolation and financial pressures that COVID caused but eventually it all became too much.
One of my big lessons is seeing how much I pushed myself to not disappoint others. I would push to the point of detriment to myself. I have realsied that putting myself first, my health first is a must. W when I explain why I can't do something, people are very kind and understand. And that is where I am now with Priya. I have so much on at the moment and am tempted to go down old worn patterns of behaviour. But I am not going too and as I clumsily find my way through- this week I have cancelled three things including a whole day of work. But with Priya I will pause rather than cancel.

I am so grateful for all of the support I have received from Priya friends and with this little bit of background, I hope you see how much you meant on a day to day basis during that awful time we were in and since. Literally Priya and you were the reason I got up each morning. It took hours and hours each day and once it was finally posted and i had communicated with you, I felt happy and satisfied. My two old dogs died just before lockdown so it was really rough not having them.
And my wish for you all at Christmas this year is that you are able to realise what YOU need and have those needs met. Don't be afraid to reach out for help. I did one Sunday when I realised that I could not go on and have felt so grateful ever since.
Much love to you all from Karen and her girl Priya and of course that funny little Cat.

ps if you want to share this post you are welcome. If it might help someone or connect you to someone go for it. There is nothing to be ashamed of with mental illness and I have been open from day one and have had amazing conversations with people who have been through similar experiences. Stay well dear friends or get well xx

On the second day of Christmas my true loved played with me- 2 turtle doves of the strangest variety you ever did see an...
14/12/2022

On the second day of Christmas my true loved played with me- 2 turtle doves of the strangest variety you ever did see and a partridge in a pear tree.

13/12/2022

On the first day of Christmas my true love pretended to be..... a partridge in a pear tree

08/12/2022

The Speleologists of Blackwood
Dr Priya and Professor Dolly have discovered a wheelchair accessible cave under Blackwood. Who knows what they may find- they eagerly anticipate exciting discoveries, perhaps even human remains. The excitement mounts.
In the surface of a still pool, Cat has made her own discovery; she is incredibly cute!

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3458

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