Australian Friends

Even Blogger gets to go to Australia.
Here is a article about their trip down under.
Blogger Buzz: Blogger in the Down Under: "Posted by Brett Wiltshire click for the larger version! Last week was special for all of us who work on Blogger. For the first time, our..."

My son last night brought home a book to read and it was all about the Australian Desert Animals. The signs for a trip to Australia are everywhere! I just don't know the date yet.

Those that have experienced floods and destruction I am keeping you in my prayers. As they say with every trial and clearing there is room for growth and beauty to begin. I will believe for a full renewal.

I love @ClareLancaster simple but elegant newsletter layout. http://bit.ly/fIrsH1
I was able to connect via twitter with a girl named Clare Lancaster.  I really enjoy her newsletter's I get via email as they have news about business that is local to Australia and then business that is directed to the World at large.

I like how she starts off talking about what's news On the Internet and takes meaningful quotes from websites that have links to people's stories.  Then on to reviewing what's news On Twitter and she lists four different interesting comments.  She finishes up with talking about what is news On the Blog.

Here is her Behind the Scenes for the month of December...
http://www.womeninbusiness.com.au
The blog turns 1 on the 12th of December and oh yes, I will be toasting to it.

Before I leave your inbox  for the year I want to say thanks to you, one of 1,781 people who receive this email each Friday.

Collectively, you're all clever, creative and brave enough to take the path less travelled. Individually, you inspire me each and every day.

Thanks for reading, have a safe holiday time with lots of love and laughter.

Cheers,
Clare.

P.S. I'm taking an extended break to work on some things behind the scenes and get ready for a prosperous new year. I'd love for you to check in on the blog as I'll be sharing what I'm up to sporadically.









I find the Mailchimp newsletter program she uses a delight and easy read.  I look forward to the new year and the future newsletters from my friend Clare.  I call her my friend as I have emailed her and received her permission to post this blog about her business.  I hope she enjoys it!

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year !  And Happy 1st Year to you Clare!


Cheers,
Nicole Flothe
An Adventure awaits, one small step is all it takes to begin the journey!

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/What-You-Need-to-Know-About-Oprahs-Australian-Adventure

The link above helps explain why Oprah is in Australia.  Today she is doing an interview at the Sidney House.  For those that live in the US, it's pretty interesting how we are connecting with our Talk show host in the land down under.  Some people love Oprah and others not so much.  I love what she can do when talking with someone and how the conversation seems effortless and engaging.  She has a true gift and talent. 

http://bit.ly/OprahgooglesearchAustralia If anyone is looking for a Google search of Oprah in Australia here is a link. Interesting!

I will be watching the tivo of the show as I love getting closer to my Australia visit.  I was almost planning my first trip to Australia on January 7th but Christmas is here and Family is my first priority. My family will be coming with me so it looks like the future is bright!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays for this Year of 2010~

I have recently had a makeover and believe that it has improved the way I feel about myself.  When I put time into how I look and get a nice haircut my attitude improves.  I have been attending Sam Camp and have a Buddy that lives in Australia.  We skype each other weekly or more and have committed to each other to exercise daily to work on our body makeover.  Today I did some reviews of websites, one was Become.com and the other was my friends Oasis Skin Beauty site. 

My friend Amanda's company can be found online at www.oasisskinbeauty.com and I just love what she does for others when they are looking for a makeover!  I love her and would highly recommend you stopping by her office when you visit Queensland.

I did some research online and found another website called www.become.com they offer great items to help with makeovers too.  They have a few shampoos that I researched,  Grey hair shampoo , Keratin Shampoo and Tea Tree Shampoo  These shampoos are a combination of what I could use as I am starting to have a few grey hairs, I use Keratin to help soften my curls and my husband loves the smell of Tea Tree Shampoo.  The other thing I'm looking for is a nice hair blow dryer that will dry my hair and provide a temperature to not dry it out to much.  I like the website Become as I can price shop right on the site and review the offers.

Here is a great Blog link I wanted to share on my Blog, enjoy!
The Byron Life: In Pictures :: Donna's Art House: "Hello. Today you are invited on a tour of the colourful home-studio of one of my favourite North Coast artists; Donna Sharam. Last week..."

The above blog link is worth taking some time and enjoying the vibrant colors and beautiful fun art of Donna Sharam. I met her on facebook and really love her style and just recently chatted with her about what she's up to lately. I was interested if she did art work for children's books. Here is her message to me I received that gives an insight into how busy she is and a bit about her life.

Hi Nicole,
Hope you guys are all doing well.
You asked me if I do any paintings etc for story books - so thought I'd answer through our personal message.
I have actually just written a picture book - about 30 pages ..... and I will be doing the illustrations / paintings for each page - it is just about having enough time!!!!
At present I am also working on 2 large paintings commissioned by people who want a specific painting - one is the Sydney Harbour and the opera House ....the other one is the waterfall view from the clients holiday house ...... I am also working towards - 18 new large paintings for an exhibition in Feb next year - ....I think it will be called 'Lying under Trees' ..... hence the new work you will start to see pop up on my visual art page ......
How is your Visiting Australia Blog going ????
Feel free to use my Sydney Harbour Bridge Painting to post on your blog if you want.....it is called 'Flame Trees'.
Cheers,
donna 


You can visit her site below
www.donnasharam.com


So fun to make new friends that can share in the beauty of art.
xx (as they do in Australia) or xoxo (as we do in the USA:)
Nicole

Here is a Guest Post from my Aussie Friend Grant Woodward, Enjoy.

I was speaking with an awesome friend from Naples, Florida ( Nicole Flothe in fact)  on skype the other day and a few words or phrases popped up (arose in conversation) that we had a laugh at because of the difference in phrases between ozzies and usa’ies. Thought I would share a few .

Aussie                          USA

Ice block                       popcycle
Knackered                     tired
Jetty                             dock
Bottlo                            drugstore
Bushwalking                  trek in the woods
Ankle biter                     young kids
Amber fluid                    beer
Schooey                       schooner glass 425ml
Arvo                              afternoon
‘avago                           to have a go at doing something
Out the back o burke      a long way from wherever you are
A barney                       an argument
Call it a day                   finish up work
Dogs eye                      meat pie
Dead horse                    tomato sauce
 Zebra Crossing            Pedestrian Crosswalk
For heaps more aussie jargon try http://www.aussieslang.com/slang/australian-slang-a.asp


Grant Woodward
Abundant Constructions
Mob: 0411 228 475
Fax: (02) 8544 8155

grant@abundantconstructions.com.au

www.abundantconstructions.com.au
 

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

So I know New Zealand is not Australia but I hear from many of my Aussie Friends that it happens to be so close that they spend a lot of holidays there.  I made this quick video on Animoto from my friend Grant's photo's he sent me on his trip to New Zealand with his wife Nicole and friends. 

My boys just finished watching the Lord of The Rings series and would love to visit Hobbiton.  They have that on their plans as a trip of a lifetime.