Karen's Aussie Mates

We have had many blog entries on beautiful places in Australia. It is now time to show you some beautiful people from the Land of Oz. Here are some pictures of my new mates:



Linda Drenkhahn (Jakob's sponsors mum) the night we were models for the soccer fundraiser. Besides modeling, we have seen the Beatles and AC/DC together. We've had many BBQs, seen a lot of soccer together and shared lots of glasses (bottles) of wine.







Sally is putting on sun cream telling me not to take her picture. We have worked, boxed and drank together. She has 4 kids, two of whom go to school with Mariah and Jakob






Jeanette is our next door neighbor and community sponsor. I have enjoyed all of our sundowners together. She has helped me with many daily details. Jeannette's favorite words are "fair dinkum".






Peter and Narelle live in Port Macquarie, an hour north of us. We met them through the exchange league. They billeted us for a weekend (let us stay at their house). Here we are in the Blue Mountains having a sundowner.




Angela is actually from England on an exchange with her family, but I have included her because her friendship has meant so much to me. Our families have hit it off so well and we've stayed with them in Sydney on many occasions. Some day we hope to visit them in England.





This is Tina, Mariah's sponsors mum. Tidy Tina has seen me cry and laugh. She is my exercise buddy. We have boxed, done yoga and walked. Tina's favorite words are "far out" and she is a chocoholic.







Here are Sharon Osborn and Michelle Sleigh. They both play tennis with me on Saturday's. We are called the Mermaid Mums.






Jodie and Chris Duck have 3 kids like we do. We have gone to a comedy show with them, been to their house for a bonfire, and golfed.







Allison Moore is also on the Mermaid Mums tennis team. She has a daughter and a son Mariah's age. She has provided us with many items for the kids and we've shared several meals.








Maria is another of our neighbors. She has been so kind to us. She has lent us her car, driven Mike and I to work, and had us over for tea (dinner).









"Queen" Donna Abraham was all dressed up for the Melbourne Cup horse races. She is the mother of one of Mariah's running partners. We've driven to many races together and she is having a massive going away party for us.











Shannon, Jeanette and Hillary are more 'exchangees' who live down in Sydney. They have been great sounding boards for vacation planning and the like. We've spent several exchange weekends with them and many others in our same situations.



This is my running partner, Fiona. Here we are at 6:00 am running Old Bar Beach. We run about 3 times a week together. It took me 9 months to find her.







We have lived this year side by side. Soon we will be miles apart, but each of these people will remain in my memory and my heart.