Mixed news

It's been one of those weeks where it is a mixed bag of sorts. Here is a brief update:
* New job going well
* Waiting on insurance company for replacement of items (including computer)
* ATO software not working on borrowed computer and BAS is due today!
* Most of my sewing is done - just need to finish Wolfstanus' shirt (which I buggered twice yesterday so gave up and will continue tonight)
* Got the house clean with assistance of other half and kids (yay!!!)
* Started packing for Border War - OMG the stuff we have to take even though we are not camping and staying in a cabin!
* Armouring is pretty much complete
* Had many giggles Saturday night with Pete and T having a training session - then got to beat T up with a boffer after he had been tormenting me ;-)
* Slightly worrying and stressful week this week with Pete going with the RFS to fight the Victorian fires - he is on his way from Albury this morning to Yea and then Healsville. We meet up with him in Albury on Friday for Border War. Our thoughts are with all the firefighters as they continue to battle the blazes.
* Four more sleeps to Border War - yay!

Finishing my lunch now and then off to the gym!

Ten more sleeps until Border War

The rain has continued and it is fantastic - we really needed it! At least the rain water tank is getting some fresh water in it!

I got offered a Project Officer position at work which I accepted and started on Monday. It's very exciting and quite an honour. It is until the 30 June 2009 when I go back to my substantive position.

The boys are going okay - Gryffen has had two falls but is okay, Wolfstanus had a tummy bug last week (and has tested positive to low iron and needs to go on tablets), Conrad and Pete now have the tummy bug! Terry's hand is much better (he burnt it last week) and Kristy and I have managed to stay out of trouble! LOL

We are all looking forward to Border War and are getting through our long list of things to do. I need to make a list of what I need to take so I don't forget anything!

Yay for rain and cool weather

it is a welcome change.

That is all - update hopefully on the weekend!

And huzzah for Border War in 2 weeks!

Saved by the septic!

There are not many people that can say that! Why did I say that? Well it's because we found where the lightning struck - fairly close to the house. We were so lucky it struck the iron bark tree that was growing where the septic empties - this means it was green and moist. The strike has killed off foliage and split one of the largest trees we have! You can also see where it travelled along the ground killing patches of green scrub. There were exploded bits of tree everywhere! Even bits almost in our front yard - no wonder it sounded like a bomb going off! It looks like the lighting has gone straight down the full length of the trunk - narrowly missing one of the bird nesting boxes. It is truly a miracle it did not start a fire - we have 20 acres or thereabouts of pine trees and it struck an iron bark. The chicken house is right next to it too - I am surprised none of them were killed either! The photos are a little dark due to the lighting - will try and get some better ones in the next few days. Through winter we plan on doing lots and lots of clearing of scrub and fire breaks - it is too dry to do now (the risk of starting a fire is too great). Between the lightning strike and what is happening in Victoria has really brought home the necessity to keep on top of these things! So next time the wind is blowing the wrong way and we get a hint of pong from the septic, we will be grateful it is there! LOL

Horrific tragedy

is about the only way I can think to describe what is happening to our neighbours in Victoria. Bushfires I think would have to be one of the scariest things around (I know it is something I am always paranoid about where we live). My heart goes out to all those affected, directly and indirectly - it is such a huge range of people! Obviously the worst affected are those directly involved, the firefighters, police, ambulance etc, those who have lost their homes or loved ones, even their pets. Then of course there are those who have paid the ultimate price with their lives. Not to mention friends, family, workmates, businesses and a whole range of other people where it has a knock on effect. In general though, I really don't think there is anyone it doesn't affect in some way or other - it can just be the feeling of overwhelming sadness one feels for their fellow human being, perhaps it brings back memories for others who have been through a similar harrowing experience. I know it makes me feel an overwhelming sense of sadness and I find it hard to talk about without welling up - I cannot even pretend to imagine what these people are going through.

I hope this tragedy is over soon and pray for the rain that is so desperately needed in those areas. Francesca and Patrick - I know you guys have family in Victoria although I have to admit I do not know what towns - I hope they are safe from the bottom of my heart. To all our fellow SCAers - I too hope you are safe and away from the worst of it although I think it will be a long time before anyone can put this behind them. I do not think any of us will ever forget this in our lifetime.

I have some updates to post but I think I will save that for another time - it really doesn't seem that important at the moment.

Lightning Strike

Well, we got one last night! Totally scary - we were in the shed and it hit very close! You know, the noise and light at the same time! We could smell burning on the air too (apparently it is the ionisation of the air that we could smell which means a strike within 20 metres). It took out one of our TVs and videos as well as our wireless broadband. The technician is coming out this afternoon to look at our broadband so only quick posts from work in breaks at the moment. The video is officially fried and we are awaiting news on the TV. We were all in the shed when it happened - I have never had one that loud before - it was like a bomb going off! We have had the 'window rattlers' before but nothing like this. It took me an hour and a half to calm Gryffen down. We had Terry and Pete do several laps of our block too to make sure there was no fire - thank goodness there wasn't! (We have 20 acres of pine trees.) Poor Pete went as white as anything (he has been hit by lightning before - in the top of the leg and out his foot) so it was not a pleasant sensation for him at all! Not an experience I would like to repeat!

On other news, Conrad is doing really well at school so far. I had a meeting with his teacher and I am feeling so much more positive about his new school and environment - I think it will work really well for him. It is up to him now what he makes of it, so far so good! Wolfstanus is doing well too - he is home today as it is the swimming carnival. With the temperatures the way they are, he can't swim in the races and the migraine he has had for the last few days, it was appropriate to let him stay home! He is disappointed though as he cannot play WoW as the internet connection is broken due to the lightning strike! Gryffen is okay today and happily off to school.

We are about to get temperatures of 40 plus for at least the next week so not looking forward to that! I won't be going to the gym in my lunch break - far too hot! I'll see how I go after work.....

Shadow was good this morning and slept until the alarm went off at 7am - much more civilised!

Anyhow, break over and back to work!

5:30 is such an uncivilised time to get up

when you are not a morning person! But when this is the reason, it's kinda hard to get too cranky.

Had my first day back at work yesterday after 2 weeks off - it went so fast! The girl that filled in for me did a good job so there wasn't a whole heap of stuff for me to get through which was great! The kids are going okay at school, the animals are doing good too. Touch wood, we haven't lost any more chickens to the heat and the young ones are growing well. The cats are catching mice outside (and wanting to bring them in to play with!) and the dogs are all good. Shadow is growing well - I just need to stop him chewing my furniture! Whenever we catch him we tell him 'no' and give him 'Piggy' - so far so good.

Just need to get the boys up to get ready for school - they do not like to get up in the morning but we need to leave by 8:05 so they are just going to have too! LOL I am getting through my sewing list too which feels good!