More Zero Tolerance..

I called the council AGAIN today. A repeat offender got me mad! A Driving School Instructor was illegally parked right near the children's crossing at the school today. I went up to her. I said, "Oh, plee-eeease do NOT tell me you ARE a driving school instructor!" Her reply, "Of course I am, you can see it by the car I am driving" "You DO know that is a NO STANDING sign right there? And that you are illegally parked right next to the school crossing. Which, by law, is not to be parked near or next to or within a 20metre length on the approaching side of a crossing on a one way street?" "There was no where else to park", she says.
"You are just lazy! There are plenty of parks the next street or block over..there are parks just down the road there, that is clearly not excuse. And, what example are you setting for the people who are now illegally parking behind you? A driving school instructor?" This is where I call out to the presumably non English speaking background person in the drivers seat of a red Mitsubishi Colt, "Do NOT take example of this person who is parking illegally..look(I pointed) it says NO STANDING!" He promptly moves his car as do two others.
I told her I had called the council, expect a fine!
I did call the council, they say they will do something about it. Not before I insist they take my name and number and that I will follow up on this once and for all if they do not come to the party. Five phone calls is enough I said. I will go to the media about this..BEFORE some child gets hit, I said. So there!

Zero Tolerance!!!

Well, there you have it, my apt saying "You just cannot help DUMB!" I catch a guy deliberately dropping a light cigarette out of his car window at a round about in front of me. Well, I got him! I have submitted it to the EPA and he will now be sent a fine. I just cannot believe how people can still have absolutely no conscience as to do this when we are in such fire danger. Let alone that he dropped it right out front of a Petrol Station!
You will see HERE a very short article on someone who did the same thing. I think I will probably get a call to go to court for this one if this guy, in his early 20's of Islander appearance, does negate the report. So, who are they gonna believe? Me, a Registered Nurse, the most trusted profession around? Or him, a young hooligan in a white supped up Falcon with his baseball cap on and bling bling? Suck it up Princess, I am done with this behaviour. ZERO TOLERANCE FROM ME!

Milder weather for today..

Well, today has been a mild day. I wore my warm zip up hoodie and my scarf ( I have a head cold so I wanted to make sure my neck and throat areas were well covered). My friend and I went for our usual bike ride along the river. It drizzled a little (thanks for the prayer for rain everyone). In contrast to the weather we have had, it was just brrrrrr cold!
Tomorrow and Friday are set to have temperatures climb. Those fires near my Aunt's are under control so far. However, the community remains vigilant and on the look out for anything like spot fires.
I am also very pleased to note that the community are having update meetings with the Fire Brigade and the DSE. This allows them to know what is going on with the fire front and how it is being managed, also to speak of the weather and winds forecast ahead. They have heeded advice to go to shelters if need be. No mucking around any more.
I just hope the forecast for a 38 degree celsius day is not right..and that the wind does not blow so wild. Here's wishing for ya! Above is an image of the set up we will take to my Aunt's so they can protect their property against spot fires. It ought to help out even if it is just set up on one side of the house. A 44 gallon drum and a 10000litre storage tank, plus mops and hoses.

On High Alert..

Last night , or yesterday afternoon rather, was a toe-ey one for us. We knew this day would come, we just never knew when...it was a matter of time. Fire broke out up around the Dayelsford area. This meant my Aunt, Uncle and all my cousins were at risk. So far the fire is under control. It is a mild day today, but the wind will not be. The whole bush is so bloody dry, just waiting to ignite. Reports on ABC radio suggested the fire moved so quickly, and the trees were gusting with wind at a 45 degree angle... I rang my Aunt, and hubby had his trailer ready with a water storage cube and pump/hose.
My Aunt has my cousin bunkered down there with her 6 children and all of my 6 cousins, ready to protect the place. But, as my Aunt said, "We are not heroes, we have insurance, and our lives are more important than the house". Those words were all I wanted to hear.
I did not sleep well last night, not just because of having come down with a head cold, but because the images of the last fortnight will not go away. I am glad they had a day of mourning for the victims of the worst ever fires, but I had this feeling all the way along that it would not be the last worst fire...there is so much more dry bush areas untouched.
If only "they" would allow people to clear around their houses and beside roads which are the access/exit points from burning properties.. history may have a different scribe.
It is set to be warmer and windier by the end of the week, if this fire is not kept under control you will be reading more about it here.
In the mean time, check out my friend Will's blog for some apt sketches that really make you think.

Flowerdale on path to recovery

I was so pleased to have read that the Flowerdale residents have a PLAN and they will work together to get their lovely little town back on the map. I just hope nobody, especially the bean counters and bean servers, forget them in the months to come. Those will be the hard months. It will be a long process, but it will be a positive process as they re-build and work together. Just look at those children in the short film playing together, THAT IS what is important!

By Jove She's Got It!!

My baby can write sentences now. She is beginning to "get it", you know, this is the saddest and happiest point in their educational lives for me. I am an avid reader, I have always read to my kids. I always buy books for Birthday, Christmas and on any other day that I feel like buying books for them.
I reckon it pays off...in the end..or is that the beginning? Well, you know, I did cry when Tomas said to me "Mum, I KNOW how to read, you don't need to read the book to me now". Boohooooo, blubbering mess was I!
Nicholas is a self taught reader. He reads a novel every night. Thanks to Karisma for the Bionicles set of books, as he has re-read them to death! He also reads Horrible Histories, Aussie Chomps, Footrot Flats and MAD magazines. I have just purchased some good books off of ebay for him.. one is a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book..does anyone remember them? I do, and I loved them! The other book is an R.L Steine "Goosebumps" book. I can't wait to see his face.
Sarah is sitting next to me rightr now reading out some poems. She actually sings them as opposed to reading them. I love it. Her little voice is kind of breaking as she quivers her tones.. I think she could even yodel if she had lessons :)


So there you have it, my four little readers. Mia's teacher is just over the Moon today, we did a "Hi FIVE" motion at the end of school, and we danced around saying "She got it! By Jove she got it!"

Just cruising..

These past few weeks have been so draining emotionally. With the bush fires, the stories being reverberated on the radio, in the newspapers, on the News and from people I work with. I know of 5 people who have lost their homes in this tragedy from work. Everyone I know has donated money and goods to the affected people. It is just marvellous how everyone helps each other.
I have just finished a three night shift in a row stint at work. The shifts were very busy, very tiring yet mostly rewarding. If I could write the things I see I would be here forever. The good thing about the people I work with is the fact that we all support each other in talking about the things we see. Yes, there are nurses out there that don't appear to be affected by the things they witness.. I am not one of them. So talking through things makes it easier to function.
Anyway, I am off to bed to sleep. Have a great day everyone.

A fun time, just being kids..

Great News...

My husband's friend who he did a course with a few years ago and whom he keeps in regular contact with lives in Whittlesea. She and her husband are just fine and their house was spared from the fire. Her sister's house was not spared.
She runs the Community centre there and has had umpteen mobile phone messages and about 40 emails a day asking her if she is ok. So, she emailed husband as well as quite a few other friends and family to let them know she is fine but she is busy as she "runs the bloody place!" LOL .. ever the joker.
In the email she tries to put into words the devastation and despair witnessed. Categorising people who come in into different groups yet saying they are all affected, all in the same boat. And, that crying at any point in the day is a given concession..and so it ought to be.
Now everyone is being supported, it is shown through the generosity of the public, of the World in fact. At school today the kids' fundraised by wearing casual dress. Husband's work matched, to the dollar, each employee's contribution..which was a day worth of pay. The Union also too up collection of cash to go straight to affected families of work colleagues, some died, others are missing.
One wonderful thing comes in this time of need and that is the banding together of the community, how it ought to be.
As I rode my bike today, I looked around me, we are just so lucky to have everything. I did smell the smoke as it has wafted with the wind across the city and to the Western suburbs. It really brings everything into perspective.
Valentine's Day tomorrow..but I think everyone should appreciate every day they have together..hugg your friends and family...don't take things for granted.

Kudos to All Seasons Eco Resort Phillip Island...

All Seasons Eco Resort Phillip Island. The manager of this resort called 3AW just now and he wants to offer his self contained cabins out to families affected by the fires from last week. He has also got together other people from Phillip Island and organised that there be activities for the children, there is a pool, a spa a sauna and tickets to see the penguins. A place away from the fire affected areas, a place for families to try to relax and get some counselling, which he has also organised too. What an awesome idea. Sure, the problems will not go away immediately. It will be a long haul, but at least it will be a place for people to stay, together, and mend together and a place for kids to be kids again. Also, he said, it will be a place for the parents to chill, have a cuppa and enjoy their time there.

Back to normal for our house..

Today we rode our bikes to school. After discussion with the Principal last year about the school bike lock up after Tomas' Mongoose was stolen, the school got the funding from the Government and had a wonderful safe bike lock up installed. Yayyy for progress!!
I then rode home, did some chores around the house and went to a friend's place. We went for our usual ride along the Werribee River. The river is SOOOO LOWWW! Birds and crickets could be heard along the river. The day was very cool, and the wind cropped up here and there was also quite fresh.
Our conversation was about the current bushfire situation which is really a topic on all our minds.
The kids' school is going to fund raise money and present it to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. I am very proud of them for doing that.
A lady parked across the children's crossing today. I took an image of her car with my phone. She asked me what I was doing. I said I was going to expose her for the absolute disregard to the law and disregard to the children's safety in trying to cross the road. She moved her car promptly. The council is on notice, they know I have been very P*^%ed off...as well as a few other parents. I have also spoken to the Vice Principal as I did not like the answer the Principal gave me in regards to the parking/safety problem. The ball is rolling people!

The day that was..

Yesterday morning as I hung out the clothes on the line and looked up to the blazing sun I knew it was going to be just so ferrocious..but no one knew exactly where fires would crop up around the state. Set to be the hottest day in Melbourne for many years, the winds blowing like crazy and hot as hell like the feel of a fan forced oven. It reminded me of when I was little and Ash Wednesday devistated the area where my nan and pop lived. Luckily their house was ok..they had a plan, they had cleared the land around their place. Yesterday, not even a clearing would help some of the houses where the fire moved like water across vacantr paddocks and consumed houses. I listened to 3AW and a man called through. He lost his house in 6 minutes..he and his wife and child sat under water soaked blankets for an hour..it was all they could do. I just found the most amazing contact site for people who feel they could provide help for those affected...tents, clothes, pillows, blankets, help for wildlife..a room to stay... The outpouring of community spirit is well alive HERE. I called my pop to make sure he is ok, he lives too close to where a fore consumed houses in the suburb of Bendigo. He is ok. A heroic story of an 18 year old young man who saved 8 children under the age of 10, 2 elderly ladies and his own 20 year old sister from a house minutes before it was consumed by fire is HERE. Magical, amazing. There is a Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund to donate to via NAB internet banking. On that link you will see a phone number or the bank account details.

Re Karismas, how much can a koala bear..

Check IT OUT...so amazing :)

A valid rant..

One street around my children's school is having resurfacing done. It is not something new to this year, it has been going on since last year. In fact, since middle of last term last year.
The school is in a square block, four streets around it. Parents know that there are only three streets available to park to drop off their children. On one of the streets, there is an un-manned crossing. That is because in the next block there is a busy road that not only supplies our Primary School with traffic, but also the local Secondary school.
People have been parking wherever they like. Up on the nature strips right up to the crossing. Yes, it is within the NO STANDING signed area. It is clearly marked. What else are people doing? They are parking right on the corners of the streets, on the curb.
Something that amazed me was when I seen a driving school instructor, obviously a parent dropping her child off, park right next to the NO STANDING SIGN. I mean, she even had to reverse park into the spot!
When we cross the non manned crossing, I make the kids stand behind me. I then put out my hand, from the curb, and I have trouble seeing past these cars that are left parked on the nature strip right up to the crossing.
Husband called the council last year twice. I called the council today. I spoke to the By Laws Department. They say that they have not many resoures people wise to man all schools. That they rotate the areas they work in. That they sit in their car, take images and write down number plates and send off fines.
Ok, I get it, they are understaffed, but what else can be done? It would take up to 3 days at least to receive a fine in the mail. That is three more days that kids and parents are at risk crossing the un manned crossing.
What is worse, when I spoke to a parent this morning, she said a child had been hit by a car last year and was taken to hospital.
Ok, I did say I was a very concerned parent, and that I am a nurse and I do not want anyone hit by a car. These people are just idiots, they are putting at risk the most precious children..it has made me angry.
I will see if the By Laws people come today. If nothing improves this week I will resort to something else. I have a plan.

Fires...

See THESE MEN, they are life savers for so many people. Just look at the background, so menacing, so amazing these guys get in there and try to tame the whole lot. Just to think that this fire in Boolara Victoria might have been deliberately lit, makes me sick. People have lost their homes and their farm stock..and so their livelihood.It blows me away!