[happygolucky]

I am deeply concerned as the  fires in NSW are getting much worth so a state of emergency has been declared and  as some of you may know  2 of my 3 daughters, their partners and all my grandchildren live in NSW Australia, my eldest is very close to  loosing her home, many many of her friends and her children's friends have lost theirs, my other daughter is not too far away from the fires but out of any risk at the moment. I am receiving updates that I can read between the lines just how things really are, they are trying as hard as they can to carry on as normal, even though embers burn in their garden and thick smoke hides their views, they are in the Blue mountains, the reason for this post, she wrote a very poignant update that I cannot find, but it was basically saying, her home is her family and pets not the structure they live in......my thoughts today are certainly with all those who have lost their homes but at least not lost their life.........times like these re realise just what's important and what is trivial!!!!
 
Just found the update posted on FacebookAmanda Foxon-Hill As my beloved Blue Mountains turns orange under the smoke and embers of bush fire I've been reflecting on what makes a home.  Pico Lyer's talk puts it so eloquently especially given that around 200 families are left with no roof under which to shelter.  Home is a place we carry inside.    

[john and helen]

lets hope things turn out well for them,

[Rosemary]

Hope everyone is OK 

[happygolucky]

Apparently the suburbs of Sydney are now under threat!!
I am so stressed I have eaten way too much already.........

[little blue]

 
   for your family, and others...

[happygolucky]

  Thanks

[darkbrowneggs]

   for everyone out there

[Mammyshaz]

 It must be a very worrying time for you. your family and others caught up in this awful disaster stay safe.

[happygolucky]

Latest update, and am proud that my sense of humour has been passed on to my girls, she is a scientist so had  laboratory in her garden, that's the reference to her chemicals and this is her current update  ;
We are still OK but as there is now a State of Emergency in place if things worsen we could end up having to evacuate as the power lines will be switched off and let's face it, life is just going to be one long bore fest without facebook.   

 It is unlikely that we will be swallowed up by fire as my sister purchased a supergirl T Shirt on the weekend a...nd promised me that she would fly over the fires to get us if needs be.  I feel much better now but I think her head will hurt once the drugs wear off. 

 The dogs are coping well as they are getting lots of walks as it gives us a chance to stand and watch the fires burn without feeling like drama queens (although let's face it, we all have a bit of that in us). 

 In other news I would like to advise everyone that should my lab set alight the heat is likely to turn my ingredients into one big BB cream so please feel free to gather at my embers at the end of the week to 'get your face on'.   

 Well, see you all again for another cheery update tomorrow and remember,  it ain't over until the fat lady sings and I have a feeling that she's still gargling her alka seltza.

[Lesley Silvester]

What a wonderful sense of humour she has, Sandy. I can understand how worried you must be. Hope they are alright. 

[happygolucky]

She is so funny, I was looking for a clip of something funny, she mentioned being a girl guide and singing "ging gang goolie" I found some clips but they made me well up, I know my daughters so well and they play things down not to upset us all in UK, although as she says, its only a building and they are in the same boat as all the community.........Thanks everyone and sorry for keeping you posted but there is no one else I can share my worry with, the dogs are just not interested !!

[doganjo]

I see they have classified NSW a State of Emergency area so if anyone is told to evacuate they will have to do it by law, and they may not be able to take things/animals with them.  I hope the girls are OK and they and their families stay safe..

[happygolucky]

Yes, she is ready to go now, she has never mentioned her pets other than the dogs, I know why, its due to the girls reading any posts as they are often around when she puts updates to me, Megan is 12 and very intelligent. Not even sure if they are going to School or her husband going to work, Amanda works from home some of the time but does do a lot of international travel, I know that's not happening now. They do have 3 dogs but they will go in the cars with them and they have plenty of places to stay, their father in law has a house attached to theirs but spends most of his time with his long term girl friend, that's a place where they can be safe, then another Aunt and of course my daughters, but they are not that far away from risk either and they do have livestock and horses......No one can do anything but wait and hope and pray...the small consolation is they are near a main highway.....although there are fears that the fire is spreading to Sydney suburbs.........horrid tense time for us all

[happygolucky]

They are on watch and Act now, sadly they may have to leave as things...that's everything except they will take their 3 dogs, its very much a wait and see time.......my other daughter could also be in danger but not at the moment, she does have livestock to worry about!!! 

[aess35]

  hope things don't go too badly for your girls..I can't begin to get my head around having to walk away from a house and belongings but your daughter has an amazing attitude in that the things that really matter are portable..things can be replaced in time.