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Post by meggyc on Feb 4, 2009 8:16:30 GMT -5
Eeeee!! It's SNOWING here!! Yay!!
And it's good snow for snowballs and snowmen! Double Yay!!
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Tonichelle
Mouseketeer
I'm wishing... for the one I love... to find me... today!
Posts: 745
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Post by Tonichelle on Feb 4, 2009 10:57:26 GMT -5
yeah we're getting a lot of the white stuff... at least it's snow falling from the sky and not ash... so far
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Post by meggyc on Feb 4, 2009 11:35:07 GMT -5
Yeah, snow is better than ash, I'd say for sure.
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Tonichelle
Mouseketeer
I'm wishing... for the one I love... to find me... today!
Posts: 745
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Post by Tonichelle on Feb 4, 2009 15:35:05 GMT -5
blah I hate my laptop, it's so old, sluggish... and getting ready to die.
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Post by meggyc on Feb 5, 2009 13:19:51 GMT -5
Ooo. Sorry to hear that.
I'm surprised my laptop is still running as well as it is. I think I'd be lost without it.
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chris99
Pinocchio’s Conscience
Posts: 55
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Post by chris99 on Feb 8, 2009 7:23:33 GMT -5
It's been really, really hot where I live. Last week we had three days in a row of 43 degrees C (about 110 degrees F plus) and over which is a record for Melbourne. At night it didn't get below 27 degrees C (about 81 degrees F). Yesterday, we had our hottest day on record being 46 degrees C (about 116 degrees F). It was really hot for me because I don't have any air conditioning. HOT. Yesterday also had our worst fires in Victoria this century with at least 70 people confirmed dead and they reckon it will reach over 100 in the coming days as the fires are still burning and so many cars are burnt as the people tried to escape from the flames. With gale force winds of about 100km per hour (about 63 miles per hour) and higher, the people didn't stand a chance. Over 600 homes are gone and other buildings as well. Up until early this morning, we hadn't had rain for over 60 days and we are in a really bad drought. Our dams are only at 30 odd percent so we've been on water restrictions for the last couple of years. That being the case, the grass here is like straw, everything is brown so that's why the fires have been so bad as well as the heat and the winds. Up north in Queensland, they are having the opposite weather. They are having too much rain with massive floods. I saw on our news that the US and the UK are having huge snow falls. How odd is this weather? I'm just glad that 40 degree plus days are done for the moment. So that's the gossip from Down Under. Take care.
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Tonichelle
Mouseketeer
I'm wishing... for the one I love... to find me... today!
Posts: 745
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Post by Tonichelle on Feb 8, 2009 12:51:19 GMT -5
what's weird about the weather? We always have snow happening this time of year in the US?
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Post by meggyc on Feb 8, 2009 13:33:30 GMT -5
Well, it snowed here twice so far this winter! And we hadn't had snow for seven years! I guess this has been a pretty cold winter.
I saw the Australian wild fires on TV today. My heart really goes out to everyone effected.
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chris99
Pinocchio’s Conscience
Posts: 55
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Post by chris99 on Feb 8, 2009 21:41:53 GMT -5
There are still some fires still burning, and I'm sorry to say that the death toll has now reached over 100. It's been terrible. A real firestorm. Thanks to meggyc for your nice comment. It's nice to now that the US has shown their concern. I too wish all the victims of the fires my best. Luckily the Aussie spirit helps as donations are pouring in, in more ways than one. The government too are helping as our Prime Minister and Victoria's Premier toured some of the sites and offered help. Our Premier got a bit emotional as his parents place was in the path of the fires and was just saved. He had been concerned for them. Our Prime Minister was also really moved and some of the victims cried on his shoulder. It was nice to see the human side of the politicians. Poor country Victoria cops a lot. But as I said, true to the Aussie spirit, people help out where they can with gifts of clothes, toys for kids, food etc and of course money. Yesterday 2 million dollars had been raised by some Victorians with a fund set up. I will have to ring and donate as well.
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Post by meggyc on Feb 8, 2009 22:13:08 GMT -5
It's always good, albeit bittersweet, to hear of so many people rallying together during bad times. It's humbling to know that there are still good people in the world who are there in times of need. Though the high death toll is certainly a tragedy already, I really do hope the fires are able to be contained as soon as possible so more people won't lose their homes or their lives.
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chris99
Pinocchio’s Conscience
Posts: 55
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Post by chris99 on Feb 10, 2009 1:03:04 GMT -5
:'(Sadly the death toll is almost 200 and about 700 homes are gone with 5000 people now homeless. Donations of goods are pouring in to help and the Bushfire Appeal has raised about $25 million so far which is amazing. I made a donation today so I feel like I've done something. :-[There are still about five major fires and I know that at least one was lit. A special task force is being set up to find the arsonists who started some of the fires. They are the worst in Australia's history (during peace time). :-/What we really need is some good rain, but that doesn't seem likely, so like you said, all we can hope for is that they can contain the fires.
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Post by Ariel's Grotto on Feb 11, 2009 5:53:18 GMT -5
Gosh, that is so sad and terrible. I should scrape up some of my spare money and donate to the Red Cross. Obviously my thoughts are with everyone effected, including you, but I want to contribute more than just thoughts. I'll see what I can do.
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chris99
Pinocchio’s Conscience
Posts: 55
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Post by chris99 on Feb 11, 2009 8:22:27 GMT -5
:)Even your thoughts are worth it. Anything else is a bonus. I've all ready made two donations, but I still wish I could do more. I can't go to the places, but like I said, it's the thought that counts. Update: - 183 people dead (could reach 300) - 1000 plus homes gone - 5000 people homeless - 30 fires at least still burning - Arson had caused several of the fires especially one set in Gippsland area that is causing problems. - Donation tally now at about $40 million - Tomorrow a telethon is being held on Channel 9 here where the Red Cross will be taking donations. 100% will be going to the fire victims. - There are some people pretending to collect but are keeping the money for themselves and there has been some looting. What kind of people are these? - Expert help is coming from America on Saturday in helping going through the rubble etc where the fires have burnt finding clues etc. :(I have to admit it does get to you after awhile, seeing on TV all the time. But we'll get there.
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Tonichelle
Mouseketeer
I'm wishing... for the one I love... to find me... today!
Posts: 745
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Post by Tonichelle on Feb 11, 2009 11:27:05 GMT -5
Re: Looters/scumbags - yeah, that happens far too often with our natural and unnatural disasters. We had issues with that during 9-11 (if you can believe it) I don't know why people feel the need to do it, but we live in a fallen world... *sigh*
continued prayers for Australia
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Post by meggyc on Feb 11, 2009 11:59:22 GMT -5
It's horrible how natural disasters can bring out the worst of people, but they also can bring out the best in people. It's not balanced or fair by any means.
I just hate hearing that at least some of the fires could have been arson. Some people are absolutely sick to endanger so many peoples' lives.
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