2011 Melbourne Hail Storm

Seasons in Australia is the complete opposite of most other parts of the world. Where it is snowing in Europe, we are experiencing sweltering heatwaves here in Australia. Elsewhere, where people may be all rugged up in their winter wear making snow angels, most of us here are dressed in our lightest summer wear, slathering on the SPF and feeling the sand between our toes at the beach.

On Christmas Day morning, we slept in and I woke up to a beautiful sunny day. I love summer so I don't complain when its a hot 32 degree day. In fact I love it. Christmas dinner was to be at a cousin's who lives just a short distance away.

Just as we were getting ready to leave, I noticed the skies had suddenly turned a dark grey. And so I stepped out to take closer look. It was like a scene out of Charmed. What I wasn't expecting to see were dark swirling clouds, tumbling over themselves as they rolled above me in the sky. WTH!? Barely half an hour ago it was a sunny hot 32 degree heat.

 We were already running late for dinner (isn't it strange how the ones who lives the closest are very often the ones who turn up late!), so we packed ourselves into our car and pulled out of the driveway. Just in time to avoid a light feathery drizzle on ourselves.

But what was to be just a short 10 minute drive turned into an experience of a lifetime.

That light drizzle turned into a frenzied thunderstorm. The kind that had our windscreen wipers on our at its maximum speed and still we couldn't see ahead of us. We felt the car being pushed by the wine. We later learned it was 100km/h winds.

Then it hailed. Which isn't a first in Melbourne, but it hailed so hard ,we had to pull over onto the side of the road. And we waited for it to pass.

But it didn't! In fact, it hailed even harder. It was pretty scary in fact. And the noise that it made! We were fully expecting the windscreen to shatter right in front of us. I was worried. So I plucked some Christmas pressies from our backseat and I was shielding our faces with them.. just in case. Kayden was terrified.Sitting all alone in the backseat, his eyes blinked at the sound of every loud clatter the hail stones were making. His shoulders were up under his ears and he was shell shocked. At first he was saying "rain!". But soon he was going "Oh NO! Oh no!" with a very worried expression on his face.

We must have only stopped for about 5 minutes. But with the ferocity of the hail outside, we felt like we were trapped in a thin metal box with 6 glass windows which were about to shatter anytime. We knew it was a possibility the car was going to be a write off. But we are just thankful we weren't cut by shattered windows!

When the calm came, we turned around to check on the house. We were just only 2 minutes away, but I think it took a good 15 minutes because huge branches laid across the roads and several points were flooded and we had to take a detour to get back home.

By the time we stepped out of our car back home most of the hail have already melted. (It was 32 degrees outside just before after all). And these were some of the things we saw as we drove back home.

It was an incredible sight. We received hail some the size of golf balls. I have a friend who showed me a photo of their lawn, completely covered in a blanket of white hailstones. My plants in our garden beds are badly shredded as you can see. Also in my backyard, garden pots have been blown meters away, but miraculously none broken. We walked around the house inspecting it, but heaved a sigh of relief that we had no damage.

Our car is a different story though. Our brave black warrior that protected us from the hail now has battle scars. Dents on every single panel of the car. We counted over a hundred on the bonnet alone.

I don't like the snow, and have never wished for a white Christmas! But I suppose quite a few other people must have said that out loud because we sure had a white Christmas 2011! What an experience!

Down sold

Usually upselling involves getting a better and more expensive item. But last week, I found I was down sold by Coles. We were running out of pasta for the boy (I normally buy the small spirals, macaroni or shell) so as I neared the shelves I spotted this!

Well to be honest, not really. There was this other parent who was talking to his partner and he said, "Get the dino one!" as I was pushing my trolley near them. So just like that I got sucked into buying a pack. Normal pasta $3. Down sold pasta $1. Bargain!

When cooked every piece was a good size. K fits about 1 to 2 on his spoon when he scoops. They don't necessarily taste better, but CUTE don't you think!


P.S. In case anyone recognizes the flowers from my previous wedding post. The groom announced at the end of the night that we were welcomed to take them home. I was eyeing them all night long. So I pounced and grabbed them! So pretty!

Matching electricals

Our hairdryer was calling out to be replaced. Whoever knew it could be that mind boggling standing in front of a whole wall of them at the store. This one was silently screaming out at me to pick it. And so I did. Hubby laughed when I said, "Oh! This one's good! It'll match our bathroom."

You know you're alittle too obsessed with your new house when you start colour coordinating your electrical appliances to match.

First weekend back

 

 

OK. It's much too cold to have my fingers exposed on the keyboard any longer than 5 minutes. Pardon me for dumping this lot of photos and running! 

We spent a whole day out in the city last weekend! It was cold, but we had a ball!

A catch up with friends was long due and of course, shopping for furniture for the new place. The hubs and I found a couch we can both agree on! 1 couch found, another to go! And a whole bunch of other stuff to hunt still. But that couch was major progress. Woot!

Ok, its back to snuggling under the covers near the heater. Pronto!

Perfect..... almost.

That was one perfect sunset evening. Just perfect.

.

.

.

Except for oily fingers touching my camera lense!

Once that's fixed up, I might do these up into a canvas print! What do you think?

Stupidity happened

In the midst of all the initial excitment of our Singapore trip a couple of months back, I totally forgot to post about an incident the very night before our Singapore flight. MamaJ had a similar ordeal recently which has reminded me to post this entry.

Back story first. Just before christmas, we had a neighbour whose van had a pretty serious gas leak. Serious enough to have 4 fire trucks and firemen strutting around doing their thing for a bit. They told us there was a possibility that a huge explosion could happen if not dealt with tactfully.

So second time round, when I heard 2 loud explosions right outside our bedroom window (it sounded like fireworks) AND saw a fire that went up to 2 storeys high, I FREAKED. It was no fireworks.

I thought the worst. Let me just put it plainly.

I thought we were all going to die if we don't get the hell out of the place. (sorry about the pun)

Just when I realised what was going on outside, our other next door neighbour was frantically ringing our doorbell telling us there is a fire!

When you have firemen telling you once before, that a gas leak is no laughing matter, you'll know what I mean. The scenes are still very vivid in my mind. And that feeling of helplessness. The terror and the adrenalin.

A fire! With the possibility of a gas explosion no less.

I GRABBED MY SLEEPING BABY from his cot. And I RAN.

All the way to the other end of the house. I didn't run outside because at that point, I thought it was another gas leak. What if another explosion happens? I don't know if it was a good idea to stay inside. But I was visualizing being flung into the air when that explosion happens. I know. I watch too many of these action movie flicks. But hey, I wasn't taking chances! I wanted some sort of protection. Just as well I didn't step outside. It was freezing outside. I was in such a panic stricken mode, I didn't even have the sense to grab a jacket for K.

By the time I had put my baby in a safe spot (still sleeping and totally unaware of the whole fiasco), hubby had gone out to find out what happened.

Two doors away, a massive fire was eating its way into a part of a neighbour's house. Nothing to do with the said van (but that neighbour raced his van out of our court, just in case, he said later on). Neighbours were all pitching in to fill buckets of water to help douse out the fire.

But to no avail.



This time round, I know I'll be forgiven for the crappy blurry photo. My hands were shaking!

 My sister in law was quick on her feet, and had the sense to ring the police. And in no time, there was the blaring of the sirens into the silence of the night. The fire trucks arrived. In short, they scurried around in an orderly fashion, put out the flames after what seemed like an agonising half an hour or so.

I tucked K back into his cot, grabbed the baby monitor and hurried outside to find out we really didn't need to evacuate.

Fast forward an hour later, the firemen and the occupants of that house were still sitting on the grass on our front lawn. With their faces in their hands, some in tears, barefoot and dishevelled.

What happened?


Stupidity happened. That's what.


Someone was silly enough to light a naked flame next to a half installed airconditioning unit. Exposed electrical wires and all. The result was a gutted garage, affecting also part of their house. The lucky thing was, everyone managed to get out of the house in time. And that the fire didn't spread to the surrounding houses.

Thankfully for us, if we had to evacuate, our bags were already packed! Afterall, our flight takes off in another 10 hours! It was waaaay past midnight when our household calmed down enough to settle back to bed.

And in hindsight, it is now very clear, what I consider the most important thing in the world.

My baby.

I didn't grab my wallet. Our passports. Our phones. NOTHING.

Dear god, come to think of it now, I really should have! What was I thinking!? So this time, when we move into our new home, I'm gonna make sure ALL the important things are kept in one safe spot. Maybe also a small amount of cash with it. So, *touch wood* should something like that were to happen again, I will be able to grab it and go. IF I am still thinking that is!

How an earth did I not remember to blog about this is beyond me! This literally happened almost 4 months back! Having someone yell out "FIRE!" in the middle of the night is truly one heck of an adrenalin punch! Dramatic!

A different kind of beautiful

Seen on my Facebook status one day:


Me: It's snowing shredded tissues in the living room here. Everywhere. =|

A: So beautiful isn't it? Such a clever little boy... making snow flakes for mama to clean up.

Me: yea he's going to get a beautiful ass soon if he keeps it up!

A: LOL!

Going through the rubbish

..is what I have to do these days. I've recently taught Kayden where to put his dirty nappies. He trots off to the bin with it in hand and pops it in with a satisfied grin on his face.

It is like having a personal butler at your beck and call. Very handy when I am too lazy to walk to the bin myself. I also hand him little bits of rubbish like cracker wrappers, scraps of papers, food scraps, tissues, junk mail and empty juice packs. He happily takes it from me and walks off to complete his task.

However, the problem now is that he tends to put other things in the bin too. Especially things that he decides has done it's job. His socks and shoes. My mum's phone was ringing in the bin once. Then his cup found its way in there too.

So I have developed a habit of peeking into the household bin whenever I walk pass.

Just in case.

The face only a mother would love

Sun Burn

 

I have been jumping out at every chance I get when the sun comes out lately. Being outside in the golden warm sunshine just makes me happy. And tanned. And sunburnt. I forgot to apply sunscreen on my shoulders one day. By the time I remembered, damage was already done. Ouch!

But look! I'm not the only one! Out on one of our walks in the parks one afternoon, I spotted this tree standing all tall and majestic, but with most of its tree bark peeling off its trunk. Standing under that tree, I was in awe of its colours, and the way the tree bark fell and was held suspended from the ground by its own branches.

I love it when I spot something out of the ordinary, on an ordinary day out.

The floods in Queensland

Unless you have been living under a rock, I am quite certain you would have heard about the floods happening in Queensland, Australia. I won't post any photos of it here, but I am sure if you do a quick google search, it will bring up a ton of breaking news on the flood crisis happening there. 

Aerial views show just only the roofs of family homes. Some have had their entire house under. Boats on suburban streets. People being airlifted from their roofs. Families fleeing from their balconies. Things like that.

Watching the Queensland Premier shed tears on live television this morning, brought tears to my very own eyes. The devastation.

The floods have left a trail of destruction not only in the country areas but in the inner suburbs and areas close to the CBD area as well. I recognize places I have been to while on holiday there and seeing people wading  hip deep in the flood waters there has left me stunned. Who would have thought this sort of thing would happen right here in Australia? 

I don't know anyone personally, who has been affected by the floods. But I know of members of a forum I visit, who have been evacuated from the affected areas but safe. 

They are now reporting that the Brisbane River has only peaked at 4.4m instead of the 5.5m as previously forecasted. But what what a difference that ONE METER has made. One report told of a man who woke up this morning in his suburban home, to find the water halfway up the stairs. Barely just short of the mark where the water would have gone into the bedrooms where they were sleeping. 

With the unusual amount of rain we have had recently in Victoria, it is scary to think this could happen right here where we live too. What would we do? Where would we go?How far do we have to go? Do you even take anything or just flee?

I've been whinging so much about this wet summer we've been getting here in Melbourne. I think I am going to just shut up now. So today, at home, we actually enjoyed watching the rain come trickling down the windows. And then we played cubby houses, an activity I loved doing as a child. 

My heart goes out to those affected by the floods.

Staying indoors when out

My dear blog, I don't mean to neglect you. It has just been a busy few weeks!

Speaking of neglect, Melbourne's been DEPRIVED of summer, which technically starts on the first day of December. It has been rainy and muggy for the past 2 weeks with probably only ONE actual summer day so far!

So to make up for the lack of INactivity OUTdoors, I have been busy planning for things to do indoors, in this rainy weather we have. We brought Kayden to the aquarium a few weekends ago, and he loved the penguins. Probably so because they were at his height? A few of them actually waddled right up to the window to check us out! The rest of the marine life were lost on Kayden though.There were walkways through a glass tunnel to view the sharks, stingrays and all the other fishes. It was dim, and being snuggled up under his footmuff in the pram, Kayden dozed off for the rest of the time at the aquarium after the penguins haha!

The rainy weather saved me from procrastinating Christmas shopping! We hit the shops real early, so there was no veering the pram this way and that to avoid other shoppers. In fact, we had a nice relaxing time and even sat down at a Lindt cafe for a surprisingly good sandwich, ending with a selection of some chocolate desserts too of course. No photos of that lunch unfortunately. I was too busy keeping Kayden's fingers out of the food.

But the sun came out and spent ONE entire day this December with us. And oh boy, I was ready on the go and was out the door before you know it. I took Kayden out for a looooong walk and we stayed at the playground for an equally long time too. And when we got home, I popped him into his froggie pool for a cool down splash.

But right now, it just feels like the tropics. It's like a dress rehearsal for our Singapore trip next month. Muggy nights don't go well with a polar bear baby who loves the cool winter weather.

Come on Summer! COME ON!

Extra extra, read all about it!

Besides the little man's birthday over the weekend, this was what happened! There is no cause for alarm. We are all fine. Our neighbour's car had a gas leak, and from the looks of it, the authorities determined it was pretty serious!

I was awoken from my restful nap to hear a commotion outside the window. I looked out and I saw not 1, not 2, not 3, but FOUR fire trucks right outside our court! I leaped out of bed and scurried downstairs to ask "WHAT'S HAPPENING???".  But as soon as those words left my mouth, I realised from hubby's relaxed composure on the couch that everything was under control. I was ready to run back up and grab my sleeping baby!

The commotion outside eventually woke Kayden up of course. The firemen started moving 3 of the trucks out of our court, and huddled around to set up this black torch looking thingiemagie. Our next door neighbour who was ushered out of his house, so that the firemen could do their thing, was sitting on our front lawn taking photos.

And so, I thought I would go outside and do the same.  It looks safe to do so? I brought Kayden out along with me and he looked at it all happening, with a wide eyed look on his face. He quietly observed the firemen  walking around pulling wires and cables out.

The 'torch' made such a loud whirring sound when they were burning the gas off. We went WOW! It was quite a show! The flame went high up in the air. Kayden opened his eyes even wider and it was a look of bewilderment on his face!

What an afternoon and what an eventful weekend we had!

I treasure moments like this

This was us for most of the afternoons last week when we were sick. Me reading and Kayden crawling into my arms for his nap.

I love it! The cuddling, not the being sick part.

Not really here

No, we haven't been away. Just out of it. The weather was erratic past week or so and it has hit the little man and I with a really bad cold! It is awful. K was a snotty baby who couldn't understand why he was spluttering when he was guzzling his milk. He was miserable and frustrated. My poor baby.

And then, when he was at the tail of it, I came crashing down with the cold too. It was inevitable I guess. All he wanted was for me to cuddle him. Snot and all (I meant the both of us). So the both of us were huddled up in bed most of the afternoons.

I'm feeling well enough to post this entry. But not looking well enough to post a photo of us. So hence, this photo instead.

I see light at the end of the tunnel. I'll be back!

Colourful food

 

Every now and then, we should stop and smell the flowers. But, I think with Kayden around, it may not be such a good idea for now. This pansy came as a pretty garnish in hubby's iced mocha at brunch over the weekend. It was pretty, so we took it off and gave it to Kayden to hold and look at.

While he did admire it for a couple of minutes, its beauty was lost on him in no time.


The boy was too quick for us to stop! He plucked a petal off, shoved it into his mouth, chewed it alittle and it was GONE. All within a couple of seconds.

From the moment the petal touched his lips, I had my finger in his mouth trying to fish it out. All I managed was a sharp bite from his 2 little toothies.

It was a beautiful sunny day to spend at the local park after. And despite what you see here, no. He didn't get a second chance to eat (maybe a taste) it again, this time a daisy. We yanked him off the ground as soon as he started it put it to his mouth! Oh no you don't!

You know how they say make children's food colourful so it is more appealing for them to eat? Well, here you go. Perfect example.

And I'm thinking, if they used the pansy as a garnish, its not poisonous. Right?

I have

I have unobstructed views of clear blue skies right here from home

It is not often I slip into the "If only I have/can ..." moments. But when I do, there is always something or someone that quickly yanks me right out of the thought and puts me on the brighter side of things. This morning, Jess did just that. Thank you!

With a cranky baby, waking up to the boy's cries a few times in the middle of the night because somehow he has wet his PJs or a lost dummy leaves me questioning.. "WHY!!".

Or realising, "hey... it feels like we haven't had a getaway for what seems like the longest time ever".

Or wonder why can't we afford this? I WANT this! And this.. and wow! maybe that too!". I don't go for frequent manicures. I don't go out shopping enough to realise the shop has closed down more than THREE years ago!

And what? You are going to watch Avatar? ...Umm, where exactly is it?

Kate Spade, Molton Brown, who are you?

But.

I am acutely aware I am a lucky girl despite all of that.

I have many things most money can't buy. Simple things. And they make me smile and be happy about.



I have the most supportive husband who leaps out to give me a helping hand, to love and make me laugh, making me the happiest girl in the world.

I have an adorable son, who crawls onto my lap, pulling me close to him for a cuddle and a kiss, who makes me throw my head back with a belly laugh.

I have a wonderful family near and far.

I have friends who are merely a text or a phonecall away .. for some non-kiddy chit chats. Even better when they are scattered all over the world,  different time zones means there is always somebody online to talk to!

I have the pleasure of going on day trips exploring places which most of my overseas friends yearn to visit here in Melbourne. I have the pleasure of admiring clear blue skies from this side of the world. I have the opportunity to be all dressed for up all the 4 seasons we get in a single day in typical Melbourne fashion! Woollen coats and scarves, soft and thin silky tops, all hung up in the wardrobe ready to be worn in the rain or shine!



If you are one of those who can't help but say "I don't have time! Why don't I have this?", sit down and count what you actually do have. You will most likely be pleasantly surprised. It could be the simplest things in life you feel happy about.

I have a good life =)

The very same foot

@First hour of birth

 

@10 months

Hello spring!

Goodbye winter, and HELLO to you spring! When you decide to show up on some days that is.

The temperature has been slowly creeping up. It is still cold, the temperature sits in the low tens or so. But, the days are getting longer and little green buds are starting to emerge from the cherry blossom trees on the nature strips.

Despite September being the coldest spring Melbourne has had in years, we are taking our long afternoon walks again. All rugged up of course, me in my warm fleecy jumper and Kayden tucked up to his shoulders in his foot muff and hat.

The boy loves the outdoors, and one afternoon in the crisp, warm afternoon spring sunshine, he was 'singing' as we walked through picturesque scenes like these.

Beautiful!

Now it all makes sense

I mentioned that Kayden was teething and his first tooth has just cut through. I expected the drooling, and the incessant need to chew on everything he can get his fingers on. I am fine with it, I get that it soothes his gums so I just let him be, so long he has not been dipping his fingers in his potty beforehand. This chewing thing is really not such a big deal I thought.

At the shops, I have seen rubber rail guards for baby cot rails. And I thought to myself then, why on earth would people waste money on these things? Surely its not such a big issue letting them chew and lick the cot rails?

Then, hubby noticed these teeth (or rather 'tooth', because he has only 1 at the moment) marks all along the inside of Kayden's cot rail.

Then it all makes sense.

So THAT's WHY they say always check that you buy an Australian Standard cot that meets all the requirements (baby safe lead free paint).

So THAT'S WHY his hoodie was covered in these mysterious white specks this afternoon. I literally just brushed it off, thinking it was lint. The marks run all the way along his cot rail, and there really wasn't that much on his hoodie. So if that is the case, it means he has EATEN the paint. Bleh!

And, so THAT's WHY they sell those rail guards! DUH. To stop your baby behaving like a hungry beaver devouring corn on a cob.

Thank god I'm not breastfeeding him anymore too.