Saturday Roll Call *Apology*

I owe you guys an apology. As many of you may know, we down here in Australia are battling the worst heatwave in decades. Over 60 people dead from heat exhaustion and in the last 24hrs, 3 toddler drownings.

I had every intention of getting on here today and doing roll call, but after 3 straight days of teaching with no air-con in 45+ degrees, im not feeling too well.

So I spent the day in my neighbours pool, and reading, just trying to relax, as it is impossible to sleep through this heat. I slept poorly last night as we had no power and could not have the air-con or even fans on.

One third of Sydney is on fire- i just got home from having a traditional aussie barbeque with my neighbours and switched on the tv when a 'breaking news' flash came on.

25 people have died in a massive bushfire that has destroyed over 60 homes. The death toll is expected to rise to 40. I  had no idea this happened (it was this afternoon and ive been next door all day).

I feel flat, lethargic, exhausted and sapped of energy from the heat. Im also deeply upset about the loss of life in one bushfire alone. Although Australia is physically a huge country, our population is relatively small compared to the UK or USA. This loss of life is huge, and temperatures are not set to drop until tuesday.

So- i couldnt think of a roll call question. Im so sorry. Im tired, hot, upset. I have let you guys down also.

I will get back on the ball tomorrow.

Goodnight,

Maz XX

Thankyou all, and thankyou Kitt. right now its 8am and its already over 30 degrees- another night of poor sleep. I have to take a little break as i am just exhausted. I have to teach again tomorrow in ridiculous heat...i will check in on the board but am really grateful to Kitt for helping me take a break from Roll Call for a bit.

I will do roll call again in a few days, but thankyou so much Kitt for taking it on for me- my fibro is mucking up cos of the weather as well and my body hurts.

Love to you all, you guys are the best,

Maz XX

65 people have been found dead in the fires- the death toll still expected to climb.

one car had 6 people in it, an entire family didnt make it out in time. there are 40 more in burns units/icu with critical 3rd degree burns. entire townships have been destroyed, obliterated like they were never there.

what makes it worse is that the majority of the fires which have turned into a monster 'fire storm' were deliberately lit.

It was 48 degrees here today- i swam and swam and my cat got sick from the heat and its all just too much, and i dont want to work tomorrow, i really dont. I have a sinus/head-cold and i feel like rubbish. My nerves are definetly shot at the moment.

oh how i wish it was winter. thanks for your support-

Maz XX

Both Meg and I are safe from the fires which have now killed over 130 people, destroyed over 800 houses. death toll still climbing, 30 fires still burning out of control, entire townships razed/destroyed, whole families killed together. thousands of cattle as well as native wildlife dead.

deliberately lit. heart is breaking with every news flash as the death toll keeps creeping up. soul destroying. 4 children died overnight in a burns unit in one of the hospitals. many more victims in ICU and on life support expected to die.

Weather is ferocious. i worked today although every fibre of my being just wanted to stay in bed. sapped of strength and i cant explain the shock of what is happening-

Is Gilly ok? its flooding big time up her way- homes destroyed again and 2 cyclone fronts- people getting Malaria and Dengue fever from mozzies breeding in the rotten water.

Thanks for your prayers. im overwhelmed and tired and just being sick as well (really bad sinusitis again as well as awful Fibro flare up) is distressing me. My parents are overseas. i have anxiety but im keeping a lid on it.

Maz XX