I am so sorry I haven't posted for a while but I am sure you understand why I have lost my blogging "mojo". I am quite speechless these days and still get very teary when I think about the enormity of the terrible natural disaster that has devastated three states here in Australia.
Footage shot by David Jutsum in Toowoomba shows cars being swept away.
We were on a family holiday in Singapore during the worst of the floods and we watched it all on cable TV from our hotel room. We felt completely helpless and were continually worrying about our family and friends back home. My parents were also on holiday with us so we were able to share the grief together. Thank God our family homes were not flooded and for that we are so truly grateful. Unfortunately my cousin and his family lost most of their possessions in the flood in the Lockyer Valley but they are safe and are being looked after by friends and family.
However, amidst the stories of sadness and loss are stories of hope and community spirit. There have been so many stories about people helping complete strangers and thousands of volunteers are getting in amongst the muck, the mud and the debris in Brisbane and Ipswich in an overwhelming show of support to get the community back on its feet.
Source-The Australian
The people whose lives have been affected by these floods near more than just help with the cleaning up-they naturally need financial assistance. My friend Fiona from the blog nicobelle design, has become involved in a wonderful fund raising idea that has been launched by Toni Coward. She has launched the Queensland Flood Appeal. As a contribution towards this Appeal, Fiona is holding an auction for the gorgeous skirt below:
This is a double layer twirl skirt made from 100% cotton fabrics by designer Heather Bailey. The underskirt provides added body and twirl and the skirt features lovely trim detail with an elastic waist for comfort and ease of dressing. In gorgeous sunshine shades, it is sure to brighten up any little girl's wardrobe. It is a generous size 6 (so will also fit a small size 8). Waist measurement is 58cm (23 inches) unstretched and length from waist to base of skirt is 46cm (18 inches). This auction is open to everyone and Fiona will pay postage to anywhere in the world!
Payment is by donation to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal - for details on how to donate, please visit the website. You can place a bid by leaving a comment on Fiona's Blog with your bid amount and email address. Please ensure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder. The auction is open to everyone and Fiona will pay for the postage to anywhere in the world!The auction will END at midnight on Monday 24th January 2011 (Brisbane time).
There are so many other people raising money in blogland. The very sweet Tina from Rubie's Place has decided to donate all profits from sales for the month of January and even Nie Nie has spread the word and posted about Retro Mummy's Quilts for Queensland appeal. If you would like to see a list of all of the talented and creative artists and bloggers who are helping to raise money for the the Flood appeal, just click to visit the QLD Flood Auctions MASTER LIST.
Before I go, I just want to thank you for your kind messages. I will try to get back in touch with you all soon but it might take a while as we are now getting ready for a new school year here in Australia and I have books to cover and school uniforms to name. My boy Big Al is moving to a new Middle School this year and he is very apprehensive and daunted about it all. Just please know that your friendship means so much to me and I am so grateful to be part of such a caring and loving community of bloggers.
Blessings and Best Wishes always,
The people whose lives have been affected by these floods near more than just help with the cleaning up-they naturally need financial assistance. My friend Fiona from the blog nicobelle design, has become involved in a wonderful fund raising idea that has been launched by Toni Coward. She has launched the Queensland Flood Appeal. As a contribution towards this Appeal, Fiona is holding an auction for the gorgeous skirt below:
This is a double layer twirl skirt made from 100% cotton fabrics by designer Heather Bailey. The underskirt provides added body and twirl and the skirt features lovely trim detail with an elastic waist for comfort and ease of dressing. In gorgeous sunshine shades, it is sure to brighten up any little girl's wardrobe. It is a generous size 6 (so will also fit a small size 8). Waist measurement is 58cm (23 inches) unstretched and length from waist to base of skirt is 46cm (18 inches). This auction is open to everyone and Fiona will pay postage to anywhere in the world!
Payment is by donation to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal - for details on how to donate, please visit the website. You can place a bid by leaving a comment on Fiona's Blog with your bid amount and email address. Please ensure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder. The auction is open to everyone and Fiona will pay for the postage to anywhere in the world!The auction will END at midnight on Monday 24th January 2011 (Brisbane time).
UPDATE!
*****I have also just found out about another auction from the sweet Sandra who lives on Cumberland Island, GA. She is auctioning off this beautiful quilt for the appeal. Thank you so much Sandra! Please click here for the details!*****
There are so many other people raising money in blogland. The very sweet Tina from Rubie's Place has decided to donate all profits from sales for the month of January and even Nie Nie has spread the word and posted about Retro Mummy's Quilts for Queensland appeal. If you would like to see a list of all of the talented and creative artists and bloggers who are helping to raise money for the the Flood appeal, just click to visit the QLD Flood Auctions MASTER LIST.
Before I go, I just want to thank you for your kind messages. I will try to get back in touch with you all soon but it might take a while as we are now getting ready for a new school year here in Australia and I have books to cover and school uniforms to name. My boy Big Al is moving to a new Middle School this year and he is very apprehensive and daunted about it all. Just please know that your friendship means so much to me and I am so grateful to be part of such a caring and loving community of bloggers.
Blessings and Best Wishes always,
Natasha In Oz
Natasha, I was so happy to see this post pop up. It's good to know that you and your family are safe and that your home was not swept away in the flood waters. My heart goes out to all who have lost so much. Thank you for the links.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that life will be unsettled for some time. Just know that you are in my thoughts and I wish you well.
Hugs ~ Sarah
Sweet Natasha. I am so glad to hear that you and your parents are all ok and your homes were spared from the flood waters. I am so sorry for your cousin and his family, it is heartbreaking and they will be in my thoughts. Thank you so much for including me in your post, along with these fabulous ladies, you are so lovely and generous and I appreciate it so much! I know that everyone will also understand how busy life is at the start of a new school year, and we will all be here when you are able to post. Sending you huge hugs ~ Tina xx
ReplyDeleteBonjour Natasha, I really wouldn't worry about blogging at a time like this. These are far more important issues. It must be a terrible thing for people to live through, but I'm glad to hear that you and your family are well. That auction is a wonderful idea and I will look into it when I get home from work tonight. Thinking of you. Hugs & Love from London xo
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear from you !! and that you and your familly are okee......my thoughts goes out to all who lost their homes familly and more........love love love xxx....Ria...
ReplyDeleteOh Natasha, I'm reliefed that you and your family are ok! I was a bit worried, (I even made a link to you couple of days ago, hoping you would let us know how you where doing). Even though I'm on the other side of the world, since I blog with some people in Oz, it is hard not to feel connected, so I am glad to hear that you are ok!
ReplyDeleteTake your time, blogland will wait, and enjoy the kiddo's last days of the holiday.
Hugs, Maureen x
Dear Natasha,
ReplyDeletebeside I am with all those poor people which lost so much on the floood, I am happy to read that you are not affected that much. That is a hard time and hopefully the water will go back now.
Greetings, Johanna
Hello Natasha ~ First, I want you to know that I will be praying for your family and others who were involved in the floods there. I am thankful that your family is safe. That is the most imortant thing. ~ I would also like to thank you for becoming a follower of my blog! ~ Blessings
ReplyDelete*HUGS* so glad to know u and ur family are ok for the most part sorry to hear about ur cousins...my aunt lost her home she was down here with us visiting me and my hubby and son when we returned back to australia and she and her youngest son and grandson stayed down for christmas and then were unable to return back home due to the floods...its unbelieveable its like a movie...so unreal and heart wrenching...the local radio stations down here have paid for buses to take volunteers up to help and pay for them to stay and feed them for a week, i would have joined myself and hubby up to help with the clean up but being that im 20wks pregnant and now on bedrest i was unable :( we have gone threw with my parents and cleaned out 10 super large bags of bedding and clothes with tags on it and sent it up that way to help ppl whom ahve lost everything... we are now working on food packages to send up as well.. *HUGS*
ReplyDeleteI love Singapore. It is such a fab city!
ReplyDeleteIKWYM about feeling teary re all of the flood info. I had a very emotional day a few days ago and my DH had one yesterday. He has been ankle deep in mud and muck, cleaning out his work over the last few days. For him, the reaction was more delayed as he dealt with the practicalities. Life goes on though and I'm glad to hear that all of your family is ok!
Dear Natasha, I was so happy to see your name up on my sidebar when I logged on just now.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about you and wondering how you have fared during this terrible time.
Thanks for including the links.
Glad to see you back home safe and sound.
Hi Natasha,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you and your family are safe!
I hear all about it an everyday news and I read also from the websites! It's terrible. Let's hope for the best!!!
Hello! Maggie sent me over... I would like to help! please contact me....I have been thinking and praying for all of you....I posts today asking for information. God bless you all..Sandra
ReplyDeleteHi Natasha. I shouldn't worry too much about blogging at this time. We will still be here when you come back! We have all been praying for everyone in Australia, and the terrible devastation caused by these awful floods. I'm sure the clean up operation will take quite some time, and I just feel for all the poor people that have been affected. Thank goodness that you and your little family are okay though. Take care.
ReplyDeleteHi Natasha,
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about you so much. I am glad that you guys are okay. I will post a link to this on my blog to help spread the word about the auction. God bless you all.
Kathy
I continue to say prayers for those affected by the flooding - it's a horrible, horrible event to go through. I'll have to visit Fiona's site. It's wonderful that people like her are trying raise funds to help the flood victims.
ReplyDeleteWhat generous ladies! I can't believe how far the flooding went. :O(
ReplyDeletePraying for your country. My heart weeps for those who have lost lives and homes. ♥O
ReplyDeleteHi Natasha,
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about answering our messages: reading you on here is fine!
It is more than awful for your cousin and all the ones who lost all and everything, but there is this other wonderful side of it: the togetherness and the strong feeling that doing things together will get you through this time.
Stay well (and dry!), and enjoy the preparations for the new school year!
love,
Jacoba
Hi Sweet Natasha! so glad to hear from you and know that the home and family are for the most part safe and sound... but such a traumatic event for everyone in Au..my heartfelt wishes for normalcy as soon as possible...getting back to school is a good start!
ReplyDeletemuch love
Kit
Dear Natasha,
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see your post and know that you and your family are okay. I will keep your cousin and his family in my prayers. It is so lovely to see everyone pulling together to help one another.
Take care my friend,
Mimi
Hey Natasha I have been wondering how you guys are getting on, and josh (Dash) has been concerned that Big Al is OK. I am glad to here you guys are safe and have not lost your lovely home.
ReplyDeleteIt's still unbelievable that something like this could happen in a place we know and love, where so many friends and family live.
Big hugs to you from us.
xxx
Ciao Natasha, All the best for 2011.
ReplyDeleteI am back at last catching up on all the posts I missed while I was away from computing while on an extended trip to the UK.
You were often in my thoughts and it is a relief to know you are and your family are safe. Blogging takes a very low priority at such times, I am sure we all understand that.
Take Care Linda xx
Thank you for posting the places where help can be given. This is one of those unbelievable weather events.
ReplyDeleteOf course I noticed that you were not posting as much as usual and wondered if your absence was due to the trouble there.
Your school schedule must be on a different schedule than ours here.
Our schools begin their year in August or September and run to May or June. Always a little hectic.
I hope your son will settle in and enjoy this next stage in his education.
Natasha, I've thought of you often as I heard reports of the situation in Australia. I am so happy you and your family are safe. Sending thoughts and prayers to you!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the school preparations!
Kim
Natasha, my husband and I were just speaking of you when I came here to my office and found your post. Thank you for letting us know you are okay. You and your country are in my prayers.♥
ReplyDeleteSo glad you, your family, and your home are safe! Been thinking about and praying for you and the folks Down Under.
ReplyDeleteJust found out I have a 3rd cousin in Welland, Queensland. (Is that near you?) Trying to get in touch with him.
Hope your son will thrive in his new school!
blessings on your day.
Natasha so glad that you and your family are safe...so many gorgeous bloggers in Brissie. A fabulous post and so wonderful passing on the link to the master list..thanks, I will take a look now...take care we will be here when you get back to blogging..Kym X
ReplyDeleteNatasha,
ReplyDeleteI was so glad to see your post. I am so sad about the flooding that has occurred in your country. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for including the links.
Carol
Hello lovely, thank you for your comments. I am sending you a bloggy hug. I feel the same as you it is hard to get on isn't it! It is great that so many people are doing what they can to help. It is important I feel that we keep doing what we can after this initial help is given. The recovery is going to be long. Xx katherine
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting the youtube clip. I'd not seen video footage before, only pictures. The video just brings to life the devestation of the flood waters - but also hearing 'real' people talking about it as it's happening makes it seem much more 'real' over the other side of the world....
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're safe, my lovely. I'll be praying for you.
Big warm hug,
Sarahx
Hi Natasha, I've been missing you! I now remember that you were traveling. :o) I'm soo sorry about the flooding. How awful! I'm glad you and your family were safe. It's so good to hear from you again.
ReplyDeletexo
Donna @ Comin' Home