Happy 28th of December!
I can say that...because Christmas is OVER and New Year's not yet here.
It's that lovely time of year when things sort of grind to a halt. After Christmas Sales were yesterday. People have either gone back to where they came from or left for a few days away at the beach. Pennant Hills Road is actually really quiet, right now.
Christmas Eve was lovely...Rob left work early and we spent some quality time together watching the Lord of the Rings. It's become a Christmas Tradition for us. We only managed the Fellowship & The Two Towers and saved Return of the King for Christmas night.
Christmas Day - We stayed up until 2am and opened our Pressies!
My daughter Jacqui and her family in Melbourne gave us a really welcome gift of a metal box filled with 12 little cannisters of unusual spices - ones that won't be too easy to get in Cairns. They are going to see a lot of use when our new kitchen is built. My daughter Gemma and her family(also in Melbourne) sent me a slightly off-beat sachet for the wardrobe - in the shape of a bra. Rob got a really terrific Cook-Book. It's designed with guys in mind. Who knows - it might actually encourage him to acquire some culinary skills, because he doesn't have many that I've noticed! Actually he was really happy with it.
My darling gave me two boxed DVD sets of Halifax FP (for those overseas readeers - it's an Aussie TV drama show) and a DVD of Local Hero. Rob's been wanting me to see it for ages, because I've had the sound track CD for years. He also gave me a beautiful 'French Country' nightdress made from white lawn, with lovely smocking all over the top. It should be perfect for the hot nights up north.
Rob's Aunt Heather sent a wonderful scarf/shawl in a gorgeous bronze colour - it's wonderful and reminds me of mithril in the way it moves and shimmers. I know it should really be silver coloured, but hey this is my imagination...right?
When we woke on Christmas morning, we called all the five kids and had nice long chats. We found out that Jenny and her family, who live on the Gold Coast in Queensland, had been flooded out two weeks before Christmas. Apparently there was heavy rain and the council hadn't been keeping the drain across the road clear. They ended up with knee deep water throughout the house. Jenny lost her 1 yr old car, dishwasher, washingmachine and, of course, all the carpets. Hopefully their insurance will cover it all. Christmas at their place was a little chaotic.
OK...So we had to bite the bullet this year and spend Christmas Lunch with Rob's family. It's going to be our last for some time. It was also the first Christmas without Rob's mum Anne and we knew it was going to be overshadowed by her absence. One thing Anne really loved was Christmas! Ian tried to do all the things she would have done and did a pretty good job...but he couldn't add the special touches.
It was never going to be easy and it wasn't. Ian drank too much - but then he always does. He broke down and it fell to Rob to try and help him. We went through the usual critisism of Rob not doing IT courses to further his career - what Ian was really expressing was his fear that Rob won't be able to find suitable work in Cairns. He's under the impression that Cairns is actually a small town - when in actual fact it's a City. Sure it's a lot more laid back than Sydney and a lot smaller, but it's thriving. I might add that Ian has never even been to Cairns...the closest he got was Townsville in the 70s, when he was still in the Royal Navy! It's no good trying to tell him differently, because he will believe what he wants to believe.
I've been charged with the task of 'looking after Rob'...something I do anyway...but I found that a little ironic, seeing as I'm the one with hypertension, diabetes and arthritic hips and back!!! Rob is quite capable of looking after himself and me too. It would be nice if Ian could see him as a man and not a child - but then that's fathers for you.
I would like to add, that Rob and I both received some lovely gifts and lunch was really nice, Ian, unlike Rob, can actually cook. Mind you, he hates cleaning up, so everyone else did that.
Boxing Day - You'd have thought we would have been totally Lord of the Rings tired by that time, but no. We caught a train into Darling Harbour and went to the Power House Museum for the LTR exhibition. Rob got the tickets the week before, because it's not going anywhere else but Sydney and there was no way we were going to miss it! If you like LTR, I suggest you make sure to go. It's amazing to see the costumes and weapons. There's even a 'life size' cave troll! The work on the armour and weapons is wonderful. How could the cast NOT become their charactors, when wearing such costumes??!
We finished the evening by watching the Bruce Campbell movie Bubba Ho-Tep - it's not available here, so I'd ordered it from Amazon as part of Rob's Chrissie Pressie. It's totally whacky and off the wall - it's an absolute hoot!
Yesterday we spent packing. The lounge room has nearly been finished and Rob has broken the back of packing the gear in the study. It's not a job either of us relish, but starting early will make it less traumatic in the long run.
Our friend James dropped by in the evening and we had a meal and a good catch-up. It's been an absolute age since we've seen him and we've made a firm promise to keep in touch. He's one of those quiet people who never pushes and you don't realise how much time has past.
Today, we really should go get some groceries. The fridge is looking bare and there are some essentials that we desperately need. I think Rob has plans for us to see a movie this afternoon - we are having the day off from packing.
Next Christmas, we will be far away from Sydney and hopefully we will be having a BBQ and fun with the family there.
Enjoy your last days of 2004.
Vickie.
I'm so glad you are enjoying a luul in your storm, cos Cyclone Phil just came here and went. At 12.45pm he rang me to tell me he was coming home. He had been told he was on stand-by to go to Asia to help identify victims of the tsunami. I started packing. He arrived home at 1.15pm, finished packing and then raced out the door at 1.45pm. He has to be at the airport for a 3pm flight to Canberra to catch the 4pm flight with the medical team he and 3 others are travelling with. He has no idea if he is going to Thailand or Indonesia; he doesn't know how long he will be gone. He will try to ring me when he has any idea... if he has time.
Our heads are spinning. He had been on standby for disasters of the man-made kind, so Kate was sort of prepared. Lets hope he stays safe and sane (well... as sane as he is at the moment :P )
Wish us all luck please.
I'm glad you posted and I had a chance to talk to you on the phone.
Rob and I are both thinking of you and Katie and our love and best wishes for Phil's safety are settled on his shoulders. He will be in our thoughts until he is back home again.
He's our family too and we love him.
All our love to you and Katie,
Vickie.
Thanks very much for your thoughts and phone call. I spoke to Phil at about 6.35pm as he was about to go into a briefing. I had just seen the team on the news. Knowing Phil, you'll know how thrilled he was about that. He was due to fly out at 7.30pm to Phuket (at this stage). If you see mention of an Australian Federal Police Victim Identification Team or Forensic Team they are talking about Phil and his colleagues. Let's hope they don't drink the water ;)
Posted by: Jacqui at December 28, 2004 09:18 PMThanks for the update.I thought Phuket was the logical jump off point.
I saw Phil on the news too. My immediate thought was "Oh boy, will he be happy!"
I'd realised that he was in the Federal Team - States don't work on their own outside Australia on this sort of mission.
I wouldn't drink the water there even if there wasn't a disaster. Imported water is the only safe drink and you don't add ice!
Speak with you soon,
Love,
Vickie.xxxxxxxxx
Hi there, Have just heard from Philip. It's 6am his time and he and his colleagues are just heading off to a nearby beach that has 200 bodies lined up on it. Their mission is to create some sort of order in the chaos and speed up the identification process. Nice start to anyone's day!
ttfn
Jacqui
Thanks for letting me know Jacqui.
None of us can really imagine what the team are facing. It's just to horrendous to contemplate.
As each report comes in, I think of Phil and others doing the same task.
If I were younger, I know that I'd be volunteering to go help. I'm sure I've some skills that could be useful. Now all I can do is try to find some money to donate to the appeal.
Just think, if every Aussie gave $5, we could double the amount our Government has given. Imagine if every country, not directly affected, and where the people could afford it, did the same.
This will be the greatest disaster plan ever put into place.
Love,
Vickie.
Have heard from a Federal Police psychologist. Another quake has hit Thailand, but Phil & colleagues sre safe and well. Communications are disrupted so he may not be able to contact us for a few days. I suppose they are using psychs in case we spin out. :)
Posted by: Jacqui at December 30, 2004 09:12 PMI hadn't heard about the quake, but on the news there was talk of another tsunami. At least there has been some warning this time. It looks like total chaos with people trying to get inland to higher ground - not only in Thailand but in India too.
At least they are using their brains using the psychs - not all wives can handle this sort of thing. You know where I am if you need to talk.
When you hear from Phil, give him our love.
Lots of love,
Vickie.
The Indian authorities announced the tsunami alert but none of the seismologists expect anything above 6 and don't believe this is powerful enough to create another tsunami.
On a lighter note- Kate and I were discussing earthquakes and aftershock and I was using a stuffed stomach with gas analogy... you know... one burp is never enough. So Kate looked at me with that "look" that she gets and said "So are you telling me that Dad has gone to Thailand because the Earth farted! That's some really bad farts then... worse than the dogs!" followed up with a cheeky grin. I think we are coping!
LOL...Charming child!
That must have been one really large tin of 'Pal'.
Yep, sounds like you're both handling things OK.
Vickie.
Posted by: Vickie at December 31, 2004 07:21 AMHappy Holidays to all.
(((hugs)))
Phil's a braver man than I am, that's for sure. *g* There's no way I could do what he does - even if I did have the training. I'll add his name to my prayer list, Mallie. And you and Katie, too. He'll be okay, you'll see. After all, they cared enough to send the very best, didn't they? I may only be email close, but you're welcome to rant and rave at me any time you like. Police wives aren't that much different from military wives and I let them yell at me, too. ;)
Oh, and tell Katie that of course they're worse than the dogs. The dogs only knock over people. The Earth tends to knock over trees and buildings. Mind you, I've got a cat that can clear a room in less than 2 seconds... ;)
Peg
Posted by: Peg at January 1, 2005 08:05 PMHi Peg!
Nice to hear from you. I like to think they sent the best in first too. :) I don't know why but they seem to be showing Philip in every news report. He even made it into the papers in Queensland LOL. One of his colleagues still here in Melbourne said they must be really hard up for good looking heads to have chosen his! LOL. He hates having his photo taken or being on the TV, so maybe they think that that grumpy look is sufficiently stern to use.
The guy I was talkng to was in the first crew over for the Bali bombing and is slated to go to Phuket next week. We don't know if that means that Phil will be coming home or not. Philip thinks it will probably be a 2 week posting. Anything less would not give people time to acclimatise and one day either side is lost with travelling.
He is working 2.5 hours from Phuket (town) and told me this morning that his main mode of travel is by helicopter. He is starting to get tired but is in pretty good spirits. He said the images on TV don't go even a small way to show the magnitude of the disaster. They are just dealing with the person in front of them, doing they best they can and they are feeling pretty good about the results they are getting. (To this, my comment was that they were "taking each day one corpse at a time". After laughing (my aim), Phil replied that I had spent way too much time with him and had a copper's sense of humour.)
They are starting in the dark and getting back to base in the dark. He hasn't had much of a chance to use the pool :) but the limited R&R they are getting is "quality R&R"- I bet there is beer involved LOL. He isn't getting that much sleep but, again, it is good quality sleep. I think he's too buggered to toss & turn.
Thanks for the rant and rave offer, but we are doing OK. I have a pretty good sense of humor (I think that's what it's called) and a very good friend in Kate. I'm keeping her informed but I'm not letting her watch the news as I don't think she needs the images in her data bank.
One of my close friends said that people are very worried about how Kate & I are coping without Phil, but that they don't realise that he is often away or working shift combinations that keep him away from Kate for days at a time. I think police families and army families are probably very similar. I am keeping touch with the wife of one of the other members from Victoria. We are sharing information :). No use waiting to find out from Management, tho' I must admit they have been very concerned and supportive.
Thanks for the prayers. It wasn't Hogmanay without him and a lot of people said that they have been missing him. I think he'll be really surprised (and probably embarassed) at how people respond to him when he returns. I imagine that people are finally getting a glimpse of the person beyond "hail fellow, well met" bloke that like to sing at parties.
Take care of yourself and the Frogs. Happy New Year- hope it's a great one!
Jacqui
P.S I have a German Shepherd that can clear a coffee table and surrounding sofas, shelves, Christmas trees etc with on wag. :) Do you think Gaia has a dog?
ttfn
Jacqui
Honest to God that Phil is a camera magnate!
I was watching late night news last night and there he was again...not once but twice! You'd think there was more interesting stuff to film. Have you heard any more yet?
Love,
Vickie & (of course) Rob.xxxxxx
LOL... I haven't seen him in ages cos we aren't watching the news these days. Did you mean magnate or magnet... cos I don't know if there is much money in it for Phil LOL. I got a call from a reliable source this morning (the wife of one of the other guys) and she said that they had "pencilled in" 16/1 as a return date. I had to explain to Kate that pencilling in means it could change (and probably will). He had his first rest day yesterday and was lazing by the pool when he rang me. He planned to head off and enjoy his first cooked breakfast and then wander in to town to get some fresh T-shirts.
He sounded relaxed but a bit tired. Workwise- they have been amazed by the clarity of the prints they are getting from people. Maybe seawater affects skin cells differently? I dunno!
Anyway... I might actually try to watch the late news tonight... after Kate and her sleep-over friend go to bed... notice I am not gullible enough to say gone to sleep.
Hugs to all. Take care.
Jacqui
Erk...that's what I get for typing too fast and not checking! Though by the time he gets back the poor buggers face will be known all over Australia. He might be offered a job by Calvin Klein or at the very least the Myers Catalogue.
It wouldn't surprise me about seawater and fingerprints. Remember how it makes the skin raise up and wrinkle like a prunce? It could make the ridges more promenant.
I hope he had a good day off. He's earned it. I bet he gets that T shirt for his brother too. LOL
I'll keep my fingers crossed for the 16th for all of you.
Lots of love,
Vickie.
Geez...my fingers are all thumbs today. Prunes not Prunce!
Posted by: Vickie at January 5, 2005 12:19 PMStill waiting... ho hum... do you know about things happening in threes? Well the washing machine won't spin; I went to bring Phil's car home for him and it won't start and this afternoon the sunshade out on our decking fell off/down. I want my Philip to come home ...NOW!
Oh well...it won't happen before 17 Jan (if then) I'll just have to do my washing at a friend's house, leave his car at work and wear my sunglasses out the back. I have fixed the washing machine in the past... in fact I showed Phil how to pull it apart AND put it back together again, but I sort of feel that it's just all to hard.
Tonight a pony stood on the side of Kate's foot (she was wearing rubber riding boots, thank goodness) and the joint of her little toe (and it is very little) is all bruised. She's in a fair bit of pain with it. I smeared it with arnica, gave her Painstop and an icepack at bedtime. I hope she hasn't broken or chipped anything.
Kate and I are being very kind to each other, but I don't know how much longer that can go on... we are quite similar in many ways and this is proving a testing time.
Oh well... I know that Phil's absence is serving the greater needs of humankind, but we will run a lot more happily when he comes home. We are planning a New Year's Eve Party v2 for him on 29 January. Lots of people missed him the first time around and we have people travelling right across the city to catch up with him. That should be fun.
He is sounding more and more tired each time I talk to him. They are trying an afternoon shift arrangement to try and spread out the workload and give the team a bit of a break each day. They are still working at least 12 hour shifts.
Anyway, I feel a bit better now and am heading off to bed
TTFN
Jacqui
Hang in there Love.
I know it's got to be tough, but at least you've got friends. Why not let them help with the washing machine and the awning? I'm sure they'd only be too pleased to help you out. The car is an easy one - let Phil's boss know and I'm certain they will get it going for you. Probably deliver it home for you too.
Poor Katie. All that horse-weight on one little human foot is a very painful thing. I remember being stood on myself. Actually it's the very first thing that happens to the main character in my novel.
In a lot of ways this time is going to make some even stronger bonds between you all.
I hear on the radio, that some of the other medic teams are on their way home. I'm pretty hopeful that Phil's mob will be home soon. He's either going to be hyper or collapse in a heap and just sleep. Probably the first.
I'll phone you soon.
Lots of love,
Vickie and of course Rob.xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Vickie at January 10, 2005 07:19 AMHi there... We're hangin' there, we're hangin'. The only friend with enough mechanical aptitude for the washer has justgone camping for a week. It's his machine I'm using :) and the awning can wait. As for the car, he is his boss out at Macleod and the other boss tried to jumpstart "Max" and nothing happened. It didn't even go Rrr. Philip mentioned in December that he had a loose terminal, but they seemed OK. I dunno. Let Phil sort that out when he gets back too. I can do the basics with a car, but I don't even know where to start with this one. At least all his central locking etc still works.
Haven't seen Kate's foot this morning as she is still asleep. She had better wake up soon as we have pets to feed. It's going to be hot here today and we have been invited over to a friend's for a swim. I might even go in!!!!
Well I'm off to water the garden before it gets too hot.
I reckon that when Phil gets home, he'll play some PS2 with Kate, have a beer or two, have a look at that bed and crash out.
Thanks for reading
Jacqui
Had a welfare check from Philip's boss. Told me that one of the Victorians had a ticket to come home, but that it wasn't Phil or his mate. I told him about Phil's car and he is going to get one of the VicPol mechanics to have a look at it. One less thing for Philly to do when he gets home.
We are going to have a New Year's Eve v2 on 29/1 and I've already got lots of people coming. That will be good.
Philip's boss is contacting Welfare Services so that Sue (& her boys) and Kate & I can talk to them about how the stress of the job may manifest itself.
The Debriefing has already been booked for the team. It just happens to be the day I go back to work and Philip was going to have Kate. LOL I told his boss this and his boss will baby-sit Kate during the debriefing LOL. He said he thought he could probably manage an 8 year old.LOL I hope so!!!
Anyway, I had best go as Kate and I are making Bush Plum Jam and it needs stirring.
ttfn
Jacqui
Well it sounds as though they aren't too far from coming home. Especially as the debriefing actually has a date.
I felt sure Phil's boss would get Bob looked at. Heck it's probably only a dead battery anyway. It's been a while since anyone started it.
OK...so the Boss is going to 'babysit' Katie is he? He might be able to handle an 8 year old, but how is he with a 'nearly 9 going on 19'?
I hope he takes his smart pills that day.
I'm really pleased that they are getting the families in to discuss things with them. It's going to be a time of adjustment for Phil. I'd be worried if it wasn't.
Sounds like the party is going to be a beaut! Do NOT forget to have the camera at the ready. I remember how Phil likes to enjoy himself.LOL
Rob sends his love. He thinks Phil's 'one of the best' and hopes all goes well for him.
Speak with you soon.
Love,
Vickie.
I had a call from one of Phil's colleagues and have organised to get Max's keys to him. He's also going to get them to check out a small oil leak that's formed a puddle under the front end. Once again probably from just sitting around.
Sue and I actually asked them to organise the session with the psych as neither of us feels overly prepared for what could happen. Neither of us is stupid, but we are stepping outside our range of experience.
Yes, the boss has been warned that she may ask a few questions. Then again, she may think it's all just too, too boring and read instead! LOL
ttfn...gotta wake the kid up. Btw did you watch West Wing last night? Great episode... one of the best in ages.
Bye
Jacqui
I should have known that you would have had a hand in things. Nothing like being prepared.
If I know Katie, she'll opt for the book. Some adults can be a real pain. Thank goodness she's not one of those children who needs constantly entertaining.
I'm pleased they are fixing Bob. You're probably right about the oil leak. Once the engine cools down and isn't used for a while, the seals seem to shrink.
Yep. Watched West Wing and it definately was the best one for a while. Loved the walk/walk out and the ending.
Gotta go start another box.
Sooner.
Vickie.
Philip has a return flight Phuket/Bangkok/ Sydney/Melbourne and arrives home 17/1 @ 9.30am. Yippeeeeeee!!!!!!
Carwise- Turns out it was a loose terminal on the battery. At least the mechanic tried to start Max first before checking the terminal, otherwise I would have felt really stupid. The oil leak is from the auto transmission and Philip will have to get it checked.
Josh's timing as usual was impeccable! It did a great job of undermining the Speaker.
BTW Bob is my old car... the white Lexcen. Phil's car is Max & my Kia is Bubbles :) (she's a Powerpuff Girl)
ttfn gotta go to bed.
Jacqui
BTW the clock on the site is wrong... I am writing this at 1.07am
Bye
Jacqui
Now that's really great news! I'm really happy for you all. (((((((((hugs))))))))
Glad the car started without a lot of trouble. The leak in the trani isn't so good though. I'm sure Phil knows someone. I should have remembered that Bob was 'adopted' by someone else and that Max is Phil's car.
I noticed the clock myself. I'm writing this at 2.32am...I'm up late packing. I lose my monitor today. It's going back to Rob's work, so I'll have to use his until we go.(grizzle) Still I'll get another soon enough.
Again, delighted you'll have Phil home on Monday.
Lots of Love,
Vickie.xxxxxx