Saturday, February 7, 2009

Cool Change at last, but now the details are filtering in

The cool change came through last evening ... and it just kind of astounds me that it could be so stinkin' hot one minute, (we broke ALL heat records yesterday) but within a few hours, the temps had dropped 40+ degrees! Well, that's not a minute, but you know what I mean.

It's 14.1C (57.38F) right now, but yesterday, we hit an all-time high of 46.1 (114.98F) at the airport and by late afternoon, it had dropped right down to 15.5C (60F).
Let me tell ya, it was a miserable, miserable day... and with 4 special needs kids in care for the weekend, it was a battle to keep everyone quiet and at least somewhat cool.

Kids get cranky with the heat and 2 of my children ( 6 yr old with Downs and a 4yr old with Autism) well, they just did NOT want to settle. They moaned and groaned and picked and fought all day long. Tempers were high and I have to tell you, there were moments throughout the day when I could fully understand some species eating their young.

Against all Family Daycare rules and regulations, the kids were stripped right down to their underpants.. because even the air conditioner just could not keep up with the heat.
I felt that the heat had the poor little boogers stressed enough, so to keep them from being scared in addition to being heat stressed, I wore a little bit more than just my underpants. Let me tell ya, wearing a floor length caftan is not a good idea when you have 4 cranky kids all looking for something to do.

I think I spent most of the day trying to drag kids from underneath the caftan and as soon as I would get one out, another would take their place. I tried distracting them. I brought out the play-dough. I brought out the puzzles. I read books and put videos on. Nothing and I mean nothing, would distract them from wanting to play tents with my clothing.
And they thought that they were hot and cranky? Having small, smelly, sticky people crawling up your dress all day long always puts me in a bad mood too ... so it wasn't nice at all.

And do you know, only ONE parent called to see how their child was faring with the extreme heat? That mum had just given birth to another baby, and the first thing she did after getting back to her room, was have dad call and check up on their 6 yr old.
The others never made any attempt at all, which makes me wonder if it was a case of
"out of sight, out of mind", for those other parents. Which wouldn't surprise me at all.


Lord have mercy... it was a hellish day all around Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. with homes being destroyed, people dying in the fires and an uncertain/ undisclosed amount simply dying of the heat.
There was absolute devastation everywhere, and it wouldn't surprise me to learn that the toll is going to be much, much bigger than we can even imagine.

I checked the news first thing this morning, and within a space of about an hour, the initial reports of 14 deaths had risen to 25 and they're expecting a lot more once they can get into burned out areas.
It just boggles the mind.

And please spare a thought and a few prayers for the magnificent fire-fighter's and SES volunteers who are doing their absolute best in these horrible conditions.
God bless them all ...

12 comments:

Robynn's Ravings said...

Yikes TM. Sounds like California and I know you know. Our Santa Ana fires every year are epic. And the temps in Central Valley are similar to yours in the summer. People always say, "But it's a dry heat." Yeah, well, so is hell but I don't wanna go there either.

Bless you for doing all you can for your brood and what do you think of shorts to keep them out from under your caftan? If nothing else just to save your sanity?! I'd go NUTS!

Tatersmama said...

Shorts? Are you joking? LOL!
With MY legs, they would have been using my varicose veins as roads for their Matchbox cars... so it was six of one, half a dozen of the other!

Bz said...

UNbelievable(!) ...115 F' to 60 F' ...wow, never knew the temp could vacillate like that in Aussieland.
My prayers are with the folks... and with those kid's parents -may they care.
What a picture I have in my mind of a lady with kids in/around her 'tent' dress.
:-) Thanks for the smile.

Queenie said...

Fires and excess heat...As you know from my blogs, I love firefighters and my respect for them knows no boundaries. My prayers are with them and the victims and their families. Stay cool - I wish I could send you Maine snowballs...

Libby's Library said...

I'll definitley pray for your Fire Fighters and rescue workers.

At the Zoo, they throw frozen treats to the animals in order to distract them and cool them off...would that work on your little ones?

If you need to cool off...head on over to Sharons, at The Queens Bog. Shiver me timbers...it's cold up there in Maine!!!

Here, after having record cold temps for three nights in a row (down into the high 20's and low 30's), they are predicting high's in the 70's and 80's for the next week.

Percy must be freezing to death up in New York State. Bless his poor little bottom. You will plead for his safe return...right?

Wanda said...

What a day you had, but you made and what we survive makes us stronger ...Right??? The weather is mighty strange all over, I hope it isn't a sign of things to come. Well, now that wasn't cheerful was it? Sorry. TTFN

Tatersmama said...

Bz, We never knew it could vacillate like this either!
My little guy with Down Syndrome, well, his mama just had a baby, so he was convinced my *tummy* (!!!) meant that there was a baby under there somewhere!
My diet starts today, I'm telling ya!

Queenie... ah, just looking at your pictures is doing me a word of good!
I just about peed myself laughing at the whole stepping on the button thing. Not that it was funny... but more that it happened to *you* ! SNORT!

Libby, I never even thought about tossing the kids some frozen chicken gizzards! I'll be sure keep that in mind for next time! LOL!

Wanda, Yep, we made it. I just hope that we don't have to do it again in my lifetime!

Tatersmama said...

Speaking of firefighters, check out my cousins pic on facebook...
I'm so proud of the guy that I could just burst!

Tatersmama said...

oops.. forgot the link

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=feed&id=664122651#

*DUH*

Cathy said...

Hello TM
Well it was quite a day wasn't it
Its hard to decribe to others the feelings that go through your head on days like that. I 'closed up shop' but then felt ashamed when I heard what had gone on in other parts and the things others had to cope with
You did well to keep your cool (sorry about that lol) in those circumstances. Shame about the parents lack of concern tho'
Take care
Cathy

ps It did go cold didn't - not so warm today either.

Paula said...

Oh goodness, what a day. My prayers go out to all of you over there ... and best wishes for cooler temperatures and safety from the fires. Thanks, too, for the visual of the tent dress ... :-) !!!

Homestay Mama said...

tatersmama,
Nix on shorts--I'm with you for the same reason!

I haven't been watching the news so didn't realize what was happening down under! Will keep you all in my prayers!


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