Hey Peeps,

How ya doing?

Well just wanted to quickly pop in to let you know that we are all safe and sound…Praise God~!

The cyclone whilst really bad turned slightly south of us and so Cairns wasn’t damaged too badly. Sadly all the banana and sugar cane fields south of us we completely damaged. I am also very happy to report that there was no deaths! Now that was a real miracle considering it was such a powerful cyclone and had the potential to kill many. We we a little frightened whilst it all happened, as you never know what to expect, but the kids slept through the whole ordeal which was such a blessing!

Thank you so very much for all your words of encouragement, love, care and most importantly your prayers! We really felt the support we needed to get through such an ordeal. We have no power as one of our big trees fell and ripped down the power lines. The property was a mess with trees down everywhere and we couldn’t get out of our driveway at all. The clean up has been mostly done, but living with limited power and internet is difficult. Thanks to my dear SIL who is loaning me her mobile internet for a couple of hours I can report to you guys.

As for todays challenge it is all going to plan and I have done up a scheduled post the other day. My clock does go a little funny so I apologise if my post appears too early, or a bit later than expected et … but it should appear.

I have photos to share with you all and will do so as soon as we have a reliable internet source where it won’t take 30 mins upload each photo!

Thanks again for your concern and prayers we truly are thankful to have gotten through this event with God’s guidance!

Till next time….

Hey there everyone,

I hope you are all well!!!

We are sitting on tender hooks here in Cairns at the moment as we await the arrival of Ssevere Cyclone Yasi to hit us in Cairns. If you have been following the news, well this is a severe Cyclone and it is heading right for us. Currently it will be a category 4, but may still upgrade. Many coastal homes have been asked to evacuate, and they are expecting tidal waves of 6 metres or more. Very likely all of the CBD and coastal homes will be flooded, along with other areas as well.

For us, it is all a bit strange to be honest. Having never been in a cyclone of this magnitude before, we really have no idea what to expect. After speaking to many locals it all sounds rather scary…….sleep in the hallway or bathroom, tape the windows, do go near any windows, pack everything away, you need 10 litres per person on hand and more tin food in your cupboards….the list goes on and on! We are thankful for all the advice we have been given so far!

So this afternoon we have been getting the house and the surrounds all packed away. Anything that has the potential to be picked up and missile d into a window etc… Tomorrow morning will be a busy too as we have to head into town to empty out our office. It is only 1 minute walk to the marina and coast, so has the potential to flood. The same complex has been waist deep in water before!

The groceries stores were a complete mad house today! I have never in my life seen so many people scrambling for food and to fill their carts with tinned food, and long life milk etc… I was so stunned by it all I wandered around the store for ages, not really knowing what I should be doing! And then the petrol stations had lines of up to 15 cars per bay! It all seems and feels so extreme to us, but then again we have no idea what the consequence of a severe cyclone can be! Hurricane Katrina was a category 5 and with a No 4 hitting us, it is all a bit daunting to say the least.

Here is the latest map from the Bureau of Meteorology which shows the line and degree of the cyclone at the moment….

You can follow the updates on this website….http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml

Anyway I will be sure to keep you all updated, until we have no power, and my computer is flat, or we have no phone line. Please keep us all in your prayers. I am sure we will really experience the power of God amongst all the wind, and rain!

Talk soon!

ETA: Cyclone YASI has been upgraded to a category 5 so even more dangerous winds, 300km/ph to be expected….!

Hey there everyone!

By now I assume you are all well and truly into the festive season! Hard to believe really that it is Christmas Eve already.

We are all packed and ready to head off on our camping trip. The rain has set in so it is sure to be an adventure!

I just wanted to pop in and wish you all a truly joyful Christmas with family and friends… whichever side of the world you are on! Thanks again for another year of stamping, sharing and many laughs, i really appreciate all of you who come by and also give encouragement through your comments and emails.

From all us Byls…

See you all in the New Year!

Take care, and God Bless!

Hey peeps!

Well after several emails asking for this Rocky Road recipe, here it is. It does come with a warning though….. BEWARE! Highly addictive! I make sure i only make it at Christmas time so it is a treat and something we look forward to….

Ingredients:

2 pks Nestle Milk melts

1 pk pascalls marshmallows

1 pk Allens rasberries

250gms unsalted peanuts

Method:

Get a large lamington tray, and lay in the peanuts, marshmallows, and raspberries over the base. Melt your chocolate buds in the microwave. Pour the melted chocolate over the other ingredients. You will need a spatula to spread the melted chocolate until all the nuts, marshmallows, and raspberries are al covered with chocolate. Refrigerate until set. Remove from pan and cut into inch size bite pieces. Nestle melts are definitely the best! Best kept in the fridge…

ENJOY!

Hey there peeps,

Yes you read right, Inkspirations is hosting it’s very first BLOG TOUR and we want you to play along and join in the fun!

WHEN: Friday 17th December 2010

WHERE: Inkspirations Challenges Website to begin and then many other fun places along the way!

Would you like to play along?

The Blog Tour will display all sorts of 3D Christmas gift ideas, and we would love to see what you have been making this year for you all your Christmas cheer, gift and surprises.

If you would like to play along and have everyone come and see what you have been up to on your blog, please email Me (Makeesha) at rmbyl@optusnet.com.au  by Monday 13th December 4pm (est) and I will add you to the Blog Tour list….You will then be given a confirmation and the following link after your blog!

We can’t wait for this fun event and look forward to you joining in on all the fun!