One of THOSE days....

Last Wednesday, it was our turn to strap in!

You know what I mean.

One of those days when the universe forgets to tell you that the day is going to be nowhere near expectations.

One of those days that the well thought through plans are not going to turn out.

One of those days where the roller coaster ride gets VERY exciting!

Late Tue evening we were informed the school was non-operational on Wed.

No school bus.

No Out Of School Hours (OOSH) childcare available.

No notice.

Catastrophic fire danger threat.

Wednesday was our first day of shearing and as a family business, our support team were set to work beside us. That meant we brought the kids to work with us.

We planned to finish shearing early so Joel and I could prepare for the Lockhart Shire Business Awards. Grandparents were on duty to ferry kids to after school activities and babysit.

Smoke in the distance, Fires Near Me App notification and an alert from the RFS changed those plans. The fire was on our neighbour's property and while the wind blew the flames away from our farm, its hard to describe the feeling.

Yes, I was so thankful that it did not head in our direction and burn our property. But that did not make it any better, someone else's loss is no less.

Not everyone has the privilege of living is a small rural town. They don't get to experience the incredible connection that comes with really knowing the people in your own community.

Everyone in town that had the Fires Near Me app knew the fire was close to us - actually multiple fires. I was overwhelmed with the unbelievable support that flooded our way in phone calls and messages offering safe places and any help needed.

To finish the day, I made the call that I was going to get to the awards night. Joel was still fighting the fire but the risk had reduced and both mum and dad, and the kids were all home again and safe.

Avalon Farmstay won Best Small Business in the Lockhart Shire Business Excellence Awards. I'm so glad I made the decision to get there and be part of the evening - albeit a little late.

Not the day I planned to have.

One VERY exciting roller coaster ride.

We made it to the end in one piece. Thankful.

Maybe the universe knew that it was better not to tell me what was coming....