The End. (of the tail shaft).

Well I promised to let everyone know what the outcome of the tail shaft was! So here is the damage report. It wasn't nearly anywhere as bad as we had anticipated it could have been. We were prepared for 4-5 hundred just to get a replacement tail shaft and then extra to have it cut and shut and balanced so it would fit in our car. As I said previously, our wonderful mechanic, Graeme from Lardner Mechanical, found a replacement that just dropped right in. We still didn't know what to expect price wise, and I was to afraid to ask him. Well I got the account this week. That bottom line was that the tail shaft only cost $150 plus labor costs. Talk about a huge sigh of relief and weight of the pocket.

Health wise for me; I need to have my gallbladder removed, no question there. The only decision to be made was, do I go public or private? West Gippsland Hospital Warragul would be the choice of local public hospital. Actually its really the only local public hospital fo 50 k, so that's a no brainer. The other option was going private, into the Epworth at Richmond in Melbourne. I could have it done as soon as I wanted to. Only problem there was cost. I was assured by the surgeons secretary that he had no extra costs above what my private health insurance would pay and the only question she couldn't answer was what the anesthetists costs would be? Apparently they don't mind charging over the scheduled fees. Go Figure. No offensive to our friend Graeme the anesthetist. (different from the mechanic). The bottom line came down to the fact that by the time we saved enough for the difference in the scheduled fee, the bed payment, and the amount we agreed to pay our health insurance ( to save premium), I would almost be due on the public waiting list. So wait I will and go public I shall. Hmmm ( sorry Yoda). Hopefully the deed will be done by Christmas.

I have decided to take two weeks Holiday in October, and Robert and I will go up to Howlong to visit my very funny cousin Jenny and her brood. Should be a ball. Hopefully this time Jenny won't draw diagrams in permanent pen on the nice wooden BBQ preparation area. I don't know how I will control her though. She comes undone a little sometimes after a few wines. I am really looking forward to the visit, and so is Robert.

So how i the rest of the family I might here you ask! Anita is still struggling to get over a long lasting cold. It has plagued her for weeks now. She is getting better slowly, but her body is taking its time about it. Amy I believe is still struggling to come to terms with the fact the she needs to study from home, and needs to focus on her school work and less on her friends or outside activities. Its all about balance, but from a 17 y.o. perspective why can't they have it all?

Katrina has started a part time Job at the warehouse. She has only done a few shifts, but I think she likes it. She certainly likes the money she gets paid. She is off on a school excursion to the snow this Monday the 25th August. She has her wall sits up to 4 minutes, so hopefully her knees and legs will hold out. That means she sits with her back against the wall pretending she has a chair under her, and it is supposed to help her last longer on the ski fields.

And Robert. What can I say. He's my boy and I love him. But he can be so frustrating at times. A few days ago he crossed his arms and defied his teacher, refusing to co-operate with her requests. Absolutely nothing like his father was at school. The most defiant I ever got at school was the day I left school to start work. I walked past the class I was supposed to be in and ignored the teacher when she called out to me. The trials of parenthood. (I know I ain't seen nothin' yet!) But as they say where there is life, there is hope.