The Wall Fell Down

Earlier this month we received word that a section of the large retaining wall behind the house at Lakes Entrance had collapsed. I posted about this possibility on 3 Aug after our return from our trip during the big rain in July.

Nothing has been done yet by way of repair, fortunately it's not my responsibility. It will be a complicated and costly project. Just thought I'd mention it before going to bed.

Solar Nightmare, Health Update

My friend Hannah was in a panic today when I called in today to pick rocket, pansies and Chinese lantern flowers. She'd rung her electricity supply company AGL to ask if the paper work had come through from the installers (the same firm that did ours). It hadn't, nor had her application for premium rate buy back contract. All this has to be in by 3o Sep we have discovered or you miss out. Without the premium rate buy back there's no point to go to the expense of fitting solar panels. The installers told her they'd faxed the forms but suggested she ring them to confirm they'd been received.

The fault on our system was corrected last Friday, and we believe was inspected later the same day. The installers rang me this morning saying they had received the certificate and had faxed it through to our supplier, Origin. They suggested I ring Origin, and SP Ausnet, tomorrow morning, to confirm all the necessary forms have been received. I was inclined to ring this afternoon but was too busy and thought it was probably OK to give them 24 hours to sort themselves anyway. Let me say I'm very nervous about this as we have spent close to $5000 on this system.

On a brighter note, Gord is making good recovery from his hernia op which was done nearly two weeks ago. He was told he couldn't lift anything for four weeks, and is to see his surgeon on Thursday.

Jod has had a difficult recovery from his mouth op and has been in great pain and distress. His face face blew up on the weekend, he had ultrasound today, he has infected blocked saliva gland and is now on double strength antibiotics.

Lib's mum molly has had a dose of shingles, most unfortunate for a 92 yr old who is frail and somewhat incapacitated normally. She has been admitted to hospital today. Lib's sister Pat had been staying with her as she is in no condition to look after herself, but if Moll couldn't get a bed in hospital Lib probably would have had to leave work for a few days and go to Wang as Pat has to return to Bendigo.

Brookers Not Quite

Gembrook-Cockatoo were valiant in defeat on Saturday in the YMDFL grand final against Upwey-Tecoma at the Healesville sports complex. In a spirited contest they were a couple goals down at the final siren, making them runners up two years in a row.

I'm not one who says winning is everything. The great thing is competing and giving your best effort. There's a geat Teddy Roosevelt quote I have had stuck inside a cupboard door in in our laundry for probably 20 years, which I won't go check now for fear of disturbing Lib's chickens which still are housed there at night. It talks of admiration for those brave souls who strive for victory yet come up short after having given their all, and of repugnance for their critics in defeat who are themselves too timid to enter the contest.

Lib Gordon and I packed a picnic lunch of salami and salad rolls and found a good viewing spot on what was pleasant sunny day with at times a gusty wind that carried a bit of chill. The downside of the day, besides the result, was the ridiculously loud music played over the PA pre game and at breaks. It was enough to make me want to go home a few times.

Gord took the car keys at half time and went to get a score from the Eagles Geelong game at half time, returning during the third quarter. At three quarter time with the Brookers trailing by 2 points and in with a big chance, I went out to the 3/4 time huddle to hear the coach and soak up a bit of the emotion building in expectation of a rousing last quarter. When I returned Lib told me Gord had lost the car keys, he knew not where, so he and I went off to retrace his course, which he had done already.

We couldn't find them. I went to the kiosk and the bar and asked if someone had handed in a set of car keys. No. I thought I should try the other bar over near where Gord had said he went to the toilet, and on the way look for a Gembrook person to get a lift back with to get the spare keys from home. Yes, the barman said there were keys handed in, he gave them to 'a league bloke'. They wear league jackets. I found one, he didn't have them, but said he'd go and find out who did. I said I'd wait where I was, behind the goals. He was back in five minutes with the keys much to my relief.

When I returned to Lib and Gord they were ready to go home so we left just as the game was finishing. The anthem of the Upwey Tigers was blasting over the PA, the same theme song as the AFL Richmond Tigers. Lib asked me what would be playing had Gembrook won, to which I answered I had no idea. I've since asked around and still don't know.

Lib and I agreed it was a pity about the loud music. We also also found the medal presentations to the winning players of the reserves GF and the netballers before the main game tedious, and the line up of the senior teams before the game to the playing of the national anthem. I mean what the hell for, it seems copy cat to me. I prefer good old country footy atmosphere with the traditional crowd noise and expectation. Spare me the entertainment and pomp.

One Down One To Go

Jod had his operation last Monday to remove the growth on his gum. It was quite an ordeal, not for me but for Jod, and Elvie and Meredith who have helped him with their moral support and with organizing. Gord and Rob drove him to hospital in the morning and picked him up also as I was at a meeting late that afternoon when the hospital rang.

The growth was thought to be precancerous, but the biopsy the week or so before revealed a few cancer cells apparently. The surgeon said the op was an enormous success, they removed all the growth with no complication and there should be no problems in future. Jod is supposed to be giving up smoking and he's trying very hard but still having a few I think.

Gord goes in for his hernia op tomorrow after a 3 month wait. I have to have him at Monash Medical centre at 6.45 am so the alarm will be set for 5.00am.

I had wanted to post about Marrianne Summers' beehive which I picked up at Officer last Friday evening and moved to Gembrook, but I'd better hit the sack and write that up next time.

The solar panels aren't hooked up yet to the grid. An inspector came and found a couple of wires wrong so the electrician has to come back then the inspector again, and we still need a new fancy metre that can go backwards. I'm starting to get a bit anxious. We've paid up, but nothing's working yet.
(Believe it or not the inpector's name was CARL AXEL NOBELIUS, which will only mean something to those familiar with Nobelius Park)

On AFL football, my association with it is over. I will not be buying a club membership in future and will never pay at the gate to see another game. Melbourne losing our priority draft pick to GWS which is an AFL creation working on AFL money to burn goes beyond all reason and is my tipping point. The AFL is a vile organization.

Prayers for Gord tomorrow, it's his fourth hernia op in his nearly 26 years.