She's Coming Home!

Well I'm 99.9% sure anyway.  I rang the legal advice hotline this morning and was told a solicitor would call me back within three days.  That's okay it's a free service and there are many people with more pressing legal issues than ours are.  So I rang the courthouse in Wagga and the clerk was very unhelpful and couldn't tell me anything.  What I was trying to ascertain was if an AVO was ever taken out against Emily for me.  The police indicated that there was.  If there was I needed to find out what the terms were and if I could have it amended so we could bring Emily home.  So I rang the police here and while the constable knew me (they ALL know us!) he isn't the one who is handling the case (ie the attending officer on the night) and couldn't really tell me anything either and suggested I go to the courthouse here.  Now wouldn't you think, if the police had issued an AVO it would be on their records?  It was getting stranger and stranger.  So after a lengthy wait at the courthouse Shirty, the Slightly Aggressive Court Clerk bumbled about and got exasperated with me and finally told me that no AVO was recorded in my name.   What?  Either the police lied to us (again) or they are just incompetent.  I came home and considered things and talked to Phill on the phone.  If the AVO was just overlooked by the policeman, me ringing him to talk about it might prompt him to put one on.  But Emily never threatened me (this time) only Kate.  I never received any paperwork while Kate did soon after.  Later the legal assistance solicitor rang (we are so lucky to have that service) and explained what probably happened and it finally all makes sense.  The AVO was taken out for Kate, but also included anyone who lived with her.  And since she is now back home it is pretty well irrelevant.  Also it pertains to the old address not this one.  Emily rang to say they went to the courthouse in Albury this afternoon and got copies of the AVO.  So as long as there is nothing in there that can stop her, she will be coming home with us on Sunday.  And it's time.  Emily is finally sounding repentant and accepting responsibility for what she did.  She appears to have grown up a bit and is talking sensibly and even claims she wants to go back to school saying that the nasty kids at school aren't going to stop her getting an education.  Whether this is even possible is something we will have to discuss with the school but it's a good start.  This is the first time in ages that I can finally dare to believe that things are going to be okay, for her and for our family.  I have also noticed that Emily is asking about OUR feelings and how WE are instead of just going on about how hard done by she is. 
We need to get some therapy in place for her, some medical tests planned and some strict house rules worked out and put into place.
I was angry when I made my last post, but I probably should be grateful to them down there for taking care of her.  But now she needs to be home.  She still of course needs to attend court next month, and she knows what will happen if she stuffs up again.  The night in juvenile detention (they handcuffed her for a short time, but I think there was a method to their madness) really made her realise what could happen if she continued down the path she was on.  Maybe everyone knew what they were doing all along, perhaps it was all about deterrents.  I don't know, but I'm not sorry it happened.  Something HAD to happen, and if this shakes her up and gets her back on track it was worth all the pain and stress.  I love my daughter and it will be so good to hold her again and have our family intact.
I got my address changed on my license, and rang Centrelink and changed it there, bought a suitcase for our trip, Emily has our big one, and a lamp for her bedside table.  Got some groceries including this.

Cute kitchen scales to match my new kitchen.  My old one had seen better days and got thrown away when I packed.

I had to run down to the RTA again to get a new numberplate for the boat trailer so that is all taken care of. 

And after many months of fighting between the union and the company Phill and his colleagues will finally get the back pay they are owed.  $20,000 all up, I wish they would pay it in a lump, we could get a second car but they're giving it to them in instalments.  At least they're getting it.

So it would seem everything is working out.  And we get our pay tv connected tomorrow!  We've missed it especially since it's school holidays.  Josh and I have been sitting here mesmerised by a Magic Bullet infomercial. (He wants one).

It's freezing cold and raining.

The Wintry vista from my front door looking east.

Josh this afternoon enjoying being warm and comfy indoors.

Just the two of us tonight, Josh is going to make his favourite Salmon Quiche and I am going to do a little beef stroganoff or perhaps just steak and mushrooms with vegies.

Last night I made a meatloaf and added puree cauli and broccoli and grated carrot so Josh got his vegies.  I really need to get creative in other ways to get vegies into the kids.