Monday and Daring to Hope

We had our talk with the high school principal today.  Emily zoned out, I know she is sick but I could have slapped her.  This is her future, and the school has been more than accommodating with all of her shit.  I came close to just walking out but I didn't.  She will be 17 in March and it's time she took some responsibility for her education.  He told her to go home and think about her subject choices.  He rang us back later with an appointment to see one of the guidance counsellors (they call them something different now can't remember what) who both know Em and her history.  We found out also that the principal is retiring this year, which was a bit of a shock to all of us.  He's been principal since before we lived here years ago when Kate went to the school, and was one of the reasons we moved back here from Junee three years ago after the home schooling debacle.  It says a lot that both the kids were upset to hear the news.  I wish I could be more confident that Emily returning to school is going to work out for her.  I'm just not.  But I'm not going to let it make me crazy like before.  We can only support her to the best of our ability, the rest is up to her.
The baubles are gone, along with some other Christmas stuff that matters far less.  It's a real mystery but nothing to be done about it. 
Katy has started a "book club" with Josh.  She sent him a book today, that she loved and thought he would like too, he will read it, then they will discuss it over the phone, and we will send it back (she loves hanging on to her books like I do).  I think it's sweet that she is doing it for her little brother.  They are so much alike, and anything that gets him reading more has to be good.  She's a great role model for him, it's just a shame she and Emily can't seem to get along. 
Phill is going to work early tomorrow thank goodness so I can get the rest of the cleaning done.  The rental inspection should be interesting, I have quite a lot of things to point out to them that need attending to.  We were quite offended by the letter advising us of the inspection, saying they would be here between 9.30 and 3pm and if we weren't home they would let themselves in.  I don't think so.  I'm going to phone them in the morning and ask for a more specific time and tell them they cannot come into the house without us being here. 
Still sick but slowly getting better.
The people across the road put up their Christmas decorations.  A whole front yard full, and I mean full, of dodgy wooden cut out characters, one of whom is apparently Dora the Explorer.  It's an eyesore and we love Christmas stuff.  It just looks silly.  I want to take a photo of it but during the daylight hours there always seems to be someone out the front standing guard.  They did redeem themselves by putting up some very pretty lights but they turn them out really early for some reason.