h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well........ actually we are trying for another baby at the moment (for 5 months now) but havent had any luck so far Oh well I dont mind trying though What I found funny was that before Jordan was born Tom (Mr Zeitgeist) was talking about having 3 kids , soon after she was born he disided that one was quite enough and that he didnt want any more and now he wants another baby . I wish he would make up his mind.........
Eala

Welcome home Sho.

Catch you very soon...

Well, Eala. Just remind him about sleepless nights and smelly nappies and then multiply it by two! (Heh, heh!) If that doesn't put him off, then he's obviously very determined!

And don't forget having a jealous daughter who takes up more time than a baby - and since Mum is very busy doing all the stuff dads can't do he's solely responsible for entertaining her.....
But I do have to say (despite spending every weekend screaming myself hoarse telling them to stop fighting) that 2 is better than one. Especially when they're both in bed (asleep) and I'm enjoying feet up, coffee, chunky kit-kat (my new addiction which I can't fight off) and a bit of tv. Bliss!

mmmmmm..... chunky kit kat..........mmmmmmm.... cuppa tea........ by the time Jordan gets to bed all I want to do is go to bed myself

Ah... there speaks a woman who has never eaten a chunky kit-kat!!

Sorry Gwennie, I tried being Vegan. It lasted until my first evening: chunky kit-kat time and I caved in. One thing at a time, eh? I've only ben veggie for 12 years, after all.

Aw, that's okay! Kit-Kats used to be one of my favourites, so I quite understand. Did you hear the news, a couple of weeks ago, that Nestle was thinking of closing it's factory here in the UK and relocating to Germany which will then be inundated with Kit-Kats? I think it's related to the high £ and labour costs.

Do you want the diet pills now, or after you've gained two stones in weight?

Diet pills now, please, and lots of 'em. I have put on halfastone per child - which is silly since I only put on 13kg in my 2 pregnancies combined. (nothing to do with Kit-Kats at all!)

I'm starting a petition for Nestlé to keep the factory in UK, because otherwise KKs will be made with European Milk Chocolate and not the so-called sub-standard (but yummy) British version. Or maybe I won't and then Chunky KKs will be a fond memory, but my hips and boobs won't expand any more (which will be a sorry blow to bra manufacturers)

We're getting 2 kittens soon. We took the girls to see them the other day. 2 tabbies and 1 black one (already found a home for that one). Saskia has been talking about them non-stop, interspersed now and again with "Grandma and Big G are coming to see Eveline for her birthday. And for me too. Yippeee" (Big G is my grandad) We have that for another 10 days, I hope I can hold out

Kids are such fun when they're excited about something. Have you thought of names for the kittens yet or is Saskia choosing some names? Come to that, have the kittens been sexed yet? Is your Grandad going to be staying with you?

Saskia wants to call the kittens Saskia and Eveline. Or Tigger and Kanga. Or Tigger and Tigger. Tigger I won't allow, because I had a tabby Tigger when I was a kid, and there can be only one (for me). I think we might go with Pesky (Saskia's pet-name when she was a bump - I call her Chickpea now) and Minxy (Eveline's pet-name now). Or maybe not. I'll have to ask them again when we actually get the little beasts. The cats, I mean, not the kids (they're both female) Actually it's quite good, they're housetrained already, now I just have to train Eveline not to think that the poo-box is an indoor sandpit.

My mum and grandad have decided to stay in a local hotel. So they don't inconvenience us (small place). I think it will be better, because at least they can withdraw for some peace & quiet (I might join them!) My Grandad is really excited about coming over again, he loves kids, especially girls - and I'm his favourite of the whole family - so it should be good for all of us. Might be our last chance to see him, tho.

You lot getting away on holiday at all?

BTW: have you ever heard of Henderson's Relish (aka Yorkshire Relish)? comes from Sheffield and is a much better alternative to Worstershire sauce (also suitable for vegetarians, which is good)

No, not heard of Henderson's Relish but will keep any eye out for it now.

Why may this the the last time you see your Grandad? Is it due to his age or is he ill?

Generally you can only Henderson's Relish in Sheffield (and some way out parts of Australia) but it is great stuff. A great alternative to vinegar on chips. And if you ate bread & dripping (which, obviously, you don't) it's great if you put it on the bread first. And in soups & stews & pies (especially "shepherd's" pie) it tastes.... oh I'm hungry now

My grandad is ill. He didn't tell anyone for ages and ages. Then he went into hospital because he collapsed. I was going to list his ailments, but I don't want to depress you. He's an old man and he's not a well bunny, so I always think every time I see him it will be the last. Don't know what I'll do without him... still, that's Life.

Sorry about your Grandad.

I lost both my maternal Grandparents over 15 years ago and still miss them (they used to look after me during the school holidays as my mother was working full time). One thing that I sometimes wish, is for them to have met John and the kids. Don't leave anything unsaid to your Grandad about how you feel about him, because you'll kick yourself when it's too late (I know from experience).

I hope you all have a wonderful time during his visit.

Henderson's Relish,
Can't say that I've heard of it,
I'll have a look though.

*wonders* is Melbourne,
"Way out" enough to stock this,
Magical relish?

I'm sorry to hear,
That your grandad is unwell,
Send my best wishes.

It's sad when people,
Who are close to you get sick,
I guess it's just life.

"Life. Don't talk to me,
About life" quoted from a,
Paranoid android.

Zeitgeist.

I've, just recently, started getting into these really deep conversations with my Mum via e-mail (we hardly ever talk about this stuff, we just end up bawling) which have got worse since that awful thing with little Sarah Payne. (see, I'm filling up now) so we decided not to leave anything unsaid.
My Grandad is the dour Yorkshire type. I spent a lot of time with him and my grandma as a teenager (boarding school sometimes let us out for the weekend, and it was to them I went when I was expelled) when my parents were in Germany. My grandma died in 1988, and the Army was (for a change) really cooperative about getting me to the funeral etc. He just likes to sit quietly reading the paper in the corner while we just get on with normal everyday things, he hates us to make a fuss or do anything extra because he's there. Which is good in a way. I'm going to miss him, but I'm hoping for another 20 years out of the old boot!
Henderson's Relish (www.hendersons-relish.co.uk) is sold (probably in Sydney) for ex-pat Sheffielders - I think you have to show your birth certificate before you're allowed to buy some of the precious liquid!! Their website is worth a visit for the (2 at the moment) customers' letters.
Sorry - that was a downer of a message. But, hey, I feel much better now. Thanks for lending me your ears!!!!

*Replaces her ears*

Hey! That's fine. After all, what are freinds otherwise for?

So, are you up to anything interesting this week? I just have the usual list of chores and looking after the kids. Oh, and an interview tomorrow with the Citizen's Advice Bureau for that post as a volunteer admin. assistant. Gosh, what if they don't want me????

Wow, hope you get it (if you want it). Do you get any sort of renumeration for these volunteer posts? or just brownie points for we Atheists' form of heaven? And: of course they'll want you. Tell them I said that the job's yours if you want it. You'll be good at that.

This week I have to.... well work really. And ironing (I have no blouses left and Mick won't touch them). And... well nothing. We're going out for a cycle when I get home (about 6.15pm usually) even if it's raining. We have to, or else we'll all die of no fresh air. And that's it. Boring bunch aren't we?

About Atheists. Actually I was toying with the idea of going to our local baptist church (run by Americans for the people on the base, but everyone can go) and asking them to explain it all to me. But now I have finally decided that there isn't any point. But this is a discussion for e-mail. So I definately will e-mail you later.

I'll look forward to the Email!

I've had my interview with the CAB and I start in September, when the kids return to school. It's a purely voluntary post although they'll cover my petrol expenses, send me on training courses and also asked if I'd consider training as an adviser at a later date. Also, they said that it's quite common for their volunteers to progress to paid employment within the service.

Oh, and I skipped wearing a skirt for the interview because the weather was too cold. I compromised and wore trousers instead, so I still got to wear my boots!

Yaayy!!! Well done that woman

I have to say that I think you'd be a good adviser. Does this mean that you will give up the Red Cross? How many hours a week will you do? What about school holidays?? (my middle name is Question, if you hadn't guessed)
When I was going for interviews (and I had plenty) I had 3 outfits. The first was orange & black checked trousers (!) with black t-shirt and jacket. Depending on the weather I wore boots/shoes. I called the trousers my lucky trousers (even though they only got me one job!) That's typical German female interview attire. The women here (my age) almost never wear skirts - although it's creeping in with the young uns. if I ever got invited back for a 2nd interview it was a bit of a problem, but usually black skirt & blouse & some kind of jacked. Yuk. We wear smartish casual clothes here unless customers come to visit. Then it's back to the lucky trousers!
Hope you polished your boots

Thanks!

No, I won't give up working in the Red Cross shop as I enjoy it too much and would feel terribly guilty as the manageress wrote me a glowing reference.

I'll probably work Tuesday and/or Wednesday and will be expected to do a minimum of six hours per week. The CAB realise that working during school holidays will be a problem for me, especially with Christopher's autism and John's illness.

How DID you know I polished my boots? Actually, I cheated and used a liquid polish that doesn't need buffing. I have a thing about my boots being polished. Anyone would think I'd been in the army or something! Actually, it's due to my father, who used to have all our shoes lined up and polished, ready to wear, every morning.