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

all the best for 2011

I'm not here much anymore as I have lots of stuff going on in RL. But hey, you only get one life, and I am enjoying mine for a change, instead of being at everyone else's beck and call.

Still no baby news, but I'll let you know as soon as I do, one way or another. (I'll probably text lil if I'm over at Gordon's)

In the meantime, be good to each other and yourself. Most importantly I wish you all good health and some fun times, makes life worth living. I'm thinking about those who have lost people this year, and those who aren't happy with their lives Do something to make it better, my new year's resolution last NYE was to get out more and find a partner. how was that and what a transformation. I look in the mirror now and don't recognise myself, I'm actually happy

All the best and from Annie/GB, Gordon & family

we've all got a 2011 eachthanks

Thank you GB. Same to you and your's; and everyone else on here. xx

Right back at ya, GB.

May we all have an excellent 2011.

I'm so glad it was a happy last year for you - may this next one be even better

Thanks Galaxy Babe, have a lovely New Year. I am taking 2011 as a new start and I intend to make the best of it.

Just had a surprise knock at the door. Thinking it was the milkman I opened it to find youngest son, laden with champagne and goodies had come to spend New Year's Eve with his Mum so I won't be slugging back the wine and Baileys on my own after all. I had planned to watch Cliff, but I guess that won't go down too well - wrong generation, but we'll see

GB< you have proved conclusively that we never know what is round the next corner, and should welcome every new day with gusto.

Happy New Year everyone, see you in 2011

Websailor

What wonderful news, I'm choked. You were uppermost in my thoughts when I wrote my journal Webby

Thanks everyoneandandall round. A murky grey drizzly day here but that's better than fog, snow and ice

That's lovely, WS.

Happy New Year to everyone here.

We were more than anticipated, too, because my daughter-in-law has a frantic phobia of fireworks. They met up here (Son No 1 had been away on a course till New Year's Eve, DIL was at her grandmother's) to leave for a raclettes party at a friend's. Son drove the car as near the front door as he could get it (people don't wait with the fireworks till midnight - they are going off all the time on New Year's Eve, so you get pops, bangs and explosions all day.... even while it's still light, so she tries to stay indoors as much as possible)

So she dashed out of the front door to jump in the car (all the time with her ipod in and turned up real loud, which is how we've got used to her on New Year's Eve). Five minutes later - I had gone back to watching telly and doing some ironing - they were back. She was sobbing furiously because she couldn't stand being in the car with all the bangs going on outside, despite noise-drowning ipod and not actually having to drive herself.

So we stayed in and watched some telly, ate our nice salmon meal (I'd got plenty in because I didn't know if we'd be 2, 4, 6 or 8 for dinner), and played a bit on their wii. DIL all the time with her ipod in her ears and for extra soundproofing with a huge pair of mickey mouse headphones over the top. (She turned down the offer of the ear protectors we use when operating the chainsaw, but perhaps we could find some pink fluffy ones for a Christmas present for her next year )

Thanks GB. We had a lovely night and I did get to see Cliff. He's the best, my son that is, I am so lucky. T'other son has produced the light of my life in my little granddaughter so I am doubly lucky.

Happy New Year and 'chin up' to anyone with 'absent friends' at this time of year

Websailor

Life is full of ups and downs, tremendous highs and lows. I never thought I'd get over losing my Dad the way he went, but this Christmas I was actually happy and it's only been 4 years. We still feel his absence and we had some tearful moments when I gave out some certain keyrings I'd had specially-made, to special family members (one of whom is still to receive). I'm looking forward to my baby girl's arrival on Tuesday as she'll be staying overnight, I've got all her favourite foods in

TC I don't know what to say about your D-I-L. I wonder how she'd fare living in a place where real bombs are going off but I guess you put up with family because they are better than no family at all. My own particular annoyance is my S-I-L who never lets go of her mobile phone, she is constantly texting and talking on it, even in company and at the dinner table, which I think is rude.

I'm glad to hear you had such a lovely time.

As for being afraid of fireworks: I once (many moons ago) went through Kiel with my sister, to meet friends. No bus was going, so we had to walk. At midnight, people poured out of the houses and started throqwing fireworks - at us. They didn't care! We walked in the middle of the street (and it was a broad one, with several lanes), so we were lucky amd weren't hit. I've hated and avoided fireworks ever since. I stay in. So, I do understand TC's d-i-l. I'm similar myself. I wouldn't feel safe in a car with fireworks going on all around me.

Happy (belated) New Year

In the UK we have something called the Firework Code. Fortunately it's not too difficult to decipher - number 7 tells us not to throw fireworks.

http://www.saferfireworks.com/firework_code/index.htm

I can't imagine why people do throw them - they're not designed for it at all.

and amazing they still have fingers

Same to you Icy, I hope you have a fruitful year

Oh, they weren't those nice sparkling things you have nowadays. They were Chinaböller. These are highly dangerous. In Kiel, one man lost his whole hand this year, another man lost two fingers (here in Hesse).

You *have* to throw them away if you don't want to lose fingers or the whole hand!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgG22YmSHRY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8dQzobJVcQ&feature=fvw

Right, off to collect my 1st houseguest of the year, my baby girl from the train station. Busy day, no time to chat, sorry!