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

Well, there is work, of course, as always. But that is running pretty smoothly these days - we even got praise from an auditor for doing it well.

And there is the h2g2c3 stuff. It's fun, but there is so much, and I always feel I should do more. Well, at least I'm doing proofreading, to the best of my ability.

But then there is also my friend, who has a herniated disc between vertebrae C6 and C7, up in her neck somewhere. She is in excruciating pain, since a month, and for weeks wasn't able to manage anything at all without help. In desperation she called, and asked me to contact my ex-husband to get information on how to get help. Her GP did sod all, to get her transferred to the right clinic... And I must say, I am so glad that my ex picked up the ball, said, Yes, she belongs at the neurosurgery clinic, and I will help. I am grateful.

But most important is that my dear daughter now has agreed to get help. We're not quite sure what the problem is, but she is failing at school, she has severe bouts of crying, anxiety attacs, and is stressed and distractable to the extreme, and also, feels unhappy. Of course, the ex has to agree to any treatment, he is her father after all, so we had a long talk and I managed to convince him that she wants this and needs help. And that professionals will help us find out what the problem is so that she gets the right kind of help. The ball has started rolling, and I hope it picks up speed soon.

On the side are minor things, like the headlight on the car pointing skywards and blinding other people on the road, summer tires need to get on and winter tires off, and perhaps the breaks are being funny too.

And my sweetheart is getting ready for a trip to his native Hawaii, via friends in New York, Denver and Seattle. He'll be away for six weeks. I want to spend more time with him, but there are so many things that need to be done... I'll go to him in just a little while.

There is more, but they say you can only hold so many things in your head at once, if you think of more than seven, the first one plops right out. Like both kids having semi-functional mobiles, their birthdays coming up, and dad turning 65, and his brother 70 (all of them in May) and grandma too, she turns... oh, is it 89? And oh yes, I forgot to call my sweet old friend Henriette on our birthday this weekend! I wonder how she is...

What do you think I forgot? I don't know...

That's more than enough things to balance in your head. I hope you're holding together OK.

Thank you for reminding me of dear Henriette! Please say Bonne Anniversaire from me when you get a chance to call her.

Life. Tough, isn't it? You just have to deal with the priority issues (as you are doing), and roll with the punches, and just keep swimming, to quote Dory in Finding Nemo. Hugs to your daughter from me too - tell her I remember the lovely star stickers she insisted you get for me

I did have a little leak of the tear ducts last night... I just wanted to say good night to Daughter, but she wanted to show different dresses and clothes (why? she disagrees with all my feedback anyway???) and then when I wanted to hug her, she said I held my arms all wrong and tried to teach me how to hug. I just couldn't take that, I was just sooooo tired, and got a little leaky...

But then I slept, and things are better today.

And tomorrow is Audition for Sweeney Todd! And I haven't practiced at all!!!

That sounds like typical teenager to me, Milla. Perhaps she has some boy trouble at the moment (hence the need to pay more attention to her appearance). She won't tell you, of course. Would you have told your Mum?

I hope you get a whopping great part in Sweeney Todd - not one where you are bumped off in the first Act!

Sorry to hear about all those troubles

Here's hoping for a brighter future for all involved