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

I am a 41 year old mother of 3. 2 boys and 1 girl. My eldest son wil be 18 this year, so I am busy saving for a special present (probably be money in the end) - any suggestions what to get for a lad on his 18th birthday would be appreciated. His birthday isnt until September 11th so a while to save yet thankfully

My other son is 14 in February and he will no doubt want the latest computer gadget. He is mad on xbox live and took part in the XL.com tournament at the NEC in Birmingham in November. I got dragged into accompanying him and rather enjoyed it (the shopping is fantastic and it coincided with the German Market)... Cost me £1000 for accommodation and food etc for just 2 nights...wont be doing that again in a hurry no matter how well he does...

Then my dear litle darling daughter (most of the time) she will be 12 in May and can wind daddy round her little finger...

In addition to my children (although they are not really children anymore) I always have at least 2 hamsters in my house...at the moment we have twinkle and Pogle...both very affectionate little things...I am running out of space to bury them though...mind you my OH keeps laying turf on top of them and we have a fox intent on digging them up all the time!

Happy New Year everyone...

Hi JFC,
Just want to wish you luck with your dad and his operation today. I sympathise with him and know all too well the burdens that come with loss of vision. I lost most of the vision in my left eye two years ago due to fibrosis of the macular..also called a macular pucker..I was operated on by the best surgeon in Amsterdam in a two hour operation which was done by micro surgery, so no stitches. He managed to give me back some vision but could do nothing for the distortion which I will have to put up with for the rest of my life. It makes walking on the street so awkward because I can't see straight lines. However, following the operation I developed a cataract which is a complication of the op. This can be removed but will result in the 100% distortion occurring again. Don't know which is worse, little vision or hellish distortion. However, thankfully I still have vision in one eye, so shouldn't moan, but it was certainly a life changing happening. Nothing near as bad as what your dad has, so I wish him and you the best of luck. I have left you this message here as I don't like going into too much detail on the MB..All the best to you, Julie.Honeycook

Hi Julie

I am sorry to hear of the problems you have sufferred with your vision. The Amsterdam treatment sounds excellent. Its a shame we dont have that sort of thing available in the UK. Thank you for your kind words about my dad. He is battling with his discomfort very well and hardly complains but I think one of his bigger hurdles is the red tape he has to overcome for every tiny improvement in his care.

Good luck with your cataract op. Is it being done in the UK?

Love

Jennyx

Just read your post, what a shame for this further delay. Hope it all works out for the best. If and when I get the courage up to have the cataract removed it will be done here in Holland. Unfortuanately not by the renowned Professor, he only tends to challenging and difficult ops. However my regular eye doctor seems to okay and he has told me the minute it becomes unbearable just to ring him up and he will operate immediately. Thing is I am scared of going under and there is no way I will stay awake for it. However, no doubt one of these days I will pluck up the courage and go for it. Think I will wait for the winter though as it is a drag having to wear a cap over the eye and avoid sunshine. So, we will see. In theory it's amazing how we learn to cope with things. Only had to change the furniture around in my living room to stop me banging into things on the left..Ha Ha..and don't ask what it's like having to drain boiling spaghetti water !!!
Best wishes and don't worry too much about your dad..Julie