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

Bought cards rarely have the style or sentiment I want for close friends and family, although they seem to be what others expect and relate to (so they get them!) One of the best I ever found was a card for my sister saying "Hope your birthday is as nice as you are" - which was just perfect, 'cos she isn't...

I tend to pick up blank 'arty' cards whenever I see one that catches my eye, so I have a drawerful to pick from - much easier...

My grandmother, on the other hand, is great believer in public sentimentality, and buys in to every bit of commercialism. If she can find a card printed with 'Happy Christmas to a dear youngest grandaughter, her husband and their daughter' hten she will buy it, whatever the picture. She also goes throught he ghastly verses and underlines the most 'meaningful' words. She thinks this means more than writing your own sentiments...

very

"What annoys me today is that I forgot to phone Mother yesterday. Well, I remembered a number of times but just when I couldn't (cooking dinner, about to shower or times I knew she'd be busy herself) and forgot when the timing would have been right. Better phone her tonight."

Aaargh I wasn't the only one then - spent all of yesterday thinking must phone mum - oh no whe'll be at church til 12, then she'll be round at my grandma's for the afternoon I'll phone in the evening. The evening comes and I'm running round trying to cook tea and get hubby to finish an application form because I'm an hour behind and we really *had* to be in bed by 9:30pm or this morning (at what my body says is 4:30am) when the alarm went I wouldn't have been human

So which idiot is responsible for changing the clocks on mothering sunday?? What a crappy decision