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

"Tiswas"....a state of pleasant confusion, or something like that.
(Difficult to accurately describe the term, it originates from God knows where)
Seem to remember a kids TV show of that name, (or possibly Tizwaz)..a chaotic sort of programme, with all sorts of mayhem happening.

Wish I`d never brought it up, now..

Oh! Tiswas! I think I live there all of the time now ...

( and for you dear!)

Hullo sweetie! How are you luv?

I've been busier than a beaver in damn-building season!

First there was tons of work, then no work and tons of household chores, then more work, then more household chores, then more work, chores, work, chores... you get the picture! Tomorrow I have some rush jobs to do for clients, then Thurs. morning it's parent-teacher conferences with Caitlin's teachers (she got an A, B, C, D, D, F & another F! The A is in gym, a B in English and a C in math. And she tests higher in Math than 90% of the kids in the country!) Of course she got the progress report on Friday, but chose not to show it to me until 5 minutes before she had to catch the school bus on Monday morning. I would have killed her - but they probably frown on that! Anyway, it's mid-trimester grades, so she has another 6 weeks to bring them up before the end of the 1st trimester. I'm at my wits end. She's a good kid, likes school, has friends, but she just can't get the hang of handing her homework in this year. She does it (at least partially) but she can't seem to get it into the classroom to hand in, or she hands it in late, or she forgets to do part of it. AARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH! And she tests high in everything, so I know it's not because she's stupid!

Of course she's gotten A's on everything since that progress report came out... what do you make of that? One of the teachers has her in two classes. Caitlin is making an B in the one class and an F in the other. I'm sure that teacher is just as confused as I am. They want me to bring her with me to the parent-teacher conference. Should be interesting.

In the meantime I've been swamped at the Renaissance Festival (Renfest for short) on the weekends, we've had company in town (my aunt and uncle) and repairs to the house caused by the summer long draught that we have been getting estimates on. (our fireplace chimney has huge cracks in it, and the middle section has slid out about 2 inches and looks like it might come down at any time!)

To say the least I have not had any gumption to write anything of any length to anyone except where I have to. I don't check my home emails very often - I hope everything is good with you and your family. I think of you often...

I'm off to bed now luv - and

`Lo Michele

Haven`t you been a busy girl? From what I`ve been able to see, you`ve been paying a quick visit to Hootoo a couple of hours before I`ve got up! Which means you`ve had a few late nights

Young Caitlin seems to have you pulling your hair out.The ability is obviously there, but getting her to *produce the goods* when she needs to, seems to be the problem. Very frustrating.
The PT conference would appear to offer the best chance to get to grips with it. Talking it through with her teachers, all of you together, should help you to perhaps get the message across, at least it won`t be just another lecture from Mom, you know, listened to and promptly forgotten. I hope you get sufficient time with the staff so that you can get it all out in the open.
If only there was a way to make our offspring understand that time wasted now, makes for harder work later. But of course, they know better, don`t they? I wish you well with your efforts

Things here getting back to normal, I hope.
The latest back injury has been a bloody pain in the a**e.(Or pehaps I should say..back) Could hardly move at all for over a week, was on super duper pain killers, anti-inflammatory type tablets, and Valium.
A right cocktail
Gradually improved over the next two weeks, and now I`m approaching as good as it`s likely to get. Even managed a game of golf yesterday,although veeeeeeery carefully.
Other than that, or more correctly, because of that, we haven`t done a great deal lately. Been on h2g2 very little, and when I have it`s been a case of reading articles, with not much posting. Turning into a proper Lurker, these days. Oh, and fiddling about with my U page from time to time, for want of something better to do!!

Hope you`ve stopped the house falling down before the bad weather arrives...can`t have you in a tent over Christmas, wouldn`t be proper!

Talk to you soon luv

Hiya Lurcher sweetie!

We had the fireplace repaired and "tuckpointed" (whatever that means!) and a crack in the foundation repaired where water can get into our basement.

Have been busy lately, but I still feel really "burnt out". You know - sometimes the fact that I'm working for myself absolutely terrifies me, then I start hyperventillating, and break out into hives.

I'm such a "fun" date - aren't I?

And the cruise was no "vacation" at all! It was a lot of fun, but it was "run, run, run" all of the time! I need a vacation where I can just sleep for a month, or lay on a beach reading a book with nowhere that I have to be, and no "planned" activities...

I need a life... well - let's say a different life than the one I have now!

Ullo darlin`

Well, that`s the house safe

You could, I suppose, start looking for *paid Employment* again, if you really are worrying about living at the sharp end.

I think I said, way back, that it`s no picnic, working for yourself, but the rewards can be worth it.
I had no choice, but it`s not for everyone.

Relax over Christmas, really relax, then see how you feel in the New Year.

And good luck...

Thanks Lurcher my sweet!

You always make me feel better!

Wow! I can't believe that's it been almost a year since I've posted here...

Well, I guess it's time for a "state of the union" update:

My business sucks. As in - I have hardly any work to do at the moment. I worry constantly about money. I am reading the paper, trying to find part-time, full-time or any work at all (besides McDonalds) to do until I can get some more clients. I'm calling companies out of the phone book, looking up businesses on the internet in hope to generate more business... I cry myself to sleep almost every night for the past couple of weeks because I'm so worried about money.

Ah well, that's life I guess isn't it?

Nice to hear from you luv, though I would have wished for a happier update.
I have to get my thoughts together, and not just give you a mouthful of platitudes.
Bear with me..I`ll get back to you soon.

Having read your poem in the Christmas entry, well, that gave me a fair idea of how things were.
Choosing the path you did, starting out with such high hopes, and a year down the line with little but worry and anxiety to show for it.
I know exactly how you feel, I`ve been there.
Why me, what do I do now? What CAN I do now..the questions jostle with each other for prime position.
Practically, you are doing everything you can, looking for clients,at the same time searching for something, anything, to keep you going financially.
Money isn`t everything, they say. When you`ve got enough to get by, of course it isn`t. But when you haven`t, it seems to dominate every quiet moment.
All I can say Michele, is that you just have to keep grinding it out.
In my worst moments, I`ll admit that someone saying that to me would have got a mouthful back.
But, there`s no other way. And one thing I`ve become totally convinced of, is that SOMETHING will turn up. It always does. It did for me, it will for you. But you must hang in there.
If you have even the tiniest scrap of deserving bone in your body, things will get better.
Believe me, I DO know what I`m talking about, you`ll be OK.

Thanks Luv!

Its just that, I was in dire financial straights when I left Caitlin's father (just before her first birthday). That first several years I worked two and three jobs, having to leave her with babysitters all day from the age of 6 weeks old, picking her up and then leaving her with my mother or sister while I went to another job in the evening to make ends meet. But I got on my feet, and kept getting promotions, etc. I now have an excellent credit rating and I find the idea of losing that, of slipping back, of "starting all over again" more difficult than it was the first time I dealt with it.

But I should quit whining. I have a good friend who was just diagnosed with pancreas cancer and was given 4-8 months to live. Here he thought he had the flu for the past two weeks. His family is in shock. He has a daughter in her first year of college and a daughter 14 (my daughter's age). So, really I should be thankful. Monetary problems you can eventually work out, however the loss of one of your family members is quite devistating.

Thank you for your words of wisdom though. They mean a lot to me, and deep down I know things will work out. It's just until then I'll probably worry myself into an ulcer...

My best wishes to you and your nearest and dearest, Michele.
Here`s hoping all works out well for you in the New Year.

Have a very happy Christmas, luv.

Thank you dear! The same to you and yours!