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

So, what have I been up to over the past few years...

It is a long story....but basically, on dec31 2006 my husband told me he didn't want to be married any more packed the ute and left town. I was kinda gobsmacked!

Once I got over the shock, I realised I could do one of two things, I could stay and struggle to pay the mortgage, and try to find more work and wallow in self pity, becoming all bitter and twisted, and all that jazz.........

or I could sell the house, split what was left after debts paid and go travelling around Australia meeting friends from the internet.

I did the travel thingo, and spent the next 3 months going all over the place, and once in Canberra, I decided to stay there, I fell in love with the autumn colours.

I got a cosy flat and a wonderful job in a small supermarket. I meet up with Ivan several times, things were loverly .....about six months later I started talking with someone on the internet who lived in Perth, and over the space of of 5 months visited Perth 4 times, a girlfriend I had there offered to let me her spare room, and so I moved to Perth.

and now I have been here about 3 and 1/2 years.

I worked first in a swanky food and liqueur store, but the pay was rubbish, so I got a job in a hardware store, 'Bunnings' the biggest chain in oz/nz www.bunnings.com.au, I first did paint, then flooring then housewares, and now I am in replenishment (nightfiller) there. I really love my job.

so after all that has happened hubby did me a hooooooge favour, I am quite a different person now.

I am still with the man I meet on the internet, and I am happy with my flat and my life

so that's my life in a nutshell

and how are you and your lot all doing?

Hello sweetheart,

Yes, I know I should be in bed, but I've had so many late nights recently (working behind the scenes here) that I had to have an early night. Now it's 4.30am and I've wide awake!

Well, I lost track of you after you left Canberra. I'm glad to hear you have found happiness in Perth. Yes, I can relate to the huge favour of your ex.. Mine did the same, and after a number of years of it just being me and the girls I found a lovely man willing to cherish me and the girls - God! He is so patient! We have been married for 23 years now

You've had a very busy time during the last 3 and 1/2 years, and it's good to see you have enjoyed it - even your job seems to have fallen right into your lap!

As for me and mine... We are all well, I had a bit of a health scare a couple of years ago, they never entirely resolved it, but passing some gallstones was a major issue (and bloody painful). Hubby recently had an operation on his shoulder ligament and seems to have fully recovered from it.

VC and her husband are doing well, although he was under threat of redundancy for a while, now he's been promoted to work with the engineering staff on night shift so is more secure than he ever was.

VV married her long term partner, he wanted a bit lavish wedding and got it... only for him to decide, after less than 2 years, he didn't want to be married to her anymore! The sh*t took her to the other end of the country to tell her at his parents home, so she didn't even have the support of her family around her when she needed it. She was a complete wreck when I got her home. Well, enough of that before I start venting, again

Anyway, she is now settled with a lovely man. Actually he was the Best Man at VC's wedding. His marriage had broken up just before VV's and at some point over the New Year they began to see one another as more than friends. I think they've been together in their own home for about 2 years now and both seem very contented.

That is my news in a coconut shell!