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

Just thought I'd open this line. Venus may wonder who else is strolling her conversation threads. She has a couple friends who do.

And now that I've had a bit of time to think, I finally remember where we chatted. I've encountered so many folks since late may, ... I recognized the name, just not the who and when. But now, I do recall "Shorty", late-night dreams, etc.

So, you want to start the catch up? What happened since May 30th?

Not much more than I told you earlier....Shorty is well, we all are. We've Had quite a good summer holiday, all told. Apart from the accident our life has been pretty quiet.

As I said earlier, my dog Bonnie is expecting, so the kids are pretty psyched about that. They're very good about helping with the cleaning side of puppy care if you know what I mean.

The American girl should be arriving with us in approx. 2 weeks so they have that to look forward to. We still have to buy her bedroom furniture yet as she will be sleeping in the kids playroom for the school year. It should be an experience for them, the kids I mean.

PLEASE forgive me, but aside from four-word postings, I'm still so grey about remembering chatting. Or anything about you and family beyond Ben and wake-ups.

I certainly am glad to hear that there should be no long-term problems with you, from the accident.

For us, it's been a working summer, ... with a couple of brief "aways". My Dad turned 70 on July 17, so we visited my parents. The following week we blended a cousin's wedding with a visit to my 2nd-eldest brother's lady, a couple hours down the highway. Elsewise, home, quiet, the normals.

How did you manage an exchange student?

It's through a charity called AFS...they arrange voluntary host families for foreign students wanting to spend a year in a different part of the world to learn a new language or just about different cultures.

We provide free bed and board and she fits in with us as a family for the duration of her stay, essentially she becomes our daughter temporarily.

My parent used to do this kind of thing through our school years ago but only for a month or so each year, so we decided to take it a step further. We had always thought of fostering but this seemed an easier option just to gain the experience, plus things are alwys easier when money is not involved....well I think so.

Here's hoping anyway!!!!

I think it sounds like a wonderful idea. My parent's also took in exchange students, from the US and other Canadian provinces. And like you, they were 3 - 5 weeks at a time. For year, they would get to see and know the people and life through all of the happenings of the year. A fine idea. And at 11'ish, the grocery and other bills shouldn't be too much more than the normal. Especially if her parents are (I assume) meeting her personal, hygiene and clothing needs.

Sounds like a wonderful experience for her and you, all of you.

Mary, the american girl is 16, it's my daughter Lauren who is coming 11 and is hormonal, she's not too bad but Shaun, her dad is finding it very difficult to accept that she is growing up so fast. He still treats her as a baby and finds the idea that Lauren & I talk about boys/men unnerving.

I must admit she did suprise me a bit but I'm more used to kids than Shaun so I'm taking it in my stride. It was actualy quite fun shopping for all her 1st. "big girl" things but then Lauren & I are more like best friends than mother and daughter......except when it comes to discipline.

We are doing it mainly for the kids to help them experience different things as easily as possible before they have to venture into the big wide world themselves.

I was only 10 yrs old the first time I went away on my own and I feel that it helped my confidence and sense of independance grow quicker.

Who know maybe one of my two will head off around the world in a few years. I would have to do some fast talking to Shaun if that were to come about as he is extremely over-protective.

A 16-yr-old? Again, start packing and looking for the easiest way to the high-ground.

Have you spoken with the girl yet? Phone, e-mails, letters? Get a feel for personality?

She will have her allowance from her family for any extras, all we provide is the accomodation and entertainment as such.

Shaun is looking for me to help him with a computer he's working on for the local creche, so i will have to.He doesn't know how to say "No" or "That will cost you £?s" so he becomes snowed under with "favours" for friends.

I will try to get in more often now that I am back on my feet. It was nice to talk to you again, bye for now,

Dee

We were sent her profile by the charity and will hopefully be speaking to her later this week for the 1st time.

Then all the best of luck, take good care, and chat another day.

and a

if you ever want to email me my address is

[email protected]

I'll be able to update you easier that way.



Take care & bye,


Dee

-tunelessly, ..... waiting for someone, ..... anyone .....