Not mentioning the T word at all

SDG31000

Good Morning Everyone

Congratulations ftm and Happy Birthday Fern Geeks will rule the world, so she has a head start.

First, many thanks for all the congratulations on my win. It was a huge surprise and completely unexpected. My sister asked what I would have done if I had won the £75,000 prize. I said "Faint" and we could both picture the poor woman on the other end of the phone asking if I was ok.

I spent the weekend at my lovely parents in law getting fed food I didn't have to shop for or cook or wash up after. I did cook Sunday Lunch, but that's normal as my MIL is busy in church on Sundays. Then my DH persuaded me to go and do some shopping and to buy myself something with the winnings. So I raided the new HobbyCraft and brought wool to knit myself something. Then to Accessorise for a new hat as my ears were cold. It is very cute and actually suits me which makes a change. Next DH dragged my semi comatosed body around shoe shops (I'm still not sleeping properly ). I got a lovely pair of brown lace up boots and found out at the till that they were having a 20% off boots event that day, so I saved £16. I also have a winter coat that fits as my DMIL shortened the coat I got for £5 in a charity shop. She is quite jealous of it and wants me to keep an eye out for a similar one for her.
Today I have to try and find some energy from somewhere as I have my assessment for the Active Lifestyle Scheme. It's a GP referal thing that means I get support and fitness sessions at a reduced rate for 6 months. Hopefully it means I get into the habit of going to the gym or find something else that suits me, as I hate exercise with a passion. Wish me luck please, I think I might need it. DH is pitying the poor instructor as he thinks I'm going to end up crying at some point.

Take care everyone. I'll let you know later if the instructor survives

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maryb

There are seats in every carriage reserved for those who are unable to stand and you are entitled to use them even if someone has got there first. If you ask whoever is sitting in there they should give up their seat. They probably won't look at a young person and think they need a seat so you will probably have to ask - but it shouldn't be a problem. However, using a stick might be helpful to stop people rolling their eyes or arguing, which can be embarassing.

It may not be a problem at all, depending on the time of day. Commuter lines are much less busy after 9.30 and before 5 pm (and if you are going in the opposite direction from the commuters, the only time there will be more than a handful of people on the train is when the schools are out at about 4pm).

I quite often go up to London off peak and the first train after 9.30 is full of Twirlies (so called because they ask the guard 'Am I too early to use my Freedom Pass for this train?'). Even so I can get a seat even though my station is relatively far down the line towards London - you certainly can't get a seat in rush hour. If I go on the train after 9.30 then I am often the only one in the carriage

Some smaller stations only have one member of staff and if they are busy elsewhere on the station then the ticket office might be closed. If so there will be a self service ticket machine which operates on a touch screen. You can pay by cash (it will give change) or use a credit or debit card to pay for the tickets. Just make sure you get to the station with 5 minutes to spare and there shouldn't be any problem.

Hope this helps

Bobbykins

D&DD - can definately recommend The Trainline for tickets. I had a "first train trip in donkeys years" short notice trip a couple of weeks ago. Used the trainline and it was very helpful, worked out the cheapest tickets and all the times for me for my connecting trains. I booked a reserved seat.
I booked the tickets on-line but had to go to the station to pick them up as they couldn't be posted to me in time. There was a touch screen machine there and it took about 10 seconds to get my tickets.
Hope you sort it out OK.

paidinchickens

Angel_Jenny wrote: »

Is this a sort of chatty thread? I am not serious enough for the other one - I am starting a budget / frugal thing in January as it is going to be one of my (MANY) resolutions!

Currently working on learning skills that I should probably be proficient in at my age. But I'm not! I am learning baking, gardening, sewing and knitting. Knitting is going very slowly though. I want to learn cookery (full meals) and sewing clothes and things for the home. I am a little old fashioned and my friends think I am crazy but I love to put a pretty apron on and get on with cleaning or ironing or anything that needs doing.

I have just bought some old curtains from a jumble on Saturday which I am going to have a go at cutting up to make a frilly apron. :rotfl:

I have a pair of jogging bottoms and a long out of shape jumper I wear to do all the cleaning and bleaching but I feel like I never get out of them so I thought a pinny would be a great idea and my friends can booger off as they already think I am nuts with my money saving antics. :rotfl: Which reminds me, a friend came up to help DH put the roof on the cat pen at the weekend, I came out and shoved a pair of jeans under DH nose and asked if he could smell vinegar. I used this for the first time instead of fabric conditioner but when friend found out his face was a picture :rotfl::rotfl: It did not smell and was lovely and soft so I was happy. Must buy larger bottle of vinegar

I have not been on a train for years so have no idea.

sdg I am glad you spent some money on yourself :T:T


Loads to do and can't be bothered as usual I have got DGD today so the house will be upside down later so is it really worth cleaning up.......really? no I thought not as well :rotfl::rotfl:

PIC x

mardatha

Costco has 5L containers of white vinegar cheap.

paidinchickens

mardatha wrote: »

Costco has 5L containers of white vinegar cheap.

I don't have one anywhere near me but thanks.

greenbee

paidinchickens wrote: »

I don't have one anywhere near me but thanks.

I buy mine online from Summer Naturals - I usually get 20l at a time as 4 of them fit in a box, and share with my mum and a couple of friends.

Fruball

GreyQueen wrote: »

Morning, Frugal, re getting eggs and hatching them, you do run a real risk of getting boys. One of my cousins runs a flock of about 30 Light Sussex and when she started with bought-in eggs to hatch she had one batch with all cockerels and the second batch was mostly boys, too. Took her 3 goes to get sufficient hens hatched. As to what to do with them, let's just say that the young cockerel who flew spurs-first at her OH and ripped his outer ear to pieces was invited to Sunday lunch that week and he apparently had what might be termed the starring role......;)

:eek: Evil little beggar! I'm not surprised he featured at lunch!

katieowl wrote: »

POL definitely wins hands down for me, even though it's more expensive to start. I knew I couldn't cope with 'dealing with' the boys, and if you get all hens then all you get are yummy eggs

IF you were thinking of buying an incubator anyway...think POL will probably come out about the same.

Kate

I think POL is my best bet too. I can't wait!!! I loved having fresh eggs with real orange yolks, and double yolkers! Lots of HG courgette frittata and HG salad for us next summer!

redlady_1

After two years I finally have a stairs carpet and it looks wonderful!!! I am so chuffed.

D&DD

:T:T

Wow my little MSE Superstars thanks soooo much for all your helpful answers I really appreciate it :D

I'm quite looking forward to going on one as its the first vaguely normal thing I've done in years :rotfl:

I can prebook and pick up tickets at the station as suggested so we're all sorted :j

Been cooking alllllll day just sat down after 4 cottage pies,4 spicy shepherds pies,4 shepherds pies,4 fish pies and got a sausage and bean casserole in the slowcooker for my dinner...then OH pipes up "where's the cakes" I've run out!

Shopped all last week to get xmas sorted ish just waiting on the xmas slots for MrT now,has anyone got theirs in yet??

Promise will be around more once tomorrow is done and dusted its just such a busy time of year isn't it *phew*

D XX