A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

Bobbykins

Yep, seems to work if you align left on the reply screen, but it seems you can't do it afterwards if you try to edit your post.

I'm sure the boffins in MSE Towers will put it right in a bit, one of their IT bods is sure to know what's wrong, I hope.

Mrs_Chip

:rotfl:Amazing how a bit of realignment can make something so familiar look so weird!

Byatt - You could pick up MS Office for Dummies from the library, or try using Open Office which is free to download - not entirely the same but would give you the idea of how an office suite works. I used MS office at work and use Open Office at home.

Byatt

Thanks Bobby and Mrs Chips :-)

lizzyb1812

Like hornetgirl I'm with Talk Talk - had difficulty setting up but the foreign-based call centre did what they could before transferring me to a UK based lady who was ace and got the job done v quickly (I would not expect her level of expertise to be available to sort out bog standard queries - far too expensive for any company and most queries do not require more than basic help). That was about 3 years ago and all fine since. I'm quite near a rural exchange so my speed is ultra fast :j

Byatt - like you say companies get loads of applicants for every job these days and the application is designed to weed out a lot of them right from the start so it is worth trying to make a really good go of it. Spend a good while on this one and keep a copy so you can be quicker when/if there is a next time.

shelley-crow - my O2 sim is in a cheap Samsung phone, cost me about £20. I was with O2 on contract but changed to PAYG due to low usage and just bought the phone off the internet. They wanted me to go on to Simplicity, but I stuck to my guns and got proper PAYG . No camera though or internet on the phone though but that suits me fine.

ginnyknit - hope you got out somewhere nice today

GQ - fingers crossed for Mum

And hope everyone else has just about made it through the day in one piece:)

silvasava

Byatt wrote: »

Looking for jobs I found 2 I was interested in. One is a no go, as although I know I could do the job, I don't have the relevant/recent experience. The other one I would love, but I have lost my confidence in even applying. I have had some knock backs, and I am just a gibbering wreck at interviews. Have you seen the application forms now and what they want from a person!? Plus they want a personal statement for each position, and because I lack confidence, I don't believe I have what they want. One friend does the first job and I know what hoops she had to jump through to get it, but she's much younger than me and less gibberish. I have done complicated office work in the past, dealt with the public and so on, but oh dear. Even if I get an interview, I'm not sure I could face the inevitable disappointment of not getting it. Having said all this, I am going to try and complete the application form for the second job and just not hold my breath. It's just so frustrating knowing what I can do, but being so afraid at the same time. It's been well over 15 years since I've been in paid employment although I have been self employed.

Does anyone know what MS Office is? I think I know, because I use word etc all the time, but I'm no good at excel, well I could do a bit I suppose. Also I have a degree but not enough GCSE's in Maths.

Another friend always tells me to just blag it; she has, and got a great job.

I'm already shaking just thinking about filling the form out. :eek: Who am I kidding, I'm 59 this year... they are going to get hundreds if not thousands of applications.

/QUOTE]

Byatt - is there anyone you know who would 'mentor' you? Or a friend who would hold your hand through the process? You have a lot of skills that an employer would look for especially as you've been self employed. Budgeting, self motivation, goal orientated, attention to detail - it all adds up & many employers are happier with the more mature emplyee (more commitment, less days off etc)

Lots of places run short (free) courses on MS Office - its not difficult - after all you are aleady using something similar to post here:T

Don't sell yourself short - if you dont get a job its their loss not yours

Good Luck!

maryb

Whatever broadband provider you use, you have to haggle when your contract is up for renewal to get the best price. I've paid £120 line rental up front and I've got unlimited broadband and free anytime calls with BT. Calls to mobiles are not free but everything else is. My bill excluding the upfront line rental is about £26 per month. I might have been able to get it a bit cheaper from O2 or Orange but because I work from home I didn't want to have to change my email address.

I don't think it's too bad for a service with absolutely everything included but if you really don't need much download limit then you could get it much cheaper with Plusnet. I am a total addict and spend far too long on my computer each day. Plus I have 2 daughters who are Youtube and Iplayer addicts and that uses huge amounts. Our actual download was 80,000GB last month so a 10,000 limit would be hopeless for us.


BT isn't too bad technically but I have this annoying issue with email which I access through Outlook. Outlook keeps asking me to enter my password and the box keeps popping up even if I enter the password and have the "remember password" box ticked. It was driving me mad a while back. I tried all the fixes on the Microsoft knowledgebase and even reinstalled Windows but couldn't fix it. It's a BT issue I now discover but I have a workaround for it - if I just log into my email on the BT site it seems to sort it and I can then download my emails into Outlook. If it keeps happening I may change broadband providers when this contract is up because it is seriously annoying

No-one I know has a good word to say for TalkTalk which made me very guilty because when my technically non-savvy sister wanted to get broadband I put her onto that. She hasn't actually had any problem but then she only wanted broadband so she could have internet radio

gailey_2

Byatt wrote: »

So sad about FTM's loss.

Mrs Chip my dd is 26, but Asperger's/ASD. No, she doesn't understand his manipulations although there are times she surprises me with her astuteness. She can't put herself in my place and doesn't really understand (partly of course she doesn't know all the horrors and I would never tell her)....why I can't forgive and forget as he and his family seemingly have done.

kidcat, yes, she does know I will be there for her no matter what and we have been through some tough times. She wants a relationship with him which I understand. I am luckier than most as many mums have to deal with their ex's directly because of children being so young. He just hasn't changed or learned anything from his actions which is a shame.

mardatha, glad you feel somewhat better. Your DD's news about losing £85 pw is awful. :eek:

The thing is with all these changes, is that many potential losses are hidden or not clear at first. I know in a few months I will be losing a lot and when I asked at the Job Centre, what options do I have, they kind of shrugged their shoulders.

Elche1 , hi and welcome. Looking forward to any tales of Spain.

Wen, well done on the Boots sale. I popped onto the web site, but it said it was all over!! Just as well probably. :rotfl:

I have read all the Nella Last books; absolutely loved them and her. I was so excited when the latest diary was published last year (?)...I wonder what she would have made of all the celebrity status if she had been alive when published.

Gailey, I was wondering if you could return the remote and get the cheaper one? You're an inspiration to me and I love reading your posts. I'd love to have you as another daughter or DIL.

B&T, I remember the little Cadbury chocolate bars. I also remember outside toilets, newspaper for toilet roll and tin baths (no bathroom)...The cistern would freeze in winter!

Off to make something hot and tasty with a potato.

Thanks you so kind

Hes been so down this week dident have too much of a go about remote.

kidcat -hope your sons better soon
kezkou-hope finaces improve soon.

not much to report here

im feeling ill all day think its a virus but knocked me for six,
Had school/nursery run and afterschool club as well as popping up high street getting few bargains in co-op.
veered of sw diet plan tonight as couldent face a large meal so just had soup.

hubbys home from meeting so left him top deal with all 3kids maybe he apperciate me more.

wanted to declutter and list on ebay today but felt poorly
lacking sleep as babies kept me up late last night.

some good news quidco payed out some money.

so paid 4bills and feel lot lighter not so much worry weighing me down although still other stuff to pay for like eldests party and car mot.

Hubbys worried and dwon over money I guess im trying to be blase well more of a positive spin that in few months we be back on our feet as cut food down to £170 and got no council tax and water for 2months,

hubbys not heard about job and hes unsure if will pay as much as hes on now.

I need to update cv and go job hunting next week.

bit worried over increased santander charges as hubby banks with them. so hoping car passes mot.

Hope everyones well/

must get some sleep and hope feel better tommorow.
got very busy day sat.

Byatt

lizzyb1812 wrote: »

Byatt - like you say companies get loads of applicants for every job these days and the application is designed to weed out a lot of them right from the start so it is worth trying to make a really good go of it. Spend a good while on this one and keep a copy so you can be quicker when/if there is a next time.

Thanks Lizzy; I have done a few in the past, I may need to search my old lap top to see if it's on there. Not many jobs turn up like this in this area, rarer than hen's teeth, so I do need to at least try.

silvasava wrote: »

/QUOTE]

Byatt - is there anyone you know who would 'mentor' you? Or a friend who would hold your hand through the process? You have a lot of skills that an employer would look for especially as you've been self employed. Budgeting, self motivation, goal orientated, attention to detail - it all adds up & many employers are happier with the more mature emplyee (more commitment, less days off etc)

Lots of places run short (free) courses on MS Office - its not difficult - after all you are aleady using something similar to post here:T

Don't sell yourself short - if you dont get a job its their loss not yours

Good Luck!

Yes I do have a friend who would hold my hand. I totally go blank when it comes to being positive about the things I can do. In just a few words you mention things in a way I wouldn't have thought of. It's all these buzz words that seem so important. And sometimes obvious. I am of a generation where we just don't sing our praises; it was seen as being vain or too proud and not a good thing.

gailey wrote: »

Thanks you so kind



im feeling ill all day think its a virus but knocked me for six,
Had school/nursery run and afterschool club as well as popping up high street getting few bargains in co-op.
veered of sw diet plan tonight as couldent face a large meal so just had soup.

hubbys home from meeting so left him top deal with all 3kids maybe he apperciate me more.

Take it easier for a few days if you can. You need to relax too. :A Hope you feel better soon.

VJsmum

I've taken advantage of a kind gift from the taxman and bought a magimix :eek: :j It is actually my christmas pressie from OH and, whilst i would normally baulk at having a domestic "thing" as a pressie it is the only way I could justify it. The pressie from the tax man has meant it happened sooner than expected. An additional bonus is that it was £40 cheaper than it had been and i got an additional 2.5% from Quidco :T

I pick it up from the shop on Wednesday and can't wait. :j

I now have additional impetus to get the contents of the freezer down. TOnight we had real freezer surprise as, after gazing, poking and sniffing it, I still couldn't tell what it was. Turned out to be chicken pie filling - didn't have time to make pie so was casserole instead. Next week continues to be freezer surprise as it is still barely dented.

I have been a very good girl this week and taken the train to work every day. The 3 mile walk is good for my waistline and the whole thing is good for the environment. I had to invigilate an exam today - normally the most boring thing in the world - but today was so darned busy I didn't have time to be bored. First year undergraduates are a strange species - one asked me to bring him a glass of water, 3 were wearing espadrilles (in January - in the rain! THREE of them - bizarre :rotfl:) many had at least two mobile phones and generally one of those was an iphone. How do they afford it? Possibly by not buying proper shoes :rotfl: One was caught cheating and we ended up with one exam script too many. The things we do to earn a crust, eh?

Tonight I have been learning how to blog - it is still very much work in progress and there is no link yet as it isn't worth viewing. One day, one day..

DD is having her first singing lesson tomorrow - must remember to secure the glassware safely She is actually an OK singer but theatre is her passion and musical theatre in particular, and to be in with any kind of shot she needs a voice and OK isn't good enough. I am not sure if she really stands any kind of chance long term, but it won't be for want of trying and even if it helps to shape her interests and entertainment long term it is a good thing. In fact many of the posts here about people being too shy or embarassed to meet people has made me more determined to open her eyes to different experiences and opportunities.

GQ - does your foray into the world of broadband mean you will be here after 4? I warn you it is very distracting when there's nowt on telly - oh forgot, you don't have a telly. I definitely read a lot less now that I can access internet more easily.

Gailey - have a rest and let yourself recover, love.

Byatt - good luck!

What shall I call the Magimix?

liloandstitch

maryb wrote: »

BT isn't too bad technically but I have this annoying issue with email which I access through Outlook. Outlook keeps asking me to enter my password and the box keeps popping up even if I enter the password and have the "remember password" box ticked. It was driving me mad a while back. I tried all the fixes on the Microsoft knowledgebase and even reinstalled Windows but couldn't fix it. It's a BT issue I now discover but I have a workaround for it - if I just log into my email on the BT site it seems to sort it and I can then download my emails into Outlook. If it keeps happening I may change broadband providers when this contract is up because it is seriously annoying

No-one I know has a good word to say for TalkTalk which made me very guilty because when my technically non-savvy sister wanted to get broadband I put her onto that. She hasn't actually had any problem but then she only wanted broadband so she could have internet radio

MaryB, I have this problems as well, but I am with Orange - nothing I do stops it happening. I just leave the Email address on outlook open, and eventually it downloads them anyway. I just cancel when the password option happens. My hubby on the same broadband and with the same set up, just on a different computer has no problem. HTH, I thought it was just me!

Sorry to 'barge' into the thread, I am a habitual lurker! :wave: Hi!

Lilo