'supporting each other through really tough times'

Rowan9

Mardatha - great news about the bike. Not keen myself but my 87 yr old F-in-L had a BMW R75 (think that's what it was called) until a couple years ago.
Byatt - SO pleased you're going. I love Shakespeare. Most odd production was prob Macbeth set on oil rig (ah but in an Arts Centre) and you gave in your mobile number as you went in and received texts with the quotes throughout the play. I think the co was pirate utopia. Great.
Ok off to have quick browse then lie with feet up and read Eckhart Tolle. He's very good:)

Hardup_Hester

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2324920/Could-YOU-eat-1-day-Supermarket-creates-budget-recipes-help-families-live-cheap.html
Sorry I'm carp at links, this is a budget menu issued by Aldi's

shegar

mardatha wrote: »

Shegar, I sat my bike test when I was 40, in a sniggering group of 17yr olds who thought they were brilliant. I was the only one passed I used to have a Yamaha 125. My son has a Hayabusa, the RV has (until friday) a GSX 1400. Son wouldn't have a car if it was free. I love bikes and bikers.
Although lately the weather isn't bike friendly.
I'm finding just about everything now is overpriced. Is this a sign of getting old? or just tight lol

Your weather is never bike friendly mar..!!:mad:,I think at 40 yrs old to take a bike test is good because you have so many years behind you of driving in all weathers in cars experience , and you proved that your not backward going forward...:)

My son also as a bike its a 1100 GSXR, its getting on a bit , but like he say its only used at weekends and its just a toy for pleasure..........

So mar are you going to get your leg over soon..??:eek::D.....I expect to see you and RV in the summer come down to our East Coast on yer bike .....Sheila

silvasava

Shegar Note you check your licence for your bike entitlement - that's how DH lost his when they changed over to the pink licences so that's why he rides a trike on his car licence. He's promised to teach me to ride it (round Morrisons car park first when its empty!!) so at 67 I'll be a biker babe:eek::rotfl: I'm up for having a go at least - I've riden pillion with him 3/4 times but the last time was when I was about 15 & my then boyfriend had a Norton 500 & I spent a weekend helping him fit siamese exhausts - ah the heady romance........:smileyhea

Softstuff

*hugs* Kidcat, sorry to hear about your hubby. He really needs some union help with this I think, he's being dicked around and no mistake.
Quite possible that they're hoping he'll leave or just walk out with no redundancy if they taunt him enough.

savingqueen

Happy Birthday Mcculloch and many happy returns. For you:
:bdaycake: (home made of course!)

Kidcat - sorry no personal experience of redundancy to advise you but sending you my support and a huge hug. Life often has a funny way of working out, who knows your DH might get a biggish pay out and a better job! Good advice from greenbee.

Pops - glad you are making friends, getting support and getting out and about. Brilliant to hear you so positive and coping with the negative stuff as well.

Kezlou - good news about DS's arm and that you and fuddle are gallavanting about cafes! Bet you have a right old natter and the time flies by in no time!

Pooky - hang in there with the kitchen - the end is in sight!

I really enjoyed the counselling skills course today (after being worried), I wasn't nervous at all when it came to it and it feels really 'me'. The tutor and group are great though so that makes the course work well. I am now having doubts about my volunteer training course on Fri as the group has shrunk a bit (always people who drop out on the way apparantely) and I don't feel as connected to the others - they all seem to have bonded well. If it was just the course I would be fine with that but they will be my team support when we are 'live' volunteers. Think I will speak to the tutor on Friday and voice my concerns and be pro-active.

Nearly forgot to say DH has passed his exam this evening! Only a couple more papers to go I think, one in a fortnight (he thought it was next week) and one in June I think. We can relax a little though he will have his head in books again all weekend.

The weather here was cold today, had a cardi and my winter coat on. Can't wait for our next dose of sun!

edit: just had a thought... when DH finishes his study next month, he will have more free time so maybe, just maybe, I can get on with some decorating/decluttering at weekends. Really happy at the thought as the house gets me down at times.

sq

mcculloch29

Thank you for all the birthday wishes. My DB sent Amazin vouchers, DS is transferring money and all combined will pay for a piece of bedroom furniture that I need.
I've had a most interesting evening. My daughter Googled her paternal grandmother, who was a pivotal figure in trade unionism in the 1930s. Lo and behold there is a website with pages devoted to her, but as she was born in 1902 (my ex was a lot older than me and he was adopted by her when she was 48) some of the personal info was incorrect and sketchy.
I was able to fill in a lot of the gaps, correct errors and also supply contemporary photographs.

Apparently this website is extensively used by academics as a resource, as well as the media, it felt wonderful to know that she has not been forgotten and that she is rightfully recognised for the brave and inspirational pioneer she was.

Mum in law's employers set a time and motion study on her as she was a very fast worker; they wanted to use her as an excuse to slash the wages of the majority of workers, thereby maximising profits for themselves.

They picked the wrong person. Her response was to lead 10000 workers out on strike, and it is recognised as a pivotal event in trade union history.

Popperwell

Happy you had a lovely birthday...

I had a great night at the town hall tonight the New String Rope Band were amazing, clever and original. All I can say if you get the chance to see them save up the money and go...

I'm going to lose 12 hours of tidying up time tomorrow doing my good deed of the day(Thank heavens I still have 7 days before they return and can work at night)Hope my reward is in heaven...

There is a 21 year old guy who has taken to me and keeps me company at the town hall when I go to shows and keeps a seat. He is a sweet guy and has special needs...

Tonight he told me that he is appearing at The Sage in Gateshead and he gave me a complimentary ticket to see the show and support him...when I said I would go he said I was his hero and it meant so much to him and gave me a manly cuddle...what else could I do? And he said it had made his day and as I left he said don't let me down...

So I'll go but I'll be playing catch up...I am hopeful that...I will clear the bedroom tomorrow night when I get home, Friday into Saturday the bathroom and Sunday into Monday the kitchen with approx three days to spare for a bit of polishing and dusting. And I also hope to get some plants into my planters...

I can't take any time off after tomorrow though I may risk another small look out on Sunday night for my game of bingo, the quiz and the game of twenty one...

Thanks to the buses I could actually be out of pocket coming home and will have to pay for a taxi so I lose out financially but win on humanity.

As long as my deed doesn't back fire...

Interesting story mcculloch29 and good hear so much positive news amongst the hard times...

Kidcat if you get the chance Moneybox Live on Radio 4(its available on line)they mentioned redundancy and someone was wondering whether to accept voluntary redundancy but they said think long and hard because future benefits and other things could be affected as in effect though the company probably would let an employee go, do it yourself and you are technically walking out of a job.

Popperwell

Thanks for the info Kezlou...enjoy the meeting both of you on Friday. As for the price of a ticket Fuddle...go for a return ticket it will be slightly cheaper...

You may be able to work out times/bus services needed/routes and bus fares from the following website...

http://jplanner.travelinenortheast.info/planner

If I was paying bus fares at present a ticket from my town to Bishop Auckand approx 7 miles away I think its around £2.60 single, a return is £4.60(so you save 70p)but other bus companies and routes may have different offers...the best ticket is a day ticket which is open ended and can be used on as many buses as you can use of one company but not any use if you are going to one destination and home again.

A return may not be a good idea if the journey involves a change of buses enroute. Now that's when the day ticket may be of use. But around here they cost approx £7.30.

Popperwell

Just had a ham salad upon coming in...Eddie(who wants me to go to that show tomorrow)may want to eat out but if the weather is fine(I may in my rucksack)take some salad buns, some fruit and a bottle of pop or water for the pair of us...I don't understand as the show doesn't start until 7pm why we have to leave at 12.30pm but that's what is happening...

I will take a camera as its my first time at the Sage in Gateshead and the quayside near an iconic bridge I have seen on TV but not in real life.