A Ditherer's Diary (again)

Naomim

@EssexHebridean 11yo came home full of beans! She had a great day. One of the girls she knows has the same timetable, she made a couple of new friends, got lost a couple of times but seemed to really enjoy it which is a relief.  I think 16yo liked it, he was home by lunchtime so he went to collect dd from school.  I think it was a silent message to let other kids know she has a big brother.  They might annoy each other a lot but he's quite protective of her which is sweet. He gave her a big hug before she left this morning.  I should have snapped a quick picture as it's a rare occurrence!

I do like the stationery shopping and it was a favourite thing of mine when I was a kid. I did go and browse the books whilst 11yo was making her mind up about what she wanted.  Not much took my eye tbh.  Hardly read anything this year although most of my books are library and charity shop with the occasional 99p kindle deal book thrown in.  I have two huge TBR piles. One of physical books and a list on my kindle.  I'm in the office tomorrow so a good couple of hours commuting and time to get into one!

EssexHebridean

I'm a complete charity shop book fan! One of our local ones sells paperbacks for 50p a shot so tend to go in there and buy a big armful at a time! Unfortunately our local library, much as I'd love to use it, doesn't open at times that work for me when I'm working normally.

That relationship between your two is lovely - it's so great that DS is so protective even though he might never dream of admitting it! Glad to hear they both had good first days back, too! 

ladyholly

I wish our charity shop sold books at 50p.They are at least a pound and a couple are now charging £1.50 for paperbacks.

WinterWarrior

I have donated bag loads of books, but didn’t realise they marked them up so dear! You could get brand new ones from bargain book stores for less than £1.50! 

ladyholly

I get the impression from people on here that our charity shops are quite expensive. I wouldnt mind but I dont live in a wealthy town in fact part of our town is amonst the most deprived in the country so I really dont get it. Unfortunately at the moment the bargain book shop is really hard for me to get to as the council in its wisdom has dug up the whole of the centre where the buses stop  to create a bus hub (you couldnt make it up as virtually every bus that goes into town normally stop there) which is taking 9months to complete the work. Now my bus stop means a fair walk for someone whose health is not the best so I cant get into town easliy. Going to have to go soon as I need an optician appointment so will have a look when I am there if I can summon the energy.

Naomim

My friend was telling me today her local charity shops don't do books 😮. My local does 3 for £2. Yesterday on my commute I started The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell and finished it this evening. 

Naomim

Do you know what I did today gang? I wrote a cheque! 😮 11yo's scouts is back and asked for cheques or cash for subs as they don't have online banking.  Who doesn't have online banking in the 21st century? I might offer to be their treasurer.  I've also had a bottle of red tonight so may forget tomorrow 🤣

FootyFanDan

Haha I didn’t even know cheques were still a thing 😆. It is really strange how you just become used to things though. I have realised I very rarely carry cash or wallet now due to having Apple Pay lol, I was stunned when a store said they didn’t accept apple pay haha I know 1st world problems. 

Naomim

I've still not converted to Google pay for two reasons. I cant be bothered keep putting a pin in my phone. - had problems with fingerprint jobby before. And it used to really bloody annoy me on the morning commute with people faffing about with phones or trying to be contortionists with smart watches on the oyster reader.🤣

I looked through the stubs and last chq was written 2018, first 2015. Good job I knew where it still was. My kids wouldn't even know what they are!

FootyFanDan

I don’t even attempt it with my watch tbh it just never works haha. I like the convenience of it as I always have my phone but I must be honest it never feels like I am spending real money lol. Tbh I am actually thinking of actually going back to cash for a lot of the purchase as I just seem to go through it like mad when it is all in my account. 

Yeah, Cheques only get dished out round our house at Xmas when my Nan sends a cheque for the little one. I have always been an advocate of paying by card for pretty much everything but lately can see the benefit of cash as I would be a lot more careful