What is the point of this???

I keep getting this 'statement' or whatever you want to call it, popping up on my FB page.

It's 2013 for goodness sake.  I bet there isn't anyone who doesn't know someone who has had cancer.

But honestly ....................... Do we really all need to be posting stuff like this on our FB page?

People who have cancer do not want to think that they may die.  Therefore they do not need some stupid FB post asking people to add  it to their status as a mark of respect & remembrance.

Just what is this all about.

'Remembrance?  Grrr.................

Get a life FB posting people!!!!

We DO NOT need to be updated on your life every 10mins????????

How difficult is it to buy a light bulb?

I've called this blog post, 'How difficult is it to buy a light bulb', because I don't actually think it should be difficult to buy a light bulb???

The above picture shows the ceiling lights that I have in my kitchen.  One of these bulbs needed replacing, so while I was in Tesco's I looked for a replacement light bulb.  For anyone who has read my blogs before, you will know I am not a great fan of Tesco.  My local Tesco never has the things I want so needless to say it did not have this type of bulb in stock.

So, what did I do?

Well, I went to the local DIY shop in town with my light bulb that needed replacing and said, 'I'd like one of these please'.  I was thinking it would probably have cost 50-75p in a supermarket - local DIY shop may charge me £1.

I was having a dinner party and wanted everything to be perfect - a blown light bulb would not look good!

The local DIY shop owner is fabulous.  I love him to bits and he is also a very good salesman.

Somehow he managed to sell me four energy saving light bulbs which cost me £9.00.

So, I came home, took out the three ordinary bulbs (which were perfectly OK) and screwed in four energy saving bulbs.  Switched on the lights and............................... nothing?!!

Decided that they needed to be screwed in tighter.  After all - four bulbs could not all be dud?!

Screwed in the first one tighter - it cracked - but at least it worked for 2 secs when I switched it on.  Screwed the second one in tighter - nothing happened when I switched the lights on - screwed in the third one - it cracked - screwed in the fourth one it cracked.

So now I have four 'energy saving' light bulbs that don't work.  They're now broken because I was trying to screw them in too hard to make them work.  I can't take them back to the shop because I'm the one who's broken them, and I can't use them because they're broken.

So then I screwed back in, the three light bulbs that did work, and I had my dinner party with a bulb out.  Which you have to admit is a bit tacky.

And then, when I was in the 'Padstow Tesco' (see my last rant) I bought 3 bulbs for the price of two (£2).

...............So now I've replaced the original bulb that needed to be replaced, put back the three bulbs that were working OK, and now have two spares.  All for a couple of quid.  Yay!

As for the four energy saving bulbs that cost me £9 and don't work - well what can I do?

Tesco's - 2nd Rant!

OK - So I started my BLOG at the beginning of August.

It's called 'Rantings of a middle aged spinster' because I RANT a lot!!!

One of the main things I rant about is TESCO'S!!!!  Actually I've only done one rant about Tesco's but I'm giving this rant the title - 'Tesco's - 2nd Rant' - because I'm sure they'll be loads more.  I HATE Tesco's.  I rant a lot about Tesco's!!!!

Living in the 'South West', supermarket shopping is limited.  In the town where I live we have a couple of small Co-ops and a 'TESCO'.  TESCO XTRA is about 15 miles away.

Anyway, today, I went to Padstow.  I went to Padstow for reasons that aren't really relevant to this blog.  However after I'd done what I had to do in Padstow I headed home - and called into the Padstow Tesco's.

.............All I wanted was a loaf of bread and some new potatoes.  Oh and some mushrooms.

I got my mushrooms, I didn't get my new potatoes because there were no new potatoes, and I got a loaf of white bread because they did not have the multi-grain bread that I wanted.

I also bought 6 bottles of wine, but did not buy the wine I wanted because the wine shelves were empty.

..............And I bought some wasabi peanuts, emmental cheese & pumpkin seed crispbreads, and some cheese oatcakes..................... beacause Padstow  Tesco's is obviously catering for the 'Rick Steiny' type people who are there on holiday!!!  And eat very arty farty things.  And there's probably no new potatoes in the Padstow Tesco's cos they're all eating pasta - didn't actually go up the pasta aisle.  And I'm guessing that I had to buy a loaf of white bread because all the holiday makers had already snapped up all the brown bread and multi-grain bread???

 

I have to say the check out lady was very, very nice.  I should really have looked at her name badge and checked out who she was so that I could have filled out  the TESCO 'tell us about your shopping trip'.  But how many people do that?????

 

Anyway I HATE Tesco's.

 

Padstow Tesco's if you're reading this BLOG - very nice lady - in her 50's - on the till at about 5pm-ish was lovely.  You need to give her a pay rise??!!

 

..................And as for my blogging - I'm sure Tesco's rant no. 3 will soon follow!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iphone updates

 

I've got an iphone.  Last year I joined the ranks of the 'young trendies' and bought myself an iphone4S.  A month later the iphone5 came out and I no longer had the most up-to-date phone.

 

I love my iphone.  I wouldn't be without it.  But to be honest I'm spending a lot of money on it each month considering I don't even know how to use 10% of what it can do.

 

I check my emails & I look on Facebook.  I don't even make a lot of calls or send a lot of texts!  In fact, for most of my life I've managed perfectly well without a mobile phone. 

 

.............And this rant isn't about mobile phones - though I'm sure I will have a mobile phone rant at a later date.

 

..............It's about iphone updates........................

 

A few days ago a message popped up in my 'settings', I read it, I didn't understand it, so I ignored it.

 

Tonight I clicked on it again and it said something about an update........................ So I just kept clicking on OK to everything it asked me.  And then it asked me for a 4 digit code................ So I gave it one.

 

Goodness only knows what it's updated???  Everything I think.

 

And now I seem to have to key in my 4 digit code every single time I want to use the phone.  I think this is some sort of security thing???  Ie, if someone steals my phone they won't be able to use it because they don't know my 'secret 4 digit code'???  So somehow I must have bypassed this facility when I first set up my phone?!  I'm not sure if it's better to have a 'secret code' on the phone so that if it's stolen it can't be used - or to not have a secret code so that if, for example, I was in an accident and someone needed to call the emergency services and they didn't have a phone they could use mine??

 

Isn't life complicated these days?  In the 1980/90's I travelled all over the world and the only way my parents had of keeping in touch was by letter which took more than a week to arrive back in the UK.  The only time I ever phoned home when I was abroad, was on Christmas day because it was so expensive.  And now everybody has to do constant updates of their life on social media sites 24/7.  OK this is definitely going to be another rant.

 

And to get back to iphone updates:

 

Everything on my 1st page is a lot brighter.  I guess that's OK.

 

When I want to send a message I actually have to scroll down the phone to get to the message bit because it now pops up with 'face time & notes'.  I've only ever been on 'face time' once - and what on earth does 'notes' mean?  Is there someway of writing notes that you want to send in your text?  Or are notes something you write down when you receive a text?  I haven't a clue.

 

Just where does one find all the new information and what the updates have updated?  Possibly in some very small print somewhere, but who's got the time to read through all that?

 

Also, I just tried to take a photo and even the camera has popped up with new stuff.  What on earth does 'HDR off' mean?  What does 'HDR' stand for?  And then there's a thing that says 'square'?  Haven't a clue what that does?  I don't seem to be able to make it do anything??  And how do I record stuff?  I've just pressed the video button and all I've got is a photo of my computer screen?!!!!

 

It's just all so annoying and I hate it.  Much as I'd love to be the most techie competent person in the world - I'm not!!!!

 

I was only just getting to grips with what my phone could do after a year and now it's all changed.

 

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr..............................

 

 

Mr Old Grumps

So, today I went to 'Tesco Xtra'.  I like Tesco Xtra.

Today though, I was less than impressed by the service I received there.

Being 'old' myself I really like the idea that these big companies are employing the 'over 50's'.  Apparently it's because the over 50's have a good work ethic and are more reliable!!!!

As my very old boss (he was probably the age I am now) in 1981 said, 'One should never assume'.  Never indeed.  'Mr Old Grumps' should certainly not be employed in a customer facing environment.

I know that 'Tesco checkout staff' have several questions that they are supposed to ask each new customer when at the checkout.  Someone actually told me that they have a button under their till that they press when they've asked the 'question'.  Mr Old Grumps probably pressed the button but didn't ask the question!

Not sure if Tesco have CCTV with sound, focused on all their tills but honestly - Mr Old Grumps didn't ask me any questions.

To be honest, it drives me mad the number of stupid questions Tesco employee's ask:

How are you today?
Would you like any help with your packing?
Have you got your own bags?
Etc etc etc.

.........But 'Mr Old Grumps' made me even more mad!

Having just heard on the news a couple of days ago that everyone is going to have to start paying 5p for a carrier bags, why then did 'Mr Old Grumps' have loads of them just lying around on his check out for me to pick up?  I probably could have packed my shopping into at least 30 Tesco carrier bags if I wanted to.

I actually like Tesco's 'bag policy'.  I always take my own bags but if I do happen to need one or two more bags, I just ask the check out people and they are usually happy to oblige.

Today I had wine (in my wine carrier) and a big bag for the rest of my shopping.  However, I'd also bought a sweater and a pair of boots (which I just put into a Tesco bag) and some place mats, a baking tray, birthday cards and magazines (which I put into another Tesco bag).  At no point did 'Mr Old Grumps' check how many bags I was using.

My bill at Tesco's this afternoon came to over £100 but at no point did 'Mr Old Grumps' actually talk to me.  The only thing he said to me was - 'That's £108.45'.

He didn't ask me for my club card, he didn't ask me for any vouchers, he didn't ask me how I wanted to pay - I had to offer him all these things myself.  In fact, to be honest I wondered if he was 'mute'?  though I was sure if Tesco were employing someone mute they would have had systems in place so that people would have known.  And anyway he wasn't mute because the lady in the queue behind me was obviously someone who was known to him and he was having a right old laugh with her.

...........And just to make matters worse - he handed me my receipt (without saying anything) - along with a another bit of paper that said, 'You've saved 2p today'.

Fabulous - I've saved 2p - Wonder how many trees have been cut down to tell me that?????

PS - I've just checked my receipt.  He's not added on my points for having two of my own bags.  Nor did I get any 'money off' vouchers (which I'm sure I would have got for spending more than £100).  Just as well I'm not a ranty old spinster isn't it?  Otherwise I'd be emailing Tesco Head Office now. LOL!

Free School Meals

So today on the 6pm NEWS it has been announced that all children between the ages of 4-7 years old are going to get free school meals in England & Wales.

I've never quite understood how England & Wales have a lot of 'stuff' in common and Scotland has it's own policies on things.  I'm guessing it's something to do with politics and I've never delved any further - but this could be another subject for a rant at a later date!!!!!

Anyway I have a lot to say on the subject of school meals.........................

I was a primary teacher for 14 years in the 1980/90's. 

When I started my career, school lunches were a set price.  I can't actually remember how much this was (though I'm sure if I did a bit of online research I could find out).  Anyway, on a Monday morning the kids brought in their 'dinner money' for the week and the teacher recorded it, in the dinner register and then passed it to the school secretary for banking.

Taking the dinner money to the secretary was a 'responsible job' and added to the rota of things to do - like sharpening pencils or putting straws in the bottles of milk (which were also free at the time).

ACTUALLY - I'm really not sure what to rant about here...........................

Better stick to 'school meals' I guess 'cos that's my title. But keep checking in, because I'm sure I'll have other  'school dinner' related rants at a later date.

Anyway when I first started teaching in 1982, school lunches were fabulous.  The kids got a two course meal every day. There was always a jug of water on the table so that the kids could have a drink with their lunch.  And everyone sat down in a civilised fashion and said 'grace' before their meal.  The tables were set with proper cutlery and lunch was served on proper plates.  And the water in the jug was poured into proper glasses.

The school lunch menu always consisted of meat, potato and veg, followed by a pudding.  Occasionally an egg and cheese flan would appear on the menu but usually a lot of that was left by the kids because it was all a bit alien to them!!!!

In the 1980's no one was vegetarian, or if they were, it wasn't something that they boasted about. And 'school dinners' certainly didn't cater for anyone with 'special dietary requirements'.

Free school meals were set up in the 1940's to provide children whose parents couldn't afford to feed them, with a proper nutritious meal during the day.  Free school meals, along with a free bottle of milk, are probably one of the best things the British Government has ever done.

Unfortunately in the mid 1980's school lunches were privatised.   ...............And everything changed!!

Proper crockery and cutlery were replaced by disposable items.
Water was no longer readily available - kids were encouraged to buy soft drinks in plastic packaging.
There was no longer a set price for a school meal. (Nightmare for infant teachers trying to collect dinner money).

.............And also, this was even more of a nightmare for the kids who got 'free school meals' because all of a sudden their classmates had a lot more money to spend on 'dinner' than they did. 

And in the mid 1980's changes were happening.  No parent wanted their 'free school meal' child to be bullied because they couldn't afford to eat what the other kids were eating.  So all of a sudden it became a 'child's right to only have chips for lunch if that was what they'd chosen.'  Hardly nutritious is it.  And actually, before privatisation I don't ever remember chips being on the menu for school dinners anyway.

As far as I'm concerned, 'school dinners' changed overnight from a 'proper nutritious two course meal', into chicken nuggets, pizza, chips, ice cream & jelly.  And where's the nutrition in that????

No wonder 'Jamie Oliver' is campaigning for better school meals.  Though I suspect he's probably a product of the 1970/80's.

...............As I say - more RANTS to follow.

Night classes

So today I am really annoyed!  I am really annoyed because I am trying to sign up for a evening class at the local college and no one is answering the phone?!

I want to do a night class in 'silver & copper jewellery making'.  But can I enrol on this course?  I cannot!!!!

I have a lot of stuff to rant about today:

Firstly - I don't think that night classes are called 'night classes' anymore.  I think they're called 'part time' courses.  Well as far as I'm concerned a class that one takes at night for 2hrs, one night a week, is not a part time course - it's a night class.

Secondly - the enrolment arrangements for enrolling on the above course are absolute rubbish to say the least.

According to the college prospectus there are three ways to enrol for this course - in person, by phone or by post.

It's 2013 for goodness sake.  Why on earth does a new modern college not have the facilities for enrolling online?

I am SO mad.  I have spent the last three days trying to enrol by phone.  Apparently I can only do this between 9-4pm.  I work until 2pm each day (& do not like to spend my time at work making personal phone calls) so for the last three afternoons I have made at least four phone calls a day between 2-4pm and each time I have got an answer machine message telling me to leave a name and number.  There is no point in me leaving a name and number because believe it or not, I am not some sad, lonely, person just waiting for the night class college to call me back.

Yes, I could have left a mobile number, but to be honest when I'm out on the dog walk or out doing whatever, I may not necessarily have my credit card details with me and I most certainly will not be carrying around the college prospectus all the time so wouldn't have a clue what the reference number is of the course I want to do and I'm sure they will want a whole load more irrelevant information as well.  .............And actually I only give my mobile number to friends, not inefficient colleges that either don't have the staff or the ability to promote themselves in a positive way!!!

And anyway why should I?  If it states in the college prospectus that enrolment by phone is between 9-4pm it should be between 9-4pm.

Today at 3.15pm I eventually left a message because I knew I would be in for the rest of the day.  I left a very polite message.  I left my name, phone number and a message saying which course I wanted to do.  I repeated all this information twice.  Has anyone phoned me back?  Of course they haven't.

So; I can't enrol in person because that would involve a round trip of at least an hour, and I want to do a 'night class' because I have no time during the day. Duh!!!  Do the people who plan these courses really live on Mars???

I can't enrol by phone because no one answers the phone or responds to messages left on the phone.

I can't enrol online because despite it being 2013 there are no facilities to enrol online.

The only option it would seem, is enrolment via snail mail.

But actually, do I really want to do a night class in a college that obviously doesn't care about it's students?  No I don't think I do.

All I want to do, is one night class, once a week, for 10 weeks.  Thank goodness I'm not a kid embarking on a proper career path at this college. 

Can't imagine they're going to get much support.  Doesn't seem to me that there's any real live people about.

..............And here ends my rant!!!!

Think I'll look for somewhere else to do my night class.

Hospital appointments

Sooooooooooo, 2 years ago I had breast cancer.  2 years ago I had, had an operation to remove cancer from my left breast, 2 years ago I was waiting to start radiotherapy treatment, 2 years ago ................... I actually didn't feel much different to how I feel now??!!

Anyway today was the day of my annual check up ..................... so off I went to hospital for my 2.50pm appointment.

I guess I should be grateful that I'm still alive ......................... and I am.  All my immediate treatment couldn't have been better.

Wish I could say the same about my 'follow up' treatment.

The surgeon that performed my operation two years ago was lovely.  I could have married him there and then.  OK,  that's probably a slight exaggeration but he was fabulous.  He just instantly made me feel at ease.  Obviously this did not have anything to do with the fact that he was absolutely gorgeous too?!!

And so begins my rant ........................

I've got a lot to rant about today.

Got to the hospital about 2.45pm for a 2.50pm appointment, checked in at reception and they told me to take a seat.  Took a seat and looked around for an 'interesting' magazine.  Managed to find an April 2012 edition of 'Womans Own'. Read that pretty quickly because actually 'Womans Own' is full of fashion items that no one ever buys, celeb interviews with celebs that no-one cares about, and recipes that aren't actually that innovative - Garlic chicken thighs served with salad????  Oh and there's always at least a couple of pages devoted to diets????  OMG  I feel another rant coming on.

Anyway after I'd been sat in the waiting room for about 45 mins a very jolly nurse appeared and made the grand announcement that all appointments were running about an hour late.  Well there's a surprise?!!  Went through all of this last year.

By this time it was 3.30pm.  Very nice of her to keep us informed but in this day & age of technology I'm sure they could have told me this when I checked in 45mins earlier.  In which case I would have gone off shopping in the Range, or Matalan, or Homebase, or Argos, or Brantano, or in fact any of the other crap shops nearby that I don't actually spend a great deal of time in.

Instead I played on my phone for about 5 mins .................. and then got bored

 ................ because the only other magazines were medical type ones and why would I want to read them???????  Actually that's a lie; there were a lot of 'Hello' mags kicking around ................. but the one I picked up was dated 2010 ............... and I hate 'Hello' mag anyway.

At 3.40pm I was called through to a consulting room by a very nice nurse.  Obviously I had to strip off and put on a 'cape'.  Then I sat and waited for 10 mins. after which there was a knock on the door and a foreign doctor walked in.  I recognised him immediately because I'd seen him last year.  ...........But I was hoping to see my gorgeous surgeon.

Anyway 'Mr Foreign Doctor' asked me what tablets I was on and how old I was (as if all that information isn't in his notes) touched up my boobs, told me to get dressed and then go back to the waiting room and be called for a mammogram.

I just feel like he didn't care.  Surely he should have asked me more questions?  I've lost loads of weight in the last few months.  Is that relevant or not relevant?  Surely he should have been asking me questions about my lifestyle, if only to gather information for statistic information???

Half an hour later I get called for a mammogram.  The mammogram nurse was very nice.  Having my boobs squished into lots of different positions was not.

Sooooooooooooooo, that's been my day - two hours this afternoon at the hospital for less than 10 mins of treatment???!!!

.................But at least I'm not dead!!!!!!!