Thursday 22 November 2018

Spending a bit of money on my hobby

I went to see my favourite dentist yesterday for my annual checkup. Pleased to report that no work needs to be done, all ok. Jim is a nice young man, he remembered me from last time, quick chat, more patients waiting. Cost £21.60.

After that I had a mooch round Brigg, did some shopping at Tesco, and called in to see a friend who works in a sewing shop. I found some nice embroidery silks in a bargain box and chose five for £2. There was a poster up about forthcoming workshops and one caught my eye, so I booked it. Make a Christmas table centre, raw edge applique, patchwork, and free motion quilting. £48 for six hours, includes all materials, and a festive buffet lunch, with 25% off any fabric purchased on the day. Something to do on a miserable winters day. I like the social aspect of it as well, chatting with like minded people.

Looking at the programme there might be some other workshops that I might be interested in. The 2019 list will be out soon. I quite fancy free machine embroidery as I have not been that successful when I have tried it.

In an hour or so my car is booked in for it's MOT test. I am now using a local garage, as they seem fair. Keeping my fingers crossed. I'll have a bite to eat before I go.

I asked a friend for guitar lessons, he wasn't too keen, quickly showed me two cords, so it's yoootoob tutorials for me. I can see it's going to take a while, with my brain slowing down due to old age, ha ha.   ilona 

17 comments:

  1. I play the guitar. What type of music do you want to play? Classical or just a few chords? Chords and strumming are relatively easy and I would start children off on a basic 3 chord popular song. The Beatles have a few. Can you sing? Classical takes a bit more practice as it is very quick fingering and it will hurt the ends of your fingers until they harden up. But classical is more interesting if you take the time to practice every day. I wonder if your library has any music books, Tune A Day is brilliant. Another tip - when we were young my mum didn't have very much money so she contacted the local University to ask if any music students wanted to earn a little money teaching, it was a fraction of the price of a professional teacher.

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    1. Just a few cords would do for starters. I can sing a bit but wouldn't want to go public. It's for my own enjoyment.

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    2. A 'tab' book or instructional would be fine for you. They are basically diagrams where to put your fingers - its the easiest method of chords and strumming. My dad taught himself using Burt Weedon, he did a lot of rock n roll type music. You might be able to get a cheap second hand copy. Good luck.

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  2. Shouldn't you get your dental treatment free ? you are past retirement age.
    I have appointments every 3 months and don't have to pay.

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    1. I asked as soon as I was 60, and was told I have to pay. I think if I was on pension credits it would be free, but I'm not.

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    2. oh - I'm on pension credit so that's obviously why I don't pay.

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  3. surely not the Brigg in Lincolnshire?!

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  4. I'm moving to England! pronto! £21.60 for a dental check up is super cheap.

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  5. Tried guitar but found it difficult so started the ukelele. So much easier only 4 strings to worry about and some chords you only use 1 finger! The craft course sounds great.

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  6. What an exciting idea to learn guitar, if you don't find what you want on Utube, you could see if your library has instructional books or dvds to help you.
    Craft classes are always worth attending, not just for knowledge, fun and skills, you pick up so much extra info from others in class as well as making friends with like minded people .enjoy the day.

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  7. Is the fee for an xray? Or a pay per use cost? Is the rest covered by your healthcare? In Canada our dental is not covered at all. But we do have good healthcare so I'm not complaining :)

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    1. Hi. We have a choice here whether to go private and pay monthly for a dental plan, or stay with the NHS and pay as you go.

      The NHS treatments are limited to work that absolutely needs doing , any extras deemed as cosmetic are not covered and needs to be paid for privately. I don't pay for a plan. A few years ago I chose to go private for a bridge I needed at the front. £200 NHS, £800 private.

      They occasionally do an xray, but don't offer them as routine on the NHS, unless the dentist spots something suspect while checking round. This routine check up included a polish with his whizzing brush implement. Some people see the hygienist on a regular basis which has to be paid for. I have never been told I need to because I look after my teeth pretty well.

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  8. Pleased that everything went well at the dentist and I hope that your car passed its MOT.Your workshop sounds good and as you say,it great to talk to like minded people,so it should be good fun too!.Sometimes we have to splash out on something that we what to do.I think thats what frugal living is all about so that when something comes about,that we want to do..well then we have the cash to do it!!.Yesterday I bought 2 extending dog leads for when we walk...and run,lol,with my Daughters 2 Labradors.They are just over 6 months now and getting bigger by the day!.I saw them on line but there was a telephone number as well.So we rang them up and ordered them on the phone.They are made by a German firm and cost £58 free delivery.The same ones in The Range are £100!.Delivery was bang on time and they are great quality,10 meters long.We only need them for on the fields,so we are trying them out this afternoon.This morning Im off to a Christmas Fayer in the local village so Im looking forward to that.Have a lovely weekend every one!,xx

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    1. Just a note about extension leads, which you might already know, but best repeated. When walking alongside a road, or near traffic, reel the dog in and lock the lead, even if it is pulling to get away.

      An elderly chap round the corner here had his Westie on the extendable, stopped to talk to someone, and the dog ran out into the road straight onto the path of a car. Luckily not killed, but a costly vet visit. Always keep your thumb hovering over the button to lock it in a split second. Using them on the fields is a good idea.

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    2. Hi Ilona,yes,we have only bought them for on the fields cause at the moment we are too scared to let them off their leads.Although the fields have hedges around them,there are still some parts where it not as thick and Im worried that they could get through on to the road.They are very energetic and go mad when we first put them in the car,lol.It did make it easier this afternoon because they were able to run but because they stick together all the time the leads weather short or long can get over crossed...the pros and cons of having 2 Labradors!.Ive just got to practice now,how to dig my heels in and not get dragged face down on the grass,hanging on to the leads like something out of a cartoon when they spot a squirrel,lol.xx

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  9. Hello the craft day sounds great. You need to look at https://www.justinguitar.com/ for the guitar lessons online, all free! It is where I started to learn it takes you right from very beginner, I have also bought his beginner song books but you don't have to, all tutorials for the songs are their online. Justin Sandercoe is his name, go have a look I think you will enjoy it. If my link doesn't work just type in Justin Sandercoe guitar, all the best.

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