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Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I like to get little extra presents.......it makes Christmas more fun when there is a lot to unwrap!
I well remember stocking fillas.... but there is not much to be had of a size that will go in a stocking (usually dad's sock) these days!
I am trying to encourage our granddaughter (aged 8) to read more for pleasure, so it will be interesting to search for some appealing books for her.
The older boys are no problem...all love books, and the six year is already on the Harry Potter books.
(I cannot stand that genre of book!)
I am sure you will win over BT, but I don't know how you do it!
Even getting to speak to a 'human being' seems to be an achievement!
I feel that I personally am paying the price for this lack of spam!!
If I encounter one more traffic light ..... or fire hydrant - I do not appear to be able to recognise either of these - you will be able to hear me screaming from Dundee!

Hello, Elle!
I loved reading when I was wee.
It is good to encourage the young ones to read.
I have never tried Harry Potter.
I did tell you how I do it with BT.
Speak to them in a friendly manner and they usually try to help.
I have found that it pays dividends.
I am with EE for my mobile 'phone and I have just discovered that EE are owned by BT.
My mobile contract with EE finishes in early January, so I may ask tomorrow if BT Mobile can offer a better deal than EE can.
No harm in exploring the possibility.
I did not know what a fire hydrant looked like until Captcha came along!

A Very Good morning to you, Rusty!
It is a very miserable morning here....damp and very foggy!
I believe it is going to rain about 11 am....supposedly heavily, and for the duration of the next three days!
How are you doing up your way?
Any sign of Storm Diana?
Now ....my husband tells a very different story about his very recent dealings with BT....
He is a lovely man who is always pleasant to everyone, but he obviously didn't manage to win over BT!
Husband rings BT...
BT: We cannot talk to you unless you can prove who you are.
I shall ask you your security question "Where did your mother go to school?"
Husband; How do I know where my mother went to school? That isn't my security question. Why would I give you that when I don't know the answer?
BT: We cannot talk to you then .
Phone goes dead.
Husband rings back BT...which seems to be somewhere in India.....
BT: We shall have to send you a PIN by post. you can then read it out to us over the phone.
Phone goes dead.
Husband waits several days for arrival of PIN
Then rings BT......and quotes the PIN......
BT: We don't recognise that PIN number.
Phone goes dead.........
I understand that a further week later, a second password duly arrived....... and husband and BT finally concluded their business!
I suspect these are all tactics to deter the customer from contacting them!

Goodness me, elle, what a tale!

I gave up on BT years ago. I get my line rental and broadband for less than £20 a month from Plusnet. I do not use my landline for phone calls out, unless 0800 ones.
I know Plusnet is part of BT. When I have called with a problem, Olusnet people have been unfailingly polite and solved it. No need for PINs or anything else.

Good morning, Elle!
It was fine earlier but getting very dull now.
No wind yet though.
A tale of woe regarding your husband and BT!
I have to answer security questions, too.
I find that straightforward enough.
What I do is phone straight through to the "disconnections dept".
My call is answered very quickly.
I think it is in the North East of England the department is.
The "disconnections department" is in fact the "retentions department".
Last port of call at BT before you leave.
Their job is to prevent you leaving, hence the good deals they offer.
I have nothing but praise for them.
I am calling them later today, when I do a bit of homework as regards deals other companies are offering.
This is helpful to put to them when asking for a discount.
And I really do not have to try too hard, as they want to keep my custom.

Hi, Rusty!
All I can say here, Rusty, is that I am extremely glad for your sake that your experience with BT is far happier than is ours!
And I wish you luck with your "bargaining" for a cheaper rate......
I hope to hear that you have been successful!
Now, on the plus side of life, my third parcel containing Black Friday purchases has just arrived.
Delivered by the same smiling courier as came yesterday.
Good prompt service indeed.
I am impressed.
And I have filled two more boxes of books this morning......by my rough reckoning (I haven't done a head count!) I should eventually be left with about 500 books that I am keeping.
This is not, of course, taking into account all our scientific and medical text books.
I am pleased with my efforts....... the end is hovering into sight!



Hello, Ros !
I find that attempting to contact any of these companies such as telephone , gas, electricity - and don't get me started on the HMRC - is fraught with problems, in that one can never find a "human" on the other end of the phone.
It is all automated .....press this , press that , or "Why don't you go online on our website.........?"

Good afternoon, Elle!
Weather is deteriorating here.
Can Diana be far away!
I was on 'phone to BT.
Spoke to a lad from Dunfermline who is based in their Glasgow department.
He wanted to know my a/c number, address, date of birth and nothing else.
He explored my account and told me I am on the maximum possible discounts and unfortunately he could not offer more.
So!.....Then I asked what kind of mobile 'phone deal he could offer me in January.
I told him the 'phone I wanted, and the deal he offered is much better than my present one with EE. And he has emailed the deal to me.
Also better than O2, 3, and TESCO.
So...not successful in getting any more discount, but the mobile deal is good, if I take it, and I had a nice chat with a very pleasant Fifer!
Well done on the books!

On Plusnet I get through to a real person, one I could understand, straight away. First Direct is also excellent here. Best bank I've ever dealt with.

I remember your problems with HMC!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
Raining heavily here....as promised / threatened!
At least the fog has lifted.
Well done on your potential mobile phone deal!
It sounds promising.
Yes, I am pleased with my books sort -out.
I 've been up the ladder again!
And I have unearthed a lot of "old" treasured books - many of them classics - that I shall enjoy re-reading in due course.
I'm afraid I still do not have much space on my bookshelves - most of the shelves are still two books deep!
But at least there are no longer piles of books accumulating in corners!
I may go visit this church when it has its new roof!!
I can stand there, admiring said roof, consumed with parental pride!



Hello, Chris!
Guess what?
I have uncovered several "Swallows and Amazon" books during today's book sorting!
I shall, of course, be keeping those!

Excellent, elle!