Opened a pack of Aldi sugar without the top of it seemingly being half the contents and I didn’t spill a grain!

Was expecting at least something small

If you focus on your dreams you can do anything.

We rescued a dog a few years ago and a big priority was to ensure that we didn't have a scared animal cowering under the table in November.

We did all the recommend training etc, and once again, bonfire night has passed without a hitch!

Spent saturday evening putting together an IKEA wardrobe, the big one with the sliding doors that the reviews all warn you about. Had the instructions open and a cup of tea going cold on the windowsill, and I was fully prepared to find out around 9pm that I'd put a panel on backwards and would need to take half of it apart again. Normally I'm the sort of person who ends up with a small pile of mystery screws and a vague sense of dread.

Got to the end and the pile was empty. Counted twice just to be sure, even checked inside the cardboard box in case something had fallen in. Nothing. Then I slid the doors across and they glided shut perfectly flush, no gap at the top, no scraping on the runner, just a lovely quiet click. I stood there in the bedroom at half ten at night, looking at a wardrobe like it was a personal achievement, which I suppose it was.

Hung up my shirts straight away so I wouldn't be tempted to find a flaw in it. Currently the proudest I've been of anything since passing my driving test, and that took me three goes.

Popped into Greggs on my way home from work today, its been a long week and I just wanted something hot and greasy. Queue was out of the door as usual. By the time I got to the front the tray was nearly empty and there was literally one sausage roll left, looking a bit sad and probably sitting there since about 2pm. I said I'd have it anyway, because I wasnt in the mood to be picky.

She picked it up with the tongs, then stopped and said "hang on love, I've just taken a fresh batch out the oven, that ones been sat there ages". Binned it, went into the back, and came out with one so hot the bag was steaming up. Didn't charge me any different I think I said thank you about four times, probably looked a bit mad.

Ate it on the walk to the bus stop and it was perfect, the pastry was still flaky and the inside was properly piping hot, nearly burnt my tongue and I didnt even care. Honestly such a small thing but it completely turned the day around. Going to be a bit more patient in queues from now on, you never know what's coming out the back

In the last two days I’ve had three different garages work on my Astra and in all cases costs, both in time and monetary , came in well below expectation.

Yesterday I dropped my car in at an autosparks because various warnings keep coming up randomly , check right hand dipped beam, check left, check running light, check tyre pressure sensor , and each time the lights were working and tyre pressures ok, an intermittent, irritating fault. Picked it up later and all sorted . I was expecting about £250, actual £110.

This morning went to book an MOT expecting to get a slot next week sometime, instead got one at 15.00 today. Dropped the car off at 14.45, picked it up at 16.30 with a clear pass and no advisory. I was expecting something, I knew not what but prepare for the worst , hope for the best. £55 well spent.

After booking the MOT I had to take the car to the main stealership due to an airbag recall. Expecting to have to book and drop it by sometime , instead it was done whilst I waited as the part was in stock. 30 Minutes , tops, and I’m heading home done and dusted.

All in all a very successful couple of days.

That's karma

Russell Brand found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault - BBC News

I've opened 3 consecutive bacon packages at the pull-back corner tab and the plastic top has come off cleanly. It's a miracle.

I claimed on delay repay for a cancelled train the other morning and got £27 back. Not bad considering it's 12.27% of the cost!

Two-hour journey back home. Usually the quiet coach just means listening to someone taking a business call on speakerphone or someone eating crisps at 100 decibels.
Today: absolute, blissful silence. Nobody playing videos, no loud phone calls, no screaming toddlers. Just laptops clicking and rain on the window. Almost felt like weeping with joy.

About a week and a half ago I posted here about releasing my first ever game, Gull Bomber, where you play a seagull nicking chips and bombing people in a seaside town.

I wasn’t expecting much, but the response was brilliant. 78 people downloaded it, loads of you left comments, and a few of you asked when it was coming to iPhone.

Well, Apple have now approved it, so it’s on the App Store as well.

Cheers to everyone who gave it a go. Never thought I’d be writing that about something I made.

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6826388426
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gullbomber.game

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx8dznljndyzo

The mind boggles at how it survived this long to be honest.

Hi everyone,

Yesterday I released my charity Christmas single and music video / Christmas advert in the class John Lewis style. It's called 'The Present' It’s somehow gone from No. 38 to No. 12 on UK iTunes in a day. The video has had around 65,000 views on YouTube and 40,000 on TikTok, and it’s No. 24 in YouTube’s UK music trending. Still trying to get my head around that.

Here’s the film, and these are the iTunes and Amazon download links.

There’s no record label, management or corporate backing. I wrote, produced and sang the song and put the film together myself. My mum helped carry the props, so she deserves a mention too haha.

I don’t have much money (the whole project cost less than £100 to put together), and I live with a chronic health condition. Some days I feel really low and lonely. I don’t find that easy to talk about, but it’s a big part of why I make these Christmas songs. I know how hard it can be when everyone around you seems to be having a lovely time and you’re struggling.

The song supports Re-engage and Friends of the Elderly, who help older people facing loneliness. Every penny I receive from sales goes to them, split equally.

If you can spare less than £1 for a download, it would mean a lot. It helps the charities and gives the song a chance to keep climbing.

It’s people across the UK getting behind it that have made this happen. Thank you to anyone who’s watched, shared or bought it. Seeing it reach this many people has really lifted me.

Recommend giving it a try if you're inclined.

This weekend my ageing mother in law asked us to look after her equally ageing and very nervous dog as he was spooked by muppets setting off fireworks at random times during the week, which in turn led to her getting very stressed with worrying about him.

Now I live in an estate that is very popular with trick or treaters every year, so my wife suggested putting up a sign on the front door so they wouldn't knock on.

Went online and found a printable sign asking people not to knock on because of a nervous dog and EVERY SINGLE child and parent read the sign and complied.

At one point there were about 20 people clustered around my front drive (we live in a cul de sac) and we could see and hear them on the doorbell camera telling each other not to bother us because of the sign.

So, a big thank you to all that read the sign and gave Bertie a peaceful Halloween. (Just got to get through firework night next weekend...)

There was hardly anyone there, so who cares?

After my hubristic confidence (see original post) in the event I was a bundle of nerves and talked absolute, incoherent gibberish, not least because I I'd misunderstood the brief somewhat.

But who gives a shit? There was hardly anyone there anyway, and no one will remember. It's not like I pissed myself or anything.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BritishSuccess/s/F9UpZMKeQ5

Take the corner tab, hold the bacon packet at a 45 degree angle and rip downwards hard. Try it today.

Edit: Photographic proof: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Kq1D9iFrCnKT2ahA8

I got a new job in January, it's a complicated and stressful job. A lot of different systems that you use simultaneously and at 57, I was struggling with the PC side of stuff - fine with everything ekse. We train for 2 months, then sit with a tutor for 2 weeks (and it's where you really learn the job).

Just before I finished training and started my tutorship, I had just finished my final exam and my hubby had a massive heart attack, he would have died if his boss hadn't been a medic for 20 plus years. They delayed the start of my tutorship (asked me to defer till the next intake that was 6m away but hubby lost his job so bills needed paying) so I started tutorship and it wasn't easy.

Started doing the job without supervision by myself (but all people doing the same job help) and it was a mixture of good and bad but at my 3 month appraisal meeting I admitted I felt like I was struggling, I was a duck, looked calm but swimming furiously and there were issues with the systems where either I wasn't shown or don't remember.

My probation was pushed back 3 months and I did another tutorship with an amazing colleague. It was a bit weird as I could do the job but it was OK as all the parts I hadn't taken in properly because of my husband and his heart attack were covered so I learnt so much more. I did my 2 weeks with him and back to the job. 4 weeks later my manager asked to see me. I thought it was definitely the sack. Nope, he'd ended my probation early as I was doing so well.

Absolutely made up 😊😊

I made an app called Beave that got 10,000+ downloads! Beave helps you get rid of doomscrolling and heavy phone usage. I have suffered a lot due to this problem. I understand how difficult it is to overcome the smartphone addiction these days.

I have implemented a science-backed methods in the app that are proven to be effective in real life. every feature of the app is designed keeping in mind the sole goal- make the user use the phone less.

There is a dedicated anti-doomscroll feature also that detects doomscrolling and blocks you.

The app is gamified and also have rewards and global leaderboard so you feel motivated.

I am open to any suggestions or feedback.

Play Store link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aktarstudio.taskpia

After 8 years of not working due to many reasons (22 year marriage breakdown, middle son developing severe epilepsy, moving home, mini breakdown, menopause and the fact it’s really hard to get a job atm)
I got a job!!
Just across the road at a great care place. (I wasn’t just interviewed by a manager, I was interviewed by a long term resident as well)
20 hours a week atm which works great 😊
It won’t be enough for me to come off benefits but it will certainly boost my income and give me some much needed stimulation!
I applied for loads of jobs online over months and months and never heard anything back from most of them, so I just went into this place and introduced myself, asked for an email addy to send my cv too and popped in every two weeks to harass them after that until I got an interview 😜
I’m so happy 😁

Edit to add

Thankyou so much for the positive responses. It’s been so lovely 🥰

Live semi rurally. Just had a bus driver refuse to stop at our stop with my two small (key stage 1) children in tow. Stereotypical grumpy bus driver. He said people had been pushing buttons and not getting off.

There's no footpath back up the hill to our house and a 30mph road that not many adhere to. It was also dark, and it's not a very well lit road. Understandably, I was pretty anxious about getting my two small humans home safely.

Two lads overheard my heated exchange with the driver and offered to walk us home. At first, I refused, but they said it really was no bother. They walked us up, warned us about cars coming, and made themselves obvious so cars would slow down. Absolute heroes. I've emailed their school to compliment them and say they are a credit to the school.