Yesterday we had a tootle over to B&Q Stockton. As previously mentioned the Nesbitt DIY project is back in fashion and Jon is refitting the fitted wardrobes. Obviously designed for the average 8 foot giant the top part left me straining on my tiptoes to hang anything on the rails or access the upper shelves. Jon has designed a shelving solution which will allow me to use all of the space.......tidy bedroom on the agenda!
Saturday nights are one of our favourite nights of the week and we often have a special meal. Last night I was cooking Steak Diane and whilst I didn't want to spoil my appetite, when I spotted some of my favourite sweets in the vending machine I decided they would curb my hunger pang. Jon had wanted a bottle of juice his favourite being Orange Luckozade. Seeing the favoured juice in the vending machine I pressed the appropriate code only to be informed it was sold out. I was looking at a row of the favourite drink but each time I typed in the code the same message came onto the display. I did try to catch the machine out by random code pressing at different speeds but no joy. After a few minutes of frustration I went for a bottle of Oasis. Having sorted (sort of ) Jon's request for his second favourite choice of juice I moved to the next vending machine - sweets and sanacks.
The sweets were 70p. I had used all my change on Jon's juice so asked the checkout assistant if he could change my coins. He pointed out he was not allowed to do this. I did point out it was rather silly to have a vending machine next to the checkouts if no change woukd be given. I rummaged through my pockets and managed to find 50p, 10p and 2 5p coins. Hurray!
I put the coins in only to have the 5p coins rejected - several times despite the information clearly stating 5p coins were acceptable. I returned to helpful salesman of the year and asked him if he woulkd exchange 2 5p coins for a 10p coin, pointing out this was technically different from him giving me change for the vending machine.....I just wanted to minimise the amount of 5p coins in my purse. He did so and yes I did detect a smile brimming up on his little face.
Returning to the vending machine I inserted the coin and pressed the appropriate code - I think it was D3. The machine whirred into action and my sweets moved forward.......and promptly stopped. Yes the machine was jammed. I had paid 70p and no sweeties.
Returning to my new best friend it didn't surprise me when he said that the machines were nothing to do with B&Q but he would give the machine a slap. He did so - nothing. The machine was very heavy but he did do his best to resolve the situation and what a strong chappie he was too. Sadly to no avail. By this time we had struck up quite a rapor and we were both seeing the funny side of my predicament but as I explained to him it would appear that I was not meant to have the sweets and in any case I was on a diet.
Returning to our van Jon drank his juice and we returned home where Jon carried on with the wardrobe project and later we had the Steak Diane and mighty fine it was too.
He is continuing today and it looks as though my wardrobes will be fully fitted out later this afternoon. I can then lift all the clothes back in and being the sad blogger I am I will even take photographs and share here. The question is....should I organise the clothes according to their colour, material or type?
Watch this space.....well the wardrobe space! lol!