Leap Year

I just had to blog today to commemorate* leap year. When I was younger I used to begrudge leap year - having to wait a whole day longer for my birthday. Now I think Yaay an extra day of being in my thirties. I think it should be a Bank holiday, as it is a little bonus day.
*Thank you spell checker - I was startled that I spelt that wrong.

Scaredy

Watched Torchwood tonight (the pre Watershed episode) and got a bit scared. Hide behind the cushion scared.
I remember Buffy ( does Russell T ever acknowledge his debt to the great Joss?) episodes that had me diving behind the cushion. Angel had its moments too. I think that Torchwood will become a classic in a way those shows are. What I'm trying to say is that these shows have you (well, ok, me) completely suspending disbelief. They are little worlds that for 45 minutes you (well, ok, me)are totally involved with and the characters seem real. You (well, ok, me) feel part of the gang.
Note to concerned readers: Don't worry I DO have friends. I CAN tell the difference between fact and fiction - just sometimes I chose not to.

Unbelievable!

Went into Lush (my favourite luxury toiletries shop) to get some stuff for the Mums for Mother's Day. The lady said she popped me some a sample of a complimentary face pack. I'll have that! It turned out to be an Anti Wrinkle face mask. I was shocked as I thought that my chubster face hid the wrinkles! Still used it though - and it was very nice.

Mental health

There has been a lot about mental health in the news with Paul Gascoigne's and Britney's troubles. Mental illness scares the cr*p out of me, because you can't rely on yourself. Your thoughts and beliefs will not be based in reality. And if you can't trust yourself who can you trust? If you break an arm you know you've broken yourr arm and to get help. You probably won't realise your mentally ill because it becomes normal for you.There is a stigmas sttached to mental illness so sufferers may be too ashamed to get help.
When I was depressed (when I start sentances like that it reminds me of Uncle "during the war") it was horrific. It took me a long time to admit that I wasn't just down, that I would get over it and that I needed to see a doctor. I really believed that seeing a doctor would be a waste of time. I had thoughts racing through my head all the time, I thought I smelled, a feeling of keeping tears at bay, that people were laughing at me and when I'd wake up in the mornings I felt really scared. During all this I had a base line feeling of flatness. Antidepressants did help - they stopped the swirling thoughts. I had therapy as well and that really helped. I'm now a great believer in therapy and would recommend it.I'd say it took about 3 years to get through to the other side. Depression seems to go in cycles, with gradually wider gaps between each episode. I learnt to recognise the warning signs and to get help quickly. I was blessed by having a fantastic support system, if I couldn't trust myself at least I could trust them. Well him really, as Steve bore the brunt of it. It was Steve that forced me to the Doctor's, and I'm very thankful that he did.

Wednesday

Ok Hesitant Man, I did the other quiz:

The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to Purgatory!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	High
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	High
Level 2 (Lustful)	Moderate
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Moderate
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Very Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Low
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very Low
Level 7 (Violent)	Moderate
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Moderate
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Low

Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test

Another quizzy thing

Greed:	Medium
Gluttony:	Medium
Wrath:	Medium
Sloth:	Medium
Envy:	Very Low
Lust:	Low
Pride:	Medium

Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz
Ripped from Dan - as ever!

A Change of heart

Esther rang yesterday. She still can't get over me being 40 this year.
Esther:Its middle aged
Gina (sarcastic): Thanks for pointing that out it hadn't occured to me.
But you know what reader? I'm actually looking forward to my birthday. Bring it on! I think being in my forties will be quite fabulous.And I don't fancy the alternative much.

So it begins

I ring up Esther. She tells me she has to keep it quick, she has just got home and has 2 kids and a husband to sort out.

Gina: I'll be quick - I'm (deep breath) 40 this year and I'd like a girls night out. Keep the 8th March free.
Esther: (pause)You're 40 this year?
Gina: Yeah. I can't believe it.
Esther: I can't believe you're 40. 40. (then recollects herself) yeah ofcouse I'll keep the 8th free. We'll talk later in the week. Gina! 40!
Gina: I knooow.
Esther: I'm so sorry mate.
Gina: Thanks.

Do you think I'll be getting "With Sympathy" cards instead of birthday cards?

Make mine a double.

The Recipe For GinaRobbo

3 parts Charisma 2 parts Dignity 1 part Happiness Splash of Mania Chug!

What's the Recipe for Your Personality?

I don't

I was getting my celeb gossip fix and noticed that Posh and Becks have renewed their wedding vows. Many years ago, in fact in pre Robbo days I met an American girl who told me that for her parents' Silver Wedding they were going to renew their wedding vows. I thought it was strange then and I think its strange now. My puritanical side thinks that it smacks of showing off. It seems over the top. To me wedding vows are heavy duty, they only need to be said once.
I tell you something weird though - I have no memory of actually saying my vows. I can remember going to get married, standing in front of the Registrar and being worried that I might start to cry. (I was so happy! So excited!). Steve says his bit and then its my turn. I listen intently to the Registrar so I can repeat after her... Then my memory cuts to signing the register. I can't remember the middle bit at all. That makes me feel a bit sad. Perhaps we should renew our wedding vows afterall....

Man in the Morning

Mr Robbo loves radio (at least that is the excuse he gives me for going everywhere with his ear phones on. You don't think he might be tuning me out...do you?). Mr R is not one to blow his own trumpet (although he did play trumpet in the school orchestra, so at one time he did blow his own trumpet) but he has done some broadcasting. Radio is his passion. So when he raved about Man in The Morning I wasn't sure I'd like it, being more of a telly girl. I don't listen to radio that much- just when I'm getting ready for work and The Archers omnibus. However I can recommend it as a rollicking good read- however it does contain some VERY naughty words -so be warned.

St Valentine

This is what I think about Valentine's Day:
When I'm in a relationship I'm not bothered by it. When I was single it made me feel like lonely.
Steve and I usually give each other a card, but we're not bothering this year. As you know dear reader it was our anniversary last week and we've still got the cards up on the mantelpiece. BTW do you know why we got married in February? I suggested it because there ia a 18 month age difference between us. If we had got married later than March but before September it would have looked like I was TWO years older than Steve on the marriage certificate. I didn't want to be an old bride- and I was 31 in March 1999. Of course I now realise 31 is young. I'm still glad that it looks like I'm only a year older than Steve on the certificate. Shallow but true.

So...

this is why I've a sound track running through my head all the time..

Your Brain's Pattern

Your mind is a creative hotbed of artistic talent. You're always making pictures in your mind, especially when you're bored. You are easily inspired to think colorful, interesting thoughts. And although it may be hard to express these thoughts, it won't always be.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Winner

At work we won £44.40 on the Euro millions. That is 47p per person. My life won't change but hey I'm a winner!

Food

I cooked a mushroom curry this afternoon. I like having time to cook on Sunday and have the radio on as I poodle about. I added some Green Thai curry paste that I had bought from the Chinese cash and carry. I don't normally using curry paste but thought this would be authentic. I suppose it was but it was a taste disaster as it was far too hot to eat. We ended up throwing it away. The Robbos like spicy but this was vindaloo hot. I'd spent ages preparing all the veg and cooking it. I'm now cooking pie and potaotes. I've thrown the rest of the paste away.

Sunny Sunday

Today for the first time in ages I ventured out with out my scarf. I even sat out in the garden and enjoyed a cup of tea. Spring is in the air.
Dare I spoil my good mood and watch the rugby?

Euro Millions

The Euro millions jackpot this weekend is £96 million. I assume that is pounds not Euros. At work we've done a sweep stake thing. Now what would I do if I won? Lets say, we win and my share is about a million.
I would.....
Book a holiday. A remote Thai island would be nice.

That's it really. I don't know that I would want to give up work, perhaps cut down on my hours. I like where we live, I'd splash out on some home decoration, but I'd be in no rush to move. I'd like a detached house with a big garden- but I don't think my million would stretch that far (don't forget the running costs) We've got a nice car. it would be lovely not to have to worry about money. Sensible aren't I?

Willow Wocks.

Which Buffy the Vampire Slayer Character Are You?

Created by BuddyTV

And you what is really weird, apart from the fact I'm 39 and doing quizzes like this is, is that I've got a jumper like Willow wore on BTVS. When she was going through her geeky period. It is crochety. multi coloured and I bought it from matalan. And I really liked it.
I ripped this quiz off Dan. I rip a lot of stuff from his blog.

Happy Anniversary

Well the Robbos have made it to 9 years. I met Steve from work and we had all you can get tapas for £10 per person. It was very tasty. Steve is now watching the football and I'm on the PC. Who says romance is dead?! I tried to upload a wedding photo but have had problems, so I thought I'd post a photo of my knight in shinning armour. Just think girls, he is my reason for living..

More chairs

...After discussion with Mr Robbo I'd be willing to compromise with this. He cheekily said that we would have to upgrade everything else to that level of poshness, but as I pointed out everything else is posh!

Pull up a seat

When we moved into our house we splashed out on a big three seater settee. We didn't have any thing else left to splash for armchairs. A few months later we bought a rocking chair. This is fine when it is just us two but when the Robbos are entertaining it can get a bit squished. Sometimes I even end up sitting on the floor. At my age! We've been discussing what furniture we should buy next time we get a bit of dosh. Steve fancies getting tub chairs and I think they are a good choice. Not over designed, not made out of horrible cheap leather and they do look comfy. But then I saw this beauty. I know it is expensive, and doesn't solve the seating issues but I love it. I'd keep the white shell and opt for the olive leather interior.
Dream on Gina!

Holiday

The other days I was reading the Lurchers blog and read this. I was very interested as it is difficult taking dogs on holiday. We took the dogs to Wiltshire a few years ago, it was a beautiful cottage but we couldn't leave the dogs in the house unattended. I completely understood and wouldn't have felt happy leaving the dogs by themselves but it did limit us. Also the garden wasn't secure - the first time we let the dogs out Penny took a flying leap over the low wall. So that meant if we went out into the garden the dogs had to be put on a lead. That said, we did have a nice time. But we didn't go back either.
Which is why I found this so exciting. We've booked the caravan because the cottage has already been booked. I can't wait. Tom will love it! Thanks for the tip AOJ!

*sigh*

I've come up here to get away from the England v Wales match. Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory....