Mother in law and me

Just to show that Steve's Mum is as mad as mine.

Mother in law: I've made you potato and onion flan

Gina: Mmn that sounds nice

Mother in law: With out the flan bit.

Happy new year everyone!

Mum and me

Mum: Did you see that picture of Barack Obama with no body hair?

Gina: What!?

Mum patiently: He is the next president of the United States

Gina: I know who he is! What do you mean he hasn't got any body hair?

Apparently Mum was talking about a photo of him in swimming shorts and he didn't have any chest hair.

Dog gone

I thought I'd do this quiz after I was introduced on Saturday as "This is Gina , she is into greyhounds.""As pets " I added , "I'm not weird."

You Are: 60% Dog, 40% Cat

You are a nice blend of cat and dog. You're playful but not too needy. And you're friendly but careful. And while you have your moody moments, you're too happy to stay upset for long.

Are You More Cat or Dog?

Bah!

Watched a bit of The Family Stone last night on Film Four. I didn't watch till the end because  I didn't need to - it was so predictable. i thought the warm and bohemian family were a bunch of bullies. The boyfriend kept going on about how he was going to marry Sarah Jessica Parker (well not her - her character) and then falls immediately for the sister .(as she falls off the bus - how zany and cute!) Ugh an awful film. And I think it is patronising and lazy heaping loads of minority stuff on one character. hey he is deaf! he is gay! he is white and has a black boyfriend! And he is still totally boring!

After Christmas

Well I have eaten my body weight in roast potatoes and brussel sprouts, drank bottles of champagnes and glasses of Baileys. Watched Gavin and Stacey, and A Matter of Loaf and Death.I have had a very lovely Christmas. 

Went in to Southend today, and regretted it. The shops were mad. I don't know why I expected any different.

Sunday

I've got period pain and aching legs. Apart from when I first started my periods ("became a woman") I've never been bothered by period pain. now most months I'm fine, but now and then the odd killer when gets through. Today we were meant to see a basket ball game, dropping in on Ma and pa Robbo on the way. The idea of sitting on a bench for a couple of hours is unbearable to me. So Steve has gone and I've stayed at home. I 'm feeling a bit fed up to tell you the truth.

At last!

At last! All the Christmas presents are wrapped, cards written AND posted  and I've just completed my mammouth Tesco shopping order on line!

Who knows I might even get the chance to blog more..

English wine and black dogs.

Steve has work and radio Christmas dos over the next 2 Saturdays, so last night we went out. We went to a vegetarian restaurant in Leigh, called My Kitchen. We've never been to a veggie restaurant before, and it made such a difference not to be a foot note on a menu. Everything was locally sourced, including the wine. I've never even knew that there were Essex vine yards. We had a bottle of Ruby red , and it was delish. very smooth. Steve really like it and he doesn't normally like red wine.  Unfortunately we hadn't any room left for dessert. I'd deffo go there again.

Pootling on the internet I came across this greyhound site, devoted to re homing black greyhounds. Apparently people tend to over look black dogs. Why? After I've brushed Tom, his coat just sines. I may be a tad biased, but he is a handsome devil. penny was mostly white with black bits, and although she was gorgeous too, her coat never shone like Tom's.  Of course looking at all these dogs makes me want to get another dog. But. A dog is a tie.  We tend not to go out Friday evenings as we feel guilty that Tom has been by himself all day. Steve comes home every lunchtime to let him out. When we go on holiday we have to add the extra expense of Tom staying at Hutton (its expensive as he stays in the lady's home. He has a wonderful time. but it is eight pounds a day. But we wouldn't feel happy putting him into kennels). We haven't been out for New Years Eve in yonks because of the fire works. The carpet in the hall way needs replacing, but is it worth it if we get another dog- as even the best behaved dog has the odd accident? However. Every day when I get back home there is some one who is over joyed to see me. The lovely feeling of a cuddling a dog, fondling little silky ears. The exercise of a nice long walk for both of us. The sight of Tom roaching on his bed. That greyhound grin that melts my heart.

Yikes! Long time no blog.

Just realised I haven't posted for ages. So what have I been doing? Well I've mainly been watching I'm a Celebrity Get me Out of Here, playing Mah Jhong on my super cheap Nintendo, wrapping Christmas presents and putting up the decorations. Even though Steve is six foot three and a half and could easily reach the top of the mirror, I clambered on the pouffe to decorate the mirror with fairy lights. Ho hum. He mumbled something about it being too early to put the decorations up but shut up when he realised I had my look of hate on. I just wanted a" thanks for doing that it saved me a job". Not cheeky back chat.

It is freezing outside. I like coming home to a nice warm house, but the walk to work is a bit nippy. In fact I've speeded up and am doing the walk in 17 minutes which is a personal best for me.

Addicted

Steve bought a Nintendo DS lite for his birthday and raved about it. he reckoned that  I would really like one. I wasn't keen on spending £1oo or so  on a game thing- as I am more of a book gal. Steve tried to tempt me with a second hand Nintendo DS, he thought they would cost about £60. Still more than I wanted to spend. I wasn't even sure I wanted the thing. Worn down by the Robbo nagging  I said I'd be happy to spend £20, knowing that he'd never get a Nintendo that cheap. And I was right he didn't get one for  £20, he got  one for £12 from E bay. £12!!  

And now I'm madly addicted to Mahjong.  Just one more game, one more game...I blame Steve.

Jewellery

 I was reading AOJ  's blog about precious items of jewellery and it got me thinking about what item I own means the most to me. My nan left me her gold locket. I don't wear it every day (although Nanny Sarah did, and she had the clasp taken out so the that a mugger couldn't rip if off her neck. Well, she did live through 2 world wars) . The necklace has a peculiar story. dad had bought it for a girlfriend who threw it back at him when they split up. It is a very nice necklace and I think Dad must have liked her a lot, but Dad always acts like he didn't even notice girls until he met Mum, so  I don't know the story behind it.  Then he did meet my mum (only she wasn't my Mum then), and reader he tried to give her the necklace!!! how cheap is that? I'm glad to say Mum told him to shove it and buy her a brand new necklace. So dad gave the necklace to his Mum, and now it has been passed down to his daughter. Weird eh?

However the piece that means the most to me are the diamond studs Steve got me. I didn't ask for them, I know (because he told me later)  he spent ages looking for just the right pair and he got it right. I've worn them more or less every day for the last 8 years. 

Well I never!

I was talking to my neighbour this evening, and she was telling me that she hasn't turned on her heating yet. I laughed and said she must be wearing a thermal vest.

"I'm not!" she said and lifted up her jumper to show a remarkably saucy bra for a Grandmother to be wearing.

Its not often I'm at a loss for words...

I don't believe it

At our works canteen there is a big flat screen telly that is tuned into News 24. At lunch there was the Breaking News tab.  I watched it thinking - is it interest rate? is it stuff about Baby P? No, it was announcing that John Sargent had left Strictly Come Dancing and the Direct General of the BBC was very sad that he is leaving.

Blooming hell! That is misuse of the Breaking News tab!

Dad

One of the reasons why I have a high embarrassment threshold is my Dad.  he is what people call a character.  

he rang me up this morning. This is the conversation:

Dad: You all right?

Gina: Yeah, you ?

Dad: Angela rang me this morning. You and Angela sound alike don't you

Gina (thinking has he only just realised that. Angela has been around 37 years and been talking for about 35 of them): Well we are sisters.

Dad giggling: Only Angela rang this morning and I thought it was you mucking about! And she kept saying it's Angela and I said naw its you Gina, mucking about.

Gina; What was she doing , asking for money?!

Afterwards I rang up Angela. She said it was the most bizarre telephone conversation she has ever had.

BTW I have never rang my parents pretending to be anyone other than me. Oh apart from that time I pretended to be calling from Mum's temping agency pretending to offer her a job as an usherette, but that was years ago.

Random bits

Bought a big Christmas stocking /bag thing and one of those cheap temporary Christmas shops that are in the High Street. Since we got Tommy we daren't put up a proper Christmas tree (the temptation to make his mark would be too great) so I put all the presents in a stocking. I notice last year it had got a bit thread bare so I bought a new one. Realised that I am really looking forward to putting up the Christmas decorations. I put them up on the first and take them done on the 27th.  

Talking of Tommy, I think he is cleverer than he lets on. The other night we were downstairs eating dinner and Tom was upstairs (sprawled out on his bed, or looking out of his bedroom window guarding against cats) and  I asked if he had finished and were the left overs for the dog, and Tom came running downstairs and sat opposite Steve, tail wagging. Then later that evening I asked where the dog was and he thumped his tail against the floor (he was lying on the floor the other side of the settee) it was if he was answering me!

On 11th November we observed the 2 minute silence at work. During the silence I pray - The Lords Prayer or Hail Mary. This year was the first time I thought - there's no one there. It was an uncomfortable feeling, but if I'm really honest with myself I don't believe.

Am fed up to the back teeth about the arguments against gay marriages. Especially "but they can't have children"card. AAARGGGGH!!!

Old Bags

Years ago I used to buy stuff on E bay. that was in the days the Robbos only had one computer between them (how did we manage?) and I used Steve's account. Then after a drunken episode bidding for shoes (the shame and don't ask) I kept away from E Bay. For years.

Mum announces that she would like a small shoulder bag for Christmas.  That poor woman has hardly any handbags (a small note of sarcasm there) I looked around Southend today, but wasn't too impressed with the stuff I saw within my budget. So I signed up to Ebay today and put a bid on a Tula bag. And got outbid in the last few seconds.  I was strangely relieved as I'm not too sure that Mum would have been overly thrilled with what is someone else's old bag.

Mum wants a bag because she borrowed a Radley bag when we went to Center Parcs, but those little babies go for 75 quid!

Random thoughts on a drizzly day

Wouldn't it be nice if today was the last day people let off fireworks until New Year's Eve? What do you think the chances of that happening?

When I was younger  I thought it was really sad that married people didn't bother with special Christmas presents. My Mum would explain to me that when you're spending out of the joint bank account, it isn't the same. And reader its true! Steve and I don't buy each other presents any more. I could try putting a spin on it and saying that when you know you love each other you haven't got to prove it by buying a present. 

Why  do other people's houses feel cold?

What rhymes with....

At the moment I'm reading "What rhymes with Bastard?" by Linda Robertson. I find her story touching because Linda is very honest about her own short comings. How never feeling that you quite belong, that you're not good enough led her to put up with so much rubbish. Saying that I find the pair of them irritating (which I think Linda intends) and at this stage of the book, think they deserve each other.

BTW Linda is always saying how friendless she is...and then mentions her friends. She has got more friends than I have!

Bits and Pieces

A few points:

This morning I'm sitting reading the paper, drinking a cup of tea. The door bell rings  and it is a salesman from Eon. Now I hate people trying to sell me stuff at the door. But I'm polite, I appreciate the man has a job to do.  I told him I was happy with my energy provider (stupid term) and he asked me who my energy provider was. Instead of telling him to mind his own business and set Tommy on him, I just said that my husband takes care of all that (Steve was upstairs and said he had to choke back a laugh, hearing me being such a 50s wife) and the man sneered at me. No need for that was there?

I popped in to Sainsburys yesterday and the Big Issue seller was aggressive. I'm not being bullied into buying a copy, and anyway Ricky Gervais is on the cover and I hate him. I used to dislike him when he was on Liquid News before he became famous. That dislike has grown in to hatred.

About 4 years ago I bought 3 pairs of jeans from Peacocks. They were the best jeans ever. But Peacocks don't do that style any more and I really need to buy new pairs. Today in George  I bought 2 pairs. I did  my normal tests  in the changing room (sitting down, bending over , walking , to see if the jeans stayed put - I hate jeans that gradually ride down and I'm in horror  of  builders bum).  Obviously changing room tests aren't the same as real life, but I have high hopes.   

When I got home and opened the door I could hear scrabbling in the kitchen. I don't know what happened but Tom couldn't get up from the lino. He wasn't crying, didn't look in pain and  I lifted him up and put in the hall. Tom walked away, and if a dog can look embarrassed, he did. I think he is ok. Made mental note to always shut the kitchen door when we go out.

Terror in the Playzone

At Center Parcs there is a Playzone/arcade thing. Steve and I had an enjoyable game of air hockey.  Then Steve suggested we go in this car simulator thing. Like street racer but you are in this car. I said "ok". We squeezed in (having bulky coats and bags with us - and don't forget this game is aimed at kids and I have a decidedly grown up bottom.) Once in side Steve said "Right I'll pull over the roof" and as he did so, the side doors shut and we were completely enclosed in this tiny space. Reader,  I never realised that I am claustrophobic.

Gina: Oh I don't like this.

Steve: It'll be ok when it gets going..

Gina grabbing at door handle and door won't open: GET ME OUT! GET ME OUT!

Steve unable to get door open starts hitting the STOP button. But nothing is happening. I suppose it is unusual to try and stop the game before it starts. Steve opens the "sun roof" to let some air in.

Steve: I think we may have to do the ride.

Gina: GET ME OUT! GET ME OUT!

Luckily the stop button thing kicked in and the doors opened. Reader,  I was shaking. I had gone from calm to barmy on 0000000.000001 seconds.

Later telling the Little Dudes how their aunt went barmy, they told me no one can hear you shouting in that car terror thing. It turns out earlier in the day they had got trapped in it and luckily Dave realised it wasn't moving and got a member of staff to let them out.  I'm NEVER getting into one of those things again.