A women who doesn't wear perfume has no future - Coco Chanel

Since the new year I have been writing in my Question and Answer Journal every day. The questions seem very simple but when you attempt answer them you find that they have hidden depth. 

Today's question was simple enough 'What is your favourite accessory?' but when I asked other members of my family I found that everyone had a definition of accessory. In the end I decided that accessories include bags, jewellery, belts, sun glasses, hats, scarves, gloves etc. My daughter (who rivals Imelda Marcos when it comes to shoes) insists that shoes are accessories, but for me they are more functional so I did not include them in my definition of an accessory.

Even when I had decided what counts as an accessory I still couldn't answer the question. Usually I don't really bother with accessories, I am a very practical down to earth sort of person and I mostly think of clothes as functional more than fashionable. My handbag is important to me but it is a necessity rather than an accessory. I have a couple of other handbags in my wardrobe but I hardly ever change bags because it is far too complicated - on the other hand my daughter changes her handbag to suit her outfit. I have one or two necklaces that I like and sometimes I wear a broach but they are not exactly favourite accessories. When it comes to jewellery my wedding ring and my eternity ring are my most treasured possessions, but they are far to precious to be thought of as accessories. So having eliminated the other things, the choice was easy, my perfume is my favourite accessory.

If I asked Robbie the same question he would probably provide me with a very long list of favourites. It would not surprise me if a bag was close to the top of the list, Robbie loves man bags, rucksacks, briefcases, in fact he loves bags and wallets of all kinds.Then he would have to consider his cufflinks, he loves cufflinks and has lots of favourites among his large collection but if he had to select just one pair I think he would perhaps choose the Lego ones.

Panic Stations

Robbie had a very busy day ahead of him, so he was up before the birds in order catch a very early train to work. He wanted to get well ahead with his work today because he has a deadline to meet and most of tomorrow will be taken up with his friends funeral. He left the house bright and early ready to face another week, all was going well until he was just yards away from the station when with a sinking feeling he realised that he had left his bags (including his laptop) at home. He has been suffering from very bad back and leg pain in recent months he has been trying to carry less to and from work in order to reduce the problem. Using a rucksack instead of a briefcase has helped a little bit, but it has put Robbie out of his routine and I think that is why he didn't pick up his laptop. At least it proved that I have my uses, I was able to make an emergency dash to the station to reunite him with his laptop!

Bob the Bouncer 25.01.07

Emily will be 18 on Wednesday and she is having a joint birthday party with her friend next weekend. It has taken weeks of organisation and angst to get this party arranged and I began to think she would be 21 before it was all sorted out! The complications arose because Emily and her friend couldn't agree on exactly what they wanted, and they had some difficulty keeping to their (rather generous) budget. At one point Robbie offered his services on the door to ensure that only invited guests attended. The venue that they chose in the end has it's own door staff so Bob the Bouncer is no longer required. I was astounded to find that he has been invited and I haven't - I'm just paying! So a week on Sunday Robbie and almost 150 eighteen year olds will be partying the night away. I have asked Emily to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble!

Robbie told me that Sam's remark about his gay walk has caused considerable comment. It is best viewed from the back by the way! Emily pointed out that there are a number of tell tale signs that Robbie is in touch with his feminine side. The most obvious is the man bag, he adores bags of all kinds, but he has a little black number that is very 'Graham Norton', it used to be mine, but he adopted it. He carries my handbag for me all the time and the definitive piece of evidence - he looks incredible in an apron!

He tells me that he has been in trouble with his work mates for providing too much information again. This time it was about a fairly intimate operation, among other things! You can't take him anywhere. He is like some boring old man talking about his war wounds. I think I have sorted the problem, if he doesn't stop talking about it I will put it on the blog, I'm sure he doesn't want that.