I'm just a 'Country' Gal!

One thing this Brit Gal has completely embraced, is the love for Country music here in the USA. Back in the UK Country music is miniscule and most Brits still associate it with Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. As I was leaving Keith Urban (Nicole Kidman's hubby) was starting to breakthrough onto the radio, but I have no idea if he ever took off?

I was already developing a love for it before I moved here during visits, it helped that the Hubster plays and sings in a country band. But he tends to be traditional country, and I'm 'new' country, we have however both come to respect the others preference.

Very early on I found Brad Paisley and he singlehandedly turned me into the country fan I am today. I loved the catchy tunes, but more than anything his autobiographical and often funny or touching lyrics. Nobody else touches a nerve or the funny bone like Brad does with his lyrics. And as a fellow lead guitarist, the Hubster likes and respects him for his amazing guitar skills. I have even turned my bestfriend back in the UK into a Brad fan too and had to mail her his new album this year.

I joined Brad's fan club in 2006 and later that year we got the opportunity to see him live in OKC. And being a member of his fan club we got the best seats in the house and yes that really is how close I was to him! I could have literally reached out and touched him, they were the best concert tickets I have ever had. The Hubster now uses one of Brad's guitar picks when he plays, thanks to a lucky catch!

Brad is one heck of a live performer and I have been to well over 70 big name concerts in my life, but he's right up there with the best of them. He also happens to get some of the best support acts along too, and last time it was Carrie Underwood and boy what a voice from such a tiny lady! This time we will get Miranda Lambert.

I have been waiting (impatiently) since 2006 for Brad to return to OKC, and last week finally I got the presale email once again. We are now the happy owners of two more fan club seats for the OKC show on January 8th, and I am already counting down the days! We are booked into the hotel right next to the venue in Bricktown for ease and I am 'raring' to go.

In the meantime I'll be cheering him on at the CMA's where he is host and a 7 time nominee. I may just be one of his unlikeliest fans, but he certainly made a convert out of this Brit former R&B and Hip-Hop fan!

Some men talk to their.....

....but I'm one of the lucky ones who receives calls!!

If you have no clue what I'm on about, then Google 'John Thomas slang' for a complimentary giggle!

Skywatch Friday

These were taken the same August evening as my blog header picture, and show other sections of the amazing cloud formations on show. It was hard to know where to look and photograph next, the stunning changes in shape and light were happening so fast! It was quite a show and free to boot.

To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Is this China's secret weapon?

Judy at work got a new jacket today, but it was more than a little bizarre in it's detailing! She asked me if I had the same inside zipper going around the sleeve on my similar jacket from the same supplier. I had no clue what she was on about, so went to see for myself.

So how exactly do you explain this? The Hubster immediately jumped in on seeing these pictures and said it's to convert it to a vest. Uh no dear, you see it's only the ONE sleeve that has this 'feature' and it's only in the lining! So it doesn't actually go anywhere, just into the open area between the inner and outer layers.

As you can see above, this means it's not some secret pocket either. The Hubsters best suggestion is it's the answer to when a pocket develops a hole and you lose stuff into the jacket you can't get back.

I have no clue myself, but it's definitely the strangest zipper I have ever seen in a clothing item and has given us a good giggle.

But seeing as this garment was made in China, you just have to wonder what on earth the Chinese use it for?! Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

Sugar Highs & Costume Drama's!

One of the most entertaining and challenging weeks in the Elementary School year, is undoubtedly Halloween week. Although it's fun in many ways, in general it's eyed with some trepidation by faculty. After all you just can't beat 200 little kids on a sugar rush for a challenge!

Friday will really just be a write-off here. What with all the excitement of they're outfits for our Costume Contest, then too much candy thrown in for good measure, it's guaranteed to be 'out there'!

The USA goes in for Halloween in a BIG way, and from my experience more so than the UK. Our school and homes have been decorated for Halloween for most of this month and as we approach the big day, the really OTT decor will be making an appearance.

I went past a home in town last week with ghostly apparitions floating all around it, with more than a week still to go. What really amused me, is for the rest of the year this home is severely neglected and needs more than a few ghosts to make it presentable! It struck me as ironic they'd spend so much money on fleeting decorations and yet won't shell out for a few cans of paint and some much needed maintenance!

In general my decorations are tame; a hanging evil pumpkin wooden thingymajig and a gravestone that lights and makes scary noises when someone approaches it, will go out Thursday. But I am having to put some more effort into my costume for Friday.

Yes as is tradition here, the faculty dress up for Halloween. This year our chosen theme is relatively easy being 'The Fifties', but even that I find strange. When I was growing up in England (it may now be different), your Halloween costume was always something scary not a famous person or something 'normal'. But here it's quite different and we have Princess', Fairies, Superheroes, household items etc! So I have my rolled up jeans, neck scarf, polka dot headband with bow, ballet slippers, button down cardi and pearls at the ready. But I might be true to my roots and come as a dead 'Fifties' girl!

So I will be soaking up 'the madness' this week as the US whips itself into it's usual Halloween frenzy, which all seems slightly surreal to little expat me!

Skywatch Friday

Threatening looking but harmless rain clouds dumped an inch in a day on us yesterday - a rarity here!

The cloud formations contrasted nicely with the Autumn tints of the foliage.

I also had fun off-roading, losing the back end like I was on ice and slightly concerned I might have to call the Hubster to tow me out of a muddy back road! My car looks like I went rallying, very cool for a Brit Gal!

To see more wonderful skies from around the world or to join in, go to the Skywatch site.

Fall Break!

Well I made it to Fall Break in good health myself, despite a rapid rise in the flu victims at school. The good news is half the students got the H1N1 vaccine on Wednesday, which will undoubtedly help us all.

So now I am on a much needed Fall Break and have some excitement to look forward to!

Tonight I get to have (scoff) a (Asian Indian) Curry in the company of 3 other Brits and their Okie better halves. This is most Brits idea of being in 'Hog Heaven' and I may even celebrate with a Tiger Beer!

The entertainment for the evening (apart from us!) is a Belly Dancer, a first for the Hubster, and I can't wait to see his face!

Wishing you all a great Fall Break or weekend, I already know mine will be "bloody awesome mate"!

We're no longer immune out here!

Well I'm still around but the flu finally hit our Elementary with force on Monday, and it's been a crazy week so far.

Monday morning my phone was red hot as all the parents called in sick children, and it didn't ease up for over an hour. This was followed throughout the day with more getting sick, as our absentee level rocketed. I have now commenced 'full defensive protection' and am wearing my N95 face mask and gloves everytime a child is sent to me. We are also constantly wiping everything down and using handwash incessantly.

Then late yesterday we were told we would get an H1N1 vaccination clinic tomorrow at the school, this is the first supply in our area. So this morning all the parents who wanted their children to get the vaccine had to call me by 9am. Well that resulted in over 60 calls in about 90 minutes, plus parents with sick children called too. In fact I had so many calls, some people said it took them many attempts to get through!

By the time I had prepared a three part form for every child (approx' 600 sheets) to take home, dealt with yet more sick ones coming to the office and my phone was still ringing off the hook - I was completely and utterly knackered by days end!!

But I am also very relieved we have been blessed with the H1N1 vaccine and so many of our parents are going for it. Their decision will give the whole community better protection, as there is no doubt we are currently under a sustained attack!

So I fully expect tomorrow morning to be even more crazy than today, as I collect all the consent forms and then help organise the clinic and call through the children. But all this additional work will be well worth it, if the vaccine and a few days break from school start us on the road to recovery.

Fall Break starts tomorrow night and couldn't be better timed for slowing the spread of the flu here - plus I will need a rest!

What's up with your arms Elton?!

Credit for this staggeringly unflattering picture of Elton John goes to the Daily Mail newspaper in the UK. Just the picture alone gave me the giggles.

But then I read the readers comments and the one below the picture reduced me to tears of laughter for a good five minutes. And then I had a bad case of the giggles which the Hubster also succumbed too, the end result being I had cried all my make-up off!

"And what is up with Elton John. Good God he looks like an oompa loompa!"

(Michelle, Los Angeles, USA, 9/10/2009 10:10)

You just can't beat an uncontrolled giggling fit, so thanks Michelle whoever you are!

Never happier to be stuck!

With a needle that is!

In my line of work as an Elementary School Secretary and unofficial nurse, the flu shot is essential. Add in the fact I have an auto-immune disease and it's an absolute must.

I was supposed to get it last week at Walgreens, they had Dr authorisation and then I got sick. So when I could finally get there, they informed me they were out of vaccine and weren't getting anymore this year! In fact our whole county is a completely vaccine free zone, with no definite date for shipments.

I thought I'd just stick it out until the end of the month, but then things changed today. A neighbouring school where I live had 20 out yesterday with flu, a school 50 miles away has 2 confirmed H1N1 cases and we had 3 out with flu symptoms.

So I took a 1/2 day to make a 200 mile round trip to the only known Walgreens in our part of the state with any shots left! And they advised me I would be getting one of the last few shots they had. I have to say I was very happy to make the effort and am relieved I now have some protection.

On the bright side, a good friend went with me today and we turned it into a fun retail therapy trip too!

Now I have to decide whether to have the H1N1 shot, as I will be in the high risk group and offered it soon, right now I think I'll go ahead. So have you made more of an effort to get the flu shot this year and what are your thoughts on the H1N1 vaccine?