THREE WEEKS NOTICE!

There was just too much going on a couple of weeks ago, for me to sit down and write.  Amazingly enough, I had a full day!  I was ready to go, but I simply had to leave!  We had tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters!  During the previous week, I had been asked if I had any plans for the 'Superbowl' weekend.  I responded that I had tickets to see, possibly, the most famous basketball team of all time.  "Wow, they would be pretty old by now," came the reply.  I was gracious, and explained that it was probably (definitely) not the original players.  "Oh", came the response.  It had been an interesting week.  

Accessing the various contest pages, I found a 'meet and greet' for a station that has not had a lunchtime special for five years.  One of the ladies who used to work for the station that greets us as 'VIP's' had moved to a competitor.  I clicked on the entry form, and entered three names.  However, when I went back into the site the following day, it was nowhere to be found.  I wondered if I had clicked on an old contest, as sometimes they 'pop up'.  Time would tell!

The previous week plodded on and the heat was quite oppressive.  I sat in the sun on Saturday, and by Sunday it had got much cooler.  After breakfast with my husband, I went for a walk, came back, spoke to my sister, and then got in my car to drive to my daughter's house.  Edward took us to the event.  As we were in the car queuing, I told him to tell the parking attendant that there was a baby and an old lady in the car.  I was quite amazed when he did.  I was even more amazed when we were told to turn left into the car park, rather than right as everyone else was turning, and parked two rows back from the entrance!

Our seats were not too far back, and the show was already underway as we sat, although the game had not yet started.  Having grown up watching the cartoons, and seeing the odd clip from the 'original' team tours, I never thought I would have the opportunity to watch the showman take the stage!  Naturally, seeing the original team would have been amazing, but the skill and showmanship is still as good as ever! Despite, no doubt, being choreographed, you cannot fake such a skill.  My grandson seemed to enjoy the game, and definitely enjoyed the interactive part of the afternoon.  Once again, I marveled at the different route my life has taken since journeying across the pond to live!  

I returned home, decided to make 'snacks' instead of going out to dinner, or grabbing a take away meal, so that we could watch the Superbowl.  I did have a 'dog in the hunt' this time, as I decided to cheer for the underdogs.  I watched the National Anthem being played, the toss of the coin, and the kick off, and then vehemently encouraged the runner who had the ball with 'go on', as he headed for the 'end zone'.  It was then that I realised that I had no idea who was wearing what colours!  I could have been shouting for the enemy!  As it so happens, it was the Eagles that scored first, leaving the Chiefs to catch up.  I messaged my neighbour, as she had done me a few weeks ago and rather than ask if we were being too noisy, apologised for the hopefully vast amount of cheering that may happen.  She said she had not heard a thing, and was herself hosting a Superbowl party, so would probably be making a lot of noise too!  She did not feel the need to tell me to let her know if they were making too much noise, as it was Superbowl, and like watching the FA cup, it is expected!  My neighbour, despite being Texan born, hails from Scottish parents, and has Scottish siblings!  Fortunately, we were both cheering for the same team, and came to the conclusion that we would drown each other out with enthusiasm.  

The Eagles were successful in almost shutting down the Chiefs completely, but a few well thrown passes saw the end score as less of an embarrassment than it could have been.  We had potato skins, filo pockets and a few other goodies for our supper, and were quite happy with the result!

The next week came and went with some fun in the middle. Having wondered, as mentioned, whether the 'meet and greet' was an old contest, I was rather delighted to see an email inviting me to the radio station on Thursday.  Samantha and Grant also received emails.  There was no need for response, but we did get a follow up email the following day asking if we were definitely going to attend.  We all responded in the affirmative.  

Once again, the temperatures dipped, and Tuesday and Wednesday saw torrential rain.  My tickets to the 'wrestling' arrived on Tuesday, but I did not feel like travelling across town to go after a long day at work.  Despite marveling at the opportunity, I was not quite as enthusiastic.  However. Edward's friend had been given a couple of free tickets, and could not decide who to take.  Having another four helped in his plight!  It is just as good to give them to a worthy cause!

Thursday morning was cold, and whilst I dressed appropriately for the climes, my attire did nothing to give away my lunchtime destination, although the mock snakeskin boots may have been a little more 'country' than the rest of me, the heels did not add to the authenticity.  We arrived at the radio station on time, and took the lift to the floor three.  None of us recognised the layout as the studio offices have been completely renovated.  With no more reception desk, we walked into the new open plan area, and were invited to take a drink and some pizza  Recognising the 'old friend', we walked along the line.  "Hello" said our old friend.  I responded in kind, and added, "How are you?"  She started to answer, looked up and then came running around the the table, shouting, "Oh my gosh!! Oh my gosh!!" and gave me an enormous hug, then hugged Samantha and Grant. Once again, we were the centre of attention.  What caused more of a stir was that there were no 'reserved' signs on the chairs in the front row, and Samantha walked straight up to the premier seating and took her place, with us following.  We were all there to hear the country and grammy award singer, Rick Trevino.  Grant had not realised but this was one of his youthtime favourites.  He sang along to every song.  

It was a wonderful experience, and once again, we had our own version of 'The Brits'!  "We have lived here all our lives and don't know how to get invited to these things" we here often.  Dana enjoyed the pizza we were able to bring home.  

The weekend arrived and Valentines Day came and went for another year.  One of the warehouses had obviously completely underestimated their ability to sell festive blooms and over ordered, or over 'festively wrapped' a couple of hundred bouquets.  Entering, there was a whole section of blooms on sale for $5.  Walking around, there were several more stands containing bouquets.  It seemed criminal to leave them all there, but alas I could not purchase the entirety.  My daughter's anniversary was excuse enough to buy a couple more than just the one.  They were quite beautiful, not worth the original price by any means in my opinion, but at a fraction, a delight!

A beautiful afternoon allowed me to sit outside for a while, but I knew this would be the only day of the long weekend that would allow such a pleasure.  Another sharp drop in the temperature would mean that my plants would be enjoying an inside vacation for a few days!  

Sunday arrived, once again, and I braved the cold and went for an early morning walk.  One of my neighbours was out throwing away some rubbish and tidying out his car, wearing short trousers and flip flops!  Despite being wrapped up with gloves, cap, coat and scarf, I felt cold just watching him.  The wind was bitter.  However, he was off to South America for the week, where 70 degrees is perfect! 

Then there was last week!  I had completed my post but as President's Day was on Monday, I (foolishly) thought I would just 'edit' and post a day late.  Obviously, it didn't happen.

I had a lovely day off on Monday.  Samantha and I took the little one, and spent the day in a bygone year fashion.  We went shopping!  Down to the outlet mall, 'just because'.  It was not too cold, but the wind was quite bitter.  We lunched on the tailgate of her truck, with some fast food, and headed back, stopping at several strip malls along the way.  Wanting to leave the mall by two was a successful plan.  In fact we left sometime before, but with so many 'other' places to visit, we did not get back until much later than we had planned. 

Tuesday was a beautifully sunny day.  It was fairly warm, but we did not fall for the 'false sense of security'.  By nine, the wind was fierce, the rain was cold, and we hoped that it would stop before the ground froze.  Thankfully, the moisture evaporated before the morning.  However, below freezing it was.  

Amazingly enough, this cold snap did not keep people indoors, as much as the previous spell.  Deliveries of mail were brought in, and handed over quickly.  It was like handling 'hot cakes' but at the other end of the spectrum!  The envelopes were not just cold, but burning cold!  Thankfully, by Friday, the temperatures rose above freezing, but only just!  When it's cold, not a lot happens!   

Another week (or three) in the life of the Englishwoman abroad, and I hope that you will tune in for ........... another story!