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This past weekend, my friend Tabs and I made our way eastward to visit our friend Dubbs (I am using nicknames here in case they are like my loving husband and do not wish to be identified) who lives on Long Island. Or Lawng Island if you say it like the locals say it. Dubbs relocated up there to work on a pretty impressive golf tournament that will be in the area next June. (And if you know anything about golf, you just figured out what tournament I am referring to. And if you know nothing about golf, then you could probably care less. ) Moving on. It was great to see Dubbs and get to see some of the local sights as well as the touristy stuff in the city. I must share a few highlights-

Tabs decided she wanted a new coat, so Friday night after some delicious pizza by the slice, we headed to the local mall or mawl and started shopping. I thought Oklahoma was tacky and backwards. People, they have a Wal-Mart IN the MALL! With the cart escalator and everything! If you have never shopped in a two-story wal-mart or target, they are quite the first time experience. So we walked through the walmart and out the back of the store and into the mall. We headed to a department store where Tabs found a really cute coat. She brought the coat to the register and we got to witness a glorious Long Island sight: Three whole generations of velour track suits. Granny, Mama and Daughter were all sporting this attractive trend...er...fashion statement. The colors closely resembled these.

After we all darted our eyes away from each other in an effort not to burst with laughter, the three generations of fashion offenders walked away. Tabs set the coat down on the counter and the lady checking people out just stared at her. The following conversation ensued:

Native Long Island Check out lady: "Ya gettin this?"

Tabs:"Um, yes. That's why I put it up here."

NLICOL: " Well, did you check the waamth?"

Tabs: (looking confused)" No...."

NLICOL: "Well, you should check the waamth...Ya didn't check the waamth? Here, let me check it for you....hmmmm...only 75% wool."

Me (understanding the lady is telling Tabs her coat may not be WARM enough): "She's not from up here, so I think she will be ok."

NLICOL: "Well, ok. Where are ya from?"

Tabs: " Oklahoma."

NLICOL: " Ooohhhh.....Ya know what I think of, when I hear about that place? Tornadas. Whatdyado in those things?"

Me: "Duck and cover."

NLICOL: (with a look of perplexion and then seeming unsure of what to say next) "Ah. Here I'll give ya a good hanga. You'll need a good hanga for this coat. I hope you stay waaam..."

Again, we could not look at each other for fear of laughing in this woman's face. The accent had us in stitches and the look of awe on her face when we told her we survive tornado season year in an year out was priceless. We all walked off and continued to ask Tabs how the waamth on her coat was all weekend.

We got to see a lot of neat things and I got my dunkin donuts fix again. I swear they put crack in their coffee. I also got to eat a real bagel, chicken parm sandwich and white pizza. It was a wonderful weekend just by food's standards.

We went to a fabulous show called Spring Awakening, which I thought was absolutely amazing. It is definitely provocative and twice I had to turn my head from the stage but all in all the music, acting and performance as a whole was great. I am sad to learn that the show is closing after the first of the year and because I reside in the buckle of the bible belt, I fear the tour will never make its way to this part of the country. But if you are anywhere near New York, are not easily offended and love musical theatre or just theatre in general- I implore you to RUN to to get tickets to this show!

I think I will dedicate my next post to our trip into the city and then our trip to Canal Street so stay tuned. For now, I am content to cuddle up with a waaam blanket and watch tv tonight.