365-2 | Peaches Prattlings

{October 28, 2014} Team Dinner

Today is the second day on the new project in Illinois.

There was a team dinner, a farewell to two people leaving the project, but I found out that there are quite a few team dinners that happen more often than not and just about all 25 people from Deloitte will go to dinner, it was nice.

We went to a nice Mexican Restaurant, Mago Grill, http://www.magogrill.com/arlingtonheights/index.html in downtown Arlington Heights, it looks charming, I’m looking forward to getting to know the area.

The guacamole was terrific, it was fresh, made table-side, always a good thing, fresh guacamole, especially now that I actually like avocado and guacamole! The rest of the food ordered was very tasty according to everyone and they enjoyed their drinks.

It was nice to get to know fellow team members, barely talk about work, have a good meal, make friends, relax, laugh and detach from the day. Looking forward to the next one.

{October 27, 2014} So beat…time to pass out

Today was a travel day.

I am on a new project in Arlington Heights, Illinois, starting today through June, so you know what that means, traveling back and forth each week and come on, you know I love it!

When I got back from Ireland, I was Gold Medallion on Delta, go me! You know how I love Hilton, well, I stayed at a Hilton for free this weekend, can’t beat that! I tried to get into a Hilton on this trip, but it was sold out, so…I called SPG or Starwood, http://www.spg.com and said that I was Diamond with Hilton and I would like the same status with SPG, I didn’t necessarily want the points, which are great, I wanted the same status, because, as we all know…I’m spoiled!

When I called SPG, they told me about the Platinum Challenge, stay 19 nights in 90 days and I would be platinum, so guess what I’m doing? I’m at a Sheraton, it’s a little older, and in an office with nothing around for food. I ordered room service after I got settled in, it was ok. The room is very nice, a living room area and then a bedroom with French Doors, it’s lovely, I can be happy here for a bit.

I started the day at 5:30am Mountain time, after sleeping only 2 hours, that’s not enough for me! I flew United Airlines, which was fine, not great, but fine. I found PM and we took a taxi over to the hospital to meet the team. It was a good day, met lots of great people and got a better insight to what the project is about.

I was dressed professionally, thanks to my sister taking me shopping and knowing what looks good, even if I don’t agree, but I look Business. All I know is that i was wearing the wrong foot-ware today and my dogs are screaming at me!

I think I have ahhhh..shhh…zzzzzzz

{October 26, 2014} I have a good life and I know it.

I really do know it.

I have family and friends who care about and love me, two furry babies who love when I come home, at least I think they do, they come to say hello eventually! I have a great job that affords me the ability to travel and be there for my family when I need to be and sometimes just when I want to [which sometimes is the same thing, hugs are a great healer] and just spend time with them.

That great job also allows me to travel to different locations so that I don’t always have to go to the same place every weekend, which allows me to travel to do a race if I want! I even get points from travel [hotel, car, flights] allowing me to stay for free or reduced rates.

For example…this weekend I am in Denver and I just completed the Blacklight 5k, more like 3.47, which I did in 45.50, a new record for me! I am a little stoked. Crazy thing…I started my day last Saturday doing a race at a horse track in Ireland and I ended my Saturday today doing a race at an auto track. Crazy!

I could wax prolific all day, but I just wanted to tell you how lucky I am and I know it!

{October 24, 2014} My travel day…can we start over?

The day started WAY too early! 5:45am to be exact. Ugh.

My flight for Colorado was at 8:30am, I needed to be there by 7:30am, so I set up Uber and there was a car closer than I realized and I was in the car by 6:15am and we were on our way. I got to the airport about 7am, better early than late and checked in as a Gold Medallion flier, wahoo, go me!

I headed towards the gate, got some breakfast, sat down to eat and wait on my flight and ended up talking to the gentleman next to me, very nice. Then it was time to board my flight from Boston to Minneapolis, an uneventful flight, except for the woman next to me having issues with go-go in-flight wi-fi, oh well.

The flight to Denver was delayed, go-figure, rain everywhere, but the plane was late getting to Minneapolis. I got some lunch and checked some email, then got on to the next flight next to a very preppy and odd couple, but whatever, they were meant for each other.

Sometime in the last three days, I lost my license, don’t do this people, don’t do it! Hold on to your stuff! The reason I say this…I could not rent a car because I did not have a license with me and a passport wouldn’t work. I took Uber to a DMV, it cost WAY too much for this trip. Then I waited my turn to get a new license, better picture this time…well, I hope!

After I got my license, oh, making the woman taking my picture crack up, go figure! I use the phone at the DMV, to call a cab because by now, my phone is D-E-D dead! I even had to turn it off so I could turn it on for proof of address! All of my chargers were dead too, not a happy camper.

Back to the airport, pick up the car, plug in, drive to the apartment to pick up my mail and sign some paperwork ensuring I am completely off the lease, book a hotel and head into Denver, I decided to play tourist in my new hometown! I have the points, I love it! And I love being spoiled!

After I checked in, I went looking for a parking lot, I had no desire to pay $33/night for valet parking, thank you very much. After I parked, it was time for food, so I started walking around, it’s a great area! I found, wait for it…An Irish pub! I was in heaven!!!

The food was good, very simple, I ended up getting mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts and the strangest looking Caesar salad I have ever seen [whole lettuce leaves, sliced eggs, pickled onions, grape tomatoes, two pieces of fried bread for croutons], it was yummy! I saw next to a couple on a first date, I found out when I talked to the woman after the guy went to the toilet and she asked if I could tell she was on a first date! I wished her well and lots of luck, then I talked to her date when she went to the toilet. It was a fun experience.

After dinner, I walked to the hotel, got my luggage and went to the room, opened the door and said “Ahhhhh” this is it! I love Homewood Suites. i so want to get on a project and be able to spend the time in a Homewood Suites, they are wonderful, possibly bigger than my first apartment, much nicer anyway!

I fell down on the bed and thought about getting up, putting on jammies, writing to you and then passing out. So, here I am, it’s 9:47pm mountain time and I have been traveling since 6:15am eastern time, I am a wee bit tired.

So…I am going to finish this post, say goodnight and pass out.

Goodnight!

{October 23, 2014} We have a yellow belt in the family!

Tonight, EJS tested, passed and got her yellow belt!

Last month when I was here, dad, GES, EJS, MGS and I all went to a festival that was happening in town with some vendors, activities for kids and local businesses trying to drum up business. That is where I signed up for the 5k I did a few weeks ago here in Needham.

One of the businesses was the Martial Arts Center in Needham, Mass and EJS was quite taken with the Instructor and the idea of taking karate lessons. One of the things they offered were free lessons and what could it hurt? EJS signed up and took a few lessons and was hooked, I can tell you from experience, that girl has some power behind her hits!

She has been going steadily for a month and tonight she was being texsted for her yellow belt. There were white, green, yellow and orange belts in the class and the test consisted of the instructor going through exercises, repetitions and then would walk around during certain sections to test each student individually. EJS is a machine!

After the class, the Instructor looked at the class and told them that they all passed and then gave out the belts and boy was EJS’ smile huge after she got her belt and then when she came out of the dojo to say hello and guess who got the first hug? Yup, yours truly! She was beaming ear to ear!

After the ceremony was over, they signed up for the next month and EJS got her full gi! Which she modeled for us when we got home after dinner! [I had asked GES if she thought EJS would sleep in her gi…she tried!]

So very proud of EJS! A yellow belt!

http://www.kungfutaichi.com/

{October 22, 2014} A big storm, a fond memory

I know I’ve talked about the wasband in the past, well, actually, I really haven’t talked about him too much, why give him that much attention and space in my universe.

But…as I sit here listening to a helluva rain storm, with “gunder” as we called it in my house growing up and lightening, I remember when I was with the wasband and there was a great rain storm, we would sometimes act like kids and I would run into the room and shout “thunder, hide!” and hide my head under his shirt and wrap my arms around him and he would wrap his arms around me and protect me from the storm. And of course, he would hide behind me sometimes too!

It is a nice feeling, having this memory and it making me smile, reminding me that it wasn’t all bad.

Gunder, hide!

{October 22, 2014} My cats are so cute!

Ok, I am going to write about my cats, yup.

No, not the crazy cat lady, but I do love these two fuzzy nuts and I am looking at them laying here on the bed with me, so I snapped a pic or two to share and that’s really about it.

I know I’ve told you a little about them, but I’ll tell you again anyway. Jymy is eleven and got the name because my wasband used to call me Jimmie for some unknown reason, so when we got her, I asked the kids what to call her and without missing a beat, in unison “Jymy!” and Jymy it was. I spelled it that way to be a little different, but…everyone always says him when referring to her.

She is a larger cat, not fat by any means, just big and I have to tell you, after the scare I had with her about two years ago, so thin her ribs were showing, I love my fat cat! She can be grumpy on occasion, but who isn’t? She is affectionate and gives me kisses quite often, especially when she sits on my lap, much better than when she used to bite my chin all the time! It’s not an easy fix, like biting her back, all you get is a mouth full of fur, no thanks! When I am sleeping, she is normally in the crook of my body, against my back or laying right at my head on my pillow.

Jymy is not easily led, she has her own mind and you know it, but she is still a momma’s girl and I love it. I do remember when she was a kitten, she would play fetch, throw a piece of paper and she would catch it and bring it back, you should have seen her jump and catch the paper, hair band, whatever it was I would throw! Now, she’s gotten a little older, but I swear, she is still a kitten half of the time, just wanting to play and cuddle.

Now, Peanut is still a bit of a baby at six, she craves attention, is jealous of the attention that Jymy gets sometimes, having to be on my lap the minute Jymy gets there, but that’s what little sisters are all about! She is affectionate and sweet and listens, sometimes, but loves to be picked up and held and loved on. She talks a lot! I don’t think I’ve ever had a cat that talked that much!

Peanut is definitely a kitten and likes to play, chase her own tail and any bit of light or laser that you flash at her. She will even chase the shadows on the wall! Have you ever watched a cat run around in circles chasing their own tail? How about when they run across the room and then slide on the area rug? I had another cat who would do that and who was I to stop her fun?

She likes to sleep in the crook of my arm, close to my body, especailly with my arms wrapped around her and if Jymy is there, she will walk over her to get in that spot. She does love her big sister though, follows her everywhere, sometimes much to Jymy’s chagrin.

If you have cats…do they like to help you make the bed? Get under the sheets and burrow and then freak out when they think they are trapped? (Look where Peanut is)

I could go on, but do you really want to listen to me go on and on and on about my cats? I refuse to be the crazy cat lady!

I will close with this…my girls are incrdibly affectionate and know when I don’t feel well, they are right there loving on me making sure i am ok, after all, who can take better care of me than them?

{October 21, 2014} Flying etiquette

There was a time that people looked at flying as a luxury, well it was a luxury, now, almost anyone can afford to fly.

The time when flying was a luxury, people would dress to the nines for a flight, now, I am no longer surprised by anything I see. People wear cut offs, shorty shorts, jeans with giant holes, sweats below the belt, some people look like they just woke up or slept in their car before they got on the plane.

Now, I am not saying that I dress in a business suit or a dress with an oversized hat with big sunglasses, or even wear makeup, I like to be comfortable. I might wear jeans or a dress or comfy leggings with a sweater. I like to be comfortable, but still respectful. I admittedly am one of the ones who likes to take their shoes off and be comfortable on a long flight, but I try to at least keep my toes looking good.

So, I’ve discussed dressing, how about we talk about just plain courtesy. Just because you are in the middle seat, doesn’t mean you get both arm rests and if you get one, how about keeping your arm on the arm rest and not spilling completely over into my space and elbowing my sides. I know you might be taller or bigger than me and I may be small, but I still have personal space you should respect.

I know you want to relax and maybe recline, but I don’t want your head in my lap, I don’t know you that well, so please be cognisent of this when you decide to recline your seat all the way back. I can’t use my tray table at that point and if i was eating, forget about it!

The sun can be very bright at that altitude, do you have to have the window shade up at all times? On the flight back from Ireland, it’s mid-morning and all the shades are drawn so people can sleep or watch movies and about 5 hours into the flight, the woman sitting at the window in the row opposite decides to pull hers up half way, guess what comes shining like a flashlight in your eyes all the way across? I had to put my hood up just to keep the glare out. All five of us [the two in her row and the three in mine] were completely blinded by the light and not in a good way!

We are all cramped and tired and stiff, but come on people, a little common courtesy isn’t difficult, be nice to each other…put some clothes on, don’t leave the lavatory door open, don’t recline the seat all the way back, share the arm rest and for goodness sake, shower before you fly!

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/23354814/ns/travel-travel_tips/t/airplane-etiquette/

{October 19, 2014} Day One…back in the states

Ha ha, no, I am not doing a daily post being back in the states, just couldn’t resist, been on the day count in Ireland.

Well, I’m back and technically it’s 3:42am in Ireland, so I should be asleep right now! Actually, after I read to EJS after bath, the lights went out and I slept for about an hour, it was glorious! Here I am writing to you and in a few I will crash, I knew I wanted to stay up until a “normal” hour for me here so I could get acclimated quickly, I think I’m doing well.

The days started normally enough, got up before the wake up call, got ready, finished packing, took my bags downstairs, had breakfast, left for the airport, pulled into rental car return and remembered that I had forgotten to fill up the tank last night, only third time I have ever done that, but never when it was going to cost me this much…oh well, the price of stupidity…

On the shuttle to the terminal, I saw a rainbow, was that a sign? I checked in and because I am Silver Elite with Delta, I got Fast Tracked, just got through security a little faster, getting me to customs a little faster, not through, just to…a security guard was calling for all JFK passengers, so we skipped ahead to wait in the long line for customs giving the little Star Wars fan in front of me some Star Wars trivia, like…do you know that the reason that the reason Han Solo can speak wookie is that he was raised by a wookie nanny? There you go…

Boarded the flight, uneventful except for when they had to reboot the entertainment system, that’s when I fell asleep for a bit. I watched three movies, Chef, Million Dollar Arm and The Other Woman, not bad, great when they are free! I even had a vegetarian meal, it was quite tasty too!

7.5 hours later, we were in NYC, my phone now works! less than two hours later, I was on the flight for Boston, sitting on the runway for over an hour then 45 minutes later, in Boston waiting to figure out what carousel the luggage was coming to. Connected with GES, home just in time for dinner and presents, bath, bed, nap, now, I have two cats sitting with me in bed, boy did I miss them and as soon as I log off, I am passing out!

I feel weird not posting what I’m positive about:
Positivity Challenge
1 – I am thankful to be home with family
2 – I am thankful my nieces were sooooo excited to see me
3 – I love having my cats sleeping with me, I really missed them!

{October 18, 2014} Day Ten in Ireland

Is it really my last night in Ireland? Has it really been ten days already? Where did the time go? All of it brilliant!

I started the day with breakfast and then with my printout of directions, I headed towards Kildare County, Punchestown Racetrack, http://www.punchestown.com. I got a little turned around, so I decided to try the GPS and of course, it didn’t work, so I followed my instincts and ended up where I was supposed to be! Go me!

I got to the racetrack exactly when the 5k started, checked in and took off five minutes after the start. I had to have a potty break of course, I had been on the road for over 1.5 hours! I got on the course, there was a 5k and 10k going on and it really was a beautiful setting, I even saw a rainbow as I was running!

As I came around the bend, about 4k, I was joined by the 10k’ers, all encouraging me to keep going, it was cool. There were some hills and lots of wind, but we all made it. I saw some signs that for mud runs that were held there too!

I finished 43:15, I was happy, especially for not having trained at all, I’ve been walking a lot this past week and a half, just not running. No tshirt, but I have a Bibb, I’m happy!

After the run, I headed to the hotel to shower and get ready to head out again. I got on the bus and went back to downtown Dublin, just walking around, experiencing everything, the sights and sounds. I was looking for St Patricks Cathedral, but go figure, I couldn’t find it. Not horrible, I toured Trinity University a bit, what a beautiful campus and walked around until I found a vegetarian restaurant then walked off lunch, what a beautiful city!

I think everyone who lives in Ireland was in Dublin today! So very crowded, bustling and busy, I loved it! This is not a place for the faint of heart! I walked into a shopping center, Powerscourt Commons, a lovely indoor mall of sorts, three levels, all brick on the inside. I was about to turn the corner and was greeted by a guy who was raising funds for the Heart Association. We started chatting and a very nice guy, I finally met a red headed Irishman! Well, the hair he had left was red, lots of freckles.

We talked about travel, he actually lived on Tybee Island for a summer during his time at university, then he recommended a great place for dinner and did I miss my opportunity, “would you like to join me for dinner?” Yup, missed it. Oh well, wasn’t meant to be…

After a less than exciting Italian dinner, I headed back to the hotel, started writing to you and now I need to pack to get ready for tomorrow, heading home. I can’t believe it’s been ten days, what a great ten days it’s been and knowing that I will come back to see the things I missed makes it easy for me to go home with a smile on my face.

I think it is so fitting that I finished my positivity challenge, three things I am grateful for for thirty days, on my last night in Ireland.

I hope you have enjoyed my posts for the last ten days, I have enjoyed sharing them with you. It may take a few days, but I will get my photos to you, I promise. My next post will be from Boston at my sister’s house. Have a great night!

Positivity Challenge – Day #30
1 – I am thankful that I finished the 5k this morning in really good time for not having trained.
2 – I am thankful to know that I will come back to Ireland to visit and see all the things I didn’t get to see and I know that the next trip with be with my twin, Nathan Beach!
3 – I am thankful to KNOB for tagging me to do this, it’s been wonderful.

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