365-3 | Peaches Prattlings

{September 29, 2015} The same server, really? Nooooooo

You have got to be kidding me! The same so-so server a second time? C’mon!

Tonight we had a roll off dinner for the entire team, including a few extra people and we were 13 people at a table meant for 10, a bit squished, but it was alright, we are a close knit bunch and enjoy each other’s company, so it was all good.

Last month, I think it was, we went to this restaurant and the service was terrible. It felt like we had a brand new server, turns out this was not the case. He was incredibly slow bringing water, I had to ask three times for water, while one person was ordering a drink, he walked away. Another time, he tried to take a drink from someone’s hand, the orders took a long time to come out, when it was time to order dessert, he left off half of us, so not a great impression.

Both myself and MS, the Project Manager said something to the manager and we got a $50 gift card, very nice and we came back to that restaurant for our roll off dinner and THE SAME SERVER!!! He is a very pleasant person, it’s just that his skills waiting tables are lacking.

We had to tell him we wanted to order appetizers, then I went to find someone so we could order our main meals. I talked to one of the managers and she said he was a good server. I mentioned that maybe he wasn’t good with large parties, she said they had considered that and had been working with him. Oh well.

I will say that the food was good, everyone was happy, but don’t get me started about the service!

{September 28, 2015} Dating Sites…love ’em…hate ’em

A necessary evil?

Tonight I helped a good friend, HH, set up her profile on a dating app, one I hadn’t heard of until recently. It was fun, I helped her select photos, come up with tag lines, interests, likes, ice breakers, a few other things. I can’t wait to see what happens!

Getting back “on the dating horse” can be stressful, I know I went through it when I got divorced and then between dating after that. Do I join a club? Do I ask friends? Do I go online?

Online dating has changed over the years. In the beginning it was kind of taboo, no one admits to meeting someone online. I remember when I started one guy had a tagline that said “We’ll tell them we met over coffee”. Why do you have to lie? Can’t you tell people you met in an unconventional way? Nowadays, people say it all the time, although, after a recent scandal, people wonder, hmmm.

One of the things I love to do is help people set up their online dating profiles, helping them navigate the site, choosing taglines, but what I enjoy more than anything is writing profiles. I have written some fabulous profiles, for people I know and people I didn’t know, I even wrote a profile for a guy I met on a train, how weird is that! I wrote a profile for a guy I was dating while we were dating. He started it, he asked, “what would you write about me?” so I wrote him a profile and said “If it doesn’t work out, use this”, it was pretty good too. Guess what…I think he met his wife from the profile!

Speaking of that! When ACS’ brother, JS was visiting me in Georgia, I helped him sign up for one of the sites and I wrote him a profile and he used a picture of Jymy, who looks just like his cat and…he met his wife, AS, using the profile I wrote, I was stoked! They are so perfect for each other!

I’ve written a few profiles for friends that have led to marriage, I am so tickled when that happens, it really means a lot and makes me feel good. I use specific criteria that I apply to each profile and work with what I know about the person or what they tell me is important. One friend had someone say they were too good to be true and another had someone tell them “I’m not sure if I want to meet you or the person who wrote this profile!” That was flattering, not what I was going for, but flattering!

It’s tough out there, the unexpected, the new, the unknown, the excitement, the fear, the apprehension, the anticipation. But you gotta get out there, right? Dating sites are like a blessing and a curse, all at the same time.

Like I said, a necessary evil.

So…going to start dating? Need a profile written?

Good luck!

{September 26, 2015} What a day!

Sleeping in, ha! A great breakfast, a trip to the airport, a baseball game, a scratched car, groceries and bad food, whew!

I’ve told you about my friend, ST, my first work spouse, we have worked together at a few companies since 2009 when we started traveling together training on hand held devices. We see each other sometimes when I am in Atlanta and we were talking a few weeks ago and I said come to Bahston for the weekend and here he is!

Last night was Rita Rudner and today was another jam packed day. We slept in, well, he slept in, the bed is oh so comfy, it’s hard not to fall deep into the covers and pillows and…I got some bedding and slept on the couch, you know where I’ve fallen asleep before and then had to decide…get up and get into the bed or stay right here? hmmmm…

So, ST slept until almost 9am and of course, I was up about 6:30, fun. We got motivated, then called CH, my friend and co-worker, who calls me Smurf! and we all headed towards Cambridge. We parked at PSM’s house, thank you, and walked to the Friendly Toast, I’ve told them about it a few times and away we went. We put our names in and the wait was about an hour. Somewhere along the way, I told PSM where we were eating and he and his nephew, JM, met us there and waited with us and waited and waited.

We finally got a table and it was so worth it, both the people watching and the food. I had an egg sandwich with vegan cheese on gluten free bread and a gluten free pancake, OMG! I was happy! Everyone was happy!

After brunch, we went back to PSMs, then headed to the airport to pick up CH’s husband, who had just landed, perfect timing! Then we headed to the hotel to freshen up and change for our next adventure.

Off to the T station to take the train to Fenway Park, for the Red Sox vs Baltimore Oriole’s. A Yankee in Fenway and I didn’t explode! We stayed a few innings, had some food and then we were done, just long enough for ST to get a hat that he now loves, a beer and some treats.

Back to the train, get to the car and found a giant scratch down the side, what? It took multiple tries to get through to someone at Avis to report the issues, geesh. Tomorrow, we’re doing something pretty cool, I’ll tell you about it then, but we needed supplies so to the liquor and grocery store went.

We get back to the hotel and realize we forgot something…lottery tickets, the jackpot $267M, think that’s worth $2? Oh yeah! So, out to the gas station to get tickets, then we went in search of food and went to a local pizza place that is supposed to be good. I was excited, gluten free dough! My order…gluten free crust, olive oil and garlic, no cheese and a few veggies on top, broccoli, spinache and grilled eggplant. What happened when we get back? Tomatoes. Really? Did I say tomatoes? Maybe I should have told her that I was allergic to tomatoes, didn’t know I had to. That’s why I repeated garlic and olive oil only, oh well…I called and they refunded the money. Someone might enjoy the pizza.

Now, we’re crashed out, in our jammies, can you say that about a guy? ST in the bed and I’m curled up on the couch ready to crash, we have a very early day tomorrow, can’t wait!

Until then…sweet dreams.

{September 25, 2015} Rita Rudner is funny, timeless and classy

The longest running solo act in Las Vegas says a lot.

She was also voted nicest comedian for quite a few years. Her act, tonight, she said two bad words, a** and sh*t, that’s pretty impressive for a comedian these days, wouldn’t you agree? With all the foul mouthed comics out there, and don’t get me wrong, they have their place, some of them, it’s refreshing.

I started following Rita Rudner years ago, I love stand up comedians, doesn’t matter male or female, as long a they are funny, makes sense, right? She has great timing and delivery and just says what’s on her mind, although I know most of it is rehearsed, the way she says it, makes you think it’s not all scripted.

She’s poignant, current, on point and just talks about real life. There is still talk of her life as a celebrity, but more about her life as a mother and wife, but funny, funny, funny.

Dad took me to see her a few years ago in Las Vegas and also got me a copy of her book, autographed, wahoo! And it’s one of my treasured possessions.

So great to get to see her in Boston, I’m looking forward to the next time!

Quotes: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/r/rita_rudner.html

http://www.ritafunny.com/

{September 24, 2015} What have you made in the microwave? A quiche?

I did!

Did you even know you could make a quiche in the microwave? To be honest, I figured you could, just wasn’t positive. C’mon, what can’t you make in the microwave!?

Well, the one thing I don’t like about my hotel room is no oven, as much as I microwave, but I would love to be able to bake things, you know what I mean? Well, I was going to pre-Yom Kippur dinner and I knew for their main meal, they were having brisket and that’s just not for me.

I thought about what I wanted and that’s when I started wondering if there were microwave recipes that I might like and I thought, quiche! And it was awesome! I followed some of the recipe and the rest I improvised.

I used polenta on the bottom of the pie pan, then I mixed some spinach, broccoli, a mix of different vegan cheeses and four eggs. It was a cross between a quiche and a frittata, score!

Then I put it in the microwave for 15 minutes and let me tell you, I would have preferred to eat it when it came out of the microwave, it smelled and looked great! In hindsight, I think I should have cooked it without the mozzarella on top and put the mozzarella on when reheating it the next day, but still yummy! I had it for left overs at lunch today, it was good!

So…yes, you can make a quiche in the microwave!

And now for my next trick…

{September 23, 2015} Family, family and more family!

Today was about atonement, praying and family.

We started the day at temple for Yom Kippur services. The services were nice, very family friendly, long enough to “fit everything in” but short enough to be too much for kids. There were some very poignant moments, things that make you think, make you feel, make you appreciate and make you want to do and be better, isn’t that what it’s supposed to do?

The most important part, I was with my family and happy to be there with them, the only thing that would have made it more perfect, dad and PSM.

After services, we went back to the house to relax, ACS and I even got in naps, between you and me, naps are very underrated! After napping, we all worked on getting the house ready for the onslaught of people who were coming over to break the fast and about five pm, they started showing up. All the friends who, as you know, because I’ve told you, are extended family, Auntie J was in her element with all the wee tots! It was fabulous, so many people were in the house and it filled up with love fast.

There were still people arriving as I was leaving to head to A&J T’s house to break the fast with PSMs family. I knew a few people when I got there, AT, her mother and her girls, PSMs sister-in-law JM and PSMs nephew, JM, a few cousins and an uncle. Slowly, more and more people started arriving to join the family. It was nice to meet more of PSMs family, cousins, aunties, uncles, put faces to names or names to faces, as it were. There were stories and memories and laughs and reflections and food and good times, really wonderful.

Now that he’s met my Boston family and I’ve met most of his family, it’s time for him to meet my Atlanta family, I know they are looking forward to it. We’re coming!

A great day, family, family and more family.

{September 22, 2015} If I have wronged you…I am sorry

That is the way you reach out to friends and family, loved ones, at this time.

Tonight is Erev Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year and part of the High Holy Days, along with Rosh Hashannah.

We observe by spending time with friends and family for the last meal before our 25 hour fast, sundown to sundown. We fast so that we can focus our thoughts where they should be on who we are, what we have done, how we will repent and on g-d. Some people begin the holiday, like my sister and I, going to Kol Nidre. “Prayer services begin with the Kol Nidrei prayer, which is recited before sunset. Kol Nidre is a prayer that dates back to 9th century Palestine. It is recited in a dramatic manner, before the open ark, using a melody that dates back to the 16th century.”

After services we go home to reflect and then in the morning we will go to services most of the day. As fasting brings our focus where it is supposed to be, spending the day in temple helps, with our focus, and not focusing on the fact that we are hungry!

“On Rosh Hashanah it is written and on Yom Kippur it is sealed. Who shall live and who shall die. Who shall prosper and who shall perish and the list goes on. We hope to have our names in the book of life on Rosh Hashana and sealed on Yom Kippur.

I know you noticed that I opened with “If I have wronged you” this is something we say to friends and family, asking for forgiveness for wrongs I have committed willingly or wrongs I have committed unintentionally. And hopefully they will say they forgive you and hope you feel the same way.

So, I will close with this…

If I have wronged you in any way this past year, I ask your forgiveness and hope you can forgive me. Amen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur

{September 21, 2015} A very special request for Antie J!!!

Tonight, I got a very special phone call.

I thought it was GES, but when I answered, I heard MGS’ little voice saying hello and guess what! She has a loose tooth!

GES said that the first thing she said when she got home was “I have a loose tooth, can we call Auntie J, I need a tooth fairy pillow!” Did that send my heart soaring? What do you think!

so, what would she like on the pillow? A rainbow, two flowers and her name, I think that can be done. I did ask if this one comes out sooner than I can finish it, could she use EJS’ pillow? EJS, would that be alright? EJS said yes, what a good big sister!

The pillow in the picture is the same one I made for EJS when she was losing her first tooth, so the pressure is on!

Oh, but how I love these moments, they mean so very much to me, can you tell!?

Sigh…

{September 20, 2015} Start with a 5k, end with a musical

That sounds like a pretty good day, doesn’t it?

Well, that’s what happened. Until earlier in the week I had forgotten that I had signed up for a 5k, go figure! So…the alarm goes off at 7am, we leave about 7:30 for what I didn’t know was a five minute drive to the start of the race! It was the Cambridge Fall Classic 5k, http://classic5k.com/fall-classic. I registered too late for the pint glass, darn it! We waited a bit and a few minutes before 8 I picked up my race bib and t-shirt. Hey what do I always say is why I do races…for the t-shirt! Why should this be any different!

We had quite a bit of time to kill, so we went to Dunkin Donuts so PSM could get some breakfast, I can’t eat more than a granola bar or banana before I run. Then we took Mollie back to the house and headed back to the race start, it was due to start at 9. I’m glad we showed up when we did to get my packet, the place filled up quickly. A trip to the port-o-potty. which, first thing in the morning is just fine. I think I was the first person to use it, it still smelled clean and the toilet paper hadn’t been opened yet and there was hand cleaner Wahoo!

I thought the race started at 9am, I was wrong, so PSM hated to leave, but he had yoga scheduled and we didn’t know when this thing would start! Besides, he’ll be there for my half marathon next month! The run finally started about 9:30 and I ran the first mile, then walked the second and did run/walk for the third mile. I thought I did pretty well since I haven’t much running in the last few weeks because of my back. So…43:54, I’m happy!

I accomplished my 3 goals: #3 – Time under 45:00, #2 – Finish with people behind me, #1 – FINISH! Check, check and check!

After the race I walked back to Paul’s place, showered, chilled and waited for him to get home. After he got home and showered, we headed to brunch, a veggie omelet with my fake cheese, yum! Gluten free bread, not bad and an order of French toast made with gluten free bread, honestly not bad.

Then a jaunt down to Marathon Running, http://www.marathonsports.com/, the running store by the start of the Boston Marathon, we passed over the start line, pretty cool. I got a new pair of my running shoes. It turns out they retired the ones I had, Mizuno Wave Runner 16, boo. They are now on 18, oh well, I like them, they’re just not the same. And when went to look for them online, no dice, wow! But it is a very cool store, the shoes weren’t too much, for that brand, gotta break them in before my next 2 races!

So…if you happen to find a pair of the Mizuno Wave Rider 16, size 8, please pass them my way! http://www.ethostream.com/CentralAuth/success/success.php?siteid=25504&mac=50%3A1A%3AC5%3AFA%3A57%3AA3&osmmodal=&RemainingTime=86400&portal=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elementhotels.com%2FLexington&primaryAdProviderName=ValueClick“

Then next door to the candy store, where else! We bought smarties, no high fructose corn syrup! for us and Necco wafers for PSM. We had a total of one smartie each tonight! Let’s see how long it takes for us to finish these!

Then on to McGreevy’s Irish Pub and Sports Bar, this is the bar owned by the Drop Kick Murphy’s, big fans of the Patriots! how cool is that! http://www.mcgreevysboston.com/.

But wait…there’s more!

We head down to the Huntington Theater, http://www.huntingtontheatre.org/, to pick up our tickets for the evening. We don’t do things small around here!

After we picked up the tickets, we went to Ginger Exchange, http://www.gingerexchange.com/symphony/, a great restaurant that used to be Betty’s Noodle House, but Betty retired about two years ago. It really was enjoyable, I had vegetable pho soup with rice noodles, veggies and tofu, quite pleased. PSM had udon soup and got to add fresh red pepper chili paste, I think I saw some tears, he was happy.

After dinner, we walked the half a block back to the theater to settle in with everyone else for ‘A Little Night Music’, http://www.huntingtontheatre.org/season/2015-2016/a-little-night-music/, a wonderful musical about reunited lovers, passions reignited, jealousy, a weekend in the country, yup, that’s about it. And it’s where “Send in the clowns” comes from, kinda cool. After seeing it the show, the song makes more sense which in and of itself is cool.

After the show, it was back to PSM’s to get my stuff and head back to the hotel so I can tell you all about our day and what a day! Are you tired yet? You should be we walked 18,409 steps!

{September 19, 2015} Black light yoga! Score!

Tonight we did something kinda cool.

I think I’ve told you that PSM likes yoga, let me rephrase…he lllooovvvveeessss yoga. So it took all of about 10 seconds after I saw the posting to sign us both up for this event.

The event was called Soul Pose Yoga, http://soulpose.com/, an outdoor yoga event, starting at 7pm, black light to be exact. How cool does that sound?!

We got there about 6:30, signed in and got our yoga mats, towels and special Soul Pose bracelet and charm. We did get some souvenirs of course, I couldn’t let this go by! I got us some belts for stretching, a bag for my new yoga mat and a water bottle for PSM.

After we signed in, we painted each other’s faces with glow in the dark paint. I wish I could show you, we’ll, I’d show you him…he gave me a bright red moustsche…hmmm…

Then we walked down to the field past the mansion that was lit up for the event. I thought the night session would be more fun than the morning session, I was right.

We looked for new mats, any mats that were still rolled up, part of the package we got. We got settled in and looked out in the sea of people. The only requirement was to wear a white top, very cool to see, especially after the sun went down.

There was a vibe in the air as we started, the instructor was certified in something like 14 different forms of yoga, impressive. She wore a mess ‘o day-glo stuff on her head, fingers.

It was a nice session with music, nothing too difficult, I say that as someone who does not do a lot of yoga. PSM enjoyed it, definitely got a good workout. She also had a good sense of humor, keeping us all entertained and moving.

It was great to do all this as the sun was going down and then it was night time and we were all aglow.

Ok, now…the best part? PSM didn’t know a thing until we got near the sign in tent and we heard a call to all yogis! Then he was all excited and like a kid!

The calendar invite said only “something you’ll like”. Was I right? You betcha!

Ohm…

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