365-4 | Peaches Prattlings

{December 27, 2016} Travel on the day after Christmas…hmmm…

415 wakeup, what were we thinking. Well, we wanted to get home today…and we did…eventually.

I hate to say it, I had an easier time than PSM, I got very lucky. My flight was at 730am, ended up being delayed about 30 minutes, we were waiting on a flight coming in. It was one of the easiest times getting through Atlanta security, crazy!

My flight Atlanta to LA was fine, aside from the whining dog in front of me, I would say whined most of the 4+ hour flight, joy, thank goodness for headphones. The dog behind me, not a peep, thankfully. Then there was the teeny woman from Guatemala who kept asking me questions about the flight. She was looking at the tracker on the screen in front of her, changed the language to Spanish, I knew she could read, had the distance and time there, but asked anyway. It was fine, she was very sweet and it got me to practice my limited Spanish skills.

I get to LA a few minutes early, go on search of food. Not one item that I could get to take with me was vegan friendly! The salads that were coming out eventually, it was only 945am when we got in, might be vegan, great.

I got on my next flight, I sat in the exit row with no seat in front of me, which is nice for the leg room. The guy in front to the left was very sweet and found movies for me to watch on the screen, my arms aren’t that long. Shortly, he was off the hook, I found the controls on my seat.

I bought a snack, so that helped my head and my stomach, I watched free movies, nice and probably dozed for about 20 minutes.

I used a few of my birthday and Christmas/Chanukah presents on my flight, fabulous! The wrap I got was the perfect blanket! The lunching kept some snacks cool and my feet were warm from my new socks, score!

I landed, collected my things, identified my bag by the new bag strap! Found the car where PSM had left it, dropped the top and headed home. Someone was very happy to see me! I’ve never seen Mollie that exited! She ran around in circles and barked!

Then it was the business of unpacking, I did get a little bored and took a break, poor PSM came home to a slight explosion on the table but he was warned!

PSM had a harder time, he was on 2 connecting flights, both of which were delayed. I finally picked him up about 10pm, after about 19 hours of flying, not a fun experience, I can vouch for that!

But now, we’re both home, settled in and we’re going to crash. The windows are open, there’s a chill in the air…goodnight!

{December 25, 2016} Another Christmas and another and an overdue visit

Merry Christmas one and all! Mele Kalikimaka as they say in Hawaii!

The morning started nicely with breakfast at JT’s parents house, luckily, next door, so you can go barefoot. His dad, JT, go figure…cooked, it was nice, eggs, potatoes and bagels, yum.

They opened presents, we got a kick out of watching and enjoying with them, then it was time to head out to our Christmas celebration, with SDL’S, her sister, DL, and of course, Miss A!

It’s really been wonderful introducing PSM to my family of friends. We hung out, opened fabulous presents, oohed and ahhed…someone…not saying who…but she’s small and fabulous and had so many presents, we were all opening them for her! It was a lot of fun and of course, my homemade ornament with her photo was my favorite! Along with her calendar!

After presents, a snack and then off to a friend of SDL’s for dinner, her former roommate and I’ve known her for quite a while. We ate, drank, made merry.

Then, off to the hotel to check in and meet friends of PSM who were driving through from Valdosta to North Carolina. We had drinks, then went to get their puppy and all made it up to the room, they crashed with us for the night. I had gotten a junior suite, bed and pull out sofa, worked out perfectly!

Repacked my bags, talk to you and I gotta crash, flight is in a few hours! Going home for a week, I cannot wait!

I hope whatever you celebrate its happy and merry brings you joy!

{December 24, 2016} Happy Christmaskah…family, family, family…what a day!

What a treat! Chanukah and Christmas at the same time!

The day started with a trip to…wait for it…Waffle House! I was introducing PSM to more of my GA family! We met KAB, CS, LB and Princess L for breakfast. It was a great visit, too short, but I got to see some of the grandbabies and introduce PSM to more of my family!

Back to JT’s house, the guys went to his patents house to watch football and I hung out, watched holiday movies and did my time and expenses, exciting, I know!

About 4pm, PSM came over to help me bring our gifts to JT’s parents house next door. I helped his mom, ST, finish cooking and set up, not much to do really, cooked some pasta for myself and got ready for the craziness to begin! And it came in a flash!

There were 16 of us eating, drinkng and making merry. There was an Italian feast! Pasta, baked ziti, meatballs, sausage, bread, salad, potato latkes with applesauce, we had all the bases covered! Cookies, cakes and pies, yum!

Then it was time to draw names to open gifts, oh boy do we spoil each other! It’s so much fun!

After gifts, it was winding down and everyone started going home. PSM, JT and I headed over to his house to catch up, and quick chat with you and then crash.

My dad sent a picture of the menorah, it was made by a good friend of his, HT, and the menorah we lit every year growing up. Isn’t it fabulous!

Tomorrow…Christmas with the pickle and company!

Whatever you celebrate, may it be happy, festive and fulfilling.

Happy EVERYTHING! I love you all!

{December 23, 2016} A visit…a lunch…a dinner…more visits

Poor PSM…he’s seen more of the highways in Atlanta than anything else.

We started our morning going to see TS, we had a short window, but it was a quality visit. I love spending time with her and it was great to introduce her to PSM.

Next was lunch with JCT, they tired to out hot sauce each other! They enjoyed having someone who understands what that means!

After a nice bowl of spicy pho for them and crispy noodles for me. We went to Kung Fu Tea for milk tea, it was a new and tasty experience. But wait, there’s more! We went to Sweet Hut for some tasty pastries. I might need something salty!

Then it was a tour of my old neighborhood and house, then on to JT’s for the night.

Hanging out, finish wrapping, talk to you, then crash. We’re seeing the grandkids in the morning!

Goodnight!

{December 22, 2016} A honey…a lunch…a diner…a movie…sleep

What a day!

I got three hours and 15 minutes of sleep, I was ready to go this morning! When I got up this morning, JCT’s pugs, Yogi and Booboo got on my lap and snuggled with me, so sweet.

I got up, headed to the airport to pick up…my honey, PSM! He was finally coming to Atlanta to meet my friends and celebrate Christmas with my family, maybe he’ll even get to see some of Atlanta!

From the airport we drove to Marietta to have lunch with DL, JC, CC and their new Baby LC, so cute! We all used to work together with ST once upon a time. It was great getting to see them, catch up and put a face to the name for them and PSM.

After lunch, back into the traffic to head to Northpoint Mall area to meet CKM, BG and his girlfriend D and JT, we were early, hung out at Barnes & Nobel, Chen out the trees they made! Then we met everyone at Northpoint Diner for food, goofiness and the usual. Then we went to see Star Wars: Rogue One. BG and JT had already seen it, it was a first for the rest of us.

I liked it, it was styled like the originals, 4, 5 and 6, a good back story. I understand why people wanted to go home and watch Star Wars IV: A New a Hope. I’ll tell you more in another post.

Then we hung out a little talking about the movie, then we parted ways and PSM and I went to ST’s house to crash for the night. He had a few people over and we talked, goofed around and by midnight, we were all toast!

Here I am, talking to you, then set the alarm, then sleep, another adventure awaits!

{December 21, 2016} A waffle…a visit…a movie…a waffle

So…there are no Waffle Houses where I am, I have to get my fill!

I left ST’s house and went to Waffle House for breakfast. Then I toured my old neighborhood and took a look at my house, tried to visit my neighbors, unfortunately, they weren’t home, bummer. I went to Starbucks for a bit, trying to coordinate with a friend in the area.

Eventually, I went to where she was and wet caught up for about an hour, so great! Happy anniversary KC!

By now, it was about 5pm and I headed to JCT’s house. When I got there is got to see her mom who hadn’t been home when I first got here. She fed me, as she always does, one of the reasons I call her mom. It was red bean soup with these little dumpling things filled with peanut butter, odd but tasty!

JCT, her daughter, SAT and I went to the movies, we saw Miss Peregrine’s, it was good, scary, fun…all at the same time.

After, since we promised SAT, a trip to Waffle House, crazy that I started and ended my day at the same place! Like I said, no Waffle House in Hawaii or Illinois, gotta get it while I can!

Then it was back to the house to hang out, talk to you and then hopefully crash. I’m picking someone special up at the airport! Wink wink

I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

{December 20, 2016} Another day, another adventure!

Has your week been as fabulous as mine?

I spent the night with RJS, well, I got in after everyone was asleep. I loved on the fur babies, then crashed.

This morning it was catching up and then a trip to….Waffle House! She knows me so well! Then it was errands and laughing and silliness, par for the course.

After a great day with RJS, I went to meet one of my oldest and most wonderfulest friends, LGR and her husband, MR and their daughter Miss C.

We meet at a hibachi restaurant, something Miss C has been asking for. LGR and I met at my first corporate job in Atlanta oh so many years ago. We’ve been through a lot together and we’ve stayed friends through so much and no matter what happens in our lives, if we go long periods without seeing each other, it’s like no time has passed. How fabulous is that!

Of to ST’s house to crash for the night. We are watching Ant-Man while I talk to you and then off to dream land…because tomorrow…

More adventure awaits!

{December 19, 2016} Day 3…Shopping and lanterns

What a day!

I left LBK’s house and headed to meet JT for our annual tradition…Christmas shopping for his family.

I got there a little early, Old Navy is having a sale…win-win, wouldn’t you say? JT got there shortly and we began our adventure.

We’ve been doing this for about eight or more years. A few years ago, I got smart and stated bringing a rolling crate to put all of our purchases in, much easier on the hands, arms and back.

After lunch and shopping, we parted company, I headed to meet CKM at the train station and we headed downtown for dinner and to see the Chinese Lanterns.

Dinner was at Alma Cocina for a salsa and guacamole tasting and soup for me and salad for CKM. We admired the tree in the lobby of the building, turns out it was the Deloitte building, very pretty. Then headed out to Centennial Olympic Park for the lanterns.

The It was amazing! 25 decorated lanterns, made with wire, fabric and lights. The colors were amazing, the lanterns breathtaking, the different themes, the pageantry, fabulous!

After we toured, there was a show, with traditional dancing. One dance was with lanterns, another with face changing and then a Chinese violin. [Sorry, video won’t load]

The last fun event was a few go rounds on the wonder wheel. It was great to be above the city to see the lanterns

If you have the opportunity, go see the lanterns, on the website, you can get a combo deal for the lanterns and the ferris wheel. http://www.accessatlanta.com/entertainment/attractions/centennial-olympic-park-host-atlanta-1st-chinese-lantern-festival/rO8AxfmOCOkXdL7hgArcII/

Can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds!

{December 18, 2016} Next day…a tree and a letter

Sleeping in is beautiful! I woke up about 630am and then fell back to sleep and woke up about 830am, mmm…

I hung out with Miss A while she was waking up and SDL was on a call. After the call, we had breakfast, Skyped with SDL’s parents, Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop. A little while later, another breakfast, the girl has a bottomless put for a stomachs, not sure where she puts it all!

Eventually, I headed out to LBK’s. The family is leaving for NYC in Tuesday and she needed a little help getting ready. We had a great time! All the batteries have been changed, presents wrapped, last few gifts purchased, including teacher and coaches gifts, tree decorated and holiday letter written.

The batteries part was fun because it’s all those toys that sing and dance, so much fun! Then there was decorating the tree, so much fun looking at the ornaments throughout the years, when the girls were babies. Ornaments they made, picked out, what has to go on the tree.

The last task was a holiday letter. LBK wrote what’s happened this year with everyone and then we worked together on writing it for the holiday letter, adding a little humor here and there. What a great year this family has had! I’m so happy for them.

LBK’s finally went to sleep, she has to work in the morning, I stayed up a little later, I’m almost done wrapping my gifts! Then I had to talk to you and hopefully get a few hours of sleep, another busy day tomorrow!

I’m so glad that I got to spend time with the family, they’re usually gone when I get to Atlanta for the Christmas.

{December 17, 2016} Day two…what’s next?

Day two started by sleeping in! What? That almost never happens!

I slept until about 930am, it was fabulous! Maybe it was because I was sleeping in LaLa’s bed. I usually sleep in the guest room or on one of the recliners in the living room, but JCT and JT had fallen asleep down there and that meant the pugs, Yogi and Booboo were sleeping there too. The pugs over snore! Weird dog like noises that I couldn’t fall asleep to, so up I went.

I woke up to the sounds and smells of breakfast. I’m pretty sure JCT thinks I’m a goose and she’s trying to fatten me up! Eggs, grits, waffles, hash browns, toast and bacon, well, no bacon for me. SAT, her daughter said that I should come over more often so she can have breakfasts like this! Sounds good to me!

Then it was off to the races, well, after I wrapped some gifts that I brought with me. SAT got a haircut, JCT and I did some shopping next door, then we got some lunch and then more shopping, I’m running out of room in the car. Back to the house, hung out for a bit and I headed out. Before I left, I was given a key to the kingdom, so nice! And, of course, a golf ball key!

I left their house and headed to SDL, she and Miss A had just gotten in from their marathon shopping day. We caught up, then went to our favorite Mexican restaurant where they adore her, especially Miss Veronica. We ate, caught up, laughed, danced, rocked, bounced, ran around and then it was finally time to go home for bath and bed, that was for Miss A. SDL and I sat and talked for a while until Miss A decided she might try to come downstairs.

When I went back upstairs a few minutes later, the picture of them snuggling and asleep would have been precious!

I got settled in, time to talk to you then crash. More fun tomorrow!

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