365-4 | Peaches Prattlings

{May 10, 2016} A high end hotel deserves a high end meal

Isn’t that true?

I imagine that if you travel you might have a favorite hotel chain and if you do, there might be a favorite food you order at that hotel.

I was talking to a fellow road warrior and when I mentioned The Palmer House, she mentioned the mushroom soup she loves. I’ve had that at a few hotels here and there.

I imagine you might try some different things on the menu to see what you might fall in love with, you might even think you need to try higher end food, so to speak. I’ve done all that, as you know, from what I’ve told you before.

Well, yesterday I checked into The Drake Hotel, an old and historic hotel in Chicago. It’s grand, elaborate and beautiful.

I realized I was hungry and looked at the room service menu. It was limited on what I could eat and really expensive. Even though I can expense it, there are some things I still can’t do. Especially from room service.

So, what did I order? One of the least expensive items and exactly what I wanted. PB&J. I went for the healthier side, fruit, instead of fries or chips. I should have ordered that tonight, instead of the mediocre Chinese food I thought would be comforting.

PB&J. Ahhh…comfort food at its best.

{May 9, 2016} Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Birthday

Today is that very special day that we honor our mothers.

Mothers come in all shapes, sizes and forms. We are young, old, every color of the rainbow. We give birth, we adopt, we marry and become step parents. Our children are two legged human, three and four legged furry. We are teachers, care givers, role models, guardians, playmates, disciplinarians. If we’re very lucky, one day we become grandmothers.

Each mother is unique in her own way.

Our mom was an amazing woman. She was giving, loving, silly, serious, smart, sarcastic, cultured, a foodie who could go out for fine cuisine on Monday and a pb&j on Tuesday. Breakfast for dinner, experiments for new dishes.

When I decided I wanted to be a vegetarian, she was great, always looking for new recipes to try, even going so far as to make two meals, one for me and one for everyone else or one for the two of us and one for my dad and sister.

She and dad made us the best birthday parties, an amazing hostess for holiday, family and everyday gatherings. She was the inspiration for the parties I did for my kids and my sister does for EJS and MGS.

I remember getting an email from my daughter thanking me for so much and the memories of those birthdays. I know the girls will remember the parties their mom threw for them. I know we all do!

I know I’ve told you about my amazing sister, one of the most fantastic mothers I know. To watch her each year as she grows as a woman and a mother is a joy, treat and an honor. I know our mom is proud of her, I know I am.

I had a wonderful treat for Mother’s Day myself or should I say treats. The day started with brunch with my sister and brother-in-law, just the three of us, so nice. Then there were hugs and kisses from MGS and EJS.

I also received some fantastic presents. Pictures made by EJS and MGS, photos they selected, a beautiful Chinese ink drawing by my dad and the other day, pictures from Baby A and his sister ELB.

The next amazing and wonderful thing that happened to me was when I was at the airport. I’ve told you here and there about my daughter TH and her brother CH.

TH’s birthday is today and every year, I send her a birthday message and today was no different. Well, what was different is that I found out she was married a few months ago. She’s now THL, I’m very happy for her, she seems very happy, which means everything to me.

What made me need a box of kleenex is what she said next. She is going to be a mother and she wants me to be a part of her child’s life. One of the things I always hoped when I was with her dad, helping to raise her, was to one day share in her joys of being a mother and my dreams is going to come true, my baby is having a baby. I’m tearing up writing this.

Happy Mothers Day to all the amazing mothers out there. To those I know and love, admire and cherish, women I am honored to call family, SDL, LBK, TS, JCT, DL, CC, LGR, KWH, KAB, CS, SV, CGS.

Happy Mothers Day LaLa!

And happy mother’s day to you my friends and family, you are all fabulous and wonderful and I love you all!

{May 7, 2016} I can’t talk anymore!

I’m talked out! Is that even possible?

You’ve met me, what do you think? Nah…

So…I believe I’ve told you, I’m on a new project in Chicago, this Wednesday will be two weeks on the project. The other trainers went through a full seven weeks of T3 or Train The Trainer. T3 is the session that a trainer will participate in to learn the new application, hence, train the trainer.

I participated in T3 for a week and a half. Last Monday I was given a lesson to teach and on Tuesday I did a “Teach Back”, where I teach the lesson to the other trainers. It’s an opportunity to teach in front of a class and for the other trainers to see your teaching style and for the Training Leads and Managers to watch and see your confidence and knowledge level.

I got up there, had a great time and let’s just say, I killed it! I think my feet didn’t touch the ground for a while, do you remember that runners high I told you about? I got great feedback from the other trainers and the Training Lead and Manager. Felt great. I need that feedback, both positive and areas that could use improvement.

Apparently I did well because on Friday one of the other trainers quit and I got an email yesterday when I was boarding my flight, asking me if I was up for taking over those classes next week! Oh my! Learn two classes the weekend and teach on Tuesday?!

I spent the flights yesterday going over the materials and today, teaching the first class to the cats all day. [I’ll do more tomorrow and Monday eventing.] Lots of talking and I’m done! Don’t even want to talk to the cats!

Look out Chicago, in ready to take on the world! Or I will be Tuesday! But until then…mmmmmm

{May 6, 2016} I need a tissue!

Have I mentioned how much I love my family?

Especially the wee tots who call me Auntie and JJ. I get the most wonderful cards and pictures at different times.

Do you remember the picture from LB and Baby L, their footprints making flowers last easter? My birthday cards from EJS and MGS for my birthday and Mother’s Day. My pictures made with Miss A’s hands. The list goes on and I hope it never stops!

Well, today, I got home from my week in Chicago and found something wonderful in my mailbox…my Mother’s Day gift from Baby A and his new baby sister, ELB.

Do I love it? What do you think? Kleenex please! I’m turning into my mother! Gladly!!!

{May 5, 2016} A special meal just for Lil Ole me?

You bet your sweet bippie!

I checked into the Hilton at the airport using the digital key for the first time, too cool! Then, when room service was a busy went down to the bar and dug in.

I asked about vegan options and was batting zero when the chef cane out. What would I like? Well, something with no meat or dairy, how about the eggplant?

“We are debuting a new menu, I can make you something from it…a vegan, gluten-free pizza”. What? Yes, please!

I started with minestrone, it was ok, then the pizza came out. It was a small personal pizza with eggplant, sauce and vegan cheese, fabulous! It was the vegan cheese I am not crazy about, but I had a pizza and it read made just for me!

The chef came out and asked how I liked it, I said it was great, that this wasn’t my favorite cheese, but I really enjoyed it! So thankful and happy! Yum!

I couldn’t finish it all, guess what’s for breakfast!

{May 4, 2016} Happy Hour and Dinner

It wad a good day, ended very nicely.

After a good day of training, I joined the team for happy hour at a bar near the office. It was great, I met more people, got to know others better and blend in even more.

Our numbers started to dwindle and eventually, there were just a few of us left. MS, the implementation lead and very smart man who brought me on to the project, and I left to get some dinner.

We went to a great place called La Scarola,
http://www.lascarola.com/. It is an Italian restaurant, two rooms, but small almost hole on the wall feeling. The place was packed and the got us at one of the last tables in the corner in front of the window.

It was a little get to know each other, what are my goals, where to you see yourself, that sort of thing. Then it was families, travel, life outside of work, quite enjoyable. It’s nice when you have the opportunity to get to know someone one on one, away from everything else, better working relationship.

We had grilled calamari, I ate some, it was really good, but I think that might be it for me for calamari. It was Italian and I went for it, eggplant parmigiano, fabulous mistake! So good, but so bad. I couldn’t finish any of it, the portions were huge! Looking for someone who might be hungry today!

By the time we finished it was about ten pm, time to catch a cab and head back to our respective domiciles.

I put on my jammies and started talking to you and let’s just say I was so tired I dozed off a few times trying to finish!

But I did it and now…zzzzzzz

PS…Maybe the fourth be with you!

{May 4, 2016} Ask and ye shall receive. I did and I did!

Today I was talking to someone and I said that I wanted to go to a White Sox game while I was here in Chicago.

I don’t know if you remember me telling you about going to a Cubs game two years ago with KLS. I was telling someone about going to sporting events in the city I am working in. I was talking to a coworker as another walked by and asked if I would like to go to White Sox game tonight. Suweet!

So…I’m going to a Sox game, awesome! Guess who they’re playing…the Boston Red Sox! Omg! Guess who won!

Ask and ye shall receive. I did!

{May 2, 2016} OMG! YUM! Happy Happy!

It’s the little things, right?

I told you about the vegan restaurant I found last week, Native Foods, and then chicken salad and peanut butter pudding, which was fabulous. Well…

Today, I went back for exactly what I wanted…a vegan ruben and oh my goodnesss, it was freaking fantastic! I’m not kidding! It had Seiten “meat”, sourkraut, thousand island dressing and cheese, on rye bread. The “meat” looked real, the cheese was made from cashews. I couldn’t believe it!

I accompanied the sandwich with sweet potato fries and never even got to the oatmeal pie for dessert, I ate the second half of the sandwich. Yes, it was that good!

Tomorrow? Again? Maybe! It’s the little things, right?

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{May 2, 2016} I’m not sure they could have cut that any closer!

Don’t you just love flight delays?

Friday’s delay was delightful because of my dear friend RJS. Today, not so much.

The flight was scheduled to take off at 4:50pm, we were on the plane, settled in and at some point they came over the loudspeaker to tell us there was a delay due to a faulty wire. Oh goody.

“We’re only six minutes behind”. Uh huh..and six turned to seven, turned to eight, turned to…

We arrived about the time my next flight was just starting to board, great. Luckily people actually listened when the flight attendants asked people to stay in their seats if Cincinnati was their final destination.

All well and good if we actually get to a gate. Which happened eventually…not to worry we were four gates away, about a five minute walk, with only minutes to spare.

But…we made it, took off and about 47 minutes later we landed in Chicago and here I am at The Palmer House hotel, snuggled in, eating a contraband apple, glorious, writing to you and when I’m done, sleep, well, try…

Sweet dreams my friends!

{April 30, 2016} A crazy, wonderful at home day.

Back to life on the road…ahhh…

When you’re a road warrior, as it were, meaning that you are on the road each week, for some it’s one or a few days a week, for me, as you know, it’s 100%, Monday thru Thursday or Friday and depending on the training or go-live schedule, it could be weeks in a row.

That being said, when you’re on the road that much, your home time is precious, you want to get things done and you seem to jam a lot of stuff in a short amount of time, you get good at it.

Today, I thought…I was at least going to get to sleep in, after the first week on the project, I could have used it. Well, what I thought and the fur beasts thought was different. It was barely 6am…really? Sigh

I got up and protested by not getting out of bed until at least 7:30/8am, so there, take that! I got up, gathered all items for laundry, I didn’t think it was going to be that much, but someone..not saying who, Jymy or Peanut…puked on my blankets, ick.

Laundry collected, check. I bought this giant rolling suitcase when I was in Colorado to bring stuff back and let me tell you, keeping it! It’s perfect to get my laundry, including blankets to the laundromat. Yessireeebob!

First order of business…food. I have no eggs in the house, so to the local diner I go,[ after a stop at the drug store to pick up a prescription. [IF I didn’t have insurance it would have been over $1000! Omg!]. Then breakfast. While eating, got some work done, gotta fit it in somewhere!

After breakfast head back to the apartment to pick up the laundry and head to the washers. The place was packed! I missed out on the giant washers, so two medium washers. One giant dryer and one medium. Two hours later I was done, the comforter took forever!

I took a picture of a set of socks GES got me for Chanukah. One of the women on the team had a shirt on that almost matched. Then we showed off our socks, it was goofy, I know! So, I sent the picture to her!

What did you think this post a about with a picture of socks

Back home, drop off laundry, grab grocery bags, head to the store. Eggs: check, litter: check, other stuff I don’t really need: check!

Back to the house, clean, clean, clean: litter box, bathroom, vacuum, bedroom. Clean…ahhh… somewhere in there I made egg salad and veggies chicken salad, fabulous!

All of a sudden it was 7pm and time to meet GES, ACS and some other friends to break Passover. What does that mean? Bread!!! Pasta! Bread!!! It was a lot of fun, always it, friends out, grownup conversation and silliness.

Back to the apartment, thinking about putting the laundry away and what I might need to pack for the week. Washing and folding is easy..putting away is hard! [Same thing for the dishwasher!]

Now, I am writing you and shortly, I will settle in, turn off the lights, watch Netflix until I fade out completely! Tomorrow is another day, heading back out to the client site. Who wants to come with me?

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