365-4 | Peaches Prattlings

{March 22, 2016} We have a NINE year old!

I met her when she was one week old, wasn’t it just yesterday?

I remember the day my sister and brother-in-law called to tell me I was going to be an aunt! The wheels started turning, all the things I wanted to do and what I would have to do!

Halloween costumes, spoiling, giggling, airplane rides, cuddling, playing, playing dressup, movies, school plays and so much more! I could not wait!

EJS has not disappointed. She is an amazing, smart, talented, funny, goofy, athletic, inquisitive, silly girl.

Every time I see her, it’s huge hugs, she still runs and jumps into my arms, how much longer will I be able to pick her up? Forever I hope!

Every year she has some great ideas for her birthday parties, she never disappoints. She makes friends wherever goes.

She went from having everything done for her to “momma do it” to “I do it!”. She is timid in some areas and fearless in others. She’s tried just about everything…swimming, skiing, acting, dancing, karate, cello, soccer, softball, just to name a few.

She is a great big sister to MGS, she makes her parents very proud in so many ways, makes her Papa laugh and still holds my hand walking down the street.

Today she turned nine! Wow! We had a party over the weekend, got to hang out, play games and today, I got to be her guest at school to read to her class, was I over the moon or what! That’s the way to celebrate!

As she says, last birthday before the double digits…every day is something new, I cannot wait to see what is coming next!

Happy nineth birthday EJS, I love you very much!

{March 20, 2016} Will it snow? Won’t it snow?

It’s the first day of Spring…snow?

Have you heard about the big snowstorm coming to hit the northeast? They keep warning us…there could be a snow day tomorrow.

Is Mother Nature not feeling well? Does she have a cold? Does she not know it’s Spring? My allergies have kicked in, today I saw a Robin red breast, houldn’t that mean it should be getting warmer?

It’s cold enough, but it doesn’t smell like snow. Don’t you love that smell? I do.

The kids were already talking about a snow day, what they’ll do if school is closed.

Talk about random rambling! Love…it!

So…snow or no snow…I’ll let you know tomorrow!

{March 19, 2016} Wow, can those 9 year olds can party!

Today we had a party for one EJS, who turns NINE tomorrow.

What a day we had! I got to GES’ house, hugs and kisses all around, then it was off to Karate with EJS, she really is getting stronger with her kicks and punches. She was even called to the front row of the class, that is not a common thing for lower level students, that’s what she told us when class was over. The Master instructor called her out after class to tell her how well she did. Go EJS go!

Then back to the house, make rice crispy treats, never knew how easy they are, butter, rice crispy cereal and marshmallows.

A few errands and then the girls started showing up. Thirteen in total with EJS and MGS, oh my! It was a great mix of girls, some from school, temple, book club, family friends and camp, very nice.

Since they were from different places, not everyone knew each other, I had all the girls sit in a circle and we played an ice breaker game to get the girls to relax, laugh and maybe learn each other’s names. It worked a little, by the time they started the festivities, the girls were laughing together.

We started in the dining room with instructions, we were having fun with food.

They started with decorating their own containers with markers and stickers.

Next, on to the fun with food… first, they were making candy sushi! We made two different sizes of rice crispy treats, blocks and long thin pieces. Then take a Swedish fish or gummy worm and either roll it in the longer thin piece or put it on the block, then wrap it in fruit roll up like seaweed. How cool is that!

Next was melting chocolate and crumble cookie pieces to pour into molds and then after they harden in the freezer, wrap them in foil for their own candy bar.

Lastly, we had different flavored puddings, whipped cream, cookie crumbles, Graham cracker crumbs and mason jars to put it all in, with labels hand made by each girl.

Perfect timing, as one group of girls left a station, they went downstairs to play, then, after we finished taking the chocolates from the freezer, it was time to sing and eat ice cream cake. Pure perfection! Parents started showing up just about that time.

After most of the girls left, five stayed behind, four were spending the night, was doing a sleep under, she would stay until bed time and then go home.

The girls put on their pj’s, watched Paddington then headed upstairs to set up the sleeping arrangements air mattresses and sharing and floors and mommy and daddy’s bed, play a game, while they waited for the sleep under to head home and one other girl to come back.

By now, it was almost 10pm and I headed for the hills, or at least my place and my furry kids [and yes, they did exactly what I said they would].

Tomorrow, more fun with family and a birthday dinner.

I told you those nine year olds could party!

{March 18, 2016} I love you, but please give me a minute!!

You must know how much I love my cats, right?

Anyone who says cats are not affectionate or attentive or needy is nuts! I got home tonight after being gone for two weeks and it was exactly as I predicted…

They cried and meowed and followed me around like puppies. They Kelly “asking” when I was getting in bed to sleep and cuddle. I said soon and I knew what it would be like…

I would try to get under the convers while they compete for my attention and the best spot to sit on…me. Where can they knead and dig their claws the most to be most comfortable? Where can they put their cold, wet nose to inflict the most jump while giving me kisses? Where can they headbutt me the most to ensure I know they are there?

How long can they do each of these things to prevent me from going to sleep? And then when I do fall asleep, how often can they do those things to ensure I don’t sleep through the night because they are nocturnal?

I’ll let you know tomorrow. It’s a good thing I love them!

{March 17, 2016} Goodbyes are always bittersweet

Another city…another hotel…another hotel family…

This is my third time here in Buffalo, same client, different phases of the project. The team has stayed at a few different hotels while here.

I started starting at the Hyatt downtown sometime last year and I really liked it. You know I’m a Hilton girl but after staying here, I’ve been splitting my allegiance.

I got used to staying at the Hyatt in Buffalo, so much so that one week they were booked and I stayed at another hotel chain for that week and I feel like I cheated!

The hotel is nice, in a good location, but you know what’s important to me…the people.

The front desk staff has been great, I really only know the evening/night shift, the day shift is nice, but I’m not there in the morning, not much more than leaving for the client site.

The valet’s are great, some better than others, they know who I am, recognize me when I check in, sometimes even remembering my name. The front desk staff knows my name, it makes me feel good.

I try to bring them treats when I can, sometimes it’s leftovers from dinner, sometimes just a flat out treat. They work so hard, they deserve something extra. If they are free, I get to hang out and chat with them or when I come in from whatever in did that night.

I made sure to go down to the front desk to say goodbye tonight, I knew I wouldn’t see them tomorrow, as I am checking out. They were disappointed that I am leaving, they said I’m a favorite of theirs. That made me smile, if it’s true, ask the better.

I will definitely miss them all when I go. Parting is such sweet sorrow…sigh.

{March 16, 2016} Game addictions

Help! I’m addicted.

Nah, I like them and don’t want to stop. There are four games I play every day, a few times a day.

They are all based on Disney movies, Maleficent, Frozen, Cinderella and Inside Out,
and all Free Fall, along the lines of Bejeweled, where you need to match at least 3 in a row, but with different challenges and ways you can move.

Each of the games gives you points in different ways, I think Maleficent is the best in terms of points and extras. You get five lives at a time, you get to play until you lose five times, then it’s twenty-five minutes until you get full lives again.

EJS and MGS both like to play, they get a hold of my phone and it’s on. They don’t play all the time on mine, they have their own tablet and only when they remember I have it. I have, however, gotten JCT and ST addicted, at least to Maleficent! Muwahaha

Gotta go and play, see ya later!

{March 15, 2016} A double date…WTF and Beautiful

And it was all fabulous!!!

After my last class of the day I decided I was going to treat myself. I took myself to the movies.

I sat down with some popcorn, a bottle of water, reclined my seat and settled in to watch WTF…Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, staring Tina Fey. It was based on Kim Baker’s book, “The Taliban Shuffle”.

I really enjoyed this movie, I thought I would when I saw the preview. I’ve seen a few Tina Fey movies and they have been hit or miss. I think I told you sky seeing Sisters, total hit, childish, but funny.

This was great. Kim Baker’s is a writer for a TV news station. In 2003 they were looking for reporters to go to Afghanistan and the group they are looking for volunteers in “you are all single, no families”. So…why not!

She goes to Afghanistan and it transforms her and her life. She discovers that she is made of stronger stuff than she realizes. It’s funny, sad, exciting and a really good story. I recommend it.

Later in the evening, I went to see Beautiful, The Carole King musical based on her life.

The story started when she was sixteen, in college for teaching, but all she wants is to write music. She’s great with the melody, not as great with the lyrics, or so she thought.

She met Jerry, an older guy at the same college, a playwright who is having some trouble and begin to work together and end up writing songs for so many singers and groups in the sixties. I knew she wrote for others, I just didn’t realize to what extent!

We got to hear her sing, they the group it was written for. They had quite a number of number one hits.

Eventually, she moves to LA to record her own stuff and that year, Tapestry, won best album, female vocalist, just to name two of the accolades this woman received.

The cast was amazing, the score, the lyrics, the choreography and the actress who played Carole King, wow!

All in all, what an amazing and enjoyable evening.

If you can, go see both!

{March 14, 2016} News! BIG news!

Ooh! I am so excited and I can talk about it!

My grandson, Baby A became a big brother last night! I would like to tell you all about JJ’s new love, ELB. She was born at 10:14pm. Her daddy, JB, said 8 lb and 4 oz, but momma was spot on, 7 lbs and 14oz, admit it, a mother knows.

She is perfect and beautiful and already the apple of her parents eye! There is a picture on Facebook of JB and ELB looking at each other, poor guy, it’s all over for him!

I cannot wait to meet her, not too long now, I will head to Atlanta to see my newest love and her family. I was there the day her brother was born, wish I could have been there today, but soon enough!

I can’t wait to share pics on Facebook, be on the look out!!

Congrats to KAB, JB, Baby A, Uncle Bubba, Aunt Pow-Pow, her aunt CS and her cousins, LB, LS and Baby W! Her grandma CG and her grandpa, DCM. What a crew and crazy bunch of people she’s related to, present company included! Welcome to the world Baby E! You are so loved and you’re not even 24 hours old!

{March 13, 2016} When do you tip?

I think it’s a valid question.

As a society, we tip. It’s different in different places, America vs. Europe for example.

We tip servers, the valet, hair stylists, nail technicians, just to name a few.

It’s not that I don’t want to tip, but where does it stop? I waited tables, I am very generous when it comes to tipping, even when I get breakfast included with my hotel stay, I make sure to tip.

When I valet at a restaurant, I tip, interesting, I don’t tip at my hotel, I found out they make good money. One of the valet’s drives 1.5 hours each way because the money is so good. I always bring him something from wherever I have dinner, he said he appreciates it, I feed him well, front desk staff too.

I got my nails done today, I tipped for both the mani and the pedi. The hard part with this and other things, like hair salons, etc, what do you tip? A percentage or a set amount? I’m sure there is a standard somewhere.

The reason I thought of this was being at the airport today. I have extra stuff coming back with me from Denver. I decided to take a chance and use curbside check-in for my bags, then take my rental car back. It worked!

Here’s what made me think of this. The people who work curbside check-in, just about everyone seems to tip them. Are we supposed to? Isn’t it their job? I didn’t tip him for taking my bags. I might have actually changed my mind if he was pleasant.

Just a random musing.

{March 13, 2016} What a day!! Woosh, twang, got it! ahhh

Five hours of sleep is enough, right? That’s what my body thinks.

Five thirty am, eyes open, ok, you win, or is it I win? Ok, fine, I’ll get up. Get dressed, then breakfast.

View from my hotel.

After breakfast, pack up the car and head to Breckinridge. No traffic, made it in record time, easy to find a place to park. Hop on the shuttle, right onto the gondola and up the mountain.

I used my Go-Pro for the first time today, it was great! As soon as I can download photos, I’ll post some.

The slopes were wide open and there was new snow over the past week. I heard they’re expecting about a foot very soon! Towards the bottom, near the lodges and restaurants, it was getting slushy. There are just a few more weeks left to the season, but still rockin’!

After an over priced lunch, a few more runs, I had enough. Headed back down, then to my car. A guy and his girlfriend were pulling up as I was de-ski gearing, “ma’am, are you leaving?” Yup, space is yours, parking pass too, just pay it forward.

Headed out, no traffic, wahoo! On to my old apartment to pick up my banjo, sorry, no picture, it’s in the car. Then to my storage unit, visit my stuff and…I found my movies! I have something to do while I’ll home…burn, burn, burn!

Dropped off my skis, then back to the hotel, drove around for about 15/20 minutes, there were two events with over 600 people, a wedding and 1500 guests of the hotel, yours truly included. Finally found one! An Avis rental car spot and technically, I’m in an Avis rental car, that counts, right?

I ordered some Chinese food and I’ve been relaxing and cross stitching, big event coming up! I’ll let you know when it happens!

I packed and now I’m talking to you and stitching and eventually, lights out, heading back to Buffalo tomorrow.

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