365-4 | Peaches Prattlings

{December 3, 2016} A dinner/movie date…Moana in Hawaii!!

This is my post that didn’t want to post on Friday…

First of all…I’m home! for the weekend! I do love getting to go home!
I got in Thursday night, nothing exciting there, except for Mollie and PSM picking me from the airport, sigh.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, I woke up about 4am, that’s normal for PSM, not so much for me, I’ve usually just fallen asleep by then! We got up, he had a call at 6am and I started working, which was about 8am central time, so a little before normal working hours on this project, which means I am done about 130, not bad, huh?

About 230, I met PSM at an appointment in Honolulu, after we went to an outdoor mall, a really nice and huge one, apparently it had been built in ten stages, looks like it! There are actually maps to take with you, that’s how big! I had an exchange to make and it’s nice to walk around and get a drink, the traffic to get home would be ridiculous, we were planning on hanging out.

After a drink and some live music, we went to one of my favorite vegan restaurants I used to go in Atlanta, The Loving Hut, it’s actually an international chain, so excited to find it here! [TS and SF and I used to go together all the time!] He really is a good sport for going with me.

Then we headed back towards home and went to see Moana, a new Disney animated movie. It’s about an ancient Polynesian tribe, the demi-god Maui and Moana, the chieftain’s headstrong daughter. In true Disney fashion, there is a strong, young female lead, different, her parents are both still alive and stay that way through the entire movie!

She has a mind of her own, frustrates her father, wants to do what’s right, but also wants to follow her heart. She sets off, against her father’s wishes, to bring back the heart to her people and the land.

Along the way she meets Maui, finds out who she is and what she’s made of and what’s truly in her heart.

It was a great movie, so much fun to see it in Hawaii and the kids in the crowd added to the experience. Two thumbs up!

{December 2, 2016} Teen love

Did you fall in love as a teenager? Wasn’t that the best!

You felt like you were flying, invincible, like no one had ever felt that way before. Especially the first time. But, of course, if you’re a typical teenager, it happens more than once…and it’s forever…every time!

I’m not saying that can’t and doesn’t happen as we get older, but you never really have that wide-eyed innocence of falling and being in love, do you?

Oh, is heartbreak any different, depending on our age? I think so, but that first one, the world was going to end and you thought ‘I’ll never fall in love’ there’s nothing more for me, but ah, youth, wait five minutes…’Bobby who?’

Sigh…to be a teenager in love…they wrote songs about it, you know…

{December 1, 2016} Fall in love in a few days?

Every Hallmark Christmas movie, really?

Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t experienced it, but I’m a believer in love at first site, I’m a hopeless romantic. But every Hallmark Christmas movie seems to take place just a few days before Christmas and the main characters who don’t know each other, don’t like each other, don’t remember each other fall in love after meeting, well at least three days later.

And please, don’t misunderstand, I love these movies, bad acting and all, I just want to know who thinks this is possible and happens all the time! We’re watching the movies to escape and I guess we are escaping, just curious about this phenomenon.

And…some of the commercials on the Hallmark Channel are really getting to me! I need a box of kleenex!

{November 29, 2016} Nyquil is calling me…

At least a cold in the winter makes sense.

PSM got a cold towards the end of our trip and without meaning to, he shared it with me.

It didn’t really hit me until a few days after we got back, I took two Nyquil and called it a night, literally. Yesterday, I started to feel like, you-know-what so I got back to the hotel, participated in a few calls, answered some emails, ordered some soup, took two Nyquil and I’m hoping to pass out soon! Wish me luck!

G’night!

{November 29, 2016} Wait! That is not a pocket!

I love my winter coat, sadly it might be time for a new one.

It’s a long, well, knee-length for me, off-white and quilted. I got it from Eddie Bauer two winters ago after seeing The Nutcracker with the family.

It’s been a great coat for the winters in Boston, Buffalo and now Chicago, not to mention on our trip this month in Iceland, Denmark and Sweden! It’s warm, comfy-cozy and since it’s a down coat, I can use it almost like a blanket.

Sometime in the last year it developed a few small holes at the bottom, it looks like it sat against something hot and burned the holes in it. Now there are feathers coming out of it! When I sit down, feathers come flying out! I leave them everywhere!

Today, DLP and I went for a much needed mani-pedi, when I put my coat on and put my hand in my pocket, looking for something, I realized I was putting my hand through a hole in the seem of my coat, just below the pocket, what?

My exact words were “That’s not a pocket!”

Yeah, that’s about it, not a page turner of a post, just wondering where my new’pocket’ came from! Let’s go shopping?

I know it’s not white, the colors make me happy.

{November 27, 2016} Two different families, two different traditions

Aren’t traditions grand?

My family has a tradition that started when GES and I were children. Our parents started taking us to see The Nutcracker ballet at the City Company in NYC every Christmas Eve. This was the Balanchine performance, so of course what we know and love. I’ve seen the Nutcracker in different cities by different choreographers, but you know my favorite by now.

A few years ago GES thought it was time her girls experienced a treasured memory and started taking them as a family. I’ve gone with them a few times, I haven’t always been able to. Different family members have also joined them and now it seems, Thanksgiving is the holiday or time of year they go. I hope I get to join them for years to come. They love it and a new family holiday tradition was born.

The other family tradition is with PSM’s family. The women in the family started the tradition a few years ago when his niece MM was a teenager. All the women in town for Thanksgiving go to dinner and a movie together. I was invited last year but couldn’t go, but this year…we went out to dinner and then Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, good thing I really liked it!

It was fun to just be with “the girls” away from the entire family, kids, spouses, hanging out, talking about everything and nothing. I appreciate being included.

So, two family traditions, a really nice day.

{November 26, 2016} A party, a party, a movie

What was your Saturday like?

We started with PSM’s family Chanukah party. It’s always the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It started years ago when his generation started spending Thanksgiving with their respective spouse’s families and Chanukah, as you may know, is never the same date each year. They decided that on Saturday they would all be together for the Chanukah party. PSM’s uncle informed me, with a wink, at our first Chanukah party together, that he would be at the Chanukah party each year, yes sir!

PSM has been hosting the Chanukah party at his house for years and this year, since he moved it was hosted by one cousin at another cousin’s house. It was great, as always. About 35 people, lots of kids, now including my nieces and PSM’s best friend, K&D N’s kids. They played, laughed, ran around, there is a play about the story of Chanukah that the kids put on and singing, then presents for the kids and the adults donate to a charity.

We ate, got to catch up, talk, laugh, get to know each other, watch the kids open and enjoy their gifts and enjoy the time we get to spend together.

After the Chanukah party, back to the house, PSM went to hit golf balls with his brother and the rest of us for ready for our next party. This party would be a surprise party for SHK, he’s a few months older than EJS and she wanted to throw him a surprise party.

And throw him a surprise party we did! We had steamers, a hand made happy birthday sign, cupcakes, pie and eventually ordered Italian for dinner. We hid when they arrived and yelled surprised and sang happy birthday! It was perfect, he was very surprised.

The kids played, ran around, built a Chanukah house, put on a talent show for the rest of us, sold us tickets, scanned our phones “through security”, even gave us paper so we could get autographs! What a show!

After the show, GES, LaLa and I went to the movies to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I’ll give you a review another day, but all I can say is…go see it!

Back home to try to get a few hours of sleep because I’m taking PSM to the airport at 3am, what?!

So…what was your Saturday like!? Mine was awesome!

{November 25, 2016} Another Thanksgiving, a special visit, friends!

When is it quiet when we’re in town?

Well, I should say, when is it quiet when I’m in town, now, PSM is getting a little taste of what it’s like when I come for a visit! He might need a nap!

We got up to a fresh bagel breakfast, yum, he headed out to an appointment while GES and I cooked for another Thanksgiving meal, this time with ACS’ brother and sister-in-law. They do this every year, this was the first time I was here for it. It’s nice, they do Thanksgiving with their respective families on Thanksgiving and then together the next day.

This was also a chance to celebrate with the neighbors, M&C O’F, who really are more like family. I have to tell you, I’m so glad my sister and brother-in-law found this neighborhood, it reminds me of my neighborhood in Atlanta, more family than friends.

We had a champagne turkey, the vegan cooked the bird! Who has pictures?! We also cooked the stuffing in bird, this is important to some people, they were quite happy! Green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, corn souffle, crescent rolls, salad, cranberry. We don’t mess around here! PSM and MF didn’t realize it was the full enchilada, so to speak!

Don’t forget dessert! Unfortunately we had to leave before the pumpkin pie, pecan pie, sugar cookies, oh my! but PSM and I had a very special visit to make.

Uncle K wasn’t able to join us at PSM’s brother’s house for Thanksgiving. He’s PSM’s mother’s brother-in-law, need a chart? I can make one, I’ve learned! He’s older and wasn’t up to the drive or that much excitement, so when the mountain can’t go to Mohammed, you know the rest.

He was so touched that PSM was there, both of us, but more one of his favorite nephews, and let me tell you, he’s got a few…wink wink. He regaled us with stories of his sister-in-law, PSM’s mother, his own mother-in-law, PSM’s grandmother, his entry into the family, his children and as with many of the older generation, “wash rinse repeat”. It was just like every visit with your older generation relatives, stories, silliness and bad jokes or puns.

It was a great visit, important to Uncle K, his daughter S and most important, PSM. I’m very glad I was able to join them and get some one-on-one time with Uncle Kim, and that PSM wanted me a part of it. I’m honored.

From there, we went to meet the friends, wow that sounds so ominous, the friends. We met them at a bar/restaurant/bowling alley. It was so awesome to see them! They are so very fond of PSM and I see that when we’re together and they have brought me into their family as if I have been there forever and I appreciate that so much.

We laughed, drank, ate, laughed, drank, ate, wash-rinse-repeat. How’s Hawaii? How was your trip? We need to plan a weekend away! How about a girls weekend in Iceland?! I think it might happen! I’ll definitely keep you posted!

Then back home, GES was up, we chatted for a minute, PSM was sawing logs on the loveseat, I sawed a few of my own in and out while GES and I watched Hallmark movies. Then it was time for lights out, officially, more family stuff tomorrow!

Hey, PSM, welcome to my whirlwind! Ya tired yet?

{November 24, 2016} What am I thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving all!

What am I thankful for? Where do I start?! I am lucky enough to be surrounded by friends and family and extended family this week in Boston. You know what it’s like when I get to go to Atlanta!

My sister has an amazing network of friends, they have become my extended family. PSM’s family has accepted me and become family, who knows, maybe one day it will be “official”. He also has an amazing network of friends who are his extended family. I’ve told you about my friends in Atlanta who are my family. My friends from childhood and not to mention all of you, my friends.

I am lucky enough to have people in my life who make it richer just by knowing them. I am surrounded by love and friendship, who could ask for more.

You read my blog every day, how could I not be grateful for that? Not only do you read it, you comment on it, you send me texts and emails, I know you’re reading it and that says so much to me! Thank you!

The children in my life enrich it so much, I get birthday cards, pictures, hugs, snuggles, love, joy, excitement and things like this. MGS did this at school this week. She’s grateful for her family, her Papa, that’s my dad, of course and…her Auntie! guess who! How could I not be grateful for that!!

I know my post is selfish, what I have and what I’m grateful or thankful for and you know what, I’m ok with that.

Thank you my friends and family for being in my life and making it fuller, it would most assuredly be much bleaker without you.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, I hope it was all you wanted it to be!

{November 23, 2016} Normal family crazy!

Another day at my sister’s house, right?

Yes and no! The day started with breakfast at a local place with my sister, dad and PSM. PSM and I only had toast, coffee and tea because he and I had a brunch with his Aunt and Uncle in a few hours.

We went to a nice place in Alston called Lulu’s, breakfast and lunch was enjoyed by all. We laughed, caught up, talked about our travels, our trip that just happened and their recent trip to South Africa.

After brunch we went to his brother’s house, and had much of the same, laughter, catching up, talking. Those was more like GES’ house, with two kids showing off for the guests. Even though we’re family, we’re not there every day, so in that respect, we’re guests.

It was loud, crazy, goofy, happy, noisy, wonderful. Then back to GES’ house where it was loud, crazy, goofy, happy, noisy.

Lala showed up a while later, more catching up and then one by one, everyone started going to bed. Here I am talking to you, reveling in the crazy and love.

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