A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{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 11, 2016} I am gluten free free!

Or should I say I am free from being gluten free!

I don’t know if you remember me talking about some of my issues and the tests I’ve taken. No studying was required, whew. If you didn’t know, I’m nauseous all of the time. When I say that, I don’t mean a lot, I mean all the time…24/7..I go to sleep nauseous, I wake up nauseous. Please don’t feel sorry for me, it sucks, but that’s the way it is.

The thing is, even though it’s been going on for years and you sort of get used to it, you still want it to stop and I finally decided to do something about it. Well, now that I made that decision, I want instant results and it’s a process.

I’m not sure which tests I’ve told you about, but I’ve done two SIBO breath tests, drink icky stuff [super sickly sweet glucose and the other fructose], endoscopy [camera down the throat] and a gastric emptying [they feed me food and radiation and watch my stomach empty, ooh, exciting!].

The breath tests take about 2.5 HOURS [drink and then breath into a bag every 15 minutes, ooh, I know you’re jealous!]. The endoscopy they put you under, well they did me! Whatever they gave me…wahoo! I was high before and after! Legally! The gastric emptying…I was warned it would be boring. [Eat, go in the open MRI for about 45 minutes, back to the waiting room for 30-45 minutes, back in the machine 15 minutes, back to the waiting room 45 minutes. This went in for FOUR HOURS people! Now you’re really jealous!]

So, after all that, the only test that produces results…I am fructose intolerant! That means I produce too much fructose, I’m fruity! And you thought I was just nutty! I don’t remember normal levels, but mine are off the charts. See…I’m an overachiever!

What does this mean? I have to avoid things that have excess stuff. No more honey, what?? Nooooo. No more apples! What? Do you know how many things are sweetened with honey and apples, do ya! It’s a conspiracy, muwahaha!

Ok, so my biggest fear was both realized and allayed. I was terrified I would be told I would have to give up fruits and vegetables, I’m a vegan! What!? Nope, just some fruits and veggies, others just in moderation. I can do that. The other fear, I might have to eat meat. I’d probably end up starving…

So, the next step is to talk to a nutritionist, see if a change in diet will help. As some of you know, one of the things I had to give up was wheat, so I did. Now, if you didn’t know, going gluten free, buying gluten free products is easier than reading a label, so gluten free I went. And I have to tell you, there is actually some decent gluten free stuff out there! People even found gluten free stuff for me, bless ’em!

Imagine…it’s hard enough being vegan on the road or visiting someone, but now I have to have gluten free? Seriously!? But…ya do what ya gotta do, right? Right. So…gluten free I go.

By the way…when PSM and I were in Europe…think I adhered to that? NOT ON YOUR LIFE!! it was fabulous!! I ate bread, pastries, croissants…oh my!

So…I followed over the last few months, admittedly I cheated a few times. Two shirley temples, hold me back! And one veggie burger on a bun, oh yeah! But, bottom line, nothing worked. I am still nauseous, I know, poor me. ha ha

I talked to the nutritionist yesterday and we agreed that it’s not working, so…I can eat what I want! Wahoo!!! [And I have more money in my pocket, that gluten-free stuff can be expensive!!]

Ok, now not everything I want…I still need to watch the high fructans and polyols, etc, and don’t eat too many servings or portions and still avoid honey and apples, boo, but I can eat what I want within reason and then I go back to the GI next month to see what’s next, who knows what the next test will be, but it’s an adventure.

But…until then…bring on the bread…the pasta…the gluten!

This is what I will look like when I finally eat real bread!

This is the NO-NO list

This is the “within reason” list.

{March 9, 2016} Curtains Up

An interesting experience tonight.

Shea’s Theater in Buffalo held what they call their annual Curtains Up event. This is when they reveal their next season of shows.

There were a few shows posted and then they revealed the shows one by one. There is an award called The Kenny Awards, http://kennyawards.weebly.com/, an award that honors talent in high school students in western New York.

A few students from each school who are in the theater program presented the next show coming. The president and musical director presented as well.

There were some presentations from shows on Broadway that were coming to Shae’s next season, Finding Neverland, Cabaret and Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.

Aside from the sound being horrible, it was an enjoyable evening. People in the crowd were season ticket holders and seemed to enjoy this event greatly.

Hmmm…maybe some other theaters and cities well do the same.

{March 8, 2016} What did you do for dinner?

I went to Canada!

One of the things I love about traveling for work is trying new places to go and eat. I did that tonight.

Today I was teaching at a hospital right by the border, so, what to do for dinner…head in the direction of Canada, ask border patrol for a suggestion, Strada West it was.

I traded with the agent, she gave me toys place and I told her about Manis/Massages and Martinis, fair trade.

Eat and sip is the tag line. Do they cater to vegan and gluten free, yup! Had a seat at the bar, ordered a side salad and an eggplant sandwich on a gluten free bun, a good one! It had avocado, lettuce, peppers, some really bitter greens and brie. I took a chance on the brie, I’m surviving. The hand cut fries were really good, brought the rest back to the valet at the hotel.

Back to the border, nothing to declare and on to the hotel to relax and talk to you.

What does tomorrow hold?

{March 7, 2016} Too cool, need to find this in more places

Tonight I did something different and fun.

I went to a place near my hotel called The Chocolate Bar. It’s a bar/restaurant that specializes in chocolate, as you might imagine. Drinks, food, dessert.

Mondays they have a promotion, Martinis abs Manis, buy a martini, get a free mani, fabulous? Yes! Wednesdays is Martinis abs Massages. It’s a hook and a gimmick, but it worked! Worth it, oh yeah!

They need to do this in more cities!

I found out about it from someone in one of my classes today, she was meeting a friend there herself. I had been wanting to go, I know, I don’t like chocolate, but I was curious.

I got there, ended up seeing the girl from class, we chatted while she word for get friend. The menu was extensive, well, the chocolate menu that is.

I ordered my first martini ever, chocolate and peanut butter. It tasted like a Resee peanut butter cup, except with vodka, um, not my thing, but I tried it. So I got a hot chocolate with amaretto, better. They had virgin martinis, but they were made with milk, oh well.

If you bite the ends off the chocolate stick, you can use it as a straw! That was tasty!

I ordered sweet potato fries with three sauces for dipping sauces, dark chocolate, which had a kick, rosemary butter and maple mayo, that was the best. I keep trying things, like chocolate to see if I like it, you know, tastes change! Not in this case!

Then I ordered a salad, very-berry, it was good, lots of berries and nuts in a giant martini glass! Tasty!

They had Willy Wonka in a loop in the bar, along with the I Love Lucy episode in the

chocolate

factory and some

episode of Sponge Bob selling chocolate on in the bathroom.

There were some interesting people at the bar while I was there, always fun to people watch.

Then it was my turn for a mani. The girl who did it talked 90 to nothin! She was very nice and chatty and when we talked about travel I asked if she traveled a lot, yup, to Florida and NYC all the time, but she wants more. I think she did a great job, it’s very dark green with a gold party nail, St Patty’s day is coming up, maybe this will give me a touch of luck!

Back to the hotel with my leftovers, way too much food! The valet and front desk were happy!

I wonder what my next adventure will be!!

{February 24, 2016} Why, yes, I am the energizer bunny…

Thank you for noticing.

I have been compared to the energizer bunny on more than one occasion. There are times it feels like I never stop moving, going, doing.

But when I teach, that’s what I feel like! I am on, I am going, I am all over the place, a bundle of energy, it’s awesome!

Hey, I have to keep you engaged, energized, entertained, we’re going to be together for two to four to maybe even sixteen hours, it doesn’t have to be a downer.

But sometimes, as soon as I’m done with a class, I’m done! I could probably take a nap!

I sit down and think about not getting up, maybe if I put my head down for just a minute…but then, the next class comes in and it’s like I’m starting all over, I’m up, I’m on, let’s go! Sort of wash, rinse, repeat.

I got the greatest compliment once, I was told that I made what could have been the longest sixteen hours of someone’s life fun and entertaining. That meant so much to me!

When will I see you in one of my classes?!

{February 20, 2016} What a day! Woosh

Back on skis for the first time this season.

The ski season has not been a very long one. Traditionally, it starts about October/November and should go through March/April. Not so this year. Apparently Mother Nature is not a skier. Or I should say, she might be a west coast skier, I get Colorado snow reports every weekend.

So, needless time say, I haven’t skied until today. As we talked about last night, I came up to NH with the families and this morning we suited up and went to Cannon Mountain. It’s a high and windy mountain and today, it student disappoint.

We got our lift tickets, put boots on abs away we went. On the way up in the express loft, express to the top, it got very windy abs EJS was not a fan, but we made it up and headed down the mountain. I will tell you, I wasn’t a huge fan, as there was a lot of ice and I’m not an ice skier, some people are, in not a fan of sliding and I don’t like the sounds of sliding and scraping over ice, that’s just me.

We are making our way down and have stopped for a moment and out of no where, someone comes barreling down, skis over MGS’ ski and plows into JT, knocks him down and actually breaks one of his ski poles! MGS lost a ski, it landed near GES. I immediately take off my skis and go to MGS, who is crying a lot at this point.

I held her while GES made her way back towards us. I checked and nothing was broken and I asked if she was hurt or just startled. Just startled, thank goodness. I rocked and cooed until mommy got there and took over. Get this…turns out that the guy who plowed into us was a ski instructor!

After a while, JT said he would ski with MGS between his skis. It took some doing, GES and I each had two sets of ski poles, but we made it down.

The only thing we were worried about was the girls not wanting to ski after this or being nervous and they’re both pretty good skiers. We got to the bottom and EJS and ACS were ready for more, MGS was not and then she was and away they went.

I have to tell you, so very proud of EJS and MGS for making it down and wanting to keep going, Champs I tell ya!

GES and I however, first got our lift ticket money back and since I now had $150 back, it was like found money, we went to the bar! GES had a beer and I had an amaretto hot chocolate, yum! Along with style Bavarian pretzels, we were set.

We had at least 45-one hour good quality sister time, then everyone came in for lunch. After lunch, they all went back on the slopes and GES and I enjoyed more sister bonding time.

After an hour it was time to head back to the house for relaxing, skating on the pond, and hot chocolate, kid friendly, maybe a nap or two. No technology though, it was nice. There was even some reading that had to be done.

Eventually we made dinner, then more games and off to sleep for the kids. The grown-ups stayed up to talk and use their technology, freedom! And now I’m talking to you!

All in all, an enjoyable day. Gotta get it all in, back to Buffalo tomorrow.

{February 18, 2016} It almost never happens!

As you know, I travel for work 100%.

With all that travel, you’d think I would run into people I know at an airport somewhere. The only people I run into are people I’ve been on projects with and that is rare.

Today, I ran into someone I know! And it’s someone I only met a few months ago. LI and I met at A&K’s friends holiday party around Christmas and then we saw each other again at her post New Years Eve party.

We were both at LaGuardia Airport and at the same gate. I was waiting for the 8pm flight and then managed to get on the 7pm flight. Same for her, we were both getting home an hour earlier, wahoo.

LI was standing across from me by the bar across from the gate. I was concentrating very hard on what I was working on and listening to Mama Mia, so I was slightly oblivious.

When I looked up finally, we saw each other and it was a treat! We caught up, laughed a lot, walked onto the plane together and texted until we took off and then when we landed. Walked to baggage claim together, outside, laughing most of the way.

The funny part was when we took a picture together and we were photo bombed! I sent the picture to PSM, he loved it.

We parted company with the promise of getting together sometime when I’m in Boston for the weekend.

That was fun!

{February 12, 2016} Work, uhaul, a visit, lots of laughs

Just another day in paradise!

The day started earlier than planned, not sure if I woke up on my own or the cold, wet nose on my face.

I got up, did work for a bit and then headed out to uhaul and to meet my fabulous and very strong friend CG who agreed to help me.

We drove to my sister’s house to get the trundle frame for my bed, now I’m sleeping up off the floor. As much as I like sleeping on the floor, very much like college and bohemian, it’s nice to sleep in a bed, feels different, I like the springs. I’ll give it some time, who knows if I’ll change my mind!

At my sister’s house, CG got to meet my sister when we picked up the bed, I always love when people can meet my sister, she’s so groovy.

After taking the bed frame to my place, we returned the uhaul, wet got some lunch. We laughed because we’ve been talking about getting together since we’ve known each other and now we’ve had two meals in less than a week! We have so much fun when we together!

After I got back to my place, I made the bed with my new bed covers, thanks dad! Then it was work, work, work.

After I knocked off for the day, it was back in the car, sat in traffic heading back to GES’ for shabbat dinner with the family and movie night, we watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

There was silliness, laughter and so much love and goofiness, the perfect evening. Then it was night-night, a quick catch up and back to my place, first night in my new bed, I’ll let you know how it goes.

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