A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{February 9, 2016} Another paint night!

I must be paint crazy!

Tonight, we had a team outing. We went painting at Buffalo’s Best Grill. Bar food, great when you’re hungry, but not as great if you’re not, you know, fried, greasy. But it was tasty you start!

We had a great time, laughing with each stroke. “Oh, I don’t like that” “I need to do that over!” “Ooh, that’s great!” It’s the same thing each time I do a class, I love it!

I like being able to do things like this with different people and groups. It’s also fun getting out with coworkers after long days.

{January 31, 2016} How do you celebrate your anniversary?

Has it really been a year?

I cannot believe it! I’ll tell you more about that later, tonight I just want to share how we spent our day.

It started a little early. One of the things PSM said last night was “awesome, i have a reason to sleep in tomorrow!” Then he remembered that he was going to chat via FaceTime with JM, his nephew, at SIX am! It was good to see him and PSM’s brother, SM. We got to see Mollie, but she was not to be bothered, in sure she was just putting up a brave front for PSM!

We went back to sleep for a bit, then got up and went to Longboard’s for breakfast. Longboard’s is one of the restaurants at the Marriott vacation club hotel. Nice view for breakfast, wouldn’t you say?

We went back to the house to regroup and headed out. We were going to tour the east side of Oahu after we took my rental car back.

We missed a turn or exit and ended up somewhere fabulous! The Hunauma Educational and Environmental Nature preserve, what a gem!

It’s made up of coral reefs that have amazing life swimming and living in it and you have to be careful you don’t disturb anything by touching it.

We even got a treat of seeing humpback whales in the distance! I got some video, unfortunately, I can’t seem to upload it, sorry.

We walked the beach and sat under the palm trees, took the tram up and back, rough life.

After we enjoyed ourselves for quite a bit, we decided to go to a movie. It was one of my ruses for my surprise this weekend. I suggested we go to the movies at the same time and keep our phones connected, he loved the idea, now we could just go together! Even better.

We went to see Kung Fu Panda III, which we both really liked. And since it came out Friday, perfect ploy of mine!

After dinner we went to the marina across the way and had dinner on the water at Kona Brewing Company, another fabulous view. How am I going to leave tomorrow?

Not a bad way up celebrate one year together. What a year!

My flight doesn’t leave until 10pm tomorrow, what fun will we have? I’ll let you know!

{January 30, 2016} Was he surprised? You bet your sweet bippie!

I did it! I pulled off the surprise of the year! Literally!

We are one month into 2016, so technically, that is a true statement!

Tomorrow is a very special day, it was one year ago, PSM and I went on our very first date. Will I tell you more tomorrow, of course, but tonight…

As you know, PSM moved to Hawaii on the 15th and the one question everyone keeps asking…”do you know when you first trip will be” and the answer, which I could never say in front of him is “YES!” I already had it planned out!

Now, even though I knew what I wanted to do, I couldn’t book flights until I knew where I would be for work. As soon as I found out the schedule, I booked my flights to Hawaii right away.

I was trying to figure out how to work it out and ensure he would be there! He has to travel to the other Islands for work and yesterday was his first. If he told me that he would be staying for more than an overnight, I would have had to tell him, but I was in luck!

I was trying to get him in one place so I could surprise him, where would he be? I suggested a weekend virtual date..spend time together via phone and Skype this weekend. He bought it!

We’d “go to dinner”, watch a movie, all over two different ends of the country. How are we going to that he asked. Watch the movie and have our phones connected in the theater. DoubtingThomas, but he agreed.

Luckily, we don’t have to try that this weekend! I got in about 1pm, picked up my rental car, then went for a drive. North shore for lunch, then I tried to get a mani/pedi from the same place when I was here last. 20 minutes later, no parking, so up towards PSM’s place, he should be home soon.

I did go to get a mani, no time for a pedi, off to find him at the bar on the golf course. “So, what’s the name of the place? I just want to look it up and picture where you are” awesome!

I called him as I was walking into the restaurant and asked him if he could have anything for his anniversary, what would it be? He told me earlier in the week, just seeing me, awe, love that!

As I was along, I tapped him on the shoulder and the look on his face…priceless!! Surprised doesn’t cut it!

We’ve spend the rest of the day holding hands, staring at each other, hugging and kisses, it’s been fabulous!

So much to do, so little time, so…I will bid you a fine adieu and go back to staring at my beau, gotta make it last!

Happy one year my love, here’s to the next and the next and the next. Uh oh, how do I top this??

{January 18, 2016} Legos at the Mall!

Go see this! Well, if you’re on Staten Island.

The Lego Americana Roadshow is at The Staten Island Mall January 16-31. http://www.statenisland-mall.com/en/events/LEGO.html

This is a very cool exposition that is traveling around the country. The tour is about ten iconic buildings and architectural structures throughout
the mall made entirely of LEGO® bricks! This was fantastic!

I la la la love legos, I am fascinated by what people can create. Some of these structures took 320 to 800 hours to create, amazing!

Dad and I were at Costco this morning because how else do you start a day off? Costco, of course! We saw the sign and thought it would be fun, so a few hours later we headed to the Staten Island Mall and checked out this fabulous and free exhibition!

If you have time, kids, no kids, teach kids, don’t teach kids, feel like a kid, go see this! Worth the trip! Thanks dad!

Do you recognize them all?

The flags!

Look at the details!

Down to the crack! Fabulous!

Lincoln himself would be pleased!

Just for fun…

And in case you’re not sure which monument was which, here are some great posters with details about the buildingand the Lego build.

In case you go, here’s the map.

{January 16, 2016} What a mitzvah!

An amazing day today!

Today, I got to witness a true mitzvah. The literal translation for mitzvah is commandment. It’s also known as doing a good deed, is a mitzvah when you help others, making your parents proud is a mitzvah.

Today, the daughter of one of my oldest and dearest friends from high school became bat mitzvah. She took her place in the congregation, she became an adult, can be part of a minion. Not the little yellow minions we know and love, a minion is a meeting and by Jewish law, you need ten people to make a minion and now, she can be counted as part of that ten.

It is a big step to become bar [son of] or bat [daughter of] mitzvah. You have to study Hebrew for years, learn the prayers, learn to read from the Torah, write a speech, just to give you a little insight.

I got to the synagogue and found CGS, we hugged and caught up for a minute, then went into the sanctuary and took some photos, I got to see the kids and then she was off and running. I found a seat and then our friend FCS arrived with her mom. She is the friend from high school I told you I ran/walked with during the Brooklyn half marathon back in October.

We sat together and caught up and then it was time to start. SHS, the bat mitzvah, lead the service with the rabbi, what a great job. Eventually, it was time for her to read from the Torah and she did it beautifully.

After the Torah and haf-torah, she gave a speech, very sweet and poignant. There were presentations by the family and the temple and then it was over. Mazel Tov!

After the bat mitzvah, it was time to celebrate and celebrate we did! Food, drinks, I went a little crazy…two shirley temples, I know, hold yourself back! Dancing, chair lifting and dessert, what more could you ask for?

I remember when I found out CGS was pregnant with SHS. CGS had been pregnant at my wedding and wore this great dress, stretchy material. She called to tell me she wore the dress again and that was how she told me she was pregnant with SHS, pretty cool.

It’s been such a treat to watch CGS’ kids grow up, all very bright and funny and sweet with parents who really love them, very lucky. I can’t wait for the next one, have five years to go there!

What a mitzvah! And I am so thrilled that I got to be a part of it, a blessing.

{January 15, 2016} What a day…I’m beat!

The day started way too early.

As you know, PSM, my boyfriend, left me for the sunny skies and rainbows of Hawaii VERY early this morning…oh, woe is me…[Start the violins please]

He left about 4:45am for the airport, luckily, we were right there. I couldn’t fall back asleep, I did try. I know he felt bad waking me, I looked so peaceful sleeping, but he couldn’t leave without a goodbye hug and smooch, could he?

So, eventually, I got up and went to have some breakfast ally 5:30am, amazing how many people were there too!

After breakfast, I headed back to the room, collected my stuff and headed downstairs for the shuttle. After about five minutes, I set off on foot for the rental car center, got the shuttle, picked up a car and headed to my place.

I had already packed my bag, so I wouldn’t take to long in the morning. I took care of the cats, loaded the car and got on the road. I’m going home!

It took about 4.5 hours with bio breaks along the way, if you’ve met me you know I can’t go very long without one! But it was nice, no traffic, so it was a straight shot. I’d I didn’t stop, Bertha, my GPS said it would take 4.1 hours, so good job, me!

I got to my dad’s just in time for the last bio break! Got my stuff from the car and went inside, kind of surprised him, he didn’t hear me come in! After a bit, we decided to get some lunch and sushi sounded great! We shared a few things and we were stuffed!

Groceries were next on the list, he looked at me funny and asked if I had really changed my eating habits…I figured that since I have a car, I would pick up some cat food [16# bag]! Why not!

While we were shopping PSM called when he got to San Francisco, leg one of his trip, safe and sound.

Back to the house to wait for LaLa and commiserate with the guys waiting to pour the concrete for the new driveway. It was scheduled to arrive 10am-12pm. Guess when then showed up…3pm! They had to wait around for five hours! The weather was nice so the concrete guy was trying to get in as many jobs as possible.

Laundry went in, I wasn’t missing an opportunity like this! I felt like I was in college again! And dad offered! He’s the best!

LaLa got there and we chatted for a bit and then the truck arrived and like little kids we watched the truck churn, pour the concrete and then the guys lay the driveway. It was so cool! Like watching my Tonka Trucks come to life! It took about 40 minutes to fill dad’s and the same for the neighbor.

When we left for dinner about 5:15, they were gone laying and smoothing, they were in beautifying mode, creases, swirls, very cool.

Off to dinner at a great Italian restaurant that I had been to when I was here in October for the half marathon. We were meeting fabulous people that I have told you about, the couple I call “Mr. & Mrs. The B’s”. He was my teacher of French in middle school and I never called them by their first names again, I can’t!

We were there celebrating Mr B’s birthday. Great fun, catching up, reminiscing, telling stories, laughing, all in all, a fabulous evening. Good friends, good food [even some fabulous gluten-free almond cookie for me!] A sparkling cake and singing, by the entire restaurant were the last thing, terrific!

When we got back, the boss from the project today was back with his son laying down plastic sheeting to protect it from the region coming tomorrow, how cool is that. Great work and fabulous customer service, a very good businessman.

Back to the house, check the laundry, snuggle in to talk to you and I know I am going to pass out early, I am exhausted!

PSM called while I was settling in, I know he’s safe and sound. I asked how he was, he said he was fine with flying for a while, I said that was ok because he was in his new home now.

And now that I talked to him, kissed everyone goodnight, I am going to collapse, big day tomorrow! Goodnight!

{January 14, 2016} A nice quiet night

Just what the doctor ordered.

Tonight was the end of a lot of celebrating and quiet was on the menu.

Since PSM is leaving very early, I booked us a night at a hotel near the airport. He arrived first, stored his bags and hung out waiting for me. When I got there, we went up to the room to chill out for a while.

You know we’ve been to multiple parties and dinners and celebrations and send offs over the last few weeks and it’s been wonderful and exhausting! Tonight, after the last lunch/farewell party, it was just the two of us.

After a bit of nothing, we went down for happy hour and then a bit of dinner. PSM was very excited to learn he could take that last beer back to the room, finish it leisurely and that’s what he did.

Back to the room, snuggle on sofa, enjoy each other’s company one last night for a while.

Safe travels PSM, see you soon! I heart you.

Just what the doctor ordered.

{January 13, 2016} Coolest thing EVAH!!!

Ok, Auntie’s time to glow and maybe tear up a little.

Today, ACS showed me the attached and after it registered in was tickled pink and so touched and proud and anything else you can think of!

What you’re looking at is something EJS did at school today. It’s called the “Five Finger Network”, part of the Child Assault Prevention Program.

The first thing they did was trace each hand on the paper. On the left hand they had to indicate five trusted adults they felt comfortable with to share their feelings. On the right, five places they feel safe.

The trusted adults were mom, dad, S&B, I’ve told you about them, very close to the family, affectionately known as Aunt B and Uncle S. And…yours truly!!

The trusted places were home, school, Aunt B’s, and no, not like Andy Griffin! And, last but not least…guess who!!!

How could I not be proud and touched! I love that kid! She throws something out there like this! Yes, I am biased!

Ok, enough! Cool or what!?

{January 13, 2016} Another fabulous send-off

One could get used to this… and spoiled!

Tonight was a treat, PSM’s aunt and uncle hosted us for dinner, just the four of us. PSM is very close with his aunt and uncle, his mom’s brother and sister-in-law.

We had such a nice time, I haven’t had the opportunity to sit down with them and chat one-on-one for more than a few minutes until now.

The really great part was that the entire meal was vegan and gluten-free! His aunt went out of her way to find options for me that everyone could eat!

We had potato leek soup, fabulous! Cucumber and onion salad, potato gnocchi with a creamy tomatoe sauce, gluten-free garlic bread and a spinach pizza [gluten-free and vegan!] And for dessert, small vegan, gluten-free pies, apple and blueberry.

How sweet and touching, it made me feel so good to be able to say yes to everything that came around the table and that someone went to the effort. So many people have been so accommodating with my meal requirements and restrictions I am forever grateful.

We ate, laughed, kibbitzed, told stories and had a wonderful time. I look forward to the next time!

{January 12, 2016} How cool is this!!

I got some amazing chanukah and Christmas presents thus year, I am very lucky girl, I have to tell you!

People know me, I got some practical ones, silly ones, fun ones, I loved them all. And this week, I had my last goody sent to me and I have to tell you about it, I’m just tickled!

It arrived in a very large box and I had no idea what it could be, but I had a great laugh out loud when I saw it! JCT remembered one of my posts from Barcelona and how much we loved the cooking class and couldn’t resist getting me a paella pan! How cool is that!

I’ll be looking up the instructions from the class and I’ll let you know what time to be over!

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