A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{January 9, 2016} Another wonderful celebration

How wonderful to touch people so much that they want to honor you.

As you know, last night we had a great throw down for PSM, aloha, and SB, happy birthday!

Today was a little more low key, but just as lovely. After a very early start [230am down, 6am wakeup, what!] We got Mollie from the dog sitter, she wanted a few days to say goodbye. Then go the vet for a shot and some paperwork, then to another vet for different paperwork. You thought moving yourself to Hawaii would be tough…moving a dog to Hawaii is taxing!

Then on to PSM’s brother to leave Mollie until we send her to reuinite with him in Hawaii. Whew! After we went back to PSM’s house for a rest, we’ll deserved!

A while later, celebration number two, with the family. We went to J&A’s house to have a nice dinner with the family. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it!

We talked a bit, then head to J&A for more fun and frivolity. It was J&A, their two girls, M&H, PSM’s brother and his family, S&J with their son, J. His aunt and uncle and his aunts sister, and to rounds the group up GES, ACS and MGS.

The food was great, lots of Italian. While we were sitting there, the girl scout cookie drive was in full speed, I donated cookies, even after “but they have gluten free!”

Speaking of food, the girls made two cakes, one for PSM and one for ACS, his birthday is tomorrow. One guess what tomorrow’s post will be!

We had a great time, laughing, eating, drinking, reminiscing, no settling down for him! It really is such a treat to see how people love, value and respect him. So wonderful and touching to see, it’s not just me thinking he’s the bees knees.

A fun night all around. On to the next exciting event!

{January 8, 2016} Aloha/Happy Birthday…Party!

Tonight was fabulous!!! [Must be shouted!]

Two events were happening; a farewell to PSM, known to most as Boo, who, you may or may not know, is moving to Hawaii and SB, known affectionately as Sarge, it was her 50th birthday. January 9th is her birthday, to be exact.

Since we wanted to celebrate both, what better way than a joint party! BB and AH took the lead, found a place, chose the food, a hotel, soup to nuts. Two thumbs guys!

We got to the hotel and began running into everyone else as they were checking in.

After dropping our stuff in the room, we headed back downstairs to the bar where everyone was meeting before we went over to the Emerald Lounge for the festivities. Technically, the festivities started at that moment, drinks all around while we waited for everyone else.

Then a nice, brisk and crisp walk, about 10 minutes to the Revere Hotel, which had our party room at the Emerald Lounge. GES and ACS were already there with a few other people and then we were off!

There were a lot of people in this small-ish room, but it was great. Almost everyoneknew each other, I think there were only two people in didn’t know, felt good.

I got to introduce my sister and brother-in-law to PSM’s friends, the ones who know and love him so much and now my friends. That was the better feeling.

After a while, both GES and ACS commented that it was a good group of people and friends and how much they all care about PSM, I couldn’t agree more.

The appetizers were flowing, really good too! A great variety of sliders and tidbits, one cool one that I did not participate in, tenderloin w/mashed potatos. The cool bit…they sat on top of a salt block on a slate tray, very clever.

The presentation on all the food, the service, our personal bar tender, the drinks, all top notch and very attentive.

We had the room until closing at 2am, which was great, we could leave all our stuff in there, go out to the dance floor and shake and shimmy. And these people can shake and shimmy!

We made sure to all be there, on the dance floor before 12am to celebrate SB’s birthday at the stroke of twelve. That was pretty cool.

There was more dancing, stories, reminiscing, laughing, photos, hugging and goodbyes. Not to mention discussions about Hawaii, that made someone very happy.

About 1:45am, we said our final farewells and grabbed a cab with G&J B back to the hotel. One last goodbye and it was time to crash.

What a great time! A proper way to send off a good friend and celebrate a birthday! Top notch!

What’s next?! Alo-ha!

{January 7, 2016} Talking with your hands

Are you like everyone else and you talk with your hands.

Even when you’re on the cell phone? I was trying to find the perfect image and there it was, but…as you’re probably saying, “but JJ, I do that and I’m not Italian!” I know, so did I!

I’ve been on the phone or WebEx doing a training and I’ll use my hands as if in in front of a class. Last night I was talking with JCT and we were talking about something and I said “I want you to know I’m showing you what I’m talking about, as if you were here, I look might silly doing it!” [Technically I was talking about a piece of ladies clothing…intimate clothing, if you get my meaning…ooh, you didn’t know it would be that kind of post! We laughed a bit at that!

I realize I do that all the time, do you? Ask someone who talks with their hands to not use their hands, just once, watch their faces as their brain stops working, right?

{January 1, 2016} The Science Behind Pixar

Today, the first day of the new year, we did something fun and what we’ve wanted to for a while.

And before it’s too late! The exhibit, The Science Behind Pixar, is coating soon! It’s a good thing we went, PSM was getting tired of me sarong we need to go!
http://www.mos.org/exhibits/the-science-behind-pixar

This is a great exhibit, talking about the science behind Pixar, how is not just about drawing cartoons, it’s math and equations and broken down pixel by pixel. Modeling, what they think up to use for those models, the curl of hair and the look and flow of every motion, color, the emotions the slightest gesture and lighting can create. How to make it believable, in the air, under water. It was really interesting and a great leaning experience.

Besides the fact that I am just a big kid, I was in heaven! They said if you didn’t have kids, you could get through it in about thirty minutes and with kids, about an 1.5 hours. Since I am a big kid, we split the difference, we were there about an hour! Besides, I’m still someone’s kid! Thanks dad!

When I was an undergrad in one of my film classes, we were working on rotoscoping and animation and morphing and so much more and I remember we saw the Pixar animated lamp short, our mouths dropped open, we were amazed! So many amazing things were to come!

And how true those words were! Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, Brave, The Incredibles, Cars, Inside Out, just to name a few.

If you’re in Boston, check it out before January 10th.

Happy 2016! What’s next?

{December 27, 2015} De-decorating

Today I helped take down christmas decorations.

I was with TS and KS today. TS and I caught up, just the two of us, until KS got up. Eventually, we went to lunch, ran some errands and then got to De-decorating, so to speak.

It’s been do warm everywhere, it doesn’t seem like Christmas! Everyone has different traditions, some people leave their decorations up through new year’s, some right after Christmas, ready for a change.

So, down came the lights, the ornaments, the trim, stockings, the holders, into boxes as if it never was, until next year when we start all over again.

It’s fun helping other people decorate and take down, it helps them and always generates stories, a nice feeling.

After I left, I went to ST’s house to have dinner with ST and his daughter, their decorations were still up, wonder if I’ll be helping them tomorrow.

{December 24, 2015} ‘Twas the night before Christmas…

Happy Christmas Eve to one and all!

Today is Christmas Eve and I got to continue a fabulous tradition, spending it with crazy friends.

I started my day seeing my grandson, Baby A. What am I going to call him? I can’t keep calling him Baby A! He’s two and a half! I’ll think of something soon. I drove out to see him and his mom, KAB, had a fabulous time and forgot to take a picture of what he made me, pure awesomeness! I will take a picture tomorrow and post it, promise!

After a fabulous visit, I headed back to JT’s house, picked him up, we went to the store and picked up stuff I could eat for dinner, then back to his place.

People started arriving, including ST, who joined us because JT’s family graciously extended an invitation. I told him how great JT’s family is and ST experienced it.

This year was a slightly different crowd, since some of the usual suspects weren’t there. Some of the same faces, some new, but as always, warm, fun, entertaining and amusing, loud, boisterous and fabulous. What more could you want.

For those of you celebrating…Happy Christmas eve!!! I hope you are with the ones you want to be with and having a fabulous time!

{December 23, 2015} A new experience

Today, I got a ride through the airport…in a wheelchair!

As I am recouping, I am not allowed to lift anything more than seven pounds for about four weeks, doing well, just moving a little slower.

That being said, I decided to make my life a little easier today at the airport and I requested a wheelchair. I have to say, it was different, being taken where I needed to go, at a different level and weaving in and out between people “look out!” “Coming thru!”

It did alleviate some of the pressure of navigating the airports, having to carry or wheel things here and there, so much easier!

If you’re like me, asking for help is not easy, but people want to help, so ask!!

A new experience, what’s the next adventure?

{December 22, 2015} A first concert!

Tonight was my first foray into the world of grade school concerts…from the “parent” side.

EJS decided at the start of the school year that she wanted to play an instrument. Her decision was an interesting choice, the cello! It’s almost bigger than her!

When she was making the decision, I told her, after I told her parents of course, that I wanted to be her patron. Try explaining what a patron of the arts is to an eight year old!

She really likes The cello and tonight we got to witness the results of all the practicing and rehearsals.

We started with the beginner strings, this included EJS’ group, cello, violons, violas. These were the third graders. Then it was the advanced strings, fourth and fifth grade. Next was the wind instruments, beginner, then advanced. The winds include clarinet, which GES and I both played, flute, trombone. Then orchestra.

The beginner strings started with the traditional beginner piece, ‘Hot Cross Buns’, of course, then there was Martian Cross Buns, huh?

I have to say, the beginner strings were better than we expected, fair thinking for a beginner concert.

Along with being very proud family members we, GES, ACS and I realized we are now in the parental group that must attend and sit through not only their own child/family member’s performance, but the entire school’s performances! Oh my!

A realization came to mind, how lucky we were as kids! Our parents did it for us and smiled the biggest smiles they could.

I looked at GES during one of the other group’s performances and said “Does this mean we need to call daddy and thank him?” Yes it does!

To our dad and mom, who sat through our concerts and to all those parents who sat through their child’s concerts, no matter how good or bad, we send a big collective “THANK YOU!!” You are now up for sainthood!

{December 17, 2015} Star Wars…The Force Awakens

Go.

Solo

Skywalker

Leia

Chewbacca

R2-D2

C3 PO

Millennium Falcon

New heros, new villians, new droids [very cute, by the way], new creatures, new storm troopers, new light saber fight, new battles of good and evil. There was some good humor, nods and references to the originals.

I think that about covers it…without giving anything away.

Let me know what you think!

{December 14, 2015} Geek alert!!!

Geeking out tonight!!

I finally got my Samsung Gear S2 watch tonight!

Anyone who knows me knows I LA LA LA LOVE my smartwatch. I have had it for about four years, I’m on my second, the first I dropped on a driveway after about 3 years, so sad, so I had to get another.

The technology is great, it’s just slowing down a bit, I’m sorry to say, part of the reason I had a fitbit as well. And if you know me, you know I want the latest and greatest. I got a Samsung Galaxy Note 5, then I see the watch…ooh…

I researched and since they’re both Samsung, they connect. The other watch, Motorola, was great when I had a Motorola phone, connected easily.

This thing is magical! Apps, phone, fitness tracker, emails, music, video, you name it! It even comes with a charging stand!!! And yes, I already downloaded some apps including the winter watch face!

I’m in geek heaven! Sigh.

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What was I thinking?