A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{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!

{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!

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