A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{September 12, 2015} It’s opening day!

Today was opening day for soccer and softball. How cute are they?

I wasn’t there for the first event, but EJS started her day with soccer. Then it was MGS’ turn, so cute! I remember when EJS first started playing soccer, soooo cute, like hearding cats!

These girls were great and adorable, of course! MGS also had a great cheering section of course. I think she had fun, just needs a little practice and confidence.

A few hours later, it was time for EJS’ first game of the season. She was great! I haven’t been to one of her games yet, so this was a real treat!

I saw her get to bat twice and do something new…catcher! Check out her form, pretty impressive, don’t you think?

And what a cheering section! Me, My dad, MGS, GES, ACS and M&C O and their dog Bella, PSM and his dog Mollie. Pretty impressive, wouldn’t you agree?

Today was just the beginning and I’m looking forward to many more opportunities!

{September 11, 2015} It’s a girl!

First…NO! I am not pregnant!

Now that we got that out of the way…JJ is going to be a grandmother…for the FIFTH time! And it’s a girl…surprise!

So much is happening! Baby A it’s going to be a big brother! KAB is going to be a mommy for the second time, CS and Pow Pow are going to have a new niece! LB, Baby L and Baby W are going to have a new cousin! How exciting!

Poor Baby A, he’s going to be outnumbered!

Another Halloween costume for me to get, another baby to spoil at holidays and birthdays, think I’m loving that? You bet your sweet bippy!

Do you love the photo? That was the gender announcement, I know you figured that out for yourself, so clever! We found out she was pregnant by a great photo, Baby A wearing a ‘Big brother’ t-shirt, so cute.

For me, one of the most wonderful and touching things about this announcement, I was one of the lucky ones KAB tagged in the photo. It made me feel so special to be included and I will always be grateful for that.

I got to be there the day Baby A was born, who knows, maybe I’ll get to meet his sister on her birthday!

I’m so thrilled for KAB and the family, such exciting news. I can’t wait to hug them in person. Much Mazel, joy and happiness I wish them!

{September 7, 2015} An amazing weekend

Well, we just got back from a long weekend on the Cape…I swear I hear Thurston Howell III saying that to Lovey!

It was an amazing weekend, I have the best beau ever, but it was so amazing that I am “plum tuckered out!” and as I have to meet with my personal trainer at 5:50am, I am going to sign off and say thank you PSM for another fabulous weekend! You did it up right and I am so lucky to have you in my life, thank you.

Tomorrow, I will tell you, in great detail, I know shocker! about our weekend on Cape Cod, FABULOUS!

I hope you all had a fabulous Labor Day weekends!

{September 5, 2015} Not all drag shows are great

There, I said it, I’m sorry.

I love a good drag show. I love watching drag queens, the wasband said I was obsessed. I don’t think that’s true, I just find them fascinating and I enjoy watching a good drag show.

I love certain movies, Priscilla…Queen of the Desert, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109045/?ref_=nv_sr_2, To Wong Foo, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114682/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2, Connie and Carla, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0345074/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1, and who can forget Some Like It Hot, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053291/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1, just to name a few..that I’ve seen a few [dozen] times.

When I was getting married, my sister took me to Lucky Changs, http://www.luckychengsnewyork.com/, a fabulous Chinese restaurant in NYC that happens to have an entire drag staff/show, it was fabulous! I even got a lap dance from a very tall Asian “woman”!

So, you could said I like them, not sure about obsessed, but who’s counting!

Needless to say, I enjoy a good drag show. The show that PSM and I saw tonight was ok, not the best, just ok. The performers looked like the people they were portraying, it just fell a little flat from what I’ve seen before.

That being said, I really did enjoy the show and I’m looking forward to whatever he plans next!

{September 4, 2015} We have a kindergartener!

Today, MGS rode the bus to school!

MGS is five and a big girl now and big girls go to big kid school! So…off she went.

Yesterday she went in yesterday at noon for part of the day, but today, she rode the bus for the first time. Now, she’s an old hat at riding the bus, having ridden the bus over the summer to camp, but this was the bus for school, a whole new ball game.

Ok, I have to tell you a secret, you have to promise not to tell! First, she asked me to help her put her sneakers on, loved that! Happy to help! Then she said “shh…I have a secret” ok, what? “You can’t tell…I’m a little nervous to ride the bus, I’m going to sit with EJS”. I think that sounds like a good plan MGS.

We went outside to take pictures, of course, and some of the neighbors joined us and ACS came back from his day at school to see her get on the bus, that was very cool.

There was a girl from the next block over, her parents, one of the boys from across the street, MGS and EJS, us and COF, another great gathering and send off!

We took pictures, EJS hamming it up for the camera, of course, the kids being goofy, then the bus came from a different direction, huh? The driver is on a new route, change of plans and sides of the street. All the kids piled on MGS’ backpack was almost bigger than her! SO CUTE!!!

Then they were gone and it was business as usual.

Have a great time in kindergarten, so many great things are coming your way!

{September 3, 2015} I’m vegan and now I can’t eat what?!

As you are aware, I am ovo-vegan.

What this means is that I eat eggs, ovo, and actually, I also eat butter, so the only two animal bi-products I consume are eggs and butter because…well, butter makes everything better so until it upsets my stomach like all other dairy, I ain’t givin’ it up!

And I know you are also aware that I have been nauseous 24/7 for a very long time and I’ve been taking tests to see what it might be. Last Friday, I took a fructose test, this is similar to the glucose test where they give you a cup of sugar water, this time it was easier than the glucose, thank goodness. Interesting too as this garnered results.

When I went to see my GI, Gastroenterologist, to be exact, she gave me the results and they were a bit as I feared…

My name is JJ and I am fructose intolerant. There, I said it. Is there a support group somewhere that I could join?

Ok, for those of you scratching your heads, like I did, this means I cannot process high fructose corn syrup or some other natural sugars. Great, so I can’t have any dairy and now you’re taking away something else I love! Come on!

Not to worry, I will do whatever they tell me, I just wanted my little pity party and now I’m done!

There are certain fruits and veggies that are on the NO list…Apples, cherries, mangos, pears, watermelon. What! Watermelon? Nooooo! Some other things I can’t have…honey! NO!!!! I la la la love honey and love bringing back jars from wherever I travel, no more for me! I can have maple syrup and a cup of coffee/tea. Tea with maple syrup is grody! Now I have to give up artichokes and asparagus, what? NOOOOOO! These are some of my favorite things! [I know some of you started singing “The Sound of Music”! Ear worm!]

Now, on the opposite side, there are fruits I can eat, problem is, a lot of them are citrus and as you know, no dairy and no citrus, makes things interesting!

Now, you know I don’t drink and that’s good because rum is not allowed, but most wine, beer, gin and vodka are allowed! Maybe I should start drinking!

I am meeting with a nutritionist tomorrow to see where they might be able to help me plan a good diet, to avoid the foods I can’t eat and work with what I can.

And now you know what I was upset about on Tuesday and I was going to tell you everything, but then I went to a baseball game and PSM dropped off the minion and the flowers to cheer me up, so I had to tell you about that first! I’m sorry if I worried you at all!

There is so much to tell you over the next few days!

{September 2, 2015} It’s the first day of school!

Today was the first day of school and I got to see it!

It was the first day for our THIRD grader! EJS started third grade today! Can you believe it!? You have been with me every step of the way for the past several years and “seen” her grow and what a fabulous person she is becoming! Third grade, this is the big time!

And today, I found out that her second grade teacher called earlier in the week and asked her to come in and help her set up her classroom, what an honor, she was so excited!

Now, it wasn’t just EJS’ first day of school, ACS, as I told you went back to school to get his Masters in Education and today was his first day of school! He is teaching fourth grade, how cool is that. “Hi Mr. S” “Could you explain that again Mr. S” “Mr. S is the best teacher ever!” I wish him all the best for an exciting year!

I got up in time to shower and head out, I was so not up for a walk or run this morning, the extra twenty minutes was heaven! When I walked in the house EJS saw me first and HUGE hugs! Then MGS piled on top! Do I love this or what? ACS was getting ready to head to his first day and GES was getting the girls ready. ACS’ sister in law, AS was there too, the gang’s all here!

About 7:40 we all went outside to take pictures and from across the street, CO’F and MF came out with their dog Bella to take pictures and see EJS get on the bus, EJS took it all in stride.

ACS took off, we waved him down the street and then the bus came and we all waved at EJS as she got on the bus, what a send off!

I have to tell you, this was awesome, I haven’t been able to be here/there for the first day before, so this was such a treat to be with the family, could I be any happier? And…I get to do it all over again on Friday for MGS’ first day!!! oh boy!!!!

Happy First Day of School! I hope everyone has a great year!

{August 31, 2015} What I did on my summer vacation

Do you remember when you would have to write a report or give a report when you went back to school?

I was thinking about that yesterday, It’s been so long since I’ve been asked that. But if you think about it, once you’re out of school, you don’t really have a summer vacation, unless you have a job that gives you the summers off and they are out there. I have to admit, when you first realize you’re not going to have a ‘summer vacation’ it’s an eye opener and kind of a bummer, but it’s something you get used to and make things work for you.

Hmmm…what did I do on my summer vacation?

I have to give a nod to PSM., he said technically next weekend is the end of summer because it’s Labor Day weekend but…we are going away next weekend and it’s September 1st tomorrow, so, although he’s right about the last day of summer, as we all know, it’s my blog so what I say here goes! Ain’t I a stinker?

In June, I started my long term residence at the hotel I am currently in; I went to Atlanta and got to celebrate KS’ college graduation and help TS get some packing done along with spent time with SDL and Miss A, I got to see one of my friends after a procedure. And of course getting deeper into my current project, as well as exploring more around Boston. The best part of June…we celebrated GES’ my baby sister’s FOURTIETH birthday! OMG

In July, PSM took our second international trip and went to Nova Scotia for his birthday, reinforcing that I don’t do well on cruise ships, but loved Halls Harbor and Halifax, looking forward to going back, especially on a bike trip! I got to get back in front of a class and teach a few classes. A few more trips to the NH house with PSM and some friends. Another trip to Atlanta and I got to see more friends and spend more time with SDL and Miss A and seeing another friend after her procedure and I got to spend time with KB and my grandson, Baby A!!! EJS went to summer camp and I got to hang with MGS. We also had a girls night to celebrate GES’ birthday and a family dinner for PSM’s birthday, a lot of celebrating! Throw in a sand sculpting competition and you’ve got one heck of a month!

August, the first weekend to be exact, sent GES and I to NYC to celebrate her birthday with a trip to the theater and theater and dinner with dad and La La to celebrate dad’s birthday, how perfect is that! I also started supporting the emergency department when the client went live. There were celebrations and farewell dinners, exploring and lots of fun to be had. We spent the last weekend in August exploring different cities, I saw Plymouth Rockas I told you about yesterday, what a way to wrap up the summah in New England!

All throughout the months there were also doctor’s appointments, I’m working on figuring out what’s wrong, we’ll get there eventually. Don’t forget I went on dates with my beau, family dinners at GES and ACS’ house, block parties and lobstah fests, could it be any better?

So, there you have it, what I did on my summer vacation, or at least what I could remember, along with the help of my calendar. I can’t wait to see what the fall brings!

How about you…what did you do on your summer vacation?

{August 30, 2015} Three and a half cities in one day, who knew!

We know how to live it up, let me tell you!

PSM and I were supposed to go to Gloucester a few weekends ago, but plans changed as they tend to do, so today was the day. Gloucester, http://www.gloucesterma.com/, is the city where the hospital was that I was doing support this past month. It’s a pretty city, from what I could tell while I was driving to work and I wanted to see it.

We grabbed something really quick at Dunkin Donuts and headed up towards Gloucester, city number one, it was about an hours drive. We found a place to park and walked up and down the main drag, looking at and in stores and for a place to eat, to no avail. I did stop and get some earrings, a new pair of hoops and some fun silver studs, I was needing them!

We chose a restaurant with no wait and there wasn’t anything for me to eat and when I asked the server if they had anything for a vegan, he actually asked if I had questions if anything was vegan, really? Moving on…

We stopped in one place, asked if there was a place they served brunch and we were directed to George’s and were we pleased! It made up for a lot, the food was in abundance and we were sharing! The server was fabulous and the food was great, well worth the wait and search. The table of people next to us were a hoot, while they were there.

After brunch, we headed to city number two, Rockport, http://www.rockportusa.com/. This was a charming, thriving, bustling seaside town. We could tell why people like to visit, stay, even live.

We walked up and down the different streets, alleys, shops, I even got to stick my feet in the sand and the water, a bit chilly but wonderful. Then we sat on a bench and listened to the water lapping on the shore and admired the sky. We stopped in a candy shop and got some candy sticks and bulls eyes, you know, the caramels with crème in the middle.

The streets were teeming with people and energy, the eddy was beautiful to walk out on and sit and think and just enjoy. We enjoyed the sights, smells, boats, waves, weather, wonderful.

After a few enjoyable hours, we went back to the car on to city number three, Essex, in search of dinner, at Woodman’s of Essex, but when we went across the street to Shea’s, http://sheasriversideessex.com/, to have a drink, we ended up getting a table on the deck overlooking the marsh, absolutely beautiful.

Before we went to the restaurants, we drove a little down the road to see the sights and ended up in Ipswich, but turned back around, that was the half city.

We started talking to the women at the table next to ours and what are the odds, one of them was a Nurse Manager for one of the hospitals that we were supporting during Go-Live! They were a lot of fun to talk to and passed the time nicely.

After dinner we got back into the car and PSM drove me back to the hotel so I could talk to you, share some photos and get some sleep, I’m back in the office tomorrow. I can’t wait to see my friends!

{August 24, 2015} Excuse…rude…much?

Surface Pro 3 is fixed, but at what price?

On the advice of someone, I upgraded to Windows 10, this was a mistake. I normally wait a while after something new comes out so I can see how it does and they can work out the bugs, but this time, I didn’t wait and jumped feet first. Splat. It totally horked, this is a word meaning messed up, my Surface Pro 3.

One of the things I la la la love about my SP3, ooh, I like that! Is the ability to have 3 windows open at the same time. Write to you, check my email and watch Netflix, not to shabby, huh? Windows 10 took that away, among other things.

I did my darndest to try to fix it, to no avail, so…the next logical step…restore back to Windows 8. I realized I did not want to take a chance doing this myself, so I took everything off and/or backed it up and then PSM and I went to a Microsoft store for support.

This store, if you are not familiar with it, look exactly like an Apple store, for those of you Apple nuts, except this one…all Microsoft products. I walked towards the help desk area and right off, didn’t get warm fuzzies, but I needed help so here I stayed.

The technician that finally helped me was good at what he did, but he was smarmy and obnoxious and holier than thou, not a fan. Apparently he thought I wasn’t too bright or should I say, tech savvy. When I told him one of the issues I was having was that Skype would not close, the window would stay open, his response “You have to quit Skype first!” Really Einstein? Gee thanks! I was glad to have PSM there to back up what I already told him and what I like…he can talk the talk.

It kind of went downhill, so to speak, from there. I wasn’t impressed, but he got the job done, definitely would not recommend this person to help others until he changes his attitude.

Would a little compassion hurt? For someone who may have actually been computer illiterate?

Let’s see what happens when he needs help with something…

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