A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{May 17, 2015} It started with a run, ended with a brisk walk

This morning, there was a one mile fun run.

If you are panting, huffing and puffing, is it still a fun run? Doesn’t matter, we still had fun! ACS, EJS and I participated in a one mile fun run, proceeds to benefit prostate cancer research. EJS was a champ and let me tell you, she can run, her sprint at the finish line was really impressive!

There were a lot of familiar faces at the run, it seemed like the whole town was there! There was a 5k, a one mile run, then a one mile fun run, which we did, a 26.3…meter run/walk for the 0-3 year olds then there was a 100 meter run for the 4-9 year olds, a few kids running at a time and that’s what MGS did, those little tikes are so cute! Pumping their arms and running for all they are worth!

With t-shirts and medals in hand, we headed back to the house for showers and I headed to PSM’s to head out for a fun night. We hopped on the train and headed into Boston for a tribute to Pete Seeger by a fabulous choir and one of PSM’s physical therapists was part of the choir, even a fabulous mouth harp player. It really was a fabulous performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pZa3KtkVpQ

After the show, we hopped back on the train and headed back to his neck of the woods for dinner. We went to a nice restaurant called Za for pizza, cheese-less for me of course, it was quite tasty. We sat there for a few hours and talked, laughed and learned a lot more about each other, it was really great.

After dinner, walked back to his house, picked up my car and headed to the house where I got to chat with dad, GES and ACS, it was nice, a very good ending to a very good day!

{May 17, 2015} We have a FIVE year old in the house!

Someone…turned FIVE today!

Little Miss MGS turned 5 on May 16th, how perfect is that to have your birthday on a Saturday so you can have your birthday party on Saturday!

Any guesses to what the theme was? Hmmm…Frozen maybe? That girl LOVES her Frozen…well, everything! We had Frozen streamers, table cloths, table decorations and there were Frozen gifts for miles! Nope, not a Frozen cake, she picked out something very original, a really pretty white sheet cake with blue and yellow flowers and a Jewish star, that’s what she wanted and that’s what she got!

We set up for the party, it rained in the morning and we were worried it might rain all day, but I told someone that Mother Nature knew that Miss MGS would not stand for rain on her birthday and she was right!

People started arriving about 11 and they just kept coming, there might have been about 60 people here throughout the day, adults and kids included. The neighbors came, a few friends from school came, the usual suspects were here and the bouncey house, they love that!

ACS grilled the hot dogs and hamburgers, and a veggie burger or two, we had the 3 side snack that MGS had picked out, pretzel chips, cheese doodles and veggie sticks, pretty good choices, if I do say so myself. We had pickles and three different potato salads and deviled eggs, both made by AS and for dessert, there was cake, waffle cookies, popsicles and watermelon. No one walked away hungry.

I got to love on all the kids, there were some great “Auntie J!” and running and jumping in my arms, which I will tell you is my favorite part! Then there was chasing and tickling and falling down, sometimes not in that order!

Then…it was time for the Frozen piñata!!! MGS went first, she got 5 whacks, because it is her fifth birthday, after all! Then everyone got a turn with the bat and the last thing to happen was MGS pulled the ribbons and the candy came pouring out!

Now, my very clever sister had gotten Frozen treat bags and everyone had stickers and other Frozen goodies in there, but then they got to put candy in their bags, they cleaned up! Literally and figuratively!

By about 3pm, almost everyone was gone, a few stragglers, then Saturday proceeded as normal.

Let’s just say, this was a very successful party, put on by my sister and brother-in-law, but we expect nothing less and when I got back to the house tonight and went to kiss MGS goodnight, she was sleeping sideways, SO cute!

Happy, happy, happy fifth birthday MGS! I love you very much!

{May 15, 2015} A graduate! So proud of my friend!

Today I had a very enjoyable and exciting experience.

Today, I attended the college graduation of a very dear friend! SERH or SRH as you’ve heard me talk about before, but today, all her initials were in the program, started college oh so many years ago and for her own reasons did not finish, but…a few years ago I remember talking to her about going back to school to get her degree and I thought it was a fabulous idea and encouraged her any way I could that she needed.

And that’s just what she did, enrolled in Rider College in New Jersey to finish what she started and get her degree, Bachelor of Arts.

I loved seeing her posts on Facebook about her highs and successes in school with her classes, her excitement about the upcoming semesters, her nervousness at a new class, an exam, a new chapter in her life.

Today was the day she was working towards, what it was all for, graduation!

SERH had asked me when she found out when the graduation date was if I could come and I told her that depending on my work schedule, I would do my best and it worked out! As you know, I ended my last project on Friday and I’ve been in Boston this week, so yesterday, I got in the beetle bug and drove to dad’s, we had a great day yesterday and then this afternoon, I headed to Rider University to watch my friend cross the stage to receive her diploma.

It was fantastic! After graduation, we went to dinner with EL, his brother and sister-in-law at a vey nice restaurant, we talked, caught up, laughed and had a great time celebrating a wonderful girl and accomplishment!

Way to go SERH! You did it!

{May 13, 2015} A drive and a great and relaxing visit

Today was a pretty easy day.

Got up leisurely about 6:30am, always nice to wake up on your own, both cats were with me, which is always a treat. Made a great breakfast sandwich, yum, then hung out with EJS while she waited for the school bus, took a shower, packed up the rest of the stuff I would need and headed downstairs.

Before I headed out, I made the most fabulous shake [frozen cherries, frozen pineapple and almond milk, oh my! YUM!] it kept me going on the trip. Got into my previously clean car, had it washed yesterday and the pollen found it last night, oh well, it’s Spring.

I hit the road for NYC to go to dad’s, I’m in a convertible and due to my allergies, top up, boo. The trip was uneventful, I only stopped once to fill up the tank and two more times for relief. Got to dad’s in about 4.5 hours, just like Google Maps said I would.

We went out for a late lunch, then went down to the boardwalk to sit by the water and talk, then off to Verizon because, go figure, something was wrong with my phone, but it was a nice drive around the Island of Staten, then we decided instead of going to the movies, we found some stuff on Netflix, made some popcorn and chilled out.

A perfect end to a good day.

{May 9, 2015} A triple date

Tonight, I went on a triple date, it was fun.

Question…there are dates, that’s with two people, then there are double dates, that’s with two couples, after that, are they called triple dates or are they just dinner with friends. Things that make you go hmmm…

About two weeks ago, PSM forwarded me an email from his sister-in-law, JM, about going to dinner with them and another couple A&J T. Of course, I would love it! GES and ACS had a prior engagement or they would have joined us, but as I like to say, there’s always a next time.,

PMS picked me up on the bike and we went to Season’s 52: Fresh Grill, a nice restaurant with a nice atmosphere and ambiance, we were in a round booth in the back of the restaurant. PMS, his brother SM are first cousins with JT and it’s nice that they all get together and it was nice to be included. The cool part was that S&JM’s son J babysat for A&JT, so convenient!

The food was good, they had those dessert samplers in the cups, perfectly portioned for tasting.The conversation was great, there were lots of stories and laughter, catching up and good times all around.

It’s nice to go out with other couples, when you’re part of a couple. It’s something different, a chance to catch up with friends, or in this case, family, a chance to laugh and relax and just have a good time and that’s what we did, we had a good time.

Does it get too crowded if its more than three or four couples? I think its just the right amount to still be intimate, more people and its a gathering and not as cozy. So, when’s the next one?

https://www.seasons52.com/

{May 3, 2015} Another fabulous day! Am I lucky? You bet your bippie!

Another fabulous day, awesome!

I have to tell you what I forgot yesterday, one of the best things and the perfect way to end the day. I got to the house just before GES and ACS, after they got home, I went in and right after GES, I went to EJS’ room and kissed her cheek while she was sleeping and then I went to MGS’ room and kissed her little cheek, SO cute and sweet while they sleep! Then chatting with GES a bit, talking to you then sleep…now that’s the perfect end to a day!

Today I woke up too early, it was after 7am, but still too early! About 8am, I had a visitor in the form of a very ticklish MGS, we giggled and laughed and tickled and jumped for about 30 minutes and then like a flash she was gone! Relaxed a few more minutes, then got up and took a shower, my hair felt waayyyy better!

Got dressed, checked on the laundry, saw AS & JS, who were there to hang out and pressure wash the deck, bonus! PSM showed up on his Yamaha, inspiring me a little further to get another bike…I miss Thing2! It’s coming soon! Then we all went to town to watch the Softball Opening Day parade starring EJS and ACS! Very cool! Then at the park we listened to the opening day ceremony, saw the first pitch, then PSM and I took off for brunch at Petit Robert Bistro, http://prbneedham.com/, c’est manifique!

The restaurant was charming, the food was good, the company was terrific and all I want now is to go to Paris, sigh.

After the restaurant, we headed back to the house, after a stop at CVS for some supplies for the week and as we all know, I am easily amused and excited on occasion, today, I found a travel size of the lotion I use, I haven’t found it in a smaller size, I usually have to take the giant tub, so wahoo me!

Back at the house, everyone was there, including JS and AS, who didn’t even know they were coming back! We went upstairs to see what was going on with the movies on my hard drive, finally fixed some of the issues, wahoo! Then we went outside and climbed into the hammock to hang out for a while, that was great!

About 5pm, GES, ACS and the girls went to dinner with the family/friends across the street and since my taxi was coming at 7, PSM and I hopped in Annie, dropped the top and headed out and on ACS’ recommendation, went to The Walnut Grill, http://www.walnutgrille.com/. It was terrific! We shared a cup of butternut squash soup, a salad, a VEGAN pizza and dessert. YUM! We will definitely be going back!

After dinner, headed back to the house and the taxi was waiting, perfect! Collected my stuff, headed to the airport and went right through security, I LOVE traveling without luggage! They changed the gate without changing the signs, luckily I got up to ask a question!

The worst part about today was my allergies killing me, but…I found my wonderful herbal allergy medication online, on the way to the airport, I am going to pick some up tomorrow. Props to PSM for the suggestion.

Got to Buffalo, picked up the car, got to the hotel and the guy at the desk recognized me, that was a nice feeling.

So…another great, wouldn’t you agree?

{April 24, 2015} Repacking to go home

It seems like an easy task…you are only packing what you brought, right?

Well…sort of. You packed it all, got to your destination and unpacked it all, all seems right with the world. Now, this is just vacation packing I’m talking about, not work, that’s different, I just wanted to make that distinction.

So, it’s the night before you leave [and for the record, when I do travel for business, I pack the night before as well] and you might have an early flight or have to get to the airport early and you decide to pack. You think, “well, it took me a while to pack for the trip. but I’m taking back only what I brought, maybe a few souvenirs, that shouldn’t make a huge difference, right?

WRONG!

What seems like it should only take about 20, maybe thirty minutes ends up taking about an hour. While you are packing, you are lamenting the fact that you barely wore anything you brought, you so over packed, but I do believe it’s better to have too much than not enough, right? It may not be convenient for you to buy something new while you are on your trip.

Then, after you check that all the drawers and closet are empty, you have to pack your souvenirs and as your bag was packed so tight to get here, there’s not much wiggle room, good thing you brought that extra bag! Remember, you get two carry-ons!

So…next step once the bags are packed? Set the alarm early so you can make sure you have all your toiletries packed after you shower. Then you do the idiot check to be sure you have everything, but you know you’re going to do the idiot check again just before you leave the room. [The idiot check is something my friends in a band used to do, check all the drawers, closets, bathrooms because inadvertently, someone is going to leave something behind, hence…the idiot check.

Then it’s time to blog and pass out.

Goodnight!

{April 22, 2015} Rain, rain go away…

You have to make the best of a bad situation.

I promise, I’m not going to give you a bunch of sayings like “when life gives you lemons…”

so, when you’re at the beach or on an island resort and you wake up and the sun is not shining and the sky is foggy and very grey and you can see the storm clouds roll in, what do you do? Pout because you can’t go to pool or the beach?

Nope, you change direction and plans and make it a new exciting day. First,
you watch the storm roll in and marvel at the wonder of Mother Nature, the lightening, the thunder, the rain going sideways.

Next you check the weather to see what the storm is doing and you see things that might make you nervous.

Next, you make other plans in the assumption that the pool or beach may not happen and you have a great time!

Eventually the rain stops, you go outside and enjoy your new adventure!

{April 21, 2015} Sunburn…don’t do it! Ouch!

I’m an idiot. Yes, I said it, I’m an idiot.

I went out in the very hot and strong sun without sunblock and I’m not sure if it was subconscious or not, but I didn’t and I thought…”oh, it will be fine”. Not…

Well, a few hours later when I took a break, I found out it was a mistake. I could tell where MGS had been sitting on my lap. I put sunblock on, might be helping for the days after, but not that day and didn’t make me less of a lobster.

When I went to take a shower, it looked like I was still wearing a bathing suit, just in negative!

I am in pain in my shoulders and chest and the shins are the worst, it gets tight for some reason, but…as I already said…it’s totally my fault.

The only plus…when this fades…I’ll have a fabulous tan (fingers crossed!)

In the past, I would start my working on my suntan in the Spring by dropping the top on my convertible and go, with sunblock, staying nice with a bronzed glow for the season, haven’t had much of a chance to do that in Buffalo!

Oh well..lesson learned!

{April 20, 2015} What’s a payphone?

Out of the mouths of babes.

“What’s a payphone?” So asks EJS after we had mentioned something about a payphone.

Well, EJS, it’s a phone that you put money in to make a phone call. Huh?

GES got a land line a while ago so the girls would know what a telephone was and how to answer the phone, all they knew was the cell phone. They now love answering the phone “Hello, S house, who is this?”

I still remember answering and using the rotary phone growing up. Dialing a number, making a mistake, starting over…they don’t know how good they have it!

Isn’t it amazing how many things people take for granted? What we have compared to the way things were?

You kids…you have it easy. Lol

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