A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{January 7, 2015} Ouch, that didn’t feel so hot.

Today, I participated in that oh so fun activity that all women should have done every year, starting at age 40. I’ll give you one guess…

I had a mammogram! I know, you’re jealous, get back! I don’t know many people who don’t know what a mammogram is, but for those of you who do not know, it is a procedure used to help detect abnormalities in the breasts. It is recommended that you start at least by age 40, but if there is a family history, even as early as 35.

Let me just say, this is not the most fun activity and it was in 3D! Ooh…3D imaging, aren’t they already in 3D? Basically, they take your breast and put it between two parts of the machine and they come together to basically squish you. Do you remember the scene in Star Wars Episode IV, when they were in the garbage shoot and the trash compactor started? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U3Oti2L8S4, yeah, kind of like that!

It’s not so much the squishing, although that’s not much fun, it’s the stretching at weird angles and holding it there for what feels like an eternity and I know it’s only a matter of seconds, that hurts.

The technician was pleasant enough, but I have been going to the same place in Atlanta for the last few years to a place my friend works and she had been doing them for me, she always put my mind at ease and elsewhere, this technician didn’t do a great job of it. Oh well, can’t win them all.

The whole thing took less than 8 minutes, if that. I called GES after and we talked about it and when she asked how I was doing, my response “I know I don’t want to go on any dates any time soon!” I will leave it at that.

I did it and unless there is something wrong, I am good for another year!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammography

{January 3, 2015} I used a medical excuse to get out of something

Do I feel bad about it? I’m not sure.

So… What did I do? Well, my fabulous weekend Breckenridge at Beaver run resort at the obscenely low rate was in exchange for listening to a timeshare spiel, you know, where you sit and they say “at the end of your cake vacation at a resort or hotel, what do you really have? Besides memories? Really? That’s what you’re going to try on me?

Well, tonight, the girl I was working with very enthusiastic and good at what she does. The property is beautiful, right on peak 7, ski-in/ski-out, lockers, hot tubs, 4 movie theaters, restaurants, game rooms, how could you say no?

The cost wasn’t bad, the interest rate was horrible, the benefits even after your one week were pretty good, but as a chatted with GES she pointed out, it’s nice to have but not need to have, good. It was actually the first time I considered the deal.

… And I alluded to in my New Years Eve post there are some things, medically speaking, coming up in this year that I’m not sure where I will be, if I will have to put out for the doctors and if I’m going to be coming to Colorado much or even traveling for pleasure, so would I be able to use it.

Even when I told her this, then the big gun came in and she gave me a really good deal for a lot less money which you would have held open for me for a year at month, but I don’t know what’s what so I had to walk away.

I didn’t tell the first girl about the medical stuff because honestly I didn’t think about it until later and I felt bad because she went through the entire page, the viewing, and expressed interest in the deal and I was, but as I’m not sure of anything why put money out there I might need for something else.

I have said no to the timeshare thing before, but why do I feel guilty this time? I loved when she said it… starting with the heavy sales pitch “how much will you be kicking yourself if you go home without signing? I know it’s your job but it’s still kind of annoying.”

Ok, I’m over it.

{January 1, 2015} Resolutions

It’s new years day, hello 2015, did you make any resolutions?

Resolutions date way back, Babylonians, Romans, Medieval Area, all had resolutions and you can even find people in the Eastern Hemisphere, although they are more popular in the Western Hemisphere.

Today, many resolutions, and I am stereotyping here, usually revolve around weight loss, they indulged a little too much over the holidays. I met someone last night who’s resolution was to concentrate on herself and find a husband. Some resolutions are a bit far fetched and some are very simple, it all depends on who you are and how you handle it.

Have you heard the joke “I resolved years ago, never to make a resolution”. Ha ha

I have made resolutions over the years, but none seemed to stick whole heartedly. The one resolution I made, and I’m not sure its a resolution, but I am going to say it is, so there!

I started this blog a long time ago, but it was January 6, 2013 that I decided to post to my blog every day and by golly, I have done that! I blogged for the first year and felt like it was second nature, then January 6, 2014 rolled around and I had to decide, two years or one. I really don’t have to answer that, do I?

Now, January 6th is just around the corner, literally, and will I keep writing? You bet your sweet buppie! I love writing it, it’s become a part of me and of you, obviously, I saw the stats on the site. “You like me, you really like me!”

The other things that could be resolutions, I will commit myself to them, just not today!

So, tell me… did you make any resolutions?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year’s_resolution

{December 31, 2014} What a year it’s been.

It’s New Year’s Eve and what a year it’s been!

There have been a lot of changes, some good, some bad, but experiences nonetheless and like you, I have grown with each one. I would like to share some of the things that have happened to me this year.

I got a new job in February that I love. It gives me the opportunity to do two things I absolutely love: train on software applications and travel for work. I have been in multiple cities for this job, my friends on Facebook are trying to keep up! Someone asked me if I was traveling for work or did I win the lottery? My response “I love my job so much it feels a little like both!” This job not only allows me to travel to new locations for work, I get to travel to different locations on the weekends, it allows me to go to fun places to visit family and friends and do races in cool places. Aside from that perk, I am always learning new modules for the applications I teach, it helps build my skill set and makes me a better trainer.

I went to the Bar Mitzvah of one of my closest friends from high school. CS was pregnant at my wedding! Oh my! What an honor and treat to be a part of it!

You may or may not have guessed by my posts, that I am now single, DCM and I parted ways romantically, it was a mutual decision that was best for both of us. I hold no grudges or bear ill will towards him, we are still great friends and I am happy that he is happy with his life. I will always be thankful for our time together, our shared experiences and giving me something I never thought I would have, grandchildren!

Speaking of grandchildren… we have a new one! Baby W, DCM calls her Twig, too funny! She is a beautiful baby who I hope to meet one day. I got to see Baby A before the family moved to Texas, it was such a great visit, not only with Baby A, but his mommy, I felt really close to them both that day. Not to mention the fabulous mothers day gift I got!

I finally met LB’s sister, Baby L when I went to Las Vegas. LB was so excited to see me, she had me read the same book five times! I had the best visit with both wee tots and their mom, it felt good to talk to her one on one, so to speak.

I have gotten back in the dating world, gone out once or twice, but obviously nothing worth mentioning, but I have been enjoying life, who knows what next year holds!

I did a few races, 5k, 10k and mud runs, around the country, Disney, Atlanta, Colorado, Michigan and my second half marathon in Las Vegas. I drank some moonshine and Jameson! Ick but I did it!

As much traveling as I do, the one place I have never gone alone was overseas, so two months ago, I took myself to Ireland and it was feckin’ fantastic! I’m ready for more international travel!

I also had the fortune to visit friends and family around the country. I spent quite a bit of time in Atlanta with my favorite people and Miss A is walking! She is walking and running around like a champ! I had trouble keeping up with her a few times! Go Miss A!!! So very proud! You can only imagine how her mom, SDL feels!

As a result of being single, I got to spend more time with my sister’s family, I drove with two cats from Colorado to Kentucky to Boston, I know you’re jealous of that one! The girls get to experience unconditional love with the cats and even better, I have gotten closer with the girls they get so excited when I am there now, amazing!

I started skiing again after almost 20 years! I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but I loved it! I skied a little in the beginning of the year and now I am spending New Years at Breckenridge skiing!

A big thing that happened in 2014, I know I didn’t talk about it with you…my sister became a SURVIVOR!!! In October/November 2013, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and in November 2014, she got the all clear, so fantastic! 2014 was a really rough year for my family and we are so happy its over and looking forward to 2015

2015 will be a new year, duh. There will be so many new experiences to be had, projects, places to visit and work, nieces doing amazing things, I cannot wait to tell you all about them.

Along those lines, I have something that I will be sharing, medically speaking with you, I have shared with most of my friends, working through the list, and when I begin the process, there may be days I do not blog much, I hope I will at least be able to tell you what is going on.

Two years ago, January 6th, I rediscovered my blog, with the intention of posting every day and I did it and loved it. I feel lost if I don’t post and January 6th of last year, I decided to continue, guess what I’m going to do January 6, 2015!

You have all stuck with me throughout these last two years and I thank you! My blog has been viewed 4000 times THIS YEAR!!! O M G!!! THANK YOU! I will publish some stats in another post. I look forward to sharing the next year with you!

May 2015 bring you health, happiness and all the joy your hearts can handle!

Happy New Year!

thCHFBYUW9

{December 25, 2014} Merry Christmas!

To all my friends and family who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas!

All I keep hearing in my head right now is the line from Trading Places “Merry New Year!” Some will get it, some won’t! But I digress, I know you’re shocked!

Today was a great day, it started at JT’s house, well, next door at his parents house where his dad made breakfast and it was yummy! Thank you T! The best part was it was just JT, his brother, mom, dad and me, well, and the dogs, of course. It was fun sitting with them, talking, joking, talking about last night’s festivities and excitement but then, I got to watch them open their gifts and enjoy every moment with each other, that is a very private family moment and I appreciate being invited to be a part of it. All of this while A Christmas Story was on in the background.

After a great breakfast and a rousing game of backgammon with JT’s dad, which reminded me of playing backgammon with my dad, for hours and I won this game, by the way! I headed to SDL’s house for the annual Christmas Day festivities!

I called on my way and SDL and her sister DJL and of course, Miss A were Skyping with their parents, Momom and Popup, I’m sorry I missed them. I headed to the house, went in and started playing with Miss A, who was monopolizing Aunt F’s attention! Then SDL came down from freshening up and we started cooking.

A great amount of food [we went shopping yesterday] two types of pasta, pesto, meat sauce, steamed veggies [carrots, zucchini, squash, spinach, Brussels sprouts and broccoli, guess who was really happy!] bread and salad. Think we had enough for three adults and one child? You betcha!

All this while listening to Christmas music and really listening for certain songs. You know, like “Baby it’s cold outside” or Porky Pig’s rendition of “Blue Christmas” or Alvin and the Chipmunks “All I want for Christmas” or The Waitresses.

We ate, talked, laughed, told stories about celebrating the holidays, crazy families, you know, the usual. It was great fun and after lunch, we went into the den to hang out, watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and open presents. I got a fabulous hand made magnet, in the shape of a deridel from Miss A, LOVE! And DJL and I opened our calendars at the same time! My other favorite! I look forward to those calendars!

After presents, there was A Christmas Story, I guess I was making my own marathon! Then after bath and brushing of the long beautiful hair, it was time to watch Home Alone, I think we had a god Christmas viewing lineup. We watched movies, lounged in the hose doing not much else.

And now, my friends, I am going to turn into a pumpkin, if I don’t turn this place over.

Merry Christmas… and to all, a good night!

{December 23, 2014} Moving a piano

Today, I finally got the piano out of my house! The renters are so pleased!

When I moved out of the house completely last July, I still had the piano there, I wasn’t taking it with me and it would not fit in the storage unit and I really wanted to find it a new home.

Do you know the expression “Out of sight, out of mind?” Well, that’s what it was like for a while. I was hot to find a taker, then I would forget and then I would suddenly remember, go into panic mode and look for a taker.

I had a taker, a friend of my cousin’s, but then it fell through and recently, I mentioned it to ST and he said I’ll take it!

So… this morning, another friend met us and we went to my house to meet PK, who had a trailer do an inspection and get the piano out.

It took about an hour for the whole process, I rode back with PK, J rode back with ST and we brought the piano to ST’s house, unloaded it, just before the rain started to pour down!

ST’s son is over the moon excited about the idea of the piano, he is loving the guitar and now, after the piano is tuned, and it needs to be, he is going to start playing and I cannot wait for my first concert!

The piano is out, the house looks great, the tenants are happy and so am I! Thank you ST, PK and J!

{December 19, 2014} An amazing greeting!

Yesterday was travel day and I was coming to Boston for the weekend, as my sister calls it, my northeast connection while I am on the road, it always feels like coming home.

So…as it was a travel day, it was a long one, but I was ready to get back and see my family, especially EJS and MGS and let me tell you, it was AWESOME when I did!!!

I got out of the taxi, got my things and headed up the path, up the steps and knocked on the door. What happened next, I could not have planned and it any better! I so wish I had had a camera to record it!

I could see the girls in the window looking at the candles on the menorah, I thought they would have seen me, but they hadn’t, so I knocked on the door and when they opened it, their faces lit up and in unison they screamed “AUNTIE!!!!!” and then it was attack of the little people and it was wonderful!!!

I walked in, each girl took a bag and then I got individual hugs, told “I love you” whispered in my ear, then telling me about the presents they got…so much excitement.

I will be reliving that moment over and over and over, it was so amazing!!!

AUNTIE!!!

{December 10, 2014} The Protein Bar

I found a healthy, vegan friendly restaurant!

Tonight, someone recommended a place called Protein Bar and I am so glad they did!

They have a great menu, both meat and non meat and lots of vegan options!! I had a burrito with quinoa, black beans, tofu and vegan cheese! How happy am I?

I also got a fresh beet/apple/carrot juice for tomorrow, I cannot wait!

http://www.theproteinbar.com

That’s it. yum!

{December 9, 2014} My weekend in pictures.

That sounds like a book or movie! I love it!

As promised, here are pictures from my weekend in Colorado. I hope you enjoy them!

Friday night in Golden, CO.

All culminating with the lighting of the tree! Such a pretty night and sight!

Day one on Breckenridge:

My view at lunch, what was yours?

The sun is starting to set, beautiful.

My view while I waited for Ski Patrol [sitting on my personality]

Ok, could some of my skier friends tell me how I can avoid bruising from my boots? See the lump on my left leg? If I forget to wrap my right ankle, the beads rub and make blisters, ouch!

Day two at Breckenridge:

How gorgeous is this sky?

My view at lunch:

I hope you enjoyed seeing there as much as I did being there! Who’s coming with me next?

{December 7, 2014} My weekend…swoosh!

Go grab a cup of coffee, cocoa, tea, whatever, this is going to be my entire weekend! You know how these go!

I arrived in Denver on Thursday night, eventually, after taking off an hour late, sat down at the airport to book a hotel, I know, I know, why didn’t I do it before I left Chicago? Not a clue, but I found one pretty quickly, went to pick up the rental car and off I went.

I booked a hotel in Golden, Colorado “Where the West Lives” is the town motto. This is a great little town, charming, quaint and a little old west town and could be called a “one horse town” because it’s not that big, but it has character. http://www.cityofgolden.net/

I remember the first time I was there, for my friend AM’s wedding, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was, lots of walking, a stream that people swim, practice kayaking, just enjoy.

Friday, I worked for a few hours and then headed to the storage unit to pick up my skies, what I didn’t expect to find were gifts that I had bought for different kids for the holidays, how happy was I! I loaded it all into the car and headed back to the hotel. I headed to the post office to ship them to my sister’s house to figure it all out there. Then I headed to Khol’s to see what I could use my coupon for!

I know, what do you care about the piddly stuff, well, there is a thought process! I was in Kohl’s and I got two pairs of boots, oh, I bought a pair of black boots for work, on my way back from the storage unit! At Kohl’s I bought a pair of boots that will be great in the snow, perfect for going to and coming from skiing and then I bought some knock off UGG type boots, much cheaper! And all man made materials, which makes me happy.

After I took my bounty back to the hotel, I decided it was time for a bite to eat and off to Golden I went. It turns out they were having a candlelight walk, everyone has a lit candle and walks while they sing Christmas carols. They are walking towards the end of town for the lighting of the Christmas tree, I was there and got to see it, charming!

After the ceremony, I got a bite to eat and headed back to the hotel, I wanted to write to you, get some sleep because I was going skiing in the morning! The morning came too early when someone called at 7am, what? But I got up, had some breakfast and headed up to Breckenridge to go ski!

The drive was about 1.5 hours and I don’t mind it, it’s a beautiful drive, the mountains, snow, simply beautiful. The best part…the roads were clear. I got to Breckenridge and parked in a lot, hopped on the shuttle and onto the gondola I went. The hardest part for me is buckling the boots, it takes a long time and when I’m done, I’m sweating! So happy to share that with you!

Off to the lift I went and as soon as I got to the top, I just stood there for a moment and realized just how amazing this was and how happy I was, blissful if I can say that! I turned on some music and downhill I went. I did a few runs, then about 12:30, it was time for some lunch and let me tell you, the view from this place was fantastic! After a short break, back to skiing, I had to go! And you know what happened on my last run [I fell on my personality]

After skiing, I was ready to head back to the hotel and as I was leaving, passed the Race of the Santas, http://www.gobreck.com/events/community-events/Victorian-holiday-wonderland, I wish I had known about it! How much fun would it have been!

Saturday night was low key and then today, I repeated the process by getting breakfast and then heading to Breckenridge for another day of swoosh. After several good runs, I was ready to go “I’m going to do two more runs and skip the second” Made it to the bottom, no problem. Lunch, walk around and then it was time to go, I didn’t groove on driving at night through the mountains, no lights, go figure!

After lunch, I headed to my friend AM’s house to bring my skis so I don’t have to drive all the way to the storage unit to get them each time, he is pretty close to the airport, wahoo! We hung out, caught up, went to grab some dinner and then back to the house to chill.

After a while, it was time to go to the hotel, pack and get ready to head to Chicago tomorrow!

Anyone else tired? I am! I will post pictures from the weekend, tomorrow.

Good night!

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