A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{January 21, 2015} UNO!

I am not counting in Spanish, I am referring to the game of UNO.

UNO was created in 1971, by a barber in Ohio, to play with his family and families have been playing for over forty years, know how I know that? I was born in 1971. Boo-yah!

Boo-yah! That is what is shouted by the 7+ and 4+ year old, better known as EJS and MGS every time they get a good card or throw something down that will jam someone up or put them in a better place in the game. “Aw, man!” is what they say when things don’t go their way and “is it my turn?” “is it my turn?” EVERY TURN! No, someone else has to go!

The version of the game in the picture is an older version, it shows the word and not the symbol for the action and this is what we are playing on… the very deck that GES and I played with as a kid, in the same blue plastic pouch we used to carry it around in! GES counted and we are only missing one card out of the entire original deck, that’s pretty impressive if you ask me for a card game that is obviously over 30 years old!

What a great memory to be building, first playing games with the girls, then it’s playing a game from our childhood and then it’s remembering our childhood, which was awesome, if you ask me. Win-Win-Win… Boo-yah!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uno_(card_game)

{January 18, 2015} A new experience…challenge accepted…and failed

Not a complete failure and I’ll tell you why, but still sucked, to be blunt.

As you know, I am in Anaheim, CA to participate in The Rebel Challenge, 10k on Saturday and Half Marathon on Sunday. I did the 10k yesterday morning, started at 5:30am, my wave actually started closer to 6am, I finished 1:35:45, I was quite pleased with my time. I ran the first 3 miles, just like other races I have done and then did walk/run for the last 3, so I am happy. I ran 4 miles yesterday! I crossed the finish line and got my medal, headed back to the hotel satisfied.

Today, I participated in the Half Marathon, but did not finish. I had to stop at the medical tent, my usual blister issue, and after that I was three minutes behind the pacers, couldn’t catch back up with them and unfortunately, something happened that had never happened to me at a race, the course was cut off and I was shuttled back to the start. I collected the medal for the half marathon, but because I didn’t finish the race, I didn’t get the third medal, for The Rebel Challenge. I am just disappointed in myself.

There are a few things that contributed to this, I am not taking away any blame from myself at all. The shuttle did not show up to take a few of us to the park, so we walked the two miles to the park and then ran a mile to the start, right there…three miles! We also just made the start, they were closing the corral! I ran/walked the next ‘just under’ nine miles, about mile 7 I needed to stop at the medical tent for the blister, I just couldn’t catch up to the pacers, it happens. I also hadn’t trained for the run, my own fault. So, I got on the shuttle with everyone else, there were three shuttle busses getting sent back to the start, no one was happy.

After we got our medals, I walked to the shuttle busses, stopping at Jamba Juice, [apples and greens, yum] and since the shuttles wouldn’t be running until 10am, it was 9:20, I walked the two miles back to the hotel. So…even though I didn’t finish the half marathon, I did walk 18 miles today, I think I did alright.

It’s silly, but the mani/pedi I treated myself to helped, emotionally and cleaned my feet up.

I know, I did something, something more than other people wouldn’t attempt and I should be proud of the fact that I showed up and I tried and I am, I’m just disappointed in myself. Every experience is just that, an experience and I am ready for the next challenge.

{January 16, 2015} Hollywood Geek Out!

I know, I’m posting so early!

I’m meeting a friend, tell you about him later, and I may go back to the room and pass out (the race stats at 5:30am!) So I wanted to be sure I posted.

I am meeting my friend in Hollywood, so while I waited for him to get off work and meet me, to Hollywood I went!

I haven’t been here since college and I toured a little with AM, but no cell phones or Facebook. So…Hollywood sign, Mann’s Chinese Theater, Walk of Fame, stars and handprints!

Enjoy the photos! (I put my Chuck Taylor’s in a few…so you would know it was me! )

{January 15, 2015} I didn’t spend a dime!

Ok, anything extra!

I am in California to “run” two races, I say “run” with quotes because I have not trained at all, so I will be running some and walking most. And I am perfectly fine with that. But that’s not what this post is about.

So… here is what I was talking about…

As you know, for some races there are expos, you might remember CKM and I walking around the Hot Chocolate or Peachtree RoadRace Expos after we would get our race packets. This is a fun time to walk around, check out different vendors, see what’s new in running outfits, shoes, gear, other races, being…all that good stuff.

We have found some good stuff, I’ve shared with you some of the running dresses, skirts, socks, stuff like that. I go with the intention of maybe finding a new running outfit, which I have gotten a lot of use out of every dress, skirt, pant that I have gotten at the expo.

Some expos are better than others, some are called expos and they are just packet pick up and others are huge events. The Disney Expo I went to in Florida last February was stellar, this one was ok, not as many vendors, still good, but…. I WALKED AWAY AND BOUGHT NOTHING! Who am I, what did I do with me? I couldn’t believe it!

But… check out the gear I got! I don’t really need anything else! I got a shirt for the 10k, half marathon and The Rebel Challenge! All three are long sleeve performance shirts, who’s styling! And my Bibb has my name on it! ROCK ON ME!

{January 8, 2015} We started Harry Potter!

Last night, ACS thought it would be fun to start reading Harry Potter to the girls.

They have seen the first movie and I know that EJS has seen the second one, so it seems safe to read it to them and at the rate we are going of a few pages each night, they should both be in their teens by the time I get to the more intense books!

I sat down to read to them, put on my British accent and away we went! It’s night two and we are almost done with chapter one!

I love these books, each time a new one came out, I couldn’t put it down and I was ready to read the next one. I have read each one at least twice, except for the last one, too emotionally taxing, but I still loved it!

I am so excited for this opportunity to read this series to them both, I am just ticked pink! I will keep you posted on our progress!

{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!

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