A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{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!

{December 6, 2014} I fell on my personality…

That’s something I heard someone once say when they fell on their bum on a muddy hill during a mud run and I fell in love with the phrase!

I am going to tell you about my weekend tomorrow, since I did a bunch of awesome stuff and there were other things I talked about and you know I love telling you a really long story about my weekend all at once. So there…

Today I went for my first ski run of the season and it was FANTASTIC!!! But that is not what I want to talk about. It was fantastic until I fell the last time. I fell a few times, moguls are not my friends and that’s alright, I didn’t even care for them when I skied regularly and I was actually pretty good, all before I moved to Georgia, not much skiing there…

So, this last run, Gold Rush, I was heading down and it was a bit slippery and a little steep. Let’s just say there were a bunch of other people having the problem…one woman slid by on her snowboard and said “I know how you feel”. Let me tell you why she said this…I hit a few moguls and then fell. I got up, headed down, slid and fell. After four falls, I slid without one of my skis and then when I tried to get up, slid some more, I finally sat down and grabbed my one ski, which was under my bum, I decided I was not getting up. I pulled out my phone, opened the Epic Mix app, [My ski pass is the Epic Local] and called Non-Emergency Ski Patrol. It did not help that I was not sure what run I was on…but I tried to tell them, I was close, believe me, I will be paying attention to the runs I am on tomorrow and going forward!

It was very nice that so many people stopped to see if I was alright, one guy even slid me my lone ski. There was a kid who asked if I was alright as he swooshed by me! As I was sitting there waiting for Ski Patrol, the view was beautiful, the sun was starting to set, but it was still very light out. A very nice woman, Lacey, a coach for one of the local ski teams, stopped to help me.

She offered to help me and help me she did! She stood in front of me so I could stand, helped me get my skies on, then gave me advice on getting down the hill. I had told her that I thought it would be my last run of the day and she said you never say it’s your last run, you’ll jinx it! Guess what…she was right! So, per Lacey, I will now say, “I’m going to do two more runs, but not run the last one” whatever it takes, right?

I got to the bottom and I was done, I headed to the car and to the hotel. What an adventure!

{December 5, 2014} LaLa has a new love!

I wanted to wait a day or two before I shared the news.

LaLa or LD, has a new grandson to love on. I had wanted to wait to give them time to let people know, I probably could have told you seconds after the happy event, they may have been posting right before, during and after! No, I’m kidding.

LaLa has two sons, G and his wife Wendy have two girls, B&A, thirteen and nine (I hope I got that right) and three years ago, her other son, M, and his girlfriend, T, had her first grandson, B. A year later, I was at their wedding and their son was running around having a great time and charming everyone.

Wednesday, her daughter-in-law went in for her scheduled c-section and little man B became a big brother to a beautiful baby brother.

Much Mazel to the entire family and LaLa for a new baby to love on!

{November 28, 2014} Today, I am thankful for…

So very many things!

Today is the American celebrated holiday of Thanksgiving. It is the day we give thanks, it doesn’t matter to anyone else what you are thankful for, they are your thoughts and if you want to share them, go for it, if you want to keep them to yourself, go for it!

Today was a simple day, got up way too early, par for the course, but had a good time playing with the girls, making egg sandwiches, hanging with my brother-in-law, dad and my sister, nice and easy. At some point ACS and dad took the girls to the local high school football game, for the longest running rivalry football game, between Needham and Wellsley High School, the Thanksgiving game has been played on Thanksgiving day since 1882! How’s that for tradition! http://needhamhistory.org/features/articles/needham-wellesley/

While they were gone, GES and I tried to watch a terribel movie, Adult Store and when that didn’t work, we put in “And So it Goes” but didn’t get far because everyone came home and it was more time in front of the fire, holiday movies on The Hallmark Channel, doesn’t this all sound so idyllic?

Then it was time for me to make my corn souffle while everyone took showers to get ready to go to T&S S’ house, we piled in two cars and off we went. We got there, headed in and joined the commotion! There were 4 families there, each with two kids, then three granddads, two grandmas and one extra auntie, me! When I got there, I found out that Little E went home last weekend and told his mommy that he wanted Auntie J to come and babysit! I am SO ready for that! I am spoiled!

We all worked together to get the finishing touches done on the food, heating up things, setting things on the table and then it was time to sit down to eat. Now, as most families do, you go around the table to talk about what you are thankful for and our fabulous hostess started. There are a lot of things that this group is especially thankful for and it was a very touching and tearful time, it has been a tough year and we are so thankful to have made it through and come out of it and we can see 2015 will be here soon and it will be the start of a wonderful new year.

After TS, then it was my turn, then my dad’s and so on down the line. There were some funny things said, some insightful, poignant, tearful and of course, whenever the kids have a turn, it’s always adorable. Some kids are thankful for their friends, their family, their grandparents, their food and we all laugh and smile when they say it, they are being honest. Last, but not least was our very own MGS and she became a bit shy, so together we said for her…”Let’s eat!”

Hours to prep and cook, minutes to devour! The funny thing is the one question I am asked the most at this time of year “But Auntie J, what are you going to eat? Well, if you think about it, usually, all but the turkey and stuffing are vegetarian! We had greenbean cassarole [made with cream of mushroom soup], brussel sprouts with carrots, green beans, there was vegetarian stuffing, carrot souffle, mashed potatoes, home made applesauce, rolls and cranberries, now you tell me…out of all that, what couldn’t I eat?

After dinner, we all helped to clean up, then started to prep the desserts. We had apple crumble, pumpkin pie, fresh fruit, pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate and heathbar cookies, coffee cake, peacan pie and ice cream. I think we were set!

After cleaning up we were treated to a show by all the kids, SO cute and then it was time to go, the kids were getting tired and wound up and the grownups were in food coma mode! Time to pack up, suit up and head home. We got outside and it was flurrying, so pretty and I loved watching MGS trying to catch snow flakes on her tongue!

Home for pjs, relaxing and talking to you!

I know I have said this before, but I am thankful to you, my friends, family and follwers for taking the time to read my posts, comment, like and enjoy my posts. I am thankful to have an audience who likes what I have to say and I will forever be greatful! I hope you all had a fabulous thanksgiving and got to spend the day with friends and family.

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

{November 21, 2014} I did it!

I am in the “parent club” again.

You know when you do something and your kid gets embarrassed? Yelling “I love you” at them from across the way at school, kissing them goodbye, existing?

Well, tonight it happened to Me. I picked up EJS from school, everything seemed fine, we drove home and… nothing.

After we get home, I was putting some things away and I heard GES and EJS talking about something that was bothering her, she didn’t want to say anything. I heard GES say if something is bothering you, it won’t get better if you don’t say something.

I walked into the room and looked at GES and pointed to myself, asking if it was me and she nodded. So I looked at EJS and asked what was wrong, she wouldn’t say and walked into the kitchen, I followed. I asked if I did something that embarrassed her and she nodded yes.

Please tell me what it is so I won’t do it anymore, but if you don’t tell me I will keep doing it. She finally told me and we agreed on what I could and could not do in this situation. Done deal.

I’m in the embarrassing parent’s club again! Wahoo, I have arrived!

{November 17, 2014} Volunteering and a Half Marathon!

What a weekend! After I tell you about it, you will understand why I was so tired last night!

I told you about my fabulous lunch on Saturday, then when I got back to the hotel, I changed into something a little warmer and better footwear, then headed back out to the SLS parking lot to volunteer for the Rock-n-Roll 5k.

We had to be there at 4:15pm, the race started at 6pm. Have you ever wondered how the medals at races got set up? The water, bananas, etc? Yup, volunteers. We started by taking the medals out of the individual plastic baggies, bunched them by 25 and then got our assignments for the run.
Another volunteer and I were slotted to give the first, second and third place men’s and women’s awards out aren’t they cool?

I was going to participate in the 5k, but I missed the cut off. There was a special medal, of course, if you did both races. And of course, a different shirt for each race. (Have you met me?)

About six we were told to get ready because in about ten minutes or so, he first runner would be coming through. Ten? Yup, ten to twelve minutes is about right for a 5k, if you are one of those really fast runners! Here they come!

It was a fun experience, there were about 5k for the 5k (tee her hee). After we gave out the awards, we started giving out waters. Technically people were supposed to keep going and get water a little farther up, with their medals, but apparently that wasn’t good enough, so we started giving out water. Most people were nice, some were not, it takes all kinds. Most people said thank you and one person said “Thank you for volunteering”, like I do, it makes you feel good!

The only part I didn’t care for was standing around, I don’t do well standing still and my feet don’t like it, but other than that, it was fun and exciting and rewarding. I went back to the hotel and thought I would get some sleep, ha ha.

The next morning, after about six hours of sleep, I went to have brunch with SF, a friend who grew up with my mom, she is CFL’s mom, who I had dinner with Friday night. It was SF, CFL, her husband and their two kids, we had a great time and a good breakfast.

After breakfast, back to the house for a minute, then SF drove me out to see Red Rocks, I had never been before, it was amazing and fascinating and bizarre, so cool! Then we drove the park, no hiking for me yesterday, I had a race later, headed back to the house for a bit, then SF drove me to the hotel, or tried to.

I had wanted to go to the hotel about 4 so I could rest, maybe take a nap. We got near the hotel and all the streets were blocked off, so she dropped me about half a mile from the hotel and I walked. I get to the hotel to check some stuff and sit down and I realize that the run started at 4:30! What?

My Swiss cheese brain, in typical JJ fashion, thought the run started at 6, like the 5k, not so! So I changed as quickly as I could and ran out the door! I wasn’t terribly worried, my corral was 46! I knew I would have some time. I ran to the monorail, talked to a few people who were staring at me then ran the almost one mile from the monorail to the start and they were only up to corral 36! Phew!

About 5:15 we started and we were off! We ran down the strip past McCarren Airport, the executive side, private planes and helicopters and all to just past the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign! Then back down the strip, very surreal to be running down the strip, let alone just walking down the strip! No cars!

We continued all the way down the strip and could see runners on the other side finishing. We went past all the hotels, down towards my hotel, which I can tell you is about six miles from the airport! Past the nicer hotels, down towards the 39.99 per night, or could be per month, hotels, past all the wedding chapels, I think I saw Elvis!

I ran the first 3.5-4 miles and then I was kind of done running, I haven’t trained and I was fighting a cold, I’m ok with it though. We continued past the Pawn Stars shop, people stopped to take pictures, I did too, GES and ACS like it, so snap, snap. Down to old Las Vegas, parts of it were weird, we went through what we thought was a residential area, but it was a bunch of law firms, The Freemont Street Experience and then back onto the strip.

I have tricks to tell myself where I am and to motivate me to keep going. 3.1 miles, I just did a 5k, 4.5 miles, 1/3 done, stuff like that. When I got to mile 8, I got a bit of a second wind, then ten miles, “only three to go, you got this”.

Let me tell you…the last two miles were hard as hell! Then it was down to one mile, oh my gawd, I can do this, just 1.10 and let me tell you, all those shirts are right, I have always said it, that last .10 is brutal! I can do it, I can do it!

I finally crossed the finish line! I got my medal and foil blanket! I accomplished my two goals…FINISH AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE BEHIND ME. I did it!

My final time was 3:40:24. I was hoping to beat my first half marathon time, 3:21:21, but I am thrilled with what I accomplished! I finished a half marathon people! 13.1 miles! ‘That’s because I’m only half crazy!’

I got my banana, water, protein bar, foil blanket and headed to the monorail. The only bad part was it was at least a quarter or more miles to get out of the race area, then it was about half a mile to the monorail, let’s just say my body didn’t like me last night.

I can officially attest, it does get cold in Las Vegas! It was about 70 most of the weekend, then yesterday, got down to about 40, maybe less, but it was windy. I wore the new shirt and Capri pants with the sleeves and my black running shirt over it, I also had gloves and I’m glad I did! At one point, I took the black shirt off and a few times, the gloves, but I was glad to have them!

After the monorail, I got to the hotel, stood under a hot shower for about 20 minutes, I was freezing! Then I packed, I did not want to have to do it in the morning. It was a painful experience. Then I got into bed, wrote to you and passed out!

I woke up at 6:30am, for good, with the sun shining in my face, too early! I sat in a cold bath, which I should have sat in an ice bath last night when I got to the hotel, helps with the inflammation, and then a nice hot shower, got dressed and headed to SLS, albeit slowly, for breakfast.

I ended up at The Griddle, ordered some eggs, potatoes and toast and a pancake. I sometimes like one pancake, I did not expect what I got! It was the size of a small pizza! Can you believe it?

I took three bites and the rest, along with the eggs and potatoes went into a container, hopefully my taxi driver found someone to give it to!

I finished packing, then headed to the airport, where my flight was delayed, oh joy. I did get to talk to a lot of other people who participated and felt about as sore as I did, at least I’m not alone!

The flight finally leaves and the guy who sat next to me was from Staten Island! What are the odds? I’ve sat next to people from New York City before, but never where I grew up! He’s done quite a few runs, including the New York City marathon a few weeks ago!

He travels for work and sometimes races, like this one and like I do, so I told him about a few races I’m doing and I sent him the link for a few and told him if he’s ever in one of my cities for a race, ha ha, to let me know! Small world!

Now, I am at GES’ house, I am exhausted, my body hates me and I am going to go downstairs and get some sleep! You have to be as tired as I am after this post!

Goodnight!

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