My 40 for 40 | Peaches Prattlings

{April 15, 2016} Goodbye Atlanta…hello Orlando…packet pickup!

It’s travel day, lots to do!

The alarm went off, so I could tell after I woke up, snoozing is amazing! JCT made me breakfast, yes, I’m spoiled! I got some work done, took a shower, repacked and headed to the airport. I did get to say goodbye to her mom and daughter, love them all.

At the airport, got thru security easily, boarded and settled in, started watching The Wedding Singer, I love when they have movies in the seat backs…then I can play games on my phone, tee hee hee.

I got my rental car, ready for it…a convertible beetle! In Atlanta a red beetle, here, a silver convertible! And I rented an economy, get this…they can’t give them away! Apparently, not a family friendly car with a week’s worth of luggage. Works for me!

I decided to head to the Expo at Walt Disney World’s Wide World of Sports to pick up my race packet for the Dark Side Half Marathon.

The shoes match the character’s outfit, fitting!

I was good…they gave us the Darkside shirt and Active Advantage gave all its members a free t-shirt. I bought a running belt, hopefully it will hold everything and not pooch, so to speak. There wasn’t a lot I couldn’t live without.

My other purchase was a new running skirt with a matching headband, isn’t it fabulous! Perfect for Hawaii, wouldn’t you say? There was a woman there who said it was perfect for Hawaii, she lives there! Go figure!

I got my knees and back taped with Rock Tape, hopefully it will help my knees and back on Sunday. I’m set.

On the way to the expo I had the top dropped on the car, stereo cranked and dancing my heart out, it felt SO good to be in a convertible, I can’t wait to see Annie again!

Then it was time to go, drop the top, crank the tunes, head back towards the airport to check into my hotel, order some food and relax.

Tomorrow is another adventure! Time to dream about Mickey, Minnie and Winnie the Pooh!

{January 25, 2016} A race, a brunch, a movie, dinner and visit

A typical day for me, right?

I signed up to do the Hot Chocolate 15k, my second 15k and fifth or sixth Hot Chocolate Race, “The Sweetest Race in America”. I picked up the packet yesterday, as I mentioned and there was my bib and an embroidered jacket. Embroidered? Did I sign up for that? Nope, it was a perk of registering early! I like it! All the jackets had the name of the race, the special ones say Atlanta 2016, pretty cool! The women had blue trim and the men, orange. They also coordinated the bags this year, only orange or blue.

The only things I bought at the expo were throw away gloves, a hat and a neck scarf, kind of like the ones I wear to ski, but this has the Hot Chocolate logo and it matched my jacket!

I didn’t even realize I had paid for parking, but I had and I’m glad I did, I didn’t have to search for a place to park or take a shuttle, bad part…the lots closed by 6:30am, so I had to be there before they closed and my corral didn’t start until 7:40am! I was staying with RJS, so much fun, as always. My alarm went off at 5:30, then I snoozed and about 10 minutes later I heard “JJ, time to get up!’

I got dressed, got in the car and was out the door by 5:50am, in the parking lot by 6:20 and I could not fall asleep, so I hung out until about 7:30 and then braved the cold to head to the start.

When I say cold and Georgia, no one believes me. It was TWENTY FOUR degrees and with the wind chill, it felt like 15! By the time I crossed the finish line it was 29, ooh, heat wave! I had hand warmers that I had gotten when I was in NYC, but I didn’t think about food warmers, I wish I had!

My corral didn’t start until about 8am, I wasn’t going to run at all, because I haven’t trained or run since the half marathon in Lisbon October 18th, but…it was so cold I said f-it! Sorry for those of you who are sensitive, I know that was harsh! Just to warn you, there might be more!

When we started, I ran because I couldn’t feel my toes, so perfect thing to do to get the circulation going. I ran about half a mile, then walked, then ran. I ended up walking most of the way and I’m ok with that. About mile two they said you could split off and do the 5k, especially with the weather being so cold. I was thinking about it and I said, nah, f-it! I want my medal, so march on! Look, it was really cold, a little harsh language was called for!

Let’s just say that in the end I was pleased with my decision to keep going, but about mile 6 and 7, I was thinking, this is f-ing nuts! Then it was mile 8, then 9 and there was the finish line. There were times I was tricking myself, just like everyone else “It’s just three 5ks” or “We just did a 5k, let’s do another” “I just finished the 5k, only 6.1 miles left” “Less than 2 miles, you can do it!’

I crossed that finish line and I was so happy, I got my medal and headed towards the after party. As I was passing a police officer, I joked, because I had the scarf around my face “We could go from the finish line to roving a bank”, he laughed. I said on not going to, he thanked me.

Speaking of thanking, I made sure to thank a bunch of volunteers and police for being there today, awesome people.

I went to RJS’ to shower and head out. If I had more time, I would have taken an ice bath, I really need that relief right about now. I never would have believed it before I tried it!

I visited with RJS a little while longer, then headed to Decatur to meet some friends for brunch. It was C & J C and their adorable son, M, doll baby!

M had even made me a card and put some candy in a bag for me, I loved it! You know me, anything hand made!

We had a really nice lunch and caught up, then after I stopped in a store and bought something for PSM, I think he’ll like, then I went to meet TS at the movies. We had decided on Hotel Transylvania, but Goosebumps was there, so we saw that instead, it was great! And I am not a Jack Black fan, so I must have really liked it!

We got into the theater and there was no one in there until about five/ten minutes before the movie, we sat in the theater and talked until everyone else showed up, then it was quite packed.

From there, I went up to see L&AK and their three girls, K, J and K. Whenever I am here, it’s like no times has passed, like we had just seen each other or spoken last week. One of my favorite things, all three girls call me Aunt J…they were the first and I love them so! L is like a sister to me, we’ve known each other forever, I love this family!

L had picked up a salad for me at “Whole Paycheck” otherwise known as Whole Foods and she and I sat and ate, everyone else had eaten earlier. We talked about everything and no one, we were all caught up. I talked to her husband A, during the commercials, he was watching football and I love spending time, just being around my girls.

L and I talked until about 11:30 and then shuffled off to bed. Here I sit writing to you ready to crash out when I finish this post.

So, we covered a race, a brunch, the movies, dinner and a visit.

I’m sure your day was just as fabulous, what did you do?

{January 23, 2016} There’s a kid under there!

Today was another great and busy day. I’m in Atlanta, what else would it be?

I got in yesterday about 545pm, just as the snow started to fall. I picked up my rental car and headed to JCT’s house for the night.

I picked up food on the way and got to catch up with JCT and “mom” when I got there, just the three of us, it was great. We talked about her trip to China, family, the works. JCT’s daughter, ST, had her wisdom teeth pulled earlier that day, so she was in bed, get dad was up there taking care of her.

We talked even after mom went to bed, we both fell asleep in the big comfy chairs, it was awesome.

This morning, we got up, had breakfast, hung out with the rest of the family. As I was leaning, JCT’s mom almost made me cry. She said she loved me and she had two daughters, I love that! I don’t call her mom a just a term of endearment!

Then JCT and I left to meet RJS for lunch. Such a treat! The three of us met in October of 2009 when we worked together, with ST as well and the wonderful, we’ve all stayed friends and when we can, we all get together, doesn’t happen as often as we’d like, but when we do, even sweeter.

We caught up, laughed, reminisced, laughed, goofed around, swapped stories about work, life, relationships, laughed. Have you noticed there is a theme with my friends?

After a nice long leisurely lunch, we went our separate ways, promises to do this again, can’t wait!

Then I went to the Georgia World Congress Center where the expo for the Hot Chocolate race is, I had to pick up my race packet, toys is my fifth time participatingin the Hot Chocolate, America’s Sweetest Race, second time for the 15k. It’s going to be c-c-c-cold! 29 degrees, feel of 15! Oh my!

After picking up my packet, a warm hat and gloves for running, I was set. I’ll show you the swag tomorrow!

And in fine JJ tradition, I kept going! Off to see LGR and her family, husband MR and their adorable six year old, CGR, what a cutie! Oh and their newest addition, a Ridgeback named Belle. I can’t believe I don’t have pictures of her, I’m sorry!

I do, however, have pictures of CGR whether we were playing in her room, she has a stuffed animal collection that rivals FAO Schwartz!

We had some fun, LGR and I burying her under the animals then trying to get her to stay under until she could surprise daddy, apparently a much harder concept to convey! But third time is the charm, right!

Dinner and great conversation. We talked travel, families, travel, laughed, caught up, work, laughed, travel, the usual.

Then back to the house, a rousing game of hide-and-go-seek. I love that most kids are the same, you how, they find you, they hide next in the same place! Still fun! Oh, and having a dog who stares at where you are hiding, really funny!

Such a good time! But it was time for bed, not sure who needed or wanted it more, CGR or mommy and daddy!

Then off to RJS, a visit with her, her fiance, KS and the furry babies, Maddie and Max, then off to bed, I have to get up at 5:30am, parking closes at 6:30am! Race starts at 7:40am, oh my! Then brunch with friends.

Sweet dreams! Hot chocolate…

{November 19, 2015} The end is always bittersweet

Another project has come to an end. Boo.

Some projects go on too long, some too short, some end with notice, others close the doors. Every one is different.

My latest project was supposed to go thru mid January and a few weeks ago we got word that the project is ending sooner than later. At least this time we have the opportunity to say goodbye to each other.

It’s hard when you don’t get to say goodbye, when it ends abruptly, everyone is just gone.

This project at least allowed me a proper send off. We got to say thank you, from JO, we for mugs and key chains. How sweet was that?

I’ve been on quite a roll at my company. Theree have been good times and bad, laughs and some tears. But overall it’s been a great experience.

And now, I say goodbye again, who knows where this path that I’m on will lead.

Another great adventure!

{October 10, 2015} 13.1 miles, nailed it!

This morning, I participated in my 4th half marathon [it could be my 5th, but I’m not sure!]!

Wow, did I really just do that this morning? Yes, yes I did! I ended up getting a room near the train station that would take all of us to the start this morning. I got up about 5:30, out the door by 6am, down in the subway by 6:15am. Then I ran into FCD and two of her sisters and a niece.

FCD and I went to high school together and we’ve stayed in touch here and there, through Facebook and saw each other two years ago at our friend, CGS’ son’s bar mitzvah and we’ll see each other again at her daughter’s bat mitzvah in January!

She is the one who talked me into participating, reaching out because she knows I do a few runs here and there and thought I might be interested. You bet! This is my second Rock-n-Roll Marathon series half marathon. I don’t know if you remember me telling you about the half marathon in Las Vegas, same promoters. This happened to be the inaugural Brooklyn half marathon, how cool is that!

We got to the start and had to go through metal detectors, well not in that order. Made it to the corral and waited and waited, the run started about 30 minutes late, the police were delaying things a bit. We finally got started about 7:30am and we were off. We stuck together for a while, then her sisters and niece moved ahead and eventually we were all running solo.

I have to tell you, the first 6 miles were not that bad, it was after about 8, I was kid of done, but not quitting!

There was music along the route, not enough we decided, but it was fun. There were water and Gatorade stations every few miles, which helped keep us hydrated. I did not go to the medical tent because I didn’t!

I actually made pretty good time, considering I haven’t trained for this like I should have and was planning to. 3.29.22, that’s what my watch said and it was actually 13.54 miles, so considering that…

I took my beer ticket into the beer garden and as I was walking back to my friends, I admired a woman’s rose bouquet and after they allowed me to sniff the roses. I offered him my beer, as I had feeling the others would not want more than one.

After the run, we went back to the hotels, the other girls went to their cars and headed home. I took a very cold bath, then a nice hot shower and eventually back to dad’s house where everyone was waiting.

I am a little sore, not horribly, and I think that is due to working out with CG, my personal trainer and some of the physical therapy, which she also puts into our workouts. Let’s see how I feel tomorrow.

Check out my swag, I’m pretty happy.

Ready for the next one!

{October 9, 2015} Carbo loaded…check!

First…my sincerest apologies! I got back to Boston and the hotel and fell asleep mid blog. I can’t promise it won’t happen again, but I’ll do my best!

Second…tonight I carbo-loaded, with gluten free pasta!

I’m in NYC to participate in the Brooklyn Half Marathon tomorrow morning and what do you do before a race of a longer length, you eat pasta baby!

So, dad, La la and I went to Bruno’s Italian restaurant for dinner. I wasn’t sure if they would have gluten free pasta and since I gave up wheat and don’t feel any differently, I thought what the hey, but they had gluten free, it was pretty good.

So, now I’m settled in at the hotel, belly full, clothes ready for tomorrow, snuggled in the bed, electronics charging, alarm set, writing to you.

I’ll keep you posted tomorrow on my progress.

Good night!

{October 5, 2015} I’m doing what at THREE AM?!

We all know that I’m a little off, right? Kind of kooky, do some crazy things that make you go huh?

Well…my alarm is set for 2:45AM! Why? You ask? A very valid question my friends. The reason I am waking before the sun thinks about shining…a Disney run, of course! What?

Yup, you read that right! I’m registering for a Disney run…in PARIS! (Insert squeal here!).

You know I’ve run a few Disney races, well, a few months ago, they announced their inaugural race weekend at Disneyland Paris! It’s been on my calendar to register! And guess when! Right near my birthday next year! As soon as I saw the posting, I called PSM and said “I don’t know what you’re doing for my birthday next year, but I know what I’m doing!” OMG! I’m going to spend at least my birthday weekend in Paris and Disney Paris at that and yes…running a half marathon!

Yes, I am coo-coo for coco puffs! But why not! Just think of how awesome it will be! To be in one of my favorite cities and for my birthday! Go me!

But, JJ, why are you getting up at 2:45am? Well, I called today because I wanted to see if I would be in the air when registration opens. Nope, I’ll be sleeping…it opens at 9am Paris time, huh? I guess I’m getting up at 2:45am so I can register for a Disney Run!

Does that make me crazy? Probably. But am I excited? You bet your sweet “bibbity, boppity, boo!”

{September 22, 2015} If I have wronged you…I am sorry

That is the way you reach out to friends and family, loved ones, at this time.

Tonight is Erev Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year and part of the High Holy Days, along with Rosh Hashannah.

We observe by spending time with friends and family for the last meal before our 25 hour fast, sundown to sundown. We fast so that we can focus our thoughts where they should be on who we are, what we have done, how we will repent and on g-d. Some people begin the holiday, like my sister and I, going to Kol Nidre. “Prayer services begin with the Kol Nidrei prayer, which is recited before sunset. Kol Nidre is a prayer that dates back to 9th century Palestine. It is recited in a dramatic manner, before the open ark, using a melody that dates back to the 16th century.”

After services we go home to reflect and then in the morning we will go to services most of the day. As fasting brings our focus where it is supposed to be, spending the day in temple helps, with our focus, and not focusing on the fact that we are hungry!

“On Rosh Hashanah it is written and on Yom Kippur it is sealed. Who shall live and who shall die. Who shall prosper and who shall perish and the list goes on. We hope to have our names in the book of life on Rosh Hashana and sealed on Yom Kippur.

I know you noticed that I opened with “If I have wronged you” this is something we say to friends and family, asking for forgiveness for wrongs I have committed willingly or wrongs I have committed unintentionally. And hopefully they will say they forgive you and hope you feel the same way.

So, I will close with this…

If I have wronged you in any way this past year, I ask your forgiveness and hope you can forgive me. Amen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur

{September 20, 2015} Start with a 5k, end with a musical

That sounds like a pretty good day, doesn’t it?

Well, that’s what happened. Until earlier in the week I had forgotten that I had signed up for a 5k, go figure! So…the alarm goes off at 7am, we leave about 7:30 for what I didn’t know was a five minute drive to the start of the race! It was the Cambridge Fall Classic 5k, http://classic5k.com/fall-classic. I registered too late for the pint glass, darn it! We waited a bit and a few minutes before 8 I picked up my race bib and t-shirt. Hey what do I always say is why I do races…for the t-shirt! Why should this be any different!

We had quite a bit of time to kill, so we went to Dunkin Donuts so PSM could get some breakfast, I can’t eat more than a granola bar or banana before I run. Then we took Mollie back to the house and headed back to the race start, it was due to start at 9. I’m glad we showed up when we did to get my packet, the place filled up quickly. A trip to the port-o-potty. which, first thing in the morning is just fine. I think I was the first person to use it, it still smelled clean and the toilet paper hadn’t been opened yet and there was hand cleaner Wahoo!

I thought the race started at 9am, I was wrong, so PSM hated to leave, but he had yoga scheduled and we didn’t know when this thing would start! Besides, he’ll be there for my half marathon next month! The run finally started about 9:30 and I ran the first mile, then walked the second and did run/walk for the third mile. I thought I did pretty well since I haven’t much running in the last few weeks because of my back. So…43:54, I’m happy!

I accomplished my 3 goals: #3 – Time under 45:00, #2 – Finish with people behind me, #1 – FINISH! Check, check and check!

After the race I walked back to Paul’s place, showered, chilled and waited for him to get home. After he got home and showered, we headed to brunch, a veggie omelet with my fake cheese, yum! Gluten free bread, not bad and an order of French toast made with gluten free bread, honestly not bad.

Then a jaunt down to Marathon Running, http://www.marathonsports.com/, the running store by the start of the Boston Marathon, we passed over the start line, pretty cool. I got a new pair of my running shoes. It turns out they retired the ones I had, Mizuno Wave Runner 16, boo. They are now on 18, oh well, I like them, they’re just not the same. And when went to look for them online, no dice, wow! But it is a very cool store, the shoes weren’t too much, for that brand, gotta break them in before my next 2 races!

So…if you happen to find a pair of the Mizuno Wave Rider 16, size 8, please pass them my way! http://www.ethostream.com/CentralAuth/success/success.php?siteid=25504&mac=50%3A1A%3AC5%3AFA%3A57%3AA3&osmmodal=&RemainingTime=86400&portal=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elementhotels.com%2FLexington&primaryAdProviderName=ValueClick“

Then next door to the candy store, where else! We bought smarties, no high fructose corn syrup! for us and Necco wafers for PSM. We had a total of one smartie each tonight! Let’s see how long it takes for us to finish these!

Then on to McGreevy’s Irish Pub and Sports Bar, this is the bar owned by the Drop Kick Murphy’s, big fans of the Patriots! how cool is that! http://www.mcgreevysboston.com/.

But wait…there’s more!

We head down to the Huntington Theater, http://www.huntingtontheatre.org/, to pick up our tickets for the evening. We don’t do things small around here!

After we picked up the tickets, we went to Ginger Exchange, http://www.gingerexchange.com/symphony/, a great restaurant that used to be Betty’s Noodle House, but Betty retired about two years ago. It really was enjoyable, I had vegetable pho soup with rice noodles, veggies and tofu, quite pleased. PSM had udon soup and got to add fresh red pepper chili paste, I think I saw some tears, he was happy.

After dinner, we walked the half a block back to the theater to settle in with everyone else for ‘A Little Night Music’, http://www.huntingtontheatre.org/season/2015-2016/a-little-night-music/, a wonderful musical about reunited lovers, passions reignited, jealousy, a weekend in the country, yup, that’s about it. And it’s where “Send in the clowns” comes from, kinda cool. After seeing it the show, the song makes more sense which in and of itself is cool.

After the show, it was back to PSM’s to get my stuff and head back to the hotel so I can tell you all about our day and what a day! Are you tired yet? You should be we walked 18,409 steps!

{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?

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