My day | Peaches Prattlings

{November 7, 2016} Welcome to Iceland! Day one

We’re in Iceland! Can you believe it!

We arrived in Iceland at 445am local time, 1045pm for those of you on the east coast. We grabbed a bus to the bus station in Reykjavik, stored our bags since we wouldn’t be able to get into our air bnb until about noon. We walked to the city center and found the Hilton and had a sit down, coffee, tea and bagels. things don’t start waking up until about 9am.

It was nice and relaxing, I know I dozed off for a minute while PSM booked some excursions for us for the next few days. can’t wait!
About 930 we headed out to first tour the Hallgrimskirkja church, an amazing structure that is at the heart of the city. it was founded in 1945 and consecrated in 1986. It really is an impressive monument, high ceilings, massive organ and pipes, very little stain glass, just take it all in.

We took the elevator up the to eighth floor and then climbed the rest of the way to the top of the tower for the beautiful view.

We then headed outside and waited for the hop on/hop off bus, it was about an hour around the city and let’s just day, we couldn’t see much since the windows were wet from the rain and our eyes kept closing! The scenery was great in between our little cat naps!

We hopped off the bus at the bus station, collected our bags, hopped in a taxi and went to the bnb. It’s cozy and small, two beds, a bathroom and teeny kitchenette, what more do we need? The beds looked so inviting, we decided to try them out, I think it was a wise decision!

We napped for about two hours, ahhhh…

Then it was time to head out for more adventure and eventually, some food. we walked along the water, met some water fowl along the way and admired the charm of the city.

We stopped for a pastry, tea and coffee and a chat, then looked for the Viking ship we saw on the bus, that was one thing we remembered!

Kept walking and found some night life, well the beginning of the nightlife. A lot more people on the streets, the rain didn’t stop us or anyone else!

We stopped in Koffin, PSM’s first beer of the trip, I had some tea with fresh mint leaves, yum. It was nice just relaxing in the bar and talking and being together. One of my favorite things about Europe traveling out of the country is that I can go into a pub and get a pot of tea!

We got a recommendation for the Islenki Barinn for dinner. We started with cod skin chips, exactly what it sounds like… they took the skin from a cod fish and fried them and yes, as my friend KC said… like pork rinds, it was an experience, one I probably won’t be having again. Then it was fish and chips, I went all out and now I’m good.

Well, I went all out one last time, we found a French restaurant for dessert, I thought they had crepes, rice pudding it was. Let’s just say… not happening again! but it was good!!

It was raining pretty hard and we were a bit zoned, taxi back to the bnb, we probably should have walked, the driver’s gps had finding the place!

We are now settled in, warm, dry and toasty , what adventures await us tomorrow? I’ll keep you posted!

{November 6, 2016} Vacation!!! We’re going to…

Iceland!

I have been promising to tell you where for a few weeks now and now you know!

Iceland has been on our bucket lists for years and last year while we were in Nova Scotia, I asked PSM where he wanted to go for his birthday next year, his answer, without hesitation…Iceland! Done!

The only drawback, since he moved to Hawaii in January, not as easy to get to from Hawaii. We postponed our big trip to the fall, worked it with Thanksgiving, perfect!

We are on WOW Air, $99 one way, can you beat that?! and as of this moment, we have our flight there and a place to stay for the first two nights. Sounds just like us!
We have a list of suggestions from people, apps download and the travel spirit. What more do we need? Oh, and PSM started with his traditional bloody mary.

The plane is pink and flight attendants match and aren’t the seats inviting?

Keep watching, you know I’ll be posting every day our adventures! see you in a few hours!!

{November 5, 2016} A first meeting and a wedding!

What a day! Let me tell you about it!

First thing, well, laundry doesn’t count so forget that! But a grandson and a wedding does!

I met my grandson!!!! I drove out to see TYL and my almost one month old grandson, CDL! Oh friends, I wish I could share his photo, but aren’t those teeny little feet the best?!

He was dozing when I got there, so i just stared at him for a while, touching his feet, legs, head, oh that full head of hair!! as he was waking up, it was time to eat so I help him while TYL went to get his bottle. Then I got to feed him, the boy can eat! then some burping, more snuggling, talking. oh, we talked , about what the world has to offer, the places we’ll go, the trips we’ll take. what fun we’ll have!

I was there for a few hours, we went through two diaper changes and one and a half bottles and good conversation, memories and good family time. JL, TYL’s husband, came in at some point, we caught up and then he was outside working on Granny’s car, he’s a good kid.

It was finally time to leave, sigh, and on my way out I got to meet Granny and her sister, lovely people.

Next… I have a feeling you won’t be surprised that I changed into my dress for the wedding while I was driving!

I made it to the wedding, whew! I went in and found friends! RJS has invited and included me in many celebrations with her friends and family that I know quote a few of them, so this was even more special.

This day was 15 years in the making. when I met RJS on a project they had been together about 7 years and here we are 8 years later.

The entire wedding took place at The Variety Works, with a wonderful open barn feel, exposed beams, high rafters, rustic light fixtures and chandeliers. We were on the first level for the ceremony and reception. The tables were already set on the outside of the room, the center had the chairs set up with the aisle down the middle.

When we arrived, we were escorted by RJS’ nephews to our seats along with handing us a packet of tissues! they look so handsome, the boys, not the tissues! I saw her brother, JS, and he looked so very happy, it was nice to catch up with him before the ceremony. He is the reason RJS was working where we met, so I’ve known him just as long, wow.

The ceremony began and oh my, she looked just like she felt, a princess. Her dress was beautiful, hair perfect, the bejelewed earrings and headband sparkled almost as much as she did. And the pop of red of her shoes, loved it! KS looked so handsome in his suit and maroon bow tie and when he saw her, sigh.

The ceremony was brief but sweet, meaningful and full of so much joy, not just from the bride and groom, but from everyone in the room. One of my favorite parts was when the minister asked if they would take each other and would we, the friends and family, support them in their choice to join their lives forever. We all replied with a resounding “We will!”

After the ceremony the happy couple and the family went outside for photos while the guests had drinks and hors d’oeuvres. More catching up with friends old and making new ones, RJS has a way of bringing the most wonderful people together.

There was eating, drinking, dancing, laughing, glass clinking for kisses from the bride and groom. There were 45 guests, a perfect number to have a crowd and be intimate at the same time.

As we left, on the table were keychains with glass beads that RJS had made for everyone. Beautiful.

I’m so very honored that I was included in this very special day, I would not have missed it for the world. I wish you so much happiness and Mazel for your lives together. Congratulations RJS and KS, I love you both!

{November 4, 2016} Seriously? Oh Delta…

Terrific, now what?

I checked two bags, left Springfield and got on the jet plane. I’ve got two bags again, one for work and one for our trip, wasn’t sure when I’d get home again.

When I picked up my bag from the carousel, which changed and no one told us…the zipper was ripped, really? so I call Delta, they send me back into the terminal to the baggage office.

After a long back and forth, my choices are get it fixed myself and submit the receipt or send my bag in to be repaired, um, what should I use as a bag?

They ended up giving me a bag, I divided my stuff between the two bags and got a label to send the broken bag to UPS.

How/where do I turn the bag back in? I’m here for about 36 hours, then I fly back to Boston for a few hours then vacation. not coming back here until Christmas. finally said I could drop it off at a Delta counter somewhere. Ok..I wonder how long all this will take.

At least they’re doing something about it and not just saying “sorry”.

{November 4, 2016} AirBnB.. I’m in!

I booked my first air bnb for our trip!

Nope, not telling you where we’re going just yet, you’ll find out soon enough!

We were looking at hotels on different sites, including Hilton and then I got an email from Delta about air bnb, I could get sky miles, bonus, let’s check it out!

I have heard about air bnbs from a few different people, even some friends who advertise their own places as an air bnb.

I looked at a few with PSM on the phone and we discussed. We decided on one that had quite a few good reviews and we only booked for 2 nights. Let’s see how we like it and go from there.

Cross this off the list of new things to try. Who knows, maybe some day I’ll have a place I can turn into an air bnb.

Adventure awaits!

{November 3, 2016} O M G… CUBS WIN!!!

Congratulations to the Chicago Cubs!

The steak is over! 108 years since they won the World Series and tonight they did it!

I’m not a sports fan, as you know, but I have enjoyed going to sporting events. The crowd, the excitement, the energy. when it comes to the championship, I’m all about watching a game or two, and that’s what I’ve been doing during the World Series, Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Indians.

It was down to the wire! 3- 0, 6- 3, 6- 6 bottom of the 9th, 10th inning… Cubs pull it out, 8- 6! Cubs win!

It’s fun to be in the city, let alone state where the team wins the race! Chicago needed this, one hundred and eight years.

No words… well, two words…

GO CUBS!!

{November 2, 2016} A perfect fortune

Tonight I was feeling like a Chinese takeaway for dinner.

The food was alright, the fortune…well that was pure perfection and just what I needed to hear/read.

“Long life with blessings of family & friends is yours”

I am truly lucky in my life with the family and friends who have come into my life and remained.

I am an aunt to so many amazing children, my sisters children and my amazing friends who have given me the honorary title. I am a grandmother! to six fabulous children, I can’t tell you what that means to me, maybe you have an idea…

My close friends, who I call family, luckily accept me for who I am, faults and all.

My immediate family and our friends, who are like extended family. I have moms, dads, sisters, brothers, could I be any luckier?

And most recently… PSM and his friends and family have taken me in as one of their own.

Could you burst from so much love, family, friends and awesomeness! I might!

So…fortune accurate? I would say so. I love you all!

{November 1, 2016} My walk through Springfield and Happy Halloween!

I flew in from Hawaii this morning to Chicago, hung out for a few hours aa the airport, then flew to Springfield.

When I got to the hotel my room wasn’t ready so I went to Starbucks for a few hours to work and then I went in search for lunch. On my way I found some great sights, beautiful graffiti, charming of houses and stopped in a few shops and even got some Christmas and Chanukah shopping done! Springfield really is charming!

And of course, it’s Halloween and I loved seeing all the costumes I had the pleasure to get for my nieces and grandkids, such a treat! I missed being there in person but the smiles on their faces helped!

There were so many great pics of costumes on Facebook and great memes and cartoons. I thought I would share with you.

Happy Halloween!!

{October 30, 2016} My travel day…good…bad…good…good

Let’s talk about my travel day. Now, technically by the time you get this, it’s Monday, October 31st, but I left Hawaii on Sunday, so here goes.

I’m home for the weekend, first time in almost two months. That’s too long! Last night was fun, we went to one of PSM’s co-workers homes for a BBQ with his family and another co-workers family. We had to prove that I wasn’t a figment of his imagination!

Today, I realized, it may be another two months before I get home again, although I hope not! That being said… I had to pack for four weeks of work with a two week vacation planned and the holidays with the family back on the mainland.

Can my clothes overlap? How much should I take for work? for the trip? for the holidays? PSM will take some stuff back after our trip, but what will I need for Christmas and Chanukah? Normally, I can pack for work in less than 20 minutes, this process took over an hour! So not me!

Then we chilled out and then it was time to head to the airport. I think Mollie knew what was up….she followed me around a lot, it was sweet.

Flight was long. Only 7.5 hours, which isn’t that bad, but when you’re in the second seat, you can’t always get out that easily to walk around or go to the lavatory. I’m glad I remembered to make some sandwiches for the trip, there is nothing for me to eat on these flights and unless you’re in first class, they don’t feed you.

The wifi was having issues, the entertainment was having issues. The good thing…United gave us something for our troubles, 5000 miles or $100, I took the miles.

Now I’m sitting in the United Sky Lounge, which is nice. Breakfast, drinks, comfortable seats, charging sstation. This is the way to go! I’m glad I have some passes for the lounge, although, if I spent more time in the airport, meaning time before my flights, I would consider getting a membership. It’s a nice way to kill a few hours before my next flight.

There was a rainbow as I left Hawaii I thought I would share it with you and the benches are from O’Hare airport, I love walking by and seeing art like this. i hope you enjoy them too.

Can’t wait to see all the Halloween posts later today! boo

{October 29, 2016} It’s nice to be home

It’s been a while since I’ve been home, it’s nice to be here.

Today was simple enough, PSM got up far too early, he had a 6am flight to Molokai for work and I had gotten my 5 hours and woke up just after he left, just before 5am.

This was an advantage, I was up, so i started working, 430am here, 930am in Chicago. I worked until about 1130m/12 pm, 5pm Chicago and I had the rest of the day to myself.

I did some cleaning, Mollie and I went to the grocery store, top down, listening to music and enjoying the sun and wind.

I unpacked, did laundry, homey stuff. Even cooked dinner for when PSM got home, a hot meal. We had soup and toasted bagels, it was nice and relaxed to catch up over dinner.

Then it was relax and hang out until it was time to crash.

It’s nice to be home.

My view of the sunrise from my kitchen table.

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