My day | Peaches Prattlings

{September 27, 2016} A fun evening…fund raising

Yeah, puntastic!

Tonight, my team went out to support a great coworker and cause.

JW is on the board of directors of CEP, the Center for Economic Progress. This is a fantastic organization that helps low-income, working families as a trusted provider of tax and financial services. http://www.economicprogress.org/

The fundraiser was to acknowledge the program, supporters, staff and volunteers.

Well…we were also there to fundraiser, of course! One of the reasons we were fundraising is the mobile unit, just like the magnet in the photo. It will be used to travel into neighborhoods to perform their great services.

The mobile unit has been procured, but…as JW said in her presentation, it is sad on the inside…why? It’s empty! So…we need to raise funds to fill and stock it! Computers, workstations, supplies, you name it.

How did we accomplish some of this tonight? Text CEP to a number, get a text with a link to a fundraising site, clever! When you submitted your donation, you saw your name scroll on the big screen, sorry, missed my name!

Now, the excitement was to see what we could raise in 5 minutes and someone was going to match it. What did we raise? Almost $9000! Not too shabby! Go JW and CEP!

It was an exciting event and as it was winding down, the team went a few blocks down the street to have some dinner, the fundraiser was appetizers and an open bar. We continued the good times, especially when JW got there. We ate, drank, chatted and laughed, another great team I’m lucky to have been placed with!

{September 26, 2016} Debate…no comment

No, my friends, I am not going to comment, I’m not going to tell you my opinion on the election or who I’m going to vote for. Either side, I’m not starting nothin’!

It’s not that I’m not voting, that I don’t already know who I’m voting for, I’m just not going to talk about it with you. There was a quote I heard years ago “Never talk about religion, politics or abortion among friends”. I believe it to be true and will adhere to it with you, my friends.

In small circles or one-on-one conversations, I might be persuaded to speak, but not here and definitely not on Facebook. If you’re friends with me and really looked, you could see the posts I have liked. I don’t comment, but I’ve liked and agreed with quite a few and I’m saddened by some of what I see from the opposite point of view, I could lose friends if I said anything.

I don’t get into political debates, not worth it because many times you’re just talking, hoping the other personis going to see you’re side and change their mind.

I was once having a political discussion with someone, against my better judgement and he was getting louder and louder. I finally looked at him and said “J, the louder you get, the more clear your point does not get!”

I walked by a TV studio tonight and stood for a minute with the crowd gathered outside watching the debate, the homeless guy was shouting at the tv, I can tell you this…he loves his girl Hillary, quote/unquote! That was the extent of my attention to the debate, sorry friends, if you’re looking for more or a fight, as Dana Carvey used to say when he was doing an impression of George Bush, “not gonna do it!”

{September 24, 2016} Miles…tolls…hotels…1.5 fill ups

A drive across country isn’t an easy task.

Between today and yesterday I have driven 1180 miles, 18 hours…spent $60 in tolls…$360 in hotels, oh my!

I started in Massachusetts, drove through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and finally Wisconsin, whew.

Tolls are ridiculous!!! Most were $1.25-2.50, ok. There was one for $8.50, another $10.30 and one for $15.50! What are they doing with the money?? Don’t answer that, I know the answer.

The tolls were one thing, but the hotel…last night, no worries, I used some points and cash, paid a pet deposit. Tonight, because there is a Green Bay Packers home game tomorrow, a hotel that normally costs $60, maybe $90 a night is going for nothing less than $190 a night, what?

I rented a Toyota Prius, which is a hybrid, so great on gas mileage, about 536 miles on a tank, not bad. I only had to fill up twice to here, one last time before I turn it in tomorrow. I liked the car, drawback is it beeps in reverse.

It’s been an interesting trip…not doing it again!

{September 23, 2016} No cavities…what??

When it comes to me…that almost never happens.

I have told you a little about my dental escapades in the past, not always a positive outcome.

Well, it’s rare, but it happens and today was one of those instances. I went to the dentist, sat in the chair and they got to work. Cleaning, scaling, scraping, flossing, x-rays, the full workup.

Turns out..clean bill of health! Called my dad as soon as I got out of the office.

Go me!

{September 22, 2016} What a day!

This is not going to be the most positive of all posts…Sorry.

It’s also going to be that kind of weekend, so friends, just send me good vibes and I’ll be alright.

Work was hit and miss. It was good in that I got a lot done and I had a good training session. The not so good…something that was supposed to happen this coming Monday is now on hold, not great…

I got a pre-birthday text, thanks KWH.

Travel was hit and miss…when I checked in yesterday, I couldn’t get a seat on my first flight, ok, I’ll get one at the airport. Good was making it in time for my bag to make it. I had a seat at this point, not a great one and when I mentioned this to the agent, he said no problem, you’re confirmed on the upgrade list, you’ll get a better seat, they block them off, you’re platinum, you’ll be set…great.

Get to the gate, they have no idea and I get to sit in the 2nd to last row of the plane, next to the engine, where I have trouble sitting normally, I get nauseous from noise. Shortly after take off, phone falls and ends up behind the last row, fun. Thank you to the kind man who found it for me after we landed. That was good and the woman I sat next to was very nice.

Next flight…all the way at the other end of the airport, bad when you’re tired, good when you need the steps! Much better seats, just a nosy neighbor who watched almost every episode with me on my personality. Apparently he wasn’t enjoying what he was reading on the phone that was dying.

Then I realized I left my transponder in Chicago, which I brought with me specifically for the weekends I would be in Boston for the mass amounts of tolls…pook.

Now I’m on the shuttle to get my rental car, fingers crossed that goes off without a hitch.

Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment…what do you think my odds are?

Hit and miss, right?

Happy thoughts!! This might help!

{September 22, 2016} A team outting…a coming class!!

So much fun!

Two team dinners in a row? Sounds good! This time, a cooking class, fun!

We went to The Social Table for a fantastic evening!

When we arrived, appetizers were waiting, toast points with chickpeas, butternut squash, tomatoes, olive oil and pepper. A yummy way to start!

The kitchen was set, the table was set, everything was…set!

We were making a brussel sprout and kale salad, fresh pasta with carbonara sauce, minus the meat, tomato soup, stuffed peppers and chocolate cake with ice cream.
Rachel and Ian were our chef/instructors and they were fun and patient and encouraging and remembered each of our names and called us to do things, that was impressive!

Everyone chopped, sliced, diced, pureed, mixed, folded, whipped, you name it, we all got to do it!

We prepped, cooked, drank, chatted and laughed, it was fabulous and so much fun! We talked a little work here and there but most of all we laughed and really enjoyed the process and each other’s company.

When it was all done, we sat down to mange! It was fabulous!

[Yes, my friends, every piece if food had some form of dairy and I tried it all, except the chocolate cake with ice cream. I’m paying for it, but the experience with my coworkers was worth it! Every once in a while, you have to go for it]

If you have never taken a cooking class, it’s worth it. This is my second, it’s more fun with an intimate or smaller group and if you know everyone, you can relax a little more.

{September 21, 2016} Breakfast then back to the grindstone

It was such a great weekend with CKM, do I have to go back to reality?

We had to set an alarm this morning…boo…but we had a schedule to keep.

I got up first, showered and took my stuff to my next hotel, came back and then we went to Lou Mitchell’s for breakfast, it’s part of where Route 66 starts, they say it starts there at their restaurant.

After breakfast, the one thing we had not done yet, the one mode of transportation left…the El. Off we went, easiest way to get to the airport, traffic can be bad.

We took the El to the airport, chatted along the way and then it was time to say goodbye, sad, but we’ll see each other again soon. Who knows where we’ll travel to next!

Back on the El to work, lots going on! Then a team dinner, drinks at a rooftop bar before, a really good dinner then drinks at the hotel.

Now, I’m ready to crash! Goodnight!!

{September 19, 2016} Another fabulous day! Museums and football! Top that!

Our last day in Chicago was definitely a memorable one!

We started off at Yolk for breakfast, pretty good if you ask me.

From Yolk, Uber to The Museum of Science and Industry. This was great! There were parts that reminded me of the Boston Museum of Science.

We saw old wagons, a submarine, airplane, made tornados, watched a cool movie about sharks, planes and trains..just to name a few things!

Then it was time for lunch and on to The Field Museum of Natural History. There, it was dinosaurs, ancient China, ancient Egypt and some really bad pick up lines!

Did they mean this to sound like a pick up line!?

After The Field Museum we headed back to the hotel, drop off some stuff, get Bears hates, we had our shirts…we need to represent!

Back to Soldier Field…joined all the rest of the fans, a good mix of Bears and Eagles fans. How do I know? Because I don’t think there was anyone not wearing something representing one of the two teams. The seats i got…somewhere in the clouds, also known as Eagles territory!

we were at the tippy top top row!

An amazing weekend!! Where are we going next????

{September 18, 2016} Another great day touring Chicago…and no trips to the ER!

We had a lot to do and the ER was not on the list!

We woke up on our own, nice. As we were not that impressed with breakfast, we ate leftover pizza, what could be better to start the day?

Our first stop…the Crown Fountains in Millennium Park. They are two towers that project videos of faces while water falls from them, a very cool piece of art.

These are great to see and play in, especially on a hot day!

Next, The Bean. Yup, if you don’t know it, you have to see it. It’s a giant metal bean…yeah, just go. Can you see us?

On to the Art Institute of Chicago, just wow! Impressionist, contemporary, pre 1900, one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world. It houses a few, to say the least, famous pieces. American Gothic, A Sunday in the Afternoon on the Grand Jatte, made famous in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, among so many others. I’ll just post a few.

By then, we had worked up an appetite! We headed to the West Loop in search of lunch and ended up at the Haymarket, which was around the corner from an arts festival, which is where we walked off lunch and enjoyed the festival and bought a few things.

After the festival we headed back to Navy Pier for another boat tour. The tall ships mislead us on their website, so we enjoyed a tour of the lake, it was enjoyable and informative.

And last order of business for the day, certainly not least, Buckingham Fountain, in Grant Park, made famous by being in the opening of Married With Children. This is truly an amazing fountain and at night, lights make it entertaining. It was designed like a wedding cake, what do you think?

Then we headed back to the hotel,,we were in the mood for something sweet. A nice relaxing time in the grand lobby, sorry, I forgot to take pictures!

Now, I’m talking to you and tomorrow…more adventures!

{September 18, 2016} Oh my…what a day! Sightseeing…a trip to the ER…more sightseeing!

Yup, you heard right!

CKM and I had a lot to do today! We started by not setting an alarm, definitely! Breakfast then off to see the sights…and boy, did we see them!

We had gotten the Chicago Go pass, that gives us three days to see up to 26 things on the pass. Will we do all of them? Doubtful but we can try!

First stop was to find the tour both to get tickets for the architectural boat tour. We left the hotel and started walking and I knew where I was, but we were in the wrong location. I we had walked the correct number of blocks,but apparently, I was subconsciously heading to work!

they raise the bridges in the fall to let the talller boats get to where they will be stored for the winter, cool!

So…we took a right and headed down Wacker towards Michigan Avenue and it was a lovely walk along the water. We found the place we were looking for, got our tickets for tonight, activity one, and then headed back down Michigan Avenue looking and taking in the sites.

the side of the building has stones or pieces of different structures all over the world.

One of the places we stopped was the Presbyterian church I has spent time at when I visited a few years ago, just stunning. So peaceful, just sitting there enjoying the view, the church bells, the serenity.

Error

This video doesn’t exist

We left the courtyard and as it happens, the Hancock Building was across the street, it was on the pass, so, activity two. It was great, no line, right up and wow, look at that view!

After the Hancock Building we headed towards Navy Pier and stopped at Ohio Street Beach, also known as Olive Street Beach and a snack at Olive Beach Cafe. After our snack, time to put our feet in the water! Ahhhh…

Eventually we got to Navy Pier, score! We got our tickets for the rides, activity three. The Centennial Wheel, which is way bigger than the one they used to have, it was much nicer. This one is on par with the huge wheels they are putting up all over the world.

After the Centennial Wheel, the carousel, I chose a dragon and CKM was on a zebra. Next, we could have skipped the giant swing, glad we did it last.

Now, time to walk down to the end of the pier, passing all big boats, party boats, dinner cruises and an arcade. On the way, we stopped in a stained glass gallery. Tiffany inspired windows, really stunning.

Then off to the end of the pier to enjoy the view, the sailboats, the lighthouse, the water, ahhh.

It was time for a snack, a pretzel, enjoy the music, the breeze and some good conversation. After a break, we started to head back to the hotel to charge our phones, get a bite to eat and then head to the boat tour.
We decided to walk along the water and we were on the walking/bike path, it was very crowded in one spot and I heard “look out!” The next thing I know, a red shoulder has connected with my chin, I fell on my personality, heard and felt my head hit the ground. I was stinned, to say the least!

Then I realized there were a lot of people around us and CKM was telling me not to move, no problem! I laid there while she dislodged my arm from a bicycle and eventually, I sat up, then stood up. My chin hurt and my jaw was killing me!

First thing I checked…my ring and then cell phone!

All of a sudden, two police officers came from somewhere and made me sit down again. They asked if I wanted to go to the hospital, I said no and they were making sure I was ok. Meanwhile, the kid who I collided with was very nice and apologetic, he wouldn’t leave until he knew I was alright.

CKM and I eventually walked away in search of a napkin as my hand was bleeding. A food stand owner was kind enough to let me wash my hands in his sink and about that time paramedics and fire fighters showed up, apparently someone had called.

They wanted to be sure I didn’t have a concussion or problem with tmj. The siren was pathetic! So sad sounding! We had a good laugh about it.

We got to the hospital and then we waited…and waited…and waited…finally, I reached out to two good friends, one, my neighbor in Atlanta, DG and CH, both medical professionals and in agreement. I wasn’t concussed, take ibuprofen, ice on and off, and if it gets worse, go back to the ER. Away we went.

My current injuries…a sore jaw, a swollen chin, I feel like I’m in Jay Leno territory! An extra bump that is turning very dark on my chin, a scraped hand, a small bump on the back of my hard head and a huge lump of a bruise forming on my left hip. Hey, when I go all out, I go all out!

Bottom line…I wanted to show CKM a good time!

Called Uber, made it to the boat tour with minutes to spare! A great tour, good guide, very funny and we learned some stuff!

After the boat tour, a brisk walk to Sears Tower. No line! Two amazing towers in one day! Activity four!

Every activity has a photographer, of course. If the photos weren’t $20 each, we might be interested. Here’s an idea…make the photos free if you have the pass, or at least half off. Just a thought.

Then to Giordano’s, next block over, for some deep dish pizza for CKM and pasta for me, worth it!

Back to the hotel to talk to you, then it’s going to be lights out very soon! Are you tired?
What a day! Did you feel like you were with us? You were! I wonder what tomorrow holds! Anything but another trip to the ER!

Email Subscription

What was I thinking?