My day | Peaches Prattlings

{April 19, 2016} White House and The Capitol, wahoo!

We toured The White House and The Capitol today, it was really cool!

We had 10am tour time for the East Wing of the White House, we had to be lined up by 9:30/9:45am. ACS dropped GES, MGS, EJS, dad, LaLa and I at the White House Visitor Center.

There was a background check before we got passes to get in. GES has a friend who’s brother works at The Pentagon and got us in, sweet!

We went through several security checks, showing our licenses, verifying who we are, that sort of thing. The last one was good, the guard told me to stand there, close my eyes and wait for the shock, so I did, cracked them up! Then we we were in!

It was a self guided tour, we started with some great black and white photos of different presidents, first ladies, visitors, dinners and even some first pets.

We saw the Blue Room, Red Room, Green Room, Library, China Room, Formal Dining Room, personal dining room. In a lot of these rooms, they are set up just for the tours, after the last tour, they set the room back to the way it was at the start of the day.

See how the carpets are rolled up!

After the tour, we went to get some lunch and then head to The Capitol for a private tour. GES has a friend from high school who works for a senator and got us this tour, it pays to know people! It was great to catch up with her.

She walked with us to the train that took us from the offices to the Capitol. It was cool, you would never have to leave the office, they have a hair salon, bank machines, food, coffee, whatever you need!

From there we went into The Capitol and began our tour. We saw Washington’s tomb, where he would have been if his descendant’s would have let him be moved from Mt Vernon.

We saw THE Rotunda! It’s under some construction, so a lot of scaffolding, but you can see a bit of the ceiling, where George Washington is represented as becoming a god.

In the Hall of Sculputres, there are columns that you can see where slaves and pages carved their names into the columns.

The last statue as we walked out was of Ronald Reagan and as he was famous for saying [regarding the Berlin Wall] “Tear down this wall!” At the base of the statue, the light colored stone is actually pieces of the Berlin Wall. How cool is that?

This is a tribute Flight 93, the plane that was brought down in Pennsylvania, the thought is that the plane, if not diverted, would have hot the Capitol.

We saw where the Supreme Court sat, it was awe inspiring.

Check out the spittoon, ick!

This is a replica of a hopper!

After the tour, we went to sit in on a sexton of the Senate! No pictures, sorry, we had to leave anything electronic at security.

Someone asked me what I took away from the being there. The interesting thing, I couldn’t tell you what they were talking about, after all the appreciation [“I would like to thank my constituent” “I would like to thank…”].

It was more just being there, in that room, where so much happens. It was live C-SPAN!

After the tour and goodbyes, we headed back to the hotel for a quick rest and then dinner at the hotel. GES and ACS went to dinner with some friends of ACS’ so it was just me, dad, LaLa, EJS, MGS, JS and AS. Lots of laughing and fun.

Then it was night night for the girls and when GES and ACS got back, ACS and I went down to the bar for a drink, it was nice for some one-on-one time.

Now, back in the room to talk to you and crash. Goodnight!

{April 18, 2016} Ruby slippers make everything better!

Oh yeah, Dorothy’s ruby red slippers…sigh.

I am in Washington, DC with the family for spring break week. See, I told you things would be better.

Today’s agenda was to start with breakfast, of course, then take the shuttle to the metro, I remember being awed by the DC metro system, then… The Smithsonian, Air and Space Museum. Big reason…EJS wanted to see Amelia Earhart’s plane. Cool, wouldn’t you say?

There were some amazing things we saw and learned today.

There was a sculpture garden on the way, some fabulous pieces, one by one of my favoriteartists, Roy Lichtenstein!

After lunch ACS, his brother and sister-in-law, JS and AS, headed back to the hotel with EJS and MGS for some pool time.

GES, dad, LaLa and I headed to the National Museum, loved it! All sorts of exhibits throughout our history. My one goal, Dorothy’s ruby red slippers! We saw them towards the end, so worth it!

Back to the hotel, swim with the girls, shower and off to dinner with the family.

Sounds like a better day, wouldn’t you say?

{April 17, 2016} It started with an explosion and ended flat

Cut off again? What’s with you Disney?

The Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon was scheduled to start at 5am. Up at 3:15am, uck…at 10pm last night I was trying to [using the] force myself to sleep, you know me, it was hard! So, up at 3:15am, out by 3:30am and at Epcot by 4am, took some pictures and then head to corral K.

At the start of each corral, there were fireworks. By the time corral K started, it was about 5:45.

And we were off. The thing about Disney runs and something people don’t realize, there are so many people participating that it gets bottlenecked in so many places and they have characters along the way everyone wants to take pictures.

We started at Epcot, through the park, then The Boardwalk, on to Hollywood Studios, out onto the highway.

Now…here’s where the flat comes in. At mile 5, there were a bunch of us just behind the 16 minute mile pacers and they cut us off and loaded us into the bus. The only other place I have been cut off was last year at Disneyland, but that was at the 9 mile point. At least there I got in more than half, this wasn’t even fully half of the half. What’s with that?

If you don’t want us to stop and take pictures, don’t have the characters throughout the park. And maybe control the bottleneck issues.

Now, I’m not saying I wasn’t slower, I’m not saying I was better than anyone, but seriously…what was it that they had to cut off the rest of us at 730am.

I did make a friend, a fellow “cut-offer”, we rode the bus together back to the parking lot and get this..she lives around the corner from my house in Georgia! She was disappointed that she didn’t finish, this was her first race ever, she was more disappointed in the swag!

Now, we did find the bright sides…we got our medals, we were done in time to go back to our hotels and have free breakfast, take a shower and make my flight, see bright side.

I’m still kind of miffed, I’ll be fine tomorrow, maybe the next day, I’m just disappointed. I know there will be a next time and I need to train for it, something I really want to do and let’s see what comes next. Onward and upward!

A week with the family will help, don’t you think?

[I tried to post more pics, keeps failing, I’ll keep trying]

{April 16, 2016} A relatively quiet day

I know, impossible for me, right?

Well, it’s true! C’mon, after last week, I could use the break!

I got up leisurely, had breakfast, chilled out, emails, you know, not much!

About 12 I headed out to meet dither coworkers, do you remember PM, my work husband? He was there and I got to meet his two boys, so cute! CH, friend and former counselor joined us. So great catching up with them. I had to come all the way to Orlando to see them!

After lunch I went to a running store, I read hoping to find a new pair of shoes, didn’t happen, but I got some new Superfeet, the gift from the gods! They help with my heel spurs like no body’s business!

After my purchase, back to the hotel to chill out and relax and hopefully get to sleep early…the alarm is going off soon! The race starts at 5am! What was I thinking!

Can’t wait to tell you all about it tomorrow!

{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!

{April 14, 2016} Waffle House…GA511 Hero…Dinner

Another jam packed day!

The day started early, but that meant breakfast! And breakfast in the south means…Waffle House! The All-Star Breakfast. What could be better? Nothing!

On the way home we stopped by the package store, ST needed some supplies for the weekend and I picked up a few things for some people I know, wink wink. After we got back to the house, I packed up my stuff, loaded the car and headed to Starbucks to get some work done for a few hours.

On the way to pick up RJS for our dinner date with JCT, I had something happen for the first time ever. I ran out of gas! On the highway! I knew I needed gas yesterday and thought I’d get it today and totally forgot. So, all of a sudden the car starts stalling, duh! I managed to get the car from the hammer lane to the right shoulder! Whew!

I called ST and he reminded me about GA511, they send the State Farm HERO units out. They asked where I was, that was easy! Mile maker 111 in 85S. Could I have stopped in a more perfect spot??

The truck arrived and the hero himself, so to speak, put one gallon of gas in the car and made me feel better, he did the same thing himself last week!

After my hero left, ha ha, I found a station, got gas and headed to pick up RJS. We had a bit of traffic to sit in, so lots of time to catch up!

We made it to dinner, had a great time with JCT, laughing, catching up, we’ve known each other, this October, 7 years! Wow! We met on the same day on a new project and became instant friends, we met ST on that project as well. Pretty cool, huh?

After dinner, I drove RJS home and we caught up some more, talked plans and dresses and stuff. Eventually I realized it was late and headed to JCT’s house for more catching up, just the two of us.

When I got there, she gave me the new “sleep” hat her mom made me, totally rad!!! Don’t you just love it! Mom rocks!

Maybe one day I’ll actually be able to make something like this!

I love being spoiled by two amazing moms! JCT’s and SDL’s, they make me feel like one of theirs, thank you!

And now my friends, it is time for sleep. Repacking in the morning and off to the airport for the next great adventure! Thanks everyone for making this week fabulous!!!

And a very happy happy birthday to one of my best friends! MM! live it up, it’s your day! Xoxo

{April 13, 2016} Another fabulous day! Special Olympics, lunch and a visit

Another awesome, jam packed day. What else is new? I’m in Atlanta.

The day started early, the exterminator was coming, about 8am, I set the alarm, but that didn’t matter, I was up about 630am. Shower, dress, make the bed and downstairs to have a cup of tea, ahhh.

SDL and I then took off for Miss A’s big event. Special Olympics for the grade schools in her school’s county.

There was shot put, long jump and a race. Ribbons all around, did you expect anything less? Me neither!

After Miss A headed back to school, SDL and I headed to get some lunch, a rare treat since it was just the two of us, it was fun to catch up and be able to get in and out in about an hour.

After we got back to the house, we hugged, said goodbye for now and I headed out to ST’s house, found the key he left for me and settled in, very nice to let me do laundry.

I caught up on some work, emails and got to catch up with HH, then ST got home and we caught up. A while later, his girlfriend, TWD, arrived and I got to meet her for the first time. We already knew a lot about each other, we were excited to meet in person.

I’ve told you that ST is my “work husband”, that means he’s one of my closest friends and so, getting together with his girlfriend would either be great or a disaster. Let’s just say, within three minutes we agreed, if it didn’t work out between them, she and I would be together! ‘Nuff said!

After a very fun dinner, we went to her place to meet her mom and her furry babies, then she drove us back to ST’s, we hung out and talked about music and then she had to head home before she turned into a pumpkin, 4 am wakeup, my hero!

After she left, we watched Pixels, I got to talk to PSM and then it was bedtime for bonzo.

All in all, another great day! What’s tomorrow’s adventure? I’ll keep you posted!

Happy happy 16th birthday KK!!!!

{April 12, 2016} Another full day…go figure!

I started at one end of Atlanta and ended up on the other side.

I spent the night at LBK’s, got to see her for a few minutes before she had to go back to work then drove AK to get his car. Perfect, because it was in exactly the direction I needed to go.

After I dropped him off, I went to meet CBG, who I used to work with, and her husband AG. We met at The Flying Biscuit, Y_U_M!! They met from a dating profile I wrote for her way back when. She tweaked it of course, but…they met because of it, I’m stoked to say! They’re the second couple to meet because of a profile I wrote, is that awesome or what!

It was great catching up, especially after AG left to go back to work, she and I had some good one-on-one time.

Then I headed to my storage unit to scope the situation out there and then drop something off at a friend’s house, I hope she’s found it by now!

After that, head to the other side of town, I had a movie date with TS. We decided on a later movie, so I loitered around Barnes and Noble and then she was there. We went to see The Boss, with Melissa McCarthy. It was funny, not the best, but funny.

I love going to the movies with TS, we laugh at a lot of the same stuff, then we analyze and discuss. It was great to see her and catch up, she’s one of the people I try to see when I’m in town.

After the movie and more catching up we parted company, she headed home and I’m at SDL’s, exciting to-do tomorrow and I’ll tell you all about it…tomorrow.

Sweet dreams!

{April 9, 2016} We have a SIX year old in the mix!

What? She just got here, how can she be six? Where did the time go?

Today is a very special day! Miss A turned SIX! I imagine you guessed that from the title. Wow, six! And what a day we had for that very six year old.

Ready, here we go, you might need a nap, we were busy!

The day started a like early, there was a bran muffin with raisins for a breakfast tease. Over breakfast I asked if she had any advice for MGS who turns six next week.

Then it was up to get dolled up! Black riding pants, pink tutu, white long sleeve top, sparkle t-shirt proclaiming “I was born to sparkle”! and cool boots.

She was put together and out the door we went.

First stop…horse riding, with a blinged-out helmet, a little extra being with a tiara on her helmet. Do you see DIVA on the back? Oh yeah! She was fabulous!

Not to mention, the entire staff sang happy birthday! Awesome!

After horses, off to brunch, remember, the muffin was the breakfast snack! We stopped at IHOP. The girl could out-eat me in a skinny minute! Eggs, pancakes with strawberries and whip cream and because it’s her birthday, ice cream sundae, more strawberries and whipped cream.

And to top it all off, they sang happy birthday!

After breakfast head to the Blue Ridge Mountains to an apple orchard for a tractor show. We got there just in time to see the pink tractor. Then we went on a tractor tour around the orchard, very cool. They grow 52 different varieties of apples!

Back inside to shop and maybe get a snack…maybe. ha ha! Butterscotch pudding, vanilla pudding, 1/3 of a banana, peach pie with ice cream. Full yet?

We took a stroll in the meadow and by the lake, very picturesque!

After a while, time to leave. Heading back, it was about dinner time, and we found a Cracker Barrel, chow time! Chicken-n-dumplings, coconut cream pie with whipped cream. Oh my!

More singing and silliness!

Then back home for bath and bed. That sounds like a great idea!

Happy birthday Miss A, you wonderful, finny, silly, goofy, bright, loving little person. I’m so happy you’re in my life and I’m in yours.

Good…night!

{April 8, 2016} Author jam session

Maybe jam session isn’t the right word, but it was cool.

You know how someone will pay a movie quote on Facebook and then someone else posts another quote from the same movie [I’ve seen it so many times with The Princess Bride]. Well, I had this happen with authors, pretty cool!

I was on my flight this afternoon, waiting to take off and taking to PSM on the phone and a woman was passing by to her seat and I noticed the author she was reading. I mouthed that I loved that author and she said I know!

Then I said another author and she mentioned another and back and forth. We must have mentioned at least eight authors each and we both knew the other persons. [The line was moving slowly].

I have to say…a very cool happening. A literary jam session, there you go!

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