My day | Peaches Prattlings

{January 1, 2016} The Science Behind Pixar

Today, the first day of the new year, we did something fun and what we’ve wanted to for a while.

And before it’s too late! The exhibit, The Science Behind Pixar, is coating soon! It’s a good thing we went, PSM was getting tired of me sarong we need to go!
http://www.mos.org/exhibits/the-science-behind-pixar

This is a great exhibit, talking about the science behind Pixar, how is not just about drawing cartoons, it’s math and equations and broken down pixel by pixel. Modeling, what they think up to use for those models, the curl of hair and the look and flow of every motion, color, the emotions the slightest gesture and lighting can create. How to make it believable, in the air, under water. It was really interesting and a great leaning experience.

Besides the fact that I am just a big kid, I was in heaven! They said if you didn’t have kids, you could get through it in about thirty minutes and with kids, about an 1.5 hours. Since I am a big kid, we split the difference, we were there about an hour! Besides, I’m still someone’s kid! Thanks dad!

When I was an undergrad in one of my film classes, we were working on rotoscoping and animation and morphing and so much more and I remember we saw the Pixar animated lamp short, our mouths dropped open, we were amazed! So many amazing things were to come!

And how true those words were! Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, Brave, The Incredibles, Cars, Inside Out, just to name a few.

If you’re in Boston, check it out before January 10th.

Happy 2016! What’s next?

{December 31, 2015} Happy New Year…Its 2016

It’s 2016, where did the time go?

Weren’t we just here a minute ago? How was your year? Was it everything you hoped for?

So much happened in my life…GES turned 40, she’s 100% and rockin’ her new job, EJS turned 8 and excelling at sports, MGS turned 5, lost her first tooth and started kindergarten, ACS left his corporate job to become a teacher. Dad and LaLa celebrated ten years together. We traveled to the Bahamas together for a fabulous family vacation in April.

I met a great guy, PSM, and a new adventure began for me, East coat skiing, weekend trips, movies, theater, a place in Boston, new places to discover, three international trips together and now the greatest adventure, moving to Hawaii in a few months! I can’t wait to share that with you!

I was on a project in Boston and got to spend a lot more time with the family, getting even closer with EJS and MGS, I didn’t have to go more than a few miles to celebrate their birthdays with them.

On my projects and where I was I made some new friends, acquired new skills and discovered new strengths.

I got to spend some time in Atlanta with my friends and family, watched Miss A thrive, spent one on one time with Baby A and KAB. Drove to NJ to see SRH walk across the stage to get her diploma.

I completed a 15k, a few 5ks and two half marathons 8 days apart on two continents! One in Brooklyn with a friend from high school.

Another year of blogging, only to be continued, January 6th will be 3 years, can you believe it!

There were some tough times, some great times, some injuries and triumphs and I got through all of them with the help of my friends and family, I thank you.

I hope this year brings you health, happiness and all the joy your heart can handle. 2016 is going to be great!

Happy New Year!

{December 29, 2015} Another masterpiece!

Last night, CKM and I participated in one of our time honored traditions…painting class!

This time we chose Painting With a Twist. We weren’t crazy about the instructor and they’re was no down time to let the paint dry so it didn’t all run together, but we managed. In glad it wasn’t our first time, it may have been our last!

It’s almost like paint by numbers, just no numbers. The instructor gives you direction on each section, which is very helpful. I kept waiting for Bob Rossi…”now we’ll paint a tree, a happy tree”!

All in all, a great finished product, we realized this was our forth or fifth time. Can you guess which is mine? (See what the street names are?)

I gave mine to PSM tonight when I got home, something he can put up in the new place, only snow he’ll see there!

{December 28, 2015} More friends…can you be any luckier than me?

I don’t think so.

I started the morning off at ST’s, after we all got back from dinner, I threw in a load of laundry, always nice to have clean clothes.

Then it was off to see RJS and her new kitties, Max and Maddie, also known as M&M. So very cute!! They are about 5.5 months, affectionate, sweet, smart and very precocious. They definitely keep their human parents on their toes.

After a bite of lunch, back to the house for more catching up, laughing, silliness.

Next was time to meet CKM, we met at an Italian restaurant for pasta, mine was ok, but I was jealous of CKM! Apple and goat cheese ravioli, oh my did it smell fantastic!

After dinner we went to do one of our favorite things, a painting class! We decided on the blue background. Tomorrow I’ll show you the finished product.

Before we went into the class we sat in the car and exchanged gifts, it was raining cats and dogs!

After another fun class, we chatted a little on the way back to the restaurant to get her car, back to RJS’ house for more catching up, talk to you and lights out.

Another great day, as always! I’m beat!

{December 27, 2015} De-decorating

Today I helped take down christmas decorations.

I was with TS and KS today. TS and I caught up, just the two of us, until KS got up. Eventually, we went to lunch, ran some errands and then got to De-decorating, so to speak.

It’s been do warm everywhere, it doesn’t seem like Christmas! Everyone has different traditions, some people leave their decorations up through new year’s, some right after Christmas, ready for a change.

So, down came the lights, the ornaments, the trim, stockings, the holders, into boxes as if it never was, until next year when we start all over again.

It’s fun helping other people decorate and take down, it helps them and always generates stories, a nice feeling.

After I left, I went to ST’s house to have dinner with ST and his daughter, their decorations were still up, wonder if I’ll be helping them tomorrow.

{December 26, 2015} Another fabulous day!

Today was laid back and packed.

The day started not too early…well, sort of, 6am, but doze fire the next two hours until SDL and Miss A came down and we had breakfast.

Today it was a blueberry muffin. We discuss world events, the economy, you know, the usual stuff you talk to a five year old about. It’s actually one of my favorite things I get to do with her, meals.

SDL and I had a chance to catch up, one on one, which I love as well. Then everyone else started getting up and joined us.

After a bit, I got showered and dressed, then headed out to see my house, just a drive by, see if everything is in order, it is.

Then off to see TS and her daughter, KS and Miss Molly, the furry one in the family, at their new house. It’s lovely, and suits them to a T, just right.

We had a tour, TS has the first floor and KS has the upper floor and Miss Molly has the run of the place, of course.

We chatted for a while, then went to get some dinner and after dinner decided to see a movie, Sisters, with Tina Fey and Amy Pholer, quite funny actually.

Back to the house to talk for a few hours, not even realizing how late it was!

Now it’s time to talk to you and get some sleep! Tomorrow is another jam packed day, of course!

{December 25, 2015} Merry Christmas!!

Are home made gifts the best or what!!

I promised to share what I got from Baby A and here it is! The two canvases are made by him, red swirls with A’s underneath and…Mistle-toes! Do you love it! You know I do!

And in front…coffee filter butterflies made by Miss A!! You know I am just eating this stuff up!

Today started too early, but Christmas starts early with little kids! I was still at JT’s house and for the 13 month old, we started at 7am! There were slides and brooms and princesses and…and…

DT made breakfast, yum, A Christmas Story was on, the beginning of the 24 hour run, then we put on Its a Wonderful Life, eventually I took a shower and headed to my other favorite family to spend christmas with them. SDL, Miss A, SDL’s sister DL, her parents, also known as Momom and Popop.

We opened presents, talked, laughed, cooked, opened presents, talked, laughed, cooked and eventually sat down to eat.

It was fun opening presents, every family has their own traditions. In this family, Santa fills the stockings and everyone wonders just how Santa knew! Then we open the “regular” gifts and everyone knows who they are from. Lots of laughter and fun!

Dinner was grand…there was turkey, stuffing, veggies, sweet potato, mashed potato, rolls, salad, oh my! Full bellies.

Then sitting and chatting for a long time. Clean up, talking, eventually dessert, more talking and then all of a sudden, it’s 11pm! Time flies!

So, I have done my Christmas traditions, so far. Christmas Eve with JT’s family and Christmas Day with SDL’s, my life is complete. I love these families dearly and I can’t imagine anywhere else I would rather be at this time and I’ll be back every year, as long as they’ll have me!

To you and yours, if you celebrate…Happy and Merry Christmas!!!

{December 24, 2015} ‘Twas the night before Christmas…

Happy Christmas Eve to one and all!

Today is Christmas Eve and I got to continue a fabulous tradition, spending it with crazy friends.

I started my day seeing my grandson, Baby A. What am I going to call him? I can’t keep calling him Baby A! He’s two and a half! I’ll think of something soon. I drove out to see him and his mom, KAB, had a fabulous time and forgot to take a picture of what he made me, pure awesomeness! I will take a picture tomorrow and post it, promise!

After a fabulous visit, I headed back to JT’s house, picked him up, we went to the store and picked up stuff I could eat for dinner, then back to his place.

People started arriving, including ST, who joined us because JT’s family graciously extended an invitation. I told him how great JT’s family is and ST experienced it.

This year was a slightly different crowd, since some of the usual suspects weren’t there. Some of the same faces, some new, but as always, warm, fun, entertaining and amusing, loud, boisterous and fabulous. What more could you want.

For those of you celebrating…Happy Christmas eve!!! I hope you are with the ones you want to be with and having a fabulous time!

{December 23, 2015} A new experience

Today, I got a ride through the airport…in a wheelchair!

As I am recouping, I am not allowed to lift anything more than seven pounds for about four weeks, doing well, just moving a little slower.

That being said, I decided to make my life a little easier today at the airport and I requested a wheelchair. I have to say, it was different, being taken where I needed to go, at a different level and weaving in and out between people “look out!” “Coming thru!”

It did alleviate some of the pressure of navigating the airports, having to carry or wheel things here and there, so much easier!

If you’re like me, asking for help is not easy, but people want to help, so ask!!

A new experience, what’s the next adventure?

{December 22, 2015} A first concert!

Tonight was my first foray into the world of grade school concerts…from the “parent” side.

EJS decided at the start of the school year that she wanted to play an instrument. Her decision was an interesting choice, the cello! It’s almost bigger than her!

When she was making the decision, I told her, after I told her parents of course, that I wanted to be her patron. Try explaining what a patron of the arts is to an eight year old!

She really likes The cello and tonight we got to witness the results of all the practicing and rehearsals.

We started with the beginner strings, this included EJS’ group, cello, violons, violas. These were the third graders. Then it was the advanced strings, fourth and fifth grade. Next was the wind instruments, beginner, then advanced. The winds include clarinet, which GES and I both played, flute, trombone. Then orchestra.

The beginner strings started with the traditional beginner piece, ‘Hot Cross Buns’, of course, then there was Martian Cross Buns, huh?

I have to say, the beginner strings were better than we expected, fair thinking for a beginner concert.

Along with being very proud family members we, GES, ACS and I realized we are now in the parental group that must attend and sit through not only their own child/family member’s performance, but the entire school’s performances! Oh my!

A realization came to mind, how lucky we were as kids! Our parents did it for us and smiled the biggest smiles they could.

I looked at GES during one of the other group’s performances and said “Does this mean we need to call daddy and thank him?” Yes it does!

To our dad and mom, who sat through our concerts and to all those parents who sat through their child’s concerts, no matter how good or bad, we send a big collective “THANK YOU!!” You are now up for sainthood!

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