My day | Peaches Prattlings

{November 23, 2014} The Presidential Suite

I know, hold yourself back, another early post! Don’t get too used it, I am in a happy place right now!

The reason I am in a happy place and blogging early is that I am relaxed and happy! I just got out of the jacuzzi!!! Ok, let me start from the beginning…

So…since I started on the project in Chicago, I have been staying at the Sheraton, since the Doubletree was booked for the week and I am doing a status match at Sheraton, a few more nights and I am platinum, hey, we already know I’m spoiled, so why not! But…ever since I started staying there, I felt like I was cheating on Hilton! I know, these companies don’t give a flying fig about me, but I am a loyal person!

This week, I had to be in early on Monday morning, so I flew in on Sunday evening and I am staying at the Doubletree. Since I am Diamond status, I am always on the upgrade list, if I can only book a Queen, I get a King. Well, when I checked in, Dwayne, at the front desk, told me he was able to upgrade me…to the Presidential Suite! What? I’ll take it!

Ok friends, Hilton has spoiled me before, I know I have told you, but let me just say dayum!!! I totally geeked out and took pictures, which you see below. Let me paint a picture…You walk in and there is a walk in coat closet, could be a clothes closet for your guests. There is a full bath next to the closet, a sitting area with a fold out sofa, arm chair, dining table in the center of the room and a big screen tv opposite the arm chair. Oh, I forgot, there is a kitchen sink, microwave and refridgerator when you first come in on the right.

Walk through the door off the sitting room into the master bedroom, nice king sized bed, arm chair, desk, dresser, big screen tv, could be a walk in closet, and next to the closet is a door to the balcony, on the right, you could sit or stand, to the left, two chairs and a table under the cover, you could have a dinner party out there!

Then…ahhhh…the master bath!!! I thought the bathroom I had in Michigan was awesome…to the right, a jacuzzi tub! To the right, the water closet with the toilet, big enough for a few people, across from the jacuzzi…double vanity and to the left…a shower big enough for at least 4-6 comfortably! Double shower heads on opposite walls of the shower!

The front bathroom has full toiletries, the master bath has double toiletries, how happy am I! Oh, don’t forget the robe in the bathroom and another in the bedroom closet!

So…after I went to the mall, not a fun experience, a necessary evil for the week and had a decent dinner at Stir Crazy, one of those wok/stir fry places, I came back to the room, put some shower gel in the jacuzzi, filled the tub, sat down, started the jets and said ahhhhh…after a long soak and subsequent pruning of the fingers and toes, I got out, put on a robe and now I am sitting in the arm chair in the living room, watching and singing along to The Wizard of Oz and writing to you, could anything be better?

I AM SPOILED! And I LOVE IT!!!

{November 23, 2014} Big Hero 6

Tonight, I had a movie date with two of my favorite movie buddies, EJS and MGS.

We went to see Big Hero 6, the description from imdb.com: The special bond that develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.

It had all the elements of a Disney movie, deceased parents, a hero who doesn’t seem it, who finds himself conflicted between right and wrong, a group of friends who want to help and eventually get through to the hero that s/he doesn’t have to go through anything alone, our loved ones are always with us in our hearts, you can do anything you set your mind to and good will conquer evil. That sounds about right.

At one pont, there was a sad part and EJS asked if there would be a happy ending, I said of course, it’s Disney, animated and a kids movie. There you go.

Boy genious [fourteen and graduated high school at 13], unassuming looking, he and brother are being raised by aunt, quirky friends, weird pet, big bag guy, surprise bad guy! special relationships, big fight scenes, big finish, follow up with happy ending. Sound good?

What is really important is…if you are a Marvel fan, you MUST do two things. Really look at the family portait and stay past the credit to the extra scene at the very end.

Bottom line, a good movie for kids and adults alike.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2245084/?ref_=nv_sr_1

{November 21, 2014} I did it!

I am in the “parent club” again.

You know when you do something and your kid gets embarrassed? Yelling “I love you” at them from across the way at school, kissing them goodbye, existing?

Well, tonight it happened to Me. I picked up EJS from school, everything seemed fine, we drove home and… nothing.

After we get home, I was putting some things away and I heard GES and EJS talking about something that was bothering her, she didn’t want to say anything. I heard GES say if something is bothering you, it won’t get better if you don’t say something.

I walked into the room and looked at GES and pointed to myself, asking if it was me and she nodded. So I looked at EJS and asked what was wrong, she wouldn’t say and walked into the kitchen, I followed. I asked if I did something that embarrassed her and she nodded yes.

Please tell me what it is so I won’t do it anymore, but if you don’t tell me I will keep doing it. She finally told me and we agreed on what I could and could not do in this situation. Done deal.

I’m in the embarrassing parent’s club again! Wahoo, I have arrived!

{November 20, 2014} Don’t gooooooooo

This was the cry from EJS when I was leaving with GES to go to girls night.

What a feeling! “You’re not going are you?” “Yes I am, I’m going with mommy” “But you’re coming right back, right?” “Eventually” “Awe…bbbbuuuttt…” from her sister “I’ll miss you”. And down the stairs we went after kissing the girls goodnight.

At the bottom of the steps, we look up and they are starting to creep, with these sad looks on their faces, down the stairs, GES turns to me and says, this is not for me. Awe, they want me to stay! They’re sad I’m going out for the night! I’m in!

And I have had a giant smile on my face ever since!

{November 18, 2014} Cuts in odd places…ouch

There is something I want to talk about, but I’m not ready, when I am, you’ll be the first to know!

What I want to talk about getting cuts in, well, not so much odd places, but inconvenient, is that the right word?

My thumb was hurting earlier and I couldn’t figure what was wrong, I kept looking and looking and nothing. Finally, I saw the cut and it made sense, didn’t feel any better, but at least there was a reason.

Ever have that…where you get a cut or bruise, in a place that just puts you off until you figure out what happened and then until it goes away. Loathing her paper cuts in odd and unfortunate places, the cuts on the finger tips, all your focus seems to go there, like now, all I can do is touch the tip of my thumb, press it to be sure it’s cut, like something changed in the last few minutes.

It’s so inconsequential, but it occupies my attention, until I am distracted by something else, and then all of a sudden, I touch or brush it and bam…ouch, oh yeah, I cut myself. Then you spend the next day wondering how you cut yourself, or at least that’s what I’ve been doing!

Don’t you wish all your problems were this trivial? (My random thought for the day, never discounting your pain!)

Good thing it’s not on a typing finger!

Goodnight!

{November 17, 2014} Volunteering and a Half Marathon!

What a weekend! After I tell you about it, you will understand why I was so tired last night!

I told you about my fabulous lunch on Saturday, then when I got back to the hotel, I changed into something a little warmer and better footwear, then headed back out to the SLS parking lot to volunteer for the Rock-n-Roll 5k.

We had to be there at 4:15pm, the race started at 6pm. Have you ever wondered how the medals at races got set up? The water, bananas, etc? Yup, volunteers. We started by taking the medals out of the individual plastic baggies, bunched them by 25 and then got our assignments for the run.
Another volunteer and I were slotted to give the first, second and third place men’s and women’s awards out aren’t they cool?

I was going to participate in the 5k, but I missed the cut off. There was a special medal, of course, if you did both races. And of course, a different shirt for each race. (Have you met me?)

About six we were told to get ready because in about ten minutes or so, he first runner would be coming through. Ten? Yup, ten to twelve minutes is about right for a 5k, if you are one of those really fast runners! Here they come!

It was a fun experience, there were about 5k for the 5k (tee her hee). After we gave out the awards, we started giving out waters. Technically people were supposed to keep going and get water a little farther up, with their medals, but apparently that wasn’t good enough, so we started giving out water. Most people were nice, some were not, it takes all kinds. Most people said thank you and one person said “Thank you for volunteering”, like I do, it makes you feel good!

The only part I didn’t care for was standing around, I don’t do well standing still and my feet don’t like it, but other than that, it was fun and exciting and rewarding. I went back to the hotel and thought I would get some sleep, ha ha.

The next morning, after about six hours of sleep, I went to have brunch with SF, a friend who grew up with my mom, she is CFL’s mom, who I had dinner with Friday night. It was SF, CFL, her husband and their two kids, we had a great time and a good breakfast.

After breakfast, back to the house for a minute, then SF drove me out to see Red Rocks, I had never been before, it was amazing and fascinating and bizarre, so cool! Then we drove the park, no hiking for me yesterday, I had a race later, headed back to the house for a bit, then SF drove me to the hotel, or tried to.

I had wanted to go to the hotel about 4 so I could rest, maybe take a nap. We got near the hotel and all the streets were blocked off, so she dropped me about half a mile from the hotel and I walked. I get to the hotel to check some stuff and sit down and I realize that the run started at 4:30! What?

My Swiss cheese brain, in typical JJ fashion, thought the run started at 6, like the 5k, not so! So I changed as quickly as I could and ran out the door! I wasn’t terribly worried, my corral was 46! I knew I would have some time. I ran to the monorail, talked to a few people who were staring at me then ran the almost one mile from the monorail to the start and they were only up to corral 36! Phew!

About 5:15 we started and we were off! We ran down the strip past McCarren Airport, the executive side, private planes and helicopters and all to just past the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign! Then back down the strip, very surreal to be running down the strip, let alone just walking down the strip! No cars!

We continued all the way down the strip and could see runners on the other side finishing. We went past all the hotels, down towards my hotel, which I can tell you is about six miles from the airport! Past the nicer hotels, down towards the 39.99 per night, or could be per month, hotels, past all the wedding chapels, I think I saw Elvis!

I ran the first 3.5-4 miles and then I was kind of done running, I haven’t trained and I was fighting a cold, I’m ok with it though. We continued past the Pawn Stars shop, people stopped to take pictures, I did too, GES and ACS like it, so snap, snap. Down to old Las Vegas, parts of it were weird, we went through what we thought was a residential area, but it was a bunch of law firms, The Freemont Street Experience and then back onto the strip.

I have tricks to tell myself where I am and to motivate me to keep going. 3.1 miles, I just did a 5k, 4.5 miles, 1/3 done, stuff like that. When I got to mile 8, I got a bit of a second wind, then ten miles, “only three to go, you got this”.

Let me tell you…the last two miles were hard as hell! Then it was down to one mile, oh my gawd, I can do this, just 1.10 and let me tell you, all those shirts are right, I have always said it, that last .10 is brutal! I can do it, I can do it!

I finally crossed the finish line! I got my medal and foil blanket! I accomplished my two goals…FINISH AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE BEHIND ME. I did it!

My final time was 3:40:24. I was hoping to beat my first half marathon time, 3:21:21, but I am thrilled with what I accomplished! I finished a half marathon people! 13.1 miles! ‘That’s because I’m only half crazy!’

I got my banana, water, protein bar, foil blanket and headed to the monorail. The only bad part was it was at least a quarter or more miles to get out of the race area, then it was about half a mile to the monorail, let’s just say my body didn’t like me last night.

I can officially attest, it does get cold in Las Vegas! It was about 70 most of the weekend, then yesterday, got down to about 40, maybe less, but it was windy. I wore the new shirt and Capri pants with the sleeves and my black running shirt over it, I also had gloves and I’m glad I did! At one point, I took the black shirt off and a few times, the gloves, but I was glad to have them!

After the monorail, I got to the hotel, stood under a hot shower for about 20 minutes, I was freezing! Then I packed, I did not want to have to do it in the morning. It was a painful experience. Then I got into bed, wrote to you and passed out!

I woke up at 6:30am, for good, with the sun shining in my face, too early! I sat in a cold bath, which I should have sat in an ice bath last night when I got to the hotel, helps with the inflammation, and then a nice hot shower, got dressed and headed to SLS, albeit slowly, for breakfast.

I ended up at The Griddle, ordered some eggs, potatoes and toast and a pancake. I sometimes like one pancake, I did not expect what I got! It was the size of a small pizza! Can you believe it?

I took three bites and the rest, along with the eggs and potatoes went into a container, hopefully my taxi driver found someone to give it to!

I finished packing, then headed to the airport, where my flight was delayed, oh joy. I did get to talk to a lot of other people who participated and felt about as sore as I did, at least I’m not alone!

The flight finally leaves and the guy who sat next to me was from Staten Island! What are the odds? I’ve sat next to people from New York City before, but never where I grew up! He’s done quite a few runs, including the New York City marathon a few weeks ago!

He travels for work and sometimes races, like this one and like I do, so I told him about a few races I’m doing and I sent him the link for a few and told him if he’s ever in one of my cities for a race, ha ha, to let me know! Small world!

Now, I am at GES’ house, I am exhausted, my body hates me and I am going to go downstairs and get some sleep! You have to be as tired as I am after this post!

Goodnight!

{November 16, 2014} I’m tired!

Apologies friends, I had a very long day and I am beyond tired and going to bed.

I did Red Rocks and a half marathon, so I am a wee bit knackered. I promise to tell you all about it tomorrow!

Will somebody come and rub my feet please?

Goodnight!

{November 15, 2014} A wonderful visit!

Today was a great day!

I had lunch with CS, LB and I got to meet LB’s sister, my granddaughter, Baby L! What a doll baby! The last time I was in Las Vegas, she was “on the inside”! She was born a few days after we left, so this was my first meeting!

When they came to pick me up in the GINORMOUS pickup truck, LB was in the back seat smiling at me, ready to get some lunch. We went over to SLS, f/k/a Sahara hotel and went to a place called 800 Degrees Neopolitan Pizza. We ordered two pizzas, pepperoni for CS and the girls and a pesto, roasted garlic, eggplant and I have to tell you…fan-freaking-tastic!

The great thing was it didn’t take LB very long to warm up to me this time, she was excited to see me, held my hand, you know I love that. At one point, she said she was cold and I gave her my sweater, it was too funny as the sweater is pretty big on me, so you can imagine what it was on her! Then she was done sitting and came to crawl onto my lap and asked me to read her the boook I got for Baby L, Goodnight Colorado, I don’t know if you know the Goodnight Moon series, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodnight_Moon. As soon as I finished, “Read it again, JJ’ and again. Three times was it! After I finished reading, I got the best question “Are you coming to my house to play?” Big sigh. Was I happy? You bet your sweet bippie!!!

We had a great time talking. This was the first time I had the opportunity to have one on one time with CS and it was fantastic. It was fun to chat, catch up on family and day to day stuff, the future and all that’s happening in her life and the family, it felt great. Thank you, I’m looking foward to the next time.

After lunch it was time for dessert, we stopped for gelato, chocolate for LB and her sister and let me tell you, just like all wee tots, they wear it well!

Then it was time to go, CS had to go pick up Uncle Bubba from school and I had to get ready to volunteer for the 5k. “When we drive back to your hotel, would you sit in the back with me and Baby L?” Oh yes! Of course! You know how tickled I was! Sigh! I love that little bit!

When we got to the hotel, I gave everyone kisses and we agreed to FaceTime soon and hopefully see each other soon!

Think JJ had a smile on her face the rest of the night? You betchya!

{November 15, 2014} Rock-N-Roll Race Pick Up

Today I picked up my race packet for the Rock-n-Roll 1/2 Marathon!

After working until 2pm, I headed out to the convention center to pick up my race packet. My number is somewhere around 46000! That’s a lot of participants! I had a nice chat with the two guys I got my packet from, about my fabulous motoactiv watch! Anyone who knows me knows I love to talk about it! [If I had a dollar for every person I talk to about it…I’d be a “dollaraire”!]

After I picked up my packet, I went into the expo to walk around and check out all the vendors. Not the same without CKM, one of our favorite things to do together at the Peachtree Roadrace Expo. I tasted some treats, drank some flavored water, filled out contest stuff and even filled out a sign, so true, right?

At the expo I usually buy a new outfil, soemthing new to run in. Do you remember the running dress I bought? I got SO much use out of it! I was going to wear it on Sunday, but then I got this from Burn Ink! It is so cute! It’s got daisies all over it, there is a running skirt, capri pants, shirt and sleeves. The crazy thing was the pants, I tried on my size and they were too baggy, I actually had to go down 2 sizes! Very uplifting! [And it came in a drop bag. I did not buy that bag!] I also got some KT tape for my legs and two shirts for some friends “I can’t tonight honey, I have a long run in the morning”!

The last thing I did was to go and get my legs and feet taped, fingers crossed my knees hold up and my bunions don’t rebel! The only bad part…to keep the tape on my feet, I have to sleep with socks on…for two nights! NOOOOO!

I’m looking forward to running the strip at night! I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures!

{November 13, 2014} Sadness today

I am saddened, my heart is hurting.

Yesterday, a friend lost one of her beloved puppies and it something that could have potentially been avoided. Even though his brother is still there, the void is enormous.

Today, a dear friend , JT, lost his grandmother, someone he was very close with and even though the family had been dealing with so much with her, the loss is huge.

A friend I have known since childhood is in the hospital and dying. She hadn’t been ill and then all of a sudden it hit and bam. Her brother has been posting to Facebook updates to let us know what is going on, but it won’t be long now and I will have to say goodbye.

You always send me hugs and positive thoughts when I need them. Tonight, I will take a virtual hug and please send your good thoughts out to my friends and their loved ones to have strength. And for that, I thank you.

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