My day | Peaches Prattlings

{August 19, 2014} The world is so small!

You’ve heard the expression that the world is small, today proved it!

I was walking down the hall to my room today and passed a guy, about my height, who looked very familiar. I thought he looked like a guy I worked with about 10 years ago, could it be?

As I was about to ask, he turned around and said “Didn’t I work with you somewhere?” I mentioned the company and he said yes, I said his name and he said yes, what are the odds?

I worked with him in Atlanta, GA. Buckhead and Alpharetta to be exact starting in 1999, through a merger and two name changes and then in 2003 got laid off along with about 100 other people from the company.So it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other and we run into each other in a hotel in Ann Arbor, MI? What are the odds?

The world is very small, point proven!

{August 19, 2014} It was a very, very, very, very, very…long drive

I drove about 9 hours yesterday and thought I only had about 10 left today, not so.

The day started off about 7:30am, I woke leisurely, well as leisurely as two cats let you wake. Nose on face, nose on hand, head pushes, ‘c’mon mom, time to get up, wake up, c’mon, c’mon”. Anyone with a cat will know what I’m talking about! This video screams it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jrq03XENSdY

I got up, got breakfast and was ready to get on the road at 8:30, which I did, cats and all. I decided I would leave them in the carriers for a while so I could keep the top down on the car. Contrary to popular beliefs, cats do not find riding in cars with their heads hanging out the windows as entertaining as dogs, go figure.

As soon as I got on the road, the tire pressure indicator came on, I wasn’t sure what it was, so I had to Google it, I now know what all the symbols on my dashboard are, so if you need to know what any symbol for a VW Beetle are, here you go!

There were no service stations in the downtown Omaha area, so I got on the highway and pulled off for the first gas station I could find. When I got there, luckily, I found the air pump and got out of the car and lo-and-behold…the rear drivers side..almost dead. I started inflating the tire and it looked like it was starting to bubble and might possibly explode and again, contrary to popular belief, I’m smarter than I look and stopped pumping. I went inside to ask for help and guess what, the woman who worked there pointed me across the road to Paco’s Tires! Wahoo! Saved!

I went to Paco’s and they said, yup, flat and it could have exploded! There was a screw in it and then 30 minutes [total] later I drove out with a new tire and peace of mind!

I had the top down on the car for about two hours and then decided it wasn’t fair to the cats, or my ears as they were crying intermittently, so up went the top and out came the cats. No! Don’t sit on my feet, I still have to drive! I finally got them situated and was on my way again.

I listened to the radio, some pandora radio and then…I plugged in my phone and then iPad to the stereo jack and played a movie, putting the device on the floor, of course! But I listened to a movie, and since I know the movies so well, it was like listening to an old radio serial! One of the movies was even Haunted Honeymoon, which was based on a radio show! Clever me!

When I wasn’t listening to something, I got to chat with a few people, MM, Dad, JCT, JFT, SR, BD and BG, it was awesome, I had lots of time and could only concentrate on the road and my friends!

I drove and drove and drove and enjoyed myself, most of the time, the country is beautiful, boring in some places, but beautiful. I understand why JASC loves to drive so much, but honestly, I would rather have been on a plane getting there faster, unless I had company, then it would have been even more entertaining, but I wouldn’t have gotten to talk to so many people. Go figure.

I finally got to Debra’s house to drop off the cats, she so generously offered to keep them for me this week until I leave on Sunday. She even sent a picture of Jymy cuddling with her as I was heading to the hotel.

I finally got to the hotel about 12:30, after driving forever. I wish I knew exactly how many hours as I went through a few different time zones today! [Omaha, Nebraska, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, yeah, I think that’s it!]

Goodnight!

{August 17, 2014} Traveling with animals

It’s interesting.

Today, I packed up the car with some stuff, a cat box, food and two cats. How much do you think they liked that?

I picked up my car and cats to drive to Ann Arbor and then next week I will drive to my next project. Let’s just say they weren’t the happiest creatures; dogs, at least most of them, like going for rides in the car. Not so with cats.

After we wrangled each cat into a carrier, loaded the car and took off. The crying started. Who are we kidding, it started as soon as they were in their crates! After I was on the main highway and knew I was in for a long stretch, I let them out of their carriers and let them roam around, that seemed to help a little.

Peanut thought she needed to be at my feet or on my lap, the lap was fine and after a while she disappeared under one of the seats and didn’t come out until I got to the hotel. Jymy got on my shoulder like she did when she was a kitten and acted like a neck pillow for a while and eventually she sacked out on the passenger seat and slept there the entire trip.

I had no troubles when I got to rest stops or gas stations, they strayed right where they slept and never tried to get out and of course tried to stay in the car when we got to the hotel, go figure.

I’m in a pet friendly Hilton, which is great and I’m looking forward to having them with me on my next project, they’re calming…most of the time.

So…I drove about 9.5, maybe 10 hours today and have about 9 or 10 tomorrow with two cats, hopefully the crying won’t last too long…who wants to trade places with me?

{August 17, 2014} Warrior Dash…Go!

Today, I participated in the Warrior Dash at Copper Mountain, CO and had a blast!

I participated in the Warrior Dash two years ago in Georgia, actually, my first obstacle/mud run. Then, as I’m thinking about it, I’ve participated in 11 obstacle/mud runs over the last two years! WOW! One of the tag lines for The Warrior Dash is “The hardest, most fun you’ll ever have” and it was!

Admittedly, I skipped 4 of the 11 obstacles and I’m ok with that, I’m the only one who has to live with it! The obstacles that I skipped involved steep drops on the other side and I don’t trust what happens with my ankles in those cases. The first one I was already waiting 15 minutes to do because there was a bottle neck and it would have been another 15/20 minutes before I had the opportunity to go. But…it was awesome the way everyone was helping each other, especially on that first obstacle, either push or pull over the top and then the cheering was fantastic!

The last obstacle I skipped was the last one, which i would have enjoyed a lot. It was a cargo net climb and then a slide down into a pool. There wasn’t enough water at one point, so they had to shut down while they pumped water in so it would be safe. It was already a 30 minute delay and it would be another 30 minutes, maybe more, no thanks! Although, it did make the end of the run a little anti-climactic!

I will say, there wasn’t enough mud or barbed wire, like the first one I did, but…it was Colorado and there was SNOW! Before the mud pit, there was about .20 running through snow! What? Too cool!

All in all, it was a fun run, lots of people encouraging each other and just having fun and getting down and dirty, what more could you want!

After the run, it was time for a KILLER veggie burger and yes, you can say that, but only after I finally donated my sneakers, they had seen at least 6 of the mud runs for the last two years and it was time. I guess I’ll be calling RG to hook me up with a new pair of sneaks so i can turn my current ones into mud ones!

Hmmm…what’s next?

https://www.warriordash.com/location/2014-warrior-dash-colorado/

{August 16, 2014} How many things can go wrong on one morning…

Or, as DCM so eloquently put it, wth! Sort of.

First…I drove KLS, RG and myself to the airport for our 10am flights. We drop off the rental car and guess what I forgot to do…put gas in the rental car before turning it in.

Second… As KLS and I are standing in line to drop our bags, I have a duh moment…for the first time since I’ve been on this project, I did not book a 10am flight, I booked a 8:40am flight. What???? Yup, I got to the airport just after my flight left, fun.

I talked to Delta and they got me stand by on the 12:30 flight, sounds good. Whew…I had a 3:30pm appointment to get Annie an oil change! I did make it, by the way.

We had some time so KLS and I went to have breakfast. When I went to the bathroom to wash my hands, I walk in and there is a boy, about 13 or so in the rest room. I’m used to little boys in the ladies with their moms, but not a big kid. I focus and realize there are urinals behind him. Yes friends, I had found the men’s room! Seriously?

Can I go back and start the day over? The day is done, it ended on a high note. Here’s to a new day….

{August 14, 2014} My day…

Today was a good day…

Today was pretty simple, I got up, a motivated, had a catch up call with someone helping me to find a new project, answered emails and got work done.

Next, I walked 3.5 miles to a Pure Barre Class, http://purebarre.com, it was an interesting and intense class. After class, I walked to Ginger Deli for some vegetarian summer roles and a beet juice and some Sonic Lunch and some good music.

After lunch and entertainment I went to the post office, obviously to mail something and on the way in, a gentleman commented on my NY Yankees hat and we chatted about being from NYC and living in Ann Arbor.
After the post office, I headed to the shelter to drop off some toiletries and then turned around for the wall back to the hotel.

Got some work done, cleaned up and head out with KNOB and KLS, today is her birthday!! We headed downtown to The Black Pearl, http://www.blackpearlonmain.com,
which is a place we’ve been wanting to go.

We had a great time laughing, sharing stories and enjoying each others company. And there was a piece of cake and singing, what more could you want?

After dinner we walked and window shopped, then headed back to our hotels to relax, have a drink and hang out with some fun people on town for the week.

Lastly it’s time to talk to you and pack because I’m heading to Denver tomorrow to participate in the Warrior Dash on Saturday.

Good night!

{August 13, 2014} I am a truly lucky woman

Today two things happened to make me feel so very special.

The first wonderful thing that happened was when I got back to my hotel room and found a beautiful bouquet of fresh cut flowers and a wonderful card signed by almost everyone who works at Hilton Garden Inn at the front desk, maintenance and kitchen. How incredibly beautiful they are, don’t you agree? Sunflowers are my favorite flowers and Christina remembered that, I am so flattered!

There was also a fantastic card with a sweet and touching note “Hope these brighten your day as much as you do ours! We love you!” How lucky I am to have touched so many people to make them feel this way about me. LOVE

The second thing that happened was I got a package from my dad. It was two books we had been talking about the other day by one of our favorite authors, Jasper Fforde, http://www.jasperfforde.com/index2.html and a bunch of post cards illustrated by Edward Gorey, one of my favorite artists, http://www.edwardgoreyhouse.org/. Thank you daddy!

Thank you to those who think enough of me to send me such wonderful things!

{August 9, 2014} What a weekend…so far!

I’ve had a busy weekend and it’s only been two days!

Last night and today i went to new places, experienced new things and met new people, how could it be bad?

Last night, after my dinner plans got cancelled, I needed to find some food and Lauren, at the front desk, recommended I go to Saline, a ten minute drive down the road, so off I went. When I got there, the Saline Summerfest, http://salinesummerfest.org/, was going on.

A few of the streets were blocked off, there were about twenty vendors, food tents and live music, what a treat! I walked around and looked at all the booths, bought myself a little bracelet [the one with the tree of life on it], listened to some music and then went in search of food.

I ended up at Mangiamo Italian Grill and sat down at the end of the bar and ordered some dinner. Just as I was finishing, a woman sat down at the corner of the bar and we started talking. Her name is SG and she is a very fun and funny chick. We are the same height and when we exchanged names I asked if she ever gets called by my name and she said all the time, it’s crazy! I have that happen to me all the time too!

I think we talked for almost two hours; about our kids, jobs, traveling, everything and at the end, realized that we wanted to exchange numbers and maybe get together as long as I’m still here! I think she, KLS and I will have a great time!

I left the restaurant when they closed and headed back to the hotel, chatted with Sean and Johnathan for a long time, then came up stairs to talk to you guys.

This morning came way too early and the phone ringing at 10:30, but it was time to get up, lots to do. I decided to head to Dexter, MI for Dexter Daze, http://www.dexterdaze.org/, their two day community celebration: music, food, vendor, magicians, fun.

I got there about 12:30 and heard music coming from the gazebo and started walking. I went into a lot of booths and talk to some of the artists as I was going through.I ended up at this one booth where the artist was selling necklaces, bracelets and rings. Some were hematite, some were magnetic, to help with arthritis, circulation, etc.

We started talking and then the next thing you know, I’m in the tent, hanging out talking to Rob about his work, travel, kids, grand-kids, you name it, we covered it all! And the next thing you know, I’m selling his stuff alongside him!

I had a lot of fun and one thing let to another and I ended up staying there all day helping him sell, then tearing down and packing up his suburban to head home, then as a thank you, he took me out for dinner when we were all done.

I had such a great time selling and talking to people and helping little kids find something that just MUST have and with almost everything being five dollars, how could you go wrong!

He gave me the spoon charm and when I tried to pay for something else, he refused, thanked me for helping him. I actually had to tell him that someone else bought the steam-punk bracelet and ring so I could give him the money for it! He did, however give me two steam-punk bobby pins and a killer spoon charm [all pictured] as a thank you.

We parted company about 10pm and here we all are! I am exhausted!

{August 2, 2014} I ran 3.1 miles!!! My day…

OMG! Minus 30 seconds for stopping for color application and a water break, I ran the entire 3.1 [5k] miles!!!

Today started way too early! I fell asleep between 12 and 1 and at 3:45 woke up with a start and didn’t go back to sleep! What? I couldn’t fall back asleep, so I stayed awake and left by 6:30 and got downtown in no time, found a place to park and headed to the start. Today was The Color Run, http://thecolorrun.com/, I did it year in Atlanta with SDL, Miss A, CKM and CTS, so much fun and color! “the happiest 5k on earth!”

I went running with MH a few weeks ago and he gave me pointers about running, telling me there are 5 speeds and 1 is as slow as you can go without it being a walk, but can keep momentum for longer distance, especially when you’re first starting. So, I employed his advice and stayed at a 1 when we started and I ran the entire 5k, as I mentioned above, minus 30 seconds! I couldn’t believe it! I actually ran the entire way! It is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, as I’ve told you before and today I did it! It gives me so much home for other runs and the half marathons I’ve signed up for!

Now, I’m not getting ahead of myself, I am going to keep working on it, every day do as much as I can and maybe that is 3 miles and then work my way up to more. Look out world, here i come!

“Hey JJ, you just ran 3.1 miles start to finish, what are you going to do next?” “I’m going to the movies!” I went home, showered and then took myself to see Guardians of the Galaxy, review coming tomorrow [let me just say AWESOME!].

I bought the tickets early and then headed over to the mall, Old Navy had jeans on sale for $19, you can’t beat that and what beats that? Finding 3 pairs of jeans on the sale rack for about $4!!! I spent $13 for 3 pairs of jeans! What? I also went to Verizon to talk about the crappy battery on my phone, so they gave me a new one, wahoo! Then a little more window shopping and headed home to apply heat and ice to my back.

Why am I applying heat and ice to my back you ask? Well, I’ll tell you. The other day, my sciatica, which hit me about 2 years ago when I was in Boston and let me tell you, that was some flight back to Atlanta. I had therapy for about a week, applied Bio-freeze and eventually it went away. Well, my back has started to ache over the last week or two and when I got back to Ann Arbor from Boston, hmmm do I sense a theme here? It hit me hard. I’ve been taking Alieve and transitioning from heat to ice for the last week. It’s been on and off since I got back to Denver and today, I did the run, no problem, but when I was showering I moved the wrong way and wrenched my back, hence the ice and heat.

Aside from the ouch with my back, an AMAZING DAY! I ran 3.1 miles, a great deal on jeans and saw an awesome movie! What could be better! How was your day?

{July 29, 2014} Only 3 of us in the house, rest, right? Not even!

So, GES and ACS took EJS to summer camp yesterday, well at least up in the area and drop off was 10:30 this morning, leaving dad, MGS and I together last night and today.

The day started way too early when i heard MGS coming into the room, I was in the master bedroom, to go potty because it was too far to go to her potty down the hall. That was about 6:22am, fun.

I took a shower while dad got her breakfast, pamcakes [sound it out, you’ll get it] then it was a battle to get dressed, well for her, not me! We found that if you challenge her, tell her you’re going to beat her at something, she is all over it! The last race was can she get dressed before i finish tying my shoes, guess who won! Whatever it takes!

Say goodbye to Papa and off to school. The weather reports said possible showers, well, it showered, it rained, it poured! Not too horribly on the way to school where drop off was perfect, except she didn’t want to push me out of the room, “You can go now” was the theme of the day as EJS told her parents after they finished unpacking her in her new bunk.

As I headed back towards the house and to meet dad for brunch, it was awful! Cats and dogs! It was coming down in sheets and sideways! There were huge puddles and trying to get around them was almost impossible! Look at the pictures I took! Cars submerged! It took me 1.5 hours to go 15 miles! what should have taken 30 minutes took 1.5 hours!!!

Back in the area, met dad for brunch, then home. I did a few loads of laundry, dish-washer, made the beds, tidied up a little and headed out the door to pick up MGS a little early.

Oh yea, somewhere in there, I was going to tell you I got work done, for my job!

I went to a few stores then picked up MGS and continued our rousing game of ‘I Spy’ from earlier and it took no time getting home! We played some games, watched videos and enjoyed ourselves.

After a while, GES and ACS came home and we all gathered to go to an Irish Pub! LOVE. After dinner, home for bath, stories, games and nighty night! While GES was putting MGS to bed, ACS and I went down to the basement to build the futon GES found on a local site.

Next it was hanging with my sister, then go across the street for some conversations with CF and her two oldest, M&J. Then back here so i could write to you!

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