My day | Peaches Prattlings

{June 26, 2014} Oh, the people you meet

Isn’t it amazing how the world turns? Yes, I know that was a soap opera, but it fits!

The world works in mysterious ways. Tonight I was at Boba House, vegetarian restaurant in Greensboro, NC and let me just tell you, it was FABULOUS! I would eat there every day if I could! I had a sampling of lots of things including “chicken” drumsticks, “crab” blossom [like a crab ragoon], spring rolls and pho soup with “chicken”, let’s just say it was YUMMY! I hope one of the other veggie places I try in Ann Arbor is just as good! http://bobahouse.com/

At the table across from me was a family, older parents, young son and when I say young, I mean, out of college. The father and I started talking and some good natured bantering over the menu and I heard, as he liked to call it, a northeastern accent. Clearly he had spent a great deal of time in New York, I just knew and when we started comparing notes, we were spot on, both originally from Brooklyn, his wife from Manhattan and his son started off there but moved with his parents when we was five to North Carolina.

It was nice to talk to someone from NY, reminisce about places we knew and loved and what we missed about NY and what he didn’t and of course, being New Yorkers, we talked about the fact that you can’t get good bagels or pizza anywhere outside New York! And bialys, forget about it!

It made the evening more enjoyable and it’s always nice to talk to fellow New Yorkers! Whoever said New Yorkers aren’t nice have no idea what they’re talking about!

{June 25, 2014} A little bit of history

Today, I stood and strolled on my dad’s college Alma mater!

I am in Greensboro, North Carolina for a few days and the first place I had to go was Guilford College. It is such a beautiful campus, exactly what you think a college campus should look like. Older buildings, lots of green grass and lots of trees scattered throughout the campus and open walkways to each building.

I will admit, it was not easy to find the bookstore, but I did and got my dad some treats and something for myself, of course! The weather is a bit toasty, but it was so nice under the trees to walk around and just reflect. And daddy, I still couldn’t find the library!

The college was started in 1837 by Quakers, or ‘friends’ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quakers. My dad went to Friends Select in Philadelphia, http://www.friends-select.org/, which was a Quaker school as well, is there a theme going here?

One of the coolest things about my dad, and there are SO many, is that he was part of the group that started the soccer program at Guilford College! How cool is that?

It really was awesome to be able to walk some of the same paths that my dad took, I felt very close to him!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilford_College

http://www.guilford.edu/

{June 22, 2014} A good breakfast, a goodbye, a hello and a happy hour

It was a full day! And what a glorious day! 77 with a breeze, did you have it as good! First official day of summer was a delight!

CKM and I got up leisurely, well too early, but leisurely, got motivated, checked her in for her flight, finished packing and headed out. We went to Angelo’s for breakfast, so good! I couldn’t finish everything on my plate, so we boxed it up and took it with us and I’m glad we did, i found someone who was hungry and could use a good meal.

We went down to main street and walked in a few stores that we hadn’t been in this weekend, had some laughs and then it was time to make our way to the airport. We got there in plenty of time for her to check her bag and get to the gate.

I had some time to kill, about two hours before KS was back in Michigan, so I went for a drive to see what was around the airport. I found Canton and Wayne, Michigan, walked around a mall and a Hallmark store, nothing monumental, but found a few more Chanukah and Christmas gifts, even some for Easter! I love a sale! Go me!

Then it was time to pick up KS, we connected at the airport and since we were both hungry, headed back downtown to grab some grub! We decided on Vellum but we just missed brunch and had about 20 minutes until happy hour and another hour to the start of restaurant week dinner. So what do two industrious girls do with time to kill? Window shop! That was perfect timing, we went back across the street to Vellum for happy hour and love those happy hour prices! The cool thing was we got a few of the things that we were looking at on the restaurant week menu! Poutine, fried beets and brussel sprouts and a watermelon sangria for KS, all delicious! We caught up on our week, laughed and had a good time. http://vellumrestaurant.com/

After happy hour, we walked around, KS got some dessert and then we headed back to the car, she was ready to get back to her room, do some laundry and watch the world cup: USA vs Portugal, which, as you know, ended in a tie. I got to the hotel, caught up with Nel, Liv and Sean, then headed up to my room and sat down, first time in a while.

Happy Sunday!

{June 21, 2014} Long day, goodbyes, a new experience, good food and good friends…Sounds good to me!

What a day!

Today was my last 12 hour day supporting the pharmacy at the hospital. It was bittersweet, I was happy to be finished with this part of the project, happy to not have to get up at 5am, be there at 6am and stay until 6pm. Happy that they were comfortable and confident with the application to not need our continued support, they are helping each other and know what to do if it’s a big issue.

Sad because I’ve spent two weeks with these people, I know it doesn’t seem like a long time, but when you spend 12 hours a day with them, you get to be friendly, friends. You laugh a lot and get silly, those wee hours of the morning are for silliness! You talk, get to know each other and have a good time. And when it’s time to go, they tell you how much they appreciated you being there, it feels so good and then hugs goodbye and you walk out the door. Who knows if our paths will cross, but I will remember them and maybe they’ll remember me. Well, some will because I became “snack girl”! I was responsible for bringing snacks mid-shift, I’ll take it!

CKM had a much more entertaining day! She started at the Farmers Market, lunch at the blue tractor, the library book sale: everything you can fit into a bag for $5! Then the Ann Arbor book festival, how could you go wrong? I lucked out with a t-shirt and rubber ducky from the festival, thank you!!

When i was done with work, I met CKM and we went to see ‘Architects of Air: Miracco’. “Miracoco is a glorious amalgam of engineering, technology, science, and art. The central dome features a spiral lattice of scintillating points of light on a field of iridescent hues. The outer domes explore the dodecahedron, using reinforced restraints to render a geometry that is more visible and precise.”

The entire structure was made of pvc pipe stretched so thin it becomes soft and pliable, very interesting. Even more interesting was that all the stitching was done by hand, really impressive! There were four different sections in different colors, blue, green, red with no artificial light, all natural.

http://a2sf.org/event/architects-of-air-miracoco/

Then we headed down to main street to Cafe Felix for dinner. The waiter said it was French with their own flair, um, not really. It was good, but we didn’t get the feeling of French, that’s ok, a new experience and tasty dinner. http://www.cafefelix.com/

After dinner we walked, went into different shops and bought a few things here and there, I’m doing well, I’ve gotten some chanukah and christmas presents already! Last stop was Cupcake Station, yum! She got a mini cupcake and I got a few cookies to bring back and share. http://www.cupcakestation.com/

Now, laundry is in, CKM is packing and I’m talking to you, sounds like a full day!

[Best part…NO alarm clock tomorrow! shhhh…sleeping!]

{June 14, 2014} What a day! Chicago done me right!

Today was a great day! I will tell you all about the hotel another time, I have to tell you all I did and it was a full day!

I slept in, in my fabulously comfortable bed, blinds drawn, it was yummy. I leisurely got up about 9:30 and realized I was hungry, so i got dressed and headed to the lounge area to get some breakfast. After breakfast, it was back to the room to shower and dress, then submit my time and expenses. Done.

I had my list of suggestions from people on what to do while I am in Chicago. I put on my walking shoes and headed out the door, stopping at the Concierge desk to ask suggestions and directions.

Turn right towards Michigan Avenue, then left. I found ‘The Towers’, two glass brick towers that have a face on one side and water coming from the top, very interesting. Lots of kids loving playing in the water. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Fountain.

Then into Millenium Park to see ‘The Bean’, this was very interesting, made up of stainless steel plates, no seam. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_Gate

Through the park to walk to Grant Park for the 31st annual Blues Festival. That was a lot of fun, I didn’t even know it was going to be here! Lot’s of great music and food and music and more music, fantastic. Got a little sun today. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Blues_Festival

After the festival, I headed right until I got to the water and turned left toward Navy Pier, I’ve heard of it and seen it in movies and on tv, but now I got to go! They have shopping, dining and rides, including the giant Ferris wheel, which you know I took. It was about eight minutes and well worth the trip, for the view! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navy_Pier

Next, I headed in the direction of the hotel, stopped for lunch and completed my journey back to the hotel to charge my phone and my internal batteries. A nice dip in the pool and hot tub, shower and I was rejuvenated.

At 8pm, I headed out for my last activity of the day, an architectural river cruise, with fireworks at the end. It was terrific! Our guide knew his stuff and had opinions on a lot of things and was very entertaining. We learned a lot and laughed a lot! We saw one of the buildings they used in Transformers 3, several locations that were used in the Batman with Joker movie, very cool. http://www.architecture.org/rivercruise

While I was waiting for the trip, I talked to the two women in front of me. One was from Madison, WI and the other was from Boston, what are the odds? We sat on the boat together and chatted and had a nice time. They even gave me a ticket for the John Hancock Building, might be using that tomorrow!

Right now, I am beat, it’s time for lights out!

{May 10, 2014} Ready…Set…Go!

You might need a nap after you hear about my day!

My day started at 6:15am (yes. 6:15am on a Saturday morning), I had a class to teach to no one. Even when a class is scheduled and no one is registered, you still need to be there at least one hour.

I used my time wisely, I updated class questions, did my expenses and time, answered some emails, definitely used my time wisely.

After I left, I went downtown Ann Arbor and took myself out for breakfast at Cafe Zola, it was yummy! I was all of a sudden hungry for lunch and eggs at the same time…egg salad sandwich on delicious challah it was! With some delicious blood orange tea, I was quite happy.

Next was back to the hotel, drop off the car for KS so she could run some errands. I changed out of my work clothes and headed across the way to the mall, it was time for a haircut.

While I waited for my turn, I walked around a little, I walked about two stores down to Payless, looking for summer shoes and ended up with a pair of faux suede brown boots, on sale even, score!

Time for a haircut. I went in with a picture that a friend had sent me and sat down and then she started to cut . She said it was going to be shorter, no worries, but then she’s cutting, cutting, cutting, finally, I gave up and just let her cut. I’ve had this cut before and it’s fine, I’m just annoyed I didn’t get what I wanted.

As I mentioned, I’ve had this cut before and in a day or two it will be back to normal, gotta add some gel and have fun with it. And…hello mom! I know I’ve told you I look like her, well..every time I get a short haircut, I look more like her. And that would be why it’s all good.

I headed back to the hotel, changed into some shorts and headed out again, nail salon for a manicure and pedicure. Oh my it felt so good! The massage chair, the foot rub, the hand massage, it was all wonderful and now my
the paws and claws look great! Lavender with a flower on the toes and deep burgundy for the fingers.

Walk, skip, dance to my music, back towards the hotel and then give KS a ride downtown to her class. I went back to the hotel, relaxed for a few minutes, got changed and headed out for the Bootlegger 5k. This was a race through the woods, following a trail that a bootlegger may have followed.

We had to get headlamps and it seemed silly at first, because it was light out, but boy were we all glad we had them! I did a little running, but more walking as the sun went down and the trail got a little more difficult to see, even with the headlamps.

At one point, we passed a pond and mother nature’s band, mainly frogs, serenaded us as we went past, it was terrific. At the end of the trail, there was moonshine! Three types: strawberry lemonade, cherry coke and apple pie. I tried the apple pie it was actually pretty good, I didn’t taste any alcohol.

For those of you who are friends with me on Facebook, go to my page, there’s a video of me drinking some moonshine, proof! It doesn’t happen very often, but there you have it!

About

After the run, back to the hotel, hot shower and write to you.

Now…the blinds and blackout curtain are drawn, it’s time for lights out! Good night!

{May 3, 2014} Party! Movies! Sleep?

What a day!

The girls spent the night away from home getting spoiled by S&B, so it was different coming in last night, we didn’t have to be quiet, no nightlights and this morning, well, I slept until 8! Hold yourself back!

Got up and got to work, there was going to be a 4 year old’s birthday party in a few hours, lots to do! Put out toys, prep food, remove funiture, move other stuff, sweep and then the girls showed up! AH! The hugs, the kisses, the love, the excitement! Then everyone else showed up! Total count for the day? Somewhere around 60 in and out, it was an open house, but there are times everyone is there at the same time. There were a lot of little loves there, hugs, kisses and more hugs for Auntie J! We had toys in the front and back yard, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, markers, paper, swing set and a bouncy house, what more could you want?

We had burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, pickles, potato salad, deviled eggs, chips and cake, still hungry? EJS and MGS even helped to make a watermelon basket, it was delicious and fun! MGS had a great birthday party and wore the party dress to prove it!

The majority of people were gone by 3:30 and we chilled out, finished cleaning and sat down, what? All of a sudden it was 5:30 and it was time to leave for my dinner date with the girls and two girls from down the street, H & B, they are sisters known as the baby whisperers. They are so amazing with little kids and my girls adore them, it was so cute when EJS invited them to go with us.

We went to the movie theater, got our snacks, potty stop and then settled in to watch Rio 2. The funny thing was when EJS was trying to explain Rio to the girls, almost scene by scene! We saw some good previews [Annie with Cameron Diaz and Jamie Fox, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Charlie Brown, Paddington] and then the movie started, it was a lot of fun and all the girls had fun!

Then it was time to go home, get jammies on and read stories. They were so tired, EJS fell asleep in the chair in MGS’s room as I was reading the second bedtime story starring Fancy Nancy, of course after telling me “If my eyes are closed, I’m not really asleep” so said the heavy breathing. Eventually they were both fast asleep and I came downstairs to enter my time for the week, submit expenses and then write to you.

Are you tired? I am, goodnight!

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