My day | Peaches Prattlings

{July 10, 2014} Marshmallows…

Make me happy. Yeah, that’s about it.

Kidding, I will tell you more about my thoughts on marshmallows. I haven’t always liked marshmallows, but they are a little bit of fun and fluff.

But…I’m not into eating Fluff though, I think it’s weird, you know Fluff and peanut butter sandwiches? No appeal to me at all. As you know, I don’t like chocolate unless there is peanut butter involved, but every once in a while, if there is a campfire and s’mores, I will make one, it’s fun. What could be better? Squishing a piece of chocolate and a marshmallow between two graham crackers…yeah, sounds good. And messy.

I remember being a kid and taking marshmallows and pulling them apart to make taffy, sticky but fun. And who doesn’t like marshmallows melting into their hot chocolate? And come on, how long did you search for the perfect stick to put the marshmallow on to roast it over an open fire or maybe in the fireplace on a cold winter’s night, living room camping!

Why am I inspired to tell you about my affection for the little white fluffy things? [Aside from the fact that you never know what is going to come out of my mouth?] Yesterday, KLS and I were running errands and were in the grocery section of the store and I saw a bag of giant, square marshmallows and decided to buy the bag. I can tell you that I will probably have this bag for a year. I can’t eat very many of them at all, they are so sweet, so I will eat one and then maybe the next day have another and then…it will probably be a week or so before I have another so…

Be on the lookout, I will be sharing them, why not, it’s like sharing a bit of love.

{July 10, 2014} I’m allergic to…

Am I allergic to something else?

I already have a list of things I’m not supposed to eat due to gastritis, you don’t want to know. You know I gave up dairy about two months ago, still dealing with that.

A few years ago I figured out that I’m allergic to soy milk when I had a white hot chocolate made with soy milk and my mouth started to itch, so much, I was scratching it with a fork! I thought it was a fluke until that summer, I ate some cereal with soy milk, same thing, among other things happening. So, no more soy milk for me.

Last week, I had an allergic reaction, same thing, took a Benedryl and I fell asleep and when I woke up, all better. I’m not sure what it was, hoping it wasn’t the watermelon. Today, I had the same reaction after eating a plum, no Benedryl, but there was some Claritin down in the hotel lobby, it seems to have worked.

Oh, please..I don’t want to be allergic to anything else! [I’ll keep you posted as I keep eating]

{July 6, 2014} Another busy day! Gravestones, Cars, Dinner

Ready for another crazy day? Are you still keeping up? Did you take a nap after my last post?

Today started early for a Sunday, but we had things to do! I woke up before my alarm was set to go off at 8am and leisurely got up, which is the best way to wake up, meandered out and met TS preparing some coffee and tea, we made breakfast and had a nice sit down meal.

Then we got in the car and headed down to Oakland Cemetery for the tour at 10am. I have always wanted to tour the cemetery, “Less than a mile from the heart of downtown Atlanta, a hidden treasure, a secret sanctuary, welcomes you. This garden cemetery, founded in 1850, is the final resting place of many of Atlanta’s settlers, builders, and most noted citizens like Bobby Jones, Margaret Mitchell, and Maynard Jackson. It is also a showplace of sculpture and architecture, and a botanical preserve with ancient oaks and magnolias. Here in this peaceful place the full scope of the city’s rich and fascinating history unfolds before you.”

They also have some great events, like ghost tours, music events, 5k races, so many events.

We enjoyed the tour, saw some fantastic works of art that are actually grave markers, touching tributes, amazing statuary, stained glass. We learned about the foliage, how it is selected based on times in history, history of the different sections of the cemetery, tributes based on wealth and age of the loved on. One day soon, I will give you full photographs and information that I learned. Until then, here are a few pictures to enjoy. http://www.oaklandcemetery.com/

After the full two hour and so worth the money tour, we went across the street to Six Feet Under. I had been wanting to go and…if we showed our receipt would get $5 off our meal, what could be better!

We had a great lunch and for dessert, some fantastic white chocolate, banana bread pudding with whiskey caramel sauce! Let me just say Y U M!!! http://sixfeetunderatlanta.com/

After lunch, we took our coasters to the High Museum of Art, they had $3 off coupons, how could we resist? This was an amazing event, there were cars from the early 1940s to new cars from the 2000s. These were some sleek, beautiful and amazing looking cars, a beauty and a joy forever. I will post a full album very soon, here are a few to get your gears shifting! http://www.high.org/Art/Exhibitions/Dream-Cars-Innovative-Design-Visionary-Ideas.aspx

After the exhibit, we drove back to TS’ house to relax and I headed out at 5pm to head to Buckhead to meet my dear friend LGR and her husband MR and their adorable daughter, CR. We met at Farm Burger for some good food, conversation and laughs, it’s always a good time. LGR and I have known each other for almost 20 years, I met her my second year in Georgia and when we get together or talk on the phone, it’s as if no time has passed, don’t you just love friends like that? I know I do.

http://www.farmburger.net/buckhead/

After dinner, I headed to my house to have a peek around and now I am writing you and tomorrow, I will head back to Ann Arbor, MI. What might be my next adventure?

{July 5, 2014} A marathon of a journey…for real!

Ok folks, get ready, this is going to be a douzy! We’re packing two days into one post! I owe ya!

Picture it..July 4th 4am! What? Yup, that’s when my day started…along with a bunch of other people in Atlanta, getting ready to participate or volunteer, or both, for the 45th running of the Peachtree Road Race.

I got up, hoping not to wake SDL or Miss A and I was successful. I got up, dressed and out of the house by 4:24 and I was on the road by 4:26. I made it to Phipps Plaza to park by 5am, they were closing the road by 5:30. I met up with CKM and checked in for my post. It was our 5th year volunteering for the Peachtree Road Race and this year, we got a special pin! We get a pin every year we volunteer and every five years you get a special commemorative pin and we earned it!

Then we went to our post at the start, we were going to be corralling the seeded runners, getting them ready to line up to go forward and run their hearts out. First there was the Original 110. This group consisted of some of the original 110 runners from the first Peachtree Road Race in 1970 and there were also some of their grandkids, it was really cool. http://www.peachtreeroadrace.org/press-center/history

Next came the wheelchair racers and they were fantastic. It’s a lot of fun to watch them take off, it’s like a giant windstorm came through. They have several rows of the racers, the last row are the runners who push the wheelchair participants, makes you feel all warm and fuzzy and so proud! The men’s and women’s winners were both American! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peachtree_Road_Race#Wheelchair_race_divisions

Then came the Women’s 10k World Championship followed a few minutes later by the Men’s 10k World Championship. Both the men’s and women’s winners were American in this race group as well! http://www.peachtreeroadrace.org/articles/view/landry-hastings-win-on-picture-perfect-peachtree-day

Before The Original 110 group, a duo sang America the Beautiful and before the Championship races, they sang The National Anthem. It’s amazing to see the flag flying, all the participants looking up at the amazing flag with their hands on their hearts, some, like me with our hats in our hands covering our hearts and to feel such pride as I listen and sing and know that it has so much meaning to me and to this country and I will be honest, there is no other song that makes me tear up when i hear it as The National Anthem.

Then Group A followed a few minutes later by Group B and at that point CKM came running across the road to return her placard, I had already returned mine, since I was on that side of the street and as soon as Group C went, we jumped in at the very end, crossed the start and we were off!

We had a lot of fun, walking, talking, hi-fiving kids and adults alike, seeing great costumes and signs and enjoying the beautiful 67 degree morning! Yes folks, I said 67 degrees in Atlanta in JULY!!! That was unheard of, but it was perfect! I actually had long sleeves on for a while!

It took us officially 1:49:33. Out of 28693 women participating, I came in 25589. I’m pretty proud! There were 28478 men, 29694 women and 57171 total finishers. Not too shabby if I do say so myself!

I really enjoy the tradition that CKM and I have had for the past 6 years and I look forward to volunteering and participating in the Peachtree Road Race as long as we win the lottery and get numbers!

There was another cool thing that happened. Meb Keflezighi, who won the Boston Marathon this year and was the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1983 was doing the Chase Keflezighi, fundraising for Kilometer Kids, a kids running club, hoping to raise $75,000 by starting LAST at the Peachtree Road Race and had a goal of passing 22,500 participants!!! You know he did it! http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/keflezighi-runs-down-pack-at-ajc-peachtree/ngZBG/

After we crossed the finish line, we made our way with thousands of other participants to get our coveted finishers t-shirts. I know I always say that I do these races for the t-shirt and this is one a lot of people will say they do for the shirts. This is one of the few races that you only get your shirt after you finish the race. It really is a coveted shirt and people wear it proudly like a badge of honor!

After the run, we got our shirts, some fruit and popsicles and ice cream and started to walk to get something to eat. I want you to keep in mind just how much we walked. We just finished a 10k, that’s 6.2 miles. Then we walked about 2.5 miles to get to the Flying Biscuit Cafe for some breakfast to include some creamy dreamy grits! Oh My! So worth the 45 minute wait, with everyone else! http://www.flyingbiscuit.com/

After brunch, we started walking towards the MARTA [train] station and decided we didn’t want to get on the train with everyone else so we were going to walk down to the next station on Peachtree Street. Neither one of us remembered that there isn’t a MARTA stop on Peachtree until we were almost back at the start so…we walked the 6.2 miles back to our cars! What? In total we walked about 16 miles! That is crazy! CKM realized she had walked a half marathon, unofficially is what she said while she was laughing through the pain! [Please send good vibes to her for the seven blisters she got on her feet!] Yes you did! And it was great practice for me for the half I’m doing in February. Although…I might be doing one in Las Vegas in November, I’ll keep you posted! I need to get her a 13.1 t-shirt!

Tired yet? Just hold on!

After we got back to our cars, I headed out to Suwanee to see my friend LK and her family. I met them at the pool and we had a great time! As soon as I changed into my bathing suit, I jumped in the pool and stayed there until we got out to go home two hours later! It was great, we talked, I played with the kids and got some extra sun.

At the house, we made pizzas for dinner, the kids had friends over, there was a lot of laughter, shouting and fun. After dinner, we showered and dressed, I carved a watermelon basket, I’m getting better at them! And then went up the hill to the top of the cul-de-sac for some snacks and fireworks! I talked to a couple who’s son lives in…wait for it…Broomfield! What are the odds! and some other very nice neighbors they have. One of the older neighborhood kids were letting off fireworks, some of them were really good and some just noisy.

About 10pm, I walked the youngest, K back to the house, we put on jammies and cuddled under the blankets and a little while later everyone else came home and found us dozing on the love seat. After she sent the kids to bed LK I sat, folded laundry and talked, it was really nice. I know I’ve told you about LK, we grew up together and being in that house is like being at home and I love it.

Like the last time I was there, I had an allergic reaction to something so I took a Benedryl and got a little sleepy, let’s just say. I wrote to you and then passed out, waking today about 11:40am, it was awesome! I had woken up about 6am and then 8am and I decided that was not going to be the final word and fell back asleep, I got a text that woke me telling me there were pancakes on the counter! Thank you! It was so awesome to catch up on some sleep and I will be able to go another few months on 3-4 hours a nite! SO NICE!

I got up, showered and dressed, had some pancakes and then everyone came home from wherever they were. At 2:30, they were all heading to the pool, so I kissed and hugged everyone, got in the car and headed to TS’ house.

I told you this would be a long one!

At TS’ house, I found SF and her friend C, they were going to a movie nearby and wanted to see TS’ new furniture. It was nice to catch up with them and after they left, TS and I got down to business, catching up in person!

I have to tell you, she was the first person to tell me that reading my blog was like sitting across from me at the table, she always knows what’s going on in my life and sometimes feels like she’s hearing things for the second time when I tell her a story!

We talked about going to a movie and then time got away from us and we talked until it was time to cook dinner and we cooked together, it was great! Eggplant with pesto, sauce and mozzarella [well, the cheese was for TS], asparagus and multi-colored baby carrots and some cold salads she had picked up, a feast!

After dinner, we kept talking, finally her cat, Molly came downstairs to say hello, we cuddled and TS and I kept talking. All of a sudden, we realized it was 12am and we needed to get some sleep, we’re going to tour the Oakland Cemetery tomorrow, which I’m very excited to do since I have never done it!

Tomorrow or Monday, I will post photos from this weekend! Right now, I wish you all a great night and get some sleep, unless you already fell asleep from this long post!

{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!

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