My Life on the road | Peaches Prattlings

{December 28, 2016} We’re home… Breakfast…a hike… pampering…dinner… Chanukah

A nice normal day at home, on vacation, what could be better?

We watched the sunrise, beautiful, then had breakfast on the lanai with Mollie.

Then a hike on the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail. What a spectacular view, unfortunately, the lighthouse was covered for repairs, that didn’t deter our enjoyment.

On our way back to the car, we were stopped at the entrance because a cavalcade of cars was on its way, not sure which car, but President Obama was in there. I’ve never been that close to a president, kind of neat.

After dinner, a much needed mani/pedi and then dinner at a new place called BYOB, Build Your Owl Bowl, Asian fusion. Then home to light the Chanukah menorah for our first night together in Hawaii.

{December 27, 2016} Travel on the day after Christmas…hmmm…

415 wakeup, what were we thinking. Well, we wanted to get home today…and we did…eventually.

I hate to say it, I had an easier time than PSM, I got very lucky. My flight was at 730am, ended up being delayed about 30 minutes, we were waiting on a flight coming in. It was one of the easiest times getting through Atlanta security, crazy!

My flight Atlanta to LA was fine, aside from the whining dog in front of me, I would say whined most of the 4+ hour flight, joy, thank goodness for headphones. The dog behind me, not a peep, thankfully. Then there was the teeny woman from Guatemala who kept asking me questions about the flight. She was looking at the tracker on the screen in front of her, changed the language to Spanish, I knew she could read, had the distance and time there, but asked anyway. It was fine, she was very sweet and it got me to practice my limited Spanish skills.

I get to LA a few minutes early, go on search of food. Not one item that I could get to take with me was vegan friendly! The salads that were coming out eventually, it was only 945am when we got in, might be vegan, great.

I got on my next flight, I sat in the exit row with no seat in front of me, which is nice for the leg room. The guy in front to the left was very sweet and found movies for me to watch on the screen, my arms aren’t that long. Shortly, he was off the hook, I found the controls on my seat.

I bought a snack, so that helped my head and my stomach, I watched free movies, nice and probably dozed for about 20 minutes.

I used a few of my birthday and Christmas/Chanukah presents on my flight, fabulous! The wrap I got was the perfect blanket! The lunching kept some snacks cool and my feet were warm from my new socks, score!

I landed, collected my things, identified my bag by the new bag strap! Found the car where PSM had left it, dropped the top and headed home. Someone was very happy to see me! I’ve never seen Mollie that exited! She ran around in circles and barked!

Then it was the business of unpacking, I did get a little bored and took a break, poor PSM came home to a slight explosion on the table but he was warned!

PSM had a harder time, he was on 2 connecting flights, both of which were delayed. I finally picked him up about 10pm, after about 19 hours of flying, not a fun experience, I can vouch for that!

But now, we’re both home, settled in and we’re going to crash. The windows are open, there’s a chill in the air…goodnight!

{December 23, 2016} A visit…a lunch…a dinner…more visits

Poor PSM…he’s seen more of the highways in Atlanta than anything else.

We started our morning going to see TS, we had a short window, but it was a quality visit. I love spending time with her and it was great to introduce her to PSM.

Next was lunch with JCT, they tired to out hot sauce each other! They enjoyed having someone who understands what that means!

After a nice bowl of spicy pho for them and crispy noodles for me. We went to Kung Fu Tea for milk tea, it was a new and tasty experience. But wait, there’s more! We went to Sweet Hut for some tasty pastries. I might need something salty!

Then it was a tour of my old neighborhood and house, then on to JT’s for the night.

Hanging out, finish wrapping, talk to you, then crash. We’re seeing the grandkids in the morning!

Goodnight!

{December 16, 2016} And the marathon begins!

I landed in Atlanta this morning and off I went!

The first stop was fabulous and long overdue. I met with two very dear friends, who were neighbors when we all lived in my last neighborhood in Georgia. They were both the first people I met, we went on trips together, dinners, lunches, brunches, parties, coffee and tea, planning, events, parades, comfort, support and love each other, in good times and bad.

Something we used to do is, and I know this is crazy sounding, we would just walk down the street, knock on each other’s doors and just visit, imagine that!

PWT and DNB, love these ladies, they helped me get through some…shite in my life. We got together and it was like no time had passed, it was wonderful. I hope that we can continue this, it really was great to see them.

I left lunch and headed to JCT, we caught up until the family got home, then we all headed to Costco, I know, you’re jealous…then JCT, her daughter ST and I went for a little pampering, mani for me and ST and the works for JCT, mani/pedi, ahhhh.

Back to the house to watch movies and hang out. Just what the doctor ordered. You curious what’s coming tomorrow? Tune in and find out!

{December 15, 2016} Has it really been 11 years?

Eleven years ago today, my mom’s mom passed.

She was 95 and it was a little over six months after my mom passed. She was an amazing woman, politically active, she worked the voting polls for as long as I can remember, she was a familiar face and a staple in her district.

She was a great grandmother, we would have so much fun when I would stay with her. We would cook, play games, watch tv,I think I was with her when JR got shot and probably when we found out who shot JR! She taught me to play poker and gin, we’d stay up all hours playing, a hard woman to beat.

She took me to plays and musicals, every year she took me to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, at 75 she was riding the log floom at Coney Island!

She was an amazing cook. She could cool Jewish food like no one else, just don’t ask her to cook “American” food! No one could beat her blintzes, mom and I loved them frozen, oh my!

She loved her family, would bend over backwards to help a friend. She was also stubborn like, obstinate, stick to your guns and MGS, isn’t just her namesake in name only.

MGS is a fabulous little human being and there are moments when she stands her ground, refuses to take no for an answer, shows her smarts, says something funny, I see Grandma M.

Thinking about you Grandma M, missing and loving you.

December 15,2016

{December 14, 2016} Holiday dinner…fun!

We had our team holiday dinner last night and it was great fun!

We went to The Publican,”a homage to oysters, pork and beer”, just what a vegan ordered!

It was great, aside from the pork rinds, ha ha, I’m glad they told me what was in the paper cone! The menu was meat focused, but when I said I was vegan, they accommodated me quite nicely, don’t you think?

It was a lot of fun to be together because I don’t see most of them very often some I’m in the field almost every week.

We talked, drank, laughed, shared, ate, told stories, had a great time. At the end of dinner we had a ‘white elephant’ gift exchange.

A white elephant is where you purchase or bring a gift you have in the house, that cost, for us, $10 or less. Everyone draws numbers and then the first person pics a gift. The next person pics a gift then decides if they want to keep it or swap with someone else. Spot #2 apparently is the worst because you can only swap with #1, #1 gets to choose after everyone else goes. So stressful!

I brought a Shaper Image bank that counts your money and a Santa hat that says Naughty on one side and Nice on the other, #2 kept it and protected it! I swapped after I opened mine for a portable speaker!

A lot of good times and laughs. I’m glad I fought the traffic and went, I had a really good time and…everyone enjoyed the bags of chocolate coal I gave them.

How was your holiday party?

{December 12, 2016} Made it without a hitch…

Eventually!

I believe I mentioned the other day that my flights were rescheduled due to the 1500 flights being canceled into and out of Chicago.

I got up about 530 this morning, the newscasters said the traffic would be horrible so leave in plenty of time. I got up, several inches of snow covered the car and guess what the car didn’t have…and ice scraper. Who rents a car in Boston in winter with no ice scraper! Luckily, no ice, just snow and I have sleeves!

I got on the road, the highway was clear and I made it in about 45 minutes, a few minutes more than no snow days. Turned in the car and was at the gate with lots of time to spare.

I went from a non-stop Boston to Chicago to Boston to Washington, DC, DC to Chicago. Originally getting in at 938am to leaving at 930am and arriving 130pm, getting to the office about 3pm. A slight change in plans.

The important thing is…I made it to the office, worked a few hours, then drove to the hotel where I’m staying this week.

This place is ready for Christmas, I’ll post pics tomorrow. I am in my hotel, had food delivered, in my jammies, snuggled under the covers, it’s cold out there! watching movies, I’m set!

Have a great night!

{December 11, 2016} Another crazy, fabulous weekend with my family

Actually it was pretty low key…nice.

I got to my sister’s somewhere between 130 and 2am on Friday. GES was the only one home when I woke up. We spent some quality time together.

Eventually, everyone was home and we took the girls with us to get some holiday shopping done. Then it was auntie-niece time while mom and dad went out. We had dinner, talked, watched movies and then night-night, no fighting, just brushing teeth, potty, lights out.
Today was more of the same, well, GES and I got to go run errands and shop for a few hours, just the sisters getting to catch up without interruption, we had a great time.

Dinner with the family, wrap gifts, pack my bags, way too many to take with me, but I have lots of presents to deliver in Atlanta!

Now, the big question…will I get out of Boston tomorrow? It’s snowing in Chicago, 1500 flights have been canceled so far. My flights have been rescheduled by United. It started snowing here about two hours ago. If I wasn’t teaching on Tuesday, I wouldn’t be as concerned about getting to Chicago.

Send good vibes please.

{December 9, 2016} What a nice guy

At the airport, I met a nice guy.

I got a drink from Starbucks, went to my gate, sat down and after a few sips put the drink down and apparently the floor was thirsty…

I asked the guy next to me if he could watch my bag for a moment while I get another drink, he looked at me and then said yes.

As I was standing at the counter waiting for my drink, he came over to tell me that the flight was boarding, omg! He also brought my bag to me! I felt terrible! I offered to by him a drink, he declined. What a nice guy.

I got my drink, boarded the plane and I found my seat, guess who was in the seat next to mine?!

We spent the flight talking and he’s just as nice in person, so to speak.

There are nice people out there, being nice just for the sake of being nice. Sigh…

{December 5, 2016} I’m done traveling…

For a few days!

With all the delays and layovers, I was on the road/in the air, so to speak for about 26 hours. I left my house in Hawaii at 2pm and I checked into my hotel about 430pm.

I’d say that is enough for one day!

I’m staying at the Hilton St Louis Downtown at the Arch, it looks like the lobby is a converted bank and my room is very nice with a cool sitting area.

I’m checked in, got a some work done, prepped for tomorrow, got some decent food across the street from the hotel, I’m in my jammies and hoping to see the backs of my eyelids by 10pm.

Tomorrow is a new day and I only have to travel 8 minutes to my training site, I’m good with that!

Happy Monday!

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