My Life on the road | Peaches Prattlings

{October 15, 2016} Welcome to Chicago pop!

Guess who came to see me in Chicago for the weekend?! One guess..

I went into the office for a few hours and when dad got here, he let me know when he was near the hotel, I left to meet him. A great reunion!

Bags dropped in the room, chill for a minute, then hit the streets. Lunch was the first order of business, lots of catching up to do! Oh, first, we stopped at the theater down the street to see if they had any tickets for a big Broadway show, they did! Guess what we’re going to see!! Nope, I’ll let you guess until tomorrow, when I tell you!

We turned around and to the Art Institute of Chicago we went, we had about 1.5 hours before it closed, so we did a drive or walk-by of the contemporary, new contemporary and impressionists. We had a great time, discussing, questioning and laughing.

This one I call “what’s taters precious?”. Some of you will get this…

Next, The Bean, how do you explain The Bean, no explanation, just go see it. Isn’t it fabulous?
Walk down Magnificent Mile, admiring, talking, catching up. Then to Navy Pier for a quick peek, walk down to the end of the pier.

Then…Lou Malnatis for a Chicago must… deep dish pizza! And yes folks, I shared with dad and lived to tell about it!

A nice walk back to the hotel, talked for a long time and now, talking to you.
Tomorrow… phone, then… then…

{October 10, 2016} Where exactly are you going to go at this moment?

I just don’t get people all the time.

Forget wanting to get on the plane first…I somewhat understand that one, since everyone and their bother have to get their bag on the plane… whatever, I check mine most of the time.

It’s the people who stand up the millisecond the plane lands or I should say stops at the gate, as if they are getting off at that very moment. And, it’s mostly business travelers, who should have enough experience to know that ain’t happening!

They have to stop the plane, the flight attendants have to prepare whatever and eventually open the doors so we can all get out. But it’s not happening as soon as we stop.

I totally get if you have a connection, you’re going to want to get off the plane to make it, if we’re on time, you will be fine. I make connections almost every week, I’ll either make it or not. You are in that mindset, but people are generally nice and will let you out if you ask.

It’s these people who stand up, get their things from the overhead and then stand there looking annoyed because their not off the plane yet. There’s also supposed to be some semblance of order and consideration… one side goes, then the other, sometimes that happens, a lot of times not, you’re having to almost force you’re way into your aisle.

I think one of the thing that gets me is it’s as if most of those people think they’re more important than everyone else so they should be first.

Let’s go back to polite.

That’s it, just wondering where you think you’re going at this moment.

Have a happy Monday!

How perfect was this picture?!

{October 9, 2016} What a day! Family and friends

To me, they’re the same thing and I love it!

I spent the night with RJS and KS, this morning she gave in to my desire for breakfast, which anyone who knows me, when I’m in GA…Waffle House!! Yum!

I left her place to spend some time with CKM at a farmer’s market. In the Gall she sells apples and in the Spring she sells peaches at different farmer’s markets. I’ve asked her about it and now, when I ask questions about the markets I can visualize it in my mind. She sold out, pretty cool.

We caught up, laughed, got silly and had a good time, as always. I even bought a few apples for the kids, they smelled so good!!

Next, I headed out to see the grandkids! I got there and everyone was there and up from a nap, wahoo! I saw LB and Baby L, their mom, CS and Baby A and his baby sister Princess E and their mom, KB and a real treat…CG, their Mamaw, no idea how to spell that!

It was so great spending a few hours together, catching up, talking, laughing, having a good time. Only one missing was their sister, DCM, she was off with her beau…next time.

Then it was off to see LBK and family. I had a birthday present to deliver in person! Their youngest daughter turned 12 two weeks ago. Oh boy do I love seeing this family.

LBK, KK, JK and I went out to dinner, then they took me to see her new office, it was amazing! I’m so excited for her on this new adventure! We had so much fun in the therapy room, swinging, jumping, just being goofy. We took pictures, oh my.. we do look like out mothers!

Back at the house, laundry, the debate and more catching up. It was so fabulous, family always is!

Oh! My dear friends, CC and IF, had their baby! Much mazel to them!

Finally talking to you, have to crash and get up in a few hours to head to the airport. I need a vacation! Goodnight!

{October 8, 2016} Scarecrows, Orchids and Chihully…oh my!

So beautiful!

Today I met TS at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, their special exhibits were scarecrows and fabulous installations by glass artist, Dale Chihully.

We walked through the gardens admiring the flora and fauna, scarecrows that were made by different groups, a lot of scout groups, went into the orchid house and saw amazing works by Dale Chihully.

The scarecrows were cool and creepy, there was no limit on size or subject, all wonderful in their own way.

The orchids were amazing, as always! It’s amazing how diverse they all are, I love the ones that look like people or like they are praying.

The pieces by Chihully were breathtaking! The way he incorporates them into nature, there are no words!

I wish we could have gone at night, wow! One of these days I’ll see it at night. If you have the opportunity, go!

{October 5, 2016} I get to go home!

Wahoo! I’m going to Hawaii before next year! Ha ha!

It’s funny, I moved to Hawaii, sorry, I haven’t made a big official announcement yet, but I did. And now, when I see people, they’re first question, naturally is “How’s Hawaii?!” My answer…”it’s great when I can get there…”

Hawaii is not the easiest place to get to, especially from certain parts of the country. It’s about 9 hours from Chicago, if you can get a non-stop flight, which there aren’t, but I can fly non-stop back, wahoo!

So…it’s not always easy to get to for a weekend, especially if you have to fly out Friday and then back Sunday, if I fly out Thursday and back Sunday, no problem. Things are slightly up in the air at work, so I couldn’t make any definite plans to go. And Hawaii is not a last minute flight price-wise.

I am, however, trying to get a project on the west coast, do that…I can go home every weekend! I wouldn’t know what to with myself! Ha ha!

Based on a communication at work this week, I decided it should be safe, checked with my managers and guess what! I’m going to Hawaii for the weekend in a few weeks! That’s before December!

It’s for the weekend and the flight was reasonable! Oh my goodness, PSM and I are going to see each other three weekends in a row! What? Bottom line…I get to go home for the weekend!

Wahoo!

{September 29, 2016} Surreal and sad

I should be used to this already…but every time it takes getting used to.

This won’t be the most uplifting post, I appreciate your understanding.

I want to say that “home is where the heart is” and you know how much I love my friends and family and when I am with them, I feel at home, but I’m just visiting.

I am going to start with quasi-adulthood, instead of the just after college youth, if that’s alright with you.
I left Georgia after almost twenty years and now, when I go back, I’m renting a car and staying with friends, who are my family, or in hotels, I’m not “home”.

I left Colorado after a year and a half and now, when I go back, I’m renting a car, staying with friends or in hotels, I’m not “home”.

I left Boston three weeks ago, I had been moving my stuff over the past few months, including my car! and now, when I go back, I’m renting a car, staying with family, I’m not “home”.

When I left Colorado, I packed up some stuff, don’t forget, I have two storage units that I visit every time I go back, took the fur babies and moved in with my sister and family, it was great, I’d been spending so many weekends and weeks there, it was natural.

Then I got an apartment for me and the fur babies and coming “home” meant coming in from whatever project I was on, getting a rental car and going to my apartment to snuggle with them, seeing my family at least once or twice during the weekend.

Now, it’s a whole new experience. This is my first time coming to Boston and going straight to my sister’s, no apartment, no further babies. It’s surreal and it’s sad.

I’m going to be surrounded by family, friends and more love than I can imagine and it’s just what I need. Each trip will get a little easier, I know, but the first one is not going to be easy.

I’ll take your good vibes and positive thoughts my friends for this weekend. Let the healing begin.

{September 28, 2016} A sense of urgency…not really

I work really well under pressure.

I’ve always been that way, it doesn’t work for everyone and it shouldn’t. Sometimes the pressure is put on myself because I procrastinate. My mother hated, yes I said hated that I procrastinate. I really shouldn’t, but sometimes, that’s just the way it is.

I am currently working on something that I need to finish but I didn’t have a deadline, so I didn’t have a sense of urgency. Well, there was a sense of urgency and then it was gone, things change. I put one on myself, it might be more I just want to get it done, it might be that I don’t want anyone thinking I’m wasting time just sitting around.

I’ve also been waiting on others to send me what I need to finish, can’t make that happen myself, well, with a little nudge I can!

Well, earlier today, I got access to what I needed to finish and I think tomorrow might be the day! Wish me luck!

{September 27, 2016} A fun evening…fund raising

Yeah, puntastic!

Tonight, my team went out to support a great coworker and cause.

JW is on the board of directors of CEP, the Center for Economic Progress. This is a fantastic organization that helps low-income, working families as a trusted provider of tax and financial services. http://www.economicprogress.org/

The fundraiser was to acknowledge the program, supporters, staff and volunteers.

Well…we were also there to fundraiser, of course! One of the reasons we were fundraising is the mobile unit, just like the magnet in the photo. It will be used to travel into neighborhoods to perform their great services.

The mobile unit has been procured, but…as JW said in her presentation, it is sad on the inside…why? It’s empty! So…we need to raise funds to fill and stock it! Computers, workstations, supplies, you name it.

How did we accomplish some of this tonight? Text CEP to a number, get a text with a link to a fundraising site, clever! When you submitted your donation, you saw your name scroll on the big screen, sorry, missed my name!

Now, the excitement was to see what we could raise in 5 minutes and someone was going to match it. What did we raise? Almost $9000! Not too shabby! Go JW and CEP!

It was an exciting event and as it was winding down, the team went a few blocks down the street to have some dinner, the fundraiser was appetizers and an open bar. We continued the good times, especially when JW got there. We ate, drank, chatted and laughed, another great team I’m lucky to have been placed with!

{September 24, 2016} Miles…tolls…hotels…1.5 fill ups

A drive across country isn’t an easy task.

Between today and yesterday I have driven 1180 miles, 18 hours…spent $60 in tolls…$360 in hotels, oh my!

I started in Massachusetts, drove through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and finally Wisconsin, whew.

Tolls are ridiculous!!! Most were $1.25-2.50, ok. There was one for $8.50, another $10.30 and one for $15.50! What are they doing with the money?? Don’t answer that, I know the answer.

The tolls were one thing, but the hotel…last night, no worries, I used some points and cash, paid a pet deposit. Tonight, because there is a Green Bay Packers home game tomorrow, a hotel that normally costs $60, maybe $90 a night is going for nothing less than $190 a night, what?

I rented a Toyota Prius, which is a hybrid, so great on gas mileage, about 536 miles on a tank, not bad. I only had to fill up twice to here, one last time before I turn it in tomorrow. I liked the car, drawback is it beeps in reverse.

It’s been an interesting trip…not doing it again!

{September 22, 2016} What a day!

This is not going to be the most positive of all posts…Sorry.

It’s also going to be that kind of weekend, so friends, just send me good vibes and I’ll be alright.

Work was hit and miss. It was good in that I got a lot done and I had a good training session. The not so good…something that was supposed to happen this coming Monday is now on hold, not great…

I got a pre-birthday text, thanks KWH.

Travel was hit and miss…when I checked in yesterday, I couldn’t get a seat on my first flight, ok, I’ll get one at the airport. Good was making it in time for my bag to make it. I had a seat at this point, not a great one and when I mentioned this to the agent, he said no problem, you’re confirmed on the upgrade list, you’ll get a better seat, they block them off, you’re platinum, you’ll be set…great.

Get to the gate, they have no idea and I get to sit in the 2nd to last row of the plane, next to the engine, where I have trouble sitting normally, I get nauseous from noise. Shortly after take off, phone falls and ends up behind the last row, fun. Thank you to the kind man who found it for me after we landed. That was good and the woman I sat next to was very nice.

Next flight…all the way at the other end of the airport, bad when you’re tired, good when you need the steps! Much better seats, just a nosy neighbor who watched almost every episode with me on my personality. Apparently he wasn’t enjoying what he was reading on the phone that was dying.

Then I realized I left my transponder in Chicago, which I brought with me specifically for the weekends I would be in Boston for the mass amounts of tolls…pook.

Now I’m on the shuttle to get my rental car, fingers crossed that goes off without a hitch.

Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment…what do you think my odds are?

Hit and miss, right?

Happy thoughts!! This might help!

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