My Life on the road | Peaches Prattlings

{October 18, 2016} Goodbye pop…hello Max

A new experience!

Got up, had breakfast, dad headed to the airport, I headed to work. I know, you’re jealous, ha ha.

After work…

A few of us went to “Saved by the Max”. It’s a pop up diner in Chicago that is a replica of The Max from Saved by the Bell.

They designed it exactly like The Max, down to payphone on the wall. Every detail was seen to, the booths, the waitstaff shirts, the signs, music.

The menu was very clever, each dish named after a character or aspect of the show.

You pay in advance, get an appetizer, entree, side and dessert. [And before you ask, nope, not vegan friendly, but I made it work!] As our server said, we could dine and dash! We did!

There were TV screens showing different episodes, I watched a few episodes here and there, but I wasn’t a die hard, I was a senior in high school when it came out. Now, MJW, who I was with, die hard…except for him, it was in reruns…Oh brother! But it was fun sitting next to him, very excited about the experience, talking about the different episodes that were showing.

DLP, KP, MJW had fun talking, eating, enjoying the experience.

If you have the opportunity, you should do this! I will tell you that you can stand on line with the hopes of getting a table, sometimes a 2 hour wait or make a reservation two-three months in advance, which is what I did!

If you were a Saved by the Bell fan. This is the experience for you! Now, remember, this is a pop up diner, they extended until the end of the year, then it’s gone! Go!

Www.savedbythemax.com

{October 16, 2016} Another great day!

An easy, but fun day.

We slept in! Neither of us thought we’d sleep until 830am! Up and off to breakfast, hanging out and chatting.

Eventually we headed out looking for some Cubs and/or Blackhawks gear. We stopped at the Jack Daniel’s store where they were celebrati8 their 150th anniversary. They had $5 haircuts, whisky tastings, demos and a bluegrass band, they were great! Dad made a request our two, they played it!

A really good event that we really enjoyed! I can’t wait to wear my sweatshirt! Thanks daddy!

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Next, we walked down to Navy Pier for the Architectural Boat Tour. I’ve done it a few times, but not during the day, I was really looking forward to it. We had a great, witty guide who kept us entertained and we learned a little something…go figure.

Then, we headed to Giordano’s for Chicago’s other famous deep dish pizza. We waited the 45 minutes, watched some football, only to have our order done wrong. Boo hiss.

We headed back to the hotel and ordered a pizza from a Giordano’s near the hotel, went up to get drinks, put on the third Transformers movie, Dark Side of the Moon so we could watch all the places in Chicago we just saw and learned about get flattened or blown up! It was fun!

Ending the night with some football and talking to you.

Back to work tomorrow…nooooo!!

It’s been such a great visit dad…where to next?!

{October 15, 2016} Today’s post is brought to you by the Letter H!

Did you figure it out?

So…up too early for a Saturday, but it was good,we talked for about an hour, almost a continuation of our fabulous conversation last night, talking about family, family history fabulous.

Then it was up for breakfast, then off to T-mobile to replace my Galaxy Note 7 for a Galaxy Edge 7. This was going to take a while, about an hour 15, so we went for a walk, got some lunch, then back to the store, they weren’t done, so off we went back to the hotel because we had somewhere to be at 2pm…

We saw HAMILTON!!! Oh my gawd, it was amazing! How did we get tickets, you might ask, when tickets are a minimum of $450, if you’re lucky?

Well, after Dad got here, as we were walking to get something for lunch, we passed the theater where Hamilton is being performed and said “I wonder if they have tickets”, can’t hurt to ask…

Dad “do you have tickets?” Box Office guy “I do”. Dad”tomorrow? Box Office guy “I do”. Dad “how much?” “That’s all?? We’ll take two!” “Oh, where are they?” Box Office guy “orchestra”! Go dad!

The people sitting next to dad, same scenario. It really can’t hurt to ask!

So, here we are at 1:30pm fighting our way into the theater to see Hamilton. And I go mean fighting, they have no control or order to get people to their seats. Getting out…no picnic either.

But in between…

Oh man! What a show! It’s about the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, set to music. The music,lyrics and book were all written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, an amazing talent! The music, the lyrics, the beats, choreography, amazing! I laughed, I cried, I was sad, I was happy and…I did my very best not to sing along! [Anyone who knows me knows I love musicals and I know most of the music before I see a show, I want to sing every word!]

One of my favorite things about the show, the diversity of the cast. Hispanic, African-American, Asian, Caucasian. None of the characters was the “traditional” race for that character, except for King George III, who’s character was…AMAZING! great comic relief, transition, story. Each lead had a solo, the three supporting leads played different roles in act two.

If…you have the opportunity and can find tickets…that you don’t have to mortgage your house for, go!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_(musical)

How do you follow that? With Chicago Blackhawks HOCKEY, of course!

When dad was coming to Chicago I asked if he’d like to go to a sporting event, he said sure! If the Cubs were going to be in the playoffs, which they are! Go Cubs! the tickets would be crazy, so..how about hockey? Sold!

I got us Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators tickets, section 303. I don’t know if you noticed by the picture…Blackhawks won!

I said it was a good game, dad made a good observation, it’s always a good game if your team is winning! And it was and they did! Scored in the first six minutes! Three goals in the first 11 minutes!

The second period was eventful for the Predators, one goal, oh well. In the third period it was 3:2 Blackhawks. I said, they either need to score or hold them off for the next 8 minutes.

Guess what happened about 20 seconds later…score! Those fans go crazy when their team scores, just like any team, it was great!

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It was a good game, lots of fun, energy and best part…I got to take my dad to his first ever professional hockey game! Go me!

Blackhawks win!

Today’s post is brought to you by the Letter H: Hamilton and Hockey!

{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!

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What was I thinking?