My Life on the road | Peaches Prattlings

{January 23, 2021} Treat after Treat after Treat after…

What a day today was, it was treat, after treat, after treat! I admit it, I’m spoiled, and I’ll take it!

Since I couldn’t get a reservation to ski for the day, I made other plans. First… last night I pulled down the blackout curtain, hoping it would help me also in a little. Well, any guesses how that turned out? It’s all good, more time for me to do nothing! Ha Ha!

I thought about going to a yoga class or doing a virtual livestream class and then I thought about something PSM said, you’re skiing, you don’t have to do yoga, true, but I thought it might help, who knows. Then my body said, “um…yeah, you’re good, take it easy” and I listened, go figure! I laid in bed, turned on the tv and vegged out, it was fabulous! Then I got up and made myself an egg sandwich, moved to the couch and continued my relaxing journey! Not a bad way to start a Saturday.

I decided to be a little productive, checking emails, updating a friend’s resume, and making plans for the day, all while relaxing, that works for me! My friend texted that she loved that I had no plans and I have to say, it is refreshing to not have plans when you’re visiting somewhere. It all depends where you are and what you’re doing, right? I used to live in Colorado, there is a lot that I did, but there is also a lot I haven’t done and depending on what it is, I want to share it with PSM. This time, I’m only here to ski and see friends, and since I have the pass and I’m not that far from the mountains, take it easy.

I finally got motivated and headed out the door for my first treat of the day. I drove downtown to see LJ, she has a great apartment overlooking Denver and the view of the Flat Iron Mountains is fabulous! She shares the apartment with her boyfriend JS and their kitten, Steve. OM G, what a doll baby! Cutest little orange tabby with a lot of energy and a name tag that might be bigger than him!

We sat down and talked and talked, about everything and nothing, and just like all our conversations it went all over the place, par for the course, of course! All the while Steve took turns biting my toes and fingers, pouncing on me and other things, and settling in next to his mom’s side happy as can be. Oh my am I getting my fix!

After a bit, we looked for a place to go and LJ is one of the friends I have who tries to go vegan with me, a lot of places we called had a wait and we decided on…Edgewater Public Market, I’m in! She’s been there a bunch and her yoga studio is there, same one PSM and I go to, which means…next time we travel to Denver, we can go to our yoga studio! She went off and got pizza and I got a vegan chicken Caesar salad from Meta Burger, another hit! I told her about my dinner from last night and she had to get a side of the vegan mac-n-cheese, she was not disappointed! And we talked some more, we can do this for hours, wait, we are!

Then…another treat! We both saved room and went over to Happy Cone for some vegan gelato for me and full on fabulous ice cream for her! We were both quite pleased. It’s a simple ice cream shop, ‘New Zealand style creamery handmaking ice cream, chocolates and happiness’ is the tag from their website. I believe Hap Cameron, the owner was the one who scooped our treats, I could be wrong, but it sounded like a New Zealand accent when he spoke…through his mask!

Then we sat and talked some more, go figure, then a strange smell wafted by and despite the masks, we could still smell it, it was probably someone’s food as a few people walked by, but it was time for us to get some fresh air, so we went to the outside heated tent and sat at a recently cleaned table and talked some more. I mean, when don’t we talk!? I’ve told you this before, one of my favorite things about my friends is that we can sit and talk about everything and nothing and it’s always as if no time has passed. Eventually, sadly, it was time to leave. I took LJ back home, we said our goodbyes and hugs and headed off in different directions. Looking forward to the next time!

I called AM and we worked on dinner plans, that was the plan after all, hang with friends! He called in an order at City O’ City, I think we’ve talked about it before, but I la la la love this place! I placed my order for ‘chikn’ n waffles. The chikin’ is fried cauliflower, not to worry, the waffles are actual waffles! It’s served with vegan creme fraiche, maple syrup, and carrot bacon. We also had seitan wings for an appetizer, y-u-m! There was a vegan pizza, and for dessert…a ho-ho cupcake and a whoopie pie. Let’s just say, if you come with me to Denver, I’ll take you to City O’ City. I’ll tell you how good it is…the first place LJ asked about getting lunch…City O’ City! Oh yeah!

I picked up the food and headed to AM’s house, it was AM and his daughter…AM! Ha Ha, his wife NM was at their house in the mountains, I was bummed not to get to see her, we kept missing each other this weekend. It was a great time! We talked school, a teeny bit politics, books, movies, podcasts, it was quite the dinner conversation!

When the younger AM went to bed, AM and I retreated to the den, popped in Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan‘s first movie together, Joe Versus the Volcano then spent the next 1.45 hours talking movies, discussing almost every movie on the wall, laughing, disagreeing, agreeing, howling, taking moments to actually watch some of the best parts of the movie. I think I’m going to have to dedicate an entire post to this movie, it is probably one of my all-time favorite, same for AM. What a great night, it really was, I’m still laughing!

What a day for me! Treat, after treat, after treat, after treat. I am spoiled and I’m ok with that! What’s next?!

{January 22, 2021} Meta Burger…What a Treat!!

Philly cheesesteak to be exact. And…VEGAN! And…FAB-U-LOUS!!!

Tonight I was looking for something to eat after I went to the local Indian Motorcycle Dealership of Denver dealership and went to my friendly neighborhood Happy Cow app and found Meta Burger, 100% vegan and only 6 minutes away, sold! I clicked directions from the Happy Cow app and away I went.

What I found was Edgewater Public Market, opened November 2019. I LOVE places like this…open space, exposed beams, open concrete floors, tables, food choices to satisfy almost any pallet, from what I saw, some in a food court type area, and some were along the walkways. There were a few stores, although it looked like they would be adding more, indoor and outdoor seating with strings of Edison bulbs. It was simple, open, inviting, and welcoming. It reminded me of some places I’ve been in the states and throughout Europe, a place I can see going with PSM on a date night, a girls night, group of friends, lunch during the week, or some fun on the weekend.

Quite a few of the restaurants had entrances along the outside and Meta Burger was one of them. Meta Burger doesn’t say they are vegan, their foods are 100% plant based. As they say, “Meta Burger’s Mission is to reshape fast casual dining through a metamorphosis of ingredients, atmosphere and company values in order to construct a better future for all.”

I’ve told you this before, but I absolutely LOVE when I don’t have to ask where they cook the food, is there dairy in the food, and other questions. My questions now are “Is it spicy”? And my favorite question…”what do you recommend?!” Should I choose between their burgers or classics? I get veggie or plant based burgers a lot, I wanted to try something different. “If I were to choose between the Philly cheesesteak or the chicken sandwich, what would you recommend?”

Philly cheesesteak it is and it was fabulous! It was strips of seitan, seasoned like Philly cheesesteak meat, peppers, onions, on a roll, and cheese sauce on the side. I skipped the grilled mushrooms, no thanks! and for a side I got the mac-n-cheese. I have to tell you, the cheese sauce, which was mostly potato based, was amazing and creamy and delicious and stayed that way, O M G!

The guy who took my order and helped me decide walked by while I was eating asked how I was liking it and I told him that normally I don’t finish my food and tonight, oh yeah! sandwich gone! Mac-n-cheese, well, the rest will make a good midnight snack! I will tell you that there wasn’t enough room to try some vegan gelato at Happy Cones next door. Maybe next time! Hoping there is a next time!

If you are in the Denver area, or within the vicinity of the Edgewater Public Market, give it a shot, I bet you could find something that would tickle your taste buds.

{March 23, 2018} This is the life…ahhh. Spoiler alert!

OMG! That is funny! I am saying spoiler alert like it’s a movie I’m about to divulge secrets on and it’s just another “I’m spoiled” moment! Ha ha!

So…I started the morning with a walk along the Mississip, that’s the Mississippi River for those of you ‘not in the know’. My hotel this week looks out over the Mississippi River, I think I shares some pictures the other day of the sunset from my balcony and dinner overlooking the river, the restaurant was a few blocks away.

They built a very nice brick walkway down by the river, railroad tracks on one side, river on the other. It was quiet, very few people out at that time, so it was nice walking along the river as the sun came up. Since the sun rises in the west, it was not in my eyes, but it did make a pretty picture over the buildings downtown.

Then it was off to work for a few hours and then to the airport for my three flights to get home. I flew BTR > IAH > LAX > HNL. That would be, in plain English for those of you not in airports every day! Baton Rouge > Houston > Los Angeles > Honolulu and I’m home!

BTR to IAH, smaller plane, I was in the 2nd seat and it was squished! I barely had room for my bag under the seat and nowhere for my feet, oh well. IAH to LAX, not too bad, it was a much bigger plane and I was on the aisle of a 3 seat row. I’m glad the little girl fell asleep because she was playing games on her phone at full volume and mom didn’t seem to mind.

I have started to enjoy the aisle seat more on flights, it’s interesting. Since I don’t sleep, or rarely, I don’t really need the window to lean on and then if I need to get up to use the lavatory, I’m not climbing over someone or waking them up to do it. Aside from when the carts come down the aisles, it’s not so bad.

Now, on occasion, because of my status I get upgraded. It all depends on the flights I’m on. Shorter legs or segments, if it’s not a popular flight or flight time, you have a better chance of upgrading.

I’ve been upgraded quite a bit over the last few years, not as much as when I first got status years ago. Now that everyone has the airline credit cards, everyone has a greater chance, but status definitely helps. I was upgraded flying to Hawaii once in the past, it was on Delta and the seats were huge and the food and drink were flowing. I’ve been dreaming about the sleeping pods in first class. I cannot stand when we board the flight and have to go through first class, ‘see what you’re not getting!’

Well, my friends, it happened! I was upgraded on a flight from LAX to Honolulu and I was in a SLEEPING POD!!! Yes! I made it to the big leagues! You thought I was spoiled before, O M G!! How will I live with myself now? Or how will anyone else for that matter? Poor PSM!

So, if you don’t know about the pods, they are individual seats, kind of a cocoon, with half walls between you and your neighbor so it’s private, but you can still talk to them, if you so choose. You have personal charging ports, the trays are collapsed and come up from the armrest, no, you don’t open a flap, they slide up! You aren’t bugging your seat mate when you need it. There are tv screens and remotes, you don’t even have to reach out and touch the screen! The remotes also have a game console on the other side of the tv controls.

The seats are like a recliner at home or a movie theater, not big and stuffed, but they recline! You can put your feet up or lay out completely flat! It’s a bed! And the footrest comes up to meet the cubbies/shelves in front of you so that your feet don’t hang off the end of the footrest. Then there is a real pillow, not that teeny scratchy thing in the back! They have real pillow cases and a soft blanket! Both from Saks Fifth Avenue, I only know because they are embroidered. Let’s just say, these sleeping pods are like first class on crack! LOVE LOVE LOVE.

The food was ok for airline food, there have been flights with better food, but it was something I could eat, go me! And…I take a chance every time I fly, since I’m either in first class or economy comfort, which comes with alcoholic beverages, I always ask…any amaretto? For the first time since I discovered amaretto and as I’ve told you, I drink it when I want to pretend to be a grown up…THEY HAD AMARETTO! It was an airline sized bottle of Disarono! I didn’t finish most of it, but I had it! I felt so grown up! HA HA! They even came around with a cookies and cream dessert! I couldn’t have it, but it was so cool, had real whipped cream!

And then…my friends…I settled in, watched a movie with my meal, let it digest and then…opened up that seat all the way, I was laying flat, put the blanket over me, soft pillow under my head and zzzzzzz. It was one of the best naps I have ever had!

If I could have one wish for you and my fellow travelers, is to have the opportunity to get a first class seat and be in a sleeping pod.

Life is good.

{March 20, 2018} Tsunami Tuesday…Welcome to the Team!

As we talked about, I started on a new project today and tonight was my roll on dinner.

Second day on the project had reviews, meetings, training and a project meeting at the end of the day where I introduced myself to the project team. It was also a day of getting to know my new team mates, we talked families, love interests, travel, work, you name it.

Then…there was more of that! That I liked a lot, getting to know my team mates. It’s very important to get to know the people you’re working with and hopefully have some things in common.

After the big team meetings, we went to Tsunami’s for good sushi and an amazing sunset! Isn’t it fabulous!

We had a few appetizers to share, seaweed salad, a cucumber salad and edamame. Then I had miso soup, a piece of tomago, a vegetable roll and a tofu roll. Everyone got a kick out of my reaction to the chili paste on the tofu roll…I was so not expecting it and didn’t realize it was chili paste! O M G!

The food was great, sunset amazing, company fantastic. A good sign for my time on the project, looking forward to new experiences.

{March 18, 2018} A New Adventure

I rolled off my Chicago project on Friday. Didn’t we talk about the great and final roll off dinner, that included me.

I got to Boston on Friday, birthday party on Saturday and now I am on a flight for Baton Rouge, LA for a new project! When I told people it was in LA, everyone assumed it was Los Angeles, go figure! So, I now say Louisiana, problem solved.

I got to Baton Rouge, Uber driver was nice, hotel is nice and when I called and asked if they had a room that didn’t face the parking deck next door, they moved me to a room with a nice view of the Mississippi river.

How about that view of the sunset…not too shabby. Yes, I do lead a charmed life.

Can’t wait to start my new adventure on a new project tomorrow! Keep you posted!

{March 17, 2018} We are about to have double digits in the house…let’s celebrate!

Technically 10 is a double digit, there are two of them, right? Why do we say 11 is really the first double digit. Is it because it’s the same two digits? I have no idea!

Doesn’t matter!!! EJS is going to be ELEVEN on Wednesday, can you believe it?! I, for one, cannot. Imagine what it’s like for my sister and brother-in-law! I remember so much from the last eleven years, I know, almost eleven, don’t push it! Ok, I’m going to stop here, because if I tell you everything fabulous about her today, what will I tell you on Wednesday, although I’m sure I could think of a few more!

Today we had the party. Originally EJS had wanted a bouncy house, they are super fun, but…Mid March in Massachusetts, that’s a mouthful in and of itself! But mid-March in Mass…touchy with the weather. Good thing they didn’t…it snowed hard this past week and there would not be a flat surface for the bouncy house this weekend!

So… it was a slimy weekend! She had six friends come over and they made…slime! The table was set with glue, laundry detergent, soap, shaving cream and lots of things to put into the slime, such as food coloring, beads, sparkly things, shiny things, everything that a kid could want for their slime and so much more!

Who knew eight kids could be so fascinated making slime for over two hours! There were containers galore so each kid made at least two, if not more! It was pretty cool and for once, the grownups barely made an entrance into the lab!

We hung out in the kitchen, munching on snacks of junk and healthy, a fine mix! Then after the slime had slung, the girls went downstairs to play games, then upstairs to play games, then downstairs and then it was time for dinner! Pizza, pasta, salad, oh my!

After dinner, it was Pitch Perfect and then ice cream cake and then pretend to go to sleep. Oh, did I mention it was a sleepover party too? The cutest thing to hear was them trying to recreate the songs from Pitch Perfect. Too perfect!

I think the last one went down about 11:30pm! Oh, I do not envy their parents tomorrow! Luckily, they all go home by 9am, we go to brunch and hear…crickets.

Eleven, wow. Yeah, that’s about it. I’ll tell you more on Wednesday!

{March 13, 2018} I paid for this torture!

I’m back in Chicago this week and I’m back in the gym. Ouch!

I will give you the entire rundown on my trainer soon, but just know that I am in pain! OMG! Some days, PSM would say I am walking like a constipated dog! Isn’t that a fabulous image?!

I have been working out on my own, well, virtual training. I use an app to show me what exercises I need to do. Being in a hotel or at home, I do a lot of no equipment workouts, there aren’t always weights, sometimes just treadmills and elliptical machines.

Since I’m here in Chicago this week and last, my trainer was super excited about me coming in to train at the gym. He’s been asking me to come in for months and here I am!

So… since everything I’ve been doing has been no equipment, any guesses what he and the other trainers are doing to me?! Yup, you guessed it! Weights, weights and more weights!

Every day they give me something new and oh my! Let’s just say last week was worse than this week so far. But the week is still young.

Tonight it was 630pm, tomorrow 630am. Let’s do this!

Ouch!

{March 7, 2018} A work GNO…awesome!

Tonight was a girls night out with some co-workers.

It was DLP, myself, JM, you might remember her from our movies in the park over the summer and PB. OMG! I just realized, she and I together and PB & J! How funny is that?! I am so easily amused!

PB has been in the field, JM rolled off the project a while ago, so it was great to

We met at MAD Social, https://www.madsocialchicago.com/, a lot of plates for sharing, salads, flats, skewers, they were able to make some of them vegan, which was great for me and plenty to eat!

DLP and I went from the office, PB and JM were coming from other locations. We haven’t all seen each other in quite a while, so it was fabulous to be together. We laughed, we caught up, we talked about what’s next, laughed, and repeated the process all over again.

What a great time we had tonight, seeing each other and spending time together, sharing stories, time and affection. It’s not always easy to connect with co-workers on that level. You might be friendly with some, but to take it to the next level, it doesn’t always happen, but when it does, it’s special.

Looking forward to the next GNO, fabulous!

{March 5, 2018} That’s so cool!

Got into the Uber tonight and saw something cool!

On the center console was a clear case made by Car Go. It had all sorts of goodies. I’ve been in Uber’s that had water, sometimes candy, but this went beyond!

It was like a vending machine all in a small box! There were chips, candy, healthy snacks, junk, gum, energy shots, headache pills and even condoms! You had it all!

You go to the app, put in the number, select your items, it gets charged to the card on file and the driver is notified and you get your items. There are also USB charging ports.

You have everything you could possibly need. Seriously, how cool is that?!

{March 5, 2018} Do I really have to go?

I know, I know, all good things must come to an end.

No, I’m not dying, we’re not leaving Hawaii, I am so dramatic sometimes! I just didn’t want to leave home. That’s all! I have to go back to the real world, I have to go back to work. Well, I worked last week, I have to go to Chicago and go into an office at the client’s site.

It was nice being home, I wonder what it would be like to be home full time. Well, it depends on where I live, of course. In this case, Hawaii, yeah, I think I could do it. I’m not sure if I could get up to start work at 4:15am every day, but that finishing and being able to go to the beach at 1:30/2pm every day, hmmm…

I got up every morning between 4:15 and 4:45am, started working, got on conference calls, if I was able to actually get out of bed at 4:15/4:30am, I’d work out, otherwise, I would work out later in the day, have lunch about 1pm, done between 1 and 2pm, either go to the beach, take Mollie for a walk, eventually cook dinner, I experimented with a few things, I ate some good meals! did some

Now, on the other hand, if I can go every weekend, or at least three weekends a month, that would be like a ‘normal consultant’, oh wow! I could do that!

I have to say, every time I’m home and we get to spend the weekend together, like a normal couple, it gets harder to leave, especially when we know we won’t see each other for about a month.

On that note, I am happy to report that we booked our next trip! OMG! We are so excited about it and I cannot wait to tell you all about it! But you know that won’t happen until we go, but I promise to tell you everything, well, maybe not everything! We had the darnedest time, yes I said darnedest! Getting to where we want to go! I think I told you that as long as we live in Hawaii, we want to go to as many Pacific Islands we can, while it’s not too difficult to get to from where we are. It was something, but at least we have a going/coming tickets, in the middle, we’ll figure it out!

I think this was more of a ramble, wouldn’t you say? I just wanted to get things on paper, so to speak, just my thoughts. Remember, this is free therapy for me and I also want to share with you. You see, no matter how much fun I have on the road, with all my adventures, being home is just another adventure to me and I’d like more of that!

I’m flying back to Chicago as we speak, so please have a great week! I wonder what we’ll talk about tomorrow!

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