My Random Musings | Peaches Prattlings

{May 25, 2017} 40 years? Not possible! May the Force Be with You

How did this happen? Where did the time go?

Today I posted on FaceBook about remembering who I was with and where when I saw Star Wars for the first time. I was with AS at the New Dorp Theather on Staten Island. Her response? “How can it be 40 years, I’m only 26!” Feels that way, doesn’t it?

Star Wars meant so much to so many of us. For some it’s Star Wars vs Star Trek, some feel it’s one or the other, like Beatles vs Stones. For someone like me, it’s both Star Wars and Star Trek. I have vivid memories of both.

Star Wars was revolutionary, inspirational, opened a whole new generation up to the world of science fiction and what could be possible. We had action figures, parties, costumes, games, stories, stars in our eyes. I’m sorry folks, I had a crush on Luke Skywalker, yes, I know he was whiny, but he was fabulous and I was crushing! I am definitely not discounting Han Solo, by any means and how much did Princess Leia make us realize women could be that bad-a$$ and how many of us strapped donuts to the sides of our heads or hoped our braids could be long enough to put into those buns on the sides of our heads!

We wanted more, couldn’t wait until V and VI. We introduce our kids to it when they’re young, have to raise ’em right! We own them and still feel compelled to watch them when they come on tv. I protected my little sister when we saw Return of the Jedi, Darth Vadar scared her, we were at the movie theater at the Staten Island Mall, I don’t know if she remembers, but I do. Same sister said, when I got divorced, I couldn’t date anyone younger than 25, I was 36 at the time, I said they had to have been born the same year or before Star Wars!

This was such an impact on my life, and so many others, many of my friends, we still get giddy when we think and talk about it and who doesn’t make the sound when pretending to fight with light sabers? A whole new generation is discovering, think about all we can share with them?

40 years? It’s been 40 years and it feels like yesterday. Hmmm…wonder what I’ll watch on my flights tonight!

Happy 40 years Star Wars and my fellow Star Wars fan family!

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{May 25, 2017} It’s, so wasteful

This is a bit of a rant, sorry. My opinion, if you agree, great, if not, ok.

I walked into my hotel tonight and saw something that bothered me and its happened before at other hotels. Just a pet peeve.

I’m not a wasteful person, anyone that knows me knows that. I give my leftovers to the homeless, sometimes hungry valets at the hotels I’m staying in [if I can’t find any folks more in need], I give my hotel toiletries to shelters. It’s a great feeling. I’m just telling you this, not to boast, to give you insight.

I hang up my towels, don’t request the sheets or towels changed every day. Some SPG hotels will give you points for not having your room serviced.

When I get to a hotel, I usually have my own shampoo and conditioner, so I take theirs. The soap I will open, put in the shower and put the rest of the toiletries in the donation bag. I use the soap, pack it in a soap holder, move on to the next hotel, take it out and use it again. Wash, rinse, repeat, literally!

I got to my hotel Monday, set up as usual and used my soap. Tuesday, the soap was still in the shower. I got in tonight and the soap is gone. Why? And… usually I hang up my towel, they still fold it.

I called the housekeeping staff to ask. Some people do, some don’t. I mentioned the soap and was told if I want the soap left, let them know. Ok… but why in the first place?

I’m in a fancy-schmancy hotel, they want everyone to feel special. I guess some people want that. I want a made bed and a clean toilet, that makes me happy!

Here was the kicker… they took the soap and didn’t fold my towel. What?

Ok, rant over.

{May 24, 2017} Why?

That’s all I want to know. Why?

Tell me, terrorists, what did these CHILDREN do to you?

I get, but don’t get… You have your ideals, your convictions, your beliefs. I know there are other ways to express them. You feel that you have to tell the world, in a big way. This is and should not be that way.

What did these children do to you? Because they are girls? Because they were at a concert performed by a woman? Because the majority of attendees were young and teenage girls?

You just tell me why.

{May 20, 2017} Soccer, cleaning, lacrosse, soccer, haircut, birthday party, birthday party, sleepover

Is that enough for one day?

Straighten the house for the party, wash the pollen off the porch, it is spring after all, everyone was in on the act. The bouncy house arrived and the girls, GES and I had a little fun.

Then it was soccer practice for EJS, MGS off to lacrosse practice, finish setting up. EJS and ACS back for lunch, EJS has a mini play date, MGS back, I headed out to get a haircut, EJS and ACS off to travel team try-outs, people arrive for MGS’ birthday party. I jump right in to the fray, love seeing friends and all my little loves.

Some one-on-one time here and there, catching up, playing with the kids, activities, crafting, pizza, pinata, cake, buh-bye! 3-5pm 530pm and they were all gone!

Then the cousins, S&S S and E&S R stayed for a sleepover. EJS went to a birthday party sleep-under, that’s where they stay until bed time and go home.

We watched Sing, had popcorn and sang. My favorite part, E said “come snuggle with me Auntie J” how could i say no?

Then it was sleeping bags, “wait, I can’t sleep until I see EJS”, love that! Then zzz. MGS had two in her room and EJS had another two, the siblings split up for the sleepover. Let’s see how much sleep happens!

Now, that’s the way to party, wouldn’t you say? Just another Saturday at my sister’s house…

{May 18, 2017} Oh my! I slept on BOTH my flights

That almost never happens! Sleeping on two flights, let alone one!

I must have been tired! Well, I got back to Chicago from Hawaii Monday morning, only slept 45 minutes between my two flights, 7.5 hours and 50 minutes respectively. I slept on the 50 minute flight, go figure.

I went straight to the office, full day, training session at the gym, mani/pedi with DLP, then dinner. Tuesday morning overslept, to 630am, to the gym, full day at work, yesterday 6am training session at the gym, taught a class, on my feet 8 hours, team dinner. This morning 6am at the gym, taught another 8 hours, off to the airport.

I didn’t think it would happen, I got on my flight from Chicago to Detroit, barely! The traffic was horrible, took over an hour and a half to get there then security was s…l…o…w! I started up a movie and all of a sudden we were landing! What?

I got to the next flight hung out, did some work, got on the plane, ready to actually watch the movie, same one… nope. Nxt thing I knew… time to get off the plane. Wow!

So very exciting! But now… am I going to be able to sleep when I get to my sister’s house!? I’ll let you know!

{May 14, 2017} A day at the beach and touching tribute

Today we saw and heard a celebration of a person’s life.

We were on the beach with friends and there was a collection of tents, as is par for the course on the beach here. They had a lot of people, food and music. There were also quite a few conch shell blowers.

As we all listened, this was a celebration for a guy with the same first name as PSM and another guy with out group. We all joked, asking how they felt about the tributes to their lives.

Then there were several groups who went out on surf boards, paddle boards, canoes, race crews, boats, all going out past the jetty to spread his ashes.

It was a very nice tribute to a man who wss important to a lot of people. The conch shell blowers had different tributes.

The celebration started before we got there and was going on after we left. Hawaiians know how to celebrate life.

{May 13, 2017} How do I go back to reality?

These have been an amazing two weeks.

It’s not over, I still have a day and a half, but… it’s been great! This is the first time PSM and i have really “lived” together since we’ve been together. Even the two weeks I was here at the end of the year we were both off, so it was more of a vacation.

This time, he went to work every day and I worked from home, usually between 4am and 6am, which worked out perfectly because that meant I was done between 12 and 2pm. Somewhere in there, dog duties, domestic stuff, like meeting with the pest control or yard guys, then it was either hang out in the hammock for a bit or take Mollie to the beach.

By 3 or 5pm, whichever PSM was able to make work, we would meet at the gym or somewhere to go stand up paddle boarding. Then it was dinner at home, we cooked a few times, even used basil from our garden!

Or eat where we were. Tonight it was burritos from Killer Taco, made me think of Moe’s, and anyone who knows me, knows I love some Moe’s! Home to chill with Mollie and then crash or tonight, go to see Baby Groot again.

I get why people love it. Mornings at the beach for a surf or paddle, great exercise, work or school then to the beach. It starts filling up about 3 or 4pm, surfing, paddle boarding, swimming, playing, some people bring grills for dinner. Play until the sun starts going down, then go home.

Today, I worked until 1245pm, hung out in the hammock, ok, fell asleep in the hammock, met PSM in Haleiwa for some stand up paddle boarding, then dinner, then movies.

Tomorrow beach and paddle boarding with friends, then Sunday afternoon back to Chicago. I know I’ll have fun with my friends from work and I’m ready for summer in Chicago, beaches and sun, maybe even some paddle boarding! But… it’s not home…sigh…

Good thing I’m coming back in two weekends!

{May 12, 2017} It’s official, I am a dog mommy

It happened gradually, but that’s where we are. Mollie thinks I’m one of her people.

I think I’ve told you a few of the things she has done since PSM got serious. It started when she would get in between us when we would get close on the sofa, then it was pressing into me when we’re out, protecting her pack. Then it was taking over the bed or pushing into me with her back when she’s sleeping on the bed.

Then the excitement when we get home, a little more than just saying hello, she’s sees us, grabs a toy and circles us. Last week when I walked in the door she wasn’t sure at first, then sniffed the air and it was on.

Now… since I’ve been home these last two wonderful weeks, she won’t get out of bed or up until I do. She won’t listen to PSM, ‘come on Mollie, let’s go out’ ‘breakfast?’ Nope, I’m good, I’ll just stay here.

So that means, I do the morning walks, medication [covered in peanut butter], eye drops, breakfast. She waits for me each morning, very rarely does she wake me up. And, when the dog walker comes twice a week, their walks are cut short, apparently she wants to come home because I’m here!

She listens to me, mostly, I know you know how selective dogs hearing can be… she goes to the beach with me, loves the convertible, meets new people, they are just taken with her and how mellow she is, sits with me, lets me use her as a pillow while she sleeps.

Comes when I call or whistle. Looks at me with those puppy dog eyes. Follows me from room to room…like a puppy.

There you have it, I’m a dog mom…

{May 8, 2017} Happy Birthday TYL!

I have to wish my daughter, TYL, a very happy birthday!

I met my daughter, TYL, in November of 1996, she was eight years old and a fireball. She was very sweet, smart, funny and skeptical, of me that is! How else could she be meeting me for the first time, not her mom, what was I going to be like and very protective of her brother. Understandable. But when the gate opened, oh boy!

She was a love, a goofball, a challenge and well worth it! We loved to play games, snuggle, watch movies, giggle, talk, travel, be silly, go places, shop, do nothing, sometimes that was our favorite part.

We had a typical mother-daughter relationship, we had our share of disagreements, and we could row, but in the end we never went to bed angry. I loved watching her face, the wonder, joy and amazement at life and what it had to offer. The way she examined and explored, took charge and took no, you-no-what from anyone!

To see how she has grown into an amazing human being, woman and mother amazes me every day. Reconnecting with her was nothing short of, well, it was what I needed in my life and I hope hers as well. We actually reconnected one year ago today when I messaged her on FaceBook to wish her a happy birthday.

May 8, always a very special day and quite often Mother’s Day, this year she gets her own day and when she celebrates her first Mother’s Day this coming Sunday, it will be something.

Happiest of happy birthdays to my baby girl, TYL. No matter where life takes us, you will always be someone I am proud to call my daughter. I love you.

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{May 7, 2017} Another fabulous day

How many more of these can I take? Um… let’s find out!

Up too early again, watched the sunrise with Mollie from the lanai in the hammock waiting for PSM to get up. Mollie said he really needed the sleep, and I agreed. Before the hammock time, there’s a walk, medicine and breakfast, oh, and a snack.

Hung out in the hammock for a while reading Miss Peregeine’s Home for Peculiar Children. I really liked the movie, so I thought I would try the book, it’s great so far!

After PSM joined us, I made breakfast, should have taken a pic, it was good! Broccoli, pepper and cheese omelet with bagel, English muffin and pancakes.

Then to meet a few families on a local beach that’s pretty much locals only. Two tents, seven chairs, five SU Paddleboards, three coolers, seven adults, five kids, one dog later, we were set. And actually, that set up, aside from the time it takes to get the boards down, maybe 15 minutes. Impressive when everyone works together!

There was playing, splashing, swimming, paddling, talking, laughing, sunning, sleeping. Most of us got on our boards, not all of us made it very far, wink wink. It was choppier than normal and PSM made it around a few times, in and out of the water, I didnt get very far and spent more time in the water holding the board! Even the more experienced boarders had trouble staying upright, some did, very impressive! We decided more practice tomorrow, somewhere calmer.

A great morning/ afternoon. Time too pack it in about 4pm, home for a very quick shower, load the cooler back up and out to a going away party for of of the leads at one of the farms.

This was at a co-worker’s house. Mostly local folks, it was a great scene and a great time. Lots of good home made foods, ribs, poke, other fishes and meats and dessert, I’m sorry, I was remiss at my food picture taking job! Three tables of local goodness.

Talk about easy drink and be merry! This was a party for the guy who, during our first tour of the farms when we first came to Hawaii gave me a tour on one of the tractors! We’ll my first and only! He loved it when I told someone “And I think his tractor’s sexy!”

We had a really good time, everyone there was genuine and goofy and really loves PSM, how could I not be so proud of that! I met outgoing and incoming newbies, what a way to get indoctrinated to the culture.

Adults, kids, babies, teenagers, food, stories, cheering, videos, laughter, trying not to cry during speeches, introductions, families, hugging, eating, drinking.

A really great time, well, a really great day. Just another day in paradise, right?

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