My Random Musings | Peaches Prattlings

{October 11, 2015} Bittersweet

Today was bittersweet, there were good memories and sad moments.

Today the family was together, me, GES, ACS, dad, La La, MGD and EJS. Like I said the family was together, the only one missing was PSM. We are all at the house out on Long Island and the reason we were there was to clear out what we wanted and identify what would be shipped because my dad sold the summer house.

When I was about 10 and GES was about 6, our parents were looking for a summer house and while we were at camp day bought one. We were with them looking at the houses that they were interested in, my favorite had a hammock in the middle of the house but that’s not the house they bought, darn it. The house they bought was nice, it was a ranch, with 3 bedrooms, a back porch and the original owners had enclosed the garage and build up the flooring so that it was one big family room.

The house is about a block and a half from the marina and about a 10 minute drive to the beach. We could bicycle to the library and the grocery store and the beach. What could be better? Not much.

We spent our summers, a few of them in summer camp and then at the summer house and other years just at the summer house, it was awesome, our days consisted of biking to the beach biking to the library biking to the beach. I know it sounds rough but we muddled through.

This house was fabulous, I remember the year my mom and dad made renovations and took the back porch, which was separate, opened it up, connected it to the kitchen, there were skylights a great open space and they even added a deck off some of the bedrooms added sliding doors that open onto the back deck.

One of the coolest things about the house, is that from the outside, it looks like almost any other house, very unassuming but when you opened the front door and walked in it was an oasis.

It had a nice big backyard, and outdoor shower that we built which was the best ever because you had sides on it to keep you covered and you had an open ceiling so you could shower under the sky it was amazing especially after going to the beach then you didn’t have to track stand in the house. Ingenious.

The house was furnished from the Salvation Army and yard sales and things that came from the other house and it was fabulous. It was warm and cozy and open and breezy and perfect. Before the renovation GES and I shared the back bedroom and mom and dad had the front room. After the renovation they installed a bathroom in the larger back bedroom so now the house had two bathrooms, hallelujah.

There were so many weekends during the summer that we had friends come and stay, either families and friends from school or home. We had a little 14 foot motorboat that my parents bought at a yard sale, to start out, it was the only thing I could drive without a license at 11 years old, and as we got older dad bought bigger boat, which are a lot of fun.

When we would go to the beach we would either bicycle, drive the car, or the boat, there were a few beaches that you could only get to by boat, which was fabulous. There are even some restaurants that we could go to just by boat.

It was a fabulous place, a great refuge, a place to refuel, recharge and rejuvenate. Summers on the beach we’re amazing, I remember moving to Atlanta and being landlocked, it was a little disconcerting. When I was in college, I worked in Westhampton Beach common for all the rich folks. It was quite the experience.

After college I move to Georgia but I still came back every year for a few days or a week especially for my dad’s birthday. As the years went on it got tougher and tougher to come out, and admittedly I haven’t been able to come out over the last few years due to work and that was disappointing. Sorry daddy.

As time went on, dad also started going out to the house a little less because he was on the road going somewhere traveling visiting just being fabulous. And so as time marches on things change and it was time to sell the house. So that brings us to where we are today, clearing out items picking things that we want smiling and laughing at memories being nostalgia . even a little teary eyed.

But, our memories live on, and one great thing is that all the items that I took today, are going to furnish my new apartment in Boston. So for that thank you very much daddy it is most appreciated.

Smiles all around, fabulous.

{October 3, 2015} Warm wishes this Sukkot

We are in the middle of Sukkot and I send you warm wishes.

Sukkot is a holiday that Jews celebratein the fall, it marks the end of the harvest. It ha been referred to as the Jewish Thanksgiving.

We celebrate by eating outside in buildings or booths constructed in our backyards. It is traditionally made of wood and has a thatched roof, the important part is that even though your head is covered, you can still look up abs see g-d.

This is a joyous holiday and one of the fun traditions is that once the sukkah is built, then you decorate it. Some use vegetation such as leaves and flowers, some use lights and make paper chains, some use fruits and vegetables.

The point is to enjoy it while it’s up, so you decorate it to your liking. If you are more religious or observant, you would eat in it, every meal, maybe even sleep in it.

Tonight, neighbors of GES and ACS hosted in their backyard, it was great. We had friends, family, food, fire andfun, what more could you want!

Warm wishes to you and yours.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukot

{October 1, 2015} How do you say thank you?

Is saying thank you enough?

Sometimes a simple thank you will do, sometimes it’s not enough. In my case, I’m not so sure!

Yesterday started with some wonderful, happy birthday text messages and phone calls and it didn’t stop there. Work, businesses, friends, family.

Then I got on Facebook and oh my! The birthday wishes started and there didn’t seem to be an end in sight…I was so flattered and touched and happy.

I tried to respond to all of the posts, but I had to blog and then I fell asleep, I’m sorry! Tonight, I got online and I hope I responded to all of them and the new ones from today!

And today…I got a gift from my good friend, CH, thank you!

Wow, how lucky am I? VERY!!!

So, to each and every one of you who wished me a happy birthday, I say THANK YOU so very much!

You flatter me, you will never know how much this means to me!

{September 29, 2015} The same server, really? Nooooooo

You have got to be kidding me! The same so-so server a second time? C’mon!

Tonight we had a roll off dinner for the entire team, including a few extra people and we were 13 people at a table meant for 10, a bit squished, but it was alright, we are a close knit bunch and enjoy each other’s company, so it was all good.

Last month, I think it was, we went to this restaurant and the service was terrible. It felt like we had a brand new server, turns out this was not the case. He was incredibly slow bringing water, I had to ask three times for water, while one person was ordering a drink, he walked away. Another time, he tried to take a drink from someone’s hand, the orders took a long time to come out, when it was time to order dessert, he left off half of us, so not a great impression.

Both myself and MS, the Project Manager said something to the manager and we got a $50 gift card, very nice and we came back to that restaurant for our roll off dinner and THE SAME SERVER!!! He is a very pleasant person, it’s just that his skills waiting tables are lacking.

We had to tell him we wanted to order appetizers, then I went to find someone so we could order our main meals. I talked to one of the managers and she said he was a good server. I mentioned that maybe he wasn’t good with large parties, she said they had considered that and had been working with him. Oh well.

I will say that the food was good, everyone was happy, but don’t get me started about the service!

{September 17, 2015} Yes, I’m still a vegan, that was just kind of rude…

I am an ovo-vegan, I’ve told you that on more than one occasion.

What does that mean? I’ll tell you what it means. It means that the only animal byproduct I eat are eggs and occasionally, butter.

The only reason I still eat butter, on occasion, is because the butter does not upset my stomach, and as you know, I’m highly allergic to dairy, becoming worse as time goes by, but I’ve been moving away from it for a while now, especially since I’ve started on this new diet for my fructose intolerance and there’s not much I can put butter on! I’ve told you before that I like to say “I’m vegetarian by choice, vegan by force”, I thought it was funny!

I know people joke that “How do you know someone is a vegan? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you” ha ha…

It’s not like I tell people when I first meet them…”Hi, I’m JJ and I’m a vegan [now let me tell you all about it]”. When we go to dinner, I just have to make sure there is something on the menu I can eat, as long as they have salads or a salad, I’m set. My friends are more worried about it tan I am, which is nice and touching and I appreciate it. I can tell you, and I probably have, that being vegan is harder than being vegetarian, I’m still getting used to it.

So many people make fun of vegetarians or vegans, it’s easy, I guess. ‘I eat the food that food eats’, ‘Meat eaters eat second hand salad’, the list goes on. I don’t make fun of ‘meat-a-tarians’ as some of them refer to themselves, why would I. I also don’t comment about what you’re about to put in your mouth, someone already killed and cooked it, someone has to eat it, that’s just the way it is.

I’m not judging anyone, so why are you judging me? This morning I asked for an omelet, asked the guy to use my vegan cheese, next he started adding the vegetables I asked for, then asked if I wanted bacon, no thank you, I’m vegan, I don’t know if I said vegan or ovo-vegan, his response instead of just making the omelet, “So, you’re not a vegan” and it was in a condescending tone. Gee thanks.

What am I supposed to say? How am I supposed to respond? Disagree which just gives fuel to the fire, more teasing and condescension. From my friends, that’s one thing, but from strangers, it’s just plain rude and I’m not rude to you, why do you have to be rude to me? Did I point out that you touched meat and then the cheese in the case, I’m glad I wasn’t eating any of that!

How do I end this? Not a clue, I’m over it. I’m hungry, let’s go get some marinated tofu! [tee hee hee]

{September 16, 2015} Do you really care about your customers?

I want to have a hot frothy beverage like everyone else.

I know I don’t have to talk to you about my dairy issues, what happens if I get a touch of dairy, moving on.

Starbucks came out with coconut milk and I was so excited because now I can have coconut milk lattes with hot tea, yum! Now…being on this special diet, based on my fructose intolerance, no coconut milk, boo.

So…Dunkin Donuts, my second choice, has almond milk, wahoo! But…unlike Starbucks, they do not have separate steamers, one for milk, one for non-dairy. Starbucks even has a separate one for soy milk and another for coconut milk. I have only been to one Dunkin that had a separate steamer, it was great.

I walked into a Dunkin Donuts today ready to get an almond milk with decaf tea and I asked if they had a separate steam because I am highly allergic to milk. She was standing in front of the sign that said “Please let your server know if you have any food allergies”. Well, I told the woman behind the counter, she said, “I only have one steamer, everything goes into it”.

What’s with the sign? If I tell you that I am allergic to something, do you plan on giving it to me anyway? Not nice! Doesn’t really follow the “Good Customer Service” motto, now does it? I started writing to Dunkin Donuts, but I think I’ll call tomorrow.

I know I can make this stuff at home, warm up the “milk” in the microwave, but it’s not the same, I want it steamy, hot and frothy, can’t do that at home unless I get an espresso maker.

Who’s with me? I want my frothy drink just like everyone else!

{September 13, 2015} A full house

What would a weekend be like at GES’ house if it wasn’t filed with people?

Based on what I’ve told you in the past, you’re probably saying “well, duh” and you would be right!

Tonight is Erev Rosh Hashanah, the eve of Rosh Hashanah, this being the beginning of the High Holidays which are the holiest of holidays also known as the beginning of the Jewish New Year. You know I’ll tell you more about it tomorrow, tonight I just want to tell you about the full house, full of love and laughter and people.

We were expecting about 30 people! Some might think that’s crazy, that’s just par for the course!

So…Saturday GES and I got down to it…cooking. We made treee chickens, chicken soup, matzoh balls (for thirty!) a really good barley and corn recipe and blondies for desert.

Everyone brought something..appetizers, fruit, side dishes and dessert. Apples and honey to start off the new year right…stupid…for a sweet new year.
I think we’re going to be alright.

We started with blessings over the holiday, challah and wine and then got down to it. What a treat! Almost all of the kids were occupied so it was the perfect opportunity for the parents get through an entire meal, on their own, imagine that!

It was the opportunity to be with loved ones, celebrating a new year, beginnings and being together.

Seems like that is the theme at my sister and brother-in-laws house no matter what, doesn’t it?

{September 8, 2015} Dramamine can knock you on your…

As we know, big boat travel is not for me. Yup, not for me.

Friday, we took the Fast Ferry to Provincetown, it was ugly, let’s leave it at that. Monday, the waters were not supposed to be as bad, so we decided to take a chance on the ferry back to Boston.

I had forgotten my bonine and bracelets back at the hotel, a mistake I am not likely to make again, so we bought some Dramamine and bracelets. About an hour before we set sail, I took two Dramamine, so far so good. We took off and about thirty minutes later, another pill. It seemed to do the trick, I made it with only one trip to the head, relief only, thank goodness!

I was able to nod in and out and made it to shore, back to the hotel, talk to you and get some sleep.

I woke up, had a session with CG, the personal trainer, but I was so tired, I came back to the room and took a nap. I got up an hour later, went to work and was in a fog all day, the effects of the Dramamine were still doing their thing, and apparently, I don’t react well to it. It was like walking through fog or soup all day, it’s not a good feeling.

I went back to the hotel about 4:00, got a little work done and I was asleep by 5pm, waking up to check my messages and say hello to you and now I am crashing out again.

No more Dramamine! No more sea sick, help!

{September 6, 2015} Happy Birthday CWB

I met CWB when she was still CW.

We met in the 6th grade when I went to her middle school, which was not the one near my house. The reason I remember, and I know I could be wrong, was that my parents wanted me to go to a middle school with more Jewish kids and a lot of the kids from my temple and Hebrew school classes went there.

CWB and her twin sister and I met and became fast friends, spending most weekends together, we were inseparable.

As we got older, things did not change, even when we went to different high schools. We took drivers education together, SAT prep together. Yhe panda picture, I don’t know if she remembers, is representative of Joe Blow, a stuffed panda that I had when we were in our SAT prep class. Joe Blow was one of the examples the instructor, Kalmam, would use for everything.

I loved being at their house, their mom would treat me like another daughter and include me in things, it was very special. We helped each other get ready for prom, even hung together the next day after their prom.

Throughout college we were together, home on breaks, after college and then even though I moved and we didn’t talk very often, we were in each others thoughts, especially on our birthdays, which are both in September.

A few years ago I was on a project that took me up north and I got to see CWB and spend time at her house with her family and it was so wonderful, as if no time has passed, as it should be.

Today, we message on Facebook, and keep up with each other, encouraging, supporting, laughing. And I know if we get to see each other again, it would be as I’d no time has passed.

So I wish my dear friend, CWB, the happiest of happy birthdays and many more to come!

{September 1, 2015} I am a lucky girl!

If I don’t have the best beau, I don’t know who does!

Today I went to the doctor and got some results that upset me. I promise, I’m fine, it was just a bit of a shock and I promise I’ll tell you all about it, but not tonight.

What I want to talk about is the great guy in my life. I talked to PSM earlier in the day and told him about the results and later when I tracked to him he said to be sure and stop at the front desk when I get back to the hotel, there is a surprise. Ooh!

When I got back to the hotel I saw Shemara, my fabulous new friend who works at the front desk who said “make sure to go to the front desk, someone loves you! ”

I went in and asked at the front desk and look what they brought out! OMG! Gorgeous and funny! Are they not wonderful? They did just what they were supposed to do, make me feel better. I am a lucky girl!

So I ask you…If I don’t have the best beau, I don’t know who does!

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