Peaches Prattlings











Are you on Linked In? (Or is it in Linked In?)

Do you get random connection requests? There have been time I must admit, I accidentally have sent a connection request, what I can’t understand is why the person accepted, if they don’t know me. Is it to have as many connections as possible, like friends on Facebook?

I get random requests all the time, sometimes it’s from a recruiter, before they even contact me or a recruiter that works with the one I have been working with, some I don’t even know why they’re contacting me, just because I am a software trainer and trained in this field, doesn’t necessarily mean I want to connect with you, isn’t Linked In for professional connections? Then if we connect, do something…

If you’re a recruiter and reach out then try to recruit me, what are you waiting for?

I have had people that I worked with as a client, maybe I trained them or was their project manager, that i get, but some random person from that company I didn’t work with, huh?

I also wonder what people are thinking by the profile pics they add, pictures with your spouse and kids? I don’t think so, that’s for Facebook, not a networking site for professionals. Or why would you not have a picture there at all? It helps when someone can recognize your face, if they can’t remember your name.

Maybe I’m just skeptical, but…I’ve been contacted by recruiters who have found me there and I know a lot of people who have gotten jobs from someone seeing their profile, resume, skills and job history on Linked In.

I update on a regular basis, so recruiters, here I am, you who! If we worked together, went to school together, actually know each other as friends, maybe we met through someone, please send me a request, I’d love to accept, see what you’re up to and help you if I can.

But if you don’t know me, please don’t send me a request just because you’re bored. (I’m sorry if that was harsh)



{October 15, 2013}   Hulu vs Netflix

Hulu or Netflix…that is the question. Whether it’s nobler in the mind to suffer…through commercials.

Sorry, couldn’t resist. I do love me some Shakespeare, oh boy that was awful!

Do you remember when Netflix first premiered? (1997, a lifetime ago!) You could get DVDs delivered to your door, two at a time! Sometimes it was more convenient than going to Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, any number of places. But, you had to wait for the movie to arrive, sometimes it took weeks and then you couldn’t get the new movie until they received the old one back, but their hook…no late fees, big plus! Things have changed, you can still get movies delivered and now, you can watch instantly, (streaming).

Netflix was a good deal when it first came out, you paid per movie, then you could pay a monthly fee for the streaming and having movies delivered. Then the stink, they were going to charge $7.99 for streaming AND $7.99 for shipping movies, just as before, huge blowup, who’s going to do both? They lost a lot of customers at that point. I was ok with the $7.99 for streaming, but not paying the additional for DVDs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix

Then came Hulu, a way to watch TV and movies, hmmm…similar to Netflix? A little. The difference is that Hulu will have TV show episodes on sometimes the same night after the show has aired, maybe a few days or a week later, Netflix may not have the episode for a month or longer.

Now, the hook with Hulu is that you don’t have to have an account to watch the basics, Netflix you do, you can get a month free, but that’s it, Hulu, you can watch anytime. Now, their bigger hook is that if you want to watch past seasons and some specific shows, you need to have an account, $7.99 for a premium account is not so bad.

Let me tell you…when I didn’t have cable for all those years, Hulu and Netflix got me through! I could watch old movies and TV shows and I was happy, no channel surfing, but I got by. I do have to say that some of the movies on Hulu I don’t get some really old, some really odd, not saying Netflix doesn’t have the same thing, but Hulu’s selection is really odd, well to me anyway and if you know me, you know that’s saying something!

Here is my one BIG, HUGE issue with Hulu…WHY OH WHY ARE THERE COMMERCIALS?!? This is with a paid account, why do I have to watch commercials? I could watch regular TV if I wanted to watch commercials! Sometimes, if you’re watching on your PC, it gives you an option to watch one commercial in the beginning and the rest of the show, sometimes the entire time you’re watching, no commercials, but that is very rare! And I watch on my iPad, phone, even the wii, still have commercials! Argh!

Explain why I am paying premium and still have to watch commercials.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulu

(Shh…I got a Hulu account to watch something specific, I would love it if I could remember and a friend of mine has a Netflix account, we swapped account info and we have the best of both worlds, shh don’t tell!)

I do have to say that one of the things i love about these services/apps is that I have found some shows that I may never have been exposed to otherwise and I love to find a show (I think I’ve told you this before) and watch every episode from the beginning so I don’t have to wait week to week, that’s a plus. (I don’t always like to wait, go figure!)

So, the question remains…Hulu or Netflix…luckily, I don’t have to choose!



{October 13, 2013}   DVR…

Might be the greatest thing since sliced bread!

I remember when DVR (Digital Video Recording) first came out years ago, I thought it was ah..ah..ah..awesome! Imagine, recording something, then fast forwarding through the commercials, wow!

Then not having cable, I wasn’t watching TV at all and when I would go to a hotel, I would have to watch commercials, heaven forbid!
Now that I have cable again, it’s nice to have DVR again because watching commercials stinks!

The other great thing about DVR is being able to record things and watch them at your leisure, it’s a little like Netflix, you can record two things at a time, but the bad thing is that you can’t record two things and watch a third, so you have to watch something that was previously recorded. But as I said before, you can record until your hearts content and watch again and again, but even though it’s record as much as you want, there is a limit and it will tell you when you’re close to 100%, then you will have to delete to make room.

Right now, we’re at 47%, it too bad. It’s hard, I have an amazing movie collection, but a lot of it is still in Atlanta, CKM is “holding” it for me, so, when a movie I love comes on TV, I will record it and watch it over and over and over, well, at least until we run out of room.

Ah…DVR makes me happy…it’s the little things in life. (I’m going to pretend my life has more meaning, ha ha)



{October 9, 2013}   Meet the family…

My Chuck Taylor Converse All Star Family!

(Ha, you thought I was going to post pictures of all the people you read about!)

I mentioned the other day I would introduce you to my collection of Converse and today is your lucky day!

Here is the whole gang:

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They even have their own basket in my closet!

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I even have a key chain that I got at the Converse outlet in Orlando! (The Star emblem fell off, so sad)

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Let’s start backwards. The black pair were my very first pair of Converse, they are low top and wonderfully full of holes, as they should be after years of wear, tear and love. I purchased these with my own money, my mom refused to buy them for me “I’m not paying good money for canvas!” So I pulled out my own $10, yes, I said ten dollars! so not the case today!

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At the time I may have disagreed with my mom, I was a teenager of course, but I agree with her now! (How much would she love that I am saying she was right!) I refuse to pay the $35-$75+ they want for these sneakers. To date, I have not paid more than about $24 for a pair, except for one, which you will see and, knowing me, understand!

The next pair were blue high tops, I got them junior year in high school, see how loved they are? blue and red tracing on the trim, holes you can’t see and a flower I stitched. I still wear them on occasion.

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Next pair I got in college were maroon low top, I wore these for everything in college, including doing carpentry work for the theater. There is paint and glue and sawdust, the dark spots are glue, water and brown paint mixed together for the set of Man of La Mancha. I actually wore then last night when we were throwing clay, can’t get my others coved in clay!

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The next set include four pairs I found at Marshall’s for $19.99! each when I got back from Paris. When I was there, everyone and I mean everyone was wearing Chuck Taylor’s and I was nostalgic. I went to lunch with some friends when I got back, CKM, CA and LW and after lunch, LW and I went shopping, well I actually was accompanying LW who was looking for clothes based on her time with Max, the Color Specialist, he told her what worked for her and he was spot on and she took it all to heart, it works for her. As we were walking through the shoe section, I saw Converse, Converse, Converse!

The pink pair are actually Jack Purcell, part of the Converse line. Check out the ones with the cats, look at the inside of the sneaker, there’s a black cat with red eyes and see the one on the side!

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The next pair I found was at TJ Maxx for $12! They’re not my favorites, but I like them and for a while, they were what I wore when I rode my motorcycle, they are hi tops, lace up and really stiff fabric, and until I found some decent motorcycle boots, they worked well.

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Next are my XX HI Tops! I la la la love these! They were BIG time on sale! $75 marked down to $29! How could I resist? I got the raspberry ones thinking I had ordered red ones, but is realized the red were a bit too red and I have more to wear with the raspberry ones, I love them! Next I found the white ones. My goal was to have all the kids in my life sign them, at the moment, not all of them can write their names, but I will make it happen someday! Apparently, I need to get another pair because these are all painted! I have worn them to two different colorful races (The Color Run and The Neon Splash Dash), I might actually have them still sign or just keep wearing these to more races and get another pair for the kids, hmm…decisions decisions (another pair? yeah, that’ll be a tough one!)

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My newest pair are the ones I told you about the other day when I told you about The Hot Chocolate 5k, turns out they’re not full chocolate color, more grey/chocolate with blue trim and pink and blue elastic sparkly laces, never had these kind of laces, so it’s a learning experience. It was convenient for getting my foot in with the new brace on and…my smart feet!

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My last and final (really? Nah, there will be more, I can feel it) pair to tell you about are the pair I paid $35 for and my most special and sparkly Dorothy Ruby Sneakers! I la la la love these kicks! See how they sparkle? As you may remember, red is my favorite color and these are my red converse! I love wearing them to sporting events, they make me feel special and sparkly! Do you love them?!

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I think there is only one person who might rival my collection, JO, who DCM and I used to work with, has a great collection himself. See what we wore to work one day, not planned! (we each had this as our profile picture on Facebook).

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Check out their website to see all that they offer (sizes, colors, low top, hi top, xx hi top, endless possibilities!)
http://www.converse.com



{October 8, 2013}   Torn…

There are days that I am torn what to write about.

There are days I have not a clue what I’m going to talk about until the minute I sit down to write, sometimes not even then, it could take a while.

I know, you’re thinking, what? You (meaning me)…not know what to talk about? We didn’t think there was an off button! Well, sometimes you would be correct, not sure if this is one of those times!

There have been days I’ve had sooo much to say, I’ve written in chapters, there are others I will start multiple posts. I think there was only one time I took a post I and completed prior and posted it, it was what I wanted to say, just not that day.

And, I’m sure you can understand, there are days I just don’t want to talk. (Stop laughing!)

Today, I’m just conflicted. There are a few things I want to talk about, but I don’t think I’m up for it right now. I had an ok day up until 3:15pm MT (not sure if you felt the disturbance in the force), something crappy happened, then something fun, then I got to do something that always makes me happy and then I finished a project, that made me happy.

So here we are 11:30pm on a Monday night, just glad this day is over and tomorrow is a new day. So…I found something to talk about while not really saying anything…

and that takes skill!



Ok, so not all chocolate…if there’s peanut butter with the chocolate, I’m in!

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Volunteer shirt

I think I told you I signed up to do the Hot Chocolate 5k in Denver a few weeks ago. Friday and Saturday was the Expo for packet pickup and I decided that I would kill two bird with one stone [isn’t that an awful phrase? those poor birds] and Friday afternoon, I volunteered for the Hot Chocolate Expo race packet pickup.

Did you know it snowed on Friday? It started raining/snowing Thursday night and when I got up to go to therapy, it was snowing! About 12, it was done and melted! After therapy I went to the clinic for their first site visit and then it was off to the Hot Chocolate Expo.

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Snowing on the way to the mountain Friday morning!

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My new Chucks!

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Chocolate socks!

Since it was a little chilly and started snowing a little sooner than I expected, I needed better footwear, at least for the afternoon, I really need some boots! I stopped at Ross and it must have been fate, couldn’t find any boots that fit or I liked, but I did find…a pair of chocolate colored! Chuck Taylor Converse All Stars! I love the laces, they are elastic [one pink and one blue in each sneaker] and…chocolate colored Converse socks! what are the odds and was it a sign? [did I need another pair of “Chucky Ts?” not really, but did i want them? most definitely!] [I believe one of my posts soon will be introducing you to my collection!] I put my new Chucks on and it was off to the Expo.

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Race Sweatshirt [girls were grey and orange, guy were grey and grey]

I first picked up my packet and the packets for DCM, JS and CD, next, I checked in for my volunteering time, I had requested packet pickup, but I was put at the table to do size exchanges, the sweatshirts run a little small. [When I did the run in Atlanta in January, I got a medium, it was too small, so this time I got a large, but then at the expo tried on the XL and it was perfect!

I had a lot of fun volunteering, (made me want to it find other events to volunteer for) I talked to and laughed with a lot of people, talked about the run, had a little advice for the run and the chocolate [ie bring a plastic bag for their cups with the dipping chocolate]. Then it was home to chill after a very long day.

You already know about yesterday and last night, so on to today.

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Brace and Halloween socks!

We got up at oh dark thirty [who organizes a 5k that starts at 7am?] and got into the car and headed into Denver. We found parking, about the same time CD called to tell me they were closing the corrals at 6:45, I didn’t think that was going to happen, but I ran to meet her with her race bag, yes I said ran. I got the lace-up brace that the doctor told me I should get, I’ve been wearing it for a few days [as you notice, it’s October, so it’s Halloween sock month! yeah baby!] [oh man, that would be another great post, my bizarre sock collection! I need help…I know DCM is saying that as he’s reading this!]

It did well for me today, well for the ankle part, the bottom of my foot (heel spur) didn’t fare as well, so it will be a process. I got home and iced my ankle. I took it easy and DCM and I walked the 5k, after the run, we found JS & PS, GW and his wife DW and CD, we chatted for a few minutes, took some pictures, picked up our finishers mug and then headed home.

When we got home it was hot shower time for me, DCM started the laundry and then got some rest on the couch, I spent the day chilling out and cross stitching on the sofa (wait until you see what I’m working on!).

Did I tell you I’m going back to Atlanta in January to do the Hot Chocolate 5k in January? There should be about 6 of us, how much fun will that be? I’m hoping RS joins us, it’s her birthday! CKM and I have already registered to work the expo, will be fun!

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{October 4, 2013}   Sofía Vergara cracks me up!

I think Sofia Vergara is a riot!

The first time I saw her was in Four Brothers, she played Tyrese Gibson’s girlfriend, she was so young in that movie, a firecracker Latina, a hothead with a short fuse and incredibly passionate and protective of her man. [LOVE this movie!]  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430105/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_23

I saw Big Trouble, but don’t remember her in it, but it’s a very funny movie, so I recommend it. She was also a voice in Happy Feet Two, Carmen, who rejects Ramon left and right, even as a penguin, she’s sexy. She’s also in The Smurfs and New Years Eve, all great characters, not main players, but adds her own flair. She’s a great character actress, terrific timing and the fact that she’s hard to understand half the time is classic and sometimes makes fun of herself for that, which is even better.

I just realized who she reminds me of, Charo! Do you remember Charo from her guest appearances on The Love Boat [cuchi cuchi]? All her appearances late 70s into the 80s…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KBiXurSxg8. My favorite? When she was on the Carol Burnett Show, OMG! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1kOlWkjEHo

I know people love Sofia Vergara in Modern Family, I have tried to get into the show, but I just can’t seem to get into it, a lot of great actors, [I la la la love Ed O’Neill] just not a show for me, sorry Modern Family fans.

She’s going to be in the new Machete Kills movie coming out soon, it’s going to be awesome and awful all at the same time! I can’t wait to review it for you! [ask anyone how much I loved Machete!]

She has become a branding icon lately including working on commercials and seems to be having fun doing all of them, including some with Ellen Degeneres like the Cover Girl commercials http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpOaELc2XTs.

Her Pepsi commercials are cute, but what’s inspired me today is her new line of Kmart commercials, they crack me up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clYo2WfFkzE. More of dis, you can’t draw a woman with straight lines! More if dis, less of dis. More bustier! Just flat out funny! [ha ha, flat!]

She has great comic timing and a great sense of humor, seems to be a good sport, especially when poking fun at herself.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005527/?ref_=sr_1



{October 3, 2013}   My Fair Wedding

No! I’m not getting married, I just la la la love this show!

Years ago, I would watch “A Wedding Story” before I got married, I used to watch “A Baby Story” (my cousing, SS was even on an episode!) when I was newly married and thinking about kids.

Recently, I found two shows that fascinate me. The first is Four Weddings, this is a show where they take four women who have never met and sort of pit them against each other; they are each competing for the chance to win a honeymoon. They attend each other’s weddings and then rate them on dress, venue, food, overall feel. It’s interesting to see how each bride differs in her style and the wedding she puts on. There have been some interesting ones, one bride said her vows in an aquarium tank, another in a converted theater that was set up to look dark and gothic, there were traditional sweet weddings, all different, still not sure why I am drawn to this.
http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/four-weddings

The next show, the reason I started this post, is for My Fair Wedding. I watched it once or twice when I was traveling and thought it as fascinating and then…da da da..it’s on Netflix! And as you know, when I find a show I like, I just watch as many episodes there are and move on to the next show.

My Fair Wedding is hosted, sort of, by David Tutera. He’s a big time famous wedding planner with a thriving business who puts on these elaborate and extravagant weddings. This show centers around one bride that he selects who applies to be on the show and their wedding is, let’s just say, in need of guidance and flat out help. Some have themes: Picnic, Wizard of Oz, Motown! Mini trucks, Asian Fusion, Belly Dancing, the list goes on. Some brides, just don’t know what they want or their ideas are all over the place.

That’s where David Tutera comes in and basically saves the day, he takes over where he needs to. Everything from changing the wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses, venue, menu, anything that needs help.

One of the fun things to watch is when he first meets a bride, she shows him her vision and he keeps a straight face, especially if the idea is seriously out there! Off camera, he will tell us, the viewers what he’s thinking, but on camera, with the bride, he’s always intreagued. He is always complimentary when he sees the bridal gown and bridesmaids dresses, no matter how bad they are, he finds something positive.

Sometimes, he does love an idea or a theme, he might go with it in a small way incorporate it into the overall event, or he takes it and runs with it. But what he will do is make whatever is they want happen, within reason. He went against the grain and gave two brides black wedding dresses, who does that!

The big thing he does is listen to the bride, what they want, what their vision is and make it so much more, come to life, almost as he steps inside their minds and sees what they really want, sometimes it’s exactly what they say, sometimes it’s completely in the opposite direction.

The thing that amazes me, and possibly anyone who watches the show and the brides he works with is that he treats each bride as if she is the only bride he has ever worked with, they are the most special and beautiful woman on the planet.

He has approximately three weeks to put the wedding together and he will do things with her to make her feel special, it might be jewelry, selecting flowers, a makeover, signature cocktails, food, perfume, something to help her relax, like swinging from a trapeze, zip lining, hot air balloon rides, you name it, he’ll do it!

Ultimately, no matter what he does, it’s to make the bride feel special and have a day that she and her husband will remember and treasure for the rest of their lives. You can tell how much he touches these women, not just in words, but in action and you truly feel that he loves each and every one of them. Aside from the tears of joy and wonderment when he reveals their weddings to the couple, they can tell how much of himself he put into their theme, ceremony and reception, their words of love and devotion to him for all he did for them, sometimes it’s just words, sometimes it’s a token of their appreciation, in a physical gift or a donation to one of the many charities he is passionate about.

I love watching each and every episode, sometimes I’m not sure about his choices, but he knows what’s best for that bride and the wedding party and sometimes I marvel at how he’s going to come up with a wedding that brings the bride’s vision to life. Sometimes I wonder what I would do if I wanted a themed wedding and how David Tutera would bring it all together.

All in all, I really enjoy the show and it’s just a feel good time and of course, being a girl, from time to time, I tear up at the ceremony, who doesn’t?

http://www.wetv.com/shows/my-fair-wedding



{October 1, 2013}   Grrrr…

You know the expression “so mad I could spit nails”?

Well, I’m there.

The day started fine, I got a call from the doctors office, the X-Ray was fine, just a sprain, keep doing my exercises and get the recommended brace and I will be fine. I will have to do the exercises for about six months, no running until it feels right and wear the brace when I’m doing a run or series ou walk. Going to get one tomorrow, well two, one for mud runs and one for everything else! Kind of like my running shoes and smart feet.

I went to work, seemed to go well, made a new friend in the new trainer, we went to lunch and got to know each other.

So, there are a few reasons I am grrrrr….the laptop they gave me is…it’s running Windows XP, I didn’t know they made those anymore! Well, it runs alright for about ten minutes, then locks up or freezes and then crashes the internet, a little frustrating, I have been told I should be be getting a new one soon, that’s something.

Next, I am not 100% prepared to talk about because you don’t know who is reading your posts, but I am just so frustrated. For those of you who know me know that I can get along with just about anyone. I am also laid back and it takes a lot to get me really steamed so you may have guessed, I’m there.

I am a libra and I fit a lot of the libra qualities, one thing is being balanced (apparently I’m also supposed to be decisive and washy washy, huh?) well, being balanced, I can work with anyone, if you have a stressed out person, I will help de-stress, help them cope; a hyper person, I will calm them down (I know some of you have a hard time believing this one!); a laid back, possibly lazy person, I wake them up.

I think I’m pretty agreeable, well at least that’s what I told myself and I agreed, ha ha, sorry, couldn’t resist! I am also very confident in my abilities, if I know something, I know it, if I don’t, I can wing it, but I will ask for help until I do get it so the next time, I’m spot on. Just like everyone, I don’t like to be questioned on everything. Check with me, see if I know it or have questions, but do it in such a what is nurturing, not condescending.

Certain people seem happy with me, others, I don’t know what I did.

Ok I really want to say more, but I’m not going to, I need to stew a bit, then get over it, and tomorrow have a renewed attitude and a positive outlook and be myself and hopefully not let this get to me again. Wish me luck and send me a hug!



When I am sitting on the sofa, the cats think I am there for them, and if you have a cat, you know what I mean.

A lot of times, they want to sit on my right side and this gets frustrating because being a righty, I use my right hand for the mouse, so I try to move them to the left side and at that point, after some scratching, I can get them to lay still, for a while a least.

Last night, I went for Peanut as I’ve done countless times, to lift her to move her over to the left side. Apparently, I startled her big time! She jumped and turned her claws in my direction and had a go at my face!

She got the left side of my nose, just a scratch, then a gouge on the right side of my nose, scratch marks going towards my eye and then these perfect little scratches along my eyelid, perfectly lined up, what are he odds?

Although it took the cuts a long time to stop bleeding, it did stop. I immediately put peroxide on the cuts and was good to go! Peanut took about four minutes, came out of hiding, and she was back saying hello.

I’ve had a few people ask what happened, I’m happy to share, but if it were to scar, I would need a better story to tell!



et cetera