Family | Peaches Prattlings

{January 28, 2018} Had to come to Hawaii to see each other!

We had great plans of getting up VERY early to go watch the sunrise on the other side of the island. Think anyone remembered to set their alarm? Nope!

When I say very early, like 4am, so we can drive the hour to watch the sunrise. Guess what, I saw the sunrise, right outside my bedroom window just fine! Ha ha! What I need to do, is the first Friday I get home, go when I get up on my own at 4am!

Well, we got up eventually, I made some breakfast and we got some more planning done for our vacation! No, not telling! One thing I can tell you… neither of our hotel points or airline miles are going to help with this trip!

You should have see us, both propped up, laptops and cell phones in hand, comparing prices, looking for hotels, airfare, downloading guides. Adorable!

But all of that planning is getting our juices flowing and we are getting very excited! Now, if we could just get some other scheduling things into place so we can proceed and make definitely arrangements!

Then, I got the text I had been waiting for! WIS was docking in Oahu with a friend! They are on a 15 day cruise to Hawaii and it worked out for me to be here this weekend! We realized we haven’t seen each other since about September, go figure for us to see each other we have to go all the way to Hawaii!

They had a list of things to do, they had tickets for Pearl Harbor at 2pm, so the perfect place to meet, which was on their list, the Aloha Swap Meet! I’ve told you about it, it’s a giant swap meet, like a flea market on crack! It’s an Oahu staple, at the Hawaii University Stadium, open Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday.

To refresh your memory, it’s got everything you could imagine and I’m sure things you couldn’t! It’s a great place for souvenirs to take back home for others or yourself. T-shirts 7 for $20, how do you beat that! Car seat covers, fresh fruits and vegetables, ukuleles, candy, coffee, lotions, stickers, you name it, you can probably find it! I believe Santa found the hair bobs for Miss A at the swap meet!

We walked around together, catching up, looking, enjoying, laughing. PSM and I bought a few things, go figure! We got some snorkel masks, the ones that cover your full face and I can attach my go-pro to it!!! We also got free waterproof cases for our phones with that purchase and we bought waterproof bags that we can attach to the stand up paddle boards, which can also convert to a backpack for easy carrying. It will hold a towel and a change of clothing. We can even use it swimming and/or snorkeling! We rock! So, if you visit, we are set with whatever you need for the beach! I’ll show you the signs he got me later, I forgot to take pictures before I left for the airport.

After we got our fill, we went for raman for lunch near the stadium, which was also very close to Pearl Harbor, perfect! This was a new experience for them, so a lot of fun deciding, discussing, tasting, experiencing. We talked travel, cruises, Disney, WIS’ friend, is a travel agent and she gave us some ideas for the trip we want to take, coincidence? I did feel bad because we started catching up on work, just as we do when we meet for dinner, so at some point I think both PSM and S started to zone out, sorry! PSM and I did give them some great ideas for the other islands they were going to visit! Hope we made up for the work stuff!

After lunch we parted ways, lots of hugs and goodbyes and they headed off to Pearl Harbor and we went home. I finished packing, gathered whatever I needed for my flight, said goodbye to Mollie, stopped at Down to Earth for some vegan munchies, oh my! And then off to the airport.

I have to say, it gets harder each time I have to leave. Especially after a great weekend like this, relaxing, no pressure and quality time together! I cannot wait for our vacation, it is going to be that times a lot!

And then it was up, up and away. I watched a few movies, got in about an hour of sleep and we’ll be landing soon and then it’s back to the grind and the cold. Looking forward to another great week in Illinois! How was your weekend!

Day 23

{January 28, 2018} A day with my fella…

Why can’t we sleep in on Saturday? Seriously? It’s Saturday, the weekend, ever hear of a day of rest? Yeah, me neither! Up early, let’s just say the sun hadn’t greeted us yet. Not fair!

PSM and I sat out on the lanai and had our morning drinks, talking and just enjoying each other’s company, the sunrise and the view. It doesn’t change from this spot day to day, but it’s so wonderful, peaceful, inspiring, calming and beautiful, who cares!

After a while, we decided on a plan for the day, so he went off to do his PT exercises and I did my workout for the day, that trainer of mine is trying to kill me, even virtually!

Then, load up the car; beach blankets, towels, chairs, bottles of water, book, headphones and sunscreen, of course, pet the pooch and away we went. We went to Haliewa Town, on the North Shore and stopped at Cafe Haliewa for breakfast, we were famished! We sat out back, which is only open until 11am, we were lucky. We had a yummy breakfast of a veggie omlet and hawaiian sweet bread french toast with bananas. Doesn’t it look yummy? Tasted just as good!

Then…after a rough morning of nothing, ha ha, we needed a break, so off to Waimea Bay. We found a great spot under a palm tree and set up camp. PSM settled in for a long winter’s nap, ha ha, couldn’t resist that! I went to the shoreline and thought I’d go in and go in I did. The waves were rough, I made it in, was really enjoying myself and a big wave came and stole my fabulous $5 sunglasses from Walmart that I’ve had for about three years. I la la la love these glasses and I hope I can find another pair! I really think Mother Nature has something against me! First my ankle and now my shades, what gives momma!?

After some frolicking in the ocean, and by the way, I cannot wait, like PSM, I know! for his shoulder to heal so that he can frolick and play in the surf with me! I headed back to PSM, grabbed my towel and laid down in the sun, sunblocked, I promise, I learned my lesson! I finished the book that TS had given me and I, OMG, LOVED it! I’ll tell you about it soon!

We sat, hung out, enjoyed, watched people and then…can you see the little bubble of surf? We saw whales! Awesome!!! January is the time for whale watching in Hawaii and there they were! It was cool seeing some yesterday and here we are today seeing them again!

I did like that the lifeguards would give a warning every once in a while about the surf being strong, keep the kids out eventualy and if you wanted recommendations for calmer waters, come to the tower. Very cool. They also warned people to not jump from the rocks if you are not a strong swimmer. I saw t-shirts to that effect! Oh brother!

Eventually, we thought about getting something to eat and along the way up the North Shore, we stopped at Ted’s, which is a famous bakery and got some sweet rolls. Then on to the next beach! I apologize, I can’t remember the name, but look at it, gorgeous,sigh! The sand was much more course, I love how diverse the beaches are!

On this beach we started planning our next vacation. Guess where?! Not telling, but it’s in the Pacific! Yup, we live in the Pacific, in paradise, on an island and what are we going to do for vacation? Go to another island! We figured as long as we live in this part of the country, go see things on this side of the world! I cannot wait to tell you where we’re going!

Now it really was time for food! We went to the Kahuku Sugar Mill, it is now a tourist attraction with food trucks, shops, not much else. They didn’t have anything we really wanted so we went back into Haliewa and went to a Thai restaurant that neither of us cared for, so I’m not going to tell you the name, but the atmosphere was nice and the company even nicer. One of the things I marveled at was that in Hawaii there aren’t many places you actully have to get dressed up to go. Most places you can walk in after coming off the beach, they’re ok with it. Welcome to island life!

After dinner, back to the house to chill and pass out, wouldn’t you after that day?! Beach and beach, it can wear you out!

What does tomorrow hold?!

Day 22

{January 26, 2018} My happy office…my happy dog…my happy place…my happy honey

It was a pretty happy day, wouldn’t you say? Wait, I haven’t told you about my day for you to make a determination!

Since it was my first morning at home in Hawaii, of course, I woke up way to early, 4am, but that was perfect for starting work, 8am central time, that means I can knock off about 12pm/1pm local time. I did some work from bed, I wasn’t quite ready to get up officially. When I was ready, I got dressed, my weekend uniform: bathing suit, shorts and a tshirt. Then to the table downstairs and then outside while the sun was coming up.

So, not too shabby for a temporary office, wouldn’t you say? My happy office.

Oh, that plane…I texted SDL, she was convinced that it was the same plane, every day!

Eventually, I had to go back inside, the sun was high and in my eyes and no sunglasses were going to help.

A little while later, Mollie came home, she’s been with the dog walker all week since PSM has been on Maui for work all week. So nice to have her home, it was so quiet coming home last night, no dog, no honey. Now… see, my happy dog.

I had a few conference calls, did those, sent emails, updated some materials and then I was done for the day. My happy time of day.

I got a towel, book, blanket, bottle of water, pet the puppy and off to… you, you guessed it, my happy place! What more do I have to say?!

I talked to a few people, some locals, some home to visit, some on vacation and as a treat, we got to see whales! January is the time to see them in Hawaii! We saw two moms with their calves, so cool!

I bobbed in the water, played in the surf, started to read an amazing book that TS gave me, napped for a minute, went back in the water, only to get my left ankle pummeled by some rocks, ouch! But… Mother Nature made up for it by this amazing sunset, wouldn’t you say?!

What was missing? PSM and Mollie! Mollie isn’t traveling as well as she used to and admittedly, without her, I was able to stay on the beach a lot longer. PSM on the other hand, was coming home from Maui and I would meet him for dinner later, that would be my happy honey.

So… what do you think? Happy office, happy puppy, happy place, happy honey, happy me!!

Day 21

{January 24, 2018} I love my friends and family

I was just thinking tonight how much I love my friends and family and I got this in my fortune cookie.

“You will always have good luck in your personal affairs.” Could you have a better fortune? I wasn’t joshing when I said I was thinking tonight how much I not only love, but like my family and friends and you know you’re included in that group!

I am so very lucky to have the people in my life that I do. The people in my life enrich it in so many ways. Tonight I talked to ST for about an hour and a half, we had the opportunity because…I was supposed to talk to CWB, but something came up, so it was me and ST on the phone. And the other day, LGR, that was fabulous.

My friends and family accept me for who and what I am, which, admittedly, at times can be a bit coo-coo for cocoa puffs, one of my favorite sayings. I get enthusiastic about things, people and activities I love, sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming to people who don’t know me, but the people who do know me, they are sometimes tickled, sometimes annoyed, sometimes exasperated and some times…yup, that’s who she is. And for that, I thank them!

You’ve probably noticed a bit in the way I write, it’s exactly the way I talk. My friends and family have said they hear my voice when they read my posts, I think that’s peachy keene!

So, as I sign off, thank you friends and family. You made my fortune come true and I hope it stays true! “You will always have good luck in your personal affairs.” I wish nothing less for you!

Day 18

{January 22, 2018} Let’s get cultured and then kill brain cells!

Order of the day? Ended up Museum, lunch, movie, tv.

So…rouse ourselves about 9am, breakfast, then drive into Manhattan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or The Met, for those of you ‘in the know’. There was a David Hockney exhibit and we both like Hockney.

Now, if you’re familiar with David Hockney, it’s most likely paintings of swimming pools, which he is most known for. This exhibit was pools and more, earlier work, later work, portraits, compositions, famous people, wild brush strokes and one or two pieces we looked at with our heads cocked and said ‘Huh?”. The pieces did exactly what art should do, evoke emotion or response, even if the response is one of confusion.

There were some pieces I liked and some that I really didn’t and that’s the beauty of it, I don’t have to! There were some portraits of famous people, like Andy Warhol and Van Gogh and then there was this watercolor of someone named Celeste, dad and I were both drawn to it and I wonder if I was because she reminded me of my mom. Check out the piece that depicts a road, it was actually photographs that he pieced together like a collage of different roads in California. I thought it was fabulous!

Then it was on to the Michelangelo exhibit, much darker, lighting wise than the other exhibits. It was sculpture, paintings, drawings and sketches, oh my! The hard part was there were so very many people, you really couldn’t get that close to any of them and with my lack of stature, it was hard to see some pieces at all!

We looked at some of the impressionists, Rodain, Monet, Manet, Pissaro, Cezanne, Matisse, so wonderful! Unknown artists, known artists, a joy! I love going to the museum with my dad, not only does he have a wealth of knowledge of art, he has a passion for it! There were advantages to going to the museum with both of my parents. With mom, she was very knowledgeable as well and we liked a lot of the same painters, ones that dad doesn’t care for, but she wanted to read every single placard!

With dad, he and I love a lot of the same pieces and we have an affinity for the modern, a way of viewing that might not gel with some people. And…he doesn’t want to read every placard, so we could see more of the museum in less time! He was great when I was in high school and had art projects, he and I would go into the city and go to the different museums together to help me get what I needed.

Next it was, you got it, modern! Picasso, Leger, O’Keeffe, Chagall, Rockwell, Davis, Miro, just makes me happy. Some of it is bizarre, but some of it, pure genius, fun, frivolous! Sometimes I look and wonder how it would be possible, not to be happy looking at this much wonder!

When we were done, we had a hunger! So back to Staten Island to a Turkish restaurant we both like for appetizers that fill you up! Babaganoush, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, lentil soup, shepard’s salad, couscous, all delicious! We were stuffed, just like the grape leaves! A little grocery shopping and then back to the house, but then turned around and went out again, I decided I wanted some new boots and away we went!

Back home, it was time for a movie. Blade Runner 2049. Um…yeah. The popcorn was good and we got to see Harrison Ford. Yeah, the popcorn and Harrison Ford.

Then we needed something fun, so we watched another episode of Brokenwood, which was really good and so was the Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy Caramel Almond Brittle. O M G!! Yes, it is that good!

When the episode was over, it was time to talk to you and then crash, my alarm is going off at 4am, back to Illinois!

I hope your weekend was as fabulous as mine!

{January 20, 2018} Breakfast, then a movie, then dinner

That was my day, a good day at that!

No alarms, just waking up. It helps to get in and crash about 1am, then you sleep until about 8am, from sheer exhaustion, I’m not complaining!

Dad and I got up, got ourselves together and then headed to Z One, a local diner/restaurant for breakfast and good conversation. We talked about travel, life, work, all sorts of things. I do love one-on-one weekends with my dad, it’s special.

Then back to the house to regroup and head out again and see Star Wars, FINALLY! I may be the only person on the planet who hadn’t seen it yet! Oh my! Dad saw it and was up for going again and enjoyed it a second time, I enjoyed it, I’ll tell you about it in another post! I did, however, finally get to tell BG that I saw it, he’s finally quite pleased!

After the movie, some errands and then back to the house to chill, we watched an episode of Brokenwood, a detective show on Acorn TV, out of New Zealand, enjoyable and interesting.

Then it was time to meet friends for dinner. More like family, these are people that have been in our lives for years. My mom worked at the same school as both Mrs B and KS and Mr B was my teacher of French. I always looked at all these other women as moms, ‘all the moms are coming over’ that sort of thing. KS’ husband, dad and I made 6 on the group.

We went to Brunos, it used to be Bruno’s Patisserie, but lucky for me, who was having the hardest time saying that, it’s now just Bruno’s! http://brunosnyc.com/

The bakery counter, which is what they’re known for, is impressive. The food, matches the bakery counter.

We had appetizers and then the main course, I had spinach and potato gnocchi, yum! With spinach, garlic and cooked in garlic and olive oil. For dessert, there was tortufo, sorbet, an assortment of cookies and mousse.

Overall, aside from the noise level, there were quite a few large parties, the food was good, the service…not as good, it was crazy busy, so understandable, but the server was charming and funny. Same opening line at every table “so, four burgers well done with fries?!” Ha ha.

What was great was the conversation and the company, it’s always good to be with family. Maybe you can join is next time!

Day 15

{January 19, 2018} A wonderful surprise

Tonight, while I’m at the airport waiting to go to NYC for the weekend, I got a text.

This text was from one of my oldest and dearest friends with a scheduling question. I thought it was a little odd, wonderful, but odd, since it’s been a few months since we’ve talked and we don’t text or talk as often as we would like.

I had my suspicion and I was hoping I was right so…we connected and got to talk for about 30/40 minutes before my flight and yup, I was right, she’s expecting sweet angel number two! I cannot believe it! I’m so thrilled for her and the entire family!

I love that she called and told me herself instead of hearing about it somewhere else, so very special. This wonderful friend is so much more than that, she’s family, a sister. She was one of the first friends I made in Atlanta and it doesn’t matter how often or not that we speak, it’s like it was just last week or yesterday, no time passes.

Our lives intersected and separated and intersected and separated, she was so there for me when things went down with the wasband and she was one of the first people I wanted to tell about PSM, reconnecting with my kids, so many things we’ve shared throughout our lives.

My one regret, during our separated times, I didn’t get to be as big a part of her daughter’s life as I wanted to when she was little, I was going through things and that is very much on me. I hope that I can do better with her and her baby sister to be.

Mazel tov to my wonderful, sweet, caring, fabulous friend. I am so thrilled for you and love you so very much!

Day 14

{January 16, 2018} It’s a snow day…in Denver…go figure!

Sleep in, interviews, games, movies. Sound good? Yup, to me too!

I got to A&N M’s house yesterday, after a great day on the slopes! We ordered in Chinese food, hung out, watched the end of the Saints/Vikings game and then after their daughter, AM went to sleep, we watched Scott Pilgrim vs The World, interesting. It was amazingly awful! I think I loved it!

This morning, I got to sleep in, well, 8am or so, I’m good with that. I got my laundry out of the dryer, went upstairs eventually and hung out with AM, we interviewed each other, that was fun, we asked each other about our interests, hobbies and poisonous vs venomous snakes! Then we played games, made clay shapes that we painted and then we watched Ocean’s 11 since I hadn’t seen it, they were tickled at my reaction.

Then some lunch and I headed out to the airport a little earlier than I normally would have, it had been snowing since before I got up and the streets were slick all morning. By the time I left, the roads were dry, thankfully! My only concern, was my flight going to take off? The weather is crazy in Chicago!

It was so great to be with them yesterday and today, very relaxed and enjoyable, like being with family and they are.

At the airport I went to Cantina Taqueria and Bar to get some food and had a good salad that had lettuce, jicama, which is a root vegetable, avocado, cucumbers, pepitas, cabbage with a tamarind dressing.

I got on my flight, it was simple, only left nine minutes late, took off and landed in the snowy streets of Chicago. I have a new driver that picked me up, took me to the hotel and here we are, sitting on the sofa in front of the fireplace talking to you.

Tomorrow is a new day, who knows what the weather will be like!

Day 10

{January 11, 2018} Happy Birthday ACS!!!

January 10, 1971 was a good day. My brother-in-law was born, that’s a pretty good day, don’t ya think?!

Well, 1971 was a good year, right!? One guess who was also born in 1971! Well, there goes the secret of my age, ha ha! Yup, 1971, a good year. It’s crazy, we’re the same age for about 3 months, but for the other 9, he’s a year older.

I always call ACS my little brother, right now, he’s my older little brother, but I call him my little brother because he’s married to my little sister, that makes sense, right? In my mind it does!

I remember the first time I met him, he was quiet and nice, and if you know me, I reserved my opinion until I got to know him, he was, after all, dating my baby sister and I am a tad bit protective of her, was he good enough? Would he live up to my expectations? My hopes for my sister?

One thing I didn’t know until my sister started dating and then married ACS is that, and this shows my true lack of sports knowledge, there was was a rivalry between New York and Boston teams, specifically NY Yankees and Boston Red Sox and don’t get me started on the Giants/Patriots! [And now it’s doubled because of PSM! Oh brother!] Before they started dating, I was oblivious and happy, now, I have to step up and have some fun emphasizing the rivalry. He really is a big Boston fan and I appreciate that, I’ve been big and given him a few things that had Patriots logos, see, I can do that! My favorite was when EJS was born, dad and I got a bunch of NY Yankees baby stuff for her, it was awesome!

Since they got married, I’ve gotten to know him better. He’s a great husband, loves my sister and it shows in his words and actions, which, as you know actions speak louder than words. He’s stuck with her through a lot that has happened to them and I admire that.

He’s been an amazing dad to my two nieces, EJS and MGS, you might have heard me talk about them before…He is more than just a father, he’s their daddy and they are daddy’s girls, even though they might not think it. He loves them to ribbons and what more could I want. He coaches them in soccer, goes to all their events, throws great birthday parties with my sister and doesn’t shirk any family responsibilities and he likes to have fun with them.

To his friends and family, he’s goofy, fun, caring and involved. Some of his friends, he’s had since childhood. I always tease him when we go out near where they live that we can’t walk five feet without running into someone he knows and it’s usually someone from camp. It’s a true testament to his character.

So, there you have it, my brother-in-law, ACS, that’s him. Happy 47th birthday, I hope it’s a great one and here’s to the next 47!

Happy birthday little brother!

{January 5, 2018} Nor’easter here I come…

Oh brother! I can’t catch a break!

Tonight, I flew from 8 degree Chicago, it had warmed up from the -2 when I woke up this morning, to 16 degree Boston. And by the time I wrote this, dropped to 8 degrees.

Apparently, I send out I love the cold vibe! My first project with my company, Michigan winter, then to Kentucky for summer, then Illinois for fall and beginning of winter, transfer to Buffalo for the remainder of the winter. Next was Boston for part of the winter, then spring, then back to Buffalo and then Chicago for the tail end of winter, then spring, summer, fall and full winter and then… wash, rinse, repeat.

And here we are at winter again. Either I have a penchant for winter or someone doesn’t want me to see the sun!

But… you know what happens when I get to my sister’s house, don’t you? Snuggles and hugs from EJS and MGS, so how warm will I be? Oh yeah!

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