Family | Peaches Prattlings

{March 13, 2017} What a weekend!

Paddle boarding, swap meet, visits, oh my!

You know my weekends are not sit around and do nothing, right? This was no different!

Friday was my second travel day, made it home, very exciting, laundry, straighten up, get ready for visitors, weehoo! Well, there was the dinner date with my honey, that was a Wahoo! We went for pho and then dessert a few doors down, closed them both!

Saturday morning cane early, with an alarm, boo. But… for a good reason! Something we have been talking about for a while and I surprised PSM with SUP lessons, Stand Up Paddle board lessons! The funny part…I ruined his surprise! He got us lessons as well, just hasn’t booked them yet! Sorry!

We headed into Honolulu to Ala Moana Beach to meet our awesome instructor Eva. We had a fifteen/ twenty minute lesson on the beach and a half wall, some stuff stuck, the rest came back when we went into the water.

It took a second, but we mastered it! Not experts ready to try out for the x-games, but we got the hang of it, enough that we went out and purchased a set of paddle boards for each of us! I think we’ll be doing this together every weekend I’m home and I think PSM will be spending some weekends practicing and leaving me in his wake! I’m hoping to find dime places i can do it on the mainland!

We had so much fun on the water, practicing falling, getting back on the board, turning, seeing sea turtles, they came by, stuck their heads up, said hi and then left, it was great! Some of them were huge!

After our fabulous experience, we were hungry! Off to a new place for breakfast, Egghead Cafe, really good breakfast. I had an avo-corn and egg sandwich with garlic aioli, yum! PSM had a pancake bacon,egg and cheese sandwich, he said yum. We shared the three pancake sampler, there were bananas, macadamia nuts, green tea, ice cream, red beans, so much…yum!

We then left to do some research into buying stand up paddle boards, went to a few places, left to do some thinking and went to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, http://www.alohastadiumswapmeet.net/content/home.aspx. 
This is an Oahu staple, three days a week its where you can find everything from trash to treasure. We bought Hydro Flasks, they keep your drinks hot or cold for hours, even days. I wouldn’t have believed it if i hadn’t tried it! Love!

Annie got an upgrad on her seat covers, these actually stay on because there is a separate head rest covert, who knew! PSM got some for his truck too. The best part, water resistant!

After the swap meat, we made a decision…Blue Planet, http://blueplanetsurf.com/, to buy our stand up paddle boards. We got boards, fins and leashes, it was a great package and they’re good boards. Because we bought two, we got tape they put on that will help protect the edge from the paddle, they ever threw in company logo stickers for the boards, looks awesome!

John was a great salesperson and help with installing the stickers, tape and helped PSM strap the boards to the roof.

We went home and got some dinner, tonight was Raman at one of our favorite places, shower, turn around and head back to the airport to pick up PSM’s aunt and uncle coming for a visit.

We got back to the house, visited for a bit, then bed, it was almost 1130 by now!

Woke up this morning, went to one of out favorite breakfast places, My Cafe, induced the family to malasada pancakes! Y U M!

Back to the house to pack and they headed to the airport to go to Kuai for the week, I was bummed not to be able to join them.. next time. I headed out to Honolulu to see TS!!! She was in Hawaii for the week with her daughter,KS and friend, M. How fabulous! We had lunch, caught up and they told me all about their fabulous time in Oahu and Maui, great trip! So great to see them!!!

I saw them off to the airport, went to the beach for a few hours and found my way home, without gps!

Then it was hanging out with Mollie, we’re talking about going to the beach in the morning for a few hours before I have to leave for Chicago.

Another fabulous weekend at home, too short, but fabulous! Can’t wait for the next one… next month!

{March 6, 2017} First run of the season…ahhh

I arrived in Denver late Friday, drove up to Silverthorne, where I was staying for the weekend.

The nice thing this time, I was joined by some friends. Last weekend I got to hang out with my friend APM, this weekend, his wife, NLM and their seven year ood daughter, ALM. They were already in the room asleep, best part… they brought my skis with them!

We got up Saturday morning, went for breakfast, caught up and then got dressed and headed out to hit the slopes at Keystone. I’m a skier and they are both riders, snowboarders, see…the two can get along!

ALM had never been on a gondola, she was a little nervous and after… didn’t want to go up the mountain ant other way!

We got to the top and picked a green circle, I was fine with this since it was a year since I’d skiied and wanted to get a feel for things again, they wanted it because ALM is still learning and this was a family/ learning trail.

We had a great time, there was stopping and starting intentionally and unintentionally, falling, learning, tumbles. We stopped after msking it down once for some hot cocoa and a treat, back up for another run.

It was great watching them together, I’m looking forward to trying a snowboard next year and NLM being my instructor!

At one point ALM said it was time for private lessons. That meant me, then her mom, then me. She would tell us what she wanted us to do, she said copy me, unless I fall, the don’t copy me! Sounds good!

After the second run, we were done, this had taken a good chunk of the day. We headed to the shuttle, back to the car, then the hotel. We regrouped, went to get some dinner at Whole Foods, back to the room for showers, dinner and a movie. We ended sacking out pretty early, a full day on the slopes can do that to ya!

This morning, breakfast, packing and they headed out for home and I went back to Keystone for a few runs, back to the hotel, shower, off to Boulder for an errand, traffic was ridiculous! Drop off my skis, say hello and goodbye and then to the airport.

Now I’m back in Chicago ready for a new week. Fabulous weekend!

{February 27, 2017} What a weekend!

This weekend was great!

I flew to Denver Friday evening and checked into the only hotel I’ve stayed in since I moved from Denver. It’s a nice Homewood Suites in the center of the city with easy access to restaurants, nightlife, museums, the highways to get to the mountains and anywhere else you want to go.

I got to the hotel, had to get some work done and eventually got some sleep. I set the alarm, but that snooze button is too tempting. The phone woke me up, oops. I got up and headed to the airport because I was picking up my honey!!!

PSM is going to a meeting in Iowa this coming week and needed a place for a layover and Denver was one of those options and decided to make it a weekend, so here we are! Together!

We went back to the hotel and met his mom’s cousin and her husband for breakfast, a very nice couple who have lived in Denver for over thirty years. We had a really nice time getting to know each other, hearing stories about PSM’s family and PSM as a little kid.

After breakfast, it was time for a little break and some rest, after a bit PSM got up and prepped for his presentation next week.

Later we headed out into the city and ended up at a Machete for dinner, PSM was craving what we can’t really get in Hawaii, Mexican food. It was a noisy, energetic, eclectic restaurant with an impressive list of tequilas, someone was happy!

We were meeting APM, someone I’ve been friends with since high school, we met in youth group. Thursday and now Saturday, friends from youth group, fabulous! I also found out that his middle name is PSM’s first make, go figure!

After dinner we walked around, got some coffee and tea for a minute then wentb to another bar to hang out a bit longer, then on to the hotel and closing the blackout curtains, we were sleeping in!

Sunday brought a sleep in, brunch, a little more practice and then a tour of Boulder. It was nice to be in a place that I love together.

Then off to the airport, our flights were ably the same time, he walked me to my gate, we got to spend a little more time together and we realized that this would be a good place to meet for a weekend, easy for us both to get to, sweet!

Then I was off to Chicago and PSM is off to Iowa. I’ll be in Hawaii in a few weeks to see him again and we have a plan for my April trip! Wahoo!

Have a great night!

{February 19, 2017} They said what?!

PICNIC, PEBCAK, ID TEN T…huh?

You call IT for support, you call customer service for help. You’re really not getting anywhere and you’re frustrated and you hear a term you have never heard before, but the technician says it, you don’t know any better, so you just accept it.

Let me let you in on a little secret…

PEBCA… Problem Exists Between Chair and Keyboard.

PICNIC…Problem In Chair, Not In Computer.

ID TEN T…write it out…ID10T.

Type

You’re welcome!

{February 15, 2017} Happy everything!

It’s February 14th, that means…a lot!

It’s Valentine’s Day across the globe for anyone who’s in and feels love. Don’t forget, love takes many forms. Spouses with each other, significant others, parents with children, grandparents, friends, soul mates, friends, kids, both two and for legged, maybe even more legs if you’re into spiders and octopuses.

My friends JCT and JT have their wedding anniversary today, how love-ly is that? Happy anniversary!

SDL and Miss A are celebrating their Gotcha Day! This is the day when the adoption became official, how fabulous is that? What was our life like before you came into it? I can honestly say, I have no idea! Happy Gotcha Day!

Oh, the love I have for my family and friends…my immediate family and extended family…my nieces and grandbabies…there are no words to express what you all mean to me. Happy Valentine’s Day.

To my love, my honey, my Boo. So much to say, I’ll tell you when I see you. What I will say is thank you for my fabulous flowers, I love them. Happy Valentine’s Day, I love you.

{February 12, 2017} Sunday…another snow day!

Sunday school, sledding, hot chocolate, snow, hotel.

Sunday was quiet in the morning, the kids and GES were at Sunday school, ACS was watching Sunday Morning, when I finally decided to come downstairs and I watched with him after making some breakfast.

When the kids got home, there was playing in the snow, a little deep in some spots! Sledding, which translates to Auntie J, pull us in the tobbogin! Hmmm…

After sledding, dry the snow gear, good thing I had it with me! Hot chocolate, lunch and then…pack up and head to a hotel for the night near the airport. Good thing, it keeps snowing, who knows what’s going to happen tomorrow? See how foggy it was from the hotel window?

Take out, bad tv, talk to you, bed. Fingers crossed I get out tomorrow, lots of flights are getting canceled.

Happy snow day!

{February 11, 2017} It’s snowing in Boston!

It’s Saturday and it’s a snow day. A stay in day. A play date day.

I got up and went in search of life. GES was on the sofa with MGS and PK, she was the mysterious person on the air mattress in MGS’ room when I kissed her goodnight last night. ACS and EJS were at soccer game.

They got home and EJS scored three goals! Then we all went to breakfast.

After breakfast, MGS, EJS and PK played outside in the snow, so funny to watch! They slid down the steps in a toboggan, apparently three steps is enough. They then wanted to clean off the cars and ingenious….MGS figured out she could close the trunk using the ice scraper to hit the button!

A good time was had by all! Especially those of us warm on the inside watching!
EJS was picked up to go to a birthday party. There was bowling then a sleepover at a hotel. Pizza, swimming, staying up late, sounds good to me!

ACS went to get a haircut and when he got back GES and I went to get pedicures. Then some groceries and picked up dinner and the two of us watched Florence Foster Jenkins until the rest of the family got home.

It was a nice relaxing day.

What will tomorrow bring? Besides more snow.

{February 4, 2017} A house divided

Falcons vs Patriots. The showdown is coming.

I’m from NYC originally and a NY Giants fan. I’m in a relationship with a man from New England who is a die hard NE Patriots fan. It’s a “mixed marriage” for sure. [NY Yankees/Boston Red Sox]. Living in Colorado I grew an affection for the Denver Broncos, still on opposite sides. And here we are at the Superbowl! Remember where I lived for 20 years?

Now…I don’t know if you remember, I’m not a football fan, but I enjoy when someone takes me to a game in person. The sites, smells, food, excitement, the energy, it’s so much more. I still don’t always know what’s going on, but I don’t care, I love the current in the air.

Here we come to Superbowl Sunday, which is tomorrow. And it’s a good thing I’m not at home this weekend, it might have been tough…PSM is rooting for The Pats and I’m rooting for the Falcons. I’ll be honest, I lived in Georgia for twenty years and didn’t get that into the Falcons, but I’m a feeling the need to ‘Rise Up’ with Atlanta. It’s been 51 years since they’ve been to the Superbowl and I’m feeling a very red and black swell off emotion. [Do you remember when I became a Cubs fan the week of the World Series?]

If the Falcons win, wahoo! I know I’ll hear the uproar from Georgia where I am and I’ll whoop and holler. If the Pats win, I’ll call PSM and congratulate him and show my “Patriot-ism” [I said that to him a few months ago and couldn’t stop laughing! Isn’t that fabulous!]

Good luck to both teams, I know what is going to be like in PSM’s house, my house and all our friends in New England and I love all of them and I hope that they will understand when I say “Rise Up Atlanta! Go Falcons!]”

{February 1, 2017} I missed you!!

Oh my friends…I have missed you! I hope the feeling was a wee bit mutual.

I had such an amazing weekend that I had promised to share with you as I experienced it. Alas…Tmobile was not so friendly on the Big Island of Hawaii. So, a frustrating as that was, I’m going to be a big girl and move on and share my weekend with you now. Needless to say…it’s gonna be long one.

Here’s how my Friday, January 28th post went:

What do you do for the weekend, when you live on an island? You go to another island!

January 30th marks the two year anniversary of our first date. I don’t know if you remember me surprising PSM in Hawaii for our one year anniversary, it was awesome! It was also my first trip, of many, out here before I moved officially.

PSM surprised me with a trip to the Big Island for the weekend and here we are! He booked the tickets and the car, I got the hotel, you can guess where we’re staying!

We got to the hotel, the Hilton Waikoloa Village checked in and then headed to the room. The property is 62 acres! They have their own transportation system on the property, you can walk, of course, how yesterday! Or you can take a boat or tram!

We opted for the boat to get to our room, in the Ocean Tower. We have a very nice room with a partial view of the ocean, we can see it, not sure how partial it really is. The important thing is we can hear the ocean, sleeping with weigh A/C off and window open tonight!

The first thing we booked when we arrived was the luau and shortly after seeing the room, we left…headed to the luau.

What fun! The had a vegan option for me and PSM went to the buffet. Awesome waiter kept bringing more drinks, PSM was a happy camper.

The show itself was fabulous. Great history to learn about the Island of Hawaii. Each island has their own history, own and different stories to tell. I have to say, the fire dancing and spinning was the best! If you ever have the opportunity, do it! So much fun!

After the luau it was a nice walk back to the room, talk, laugh, catch up and then try to talk to you. A nice way to start our weekend, wouldn’t you agree?

Welcome day two. And what a day it was! We spent the day on a tour of Volcano National Park!
We toured lava tubes, which are the natural conduits which lava flows through, wow! We hiked to a volcano crater, there are hot pockets that you see and feel the steam coming up, unusual foliage, berries you can eat and berries, you shouldn’t.

We went to another part of the national park and we could see where the lava formed around a tree and then dinner at a volcano winery where they grow grapes and tea leaves.

We finished our day at an active volcano so we could see the glow in the distance, pictures cannot do it justice at all.

Sunday morning came and PSM had a relaxing massage, we met for breakfast and then headed to the airport. We flew back to Honolulu, collected our luggage, headed to check in, so my bags off, say a heartfelt farewell and I flew off to the great blue yonder back to Chicago.

Yesterday, I arrived about 630am, headed to the hotel and they had a room and that two hour nap was amazing! Then it was a day at the office, dinner with DLP at Kitchen 17, hotel and zzzzzzz…

Well, after mushy talk with PSM for our two year anniversary.

I hope you’ll forgive me for not talking to you last night.

So…it’s been great catching up with you tonight and now I am going to crash. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Goodnight!

{January 22, 2017} Definitely a thespian!

The Wizard of Oz! My favorite movie and now…my favorite young stage production!

Today, EJS performed in The Wizard of Oz. She’s in a theater group called Show Stoppers. Last year, she was in Beauty and the Beast, she was a few different characters. This year she was Elmira Gulch in Act I, wow! Elmira Gulch, if you’re not in the know, is the mean woman who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.

In the rest of the show, she was a jitterbug, and munchkin, a crow and part of the Queens Guard, versatile! There was singing and dancing and they were all great, but you know, she’s my niece so of course, she was the star!

She asked me to do her hair in a sideways French braid. First time…let’s give it a shot! I did the braid, she approved and they pinned it up, looked great! Whew!

It was a fun production, minimal sets…we had a farm, a yellow brick road, a curtain for the Great and Powerful Oz, colored lighting, music, singing, costumes…what more do you need?

It really was great and EJS knew her lines, she was on point, she danced and sang and enjoyed herself and had an entourage of about 25 people! Aside from my sister, b-i-l, MGS, dad and LaLa, J&AS, B&SS she had three friends on their own, then J&EK with their kids, S&P, S&LR and their kids S&E, RG and her daughter A. What a crowd and what a lucky girl! Can you image what her Broadway debut will look like!

Congrats to the entire cast and easy to go EJS! I’m so proud of you!

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