Family | Peaches Prattlings

{October 30, 2016} A 3rd birthday and a son’s wedding!

Wow, Saturday, October 29th is quite the day!

Baby L turns three! can you believe it? we need a better acronym for her! she’ll be 16 and still be baby L! that being said, my fabulous, funny, spirited, precocious, adventurous third grandchild and second granddaughter is THREE today! and what kind of birthday party did she want? A Halloween party! A girl after my own heart!

I sent her first cousin a bubble machine for his birthday and it was a hit! Perfect a bubble maker it is! The cool thing about this one…candy bubbles!! I ordered it in different flavors and per the video on Facebook…. a hit!

Happy happy birthday Baby L, you are fabulous and I love you very much!

The other special thing about today…my son got married! I hope you remember me telling you about reconnecting with him a few weekends ago, well, today, he made a fabulous and special commitment, he got married. He’s been with his, now wife, for about two years, I think. I got to meet her too when I saw WCH, she works with is him at the restaurant.

I can’t believe it, on his next birthday , in a few weeks, he’s a married man!

One thing I always dreamed about when my kids were little was celebrating with them at their weddings. Now that we’ve reconnected, I’ll dance at their children’s weddings. I am going to rreel in every moment of their lives, support and love them in whatever they do and just bask in their glow. Isn’t that what a mother does?

What a day! Happy third birthday Baby L and Mazel Tov to my baby boy on this wonderful day.

{October 22, 2016} Yolk…Jack…Hawks…Cubs!

Who schedules appointments for Saturday mornings? Duh.

I got back to the hotel, the guys were up and ready to go, it’s brunch time! We went to Yolk, a nice place for brunch, I was there with CKM. Food was ok, service left something to be desired.

Let’s go to a movie! The new Jack Reacher. I love Lee Childs and the character Jack Reacher. If you’ve read his books, Tom Cruise is not Jack Reacher…if you can get past that, a pretty good movie.

Back to the hotel for a minute, then it’s off to the Blackhawks game! Standing Room seats, not bad, once you get a spot. We left shortly before the end, they were losing and then pulled it out last minute.

We headed to a restaurant/bar across from the hotel to watch the end of the Cubs game. It was exciting! Congrats to the Cubs…making it to the pennant rave first time in 71 years and as they say 4 more games…they win…it will be the first time in 108 years!! I’m pulling for you Cubs!

A much earlier night tonight! Airport for the boys tomorrow.

{October 21, 2016} A great day…but please, no more deep dish!

What a great day! PSM and ST are here in Chicago with me, we’re going to have a good time.

PSM and I went into my office this morning for a few hours, went to lunch with DLP and then headed to the hotel. ST is in town and going to crash with us for the weekend.

We dropped our stuff and headed out, the boys wanted to go to the Apple store. After waiting about 20 minutes for someone to talk to us, we left empty handed.

We went to the Tmobile store to see my new friends, ha ha. I got the guys set up with VR Gear and someone for PSM to talk to about headphones and I needed a cover put on my phone.

Next it was off to Papa Ginos, a very cool place, with graffiti on every…thing! And yes, for the 2nd and last time I ate deep dish pizza. It wasn’t bad.

Then, to Atwood for Unicum! I was so excited that I found it in Chicago, it’s that battery-acid, Hungarian Liquor that PSM loved.

We introduced ST to Unicum and port, two of PSM’s favorites from our trip last year. Then it was other treats, I pretended to be a grown up and had an amaretto on the rocks.

On to Rockbottom Brewery for more shenanigans, so much fun hanging with these guys.

It’s now about 230am, time for crashing! Lots to do tomorrow. Night!

{October 21, 2016} I got my baby back!

That is so very cheesy!

What’s worse? I said we should have ribs for dinner so I could sing that! Oh brother!

So…bottom line, I got to see my beau tonight. PSM had to be in St. Louis this week and since he was traveling through Chicago, I suggested he spend the weekend with me in Chicago, he said yes!

I was in Bloomington, IL today for work, drove back into Chicago and waited for him, when he finally got there it was a happy reunion, dinner and back to the hotel, we have a great weekend planned.

The best part…we get to see each other!!! And we’re going to be together for the next few weekends and weeks, I promise to tell you all about it, for now…snuggle time!

{October 16, 2016} Another great day!

An easy, but fun day.

We slept in! Neither of us thought we’d sleep until 830am! Up and off to breakfast, hanging out and chatting.

Eventually we headed out looking for some Cubs and/or Blackhawks gear. We stopped at the Jack Daniel’s store where they were celebrati8 their 150th anniversary. They had $5 haircuts, whisky tastings, demos and a bluegrass band, they were great! Dad made a request our two, they played it!

A really good event that we really enjoyed! I can’t wait to wear my sweatshirt! Thanks daddy!

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Next, we walked down to Navy Pier for the Architectural Boat Tour. I’ve done it a few times, but not during the day, I was really looking forward to it. We had a great, witty guide who kept us entertained and we learned a little something…go figure.

Then, we headed to Giordano’s for Chicago’s other famous deep dish pizza. We waited the 45 minutes, watched some football, only to have our order done wrong. Boo hiss.

We headed back to the hotel and ordered a pizza from a Giordano’s near the hotel, went up to get drinks, put on the third Transformers movie, Dark Side of the Moon so we could watch all the places in Chicago we just saw and learned about get flattened or blown up! It was fun!

Ending the night with some football and talking to you.

Back to work tomorrow…nooooo!!

It’s been such a great visit dad…where to next?!

{October 15, 2016} Today’s post is brought to you by the Letter H!

Did you figure it out?

So…up too early for a Saturday, but it was good,we talked for about an hour, almost a continuation of our fabulous conversation last night, talking about family, family history fabulous.

Then it was up for breakfast, then off to T-mobile to replace my Galaxy Note 7 for a Galaxy Edge 7. This was going to take a while, about an hour 15, so we went for a walk, got some lunch, then back to the store, they weren’t done, so off we went back to the hotel because we had somewhere to be at 2pm…

We saw HAMILTON!!! Oh my gawd, it was amazing! How did we get tickets, you might ask, when tickets are a minimum of $450, if you’re lucky?

Well, after Dad got here, as we were walking to get something for lunch, we passed the theater where Hamilton is being performed and said “I wonder if they have tickets”, can’t hurt to ask…

Dad “do you have tickets?” Box Office guy “I do”. Dad”tomorrow? Box Office guy “I do”. Dad “how much?” “That’s all?? We’ll take two!” “Oh, where are they?” Box Office guy “orchestra”! Go dad!

The people sitting next to dad, same scenario. It really can’t hurt to ask!

So, here we are at 1:30pm fighting our way into the theater to see Hamilton. And I go mean fighting, they have no control or order to get people to their seats. Getting out…no picnic either.

But in between…

Oh man! What a show! It’s about the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, set to music. The music,lyrics and book were all written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, an amazing talent! The music, the lyrics, the beats, choreography, amazing! I laughed, I cried, I was sad, I was happy and…I did my very best not to sing along! [Anyone who knows me knows I love musicals and I know most of the music before I see a show, I want to sing every word!]

One of my favorite things about the show, the diversity of the cast. Hispanic, African-American, Asian, Caucasian. None of the characters was the “traditional” race for that character, except for King George III, who’s character was…AMAZING! great comic relief, transition, story. Each lead had a solo, the three supporting leads played different roles in act two.

If…you have the opportunity and can find tickets…that you don’t have to mortgage your house for, go!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_(musical)

How do you follow that? With Chicago Blackhawks HOCKEY, of course!

When dad was coming to Chicago I asked if he’d like to go to a sporting event, he said sure! If the Cubs were going to be in the playoffs, which they are! Go Cubs! the tickets would be crazy, so..how about hockey? Sold!

I got us Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators tickets, section 303. I don’t know if you noticed by the picture…Blackhawks won!

I said it was a good game, dad made a good observation, it’s always a good game if your team is winning! And it was and they did! Scored in the first six minutes! Three goals in the first 11 minutes!

The second period was eventful for the Predators, one goal, oh well. In the third period it was 3:2 Blackhawks. I said, they either need to score or hold them off for the next 8 minutes.

Guess what happened about 20 seconds later…score! Those fans go crazy when their team scores, just like any team, it was great!

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It was a good game, lots of fun, energy and best part…I got to take my dad to his first ever professional hockey game! Go me!

Blackhawks win!

Today’s post is brought to you by the Letter H: Hamilton and Hockey!

{October 15, 2016} Welcome to Chicago pop!

Guess who came to see me in Chicago for the weekend?! One guess..

I went into the office for a few hours and when dad got here, he let me know when he was near the hotel, I left to meet him. A great reunion!

Bags dropped in the room, chill for a minute, then hit the streets. Lunch was the first order of business, lots of catching up to do! Oh, first, we stopped at the theater down the street to see if they had any tickets for a big Broadway show, they did! Guess what we’re going to see!! Nope, I’ll let you guess until tomorrow, when I tell you!

We turned around and to the Art Institute of Chicago we went, we had about 1.5 hours before it closed, so we did a drive or walk-by of the contemporary, new contemporary and impressionists. We had a great time, discussing, questioning and laughing.

This one I call “what’s taters precious?”. Some of you will get this…

Next, The Bean, how do you explain The Bean, no explanation, just go see it. Isn’t it fabulous?
Walk down Magnificent Mile, admiring, talking, catching up. Then to Navy Pier for a quick peek, walk down to the end of the pier.

Then…Lou Malnatis for a Chicago must… deep dish pizza! And yes folks, I shared with dad and lived to tell about it!

A nice walk back to the hotel, talked for a long time and now, talking to you.
Tomorrow… phone, then… then…

{October 13, 2016} My baby boy and a baby boy!! JJ is over the moon!!

I have news!

I hope you remember when we talked about when I reconnected with my daughter back in May, on her birthday, which happened to be mother’s day this year. It’s been an amazing experience over the last few months, having her back in my life, I don’t know if i can truly put it into words. I didn’t know if my heart could be fuller.

Oh… It could!

Last weekend I was in Atlanta, for a few reasons, one being the due date of my baby’s baby. My daughter, TYL, was pregnant and due on Sunday, October 9th. What better excuse for a visit, wouldn’t you say?

We were talking about where to meet and she suggested the pizza joint that her brother runs. Does he know I’m coming? Nope, it’s a surprise, good! She told me he wanted to see me the next time I came to town. As the day went on and I started driving out there and got closer, I got nervous. Me! I got nervous about the idea of seeing my son for the first time in eight years, well, yeah, that makes sense!

I texted that I was there, she came outside, oh, my friends, let me tell you, I am welling up thinking about seeing her, the girl I helped raise for twelve years walking towards me, all grown up, beautiful and about to have a baby!

We walked in together and the look on his face, it was priceless! I wish someone had gotten a picture of it! He was so surprised and happy! The best I could hope for! He threw his arms up and came out to hug me and wouldn’t let go, well, not sure if that was me or him! “I missed you! I think about you every day!” What more could I want to hear?! I told him I missed him and thought about him, perfect!

He was almost exactly the same as he was as a kid and the last time I saw him. Sweet, funny, goofy, wants everyone to be happy. He was taller and had all this fabulous red facial hair! What? Where’s the baby faced boy? I think his red hair is the same color that I go for…perfect!

I’m so proud of him, he’s doing so well. He manages the restaurant, has a team of people who respect him and enjoy working for him, regulars who come in and know him and he knows how to treat people. I think I always knew he’d be in a role some day working with people, he was a little people pleaser when he was a kid, he’s turned it to being a success in his profession.

Did I mention goofy? He said “let’s hang out! Oh…I don’t get off until 11!” Normally, I would say yes, but I had to be somewhere in the morning. “Where do you stay when you come to Atlanta?” I couch surf, his response “I have a couch!” I can’t wait for the time I can spend the night at his house and the next time, OMG! he’s going to be a married man! He’s engaged to a sweet girl who works at the restaurant, they’ve been together a few years and they’re smitten, as I would hope and in a few weeks, he’ll be a Mister to a Mrs.

And…here’s the other bit…Next time I travel to Atlanta, I’ll be spending time with my married son and daughter AND…ready for it…

MY NEW GRANDSON!!! O M G!!! JJ has a new love! Oh yes she does!

THL wanted to meet at the restaurant for a few reasons, see me, me to see her brother, CH and for him to make her eggplant parm, hoping it might induce labor, like Scalini’s in Marietta. [http://www.scalinis.com/main-babies.html].

As I mentioned, I was in Atlanta hoping to meet my grandson, she even asked if step-mom’s have any pull [think I was over the moon about that? you bet your sweet bippy!] Alas, for JJ, the baby did not listen to me…or his mother to be and make an appearance before I left. I sent as many positive vibes out into the universe, so she wouldn’t have to feel like ‘she was going to be pregnant for ever!’ as she said.

But…Tuesday, October 11th, 7:59pm, I got a text “He’s here!” Oh my sweet girl! Congratulations and much, much mazel! And WHAT A DOLL BABY!!!

I asked when I could post and crow, as soon as I got permission, on to Facebook I went! My friends and family are so thrilled for me! So many of my friends and neighbors from Atlanta remember the kids when they were little and how sweet, cute and funny they were, all good things to say about them and my closest friends know how much this has meant to me, having them back in my lives.

When I sent the pictures to my family, my sister said “another Yom Kippur baby!” and wow, she’s right! I was born the day after Yom Kippur and my grandson, the day before, what a special thing! And let me tell you, it’s crazy…we are not related by blood, but that kid has a FULL head of black hair, just like his JJ [Ok, the secret’s out, I dye my hair! yeah, big secret!]

I have to tell you, a great Yiddish word is kvelling, it means to be happy and proud. I am KVELLING! I have my girl back in my life and now…my baby boy and a new baby boy! Oh, his name is CDL and I’ll refer to him as CD. I LA LA LA LOVE IT!

Thank you to everyone who wished me well and through me, TYL, she is over the moon and in love and…well, I have my kids back, you know where I stand.

{October 11, 2016} If I have wronged you…

Tonight is Erev Yom Kippur, which translates to the evening before/of.

“On Rosh Hashanah it is written, on Yom Kippur it is sealed”. The hope is that on Rosh Hashanah g-d writes your name in the Book of Life and on Yom Kippur seals the Book for another year. G’mar Hatima Tova, may you be sealed in the Book of Life.

Tomorrow is the Day of Atonement, a day for reflection. It starts with fasting beginning at sundown and asking for forgiveness.

So, to you my friends and family, I say “To those I have wronged, I ask forgiveness. To those I may have helped, I wish I had done more. You those I neglected to help, I asked for understanding. To those who helped me, I thank you with all my heart.”

To my friends and family observing tiki holy of days, I wish you health and an easy fast.

G’mar Tov

{October 9, 2016} What a day! Family and friends

To me, they’re the same thing and I love it!

I spent the night with RJS and KS, this morning she gave in to my desire for breakfast, which anyone who knows me, when I’m in GA…Waffle House!! Yum!

I left her place to spend some time with CKM at a farmer’s market. In the Gall she sells apples and in the Spring she sells peaches at different farmer’s markets. I’ve asked her about it and now, when I ask questions about the markets I can visualize it in my mind. She sold out, pretty cool.

We caught up, laughed, got silly and had a good time, as always. I even bought a few apples for the kids, they smelled so good!!

Next, I headed out to see the grandkids! I got there and everyone was there and up from a nap, wahoo! I saw LB and Baby L, their mom, CS and Baby A and his baby sister Princess E and their mom, KB and a real treat…CG, their Mamaw, no idea how to spell that!

It was so great spending a few hours together, catching up, talking, laughing, having a good time. Only one missing was their sister, DCM, she was off with her beau…next time.

Then it was off to see LBK and family. I had a birthday present to deliver in person! Their youngest daughter turned 12 two weeks ago. Oh boy do I love seeing this family.

LBK, KK, JK and I went out to dinner, then they took me to see her new office, it was amazing! I’m so excited for her on this new adventure! We had so much fun in the therapy room, swinging, jumping, just being goofy. We took pictures, oh my.. we do look like out mothers!

Back at the house, laundry, the debate and more catching up. It was so fabulous, family always is!

Oh! My dear friends, CC and IF, had their baby! Much mazel to them!

Finally talking to you, have to crash and get up in a few hours to head to the airport. I need a vacation! Goodnight!

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