Family | Peaches Prattlings

{July 16, 2016} A bad day at the beach is better than a good day at the office

Isn’t that what they say? Well, if you all me, it’s true! Good thing I’m moving to an island!

Today was a good day at the beach, better than a walk in the park, sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

I talked to GES the other day and she said they might be going to the beach and she’d let me know when they would be heading out. I got a text this morning and away I went.

JK’s mom, he’s a friend of ACS, has a house in Nantasket a block from the beach, paradise. I got there, changed into my suit and headed down to the beach and surprised EJS and MGS.

There was laughing, silliness, splashing, boogie boarding, body surfing, shell hunting, foot burying, walking, napping, running from the waves, jumping into the waves, hanging out, talking and having a great time.

There is great people watching at the beach, we saw families, teenagers, old, young, silly, goofy, even what someone called the beached whales! These are a group of, let’s just say round, older women who line up their chairs to face the sun and their skin looks like tanned leather, you know they’ve been doing this for centuries! and every once in a while they get up two to three at a time to put their feet in and splash water on themselves.

It’s a really nice beach, the water is clear, the people are nice and it’s not too crowded.

I think I’ve told you how my brother-in-law knows a lot of people, right? He’s from Massachusetts, went to summer camp in Massachusetts and went to UMASS for college.

That being said, he runs into people he knows everywhere. He and GES went for a walk and ran into three people he knew, either from camp or college. JK went to the same camp, that’s how they met, so you can imagine what it’s like!

We even got to see a family we became friends with that we met at Atlantis so many years ago! That was fun, the kids have gotten so big!

GES and I finally packed it in scout 5pm, went back to the house to take showers and hung out on the porch while we waited for everyone else. It was nice sitting on the front porch watching and saying hello to everyone walking home from the beach.

Everyone else got there about 630, took quick showers and we headed out to get some dinner. We chose a place on the water, it was lovely. As we are getting out food, the manager asks if my brother-in-law is ACS, turns out…they went to camp together! Go figure! Then a couple walked by who used to live next door to him growing up! Seriously people, what are the odds?

After dinner, a quick trip to Old Navy, then time to say goodnight.

And that is what I will say to you. Goodnight.

{June 26, 2016} We started the day with football and ended with art..not bad.

That’s quite a combination, wouldn’t you say?

Today was quite a day! We started out with the Football Hall of Fame and ended with the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Since we toured the entire Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame yesterday, which I will tell you about, my original post disappeared, I’m sorry, we decided that we would go to the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, only an hour away, how awesome is that!

We talked to a woman who clinched it for us, an hour away and only about two hours to tour? Sold! We were talking to a guy who was going to the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame today about it and the Football Hall of Fame, he wanted to go with us!

We headed out and listened to the Capitol Steps, Forbidden Broadway and laughed the whole way.

The museum was cool, a lot of good history and memorabilia, uniforms, facts, jewelry, ha ha.

The first question…why Canton and here’s your answer.

How uniforms have changed.

The evolution of the football.

Too cool! The tallest player in history was seven feet and the shortest was 5 1/2″. Know what that means? I could play football!! He played for the Staten Island Stapletons…any guesses where I grew up?

Dad remembers a lot of the players and facts,
I learned a lot from him.

From the year I was born.

Overall, a very enjoyable experience

We left Canton and headed back towards Cleveland and the Museum of Art.

It was a really nice museum, spacious, lots of light.

I have always loved going to museums and viewing art with my dad. Like with music, he introduced me to toss wonderful world. We wanted to look at paintings more than sculpture, furniture or pottery and we found it.

I love contemplating with him what the artist might have been thinking or “what were the thinking!?” We laugh, discuss, contemplate. Awesome!

Another fabulous experience today. Awesome!

{June 24, 2016} Cleveland Rocks!

Dad and I have been talking about taking a trip somewhere and we’ve both wanted to see the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame.

Problem solved, we’re going to Cleveland!

We made a decision, then just needed dates, then came booking flights. Just about that time, GES and I were trying to figure out what to do for Father’s Day…

Perfect…we decided to fly him to Cleveland. I got the rooms with my points, yeah baby! Doubletree Hotel , warm chocolate chip cookies, breakfast included, bath robe…we do things in style around here!

So…here I am in Cleveland to spend the weekend with my pops, enjoying good conversation, a lot of laughs and some rock…n…roll!!!

Can’t wait to tell you all about it! Gonna crash now!

I hope you have rockin’ dreams!

{June 20, 2016} Happy Father’s Day

Today is the day we celebrate and honor our fathers. That being said, let me tell you about mine!

There are great dad’s out there but I’m biased, mine is the best! He’s an individual, innovator, comic, artist, therapist, a shoulder to cry on, a great sounding board, spoiler, a great travel companion, a great traveler, an art lover, music aficionado. He can start the day off with cartoons, move to rock-n-roll, the opera, musical theater, a bad movie to a good movie, he’s a great popcorn maker and when it comes to coming, breakfast is a specialty.

He tells great jokes and when it’s a good one, you’d think he was about to pass out from laughing so hard, sometimes he can’t even finish the joke. Whenever I hear a joke that I like, I call him immediately so he can laugh with me!

As I’ve grown older, I won’t say grown up, we’ve gotten closer, our relationship has changed a little, still father and daughter, but now, there is a friend component or level. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m still a daddy’s girl and I always will be.

He has always been an amazing dad to GES and I, having to be the strong one for us sometimes, I like when I can be that for him.

To see him with his granddaughters is fabulous, EJS and MGS love their Poppa! The other kids can him Poppa D, that’s how they know him, isn’t that great! He’s so good with them, firm…rarely, silly…often, smart…always, clever…frequently. I love watching the interaction between them, they love his visits. There may even be an overnight at his house in their future.

One of the things I love is that I talk to my dad every day. It could be for a minute or twenty, sometimes even longer. We talk about everything and nothing. How fabulous is that?!

I hope nothing changes. Happy Father’s Day, daddy. I love you.
PS…thanks for my name!

I want to wish a very Happy Father’s Day to all the fabulous dad’s out there. Especially my brother-in-law, ACS.

{June 19, 2016} Happy birthday CKM!

Another year older and a great reason to celebrate! It’s CKM’s birthday!

Let me tell you about my friend, CKM…

We met about nine years ago, at JFT’s house, just before I separated and got divorced from the wasband. She was friends with a friend of mine and the three of us started spending time together, I even filled in for her at her job when she went out for surgery.

We started hanging out more and more, doing fun stuff, volunteering for events, movies, shows, even taking some weekend trips.

We’ve been through a lot together over the years, been there for each other, probably she’s there for me more than the other way around, I’ve had quite the ride over the last few years. Very happy to have that!

We’ve experienced a lot of new, odd and exciting experiences over the years and it’s been a fun and interesting ride.

She works too hard, she currently has four jobs, partly because she enjoys them and partly because she has a good heart and has a hard time saying no, especially to a friend.

One of her important jobs right now, which is so important to me, is helping SDL with Miss A while she’s in an EMBA program. Is that cool beans or what?

She is a fantastic photographer, a creative artist, creative cook, open to trying some things and unfortunately for her, hanging out with SDL and me, her language has gotten more colorful, sorry CKM.

Her birthday and holiday gifts are always creative and spot on, so much fun to get. I love planning things with her, for us, each other or others.

Speaking of planning, she’s an event planner and an extraordinary one! There are times she knows my schedule better then I do! I always say that if I win the stupid lottery, I would hire her as my personal event planner!

I hope she has the best birthday ever, she deserves nothing but the best! Xoxo

{June 13, 2016} “I’m really glad you’re here”

She said a few times. Sigh…

Last night I went to GES’ to see everyone since I’m going to be elsewhere the next few weekends.

GES flew out very early this morning and ACS and EJS had somewhere else to be, so I offered to stay and be with MGS in the morning, save them a babysitter session.

I got up when I heard her talking with ACS. I got to see them, give hugs and kisses before they left, have to get them in to take me through the next few weeks after all.

Then MGS and I settled in to watch Zootopia, which she was kind enough to describe certain things that were happening throughout the movie. So cute!

All of sudden she crawled into my lap to snuggle…sigh…

A few times that morning she looked at me and said “I’m glad you’re here, I’m having fun with you”. Did I melt into the floor? You bet your sweet bippie! I told her I felt the same way and then we had a tickle fest.

A great morning!

Exactly what we looked like, minus the shutterstock!

{June 11, 2016} I have my own snack bag!

I’m one lucky Auntie!

I came to GES’ house tonight to see the family for a bit since I’m going to be gone for a few weeks, weekends included.

Very early in the morning, GES has a flight to catch and the girls made her snack bag for the flight. I said “gee, I wish I had my own snack bag for my flight!”

I was teasing the girls, but…guess what happened! I got my own snack bag! I said I need this every week and they said ok!

EJS wanted to know what I can have, she knows and remembers about some of the things I can’t have, isn’t that sweet!

I have trail mix, dried fruit and candy. I’m set! Now I’m ready to fly! Thanks girls! I’ll be back in a few weeks for more snacks. Oh and hugs and kisses too, of course!

{June 9, 2016} Happy Happy Birthday GES!

Another year and she just gets,me fabulous!

Yup, that pretty much covers it! Ok, ok, I’ll tell you more since you asked!

I know I’ve told you that she is an amazing woman, she is a fantastic mother, the way she is with my nieces is a pleasure to see. She’s silly and goofy with them, rolling around on the couch or the floor, laughing and giggling, patient when working with them on anything, from homework to thank you notes for birthdays to any learning opportunities and teaching points that happen and firm when she needs to be. And the birthdays she plans, amazing! We had great inspiration.
Let’s just say, mommy would be proud, she was a great role model.

She’s a fabulous wife to my brother-in-law, ACS, they are a great team when it comes to raising the girls, she is always taking his needs into consideration when making decisions, appreciates all he does for and with her and when she throws him a celebration, it’s a celebration! They are silly, goofy, loving, in tune and I even get to see a PDA every now and then.

GES is a great daughter. We love trying to think of things to do for dad for birthdays, fathers days and holidays, not always easy, but I think we do a pretty good job. She loves to include him in family events and celebrations and adores him as Poppa to the girls, we both knew he’d be aces at it!

A great friend is an understatement I think and I believe her friends would agree with me. They come to her for friendship, love, advice, silliness and fun. Could be why there is such an amazing outpouring of love and people at any event for her and when she was going through treatment, a line around the block “what can I do”.

There are so many people who she looks at as extended family, most of her friends are aunties to the girls, it’s a true testimony to her.

To say she’s an amazing sister, well, that would be an understatement. As kids we played, fought, were silly, goofy, conspiring, loving, just what two sisters should be. Sometimes we were playmates because we had no choice, most times because we wanted to be. I loved that she wanted to wear my clothes and hang on to some of my favorite stuff when I went to college, it made me feel good. Better than when she would take my stuff when we were little. Our relationship hasn’t changed much, except we don’t fight as much and when we disagree, no one sits on the other…well, not always. We still get goofy and silly, but we love spending time together, those special moments when it’s just the two of us, I love, I’ve even gotten her to get away with me twice since the girls were born, love those!

So…maybe a little further insight into my sister, GES, fabulous, no?

Happy birthday Baby sister. I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you and I haven’t regretted a moment since.

This is from a tech event last night, written with a light pen!

{June 7, 2016} Oh my goodness, we have a the 3 year old!

My fabulous grandson, Baby A is THREE!

Can you believe it? He’s three, can I still call him Baby A?

First, I must tell you that he is three years and five days today, let me explain why I’m telling you today. Do you remember June 1st is a bittersweet day, it’s bittersweet because it’s the anniversary of my mom’s passing and the day the Baby A was born. I didn’t want to talk about both in the same post, they each deserve their own post. And here is his!

Now…Let’s talk about this amazing, fantastic, silly, goofy, rambunctious, bright, energetic, stubborn. I don’t know if you remember me telling you that I got to meet him the day he was born!

I was in Atlanta to get my hair cut as I di every two years and KAB went into labor. I was kept in the loop and when she was ready for visitors, I went to see them both, JB as well, of course! What a doll baby! So tiny and perfect and smelled and felt so good.

I held him and we talked, about all the world has to offer and how much he will discover and learn and all the fun we would have in his life. And what fun we’ve had so far! The Halloween costumes, oh my! Harry Potter!

When I go to Atlanta I do my best to see him and it gets better every time. He runs and jumps into my arms, I get hugs and kisses and snuggles and yelling and giggling and so much love.

Our phone conversations are very brief, maybe two sentences, three, if I’m lucky, then he’s off running and playing somewhere else.

He loves his mommy and JB and his new baby sister, Baby E, he wants to love on her, hugs and kisses and shout it to the rooftops, the last one, much to her chagrin, so loud!

Yesterday he had his birthday party, friends and family. His parents got him a huge backyard playset, fabulous! They know their kid! I got some pictures today of him playing with his new bubble machine, yup, from me, oh he loved it, what kid wouldn’t!

I love that he asks for me now, when am I coming back to see him! Soon, sweet boy, soon! I can’t wait!

Happy birthday Baby A, JJ loves you!

{June 5, 2016} We have a thespian in the family !

Tonight was the third time I have seen EJS perform on stage. And it was fabulous!

She is in a theater program called show stoppers. They have been rehearsing for the last few months every Sunday. It paid off!

Today was the production of Beauty and the Beast. EJS played two roles: Nadia the Knife and a wolf. As Nadia the Knife, she was part of the kitchen numbers, even had lines! Oh, and fabulous jazz hands, great expressions.
As a wolf there was great clawing.

We were all blown away by the quality of the performance. There was some really strong talent in the leads and the supporting cast was great. Every supporting player had at least 2-3 lines, it was terrific.

The entire show was about an hour and dine just to script. It made me want to watch the animated feature. Some people in the audience were singing along with the numbers, that was fun.

I didn’t know who else would be in it, but it was fun seeing people I knew who had kids in the show. The bigger surprise was song PSM’s aunt and uncle! Their grandkids were in the show, H&M T, so of course they were there. It felt good telling them how PSM is doing and they are coming to Hawaii next March, how fantastic!

After the show, we went back to GES and ACS’ house, B&S M came, with banana bread, per EJS’ request and we had breakfast for dinner to celebrate.

At some point it was time to go, I had a flight to catch!

EJS was great and had a terrific time, I’m so proud of her…I can’t wait to see what’s coming next!

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