Family | Peaches Prattlings

{April 14, 2016} Waffle House…GA511 Hero…Dinner

Another jam packed day!

The day started early, but that meant breakfast! And breakfast in the south means…Waffle House! The All-Star Breakfast. What could be better? Nothing!

On the way home we stopped by the package store, ST needed some supplies for the weekend and I picked up a few things for some people I know, wink wink. After we got back to the house, I packed up my stuff, loaded the car and headed to Starbucks to get some work done for a few hours.

On the way to pick up RJS for our dinner date with JCT, I had something happen for the first time ever. I ran out of gas! On the highway! I knew I needed gas yesterday and thought I’d get it today and totally forgot. So, all of a sudden the car starts stalling, duh! I managed to get the car from the hammer lane to the right shoulder! Whew!

I called ST and he reminded me about GA511, they send the State Farm HERO units out. They asked where I was, that was easy! Mile maker 111 in 85S. Could I have stopped in a more perfect spot??

The truck arrived and the hero himself, so to speak, put one gallon of gas in the car and made me feel better, he did the same thing himself last week!

After my hero left, ha ha, I found a station, got gas and headed to pick up RJS. We had a bit of traffic to sit in, so lots of time to catch up!

We made it to dinner, had a great time with JCT, laughing, catching up, we’ve known each other, this October, 7 years! Wow! We met on the same day on a new project and became instant friends, we met ST on that project as well. Pretty cool, huh?

After dinner, I drove RJS home and we caught up some more, talked plans and dresses and stuff. Eventually I realized it was late and headed to JCT’s house for more catching up, just the two of us.

When I got there, she gave me the new “sleep” hat her mom made me, totally rad!!! Don’t you just love it! Mom rocks!

Maybe one day I’ll actually be able to make something like this!

I love being spoiled by two amazing moms! JCT’s and SDL’s, they make me feel like one of theirs, thank you!

And now my friends, it is time for sleep. Repacking in the morning and off to the airport for the next great adventure! Thanks everyone for making this week fabulous!!!

And a very happy happy birthday to one of my best friends! MM! live it up, it’s your day! Xoxo

{April 12, 2016} Another full day…go figure!

I started at one end of Atlanta and ended up on the other side.

I spent the night at LBK’s, got to see her for a few minutes before she had to go back to work then drove AK to get his car. Perfect, because it was in exactly the direction I needed to go.

After I dropped him off, I went to meet CBG, who I used to work with, and her husband AG. We met at The Flying Biscuit, Y_U_M!! They met from a dating profile I wrote for her way back when. She tweaked it of course, but…they met because of it, I’m stoked to say! They’re the second couple to meet because of a profile I wrote, is that awesome or what!

It was great catching up, especially after AG left to go back to work, she and I had some good one-on-one time.

Then I headed to my storage unit to scope the situation out there and then drop something off at a friend’s house, I hope she’s found it by now!

After that, head to the other side of town, I had a movie date with TS. We decided on a later movie, so I loitered around Barnes and Noble and then she was there. We went to see The Boss, with Melissa McCarthy. It was funny, not the best, but funny.

I love going to the movies with TS, we laugh at a lot of the same stuff, then we analyze and discuss. It was great to see her and catch up, she’s one of the people I try to see when I’m in town.

After the movie and more catching up we parted company, she headed home and I’m at SDL’s, exciting to-do tomorrow and I’ll tell you all about it…tomorrow.

Sweet dreams!

{April 9, 2016} We have a SIX year old in the mix!

What? She just got here, how can she be six? Where did the time go?

Today is a very special day! Miss A turned SIX! I imagine you guessed that from the title. Wow, six! And what a day we had for that very six year old.

Ready, here we go, you might need a nap, we were busy!

The day started a like early, there was a bran muffin with raisins for a breakfast tease. Over breakfast I asked if she had any advice for MGS who turns six next week.

Then it was up to get dolled up! Black riding pants, pink tutu, white long sleeve top, sparkle t-shirt proclaiming “I was born to sparkle”! and cool boots.

She was put together and out the door we went.

First stop…horse riding, with a blinged-out helmet, a little extra being with a tiara on her helmet. Do you see DIVA on the back? Oh yeah! She was fabulous!

Not to mention, the entire staff sang happy birthday! Awesome!

After horses, off to brunch, remember, the muffin was the breakfast snack! We stopped at IHOP. The girl could out-eat me in a skinny minute! Eggs, pancakes with strawberries and whip cream and because it’s her birthday, ice cream sundae, more strawberries and whipped cream.

And to top it all off, they sang happy birthday!

After breakfast head to the Blue Ridge Mountains to an apple orchard for a tractor show. We got there just in time to see the pink tractor. Then we went on a tractor tour around the orchard, very cool. They grow 52 different varieties of apples!

Back inside to shop and maybe get a snack…maybe. ha ha! Butterscotch pudding, vanilla pudding, 1/3 of a banana, peach pie with ice cream. Full yet?

We took a stroll in the meadow and by the lake, very picturesque!

After a while, time to leave. Heading back, it was about dinner time, and we found a Cracker Barrel, chow time! Chicken-n-dumplings, coconut cream pie with whipped cream. Oh my!

More singing and silliness!

Then back home for bath and bed. That sounds like a great idea!

Happy birthday Miss A, you wonderful, finny, silly, goofy, bright, loving little person. I’m so happy you’re in my life and I’m in yours.

Good…night!

{April 7, 2016} Happy birthday LaLa

Today we celebrate LaLa’s birthday.

LaLa came into our lives almost eleven years ago and she got her name because EJS couldn’t say her name, so LaLa it was.

She is grandmother to her son’s kids, two girls on one side and two boys on the other side, what are the odds? When EJS was born, she became a grandmother to EJS and then MGS and interestingly…LaLa is the Chinese word for grandmother I found out from my friend JCT, who’s daughter calls her mom LaLa, perfect fit wouldn’t you say?

LaLa is a very busy woman, for someone who is retired…she is an avid tennis player and fan, haven’t seen her on Wii tennis yet, I’m sure she’d be a champ! She loves to travel, she and my dad have been on some amazing trips, it was cool comparing notes when they were in Budapest shortly before PSM and I. And all the traveling to see all her grandkids, six can keep ya hoppin’!

One of the things that’s fun to see is the post cards she sends, everywhere she goes, no matter where, she sends all the grand kids post cards, I know it’s a treat on both sides.

She’s a mother to her daughter-in-laws, a very special bond and like a second mother to her daughter-in-law’s sister. Very different relationships with each grand child, proud in so many ways of what they accomplish and not above getting down on the ground to play and roll around with them.

I tease her sometimes, and let me just say, she is a very good sport about it, you have to be in this family! her socks match her shirt, it seemed like every time I saw her, but in the beginning that was mostly in the summer and she was in tennis gear, so, what did I do? I bought her socks when I traveled!

She’s always put together, which is more than I can say for myself first thing in the morning, well, most of the day, let’s be honest! EJS and MGS both love to play with her makeup and nail polish, something special they do together.

She is a very loving, caring family member and friend, remembering birthdays and anniversaries, just like my dad, she calls and sends cards, very close with her sisters, like carbon copies of each other and close with their families.

She’s a great cook, might be a little healthier than dad likes, but it’s a good thing. And her sangria is requested wherever she goes, not a bad thing to be known for.

When we, the family, met LaLa, there was an instant connection and she soon became family, which is a good thing because family vacations would have been really awkward! It’s fun to travel together and make plans, sit around and do nothing, dinners, theater, whatever we do, it’s nice to do it as a family.

Happy birthday LaLa, here is hoping this birthday was better than the last, but not the best to come!

{April 4, 2016} More snow? A lost tooth. A lotta movies

They said more snow and they were right. Pook.

I went to sleep and the snow was mostly melted and I woke up to…you guessed it…more snow! And at 10pm it’s still snowing. There have been a lot of memes about Mother Nature being bipolar and off her needs, sounds about right, right? Hmmm…what does tomorrow hold?

I think I’ve told you I’m ripping my movie collection and it’s been great, remembering my babies and ice been watching them here and there, a nice break from Netflix. As I rip, I want to watch everything!

Then, I got a phone call, the kind that I love! -“Hi Auntie J!”
-Hi MGS!
– “Guess what! I lost my tooth!”
-Awesome!
-“Thank you for my tooth fairy pillow! I really like it!”
– I’m so glad, I loved making it.
-“When we go on vacation, will you bring things to teach me to sew?”
-I would love that! I’ll definitely bring sewing supplies with me.
-“Ok, I’m turning you back to mommy, bye”
-Bye, I love you
-I love you too
End of conversation.

Now I sit here, ripping and watching movies, cross stitching and loving on the furry beasts. Sounds good, who wants to join me?

{April 2, 2016} What a day! Karate…Volunteering…Red Nose…Dinner…Movie

I was thoroughly refreshed after four hours of sleep, but would it be enough? I was spending the day with my sister’s family, you know, a marathon!

I happened to wake up on my own at 8am, greeted the girls, had waffles made my ACS, he and MGS went off to gymnastics and EJS, GES and I went off to karate. After EJS went into class, my sister and I went over to Walgreens to pick up a prescription and then what do you do while you’re there? Why…walk around and look at deals, of course! And we found some good ones!

Including red noses for everyone! Do you know about Red Nose Day? This year it’s May 26th and every red nose product [red noses, bracelets, sun glasses, headbands with pompoms] purchased helps to fight kid poverty. “What’s poverty?” asks the nine year old when we picked her up and I gave her her very own red nose. So I explained.

I explained while we were on our way to Cradles to Crayons. This is a volunteering event that GES and EJS have participated in several times and I did once, I’m not sure if you remember me telling you about it. This is where people bring donations to the local high school and then the volunteers sort everything from clothes to books to toys. There are stations everywhere! We ended up in toys, counting and cleaning. Do you know how hard it is to count puzzle pieces when people ask you questions!

If an item is all in one piece, functioning and in good shape, it goes to donation, if it’s not the best, maybe it’s a coloring book that has one or two pages drawn on, or a pair of shoes with some scuff marks, it goes to Salvation Army. There were over one hundred kids, of all ages, and parents volunteering. It’s a very cool event and collect so many items that it helps so many kids.

What they do: Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth to age 12, living in low- income and homeless situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. We supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need. https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/

After volunteering, EJS chose to go to the bagel shop, so she GES and I got bagels, took them home and enjoyed them in our jammies and sweats on the couch! ACS and MGS got home from lunch, well, ACS came in, MGS was having a great nap in the car, which was safe, dry and warm in the garage, ACS even brought out a blanket for her. She hasn’t napped like that for a long time, she was probably out there another two hours after they got home.

There was playing and hanging out until it was time for dinner and we were meeting another family, well part of the family, at the local Japanese Steak House, Fuji for fun, food and fire! Then off to Orange Leaf for frozen yogurt and home for night-night.

As the girls were falling asleep, ACS and I channel surfed, it was quite interesting, a documentary on drugs, March Madness, the Final Four and Pawn Stars, yup, interesting. He went up, GES came down and the two sisters watched the movie Sisters. It was just as funny as I remembered and I may have laughed so hard I peed in my pants, that funny!

I told you…marathon! It’s been quite the day and now it’s time to drift off to sleep, I hope. My goal is to fall asleep before 4am, who’s with me! Pleasant dreams my friends!

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{March 22, 2016} We have a NINE year old!

I met her when she was one week old, wasn’t it just yesterday?

I remember the day my sister and brother-in-law called to tell me I was going to be an aunt! The wheels started turning, all the things I wanted to do and what I would have to do!

Halloween costumes, spoiling, giggling, airplane rides, cuddling, playing, playing dressup, movies, school plays and so much more! I could not wait!

EJS has not disappointed. She is an amazing, smart, talented, funny, goofy, athletic, inquisitive, silly girl.

Every time I see her, it’s huge hugs, she still runs and jumps into my arms, how much longer will I be able to pick her up? Forever I hope!

Every year she has some great ideas for her birthday parties, she never disappoints. She makes friends wherever goes.

She went from having everything done for her to “momma do it” to “I do it!”. She is timid in some areas and fearless in others. She’s tried just about everything…swimming, skiing, acting, dancing, karate, cello, soccer, softball, just to name a few.

She is a great big sister to MGS, she makes her parents very proud in so many ways, makes her Papa laugh and still holds my hand walking down the street.

Today she turned nine! Wow! We had a party over the weekend, got to hang out, play games and today, I got to be her guest at school to read to her class, was I over the moon or what! That’s the way to celebrate!

As she says, last birthday before the double digits…every day is something new, I cannot wait to see what is coming next!

Happy nineth birthday EJS, I love you very much!

{March 19, 2016} Wow, can those 9 year olds can party!

Today we had a party for one EJS, who turns NINE tomorrow.

What a day we had! I got to GES’ house, hugs and kisses all around, then it was off to Karate with EJS, she really is getting stronger with her kicks and punches. She was even called to the front row of the class, that is not a common thing for lower level students, that’s what she told us when class was over. The Master instructor called her out after class to tell her how well she did. Go EJS go!

Then back to the house, make rice crispy treats, never knew how easy they are, butter, rice crispy cereal and marshmallows.

A few errands and then the girls started showing up. Thirteen in total with EJS and MGS, oh my! It was a great mix of girls, some from school, temple, book club, family friends and camp, very nice.

Since they were from different places, not everyone knew each other, I had all the girls sit in a circle and we played an ice breaker game to get the girls to relax, laugh and maybe learn each other’s names. It worked a little, by the time they started the festivities, the girls were laughing together.

We started in the dining room with instructions, we were having fun with food.

They started with decorating their own containers with markers and stickers.

Next, on to the fun with food… first, they were making candy sushi! We made two different sizes of rice crispy treats, blocks and long thin pieces. Then take a Swedish fish or gummy worm and either roll it in the longer thin piece or put it on the block, then wrap it in fruit roll up like seaweed. How cool is that!

Next was melting chocolate and crumble cookie pieces to pour into molds and then after they harden in the freezer, wrap them in foil for their own candy bar.

Lastly, we had different flavored puddings, whipped cream, cookie crumbles, Graham cracker crumbs and mason jars to put it all in, with labels hand made by each girl.

Perfect timing, as one group of girls left a station, they went downstairs to play, then, after we finished taking the chocolates from the freezer, it was time to sing and eat ice cream cake. Pure perfection! Parents started showing up just about that time.

After most of the girls left, five stayed behind, four were spending the night, was doing a sleep under, she would stay until bed time and then go home.

The girls put on their pj’s, watched Paddington then headed upstairs to set up the sleeping arrangements air mattresses and sharing and floors and mommy and daddy’s bed, play a game, while they waited for the sleep under to head home and one other girl to come back.

By now, it was almost 10pm and I headed for the hills, or at least my place and my furry kids [and yes, they did exactly what I said they would].

Tomorrow, more fun with family and a birthday dinner.

I told you those nine year olds could party!

{March 14, 2016} News! BIG news!

Ooh! I am so excited and I can talk about it!

My grandson, Baby A became a big brother last night! I would like to tell you all about JJ’s new love, ELB. She was born at 10:14pm. Her daddy, JB, said 8 lb and 4 oz, but momma was spot on, 7 lbs and 14oz, admit it, a mother knows.

She is perfect and beautiful and already the apple of her parents eye! There is a picture on Facebook of JB and ELB looking at each other, poor guy, it’s all over for him!

I cannot wait to meet her, not too long now, I will head to Atlanta to see my newest love and her family. I was there the day her brother was born, wish I could have been there today, but soon enough!

I can’t wait to share pics on Facebook, be on the look out!!

Congrats to KAB, JB, Baby A, Uncle Bubba, Aunt Pow-Pow, her aunt CS and her cousins, LB, LS and Baby W! Her grandma CG and her grandpa, DCM. What a crew and crazy bunch of people she’s related to, present company included! Welcome to the world Baby E! You are so loved and you’re not even 24 hours old!

{February 29, 2016} Ouch…that hurts!

What’s a reasonable number of times to hit your head? In a day!

Yesterday was the day and three is the number, boo and ouch!

The first was in the shower, I dropped something, picked it up and went to stand up again and smack! Hairline, ouch!

The second, I was loading the trunk, went to put a bag in and apparently the trunk door wasn’t up all the way and I hit the latch, about the same place. Owwwww! That actually required a few choice words! There were even a few tears.

Last one, doesn’t seem possible, but I was on a flight, stood up too fast, and wham!

Needless to say, head hurts still, very tender right there. I only have one request…

Daddy, please come kiss my keepe and make it all better!

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