Family | Peaches Prattlings

{January 25, 2016} A race, a brunch, a movie, dinner and visit

A typical day for me, right?

I signed up to do the Hot Chocolate 15k, my second 15k and fifth or sixth Hot Chocolate Race, “The Sweetest Race in America”. I picked up the packet yesterday, as I mentioned and there was my bib and an embroidered jacket. Embroidered? Did I sign up for that? Nope, it was a perk of registering early! I like it! All the jackets had the name of the race, the special ones say Atlanta 2016, pretty cool! The women had blue trim and the men, orange. They also coordinated the bags this year, only orange or blue.

The only things I bought at the expo were throw away gloves, a hat and a neck scarf, kind of like the ones I wear to ski, but this has the Hot Chocolate logo and it matched my jacket!

I didn’t even realize I had paid for parking, but I had and I’m glad I did, I didn’t have to search for a place to park or take a shuttle, bad part…the lots closed by 6:30am, so I had to be there before they closed and my corral didn’t start until 7:40am! I was staying with RJS, so much fun, as always. My alarm went off at 5:30, then I snoozed and about 10 minutes later I heard “JJ, time to get up!’

I got dressed, got in the car and was out the door by 5:50am, in the parking lot by 6:20 and I could not fall asleep, so I hung out until about 7:30 and then braved the cold to head to the start.

When I say cold and Georgia, no one believes me. It was TWENTY FOUR degrees and with the wind chill, it felt like 15! By the time I crossed the finish line it was 29, ooh, heat wave! I had hand warmers that I had gotten when I was in NYC, but I didn’t think about food warmers, I wish I had!

My corral didn’t start until about 8am, I wasn’t going to run at all, because I haven’t trained or run since the half marathon in Lisbon October 18th, but…it was so cold I said f-it! Sorry for those of you who are sensitive, I know that was harsh! Just to warn you, there might be more!

When we started, I ran because I couldn’t feel my toes, so perfect thing to do to get the circulation going. I ran about half a mile, then walked, then ran. I ended up walking most of the way and I’m ok with that. About mile two they said you could split off and do the 5k, especially with the weather being so cold. I was thinking about it and I said, nah, f-it! I want my medal, so march on! Look, it was really cold, a little harsh language was called for!

Let’s just say that in the end I was pleased with my decision to keep going, but about mile 6 and 7, I was thinking, this is f-ing nuts! Then it was mile 8, then 9 and there was the finish line. There were times I was tricking myself, just like everyone else “It’s just three 5ks” or “We just did a 5k, let’s do another” “I just finished the 5k, only 6.1 miles left” “Less than 2 miles, you can do it!’

I crossed that finish line and I was so happy, I got my medal and headed towards the after party. As I was passing a police officer, I joked, because I had the scarf around my face “We could go from the finish line to roving a bank”, he laughed. I said on not going to, he thanked me.

Speaking of thanking, I made sure to thank a bunch of volunteers and police for being there today, awesome people.

I went to RJS’ to shower and head out. If I had more time, I would have taken an ice bath, I really need that relief right about now. I never would have believed it before I tried it!

I visited with RJS a little while longer, then headed to Decatur to meet some friends for brunch. It was C & J C and their adorable son, M, doll baby!

M had even made me a card and put some candy in a bag for me, I loved it! You know me, anything hand made!

We had a really nice lunch and caught up, then after I stopped in a store and bought something for PSM, I think he’ll like, then I went to meet TS at the movies. We had decided on Hotel Transylvania, but Goosebumps was there, so we saw that instead, it was great! And I am not a Jack Black fan, so I must have really liked it!

We got into the theater and there was no one in there until about five/ten minutes before the movie, we sat in the theater and talked until everyone else showed up, then it was quite packed.

From there, I went up to see L&AK and their three girls, K, J and K. Whenever I am here, it’s like no times has passed, like we had just seen each other or spoken last week. One of my favorite things, all three girls call me Aunt J…they were the first and I love them so! L is like a sister to me, we’ve known each other forever, I love this family!

L had picked up a salad for me at “Whole Paycheck” otherwise known as Whole Foods and she and I sat and ate, everyone else had eaten earlier. We talked about everything and no one, we were all caught up. I talked to her husband A, during the commercials, he was watching football and I love spending time, just being around my girls.

L and I talked until about 11:30 and then shuffled off to bed. Here I sit writing to you ready to crash out when I finish this post.

So, we covered a race, a brunch, the movies, dinner and a visit.

I’m sure your day was just as fabulous, what did you do?

{January 23, 2016} There’s a kid under there!

Today was another great and busy day. I’m in Atlanta, what else would it be?

I got in yesterday about 545pm, just as the snow started to fall. I picked up my rental car and headed to JCT’s house for the night.

I picked up food on the way and got to catch up with JCT and “mom” when I got there, just the three of us, it was great. We talked about her trip to China, family, the works. JCT’s daughter, ST, had her wisdom teeth pulled earlier that day, so she was in bed, get dad was up there taking care of her.

We talked even after mom went to bed, we both fell asleep in the big comfy chairs, it was awesome.

This morning, we got up, had breakfast, hung out with the rest of the family. As I was leaning, JCT’s mom almost made me cry. She said she loved me and she had two daughters, I love that! I don’t call her mom a just a term of endearment!

Then JCT and I left to meet RJS for lunch. Such a treat! The three of us met in October of 2009 when we worked together, with ST as well and the wonderful, we’ve all stayed friends and when we can, we all get together, doesn’t happen as often as we’d like, but when we do, even sweeter.

We caught up, laughed, reminisced, laughed, goofed around, swapped stories about work, life, relationships, laughed. Have you noticed there is a theme with my friends?

After a nice long leisurely lunch, we went our separate ways, promises to do this again, can’t wait!

Then I went to the Georgia World Congress Center where the expo for the Hot Chocolate race is, I had to pick up my race packet, toys is my fifth time participatingin the Hot Chocolate, America’s Sweetest Race, second time for the 15k. It’s going to be c-c-c-cold! 29 degrees, feel of 15! Oh my!

After picking up my packet, a warm hat and gloves for running, I was set. I’ll show you the swag tomorrow!

And in fine JJ tradition, I kept going! Off to see LGR and her family, husband MR and their adorable six year old, CGR, what a cutie! Oh and their newest addition, a Ridgeback named Belle. I can’t believe I don’t have pictures of her, I’m sorry!

I do, however, have pictures of CGR whether we were playing in her room, she has a stuffed animal collection that rivals FAO Schwartz!

We had some fun, LGR and I burying her under the animals then trying to get her to stay under until she could surprise daddy, apparently a much harder concept to convey! But third time is the charm, right!

Dinner and great conversation. We talked travel, families, travel, laughed, caught up, work, laughed, travel, the usual.

Then back to the house, a rousing game of hide-and-go-seek. I love that most kids are the same, you how, they find you, they hide next in the same place! Still fun! Oh, and having a dog who stares at where you are hiding, really funny!

Such a good time! But it was time for bed, not sure who needed or wanted it more, CGR or mommy and daddy!

Then off to RJS, a visit with her, her fiance, KS and the furry babies, Maddie and Max, then off to bed, I have to get up at 5:30am, parking closes at 6:30am! Race starts at 7:40am, oh my! Then brunch with friends.

Sweet dreams! Hot chocolate…

{January 21, 2016} January 21st, a very special day

Forty seven years ago today was a great day.

January 21, 1969 was the day my parents got married, I’d say that was a pretty great day. At the lowest level, if it wasn’t for that day, I wouldn’t be here writing to you about it, go mom and dad!

My parents met when they were working for a camp for the disabled, at the time, handicapped. My mom was a counselor, my dad worked the waterfront. My mom always said she married him for his legs, he does have great legs, which I apparently inherited, thanks dad!

My parents relationship was something to behold and I am honored that I got to be a part of it for 34 years and my sister for 30 years. I couldn’t have had better parents, both very different people in thought and act, but very unified when it came to parenting. Frustrating at times, I can tell you.

They each had a role in the marriage that they established, probably without a word. My mom was an amazing cook, a foodie, if you will and my dad’s specialty was breakfast for dinner. There was humor, she cooked, he cleaned up, he cooked, he cleaned up, good one mom.

My mom always joked that my dad was her first husband! She would introduce him that way sometimes when they would meet new people. They held hands when they walked together, sat on the sofa, lounging in bed watching tv, they laughed a lot, they knew what made each other tick.

I loved being in the kitchen when they would start to dance to music sometimes only they heard. They never went out dancing specifically, but they would dance at functions, those seemed to be some of my mom’s favorite times. Something to see.

When they would go to the movies, it wasn’t always to the same movie, they would go in the same car, find something starting about the same time and then go out to dinner after to discuss what they saw.

They were both teachers, so very smart people they were and when people tell me I’ve done something well, I tell them I come from good stock. Education was important to them and I know I frustrated them both to no end sometimes, believe me, I was a pain in the arse at times when it came to school, but I know I made them proud on many occasions as well.

When it came to relationships, I knew what I wanted, whatever they had. I had that once for a short time and it feels like I have that again. I see that in my sister’s marriage as well, especially in their parenting and what I did with my kids when they were young. How could we not, we had great teachers and role models for parenting.

The way they would look at each other, stolen glances, kisses, a touch here and there, the way they would look out for one another, defend the other, stand up to each other and in the end love each other is all that really matters.

There is so much more I could tell you, but I’m going to keep that close to my heart, I can’t give it all away, we just don’t have the time.

See, I told you that January 21, 1969 was a great day.

dancers

{January 19, 2016} It’s like it was yesterday

Tonight I had dinner with a friend from high school.

We actually went to middle school together but didn’t become real friends until high school, does it really matter where we met? Not really, but we always talk about where we met people, especially when it’s been a long time.

HW and I hadn’t seen each other since high school, you know, college, life, I moved to Georgia, the usual.

We connected on Facebook, as everyone does, and then we saw each other again in person at our twenty year high school reunion and it was love at first sight all over again! More like no time had passed and we were back in high school again.

We’ve kept in touch since then via Facebook and on the phone and tonight over dinner, I’m glad she was free to meet. And just like the last time, no time has passed.

We caught up, reminisced, told stories, laughed, talked boyfriends, kids, family, work, travel, laughed, do you see a theme?

Yup, the image is definitely us, we were that goofy, free and wacky and thankfully, we have stayed true to ourselves since then, go us!

Hugs and kisses and promises to do this again, hopefully not before too long!

{January 17, 2016} It’s art, isn’t it?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?

Today, after a very nice breakfast with I&L B and their daughter, J, who I went to high school with and haven’t seen in forever, great to catch up! LaLa, dad and I went into Manhatten and went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

It’s one of our favorite museums. Sunday in NYC and cold, perfect place for all of Manhatten to be there!

We saw monkeys for the Chinese New Year, gilded furniture, out of this world clocks, impressionists and modernists and…ummm…yeah.

As I said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Smashing!

{January 16, 2016} What a mitzvah!

An amazing day today!

Today, I got to witness a true mitzvah. The literal translation for mitzvah is commandment. It’s also known as doing a good deed, is a mitzvah when you help others, making your parents proud is a mitzvah.

Today, the daughter of one of my oldest and dearest friends from high school became bat mitzvah. She took her place in the congregation, she became an adult, can be part of a minion. Not the little yellow minions we know and love, a minion is a meeting and by Jewish law, you need ten people to make a minion and now, she can be counted as part of that ten.

It is a big step to become bar [son of] or bat [daughter of] mitzvah. You have to study Hebrew for years, learn the prayers, learn to read from the Torah, write a speech, just to give you a little insight.

I got to the synagogue and found CGS, we hugged and caught up for a minute, then went into the sanctuary and took some photos, I got to see the kids and then she was off and running. I found a seat and then our friend FCS arrived with her mom. She is the friend from high school I told you I ran/walked with during the Brooklyn half marathon back in October.

We sat together and caught up and then it was time to start. SHS, the bat mitzvah, lead the service with the rabbi, what a great job. Eventually, it was time for her to read from the Torah and she did it beautifully.

After the Torah and haf-torah, she gave a speech, very sweet and poignant. There were presentations by the family and the temple and then it was over. Mazel Tov!

After the bat mitzvah, it was time to celebrate and celebrate we did! Food, drinks, I went a little crazy…two shirley temples, I know, hold yourself back! Dancing, chair lifting and dessert, what more could you ask for?

I remember when I found out CGS was pregnant with SHS. CGS had been pregnant at my wedding and wore this great dress, stretchy material. She called to tell me she wore the dress again and that was how she told me she was pregnant with SHS, pretty cool.

It’s been such a treat to watch CGS’ kids grow up, all very bright and funny and sweet with parents who really love them, very lucky. I can’t wait for the next one, have five years to go there!

What a mitzvah! And I am so thrilled that I got to be a part of it, a blessing.

{January 15, 2016} What a day…I’m beat!

The day started way too early.

As you know, PSM, my boyfriend, left me for the sunny skies and rainbows of Hawaii VERY early this morning…oh, woe is me…[Start the violins please]

He left about 4:45am for the airport, luckily, we were right there. I couldn’t fall back asleep, I did try. I know he felt bad waking me, I looked so peaceful sleeping, but he couldn’t leave without a goodbye hug and smooch, could he?

So, eventually, I got up and went to have some breakfast ally 5:30am, amazing how many people were there too!

After breakfast, I headed back to the room, collected my stuff and headed downstairs for the shuttle. After about five minutes, I set off on foot for the rental car center, got the shuttle, picked up a car and headed to my place.

I had already packed my bag, so I wouldn’t take to long in the morning. I took care of the cats, loaded the car and got on the road. I’m going home!

It took about 4.5 hours with bio breaks along the way, if you’ve met me you know I can’t go very long without one! But it was nice, no traffic, so it was a straight shot. I’d I didn’t stop, Bertha, my GPS said it would take 4.1 hours, so good job, me!

I got to my dad’s just in time for the last bio break! Got my stuff from the car and went inside, kind of surprised him, he didn’t hear me come in! After a bit, we decided to get some lunch and sushi sounded great! We shared a few things and we were stuffed!

Groceries were next on the list, he looked at me funny and asked if I had really changed my eating habits…I figured that since I have a car, I would pick up some cat food [16# bag]! Why not!

While we were shopping PSM called when he got to San Francisco, leg one of his trip, safe and sound.

Back to the house to wait for LaLa and commiserate with the guys waiting to pour the concrete for the new driveway. It was scheduled to arrive 10am-12pm. Guess when then showed up…3pm! They had to wait around for five hours! The weather was nice so the concrete guy was trying to get in as many jobs as possible.

Laundry went in, I wasn’t missing an opportunity like this! I felt like I was in college again! And dad offered! He’s the best!

LaLa got there and we chatted for a bit and then the truck arrived and like little kids we watched the truck churn, pour the concrete and then the guys lay the driveway. It was so cool! Like watching my Tonka Trucks come to life! It took about 40 minutes to fill dad’s and the same for the neighbor.

When we left for dinner about 5:15, they were gone laying and smoothing, they were in beautifying mode, creases, swirls, very cool.

Off to dinner at a great Italian restaurant that I had been to when I was here in October for the half marathon. We were meeting fabulous people that I have told you about, the couple I call “Mr. & Mrs. The B’s”. He was my teacher of French in middle school and I never called them by their first names again, I can’t!

We were there celebrating Mr B’s birthday. Great fun, catching up, reminiscing, telling stories, laughing, all in all, a fabulous evening. Good friends, good food [even some fabulous gluten-free almond cookie for me!] A sparkling cake and singing, by the entire restaurant were the last thing, terrific!

When we got back, the boss from the project today was back with his son laying down plastic sheeting to protect it from the region coming tomorrow, how cool is that. Great work and fabulous customer service, a very good businessman.

Back to the house, check the laundry, snuggle in to talk to you and I know I am going to pass out early, I am exhausted!

PSM called while I was settling in, I know he’s safe and sound. I asked how he was, he said he was fine with flying for a while, I said that was ok because he was in his new home now.

And now that I talked to him, kissed everyone goodnight, I am going to collapse, big day tomorrow! Goodnight!

{January 14, 2016} A nice quiet night

Just what the doctor ordered.

Tonight was the end of a lot of celebrating and quiet was on the menu.

Since PSM is leaving very early, I booked us a night at a hotel near the airport. He arrived first, stored his bags and hung out waiting for me. When I got there, we went up to the room to chill out for a while.

You know we’ve been to multiple parties and dinners and celebrations and send offs over the last few weeks and it’s been wonderful and exhausting! Tonight, after the last lunch/farewell party, it was just the two of us.

After a bit of nothing, we went down for happy hour and then a bit of dinner. PSM was very excited to learn he could take that last beer back to the room, finish it leisurely and that’s what he did.

Back to the room, snuggle on sofa, enjoy each other’s company one last night for a while.

Safe travels PSM, see you soon! I heart you.

Just what the doctor ordered.

{January 13, 2016} Coolest thing EVAH!!!

Ok, Auntie’s time to glow and maybe tear up a little.

Today, ACS showed me the attached and after it registered in was tickled pink and so touched and proud and anything else you can think of!

What you’re looking at is something EJS did at school today. It’s called the “Five Finger Network”, part of the Child Assault Prevention Program.

The first thing they did was trace each hand on the paper. On the left hand they had to indicate five trusted adults they felt comfortable with to share their feelings. On the right, five places they feel safe.

The trusted adults were mom, dad, S&B, I’ve told you about them, very close to the family, affectionately known as Aunt B and Uncle S. And…yours truly!!

The trusted places were home, school, Aunt B’s, and no, not like Andy Griffin! And, last but not least…guess who!!!

How could I not be proud and touched! I love that kid! She throws something out there like this! Yes, I am biased!

Ok, enough! Cool or what!?

{January 13, 2016} Another fabulous send-off

One could get used to this… and spoiled!

Tonight was a treat, PSM’s aunt and uncle hosted us for dinner, just the four of us. PSM is very close with his aunt and uncle, his mom’s brother and sister-in-law.

We had such a nice time, I haven’t had the opportunity to sit down with them and chat one-on-one for more than a few minutes until now.

The really great part was that the entire meal was vegan and gluten-free! His aunt went out of her way to find options for me that everyone could eat!

We had potato leek soup, fabulous! Cucumber and onion salad, potato gnocchi with a creamy tomatoe sauce, gluten-free garlic bread and a spinach pizza [gluten-free and vegan!] And for dessert, small vegan, gluten-free pies, apple and blueberry.

How sweet and touching, it made me feel so good to be able to say yes to everything that came around the table and that someone went to the effort. So many people have been so accommodating with my meal requirements and restrictions I am forever grateful.

We ate, laughed, kibbitzed, told stories and had a wonderful time. I look forward to the next time!

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