Family | Peaches Prattlings

{August 31, 2014} A day at the beach…

Is there really more to say? Well, alright, if i must!

Today was going to be a day at the beach with a few other families, to spend time together and celebrate a 5th birthday of another wonderful munchkin who calls me Auntie J!

I got up about 7:30, not because I wanted to, by any means, I was hoping for a little more sleep, but, there you have it. No sleeping late in this house! As I’m trying to get my eyes open, about 7:45/7:50 I hear ‘Is it time to wake Auntie J up yet?” “No” was my sister’s response, but I was up so i went upstairs.

There was fun to be had! Wrestling, tickling, silliness, you name it, we had it. Then ACS was going for a run and invited me to go. It was going to be a 5 mile day for him, he’s training for a half marathon in a few weeks. Yes, I wanted to go, I haven’t run in 2 weeks, it was time. [and you know I’m participating in a half marathon in November, I need to get moving!]

We started off strong, I kept up with him and his pace, which was a little faster than I am used to, now that i have a rhythm that started to work, but I did it. I kept up for about 1.5 miles and then he kept going and i walk/ran the rest of the way. I did my five miles, just not all running, but I am quite please with what I did.

I met ACS and my dad at the grocery store on the way home, stopped for a few things and hitched a ride home, I’m ok with that. Then it was make lunches, pack the car and get ready to go! What better way to go to the beach than in a convertible with the top dropped, they loved it!

It was a beautiful day for a drive, with the top down, to the beach. Guess who was the only one not bundled up!

We made it to the house, quick change and it was beach bound, across the street and down the path, what could be better?! The sand was hot, the water was cold and the air was perfect. There is nothing, nothing I tell you, like time on the beach. It so made me want to buy a place on the beach or live there full time. Oh, why can’t Colorado have a beach, then it would be absolutely perfect!

We spent about four hours, maybe more, on the beach. A walk with dad, played a little with the kids, had lunch and then took a nap, glorious! I have to tell you, I never sleep so well as I do on the beach or right near it, there is nothing like it, did I already say that?

The kids had a great time and even started their own ice bucket challenge, so to speak. this consisted of dumping buckets of ocean water on their heads, so stinking cute! One started, then another joined in, eventually there were four of them!

After the beach we headed to the house for showers and a cookout and then singing and birthday cake with ice cream, what more could you want?

A few hours later it was back in the car, top up and drive home. On the way, EJS asked if she could ride in my car tomorrow to the fair, guess what my answer was!

On to the next adventure! Goodnight!

{August 25, 2014} Saying goodbye…I will miss you!

Today I left Ann Arbor for a new venture and had to say goodbye to my friends and family and I’m sad.

Over the last few days, I’ve been packing a little and saying goodbye to my friends who are now my family at the Hilton Garden Inn Ann Arbor, because today was the day.

I hope you remember me telling you how fantastic everyone was when I first got there oh so many months ago and i have to tell you, the experience only got better and better and better.

Kirsten became “the weather girl” because even if i didn’t ask what the weather was, she knew I wanted to know, so…I would know. I love talking to her and catching up on her family, we only got closer every day. Debra was fantastic and took care of Jymy and Peanut for me this week, they loved being with her. I got to meet her daughter and new granddaughter, loving on Baby K, I feel like one of the family.

So many of the front desk feel like siblings or my kids, but much older, more mature kids! Lauren is sweet and lives for that Chow of hers, Izzy and loves to share pictures. I can’t wait to hear how school is going as she’s going back this semester. I was glad I got to see her Friday, i didn’t want to miss her before I left. Speaking of going back to school, she is joined by Liv, who apparently could be my daughter! Someone asked us! I’ll take it, a fiery red head? I didn’t get to say goodbye to her today, but she happened to stop by yesterday to pick up her check and since I hang out at the front desk, then I was bound to see her! Jonathon was the newest addition, who eventually took over as night auditor and is a sweet kid, especially when he brought in some home made pumpkin bread his girlfriend made, how nice is that?

Sean was fun to talk to, about new tats,healthy living, sharing favorite new foods, his new living arrangements, hopes, plans dreams, belt buckles. I’m going to miss that and hearing him say “friend” whenever he hung up the phone. Adriana wasn’t there as much over the last few months, so every moment has been precious and I got to see her yesterday, so, so great! The last person from the front desk I had to say goodbye to last week was Ryan, the night auditor. I didn’t get to talk to Ryan as much as I would have like to because he was on nights, we chatted a bit, but not as much as everyone else, but a super duper nice guy!

Nel, the bartender, and I became fast friends, I loved hanging out at the bar talking to her, joking and talking about school, she was like another sister. I didn’t get to see her today, we said our goodbyes the other day. Betty is one of the servers/back-up bartenders who was fun to get to know, talk about some of the trips she would take with her boyfriend. Janet is another server who I loved, sassy and sexy and with it! Kristin, another server, I got to see before she left on her honeymoon about a week ago, just glad I got to see her! I can’t wait to hear how her career is taking off!

Bobby was one of the managers in the kitchen/dining/banquet area and a smart arse, funny guy who I enjoyed talking to and joking around with. CeCe was the chef in that great kitchen and she ran it and worked it like nobody’s business! She was so good to make things that I could eat since the majority of the menu was not vegetarian or vegan friendly. Yesterday, she gave me a going away present! All sorts of great things for the kitchen, WOW, thank you!!! Moe was the other great guy in the kitchen, he’s the one who baked and served the HGI bars, warm and wonderful! [oats, cranberries, white chocolate, among other wonderful things].

Running the housekeeping staff are Arlin and Tammy, two fantastic women who kept me laughing and made sure my room was clean and wonderful. Arlin is sweet and funny and always ready with a hug and a smile, maybe a salsa move or two. Tammy always has a smile on her face and never seems to have a bad day. They both spoiled me by taking such good care of me! Marisol was always very sweet when she came to clean my room.

The maintenance guys, Matt and Alex spoiled me rotten, taking care of whatever it was that I needed, be it a new fridge, issues with something in the room, you name it, they took care of everything right away!

Running the hotel, in the front/back office are Ashley,the AGM, a fun, fit, goofy woman who i loved talking to about her son, her weekend, whatever. Christina is a fun chick who always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She’s also the one who remembered that i love sunflowers, when they put the beautiful bouquet in my room that day! I didn’t get to spend much time with Patty, but always a pleasure, a down to earth, happy person.

Frank is the GM, an avid runner and by avid, I mean distance runner! He’s a 100 miler runner and I love talking to him about his experiences and participating in the fun things that the hotel planned for the guests. Be sure to wish him a very happy birthday on Monday!!!

There are so many wonderful things these amazing people did for me while I was staying at the hotel and today…I got a gift certificate for REI from my wonderful HGI Family! They teased saying they would rename my room to the “JJ Suite”! Too funny!

How can I say goodbye to these people? I have no idea! It wasn’t easy, but I did it and walked away with a smile on my face promising that I would be back to visit and now, I can be friends with them on Facebook and keep in touch, which you know I will!

{August 20, 2014} A new opportunity

I got a new project!

On Sunday, i will be packing my car, going to Debra’s place, collecting Jymy and Peanut and heading to my next project. This adventure has me driving to Louisville, Kentucky for a new project and a new application.

Every new opportunity is the opportunity for a new adventure!

The only sad part in all of this is I am going to miss my family here in Ann Arbor. I am heading off to this project with one other person from my team and it’s going to be weird not to see KLS almost EVERY day and KNOB often, not to mention other great co-workers, but I have a good feeling that we will be on another project together soon and all will be right with the world.

What about the great people here at the Hilton Garden Inn who have become family? I guess I’ll just have to visit!

Here’s to the next chapter!

{August 17, 2014} Traveling with animals

It’s interesting.

Today, I packed up the car with some stuff, a cat box, food and two cats. How much do you think they liked that?

I picked up my car and cats to drive to Ann Arbor and then next week I will drive to my next project. Let’s just say they weren’t the happiest creatures; dogs, at least most of them, like going for rides in the car. Not so with cats.

After we wrangled each cat into a carrier, loaded the car and took off. The crying started. Who are we kidding, it started as soon as they were in their crates! After I was on the main highway and knew I was in for a long stretch, I let them out of their carriers and let them roam around, that seemed to help a little.

Peanut thought she needed to be at my feet or on my lap, the lap was fine and after a while she disappeared under one of the seats and didn’t come out until I got to the hotel. Jymy got on my shoulder like she did when she was a kitten and acted like a neck pillow for a while and eventually she sacked out on the passenger seat and slept there the entire trip.

I had no troubles when I got to rest stops or gas stations, they strayed right where they slept and never tried to get out and of course tried to stay in the car when we got to the hotel, go figure.

I’m in a pet friendly Hilton, which is great and I’m looking forward to having them with me on my next project, they’re calming…most of the time.

So…I drove about 9.5, maybe 10 hours today and have about 9 or 10 tomorrow with two cats, hopefully the crying won’t last too long…who wants to trade places with me?

{August 8, 2014} Fighting with a friend

Tonight, I’m sad.

Earlier today, I said something that hurt a friend and now he won’t speaK to me and I am heartbroken.

As we were talking, I was asking questions and I’m not sure he wanted me to ask questions or offer an opinion, it may have just been the time to listen and not say anything and I didn’t pick up on it.

I tried to apologize and he didn’t want to hear it or talk to me and subsequently hung up the phone. I texted and left a voice mail apologizing and that’s all I can do besides send good vibes out to him to let him know how sorry I am and that if and when he’s ready to talk, I will be here.

It’s hard when you hurt someone, especially when it was unintentional and until the other person has had time to calm down and think, you will never be able to talk things through and hopefully work them out.

I have known this person longer than almost anyone and if he wasn’t in my life anymore there would be a huge hole in my heart.

My Aunt E taught my mom, who taught us… to never go to bed angry and I have always tried to live by that and tonight, I can only hope he’s not angry, but my heart is heavy.

Please appreciate and love each other and…never go to bed angry.

{August 5, 2014} Today I got a letter!

I got my first letter from camp and I am over the moon!

I don’t know if you remember me talking about getting EJS ready for summer camp last week. One of the things we did to get her ready was print out letters she could ‘fill in the blanks’ and send, we added mailing and return address labels to envelopes and included stamps she could add. We all did letters: her parents, me, my dad, La La.

We weren’t sure if we would get a letter, but we were all hopeful! And it paid off!

Before I left Boston, I wrote her a letter and mailed it. Today, I wrote her a letter to send and when I took it to the front desk to ask them to mail it, Debra asked if anyone had given me my letter. No, they hadn’t! She said it was addressed to someone named “Auntie J S”, that’s me! I got a letter from camp! You know how excited i get and so you can imagine how much I squealed!

I cracked up because she was using a yellow highlighter and let me tell you, it’s easier to read in the picture than when I had it in my hand! I am tickled pink [or yellow] that I got a letter from camp! I hope that I get another, but if I don’t…I got a letter from camp!!!

Signed…a happy auntie!!!

{July 27, 2014} Whoever said Sunday was the day of rest…

Has never spent a Sunday at my sister’s house!

I talked to TS tonight and she said she thought it was just busy when I was here, special things going on, nope, just another day in this house!

The day started too early, about 7:30, but I decided to put my head back under the cover and not come out until 8:30/8:45, so there! Got up and GES was getting last minute things ready for EJS for camp, they were leaving about 1:30. ACS and MGS went to swim lessons while mommy showered and EJS and I headed over to S&L R’s house to pick up and old digital cameral for her to take to camp.

We headed back to the house then loaded GES and dad into the car and went out to meet ACS, MGS and S&B at Panera [I know, I know, you loathe all the initials] for breakfast so they could say goodbye before EJS goes to camp for two weeks. The girls got haircuts and dad and I went back to the house and I worked on printing labels for the letters from EJS at camp.

After we were at the house, the only thing left was completing the labels and envelopes, making sure everyone was covered. If they want to get access to the canteen…three letters a week. Sounds good to me, fingers crossed I get one! We even printed out fill in the blank letters!

Somewhere in there it started raining like crazy, so the girls went out and played until they were soaked and loving life. Then it was time to pack up the car and say goodbye to mommy, daddy and EJS, drop off is tomorrow at 10:30am and they’ll be back in the afternoon.

MGS, dad and I settled in, I made popcorn and we watched Kung Fu Panda, dad really liked it and the third time was cute for me. After that, MGS watched Dora the ‘Explorah’ and we got some stuff done like laundry, dishes, stuff.

When Dora was over, we got dressed, MGS determined she was going to wear pjs as her outfit, so she would be ready for bed, as she put it, headed out the door, grabbed her bike and away we went. She started riding and she didn’t want to stop.

About half way towards town, dad went back to the house for the car so we could drive home and MGS and I went about a mile, go MGS! Peddling her little heart out, so cute with her Sesame Street helmet!

We found a restaurant, Fuji, Japanese steak house, parked her bike inside the door and in we went. When we came out from the restroom, we found a family that lives down the road, good friends of the family and we sat with them for dinner, very small world.

After dinner, we went for frozen yogurt, came home and after about 20 minutes, MGS said she was ready to read stories and play a game, this was code for, it’s time for bed. I asked if she was tired and she nodded and the best part “I’m already in my pjs!” Very smart that niece of mine!

Up we went, ‘The Princess and the Pea’ on Popa’s iPad and Trouble with me and then it was nighty night. She was asleep in approximately 6 minutes, despite fighting me on it. I headed downstairs, checked some emails and then I talked to TS for almost two hours. I love those types of conversations!

Now…I’m talking to you, even though I thought about talking to you before 10pm, we see how far that got us. So, I will sign off and say goodnight, someone has to get up and take a certain wee tot to daycare.

Goodnight!

{July 26, 2014} Day two…hit the ground running and they’re off!

Another crazy busy Saturday happened and started at 8:30.

Just to clarify, it actually started several hours earlier because of certain little feet but I hell bound and determined not to wake up at 6 a.m.

GES found a free futon on a neighborhood site so we went and picked it up, which is wonderful to replace a pull out sofa bed.

After that it was again nonstop, yard sales, clean up, the girls were selling selling items they made, I got a fabulous grey duct tape purse/wallet.

There was lunch and final preparations for getting me ready to go to camp tomorrow for two weeks!

About 3:45 dad and i took the girls to the movies. We had popcorn and water and snacks and watched Planes: Fire & Rescue and it was awesome! All four of us, blog post review coming soon).

Next it was walking around the out door mall, got in the car to go to Orange Leaf for some froze yogurt and then home for dinner. Don’t you love how that works?

At home, there was dinner and playing and videos and then it was time for night nights. Books, a little silliness and then lights out.

Everyone was asleep and then mommy and day 5 got home with some family friends, SR and his lovely wife, LR.

Everyone finally confessed and now I can go finally go to sleep!

{July 25, 2014} Auntie J made it to Boston, finally!

The day started way to early… Six am to be exact.

I didn’t fall asleep until about 3 am last night and since I didn’t pack the night before, I requested a 6am wakeup Call So I could pack, pick up KLS head to the out airport.

Checking in was easy enough. Taking off was not as simple. Apparently there were technical difficulties, which, do we really want to know there was a problem with one of the engines? We took off about 1.5 hours late, only.

I fell asleep waiting to take off, giving up fighting with the woman next to me for the arm rest.

GES picked me up from the airport, so good for some one on one sister time. We went to lunch and dad met us there, good food and great company. Daddy and his girls.

We headed back to the house, GES had a conference call and at 4:15 we headed it to pick up EJS from the camp bus. She was happy to see us, yet cranky a little, that’s what happens after a long day playing in camp!

Shortly after we got home, there was a play date for EJS and a girl who will be in her bunk at camp next week. Then
ACS and MGS got home and we wrestled and played and tickled until it was time for dinner.

After dinner there were treats, I brought cookies from Cupcake Station in Ann Arbor, yum! Then it was stories, jammies and bed, for the kids!

Apparently I was tired because while watching a video with MGS she asked if I was asleep, she said I was snoring!

We had kisses and books and kisses and hugs and then it was night night.

After all that, I went downstairs and hung with my sister and brother in law for a while and here I am talking to you!

What does tomorrow hold?

{July 6, 2014} Another busy day! Gravestones, Cars, Dinner

Ready for another crazy day? Are you still keeping up? Did you take a nap after my last post?

Today started early for a Sunday, but we had things to do! I woke up before my alarm was set to go off at 8am and leisurely got up, which is the best way to wake up, meandered out and met TS preparing some coffee and tea, we made breakfast and had a nice sit down meal.

Then we got in the car and headed down to Oakland Cemetery for the tour at 10am. I have always wanted to tour the cemetery, “Less than a mile from the heart of downtown Atlanta, a hidden treasure, a secret sanctuary, welcomes you. This garden cemetery, founded in 1850, is the final resting place of many of Atlanta’s settlers, builders, and most noted citizens like Bobby Jones, Margaret Mitchell, and Maynard Jackson. It is also a showplace of sculpture and architecture, and a botanical preserve with ancient oaks and magnolias. Here in this peaceful place the full scope of the city’s rich and fascinating history unfolds before you.”

They also have some great events, like ghost tours, music events, 5k races, so many events.

We enjoyed the tour, saw some fantastic works of art that are actually grave markers, touching tributes, amazing statuary, stained glass. We learned about the foliage, how it is selected based on times in history, history of the different sections of the cemetery, tributes based on wealth and age of the loved on. One day soon, I will give you full photographs and information that I learned. Until then, here are a few pictures to enjoy. http://www.oaklandcemetery.com/

After the full two hour and so worth the money tour, we went across the street to Six Feet Under. I had been wanting to go and…if we showed our receipt would get $5 off our meal, what could be better!

We had a great lunch and for dessert, some fantastic white chocolate, banana bread pudding with whiskey caramel sauce! Let me just say Y U M!!! http://sixfeetunderatlanta.com/

After lunch, we took our coasters to the High Museum of Art, they had $3 off coupons, how could we resist? This was an amazing event, there were cars from the early 1940s to new cars from the 2000s. These were some sleek, beautiful and amazing looking cars, a beauty and a joy forever. I will post a full album very soon, here are a few to get your gears shifting! http://www.high.org/Art/Exhibitions/Dream-Cars-Innovative-Design-Visionary-Ideas.aspx

After the exhibit, we drove back to TS’ house to relax and I headed out at 5pm to head to Buckhead to meet my dear friend LGR and her husband MR and their adorable daughter, CR. We met at Farm Burger for some good food, conversation and laughs, it’s always a good time. LGR and I have known each other for almost 20 years, I met her my second year in Georgia and when we get together or talk on the phone, it’s as if no time has passed, don’t you just love friends like that? I know I do.

http://www.farmburger.net/buckhead/

After dinner, I headed to my house to have a peek around and now I am writing you and tomorrow, I will head back to Ann Arbor, MI. What might be my next adventure?

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