Family | Peaches Prattlings

{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?

{July 5, 2014} A marathon of a journey…for real!

Ok folks, get ready, this is going to be a douzy! We’re packing two days into one post! I owe ya!

Picture it..July 4th 4am! What? Yup, that’s when my day started…along with a bunch of other people in Atlanta, getting ready to participate or volunteer, or both, for the 45th running of the Peachtree Road Race.

I got up, hoping not to wake SDL or Miss A and I was successful. I got up, dressed and out of the house by 4:24 and I was on the road by 4:26. I made it to Phipps Plaza to park by 5am, they were closing the road by 5:30. I met up with CKM and checked in for my post. It was our 5th year volunteering for the Peachtree Road Race and this year, we got a special pin! We get a pin every year we volunteer and every five years you get a special commemorative pin and we earned it!

Then we went to our post at the start, we were going to be corralling the seeded runners, getting them ready to line up to go forward and run their hearts out. First there was the Original 110. This group consisted of some of the original 110 runners from the first Peachtree Road Race in 1970 and there were also some of their grandkids, it was really cool. http://www.peachtreeroadrace.org/press-center/history

Next came the wheelchair racers and they were fantastic. It’s a lot of fun to watch them take off, it’s like a giant windstorm came through. They have several rows of the racers, the last row are the runners who push the wheelchair participants, makes you feel all warm and fuzzy and so proud! The men’s and women’s winners were both American! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peachtree_Road_Race#Wheelchair_race_divisions

Then came the Women’s 10k World Championship followed a few minutes later by the Men’s 10k World Championship. Both the men’s and women’s winners were American in this race group as well! http://www.peachtreeroadrace.org/articles/view/landry-hastings-win-on-picture-perfect-peachtree-day

Before The Original 110 group, a duo sang America the Beautiful and before the Championship races, they sang The National Anthem. It’s amazing to see the flag flying, all the participants looking up at the amazing flag with their hands on their hearts, some, like me with our hats in our hands covering our hearts and to feel such pride as I listen and sing and know that it has so much meaning to me and to this country and I will be honest, there is no other song that makes me tear up when i hear it as The National Anthem.

Then Group A followed a few minutes later by Group B and at that point CKM came running across the road to return her placard, I had already returned mine, since I was on that side of the street and as soon as Group C went, we jumped in at the very end, crossed the start and we were off!

We had a lot of fun, walking, talking, hi-fiving kids and adults alike, seeing great costumes and signs and enjoying the beautiful 67 degree morning! Yes folks, I said 67 degrees in Atlanta in JULY!!! That was unheard of, but it was perfect! I actually had long sleeves on for a while!

It took us officially 1:49:33. Out of 28693 women participating, I came in 25589. I’m pretty proud! There were 28478 men, 29694 women and 57171 total finishers. Not too shabby if I do say so myself!

I really enjoy the tradition that CKM and I have had for the past 6 years and I look forward to volunteering and participating in the Peachtree Road Race as long as we win the lottery and get numbers!

There was another cool thing that happened. Meb Keflezighi, who won the Boston Marathon this year and was the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1983 was doing the Chase Keflezighi, fundraising for Kilometer Kids, a kids running club, hoping to raise $75,000 by starting LAST at the Peachtree Road Race and had a goal of passing 22,500 participants!!! You know he did it! http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/keflezighi-runs-down-pack-at-ajc-peachtree/ngZBG/

After we crossed the finish line, we made our way with thousands of other participants to get our coveted finishers t-shirts. I know I always say that I do these races for the t-shirt and this is one a lot of people will say they do for the shirts. This is one of the few races that you only get your shirt after you finish the race. It really is a coveted shirt and people wear it proudly like a badge of honor!

After the run, we got our shirts, some fruit and popsicles and ice cream and started to walk to get something to eat. I want you to keep in mind just how much we walked. We just finished a 10k, that’s 6.2 miles. Then we walked about 2.5 miles to get to the Flying Biscuit Cafe for some breakfast to include some creamy dreamy grits! Oh My! So worth the 45 minute wait, with everyone else! http://www.flyingbiscuit.com/

After brunch, we started walking towards the MARTA [train] station and decided we didn’t want to get on the train with everyone else so we were going to walk down to the next station on Peachtree Street. Neither one of us remembered that there isn’t a MARTA stop on Peachtree until we were almost back at the start so…we walked the 6.2 miles back to our cars! What? In total we walked about 16 miles! That is crazy! CKM realized she had walked a half marathon, unofficially is what she said while she was laughing through the pain! [Please send good vibes to her for the seven blisters she got on her feet!] Yes you did! And it was great practice for me for the half I’m doing in February. Although…I might be doing one in Las Vegas in November, I’ll keep you posted! I need to get her a 13.1 t-shirt!

Tired yet? Just hold on!

After we got back to our cars, I headed out to Suwanee to see my friend LK and her family. I met them at the pool and we had a great time! As soon as I changed into my bathing suit, I jumped in the pool and stayed there until we got out to go home two hours later! It was great, we talked, I played with the kids and got some extra sun.

At the house, we made pizzas for dinner, the kids had friends over, there was a lot of laughter, shouting and fun. After dinner, we showered and dressed, I carved a watermelon basket, I’m getting better at them! And then went up the hill to the top of the cul-de-sac for some snacks and fireworks! I talked to a couple who’s son lives in…wait for it…Broomfield! What are the odds! and some other very nice neighbors they have. One of the older neighborhood kids were letting off fireworks, some of them were really good and some just noisy.

About 10pm, I walked the youngest, K back to the house, we put on jammies and cuddled under the blankets and a little while later everyone else came home and found us dozing on the love seat. After she sent the kids to bed LK I sat, folded laundry and talked, it was really nice. I know I’ve told you about LK, we grew up together and being in that house is like being at home and I love it.

Like the last time I was there, I had an allergic reaction to something so I took a Benedryl and got a little sleepy, let’s just say. I wrote to you and then passed out, waking today about 11:40am, it was awesome! I had woken up about 6am and then 8am and I decided that was not going to be the final word and fell back asleep, I got a text that woke me telling me there were pancakes on the counter! Thank you! It was so awesome to catch up on some sleep and I will be able to go another few months on 3-4 hours a nite! SO NICE!

I got up, showered and dressed, had some pancakes and then everyone came home from wherever they were. At 2:30, they were all heading to the pool, so I kissed and hugged everyone, got in the car and headed to TS’ house.

I told you this would be a long one!

At TS’ house, I found SF and her friend C, they were going to a movie nearby and wanted to see TS’ new furniture. It was nice to catch up with them and after they left, TS and I got down to business, catching up in person!

I have to tell you, she was the first person to tell me that reading my blog was like sitting across from me at the table, she always knows what’s going on in my life and sometimes feels like she’s hearing things for the second time when I tell her a story!

We talked about going to a movie and then time got away from us and we talked until it was time to cook dinner and we cooked together, it was great! Eggplant with pesto, sauce and mozzarella [well, the cheese was for TS], asparagus and multi-colored baby carrots and some cold salads she had picked up, a feast!

After dinner, we kept talking, finally her cat, Molly came downstairs to say hello, we cuddled and TS and I kept talking. All of a sudden, we realized it was 12am and we needed to get some sleep, we’re going to tour the Oakland Cemetery tomorrow, which I’m very excited to do since I have never done it!

Tomorrow or Monday, I will post photos from this weekend! Right now, I wish you all a great night and get some sleep, unless you already fell asleep from this long post!

{July 3, 2014} Atlanta Day 1…What a day! First class, Beetle, good food, good friends, expo, walking!

Are you ready? I’ve had a long day, you might need a nap!

The day started way too early, as it always does when I fly out early and today was no different. I opened my eyes at 6:10am, unsure why my eyes were open at 6:10am, when I had just fallen asleep a few hours earlier. Then I remembered that I was flying to Atlanta at 8:30am so it was time to get up.

First thing I did was call Ryan at the front desk and say “Ryan, I have a 6:30am wake up call…I’m awake”. I had already packed last night, so I showered, dressed and walked out the door to get into my new black Beetle, I miss my Annie! Headed to the airport, waited for the shuttle for what seemed an eternity, finally got to the airport and checked in for my first class seat! I got the email yesterday that my request for upgrade was granted. I didn’t have to pay, I am automatically on the upgrade list. Go me!

I got to Atlanta got my bag, which I saw later one of the sipper pulls is broke, pook, and headed out to Avis to get my car. I looked at the reservation which I had made for today through Monday and for some reason it only showed today to tomorrow. Huh? I talked to the woman at the counter and she said it’s all good, I’m not just Avis Preferred, I’m Avis First, that seems to hold some weight. The very nice woman at the counter said I can give you an upgrade for no extra charge, but it’s a Beetle! Go figure! I’ll take it!

I headed downtown to meet CKM for lunch. The place we originally picked out was closed so we found something better, a cool NY deli where they yelled and it made me feel at home! A fantastic egg salad sandwich and a potato knish..yum! http://www.reubensdeliatlanta.com/about-us

Next, it was over to the Georgia World Congress Center to pick up our race packets for the Peachtree Road Race tomorrow. Then we followed tradition, ours, and walked around the expo looking at the different vendors and picked up a few things. I’ll show you pictures soon, I’m so beat! Bottom line, we had fun, tried stuff on, bought so some stuff and laughed a lot

After we were done with the expo I took CKM back to her car and headed to meet SDL and Miss A for dinner. I felt really bad that I wasn’t able to meet them at the pool earlier, I love watching Miss A swim!

We met at Smokerise Pizza where I got baked eggplant and pasta, it was tasty. We caught up while we ate and SDL fed Miss A and then, i held out my hand to Miss A, she took it and began walking like a champ! She even let go of my hand, walked a few steps and then pushed my hand away and stood on her own for at least ten seconds! I almost burst out crying!

Anyone who knows Miss A knows what a big deal this is! So…I walked around with her for about thirty minutes and her mom, SDL, said “you know you can’t leave now, right!” I’ll take it! What a joy, so much laughter!

After dinner, we headed back to SDL’s house, had a bath, read a book and then it was time for night night and here I am telling you about my day. Ok, enough? Nap time?

Yes, definitely nap time, I have to get up at FOUR AM to meet CKM at Phipps Plaza so we can participate in our fifth year volunteering for the Peachtree Roadrace, we get a special pin for our five years! And then we are going to participate in the Peachtree Roadrace.

Now it’s time for lights out! Good night!

{July 2, 2014} Who do you think might be waiting for us?

Do you believe in heaven? Do you believe our loved ones are waiting to welcome us?

Two very dear friends lost souls that were important to them and it’s made me wonder. I have always enjoyed watching those shows where people claim that they can talk to the departed, John Edward and Theresa Caupto, but can they really talk to the dead and what’s waiting for us when we cross over?

The first call came earlier today from a dear friend of mine, JSAC, who’s grandmother had passed. He was happy about the fact that he had gotten to see her before she died and knew he needed and wanted to see her; he had been out of town for a few days and knew that when he got back, no matter what was happening, he was going to see her on Monday and that’s just what he did. She wasn’t very responsive, but he talked to her for quite a while and knew, in his heart, that she was listening to all he was telling her.

Today, when he called to tell me, I said the same thing his sister did, Grandma Peaches, as she was affectionately called, was waiting for him to see her, almost as if it was her last bit of business to be completed before she could be at peace.

About 10:45 tonight, I got the text I was dreading from my sweet friend, MM. His sweet boy, Toshi, a spunky, stubborn, loving cat was gone. As you know, I was with MM over the weekend and we talked about Toshi, who had lost a lot of weight and was moving a lot slower but was holding on. MM told me, even before I asked, that he had talked to Toshi a few months ago and then he told me Sunday that he talked to him again Saturday night, giving him permission, if he was ready, to go and that he would be alright, he would see him again someday.

Our pets are known for staying around for us, until either they just can’t move anymore or they know we will be ok and it’s time to move on. I had a wonderful therapist who said the greatest gift we can give our loved ones is the permission to go if and when they are ready.

The people who talk to the departed say that some people are waiting to welcome their loved ones to the other side. Do you think Grandma Peaches was waiting for Toshi, to keep him company until MM was ready to be with him again?

Maybe he’s bringing her love and peace to her heart and a mouse as a token of his appreciation. I know that wherever they are, they are happy, healthy and at peace.

{July 1, 2014} My walk downtown

A story in pictures.

Today I took a very nice walk downtown and I saw Mother Nature at her finest and I would love to share the pictures with you.

White and blue Heron, at least that’s what the guy who pointed them

White heron, taking in the sun.

Just a really weird flower

Daisies make me happy

Sunflowers make new very happy#

Baby Buny! This is for LG, and her squuuuueeeer

Teeny tiny frog

{June 2, 2014} And again…surprise!

Last surprise of the weekend, or is it? Kidding, it is.

Sunday morning came liesurely, I woke up about 7:40, but stayed under the covers for a while, no one was trelling me to get up, so I took full advantage.

I got up, showered, dressed and headed to the kitchen to get to work. We had a party to set up for, yes folks, another party! And a surprise party at that!

AS, my sister’s sister-in-law, had a milestone birthday last week and Sunday, my sister’s family threw her a surprise party.

Friends and family showed up at noon and AS and her hubby JS, showed up at 12:30 and we all yelled surprise, as one is apt to do at a surprise party, then we and happy birthday.

We had burgers and fries and chips and beer and ice cream cake, what could be better?

That was the last surprise of the weekend. About 2:45, dad and I headed to the airport to send me back to Michigan, I needed a nap!

{June 1, 2014} happy birthday Baby A!

One year ago today at 9:52am, Baby A was born.

The first grandson to DCM and a new love for JJ! I happened to be in Atlanta that weekend and was lucky enough to be there to see him when he was a few hours old! (We tried to get him to come out before we left Atlanta, but he wouldn’t listen, DCM’s grandson, go figure!)

I’ve gotten to see him a few times throughout the year, Christmas was the last time, and if you’ve been on my Facebook page you saw my Mother’s Day picture from him. As you can tell, he is a very handsome boy and I can tell you, he looks just like his mommy, what a doll baby! DCM is there representing and spending some good quality time with him and…he loves the tricycle DCM picked out for him.

Happy happy birthday Baby A!

{May 31, 2014} I did it…again!

Surprise number two! I couldn’t tell you, I wasn’t sure if you’d keep a secret!

So, after last night’s surprise for my sister, today there was another! First, I got up way too early for a Saturday morning, but EJS was surprised and excited to see me and when I got out of the shower, MGS was up and confused and then excited.

I had spoken with ACS about throwing a surprise party for GES about two weeks ago and finally on Monday I sent out the e-vite and people responded like crazy! So how to keep her occupied until everyone gets there? She sort of took care of that, she was having a Silpada jewelry party from 9-11.

Not exactly keeping her out of the house, but we had everyone grouped on the front lawn at 11:30 to surprise her and surprise her we did! We really tried to keep everyone out of sight, but she saw someone she knew shouldn’t be there and thought, now why am I seeing him? Slowly she began to see everyone else and then came outside and we sang happy birthday. It really was a great surprise!

Someone said “only at the S house, could you send out an invite in Monday and have around 50 people show up with food in hand to have a party!”And it’s true! Everyone arrived about 11:30 and were gone by 2:30, it was perfect!

She really was surprised and it felt so good to feel the love and know that if the tables were reversed she’d be there first thing!

I surprised my sister! I surprised my sister!

{May 30, 2014} I did it!

I surprised my sister!!!

I am famous in my family for surprising family members. It started when I was in college my freshman year and I decided to come home and surprise my parents for Passover. I walked into the restaurant where there was a party for my cousin and my mom just about fell on the floor. My dad, on the other hand, seemed to know I should be there.

I did that a few times, surprising my dad on his birthday several times including last year. To date, I had never surprise my sister before.

Well, this is my last weekend off freedom, so to speak, before I can travel until the end of the project so I decided to come to Boston and surprise GES.

My dad was in on it and my brother in law. My dad was really good about keeping it secret, my brother in law wasn’t even sure if he knew!

My brother in law was great and pick me up from the airport, telling my sister that he was going to meet some friends for drinks.

We got home I saw dad and LaLa and snuck upstairs to see GES, who was checking on MGS and the look on her face was priceless!

She was very surprised and excited and said she didn’t know but had a feeling. She is her father’s daughter!

I said, well, you did invite me to two parties this weekend! (Lots happening here this weekend, go figure).

I’m so excited that I surprised her and that I’m here for the weekend.

(Think EJS and MGS will be excited tomorrow?)

Lots happening…more tomorrow.

I did it!

{May 17, 2014} It’s time to go back to Michigan

I slept in again..until 8am, hold yourself back!

I got up, said good morning and then headed out with ACS for a dump run. They don’t have trash pickup at their house, so once a week they take trash and recyclables to the dump. Sometimes MGS likes to go and help, today the girls were very busy playing with all their new stuff from papa, so I went with ACS to the dump. We made two runs, one was trash and plastics, we came back for the cardboard.

On the way back to the house after the first run, we stopped at a farm stand and got some apple cider donuts, you know the ones with the sugar and cinnamon on them? And when they’re warm..oh boy! When we brought them home, GES and dad said the same thing I did, how much we loved them and they reminded us of when we were kids and went apple picking and then got the donuts after, ah..memories.

After the two dump runs, I got some work done, then I headed up to the New England Running Store to meet RG and try on some new sports bras and found one that fit and held me in perfectly! I got a few other things and then headed home for lunch with the family. That was nice, the rain had finally stopped, the sky cleared up and it got nice and toasty, we were able to sit outside on the deck for lunch, felt good to sit in the sun.

A little more work and then it was time to shower, get cleaned up, pack and get ready to head out. The nice thing about today was it was very laid back and relaxed, no rush to get anywhere.

About 3:30 I said goodbye to LaLa and GES then dad and I headed out to the airport. It was nice to have some one on one time with my dad.

We got to the airport, said goodbye and off I went, looking forward to the next visit.

I got back to Detroit and KS picked me up, we went to dinner, enjoyed some laughs, checked into the hotel and here I sit talking to you!

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