Friends | Peaches Prattlings

{September 11, 2017} Start with a sister… end with a seestah!

A pretty good day today!

I told you I tried to surprise the family on Sunday and it was a bust. Well, I got to Chicago, ended up doing some work at the hotel until about 3am, ugh, but…I got it done! SomethingI had been fighting with.

Then, of course, I couldn’t sleep! 5am I was forcing myself to sleep and I did! Did I get too much sleep last night?

But then the phone rang just before 730am, huh? But… so glad it did, it was my baby sister, GES. We talked for about an hour, well, she talked and I got more tired! I’m kidding, she was telling me about her weekend, the girls, school, work, the usual! It was great! We made quasi plans for the weekend I’m there, can’t wait to see them, this is the longest we’ve gone without seeing each other! Auntie needs her hugs and kisses and giggles!

Then it was work, which was gear, very busy all day, makes the day fly, then it was 7pm, what? But… bear part was catching up with DLP of course! Missed my work wife!

I ended the day on the phone with a seestah, CWB. I told you a little more about her last week with my post on her birthday.

It was great, we catch moments when we can and its wonderful. It really is like talking to a sister, she actually asks me some of the same questions, hmmm…

So, my day was pretty good, don’t you think. It started with my sister and ended with a seestah! I’m a lucky girl!

{September 11, 2017} Surprise… no go. Chinatown… go!

Today, my attempt to surprise my family didn’t go as planned…or at all!

PSM had a very early flight, so I got to sleep in, first time in a few weeks! Vacation in Hawaii meant up early, what? Yup, either up early for a tour or just the sun coming up! I didn’t even hear PSM leave this morning about 415am! I woke up at 515am, realized I was alone, confused at first! Then checked my phone and called PSM, then zzzzz until about 920am, wow!

Got up, showered, then the fire alarm goes off at the hotel, goody. Got back into the room, finished getting ready, packed and headed out.

I texted GES to see where they were, even threw in a phone call, no dice! I’m usually really good at surprises, this killed my record! I did leave them a great in the mailbox! I’m coming back in two weeks, I can’t wait to see them! They know I’m coming!

After I left their house, I drove into Boston and to Chinatown and went to a great vegan Thai restaurant for a good meal and got some food for tonight when I get back to Chicago, yum!

Then, off to the airport, return the car and head to my gate to hang until it was time to go.

Surprise…fail. Chinatown… win.

Chicago… here I come!

{September 9, 2017} Surprise! Happy birthday KN!

A surprise party it is and a surprise it was!

PSM’s best friend, KN, is turning 50 in October and his wife, DTS, wanted to throw him a birthday party, outside, so this was a great weekend for it!

As soon as I told PSM about it, of course I told him immediately! And no question we were going to be there! Just had to work out logistics. We were scheduled to be in vacation the week before the party. We had the hardest time scheduling our first two choices, Western and American Samoa or Saipan. Not difficult getting there, but the number of flights available coming back to Hawaii, not great. So… that’s when we decided to check out our new home state send go to Kauai, lots of flights in and out every day and only about 35 minutes. Sounds good to me!

PSM and I were talking a few weeks ago and hatched a plan! PSM then called DTN to see what she thought about PSM asking KN to go for a motorcycle ride the morning of the party. Perfect! Easiest way to get him out of the house! He called KN and said he was coming to Boston for work and how about a ride? Yes! I fibbed when he asked if I was coming…um…

We were all set, flights booked, for me, Chicago > Honolulu > Kauai > Honolulu >Boston > Chicago, tomorrow. For PSM Honolulu > Kauai > Honolulu >Boston > Honolulu.

After an amazing week in Kauai, with the chickens, roosters, sun, sand, surf and fun, home on Thursday for laundry and sleep! Friday afternoon, leave Hawaii, landed this morning, picked PSM up when he landed, went to the hotel for a minute. Yup, different flights, different airlines!

Then it was off to K&DTN’s for a party! So great to see everyone, all the usual suspects, fabulous! It’s a giant family! I love seeing everyone, getting to know them better each time. I’m not sure how they’ll feel about us after they try the spam flavored macadamia nuts we brought them!

It was great hanging out and catching up and a few false alarms “they’re here!” Nope, it was another Harley Davidson going by, which happens a lot by them!

On the last one, we all filed into the front yard to wait. After a bit, we heard them, the unmistakable rumble, this time , multiplied because there were several bikes coming down the road. Best part, we were all looking one way and someone said, wouldn’t it be funny if they came from the other direction. Guess what they did!

He was totally surprised! Even rode right past us and around the block! Then he came to the house and it was hugs and cheers by and for everyone!

Now it’s time to party! He was so thrilled and touched that we were all there to celebrate him. He couldn’t believe that PSM and I cut out vacation short to be there, but there was no where else we would be!

There was a great selection of treats for appetizers, a great Italian spread with pasta, meatballs, salad, bread for dinner and of course, a fabulous cake!

The weather was perfect, even a few kids in the pool! Eventually, there was a chill in the air and a fire got built, that was party central!

Eventually, it was time to head out, PSM has a very early flight in the morning. I’m going to sleep in… then, don’t tell GES, but I’m going to try to surprise the family with a quick visit! Fingers crossed I am successful! Then it’s back to Chicago for work.

What a whirlwind!

{September 8, 2017} So…stuff happens, right?

It just sucks when it happens on vacation…Kind of like a summer cold.

I know I owe you a few posts from our Kauai vacation, but as things happen, I am delayed, my apolgies.

So… the first thing that delayed me was Monday night. Apparently with too much sun and too much juice, I have no idea, can have a negative effect. Let’s just say, I had too much sun, got a burn and then at the luau, I honestly think I had too much juice, sugar, whatever, I think I got a touch of sun poisoning, bad combination, and passed out, among other things. Scared PSM just a wee bit, but he was great, taking care of me and making sure I got back to the hotel safely and putting me to bed.

Tuesday, we did stuff, but at a much slower pace, that mack truck that hit me wiped me out!

I had some connection issues, so of course, frustrating there.

Last grrr…I dropped my phone, for the thousandth time, it seemed like, and my screen finally cracked! Oh no!!! At least it’s only in the corner and the camera is just fine in the front and the back. I was just talking about getting a new phone, isn’t that always the way? PSM said I handled it well, what else could I do?

Oh yeah, the sunburn, ouch! Here’s what happened there… I’ve been in the Hawaii sun a bunch and after the initial tan, I’ll admit, I don’t put sunblock on every time. Shh… don’t tell my mom! Now, if I’m going to be in the sun for a really long time, I put it on, especially my face.

For the past few months I’ve been wearing a bathing suit that is shorts and a shirt, I’m sure you know what I mean. Well, Monday, I decidedI was going to wear a bikini, yup, me! It’s actually a top and bottom that you would wear to work out, so it fits well. At least I think it does and PSM liked it.

Since I was wearing something new and exposing more skin, and in new places, I applied sunblock everywhere, that you can tell my mom! Ha ha. Well… even though I applied it everywhere, apparently, I forgot my midsection! Or, I didn’t apply enough! I am burned, red- lobster red, oh my! And ooouuucchhhh!

Let’s just say, you can tell what kind of straps for me top and it looks like I was wearing a cummerbun for a tuxedo! Oh my!

I got some good lotion and cooling gel and I’m getting better. Some of it is already starting to turn brown, so I’m good to go! As I always say when I come home for a bit, when I go back to work I want to look like I’ve been somewhere! Mission accomplished!

So… overall, not bad, just not fun when these things happen on vacation, right?

Moving on, I have so much to tell you, tomorrow!

{September 7, 2017} Hauʻoli hauʻoli hauʻoli, CWB!

Happy, happy birthday CWB!

I wanted to wish one of my oldest and dearest friends a very happy birthday. Ok, not oldest, but someone I have known the longest. Apparently, as we get older, have to be more selective with how we phrase things!

We met in middle school, not even sure where, but we became instant friends and that friendship carried us through middle school, high school and college. We went to different high schools, but stayed together, every took driver’s education and our SAT prep together.

It was me, CWB and her twin sister, HW, we were like The Three Musketeers! Their mom would treat me like another daughter, I even remember one time when she would say “my girls” and they would say “and JJ!” I loved being a part of the family.

We would go to the theatre, dances, movies, dinner, into the city, which, when you live in/on one of the five boroughs that make up NYC, going into Manhattan.

We stayed in touch throughout and even a little after college. CWB moved into the city and I eventually moved to Georgia and as many things happen in life and with friends, we lost touch. Lives happen, people go their separate ways, not forgetting about each other, even thinking about each other, sending vibes into the universe.

With the introduction of Facebook, like a lot of other people, we reconnected. I think I’ve told you about some of our calls over the last year, picking up each time as if we hts spoke the week before.

She’s a fabulous mom and wife, sister, daughter, friend, great supporter of the causes she holds dear, a fighter for what she believes in.

I’m so happy that we found each other and we’re back in each other’s lives, I wouldn’t have it any other way. My friend, my seestah!

Happy, happy birthday CWB, I hope September 6th brings you all you hope for.

{September 4, 2017} Ka lāʻekolu Kauai. He aha ke kiʻi hou aʻe ?!.

Day three Kauai. What’s our next adventure?!

Today consisted of driving up the Waimea Canyon Drive to the various lookouts, stopping along the drive at different scenic overlooks and a few hikes, or walks. I hope you’ll join us.

The next overlook stop was interesting and beautiful. Look at all the ‘people’ others have made stacking rocks. Of course we added us, mine has a red rock on top for the redhead I am!

The next stop was the Waimea Canyon Lookout. They say this canyon is the Grand Canyon of the Hawaiin Islands and its true. I know the photos don’t do it justice, but wow!

You know you’re on an island, and its not a huge island, but being up here, looking out at the vastness, it doesn’t feel that small, but you do.

There was another park overlook, Kokee Road, that we stopped at. This was looking over the Nopali Coast, where we were snorkeling yesterday. I took photos of this side of the mountain from down there looking up, just amazing!

Major props to PSM for sitting where he is! Like many, heights is not his thing, but he’s been challenging himself for a long time and the hikes he’s been taking since moving to Hawaii has been helping.

Next was Pihea Trail in Hanapepe. Some areas were mostly on the Hawaiian Red Dirt Hawaii is famous for and it looked like we were walking on another planet. Once on a while we geeked out feeling like we were on an episode of Star Trek!

It’s good we got there when we did, sort of. We had great visibility all the way driving up the canyon road and when we started down this trail, but the clouds had been threatening and then they started rolling in and when you looked to the left, nothing, literally, nothing.

The trade winds have left and this week is a little warm, even by Hawaiian standards, so when the clouds roll in, ahh. It’s like air conditioning and a mist machine all rolled into one.

We left just in time, as the rain started. Then coming down, it was as if it never happened!

Now, after all that hiking, time for some lunch. We found a little thai place that doubled as a shaved ice stand, treat shack and was attached to a clothing store.

Here are our breakfast and lunch companions. I don’t know if you remember me telling you that the chickens and rosters are all over Kauai, even at the hotel and in the restaurant since it’s open. No one bothers them and they don’t bother you, just pick up what you dropped. Who needs a dog…or a swifer!

After lunch, a trip to the beach at the end of the world! We went almost to the end of the island and took a left. Then, down a four mile dirt and jutted road with potholes, divits and bumps. As we’re driving, the clouds are slowly rolling in and just as we get to the beach, drip, drop, drip, drop. Doesn’t stop us from getting out of the car. What’s that saying? “A rainy day at the beach is better than a day at the office”. I would have to agree!

The people on the beach knew what they were doing, tents with flaps keeping out the rain. Or several open type tents with flaps next to each other creating a barrier against the rain.

We left the beach at the end of the world and headed back to our hotel, got two of our free mai tais and walked to the beach behind our hotel to swatch another amazing sunset.

Dinner at the hotel…with the chickens, who I continually promise I will not be eating.

Tomorrow starts early… another great adventure! Join us?!

{September 3, 2017} Ka lāʻelua Kauai

Day two Kauai. What a day! We started the day at the hotel at a Kauai orientation breakfast. This was presented by a local company that tells you about Kauai, navigating around the island and then different options for tours and activities on the island. The nice thing about the orientation was having someone to book activities for us in one place, instead of us going to multiple sites to book. We’re excited about what we’ve booked, starting today! We started off on our day of adventure through the Tunnel of Trees, isn’t it fabulous!? Then we stopped in the town of Koloa, toured an old Hawaiian village, look at that monkeypod tree, planted in 1925 by Howard Yamamoto. Then we drove on and stopped at Poipu Beach and saw Ke Kahua O Kaneiolouma, a map of an authentic Hawaiian village designed by Henry Kekahuna. We were at Poipu Beach, how could we not actually go to the beach! How beautiful, yum! Toes in the sand! Then, on to Spouting Horn State Park. Spouting Horn is located in the Koloa district on the southern coast of Kauai. This area of Kauai is known for its crashing waves, these waves erode lava rocks on the coastline which can create narrow openings, as is the case with Spouting Horn.

Then our first scheduled adventure! A catamaran, The Lucky Lady, out to the Napali Coast for some snorkeling and sailing back into the sunset! Do you see the Hawaiian Slipper Dolphins who came to say hello!

The Napali Coast was amazing! Caves, waterfalls, inlets, jutties, mountains, goats, private islands.

Snorkeling! Love, love, love my Go-Pro, thank you family!

Then, after snorkeling, it was time for mai tais, other libations and dinner, then sail off into the sunset, literally. Mother Nature even threw in a rainbow!

What an adventure and what a way to end the day! What could tomorrow hold!?

{August 26, 2017} Saturday… what did we do?

More like… what didn’t we do?!

I got in late last night, no non- stops from St Louis to Denver in the evening. PSM got out yesterday morning, non-stop and was at the hotel bar relaxing when I landed in Chicago.

I was originally flying through Houston, but with Hurricane Harvey causing trouble, United called and re- booked me through Chicago, nice. I also promoted to gold status on United last week, so first class on both flight, wahoo!

I got in about midnight, got my bag and car, headed to the hotel and very quietly snuck into bed about 130am, talked to you, then crashed a while later.

The alarm…yup… went off about 630am, ugh. I snoozed a bit, then got up, dressed and walked out the door towards Coors Field, I was meeting LJ for The Color Run, you know, “The Happiest 5k on Earth!”

And you know what, it is! You can’t be unhappy participating in this race. You get to run through clouds of color and become a rainbow! This was LJ’s first 5k, let alone Color Run. We had a great time! We ran the start and finish, well, if anyone asks, yup, we ran!

I walked/ ran to meet her so I was pumped! After, we walked to get some food near my hotel, it was only about 1.5 miles, so by the time I got back to the hotel, 6 miles under my feet!

I don’t know if you remember how many races I used to do, about 2-3 a month for a few years. This is the first this year and it reminded me how much I enjoyed, not so much the running, but the excitement, the energy, the sense of accomplishment! I have one more scheduled this year, in Denver and I’m hoping to get back on track next year!

Denver is such a beautiful, interesting and eclectic city! While we were having lunch, we saw a class of service dogs and their trainers, learning… walking through crowds, sitting under tables, meeting other dogs, it was great!

We parted company, we’ll meet again later. I went to the hotel, showered, rested a little, then we headed out to True Foods for lunch with PSM’s cousin, D and her husband P, I don’t know if you remember me telling you about our last visit. They live in Denver and were fabulous to squeeze us into their schedule!

I have ordered food from True Foods in Chicago, but only their pizza, I believe I shared it with you, oing my, it would have been nice to actually share! It is a vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurant, so something for everyone.

I had an amazing sandwich on 7 grain bread with a fried egg, tomatoes, almond ricotta, fried seitan and crisp lettuce. Oh my, my, my! Yeah, that’s all I have to say!

After lunch, we drove out to Longmont to visit my stuff, take care of storage business and get key for my new unit. A few months ago someone had driven off the highway and into two units, one being mine. My stuff is ok, some things crushed, but nothing horrible. I’m sorry the picture didn’t take, I was amazed!

Back to the hotel for a minute and then… Denver Broncos vs Greenbay Packers, pre-season game! LJ had texted last month and asked if we were interested in going to the game, you bet! PSM was in his best behavior, being a Pats fan, thank you.

We were in the nosebleed seats, almost to the top, remember when CKM went to the Bears game last year?! The stadium was packed! Mostly Denver fans, but Cheeseheads were out in force! I had seen a lot of them throughout the day in Denver.

There were some great jerseys out there, my favorite was a serious house divided. Mom and toddler number one in green, dad and toddler number two in orange! The halftime show was the junior Broncos cheerleaders and about 600 even more junior, cheerleaders! So cute! As the announcer said “this demo displays that girls rock!”

Greenbay was winning when we left, hope the home team wins!

After the game, we grabbed an Uber to City O’ City, a vegetarian/ vegan restaurant and oh my! We sat in the back cocktail area, full service at the bar. The restaurant was packed, eclectic, like the city and still cozy.

We started with a pretzel with cheese to dip in, one vegan and one straight up. Then LJ had a ‘chicken wrap’, PSM had a pastrami sandwich, basically a rueben and omg! It had pastrami, sauerkraut, cheese and thousand island dressing.

Me, I had a to’fish sandwich and wow! It was like a giant piece of fried fish! It didn’t taste exactly like fried fish, but wow, it was fabulous! Lettuce, tomatoe, ricotta goat cheese, pickles with a side of vegan mac-n- cheese. Happy vegan alert!!!

After, we were done! Took our leftovers with us, can’t wait to eat the other half of my sandwich tomorrow! Back to the hotel, talk to you, chill and crash, flying out tomorrow.

Was that really just one day?

{August 25, 2017} So happy!! Dinner with my friend!!

Tonight, I got to see someone for the first time in years!

Go figure, two people I love working in St Louis the same week as me!

Tonight, I got to see KLS, someone I met on the University of Michigan Health Systems project, our first with Deloitte. We were both hired specifically for this project and our background training Epic, the electronic medical record software.

As you know, or may not know, I still work for Deloitte. KLS left Deloitte shortly after our first project ended. We are both still traveling the country training, she’s still training Epic and I’m on a new application.

She happens to be on a project in St Louis and as you know, I’m here for the week, how could we not see each other! It was as if time stood still and we just saw each other last week! Those are the best friendships!

We both miss that first project together, the location, some of our coworkers, the whole thing. We kept each other sane, talked every day, if we didn’t see each other and if we went more than two days without seeing each other, one or both of us had gone on vacation or home! We kept each other sane!

We compared notes on our lives, our loves, you know, not just the guys in our lives, but the wee tots, our nieces, nephews, grandbabies. We bragged and gushed just like we should. You know this included our fur babies of course. She thinks her Bassett hound, Greta looks like Mollie, with shorter legs. I’d say good call!

Parting was such sweet sorrow, out was like we were back in MI, going to our respective hotels, across the parking lot, she’s Marriott, you know I’m Hilton!

So cannot wait to see her again!

{August 24, 2017} Dinner with friends

Wait, what? I went to dinner and didn’t take photos?

What was I thinking?! Oh well… Sorry.

Tonight, PSM and I saw each other for the second night in a row, what? We went out to dinner with three coworkers from his company, two are still in Boston and one lives in DC, they were all at the same site that PSM was at in Cambridge.

They happened to be in St Louis for a meeting at the same time, what are the odds? We have no idea how they knew PSM was in town. Doesn’t matter, we have dinner plans!

We met them at a pretty good Indian restaurant. The only qualification, vegan friendly restaurant. The food was good, service left something to be desired. If you ask for something and don’t check on it, you might be there past closing time!

Speaking of closing time, our cue to leave came when our server plugged in the vacuum cleaner! That was our clue…

The food was really good, they understood when I said very mild and PSM was almost satisfied with the spice level, let’s just say, I could smell the spices and heat level coming for his dish. But that’s the way our dining relationship is, if we’re not sharing, we’re definitely not sharing!

We had a really nice time and I have to thank the guys, since they haven’t seen each other in a while, not every story was about work and/or working together, they included me in most of the conversations.

Then it was time to go, hugs all around, well, for me anyway, promises of getting together again and we were all off. PSM andI back to his hotel, then me back to St Louis, sigh. Not to worry folks, we’ll see each other this weekend!

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What was I thinking?