Friends | Peaches Prattlings

{April 7, 2016} Happy birthday LaLa

Today we celebrate LaLa’s birthday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cradles%20to%20Crayons

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tomorrow, more fun with family and a birthday dinner.

I told you those nine year olds could party!

{March 5, 2016} What a day!!

It started early, ended late, lots in the middle, perfect.

It started early because my sleep is messed up. 3:15am, 4:30am and finally, I gave up at 6:20am and got up. Well, didn’t get up and out of bed, just no more sleeping.

I got up, dressed and headed out to meet PSMs sister-in-law and nephew for brunch not too far from them, because after we ate, we went back to their place and I got to visit with Mollie! She looks great, she’s lost a little weight and still the same lovable, sweet dog she always was.

She ran around, was excited to see me, then she was done, it was time to lay in the sun, I totally get that!

After our visit, I headed to see if I might catch GES and the family at home, I did. It was a whirlwind visit, well, I walked in add they were getting ready to go out, here and there. I picked up some stuff, dropped off and headed out.

I went to the Art In Bloom exhibition at the local library, amazing! Each piece had an assignment a piece of art to be created and then reproduced in flora, amazing!

Then it wad back to my place to drop off groceries, yup, did that somewhere in between!

Got a text from KAB, what I sent her for the baby shower made it! Go amazon prime! I can’t wait to see pictures!

Caught up with HH on the phone, then headed out for GNO, or Girls Night Out, for those of you not in the know. JB, SB, LI, KM and I sent to a pretty good Mexican restaurant, El Sarape in Braintree.

We had a blast! After waiting a while for a table, and we had a reservation, the place was packed! We got our table and then cane close to closing the place down. We looked at our watches and it was 9 then all of a sudden it was almost 11pm, not bad.

We caught up, laughed, drank, ate, laughed, talked about planning girls weekends, it was great! There were only a few times I was lost since they have all known each other for years, but they filled me in on stuff. Such a great time!

Back home, take care of some stuff, talk to to you and now on going to crash. Tomorrow is laundry, straighten up and head out…back to Buffalo.

G’night!

{February 28, 2016} What a weekend!

As promised, my weekend, I’m more awake now!

I got to Colorado on Friday, found a hotel, chilled out, talked to you and crashed out. Apparently my body thought I only needed about four hours of sleep, wide awake at 4:15am, seriously?

I finally got up about 5:45, dressed and breakfast and out the door by 6:20am, at AM’s house to get my skis, head up to the mountains. What a view, breathtaking, peaceful, calming, I’m glad I had the opportunity to live in Colorado and go back and visit.

I decided to go to Breckinridge for the day and I’m so glad I did, beautiful weather, never got very cold and warmed up towards the end of the day. It was about 60 when I left.

I got to the top for my first run of the day and woosh, away I went. There was good powder, groomed and smooth. It really was a pleasure being out there, I am definitely a west coast over east coast skier. I’m more confident there than back east and that’s ok, everyone has their skills and what they’re comfortable with. Some people are east over west, that’s why you see those bumper stickers “Ski the East “.

I took a few breaks, including one for lunch. I accidentally spilled two drops of vegetables soup on my goggles, it got into the foam so every time I pulled them down, I smelled soup! Especially when I pulled my face guard up! Had to wash them pretty fast, I couldn’t take it!

In all, I skied for about four and a half hours, it was invigorating and exhausting! I didn’t even have to trick myself into the last run!

I left Breck and headed to AM’s house to visit with him and the family. I love spending time with his wife, N and their daughter A, she is a spitfire and adorable.

We chatted for a bit, then headed out to their favorite local sushi restaurant, at least I think it was a favorite, they knew the staff, which is nice and they were happy to see the family.

We had a very nice dinner, she drew me this picture on the back of a sushi menu. Isn’t it fabulous! You know it’s going on my fridge!

Back to the house, the younger A went to bed and A, N and I watched Lucy, interesting. It was great to hang out with them. Over dinner and beyond, we talked about movies, Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Star Trek, and more and more and books and… It was a lot of fun, I’m looking forward to next time.

Back to the hotel, chilled a bit, barely talked to you and then passed out, as you know.

This morning, I got up leisurely, it was nice, breakfast and eventually head out. I visited my storage units, got some stuff and headed to the airport.

I had enough time when I returned the car, then sat on the bus for about 10/15 minutes waiting to head to the airport. My bags made it by the skin of their teeth, but they made it. They made it to my first stop, Minneapolis, but somehow got routed wrong and they didn’t make it to Buffalo with me.

Luckily…I left a bag with the hotel last week because I didn’t want to take it with me and I’m so glad I did! The Delta luggage agent gave me a kit that had a t-shirt, tooth brush, the essentials. Good thing, my jammies and essentials are still in flight! They should be here tomorrow about noon. I’m just glad I have something to wear to teach class!

And now that are caught up, I will say goodnight and pleasant dreams.

{February 20, 2016} What a day! Woosh

Back on skis for the first time this season.

The ski season has not been a very long one. Traditionally, it starts about October/November and should go through March/April. Not so this year. Apparently Mother Nature is not a skier. Or I should say, she might be a west coast skier, I get Colorado snow reports every weekend.

So, needless time say, I haven’t skied until today. As we talked about last night, I came up to NH with the families and this morning we suited up and went to Cannon Mountain. It’s a high and windy mountain and today, it student disappoint.

We got our lift tickets, put boots on abs away we went. On the way up in the express loft, express to the top, it got very windy abs EJS was not a fan, but we made it up and headed down the mountain. I will tell you, I wasn’t a huge fan, as there was a lot of ice and I’m not an ice skier, some people are, in not a fan of sliding and I don’t like the sounds of sliding and scraping over ice, that’s just me.

We are making our way down and have stopped for a moment and out of no where, someone comes barreling down, skis over MGS’ ski and plows into JT, knocks him down and actually breaks one of his ski poles! MGS lost a ski, it landed near GES. I immediately take off my skis and go to MGS, who is crying a lot at this point.

I held her while GES made her way back towards us. I checked and nothing was broken and I asked if she was hurt or just startled. Just startled, thank goodness. I rocked and cooed until mommy got there and took over. Get this…turns out that the guy who plowed into us was a ski instructor!

After a while, JT said he would ski with MGS between his skis. It took some doing, GES and I each had two sets of ski poles, but we made it down.

The only thing we were worried about was the girls not wanting to ski after this or being nervous and they’re both pretty good skiers. We got to the bottom and EJS and ACS were ready for more, MGS was not and then she was and away they went.

I have to tell you, so very proud of EJS and MGS for making it down and wanting to keep going, Champs I tell ya!

GES and I however, first got our lift ticket money back and since I now had $150 back, it was like found money, we went to the bar! GES had a beer and I had an amaretto hot chocolate, yum! Along with style Bavarian pretzels, we were set.

We had at least 45-one hour good quality sister time, then everyone came in for lunch. After lunch, they all went back on the slopes and GES and I enjoyed more sister bonding time.

After an hour it was time to head back to the house for relaxing, skating on the pond, and hot chocolate, kid friendly, maybe a nap or two. No technology though, it was nice. There was even some reading that had to be done.

Eventually we made dinner, then more games and off to sleep for the kids. The grown-ups stayed up to talk and use their technology, freedom! And now I’m talking to you!

All in all, an enjoyable day. Gotta get it all in, back to Buffalo tomorrow.

{February 19, 2016} It’s great, but bittersweet

One year ago last weekend…

Was the first time PSM brought me to New Hampshire to ski and introduced me to his ski house and life in Lincoln.

Valentines day weekend, can you believe it! It was our third date and he took me skiing! Not too shabby if you ask me.

So, this weekend I am up with my sister’s family and his cousin, J&A T’s family. There are five adults and 4 children, girls to be exact in a lovely house in Lincoln, NH, that is heated only by wood stoves. I’m glad I wasn’t the first one in the house!

On the way up, I stopped at the same rest stop that he, Mollie and I would always stop at for coffee, tea and a piece of banana bread, sigh. Traditions. I sent him pictures of the stop, it made him nostalgic.

My car almost went on autopilot and got off at his exit, but I had six more exits to go. It’s a charming house, everyone else is asleep, the only thing missing…PSM, oh, and Mollie, of course.

It’s snowing as we speak, should make for some good skiing tomorrow.

Happy happy birthday to my dear sweet friend, my butterfly, WM.

{February 18, 2016} It almost never happens!

As you know, I travel for work 100%.

With all that travel, you’d think I would run into people I know at an airport somewhere. The only people I run into are people I’ve been on projects with and that is rare.

Today, I ran into someone I know! And it’s someone I only met a few months ago. LI and I met at A&K’s friends holiday party around Christmas and then we saw each other again at her post New Years Eve party.

We were both at LaGuardia Airport and at the same gate. I was waiting for the 8pm flight and then managed to get on the 7pm flight. Same for her, we were both getting home an hour earlier, wahoo.

LI was standing across from me by the bar across from the gate. I was concentrating very hard on what I was working on and listening to Mama Mia, so I was slightly oblivious.

When I looked up finally, we saw each other and it was a treat! We caught up, laughed a lot, walked onto the plane together and texted until we took off and then when we landed. Walked to baggage claim together, outside, laughing most of the way.

The funny part was when we took a picture together and we were photo bombed! I sent the picture to PSM, he loved it.

We parted company with the promise of getting together sometime when I’m in Boston for the weekend.

That was fun!

{February 14, 2016} Today is a doubly special day!

Not only is it Valentines Day, but it’s Gotcha Day!

So, we start with Valentine’s Day, the traditional day of love. I got text messages of love and photos, calls and cards from friends, family and my beau. I hope your day was just as full of love.

The next is Gotcha Day! This is the day that adoptions are final and your family is official and complete, well, that is unless you’re adding to it!

The reason I mention it is because there is a very special girl and mommy celebrating her Gotcha Day today…Miss A and SDL. This was the day it was official and I became an aunt to a very special person. Still trying to figure out what life was before she came into our lives.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all my family and friends and your friends and loved ones and Happy Gotcha Day to my family.

I loves you all!!!

{February 12, 2016} Work, uhaul, a visit, lots of laughs

Just another day in paradise!

The day started earlier than planned, not sure if I woke up on my own or the cold, wet nose on my face.

I got up, did work for a bit and then headed out to uhaul and to meet my fabulous and very strong friend CG who agreed to help me.

We drove to my sister’s house to get the trundle frame for my bed, now I’m sleeping up off the floor. As much as I like sleeping on the floor, very much like college and bohemian, it’s nice to sleep in a bed, feels different, I like the springs. I’ll give it some time, who knows if I’ll change my mind!

At my sister’s house, CG got to meet my sister when we picked up the bed, I always love when people can meet my sister, she’s so groovy.

After taking the bed frame to my place, we returned the uhaul, wet got some lunch. We laughed because we’ve been talking about getting together since we’ve known each other and now we’ve had two meals in less than a week! We have so much fun when we together!

After I got back to my place, I made the bed with my new bed covers, thanks dad! Then it was work, work, work.

After I knocked off for the day, it was back in the car, sat in traffic heading back to GES’ for shabbat dinner with the family and movie night, we watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

There was silliness, laughter and so much love and goofiness, the perfect evening. Then it was night-night, a quick catch up and back to my place, first night in my new bed, I’ll let you know how it goes.

Email Subscription

What was I thinking?