Friends | Peaches Prattlings

{September 28, 2015} Dating Sites…love ’em…hate ’em

A necessary evil?

Tonight I helped a good friend, HH, set up her profile on a dating app, one I hadn’t heard of until recently. It was fun, I helped her select photos, come up with tag lines, interests, likes, ice breakers, a few other things. I can’t wait to see what happens!

Getting back “on the dating horse” can be stressful, I know I went through it when I got divorced and then between dating after that. Do I join a club? Do I ask friends? Do I go online?

Online dating has changed over the years. In the beginning it was kind of taboo, no one admits to meeting someone online. I remember when I started one guy had a tagline that said “We’ll tell them we met over coffee”. Why do you have to lie? Can’t you tell people you met in an unconventional way? Nowadays, people say it all the time, although, after a recent scandal, people wonder, hmmm.

One of the things I love to do is help people set up their online dating profiles, helping them navigate the site, choosing taglines, but what I enjoy more than anything is writing profiles. I have written some fabulous profiles, for people I know and people I didn’t know, I even wrote a profile for a guy I met on a train, how weird is that! I wrote a profile for a guy I was dating while we were dating. He started it, he asked, “what would you write about me?” so I wrote him a profile and said “If it doesn’t work out, use this”, it was pretty good too. Guess what…I think he met his wife from the profile!

Speaking of that! When ACS’ brother, JS was visiting me in Georgia, I helped him sign up for one of the sites and I wrote him a profile and he used a picture of Jymy, who looks just like his cat and…he met his wife, AS, using the profile I wrote, I was stoked! They are so perfect for each other!

I’ve written a few profiles for friends that have led to marriage, I am so tickled when that happens, it really means a lot and makes me feel good. I use specific criteria that I apply to each profile and work with what I know about the person or what they tell me is important. One friend had someone say they were too good to be true and another had someone tell them “I’m not sure if I want to meet you or the person who wrote this profile!” That was flattering, not what I was going for, but flattering!

It’s tough out there, the unexpected, the new, the unknown, the excitement, the fear, the apprehension, the anticipation. But you gotta get out there, right? Dating sites are like a blessing and a curse, all at the same time.

Like I said, a necessary evil.

So…going to start dating? Need a profile written?

Good luck!

{September 26, 2015} What a day!

Sleeping in, ha! A great breakfast, a trip to the airport, a baseball game, a scratched car, groceries and bad food, whew!

I’ve told you about my friend, ST, my first work spouse, we have worked together at a few companies since 2009 when we started traveling together training on hand held devices. We see each other sometimes when I am in Atlanta and we were talking a few weeks ago and I said come to Bahston for the weekend and here he is!

Last night was Rita Rudner and today was another jam packed day. We slept in, well, he slept in, the bed is oh so comfy, it’s hard not to fall deep into the covers and pillows and…I got some bedding and slept on the couch, you know where I’ve fallen asleep before and then had to decide…get up and get into the bed or stay right here? hmmmm…

So, ST slept until almost 9am and of course, I was up about 6:30, fun. We got motivated, then called CH, my friend and co-worker, who calls me Smurf! and we all headed towards Cambridge. We parked at PSM’s house, thank you, and walked to the Friendly Toast, I’ve told them about it a few times and away we went. We put our names in and the wait was about an hour. Somewhere along the way, I told PSM where we were eating and he and his nephew, JM, met us there and waited with us and waited and waited.

We finally got a table and it was so worth it, both the people watching and the food. I had an egg sandwich with vegan cheese on gluten free bread and a gluten free pancake, OMG! I was happy! Everyone was happy!

After brunch, we went back to PSMs, then headed to the airport to pick up CH’s husband, who had just landed, perfect timing! Then we headed to the hotel to freshen up and change for our next adventure.

Off to the T station to take the train to Fenway Park, for the Red Sox vs Baltimore Oriole’s. A Yankee in Fenway and I didn’t explode! We stayed a few innings, had some food and then we were done, just long enough for ST to get a hat that he now loves, a beer and some treats.

Back to the train, get to the car and found a giant scratch down the side, what? It took multiple tries to get through to someone at Avis to report the issues, geesh. Tomorrow, we’re doing something pretty cool, I’ll tell you about it then, but we needed supplies so to the liquor and grocery store went.

We get back to the hotel and realize we forgot something…lottery tickets, the jackpot $267M, think that’s worth $2? Oh yeah! So, out to the gas station to get tickets, then we went in search of food and went to a local pizza place that is supposed to be good. I was excited, gluten free dough! My order…gluten free crust, olive oil and garlic, no cheese and a few veggies on top, broccoli, spinache and grilled eggplant. What happened when we get back? Tomatoes. Really? Did I say tomatoes? Maybe I should have told her that I was allergic to tomatoes, didn’t know I had to. That’s why I repeated garlic and olive oil only, oh well…I called and they refunded the money. Someone might enjoy the pizza.

Now, we’re crashed out, in our jammies, can you say that about a guy? ST in the bed and I’m curled up on the couch ready to crash, we have a very early day tomorrow, can’t wait!

Until then…sweet dreams.

{September 23, 2015} Family, family and more family!

Today was about atonement, praying and family.

We started the day at temple for Yom Kippur services. The services were nice, very family friendly, long enough to “fit everything in” but short enough to be too much for kids. There were some very poignant moments, things that make you think, make you feel, make you appreciate and make you want to do and be better, isn’t that what it’s supposed to do?

The most important part, I was with my family and happy to be there with them, the only thing that would have made it more perfect, dad and PSM.

After services, we went back to the house to relax, ACS and I even got in naps, between you and me, naps are very underrated! After napping, we all worked on getting the house ready for the onslaught of people who were coming over to break the fast and about five pm, they started showing up. All the friends who, as you know, because I’ve told you, are extended family, Auntie J was in her element with all the wee tots! It was fabulous, so many people were in the house and it filled up with love fast.

There were still people arriving as I was leaving to head to A&J T’s house to break the fast with PSMs family. I knew a few people when I got there, AT, her mother and her girls, PSMs sister-in-law JM and PSMs nephew, JM, a few cousins and an uncle. Slowly, more and more people started arriving to join the family. It was nice to meet more of PSMs family, cousins, aunties, uncles, put faces to names or names to faces, as it were. There were stories and memories and laughs and reflections and food and good times, really wonderful.

Now that he’s met my Boston family and I’ve met most of his family, it’s time for him to meet my Atlanta family, I know they are looking forward to it. We’re coming!

A great day, family, family and more family.

{September 22, 2015} If I have wronged you…I am sorry

That is the way you reach out to friends and family, loved ones, at this time.

Tonight is Erev Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year and part of the High Holy Days, along with Rosh Hashannah.

We observe by spending time with friends and family for the last meal before our 25 hour fast, sundown to sundown. We fast so that we can focus our thoughts where they should be on who we are, what we have done, how we will repent and on g-d. Some people begin the holiday, like my sister and I, going to Kol Nidre. “Prayer services begin with the Kol Nidrei prayer, which is recited before sunset. Kol Nidre is a prayer that dates back to 9th century Palestine. It is recited in a dramatic manner, before the open ark, using a melody that dates back to the 16th century.”

After services we go home to reflect and then in the morning we will go to services most of the day. As fasting brings our focus where it is supposed to be, spending the day in temple helps, with our focus, and not focusing on the fact that we are hungry!

“On Rosh Hashanah it is written and on Yom Kippur it is sealed. Who shall live and who shall die. Who shall prosper and who shall perish and the list goes on. We hope to have our names in the book of life on Rosh Hashana and sealed on Yom Kippur.

I know you noticed that I opened with “If I have wronged you” this is something we say to friends and family, asking for forgiveness for wrongs I have committed willingly or wrongs I have committed unintentionally. And hopefully they will say they forgive you and hope you feel the same way.

So, I will close with this…

If I have wronged you in any way this past year, I ask your forgiveness and hope you can forgive me. Amen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur

{September 20, 2015} Start with a 5k, end with a musical

That sounds like a pretty good day, doesn’t it?

Well, that’s what happened. Until earlier in the week I had forgotten that I had signed up for a 5k, go figure! So…the alarm goes off at 7am, we leave about 7:30 for what I didn’t know was a five minute drive to the start of the race! It was the Cambridge Fall Classic 5k, http://classic5k.com/fall-classic. I registered too late for the pint glass, darn it! We waited a bit and a few minutes before 8 I picked up my race bib and t-shirt. Hey what do I always say is why I do races…for the t-shirt! Why should this be any different!

We had quite a bit of time to kill, so we went to Dunkin Donuts so PSM could get some breakfast, I can’t eat more than a granola bar or banana before I run. Then we took Mollie back to the house and headed back to the race start, it was due to start at 9. I’m glad we showed up when we did to get my packet, the place filled up quickly. A trip to the port-o-potty. which, first thing in the morning is just fine. I think I was the first person to use it, it still smelled clean and the toilet paper hadn’t been opened yet and there was hand cleaner Wahoo!

I thought the race started at 9am, I was wrong, so PSM hated to leave, but he had yoga scheduled and we didn’t know when this thing would start! Besides, he’ll be there for my half marathon next month! The run finally started about 9:30 and I ran the first mile, then walked the second and did run/walk for the third mile. I thought I did pretty well since I haven’t much running in the last few weeks because of my back. So…43:54, I’m happy!

I accomplished my 3 goals: #3 – Time under 45:00, #2 – Finish with people behind me, #1 – FINISH! Check, check and check!

After the race I walked back to Paul’s place, showered, chilled and waited for him to get home. After he got home and showered, we headed to brunch, a veggie omelet with my fake cheese, yum! Gluten free bread, not bad and an order of French toast made with gluten free bread, honestly not bad.

Then a jaunt down to Marathon Running, http://www.marathonsports.com/, the running store by the start of the Boston Marathon, we passed over the start line, pretty cool. I got a new pair of my running shoes. It turns out they retired the ones I had, Mizuno Wave Runner 16, boo. They are now on 18, oh well, I like them, they’re just not the same. And when went to look for them online, no dice, wow! But it is a very cool store, the shoes weren’t too much, for that brand, gotta break them in before my next 2 races!

So…if you happen to find a pair of the Mizuno Wave Rider 16, size 8, please pass them my way! http://www.ethostream.com/CentralAuth/success/success.php?siteid=25504&mac=50%3A1A%3AC5%3AFA%3A57%3AA3&osmmodal=&RemainingTime=86400&portal=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elementhotels.com%2FLexington&primaryAdProviderName=ValueClick“

Then next door to the candy store, where else! We bought smarties, no high fructose corn syrup! for us and Necco wafers for PSM. We had a total of one smartie each tonight! Let’s see how long it takes for us to finish these!

Then on to McGreevy’s Irish Pub and Sports Bar, this is the bar owned by the Drop Kick Murphy’s, big fans of the Patriots! how cool is that! http://www.mcgreevysboston.com/.

But wait…there’s more!

We head down to the Huntington Theater, http://www.huntingtontheatre.org/, to pick up our tickets for the evening. We don’t do things small around here!

After we picked up the tickets, we went to Ginger Exchange, http://www.gingerexchange.com/symphony/, a great restaurant that used to be Betty’s Noodle House, but Betty retired about two years ago. It really was enjoyable, I had vegetable pho soup with rice noodles, veggies and tofu, quite pleased. PSM had udon soup and got to add fresh red pepper chili paste, I think I saw some tears, he was happy.

After dinner, we walked the half a block back to the theater to settle in with everyone else for ‘A Little Night Music’, http://www.huntingtontheatre.org/season/2015-2016/a-little-night-music/, a wonderful musical about reunited lovers, passions reignited, jealousy, a weekend in the country, yup, that’s about it. And it’s where “Send in the clowns” comes from, kinda cool. After seeing it the show, the song makes more sense which in and of itself is cool.

After the show, it was back to PSM’s to get my stuff and head back to the hotel so I can tell you all about our day and what a day! Are you tired yet? You should be we walked 18,409 steps!

{September 19, 2015} Black light yoga! Score!

Tonight we did something kinda cool.

I think I’ve told you that PSM likes yoga, let me rephrase…he lllooovvvveeessss yoga. So it took all of about 10 seconds after I saw the posting to sign us both up for this event.

The event was called Soul Pose Yoga, http://soulpose.com/, an outdoor yoga event, starting at 7pm, black light to be exact. How cool does that sound?!

We got there about 6:30, signed in and got our yoga mats, towels and special Soul Pose bracelet and charm. We did get some souvenirs of course, I couldn’t let this go by! I got us some belts for stretching, a bag for my new yoga mat and a water bottle for PSM.

After we signed in, we painted each other’s faces with glow in the dark paint. I wish I could show you, we’ll, I’d show you him…he gave me a bright red moustsche…hmmm…

Then we walked down to the field past the mansion that was lit up for the event. I thought the night session would be more fun than the morning session, I was right.

We looked for new mats, any mats that were still rolled up, part of the package we got. We got settled in and looked out in the sea of people. The only requirement was to wear a white top, very cool to see, especially after the sun went down.

There was a vibe in the air as we started, the instructor was certified in something like 14 different forms of yoga, impressive. She wore a mess ‘o day-glo stuff on her head, fingers.

It was a nice session with music, nothing too difficult, I say that as someone who does not do a lot of yoga. PSM enjoyed it, definitely got a good workout. She also had a good sense of humor, keeping us all entertained and moving.

It was great to do all this as the sun was going down and then it was night time and we were all aglow.

Ok, now…the best part? PSM didn’t know a thing until we got near the sign in tent and we heard a call to all yogis! Then he was all excited and like a kid!

The calendar invite said only “something you’ll like”. Was I right? You betcha!

Ohm…

{September 18, 2015} A double date…The Book of Mormon

Tonight was so much fun!

After work PSM and I headed downtown to meet GES and ACS at Rock Bottom Brewery for dinner before going to the theater. They had gotten there first so had settled into some wings while they waited for us. We got there and placed some orders, my sister knows me so well, they waited to order guacamole, I do love it so! Oh man, there was so much garlic, yum! Those chips were sal-ty! A good combo!

It was great to sit together and enjoy each other’s company, we actually haven’t done that before, had dinner, just the four of us out on the town, very nice. It really was enjoyable to sit and talk, laugh, joke, find out more about each other and just relax, that was the best part, relaxing with my best friends.

After a really good dinner, let me tell you, their veggie burger was great! I had forgotten how much I liked it! Everyone enjoyed their food, bonus! We all headed to the theater in time to climb to the balcony, find our seats and settle in to enjoy the show. Luckily the two people who don’t like heights were fine! This is the second time I’ve seen the show and it was just as good as the time I saw it with dad on Broadway, but everyone else was seeing it for the first time and I can tell you they all enjoyed it, it was a great performance and a lot of surprises, things you might not expect, which may have made it even better.

The show pokes fun at religion, tied up in a Mormon blanket. It is clever and funny and if you are open minded, I think you’d really like the show.

So kids…what’s next?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Mormon_(musical)

{September 15, 2015} A fabulous evening

I was covered up in family tonight!

I knew GES was busy tonight and ACS had talked about dinner tonight, so after work I called and we decided to go out for dinner and we met at Bertucci’s.

It wag me, ACS, EJS and MGS. We had veggies, pizza, salad and mac-n-cheese. Everything was yummy. It was nice having one-on-one time with them.

After dinner I got on the phone with SDL and Miss A, what a treat! We caught up and laughed and got silly, made plans, commiserated and had the best time. I really miss them. Sigh…

It was the perfect capper to a good day. Sounds good to me!

{September 14, 2015} L’Shana Tova

A happy, healthy and sweet new year I wish for you.

As we talked about yesterday, last night, Erev Rosh Hashanah, marked the beginning of the Jewish New Year. I know we’ve talked about it before, but I thought we would chat about a few things tonight.

The symbols you see are all representative of Rosh Hashanah.

As you can tell and might know, the dove is the symbol for peace and love, apples dipped in honey is something we eat to help us have a sweet new year.

The shofar is a rams horn that is blown at different times in the service, symbolizing joyous new beginnings, this is a powerful expression and brings so many emotions to heart. It is not an easy thing to do, many try and it’s wonderful to hear new people try, especially kids, but when someone experienced blows the shofar, I have to tell you, there is nothing like it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5FcH5hKGqs

This is a time of reflection, understanding, welcoming and asking for your name to be written in the book of life. “On Rosh Hashanah it is written, on Yom Kippur it is sealed”.

I wish you happiness, health and a sweet new year.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosh_hashanah

{September 13, 2015} A full house

What would a weekend be like at GES’ house if it wasn’t filed with people?

Based on what I’ve told you in the past, you’re probably saying “well, duh” and you would be right!

Tonight is Erev Rosh Hashanah, the eve of Rosh Hashanah, this being the beginning of the High Holidays which are the holiest of holidays also known as the beginning of the Jewish New Year. You know I’ll tell you more about it tomorrow, tonight I just want to tell you about the full house, full of love and laughter and people.

We were expecting about 30 people! Some might think that’s crazy, that’s just par for the course!

So…Saturday GES and I got down to it…cooking. We made treee chickens, chicken soup, matzoh balls (for thirty!) a really good barley and corn recipe and blondies for desert.

Everyone brought something..appetizers, fruit, side dishes and dessert. Apples and honey to start off the new year right…stupid…for a sweet new year.
I think we’re going to be alright.

We started with blessings over the holiday, challah and wine and then got down to it. What a treat! Almost all of the kids were occupied so it was the perfect opportunity for the parents get through an entire meal, on their own, imagine that!

It was the opportunity to be with loved ones, celebrating a new year, beginnings and being together.

Seems like that is the theme at my sister and brother-in-laws house no matter what, doesn’t it?

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