Friends | Peaches Prattlings

{July 28, 2015} In person!

I was going to title the post “Fantasy vs. Reality”, but that would be weird and wrong.

Tonight, I had a great double date of sorts…PM and his wife, PSM and I. I got to meet PM’s wife, AM! When he asked if I was available for dinner tonight and then told me AM would be joining us, I was stoked! I immediately texted PSM to see if he was available! He wasn’t at first, but the stars seemed to align and he was available.

So…my title is “Office Spouse meets Real Spouse”. It was really cool! As you know, PM and I have worked together on four projects, almost two years and you get to know someone really well when you travel together and go to dinner together. I’ve told you he’s my work spouse. Well, during dinners, we talk about family and life and I learn all about his wife and children, I’ve seen photos, but we’ve never gotten to meet or talk and tonight we were able to!

It was great, she is charming and funny and caring and crazy about her hubby, as she should be. As soon as we saw each other, I asked “Are you a hugger?” And she was! We talked about family, travel, work and a few times, when PM and I talked about work, PSM and AM paired off and talked to each other about other things, then we came back to the conversation.

We left each other hoping to see each other again, maybe even get a chance to set up a play date with their kids and my nieces. The best part is putting a face with a name.

A great evening and a new friend!

I just thought this was funny!

{July 27, 2015} I’m just not mommy

I totally get that and I’m ok with it.

This morning, GES and ACS got up very early to take EJS to sleep away camp! Second summer and this year, for three weeks! GES asked if I could spend the night and get MGS on the bus in the morning. Happy to!

I got up, took a shower and then went to wake MGS and in less than a minute it started. “Momma, momma, I want momma, mommy” and that went on for a good fifteen to twenty minute. I’m fine, promise! I’ve been through this once or twice!

I even got mommy on the phone, to no avail. So it was wait it out and eventually she’ll be ready. Yup, that happened about 8am when the bus left, but…all was not lost! GES texted the counselor to let her know we would take the next bus.

We got dressed, sun block, no bug spray, t-shirt on, ponytail installed, bag packed, lunch packed, snack packed, walked out the door and headed to the bus stop. We got there with a few minutes to spare, on the wrong side, duh on me! The counselor called MGS’ name, ran across the street to get her and away she went.

How did things go at pick up? All good, just tired!

{July 25, 2015} Two birthday celebrations

First…Let me apologize! I missed my blog post last night! I fell asleep! It’s only the 3rd or 4th time in the 3 years I have been writing to you. I am sorry!

Second…this was the weekend of birthday celebrations and it’s been wonderful!

It started last night when there was a girls night birthday celebration for GES at the Birch Bistro. There were eleven of us and what a fabulous night it was! There were great friends, decent food, good conversation, what more could you want? The perfect way to end the day and celebrate another great year and fabulous woman!

Then today, PSM had an appointment to have the remote starter installed, so I surprised him and picked him up and took him to Revere Beach for the Sand Sculpting Festival, I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. After the festival, we picked up the car,, then to a restaurant for a good lunch, then back to the hotel to get some errands done.

Later, K&D N came to PSMs and we headed to meet his brother and wife and A and J T at East Coast Grill for a celebratory dinner. We were supposed to go to a different restaurant, but I forgot to make a reservation and we ended up where we did and as AT said “JJ, I’m glad you screwed up, this was great!” And as I like to say….there’s always a next time!

GES was out with two other couples celebrating her birthday, not too shabby.

Such a nice feeling, everyone coming together for PSM’s birthday. K&D N knew everyone except A&J T, but by the end of dinner, everyone was fast friends. This was a true testament to how much people care for and about PSM. We really had a great time, with the promise of doing it again soon!

{July 18, 2015} Hugs can heal

Is there a truer statement?

When something is wrong, sometimes a hug makes everything better. When I got off the phone with a friend who had surgery on Wednesday and I knew she was ok, I walked back in to the office and asked two people for a hug, for good news, that worked.

There are so many different reasons we might need a hug…good news, bad news, scraped knees, bumped heads, just because. Do you love hugs as much as I do?

There are also different types of hugs…side hugs, from behind, pick me up hugs, full on front facing hugs, parent to child, sibling to sibling, friends, family, you name it, there is a hug for every situation!

How about you, want a hug? I do!

{July 12, 2015} Making new friends

This weekend I made a new friend.

And I got to know a new friend better and it was great. Let me explain.

This weekend PSM and I went up to the house in New Hampshire to do some hiking and hang out with some friends who were having a girls weekend there. One of the women, DTN, I had met in February when PSM and I went skiing one of those weekends, it was great meeting his friends, they treasure him so very much.

This weekend DTN came up to the house with one of her oldest friends, we happened to get there a little before they did, and when they arrived, it was a chance to catch up since we hadn’t seen each other in a few months and that was great. I also got to know her friend, C, and that was a lot of fun.

PSM said something interesting. Here I am with these two women, one I didn’t know before Friday and by Sunday morning, we were fast friends, we had a lot to talk about and I had learned things about both of them in a short time, something it would take him years, he was amazed that we could do that. That’s women for ya!

A great weekend, a new friend was made, getting to know an “old” new friend, what could be better!

{July 8, 2015} The weekend in Nova Scotia…Happy Birthday PSM!

Happy Birthday PSM!

“PSM”, “Yes JJ?” “Your birthday is coming up, what would you like?” “I don’t know” “Well, think of something! A trip?” “Hmmm..I’ve always wanted to go to Nova Scotia” “Nova Scotia it is!”

Get online and find Nova Star, the ferry that goes from Portland, ME and docks in Yarmouth, NS, http://www.novascotia.com/. This was really like a mini cruise, let me tell you about it. As you know, we made it just in time, I was getting us there, PSM was getting on that boat!

We had an exterior cabin with a porthole, it had 2 twin beds, bunk beds above and a bathroom with a shower, great cabin. There was a formal dining room, a buffet, a few cafes and bars. They showed movies, had live entertainment and a casino, what more could you ask for!

Turns out, I’m not much for cruises, I found that out when I cruised years ago, thought this might be different, but no…I now am the proud owner of another pair of seasick bands and the Canadian version of Bonine, the aquatic version of Dramamine.

I had my stash of saltines and ginger ale, then sacked out and slept until we pulled into port. PSM, on the other hand, no problem with the boat had a good time in the casino and won a bit of money! Go PSM! Prior to crashing, we experienced a beautiful sunset!

There were families, friends, a tour bus and a bunch of bikers, fun for all!

We docked at 7am, got off the boat, went through customs and welcome to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia!

First a trip to the visitor information location, oh my they were helpful! Then breakfast at The Shanty Café

Dropped the top, on a very well traveled car and headed up The 101 highway towards the Bay of Fundy. First stop, Light of the Bay lighthouse, built in 1868. What a view!

Back in the car, another fabulous lighthouse for a nice stop and a lie down in the sun to smell the sea…ahhh…

We drove to The Bay of Fundy, Hall’s Harbor, and found a fabulous B&B, The Deft House, http://www.delfthaus.com/, we were in The Rose Room, the suite went on and on and on! The fireplace was controlled by wall switch, a lot of fun! The couple who own and run the B&B were charming and kooky, perfect! There were other guests there and we enjoyed meeting and talking with them at breakfast, a three course experience! Cereal, home made fruit crepes and omelets, oh my!

Up to Hall’s Harbour, http://www.hallsharbour.org/, to see the tide go out. This is one area of the Bay of Fundy, recommended to see the tide changes. Some of the tide swells measure up to 50 feet! We weren’t in an area to see the swells, but we did get to see where the tide went out!

See the poor boats! They’re grounded! See PSM, he’s walking the ocean floor!

The wishing well lighthouse gives you a good description of Hall’s Harbour and The Bay of Fundy.

We went up to the Look Off to get a great view of the tide going out and the amazing landscape of the Bay of Fundy, isn’t it amazing!

How about this! My beetle saw her cousin…a motorcycle with a VW back end! A VW Beetle engine!!! Guess who wants it! Me! Me! Me!

We went back to Hall’s Harbour to watch the sunset. It was amazing, apparently it’s a local favorite and people come in from all over to watch the sunset almost every night! Spectacular!

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

[My phone died the next day, no more photos, boo]

That was just Friday! Can you believe it!

Saturday, we drove up the other coast to Halifax, what a beautiful city, right on the water, trendy and picturesque. Such a change from other parts of Nova Scotia, not in any negative way, more modern, a very different feel to the lifestyle. The Bay of Fundy is more fishing village and Halifax is a modern city.

We spent a few hours in Halifax, then drove back to Yarmouth for a great dinner at Rudders, http://www.ruddersbrewpub.com/, a fun restaurant and brew pub, one of the few spots open and happening in Yarmouth. We had steamers, lobster and fish and chips, yes I tried everything!

Sunday morning, we boarded the Nova Star and sailed back to Portland, Maine. Let’s just say, I don’t remember much as I spent most of it asleep and I’m ok with that! Back in the states and on dry land.

What a weekend! A great birthday! Where are we going next? I’ll keep ya posted!

Happy birthday PSM!

{July 4, 2015} Happy 4th!

It’s July 4th everyone!

Today, we celebrate our independence, the day of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)

People celebrate in so many different ways, some celebrate with picnics, travel, friends, family. In Atlanta, there is the running of the Peachtree Road Race, the 10k I have told you about for six years in a row, volunteering for five years with and participating in for six years with CKM, very surreal that we weren’t doing it together, but sent her good vibes all day!

There are so many great traditions I shared in, growing up in NYC, summers on Long Island, Atlanta, Boston, even just because.

The truly surreal thing is today, we saw fireworks over the water, but very far away and by chance, maybe by some ex-pats, but they don’t celebrate the Day of Independence for the United States in other countries and that’s where we are this weekend, out of the country! So quite a few people wished us a happy July 4th, it wasn’t quite the same, but…I did eat a veggie hot dog, so that helped!

However you celebrate, I hope it was a happy, safe and healthy celebration. Enjoy some fireworks! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAzT6VnUBw8

One of my favorite speeches from a movie is Bill Pullman in Independence Day. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoLywiaM6PA

{July 3, 2015} The things you overhear

Sometimes, it’s just hard not to listen.

We’ve all been in this situation…you’re out somewhere in public and people are talking loud enough for you to hear and you start listening, you just can’t help it. If they wanted their conversation to be truly private, they should whisper or have it somewhere else!

Sometimes it’s a fun conversation, sometimes…not so much. This morning, PSM and I were having breakfast and there was some turmoil going on in the kitchen, big open window into the kitchen, someone was having a bad day! At lunch, the women at the table next to us started talking about needing mani’s and Pedi’s and the pros and cons of gel polish, I could have given them my two cents!

Tonight, we were having dinner at a pub and there were very few people there with us. Two tables back were a pair of guys having a drink and talking. First, it was about the Marvel Universe, how it’s changing and how it needs to, then Stan Lee, then the merits of X-Men, finishing up with building a bar in the basement and friends would come over. I’m sure they would!

I love people watching, I know people are doing it to me and I’m ok with that!

What did you happen to hear tonight?

Eavesdrop date

{July 2, 2015} I got us here, by gosh by golly! To

Ok, so, have I told you about my led foot? Well, today I used it and we got here!

I’m not going to tell you where we were going, I’ll give you the full rundown on Sunday, but what I will tell you is that I pushed the speed limit where I could! And paid off, by gosh, by golly! I know, strong words!

I truly underestimated the Boston traffic on a holiday weekend! I went to GES’ house to pick up Annie, the beetle bug, back to the hotel to pick up PSM, a trip which should have taken 40 minutes…at the most…took just at TWO hours!

We booked it out of there and got on the road, we had to be at our destination by 6:45at the latest, or so the guy said when we called!

Let’s just say I channeled my mom, EMS, a touch… I didn’t break any sound barriers, but…

Did we make it by 6:43? You bet your sweet bippy we did! This is my birthday present for my beau, we were not missing it!

More to come!

{July 1, 2015} They’re making a run for it!

The cats are heading for the border!

HH came to my hotel room today to drop something off and as she was leaving, the door was open and as we’re talking, all of a sudden, we see two little furry blurs run by!

Jymy and Peanut have escaped!

First they went to the left down the hall, they headed back towards the room, but no, down the hall towards freedom! We couldn’t help but watch and laugh! I kept thinking and I said once “I really should be filming this”, all we did was stare and laugh!

I closed the door a bit and Peanut said, ‘oh no, let me in!’, Jymy, on the other hand went back in the other direction and started crying! When I went to get her, I knew why she was standing there crying…I smelled chicken soup! I scooped her up and in she went!

Adventure had and now it’s time for a nap! The life of a cat…

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What was I thinking?