Friends | Peaches Prattlings

{January 25, 2015} 15k…goal accomplished!

Today I accomplished a goal…I completed my first 15k!

That is 9.32 miles, for those of you “not in the know”. CKM and I have participated in the Hot Chocolate 5k for three years and I also did one in Denver, for the past three years, she and I volunteered at the race expo, handing out bibs.

This year, I decided to participate in the 15k, one of the reasons is that CKM was not participating and the other… the medal! Remember… it’s all for the being or the swag!

As I have told you about my ‘racing’ history, I have done 5k’s, 10k’s, a few half marathons and a number of mud runs, both 5k and 7miles. The only race I have thought about and have not completed…a 15k. I cannot say that anymore!

Last weekend, if you remember, I was at Disneyland for a 10k on Saturday and half marathon on Sunday. The 10k was successful for me, the half marathon, not so much, I was disappointed in myself because I did not finish. I was close to the 9 mile mark when I got pulled from the course.

Today, the run was 9.3 miles and I finished! That was a huge deal for me! There were also people behind me, another goal!

This time, BG and I did the run together, well, we started at the same time. BG is a runner, he does 10 milers, half marathons, that is his speed and I admire him for it. They divided the run into 7:30 and 8:40 start time, 5k and 15k in each start. I was in the 8:40 start time and BG said he would start with me.

We carpooled at 5:30 and it was smooth sailing until two exits away from our exit and then it was sit and wait and sit and wait. We finally got to the stadium, parked, got ready and headed out to the start.

BG took off, as he should and I started running at my snails pace, ran about 3 miles, then walked then ran, then walked, then ran. I ran about 5 miles total out of the 9 miles. I felt good, my feet hurt, but it felt good!

Here comes the 9 mile mark, then it was only .32 to the finish! I crossed the finish line and got my medal! It was such a feeling! Then it was pick up the finishers mug, then meet BG to head to pick up my car, shower and then head to brunch.

This is going to be my last race for a while, keep checking my posts to find out why.

I’m happy!

Hot Chocolate 15k/5k – Atlanta
Atlanta, GA Jan 25, 2015 7:35AM
57143
02:30:25
16:09
roomfield, CO
a43

INTERVAL TIME OF DAY CHIP TIME CHIP PACE GUN TIME GUN PACE
Start 8:33:47AM
5K 9:20:25AM 00:46:39 15:01 min/mi 01:40:16 32:17 min/mi
10K 10:09:50AM 01:36:03 15:28 min/mi 02:29:40 24:06 min/mi
Finish 11:04:12AM 02:30:25 16:09 min/mi 03:24:02 21:54 min/mi

{January 24, 2015} Volunteering at an Expo

Today we volunteered.

Over the last six years or so, CKM and I have volunteered at different events, many being different race expos. We have volunteered for the Peachtree Road Race 5 times, even received our five year volunteer pin this year!

It is fun to volunteer, sometimes depending on the job they give you. One year we volunteered in the company store, that was alright, especially when it was busy, a few years we gave out race bibs, the last few years for the Peachtree Road Race, we volunteered with the elite and invited runners, too cool.

Today, we volunteered at the Hot Chocolate 5k/15k expo and gave out race bibs. You have to show up with the confirmation that has the QR code on it or your photo ID, plain and simple as that. Apparently not so simple for some people. No confirmation, no picture ID, “but I’m picking up for a friend, can’t I just tell you their name?” NO! Just give us something, a face book photo, something!

It was fun talking to people, when you could chat for a minute, it got so busy! I met a lot of Jennifer, always cool. And also, a lot of Stephanies, the reason I bring that up is that for some reason, the two names seem to get swapped a lot! I have no idea why!!! People were excited to be there to pick up their race bib and goodies and goodies they are! Some people were cranky because of the traffic and all the other events in the building they had to get through, but a lot of people were still happy.

There were a bunch that this was their first time doing the Hot Chocolate 5k, for some… their first 5k ever. What a great thing! I love meeting people who are doing their first race ever, I remember mine, The Atlanta Women’s 5k, I still remember seeing my time when I crossed the finish line, I almost cried, that is an amazing feeling! I hope everyone can feel that at least once!

The only bad part, being on our feet for 5 hours, standing in one spot, not so great since I am doing the 15k tomorrow, this should be interesting! But the best part… getting to have brunch and hang with CKM!

All in all, a good time was had by all! More on the race tomorrow!

{January 20, 2015} An experience, not completely new, not necessarily a good thing…

A shooting near my location.

I would love to say I have never been in this situation before, but years ago and I mean years ago, there was a shooting in the office complex I worked in in Atlanta. There was a day trader who went a little coo-coo and decided to shoot up the offices he was associated with in the next building. Those of us in the building were forced to stay until about 9pm when he was finally apprehended, shot and killed himself, and of course, we were huddled near the front door of the office because the building was glass. A little unsettling. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_O._Barton

Today, there was a shooting at the hospital across the way from where I was at a doctor’s appointment. I am sitting in the waiting room with about ten other people, The View was on [I was playing on my phone] and all of a sudden, we are watching the news…a late breaking news story to be exact. A lone gunman had shot a doctor at the hospital, basically across the street, you could hear the helicopters and as I was leaving, a van from every channel had to be there. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/doctor-shot-brigham-womens-hospital/story?id=28348752

I wasn’t directly involved, thankfully in the craziness, I was still a part of it and all it does is make you wonder what is going on in the world today, could people please come to their senses?

{January 17, 2015} Reunions

As you know I am in California for two races and I’ll tell you all about them tomorrow.

One of the other fabulous things I am getting to do is see two friends from my past, one from college and one from high school, what an amazing treat!

Friday, I drove to Hollywood, geeked out, as you saw yesterday and then…I drove to a great vegan restaurant in Los Angeles to meet TH, one of my oldest and dearest friends from college. We met our very first day, because of a note passed under a door. He was in Hendrix Hall, I was in Igor Hall, and there was a door that separated our buildings and on the first day, he slid a note under the door that said “Are you experienced? We are”. I forgot that it was a Jimi Hendrix song and not just he and his suitemates being cheeky! I proceeded to walk around to his suite and confront them and it was the beginning of a lifelong friendship!

For the next four years, no matter where we lived, we saw each other just about every day, we were even on the same track for our majors, so that helped put us together almost every day, we loved it. Even when we weren’t in class, we spent time together, going to shows, eating meals, sporting events, just hanging out doing nothing. Not being around each other every day, bummer.

After graduation, we stayed in touch for a long time, but then life happens, you know, you live on opposite ends of the country. We reconnect on Facebook oh so many years ago and “stalked” each other as you do. Email each other, make comments, that sort of thing and as soon as I knew I was coming to California, I sent two emails, TH was the first…MUST see you! Are you free? YES! WAHOO!

So, yesterday, I drove to Hollywood, as you know and we were trading some texts back and forth and we fell back in sync, it was great! Then we met for dinner and it was like no time had passed and we picked up like we had just seen each other last week, so amazing! That is a testament to the friendship. We were talking so much the waitress must have come by at least four times before we actually looked at the menu. We laughed, we reminisced, we talked about what was going on in our lives, work, family, all the usual stuff. When we parted company we talked about another visit and staying in touch. Now that we can text, I am sure we will do better! I drove back to the hotel happy and ready to pass out!

Today, after the run, I went back to the hotel for a great nap and then went to meet a dear friend from high school AR, his wife, P and their adorable two year old son L, what a doll baby! Just like seeing TH, it was like no time had passed. We have known each other since I was a freshman and he was a sophomore. We would see each other almost every day, just like you do in high school, we would hang out outside of school, the usual… movies, pizza, hanging out at each others houses, parties.

We saw each other after high school, when I would be home on breaks and one semester we even went to college together, it was pretty cool. Even after college when I moved and he moved, we kept in touch and then, just as you know, life gets in the way, but with Facebook… awesome.

So… the other email when I knew I was coming to California, was to AR…another MUST see… the best part… just tell me when you’re available! Score!

Today was great, we saw each other and it was like no time had passed, how does that happen? Who cares, it was great! We talked, laughed, reminisced, I got to know his wife and apparently I was a hit with their son, I got hugs and fist bumps and lap cuddles, how cool is that! We parted company with promises to keep in touch and the next visit maybe stay with them, love it. We also talked about a reunion, fun!

Two fabulous visits, like no time had passed… who’s next?

{January 11, 2015} The weekend…zzzzzz

Here we go!

My brother in law, ACS’ birthday was yesterday, but the celebrations started Thursday. We met with B&S at The Cheesecake Factory for the first celebration of the weekend, it was lovely, then home for Harry Potter and bed.

Friday was low key… during the day. Ha ha. Pick up EJS from school, take her to karate, back home, then to school for the Winter Extravaganza, then to synagogue where EJS is in the junior choir, very cool. Home for Harry Potter and bed.

Saturday, yesterday, was ACS’ birthday. There was a knock on the door at 7:40am, it was GES, “I’m taking EJS to soccer, can you watch MGS so ACS can get some sleep?

EJS went off to soccer and ACS and MGS and I went to get breakfast at the local, wonderful bagel shop, then to a farm stand for fresh apple cider donuts and some other sweet delicacies. Hung out in the afternoon, then did some shopping because people were coming over for the game. Full house, lots of food, lots of shouting, the Pats won, go Pats!

After everyone left, babysitter came over and we went to a local Chinese restaurant which is also a local hangout for after the game, among other things, had a few drinks and appetizers, a few friends came by to visit and we watched all the people who were coming in after the game, it was ffffffrrrreeeezing! Cold enough just going from the car to the restaurant, imagine being at the game! No thanks! I’ll stick to the indoor stadium, thank you JFT! The kids were asleep when we got home, sigh.

Today started early again! About 9am, we went to a friend of EJS’ family for brunch and ice skating! Her family had installed a skating rink in their back yard! I wonder what’s going to happen at this house next winter! The kids loved it! I left a little early to go find a cake pan to make a football cake.

I went to Michael’s and found a cake pan to make dresses, kind of like a bow. I bought it and tried to decide if I wanted to bake two and make a full football, but I opted for a half cake and brownies. I even made goal posts and yard lines, too cool. It looked great! I’m sorry I didn’t take pictures, sorry.

In between baking with MGS, she went to swim lessons, then I took EJS to swim lessons, waited with MGS for a balloon, she wanted a bow and arrow, well, arlighty then! Bring MGS home, finish decorating the cake, get dressed and head out for the big birthday dinner with , well, almost everyone!

Dinner at a local Chinese restaurant with about 30 people, kids and adults, it was crazy and fun. Cake was a hit! A few hours later, it was home to get the kids to bed, GES and I walked down the street to KS and AS’ house to pay a call since KS’s dad passed last week, it was good to see her and see that she was alright.

Back to the house to put on jammies and then write to you! Tired yet?

PS Happy birthday to my friend CEN’s son O!

{January 4, 2015} It’s a snow day!

It was wonderful, I slept until about 10am this morning!

It might have something to do with skiing for about five hours, a two hour time share thing, then a three hour drive, which should have taken about an hour and a half, that was fun…then I hung with AM for a bit, wrote to you and then lights out! I think I was also before my head hit the pillow!

A little while after I got up, I got a text from AM about getting some lunch, we went to meet his cousin at Fire On The Mountain, a wing place that had seitan (vegan) wings for me, yummy. A very cool place.

We headed back to the house to hang with his wife, NM and their daughter ALM, what a cutie! We built a Lego stage and dressing room for “Stephanie” with a lot of Lego Movie references. After Legos we played Old Maid, a rough game!

Then we retired to the screening room to watch Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2, which I had not seen and I loved it!

Somewhere around dinner time, AM and I went to get food. Vegan Reubens for me and NM from Natural Foods. Y U M!! Even got a vegan carrot cake muffin.

Back to the house for dinner and the rest of the movie, loved!

After the movie, we headed over to the other house, hung out for a minute, then AM headed back to his house and I settled in to talk to you, watch some movies and get some rest.

It was a great day for that! I needed some as I am a bit tired from four days on the slopes!

Oh yeah..I did say it was a snow day!
It started snowing about noon and just stopped a little while ago. I think it must have snowd about 6 inches, could be more, could be less, I’m not going out there to measure! I know the picture is dark, but can you see the car in the driveway? It’s my rental and I parked it there yesterday.

Now, let’s see if my flight takes off tomorrow or I’m here another day or two.

{December 31, 2014} What a year it’s been.

It’s New Year’s Eve and what a year it’s been!

There have been a lot of changes, some good, some bad, but experiences nonetheless and like you, I have grown with each one. I would like to share some of the things that have happened to me this year.

I got a new job in February that I love. It gives me the opportunity to do two things I absolutely love: train on software applications and travel for work. I have been in multiple cities for this job, my friends on Facebook are trying to keep up! Someone asked me if I was traveling for work or did I win the lottery? My response “I love my job so much it feels a little like both!” This job not only allows me to travel to new locations for work, I get to travel to different locations on the weekends, it allows me to go to fun places to visit family and friends and do races in cool places. Aside from that perk, I am always learning new modules for the applications I teach, it helps build my skill set and makes me a better trainer.

I went to the Bar Mitzvah of one of my closest friends from high school. CS was pregnant at my wedding! Oh my! What an honor and treat to be a part of it!

You may or may not have guessed by my posts, that I am now single, DCM and I parted ways romantically, it was a mutual decision that was best for both of us. I hold no grudges or bear ill will towards him, we are still great friends and I am happy that he is happy with his life. I will always be thankful for our time together, our shared experiences and giving me something I never thought I would have, grandchildren!

Speaking of grandchildren… we have a new one! Baby W, DCM calls her Twig, too funny! She is a beautiful baby who I hope to meet one day. I got to see Baby A before the family moved to Texas, it was such a great visit, not only with Baby A, but his mommy, I felt really close to them both that day. Not to mention the fabulous mothers day gift I got!

I finally met LB’s sister, Baby L when I went to Las Vegas. LB was so excited to see me, she had me read the same book five times! I had the best visit with both wee tots and their mom, it felt good to talk to her one on one, so to speak.

I have gotten back in the dating world, gone out once or twice, but obviously nothing worth mentioning, but I have been enjoying life, who knows what next year holds!

I did a few races, 5k, 10k and mud runs, around the country, Disney, Atlanta, Colorado, Michigan and my second half marathon in Las Vegas. I drank some moonshine and Jameson! Ick but I did it!

As much traveling as I do, the one place I have never gone alone was overseas, so two months ago, I took myself to Ireland and it was feckin’ fantastic! I’m ready for more international travel!

I also had the fortune to visit friends and family around the country. I spent quite a bit of time in Atlanta with my favorite people and Miss A is walking! She is walking and running around like a champ! I had trouble keeping up with her a few times! Go Miss A!!! So very proud! You can only imagine how her mom, SDL feels!

As a result of being single, I got to spend more time with my sister’s family, I drove with two cats from Colorado to Kentucky to Boston, I know you’re jealous of that one! The girls get to experience unconditional love with the cats and even better, I have gotten closer with the girls they get so excited when I am there now, amazing!

I started skiing again after almost 20 years! I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but I loved it! I skied a little in the beginning of the year and now I am spending New Years at Breckenridge skiing!

A big thing that happened in 2014, I know I didn’t talk about it with you…my sister became a SURVIVOR!!! In October/November 2013, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and in November 2014, she got the all clear, so fantastic! 2014 was a really rough year for my family and we are so happy its over and looking forward to 2015

2015 will be a new year, duh. There will be so many new experiences to be had, projects, places to visit and work, nieces doing amazing things, I cannot wait to tell you all about them.

Along those lines, I have something that I will be sharing, medically speaking with you, I have shared with most of my friends, working through the list, and when I begin the process, there may be days I do not blog much, I hope I will at least be able to tell you what is going on.

Two years ago, January 6th, I rediscovered my blog, with the intention of posting every day and I did it and loved it. I feel lost if I don’t post and January 6th of last year, I decided to continue, guess what I’m going to do January 6, 2015!

You have all stuck with me throughout these last two years and I thank you! My blog has been viewed 4000 times THIS YEAR!!! O M G!!! THANK YOU! I will publish some stats in another post. I look forward to sharing the next year with you!

May 2015 bring you health, happiness and all the joy your hearts can handle!

Happy New Year!

thCHFBYUW9

{December 28, 2014} A visit and a Falcon’s game

Another long day, I know you’re shocked!

The day started way before my alarm, of course, but it gave me the time to spend time with KS’ cat, Miss Molly and talk to TS for a while, jumped in the shower, packed my stuff and headed out the door.

I went a whopping three minutes down the road to LGR’s house, we realized the last time we had dinner that she and her family lived so close to TS, very small world. I had not been to their house before, so her fabulous daughter, CGR, gave me the grand tour. I saw her fabulous room and playroom and her Frozen collection, very impressive, MGS would love it!

After the tour, we got in the car and headed to brunch, yum! We caught up, laughed, talked, swapped stories and realized we have known each other since 1995! Can you believe it? It was awesome to spend some time together and CGR. We headed back to the house and after a bit, I headed to the MARTA station to meet JT and his brother DT to go to the Falcon’s game.

We met at one station to ride together to the Georgia Dome. We went in, got drinks and found our seats and settled in for the game. Half time, we went in search of pretzels which we found along with funnel cake for DT. The seats are great and that was the best thing I could say about this game. We left during the third quarter along with almost everyone else in the stadium, that’s how bad the Carolina Panthers were beating them, so now, the Falcons are out. If they had won, they would have gone to the playoffs, oh well. I love going to the game every year, I really appreciate that they take me.

Back on MARTA and the car, hanging at ST’s tonight and then tomorrow off to Colorado.

Maybe I’ll take a nap tomorrow!

{December 27, 2014} Another fun filled and busy day!

Another fabulous day I had! Visits, laughs, movies, meals, fabulous!

The day started way too early for a Saturday, as my days often do, 8am, what is that about? The alarm was set for 10, but apparently I couldn’t wait to get up! I answered some emails, chilled out and then got ready to head out for the day. I drove to downtown Woodstock to meet KWH for brunch.

This was a treat, for both of us! We haven’t seen each other in over a year, her daughter Baby J was only a few weeks old and now, she’s running around, jumping and playing. She got to come out all by herself, which, as you know, when you have wee tots, you do not get to do very much of anything on your own. And the mutual treat, was seeing each other, as it seems to be about once a year, but it is always a quality visit. KWH and I used to work together, actually at the same company I met BG and TS, the world is very small.

After a good breakfast and great conversation, which of course includes laughs, silliness, hugs, deep thoughts, we walked a little, then went our separate ways. The funny thing is I saw TS tonight and she asked me a few questions about how certain things in KWH’s life were going and I had no idea! I realized that we talked for about three hours and covered a lot of ground, but there were things we just did not cover, and I looked at her and thought “What did we talk about?!” Too funny!

After brunch, I did a little window shopping and some actual shopping and part of next years Christmas shopping is done! Everything was half off, score!

Then off to BG’s house to say hello to his son, J and his parents, then the two of us went to the movies, saw ‘Night At The Museum’, which we both really liked. It was fun hanging out, watching a movie, it’s been a while since we did that. After the movie, we went back to his house for a few minutes and J got to brag about his mastery of the Monopoly board over his Grandmother, very cute. I hung out for a few more minutes and then it was time to go, J gave me a hug! That was great! Over the last two years he’s gotten to know me better and that has been a treat.

After I left, I headed to TS’ house to hang with TS and her daughter KS, so much fun! We exchanged gifts, both birthday and Christmas/Chanukah and then it was out the door, for dinner and a movie! We went to PF Chang’s and the wait was about an hour, so we drove around looking for another possible place, but ended up back where we started and the food was worth it, the service was passable, the noisy table next to us, ugh. When they left, the noise level in the entire restaurant went down by about 1000! Company makes up for so much!

Then it was to the movie theater to see Big Eyes and we were the only ones in the enter theater, we realized we did not have to whisper! That was a plus. The movie itself was good, a but depressing, but it was a true story and I had been wanting to see it and we all love Amy Adams. When the movie was over, not only were we the only three in the theater, itself, I think we may have been the only three in the entire building!

Back home for more chatting and catching up and the next thing we knew it was after 1am! Time really does fly when you are having fun!

Now, it is time for some sleep because tomorrow, I have, wait for it… another busy day!

And happy birthday to my dear friend, NM!

Goodnight!

{December 26, 2014} What a day!!!

You ready for today? It’s gonna be a long one! Get some coffee, no-doze, red bull, here we go!

The day started early, well not early like a work day, but 8am after falling asleep about 2:30/3am, that’s early when it’s not a work day. So, I got up about 8, said hello to the cat, hung with Miss A, then with Miss A and SDL while they had breakfast and prepped our breakfast, cinnamon rolls, yum!

DJL came downstairs and the three of us talked and laughed, as we always do and then the cinnamon rolls were done and it was time to munch on some sweet goodness and I believe the first time I have eaten an entire cinnamon roll.

After breakfast it was shower time, hanging out with Boogie Bear, SDL’s cat, who has no tail and from behind, looks like a bear, dress, pack, hugs and kisses and hit the road.

In the car, I headed to lunch with DL at Houston’s, if you remember, DL and I used to work together and she has become one of my closest friends who I love dearly and what a treat to get to sit with her and catch up. We talked about life, kids, grand kids, travel, romance, work, holidays, you name it, we talked about it, all in less than two hours, I was impressed! And thank you again, DL for treating me to lunch, I was very touched.

After lunch, I got back in the car and headed to Decatur to visit with another one of my besties, RJS, she’s been under the weather, so I visited her at home and it was such a great visit. We talked and laughed and caught up and talked about everything and nothing all in the same conversation. The cats came to visit, and I got love from one an typical cat disdain from the other, I was neither surprised or offended.

She was feeling up for a walk before I left, which was great, I could use a little movement and a walk would do her good. We walked towards the entrance and back to her house, then the other direction and back. It was so fantastic to see her! It’s been too long! We exchanged holiday gifts, and my gift was a fabulous pair of RJS original earrings, if I haven’t already told you, she is a master of glass, mostly jewelry and I have received a few pieces over the years and I love them!

After our walk, I changed shoes to a much warmer pair, ready to be outside for the evening and headed to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to meet CKM. We met, parked the cars and walked to the Garden to enjoy the lights spectacular. We put our names in at the restaurant, there was about an hour wait, gave them my phone number and off we went to admire the pretty lights.

They do a wonderful job a the gardens, all the wonderful lights, in the trees, on the lawns, water, orchid house, the bug and wildlife creations, all spectacular.

After a while, we headed to the café to see if our table was ready, after another 20 minutes we sat down to a rather disappointing experience. The food was pretty good, just overall, not thrilled, but the conversation was good and we had a good time.

After eating, we headed back out to walk around, went into the orchid house, enjoyed the “walk through the treetops” then headed back towards the cars, got our presents and headed to Starbucks for drinks and gifts!

We hadn’t stopped talking yet! We opened our gifts, love! Then as they were closing up, we headed to the parking lot and in typical fashion, we stood there and talked for another 45 minutes, of course.

Then we hugged goodbye, got in our cars and I headed to JT’s house to crash for the night, which is very good because my morning plans are near here.

Ok, so now it’s about one am and time to crash, another busy day ahead!

Good night!

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