Friends | Peaches Prattlings

{November 15, 2014} A wonderful visit!

Today was a great day!

I had lunch with CS, LB and I got to meet LB’s sister, my granddaughter, Baby L! What a doll baby! The last time I was in Las Vegas, she was “on the inside”! She was born a few days after we left, so this was my first meeting!

When they came to pick me up in the GINORMOUS pickup truck, LB was in the back seat smiling at me, ready to get some lunch. We went over to SLS, f/k/a Sahara hotel and went to a place called 800 Degrees Neopolitan Pizza. We ordered two pizzas, pepperoni for CS and the girls and a pesto, roasted garlic, eggplant and I have to tell you…fan-freaking-tastic!

The great thing was it didn’t take LB very long to warm up to me this time, she was excited to see me, held my hand, you know I love that. At one point, she said she was cold and I gave her my sweater, it was too funny as the sweater is pretty big on me, so you can imagine what it was on her! Then she was done sitting and came to crawl onto my lap and asked me to read her the boook I got for Baby L, Goodnight Colorado, I don’t know if you know the Goodnight Moon series, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodnight_Moon. As soon as I finished, “Read it again, JJ’ and again. Three times was it! After I finished reading, I got the best question “Are you coming to my house to play?” Big sigh. Was I happy? You bet your sweet bippie!!!

We had a great time talking. This was the first time I had the opportunity to have one on one time with CS and it was fantastic. It was fun to chat, catch up on family and day to day stuff, the future and all that’s happening in her life and the family, it felt great. Thank you, I’m looking foward to the next time.

After lunch it was time for dessert, we stopped for gelato, chocolate for LB and her sister and let me tell you, just like all wee tots, they wear it well!

Then it was time to go, CS had to go pick up Uncle Bubba from school and I had to get ready to volunteer for the 5k. “When we drive back to your hotel, would you sit in the back with me and Baby L?” Oh yes! Of course! You know how tickled I was! Sigh! I love that little bit!

When we got to the hotel, I gave everyone kisses and we agreed to FaceTime soon and hopefully see each other soon!

Think JJ had a smile on her face the rest of the night? You betchya!

{November 9, 2014} My weekend in Atlanta

I spent the weekend in Atlanta and now I want to tell you about it. Sit back, this might take a bit…

I already told you about my flight to Atlanta on Thursday, fun, but ended wonderfully. Friday I got up, had breakfast and got to work, had a few calls, then lunch, more work and then I went to the rental property management company office to pick up the key to my house. I then drove to the house only to be thwarted by two medium sized dogs barking at the door, so I messaged the property manager and told her that I would schedule a set time when I come back so they can put the dogs in the garage, oh well. I did get to talk to a neighbor for a bit, she told me the tenants are very nice and they are fitting in well in the neighborhood.

Off I went, back to TS’ house to get some more work done and then we went to a nice Medeterranian restaurant with SF, it was nice to catch up. The service was mediocre, every pot of tea was luke warm, but the food and the company were stellar, so the entire evening was a smashing success. That night, we watched The Call, which you probably read about the other night.

Saturday morning, we went to meet BG at Corner Bakery for breakfast. After breakfast, we went to a consignment shop so she could pick up some things she had there as well as money for stuff she sold, I got the cutest picture of a pair of Chuck Taylor’s, yeah, I know, like I need more stuff with no place to put it!

Then we went to the mall so I could pick up a few things from Victoria’s Secret and then back to my car, I headed out to see JCT and her family where her mom was doing a craft fair. After visiting with them for a bit, I headed to see SDL and Miss A!

We played and snuggled, and walked, what an amazing kid Miss A is! She is growing up so fast! And walking, wow!!! Eventually we went to get some dinner and her favorite Mexican restaurant, which I really enjoy, and I had been craving Mexican. We ate, talked, danced, walked, had a great time. Then back home for bath and bed.

This morning was breakfast and Skype time with SDL’s mom, MomMom, it was great to see her! After breakfast, I headed out to see KAB and baby A, who’s not such a baby anymore! It was so good to see my grandson! He’s one and a half and getting so big! W played and I got hugs and kisses, it was awesome! It was really good to catch up with KAB and J came home and we talked about the game.

I left there and headed downtown to Atlantic Station to do some retail therapy while I waited to meet CKM for dinner in Decatur. I bought a pair of boots and got some holiday shopping done!

Then I headed to The Brickstore Pub in Decatur and CKM showed up and we had a great dinner and caught up, so great to see her! It’s been too long! After dinner, we walked and talked and caught up some more, even better!

Now, I am chilling out, going to crash in a bit and head to Chicago in the morning. You tired after my weekend?

Goodnight!

{November 8, 2014} Just a few things…grrr

Sometimes things happen that annoy you, today there were several.

This morning, I went to breakfast with TS and BG. I looked at the picture on the board of a breakfast sandwich (egg, spinache, avocado panini) yum. (Middle bottom in the photo)

Do you have any fresh fruit? Nope, ok. What was that on the counter and listed on the board? Yup, fresh fruit.

Do you have decaf tea? No, we have sweet and unsweet tea.
My fault, do you have decaf hot tea? Yes, mint, chamomile and something else. Great, I’ll take mint.

When I get to the sugar station…chamomile tea. Good thing I like chamomile.

When it came out, not the same…A teeny sliver of avocado on one half, very little spinach, it wasn’t hot and the bread was way thin.

The sandwich was decent, the tea was tasty and the company…terrific! Saved breakfast.

After brunch, TS and I went to the consignment shop she had things at. I banged my knee twice on the same mirror that was on its side. A beautiful, etched mirror from the 30s with very ornate and sharp pointed things. Ouch! At least we had fun, that helped.

I needed some new skivvies so we went where they sell pretty things. Just so you know…Victoria has no more secrets…I had a few coupons and got what I wanted.

Walked to the counter…the coupon for this expired yesterday, it was only good yesterday from 10-12p. What? Don’t people have to work during the day? The coupon for that is only an online coupon. What? Pook

Go to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. What I want is cooked in water, great. Too salty and I sent it back, they kept it in the check, what? Whatever.

Those were some annoyances and grrr moments, but the day got better. Good company jeeps tremendously!

Breakfast with TS and BG. Then off to see JCT and her family. Her mom had a booth at a craft fair, saw the whole family.

Then on to see SDL and Miss A, the perfect end to my day, sigh.

So, we all deal with annoyances. It’s how you chose to handle them that counts. I smiled, now I’m telling you and it’s done.

Time for sleep, so much to do tomorrow! Goodnight!

{November 7, 2014} After being sick at work/Travel Day

This is a dual blog post because i want to talk about two things and it’s my post, so there you go.

So, as you know, I wasn’t feeling well this week and had to stay in bed yesterday. Since I am relatively new to the project, everyone knows who I am and yesterday, there was a big meeting and I was noticeably absent and this was the meeting where the project manager was supposed to introduce PM and I to the group, oh well. So…today, everyone wanted to know if I was feeling better, it was very nice, but a little weird. Even at the airport, when I landed in Atlanta, I saw some of my teammates and they were asking. So nice, but weird. It was definitely appreciated, but at the same time, not the kind of attention I want and how much information do you give? Ramble over.

As for traveling…I left some perishables with the hotel until Monday, I didn’t feel like traveling with them, so that was good. I got an text that my 4:50pm flight was delayed until 5:36pm, go figure, apparently due to high wind, it finally started getting cold in Chicago. Then I have no seat, I will get that at the gate. When I get to the Delta counter, wait with everyone else to drop my bag, about 30 minutes, great…then going through security, TSA pre-check, but a random check, really?

Get to the gate, there was an announcement that there was a gate change, go to the new gate with everyone else, it’s for an earlier flight than ours, how could a flight leave before it was supposed to when it was delayed. Then go back to the original gate and wait with everyone else, finally getting in line because the one woman at the counter said it would be a while, they were still working on the flight that just left.

Got on the plane and waited and waited and waited. Finally took off, as soon as we land, EVERYONE [well, almost everyone] gets up, like that’s going to help. Finally get off the plane, get my bag, break a nail getting the bag off the conveyor belt, what? And lost a charm off the bracelet I got in Ireland, pook. Did meet a nice guy that works for Deloitte as well, he overheard me speaking with someone about what I did. We are both working for the same partner on different projects.

Get my car, which is an Impala, or land yacht as I like to call it. It’s clean, good stereo and rides smoothly. I make it to TS’ house and it’s a wonderful reunion, she feeds me home made veggie soup and is so wonderful because she is a meat eater and used to flavoring with meat, but accommodated me and it was heavenly. I am not eating very much at the moment. There was salad and her mom’s home made pickles. I was in heaven. A wonderful end to a long day.

Goodnight my friends!

{November 5, 2014} Being sick in a hotel…

Is no fun at all!

As my friend ST said, it makes you feel a little more alone. There’s no one checking on you, in person, i had lots of people check on me via text, thank you! No one checking to see if you want or need anything, no one to pat your back and tell you you’re going to be alright. Ok, I know I sound whiney, I’m sick, you’ll get over it!

You know one of the things I like, well, like might not be the right word, but when I’m home and sick, my cats are with me and never leave my side, that is incredibly comforting.It’s their way of taking care of their mommy.

Last night I slept pretty hard, woke up a few times and finally about 7, I woke up, messaged my co-worker and manger telling them I wouldn’t make it in to work today and went back to sleep, or tried to. I spent the rest of the day dozing, the only time I got out of bed was to go to the bathroom and twice I thought a shower would help, it did, the first time was just to stand under the warm water, the second was an actual shower, with soap and shampoo! I felt like a human being again, mostly. And the second time, I put on fresh jammies, that always helps!

I went to sleep achy and woke up that way, not really able to move, but progressively during the day felt a little better and the achy feeling is moving down my body, so that’s better. About 3pm, I messaged my manager to tell him I was upright and see if there was anything he needed me to work on, I could be slightly productive.

The good news is…I talked to GES and everyone is fine at their house! Dad, not so much, but it will run it’s course so I am hopeful for tomorrow!

Thanks for all the good vibes and wishes and I wish you never, ever experience this and if you do…I hope it’s at home where someone will tell you everything will be alright!

{November 1, 2014} Post Halloween – No rest for the tricked or treated!

The day started WAY too early! Especially after GES and I were up all night talking about Christmas movies!

EJS decided she was going to wake me and try to scare me with her orange vampire teeth…eeek! Then it was up for the last soccer game of the season, or so we thought, next week there is a make-up game. The game continued, even after the freezing rain started and I must tell you that EJS is a beast on the field! So very proud of her!

On the way home, stop at the local farmers market for treats! Apple cider donuts, scones and bagels, yum! One donut on the way home of course! At home, get ready for play date number one. Then JS and AS show up to hang out and after a while, dad and I head out to Walmart, I need some tubs for my stuff.

Back home, I drop dad and the stuff, realize I forgot something and headed out and found GES, not that she was lost or anything, but the day after Halloween is a must to shop for deeply discounted stuff for next Halloween, of course! I got home and DB was there with her two adorable kids, N and Baby A, what a couple of doll babies. You know Auntie J loves to play with the babies! This was also play date number two for the day.

JS and ACS came home while we were all visiting and eventually DB and the kids left, then it was time for GES and ACS to get ready for their night out to dinner with friends. About 6:30, it was egg and cheese sandwiches on english muffins for everyone left at home while watching futball and How to Train Your Dragon 2. After the movie it was time for books and bed, there were wee tots ready for sleep!

Lots of laughter of course, especially when I was helping MGS get into her pj’s and she ended up with both legs in one! That resulted in uproarious fits of laughter. And again, EJS was so generous when MGS couldn’t find her “lovey” [something they each have in different colors that they sleep with] and EJS said “That’s ok, I always have a spare!’ What a good big sister!

Eventually the kids were asleep and dad and I hung on the sofa watching bad tv mingled with some sports while I nodded off here and there, thinking about sleeping. After the parents got home, everyone went to bed and guess who “woke up”! Laundry, packing, clearing off the bed. And here it is almost 1am and I’m still talking to you! I am beat!!!

When do we set the clocks back?

Good night!

{October 31, 2014} Happy Halloween!

Oh how I wish I could show you pictures of my fantastically adorable family!

Halloween is such a great day, so much fun! Steeped in a long great history, mystery, fright, fun, color, pumpkins, candy, treat, tricks, costumes, legends, ghost stories, tradition.

If you were raised in the north, do you remember trick-or-treating when it was freezing out and you wore your costume over your snow suit, that plastic outfit and the hard plastic mask that had two small eye holes and teeny nose holes, you couldn’t see or barely breath, but you were so stoked to get the costume, you tried to sleep in it?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jacqueline-wilson/halloween-for-kids-in-the-70s-vs-halloween-today_b_5932076.html

I have always loved Halloween, it’s so much fun. When I was with the wasband, even before we got married, we loved to celebrate Halloween. We used to throw the biggest Halloween parties, decorated the house BIG time! There were some kids who didn’t even want to come up the path! It was awesome. Needless to say, love Halloween.

I even sent a note to the tenants renting my house telling them what Halloween was like in my neighborhood, crazy amounts of kids, love it! Need lots of candy!

This was the first year I got to spend Halloween in Boston with my family and it was terrific! One of the joys I have is that I am the Halloween Costume Fairy! I get to get the costumes for EJS, MGS, Miss A, Baby A [I won’t be able to call him that much longer!], LB and her baby sister, L, how lucky am I. And…this year, I even got to buy a costume for my sister!

Miss A was Dorothy and SDL made her wheelchair look like a tornado with the house on top! LB wanted the family to go as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Baby A was Harry Potter! What a bunch of cuties! Want to get on Auntie J/G/JJ’s Halloween Costume Train, you let me know!

So…I asked what the girls wanted to be for Halloween and MGS says she wants to be Elsa from Frozen, EJS wanted to be Olaf, go figure! ACS was going to be Sven, the reindeer and GES was Anna, she had to have a costume. What a great looking family!

Dad picked up EJS early from school and then we took her to karate, a yellow belt needs her practice! Then we picked up pizzas on the way home and waited for everyone to show up. And by everyone, I mean several of the usual cast of fabulous characters! We ate, laughed, light the Shabbat candles, did the blessings over the candles, challah and wine. It’s nice to be with family at this time.

Then it was time for everyone to put on their costumes, if they hadn’t already, and what a sight to see! We had the cast from Frozen, The Incredibles family, a cat, a clown and S&A were a T-Bird and Pink Lady, awesome!

It was time to get out there and go door to door and trick-or-treat! The girls, as they’ve gotten older now go up and down the block and then around the block, so we kind of split off, EJS and I with HS, her dad and PK went to the right and everyone else went to the left.

It was nice walking with the kids trick-or-treating, meeting other families, kids in adorable costumes, so many people said to EJS when she went by “Hi Olaf!” Too funny!

I have tell you about something EJS did and I was so proud of her! A lot of the houses, just like this one, who have younger kids and go out trick-or-treating earlier, will leave out bowls of food, some with a note, some not “Please be courteous and leave candy for other kids”. I’ve never seen that, but so many houses did that and these kids were very respectful and only took a piece or two, didn’t go crazy.

So…my niece…there was a house that had a sign and a bowl and the bowl was empty, what did EJS do? She added a few pieces of candy to the bowl! Is that the most awesome thing you’ve ever heard of? So very proud was I and of course, the family when i told them.

Then it was back to the house to check out the stash, it was great, GES was trying to get through on the walkie talkie and EJS said “Are you done?” GES asked “Are you reviewing your stash?” “Yes” “Oh, ok, got it!”

Then eventually, everyone was back at the house for some snacks and of course, some candy! Reviewing the day, playtime and then off to bed!

Now, it’s about 2am and GES and I have been sitting on the couch watching shows on DVR and now Christmas movies! And reminiscing about all the Christmas movies we love, especially the Hallmark ones, we are addicted! OMG!

What a day it was!I am so excited that I was here to see the costumes in person and go trick-or-treating! It felt good when the girls asked me a few weeks ago if I would be here for Halloween and I could say yes. Here I am!

Happy Happy Halloween! Boo!

{October 26, 2014} I have a good life and I know it.

I really do know it.

I have family and friends who care about and love me, two furry babies who love when I come home, at least I think they do, they come to say hello eventually! I have a great job that affords me the ability to travel and be there for my family when I need to be and sometimes just when I want to [which sometimes is the same thing, hugs are a great healer] and just spend time with them.

That great job also allows me to travel to different locations so that I don’t always have to go to the same place every weekend, which allows me to travel to do a race if I want! I even get points from travel [hotel, car, flights] allowing me to stay for free or reduced rates.

For example…this weekend I am in Denver and I just completed the Blacklight 5k, more like 3.47, which I did in 45.50, a new record for me! I am a little stoked. Crazy thing…I started my day last Saturday doing a race at a horse track in Ireland and I ended my Saturday today doing a race at an auto track. Crazy!

I could wax prolific all day, but I just wanted to tell you how lucky I am and I know it!

{October 4, 2014} Services, cooking, break the fast, lots of people

Yesterday, I told you what Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, is about and today, we observed.

As I mentioned, we fast for 24 hours, sundown to sundown, some people don’t and it’s not mandatory, but requested. Kids don’t have to fast until they become bar or bat mitzvah age, then they are adults and kind of expected, but it is a personal choice that you make for yourself.

Today we got up and went to children’s services at a different location. The services are a little shorter and more kid friendly, lots of singing, but with a more modern, folk-songy twist, which I like. The sermon that the rabbi gives was great and geared towards kids and parents alike. The services lasted about 1.5 hours, then we went back to the house to start cooking for all the people coming to break the fast, and let me tell you, it’s not easy to cook when you’re hungry!

There were about 40 people coming, kids and adults and we had to feed them all! Everyone brought something to share, but we provided the bagels, lox, cream cheese, as well as egg salad, tuna fish, challah hummus, salad, juice and coffee and monkey bread for dessert. Then people brought a few different koogle, blintz souffle, fruit salad, cheesecake, pumpkin bread, cookies, bars, you name it, we had it!

We started cooking about 12, set up around 3 and then people started arriving about 5 and we dug in about 5:30 and the feast was on! Everyone was so very hungry and it was wonderful to be able to break the fast with so many wonderful people of all ages! The last person left about 8:30 and we were pooped! It was bath, books, bed. Guess who fell asleep after reading to EMS while laying there with her!

Got up, kissed MGS, then went downstairs to hang with GES on the couch for a minute and fell asleep there, now here I am writing to you! It has been a very long day and I need some sleep, I have a 5k in the morning!

Again, I wish you a happy, healthy and sweet year. L’Shana Tova!

Positivity Challenge – Day #18
1 – I am grateful to get to be around wonderful friends and family to break the fast today.
2 – I am grateful that I may have found someone to take the piano i have to get out of my house!
3 – I am thankful that my sister, GES, and I get along so well and make amazing things happen together

{October 3, 2014} May you have an easy fast

Tonight was the beginning of Yom Kippur or The Day of Atonement.

This is the most holy day of the year for Jews, part of “The High Holy Days” beginning with Rosh Hashanah, The Jewish New Year. For Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, we ask g-d to forgive our sins and we ask our friends and loved ones to forgive us for any transgressions we may have had against them.

For a period of 24 hours, we fast, no food or water, so that we may concentrate on our studies and prayers to ask g-d for forgiveness and to inscribe us in The Book of Life. For Rosh Hashanah, we say “May you have a healthy, happy and sweet year’, for Yom Kippur we wish everyone to “Have an easy fast”.

So, my friends, as i sit here writing to you, If I have wronged you in any way in this past year, I apologize and ask for forgiveness.

For my friends who are fasting, I say to you “Happy New Year and may you have an easy fast”

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

Positivity Challenge – Day #17
1 – I am thankful that I got to sleep until 8:30am this morning, waking before the alarm!
2 – I am thankful to have made it through another year
3 – I am thankful that my cats want to snuggle with me every night!

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