What I love! | Peaches Prattlings

{December 25, 2014} Merry Christmas!

To all my friends and family who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas!

All I keep hearing in my head right now is the line from Trading Places “Merry New Year!” Some will get it, some won’t! But I digress, I know you’re shocked!

Today was a great day, it started at JT’s house, well, next door at his parents house where his dad made breakfast and it was yummy! Thank you T! The best part was it was just JT, his brother, mom, dad and me, well, and the dogs, of course. It was fun sitting with them, talking, joking, talking about last night’s festivities and excitement but then, I got to watch them open their gifts and enjoy every moment with each other, that is a very private family moment and I appreciate being invited to be a part of it. All of this while A Christmas Story was on in the background.

After a great breakfast and a rousing game of backgammon with JT’s dad, which reminded me of playing backgammon with my dad, for hours and I won this game, by the way! I headed to SDL’s house for the annual Christmas Day festivities!

I called on my way and SDL and her sister DJL and of course, Miss A were Skyping with their parents, Momom and Popup, I’m sorry I missed them. I headed to the house, went in and started playing with Miss A, who was monopolizing Aunt F’s attention! Then SDL came down from freshening up and we started cooking.

A great amount of food [we went shopping yesterday] two types of pasta, pesto, meat sauce, steamed veggies [carrots, zucchini, squash, spinach, Brussels sprouts and broccoli, guess who was really happy!] bread and salad. Think we had enough for three adults and one child? You betcha!

All this while listening to Christmas music and really listening for certain songs. You know, like “Baby it’s cold outside” or Porky Pig’s rendition of “Blue Christmas” or Alvin and the Chipmunks “All I want for Christmas” or The Waitresses.

We ate, talked, laughed, told stories about celebrating the holidays, crazy families, you know, the usual. It was great fun and after lunch, we went into the den to hang out, watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and open presents. I got a fabulous hand made magnet, in the shape of a deridel from Miss A, LOVE! And DJL and I opened our calendars at the same time! My other favorite! I look forward to those calendars!

After presents, there was A Christmas Story, I guess I was making my own marathon! Then after bath and brushing of the long beautiful hair, it was time to watch Home Alone, I think we had a god Christmas viewing lineup. We watched movies, lounged in the hose doing not much else.

And now, my friends, I am going to turn into a pumpkin, if I don’t turn this place over.

Merry Christmas… and to all, a good night!

{December 24, 2014} Happy Christmas Eve

Is that what you say for Christmas Eve?
Or is it just Merry Christmas? Either way… Happy whatever!

Tonight I participated in one of my favorite traditions… spending Christmas Eve with JT and his family. I started spending Christmas Eve with them after my divorce, so it’s been six years, I can’t believe it!

It’s been so great to celebrate with them over the years. They are loud and crazy and from the northeast, could be part of why we get along so well.

I think I told you about going shopping with JT, or annual tradition, well, normally, I go over early to wrap gifts, but last night I decided to wrap everything at SDL’s, made it much easier today, I showed up good to go.

There are always a lot of people and food, seems like a good combination to me.

Normally, we eat and then open gifts, this year was little different as some people were going to have to leave early, this year it was presnts, break for dinner, presents. All the names were in a Santa hat, the first name came out of the bag and we were off.

The gifts were great, people really think about what to get each other, one of the reasons I love going shopping with JT.

Thank you go the family who have taken me in as one of their own, I love you all!

Happy Christmas Eve

{December 23, 2014} Moving a piano

Today, I finally got the piano out of my house! The renters are so pleased!

When I moved out of the house completely last July, I still had the piano there, I wasn’t taking it with me and it would not fit in the storage unit and I really wanted to find it a new home.

Do you know the expression “Out of sight, out of mind?” Well, that’s what it was like for a while. I was hot to find a taker, then I would forget and then I would suddenly remember, go into panic mode and look for a taker.

I had a taker, a friend of my cousin’s, but then it fell through and recently, I mentioned it to ST and he said I’ll take it!

So… this morning, another friend met us and we went to my house to meet PK, who had a trailer do an inspection and get the piano out.

It took about an hour for the whole process, I rode back with PK, J rode back with ST and we brought the piano to ST’s house, unloaded it, just before the rain started to pour down!

ST’s son is over the moon excited about the idea of the piano, he is loving the guitar and now, after the piano is tuned, and it needs to be, he is going to start playing and I cannot wait for my first concert!

The piano is out, the house looks great, the tenants are happy and so am I! Thank you ST, PK and J!

{December 22, 2014} Old friends…what a night!

Such a great time tonight!

Tonight I had the best time!! After a great day! (Tell you about my day another day)

I headed to ST’s house and then we headed out to The Roswell Tap, http://www.theroswelltap.com, to meet PK, also known as FB to me and what a time it was!

I’ve known PK since about 1996 when the wasband did lights and sounds for PK’s fraternity cover band. I used to travel with them to gigs on the weekends.

In 1999, I went to work for the same company that PK worked for. Now you’re going to find out how small the world really is.

I kept in touch with PK even after the divorce, and one day we were having lunch and I said I was looking for a job and he connected me with the company he worked for.

On that project, I met ST, who was at that company because of PK. ST had known PK when he sold equipment to the company we worked for in 1999.

The crazy thing is that I started working with ST on a project in 2009, shortly after he did and he was there because of PK.

So…I have stayed friends with both guys and I am so thankful for it! I have seen both of them individually and we talk about the other, but this was the first time all the of us were together in years and let me tell you…If I haven’t already said it, awesome!

ST didn’t tell PK I was coming, but as soon as he saw a short chick walking with ST, he knew it was me and he lot up!

We had dinner and drinks (well they drank, I had hot tea and water, I know, crazy, right?) And we laughed for a few hours, I almost peed in my pants we were laughing so hard!

What a great night! Thanks guys! I’m ready for the next time!

{December 20, 2014} Annie

Today, Papa, Lala, EJS, MGS and I went to see Annie and we all liked it!

The movie stars Jamie Fox as Will Stacks, the multi billionaire running for mayor who, after saving Annie, played by Quvenzhané Wallis, from getting hit by a car, invites her to stay with him because it will look good politically. Quvenzhané Wallis is a very cute and talented little girl.

There is a pretty good supporting cast, Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan, Rose Byrne as Grace, Mr Stacks assistant and unspoken love interest, both ways, just in case you didn’t know, but this is a Disney movie after all! Bobby Carnivale plays Guy, the weasely PR guy.

The movie opens in a classroom and there is a red headed girl giving a presentation to the class, who ends with a song and dance and guess what her name was… yup, you guessed it, Annie. It was a cute play on the story and then we meet the ‘real’ Annie.

The movie is definitely an updated version of the original that was released in 1982. There were some songs that were the same, well, were in the movie..’The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow’ and ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’ were two of them, then they took some of the songs and updated them and then added a few.

As it is a musical, you know they launched into a song and dance number every chance they got and some were great, some weren’t and I must admit, the last song and dance number was kind of lame. Even though Quvenzhané was great and I love Jamie Fox, lame.

All in all, I thought it was a good movie, some very funny scenes and made me nostalgic to watch the original, which happened to be on TV tonight! It was fun for all ages, go and take the kids!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1823664/?ref_=nv_sr_1

{December 19, 2014} An amazing greeting!

Yesterday was travel day and I was coming to Boston for the weekend, as my sister calls it, my northeast connection while I am on the road, it always feels like coming home.

So…as it was a travel day, it was a long one, but I was ready to get back and see my family, especially EJS and MGS and let me tell you, it was AWESOME when I did!!!

I got out of the taxi, got my things and headed up the path, up the steps and knocked on the door. What happened next, I could not have planned and it any better! I so wish I had had a camera to record it!

I could see the girls in the window looking at the candles on the menorah, I thought they would have seen me, but they hadn’t, so I knocked on the door and when they opened it, their faces lit up and in unison they screamed “AUNTIE!!!!!” and then it was attack of the little people and it was wonderful!!!

I walked in, each girl took a bag and then I got individual hugs, told “I love you” whispered in my ear, then telling me about the presents they got…so much excitement.

I will be reliving that moment over and over and over, it was so amazing!!!

AUNTIE!!!

{December 18, 2014} Happy 10th Anniversary

Ten years! My sister has been married ten years!

Ten years ago my sister said “I do” to her bashert and it has been a long, winding, beautiful road. Bashert is a Yiddish term with several meanings, but traditionally used to mean soul mate. The wasband used to say basherbert, always made me laugh!

They met at a ski house they both had time in, one thing led to another and just about a year later, the question was popped on the top of a mountain and about a year later, ten years ago today to be exact, Mr & Mrs. The day before manis and pedis with mom, earlier in the day hair and makeup and then off to Manhattan for the big event.

Lots of friends and family were there for the wonderful occasion. As matron of honor, I gave a speech, there was laughter, there were tears, this was my baby sister getting married! I closed by telling ACS to stay out of my chair! [inside joke]. My dad, the father of the bride, gave a great speech and as agreed… if the Red Sox lost the World Series, he would give his speech wearing a Sox cap and he did. That was big!

Growing up in NYC we are Yankees fans, I am not a baseball fan, but I like my teams. And as I just mentioned not being much of a baseball fan, I didn’t know about the rivalry between the Sox and the Yankees until they started dating, and the teasing has continued to this day.

Their life was good, but not quite complete and then three years later…EJS was born and three years later MGS and now… complete and perfect.

Here we are ten years later and their bond is stronger than ever, the family is wonderful and I am so thrilled I could be there for the wedding and here tonight on their tenth wedding anniversary.

I wish you all the best for ten, twenty, thirty, fourth, fifty more years! I love you both!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shidduch#Bashert

{December 18, 2014} Team Holiday Party

Tonight was the team holiday party for the project I am on.

We went to Pinstripes, http://pinstripes.com/, an upscale place for food, fun, bowling and bocce! When I saw the indoor bocce fields/lanes/pitch/whatever, I thought about my favorite family in Wisconsin, JS, his wife, TS and their girls M&M, love that family!

We had a nice dinner and after dinner, Santa showed up to give us presents! The team members who had family events, babies, weddings got a little something extra, for the rest of us, we got Starbucks coffee mugs and slipper socks, a can koozie and some candy, how nice is that! [sorry, I forgot to take a picture and it’s already packed].

After dinner, we all headed to the bowling area, put on our shoes, check out my socks! and divided into teams on 4 lanes and bowl we did! There was a prize for the highest individual score and one for the lowest individual score, want to guess who won for lowest personal score? The prize: An elf on the shelf and a Kenny G CD of Christmas Favorites! Score!

We had a good time, some good laughs and then it was time to get to the hotel and pack and talk to you.

Happy second night of Chanukah!

{December 16, 2014} Happy Chanukah

Tonight is the first night of Chanukah, Happy Chanukah.

I know we have talked about this before, but here we are, it is the first night of Chanukah and I want to share some things.

As you know, or may not know… Chanukah or as some spell it Hanukkah, really a personal preference, is referred to as The Festival of Lights. The abridged version is that when the temple was destroyed and the Jews went in to rebuild it, they found enough oil to light the lamps for one night and lo and behold, a miracle, the oil lasted for eight nights!

That is the reason we celebrate for eight nights and certain foods we fry in oil, like potatoes which give us yummy potato latkes or pancakes and donuts, filled with jam, for a sweet year. I don’t know if you remember last year, the first night of Chanukah was also Thanksgiving, so we themed a lot of the foods around both holidays, so much fun to share the experience with friends and family.

We play games, like deridel, a spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side telling you if you get half, have to give some, get nothing or get the entire pot! You could play with peanuts, pretzels, real coins or the traditional Chanukah gelt, chocolate coins. There is a great song to go along with the game, you may have heard it, ‘Deridel, Deridel, Dreidel’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKreDYVWark. Be warned, the game can get heated!

There are some great songs associated with Chanukah, such as ‘Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah”, this one performed by Bare Naked Ladies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLqG3BqMC8E

And I am sure you remember Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5Z-HpHH9g, this is a great song that makes me laugh when I hear it!

Traditionally, we give gifts to friends and family and it is one gift per night. I always found it funny that there were kids when I was younger who celebrated Christmas thought I had it better because I had eight nights of gifts, I would tell them we probably get the same number of gifts, its just that we open one per night. In my family growing up, we would have one big family gift, like tickets to the Nutcracker at Rockefeller Center or one year, a Commodore 64! We were styling! And then little gifts for the other nights.

The games, gifts, food are all good, but it is the meaning of the holiday and how we celebrate and hold it near to our hearts. We gather together over a menorah, maybe some of us have more than one…I have quite the collection that my family has given me over the years [and I wish I could find the pictures right now!] and I treasure each one, and each night, we light the shamans, that is the candle that is set apart, maybe above, to the side, but it is the candle we light, say the blessing and then use to light the other candles.

I love when I have friends with me to share the experience, I say the prayer and some choose to do it with me. When my kids were younger, they loved helping to light the menorah and say the blessing. And…I have so many menorah that sometimes, people get their own!

One of my favorite memories from childhood, aside from lighting the menorah, playing deridel and my mother’s amazing potato latkes, which were fun to introduce to new people celebrating with us, was the stories that she would read every night. I wish I could remember the name of the book, but every night, she would pick one of the eight stories and read to us, it didn’t matter how old we got, she would still read a story to us every night of Chanukah, I think there was even a year that she read them over the phone, I miss that.

Tonight, I got a call at dinner from my sister, and when I said hello, EJS said Hi! Well, hello there, how are you? Happy Chanukah! Thank you for my science experiment, I cant wait to do it with you this weekend! Wait until she gets the rest of what I got her!

The Festival of Lights truly is a miracle , in so many ways. What it says to and about us as a people and what ir represents and how we are keeping those traditions alive!

Some people don’t know anyone who is Jewish or maybe you were the first they met, which is the case for me often. Someone, a dear friend, from collage posted this on my wall tonight:

Very happy Hanukkah to all my Hebrews and Shebrews! I have some amazing Jewish folks in my life but, let’s face it, you never forget your first. Sending love from long ago!

Happy Chanukah or Hanukkah to one and all! May it be sweet and bright!

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

{December 14, 2014} Holiday Movies

How much do you love holiday movies?

Do you start watching them around Thanksgiving? Sooner? All year long?

There is the Hallmark Channel, famous for their holiday movies, even Lifetime Movie Network, Netflix has them all year long and there are times, admittedly, even in the summer, I am feeling the need for some holiday cheer and will put on a holiday movie and feel a chill in the air and the proverbial holiday spirit, lifts my spirits right up!

Unfortunately, most of these movies are horrible and have a very similar theme…broken hearts, boy meeting girl, girl or boy already involved with someone but there is always someone better…someone gets hit on the head and ends up in an alternate universe and when they come back to their original self realizing what they really want and end up where they were supposed to be. Maybe it’s a Groundhog Day type of movie, repeating the same day over and over until they get it right.

My sister and I are addicted to these things, no matter how bad they are, written, acted or whatever the case may be, we still love them, she DVRs them and sometimes, watch them over and over and sometimes…once is enough and delete. We like to sneak in a holiday movie in here and there, EJS and GES will watch with us sometimes, but most of the time, GES and I sneak in some time and even stay up late watching them.

I’d write you a list, but I don’t think I have enough time or space!

Guess what we’re doing right now as I write to you?

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