What I love! | Peaches Prattlings

{November 20, 2014} Don’t gooooooooo

This was the cry from EJS when I was leaving with GES to go to girls night.

What a feeling! “You’re not going are you?” “Yes I am, I’m going with mommy” “But you’re coming right back, right?” “Eventually” “Awe…bbbbuuuttt…” from her sister “I’ll miss you”. And down the stairs we went after kissing the girls goodnight.

At the bottom of the steps, we look up and they are starting to creep, with these sad looks on their faces, down the stairs, GES turns to me and says, this is not for me. Awe, they want me to stay! They’re sad I’m going out for the night! I’m in!

And I have had a giant smile on my face ever since!

{November 19, 2014} Willie Wonka…my issue with Grandpa Joe

I may have blogged about this before, but it’s my blog, so I’m going to do it again!

EJS is reading Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in school and she wanted to watch the movie because a bunch of her classmates have already seen it.

We started watching last night and watched up to Charlie finding the ticket. Tonight we started watching when Charlie asks Grandpa Joe to go with him.

Here is my issue with this scene and Grandpa Joe. Grandpa Joe has been bed ridden along with Grandma Josephine, Grandpa George and Grandma Georgina for 20 years.

First of all, his legs should have atrophied after being in the bed that long and now all of a sudden, he can dance & do the two-step?

Second, he’s been in that bed for 20 years and Charlie’s mom is the one who works, takes care of the bills and the family and doesn’t want to take mom?

Where is the loyalty Charlie?

http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0067992/

{November 17, 2014} Volunteering and a Half Marathon!

What a weekend! After I tell you about it, you will understand why I was so tired last night!

I told you about my fabulous lunch on Saturday, then when I got back to the hotel, I changed into something a little warmer and better footwear, then headed back out to the SLS parking lot to volunteer for the Rock-n-Roll 5k.

We had to be there at 4:15pm, the race started at 6pm. Have you ever wondered how the medals at races got set up? The water, bananas, etc? Yup, volunteers. We started by taking the medals out of the individual plastic baggies, bunched them by 25 and then got our assignments for the run.
Another volunteer and I were slotted to give the first, second and third place men’s and women’s awards out aren’t they cool?

I was going to participate in the 5k, but I missed the cut off. There was a special medal, of course, if you did both races. And of course, a different shirt for each race. (Have you met me?)

About six we were told to get ready because in about ten minutes or so, he first runner would be coming through. Ten? Yup, ten to twelve minutes is about right for a 5k, if you are one of those really fast runners! Here they come!

It was a fun experience, there were about 5k for the 5k (tee her hee). After we gave out the awards, we started giving out waters. Technically people were supposed to keep going and get water a little farther up, with their medals, but apparently that wasn’t good enough, so we started giving out water. Most people were nice, some were not, it takes all kinds. Most people said thank you and one person said “Thank you for volunteering”, like I do, it makes you feel good!

The only part I didn’t care for was standing around, I don’t do well standing still and my feet don’t like it, but other than that, it was fun and exciting and rewarding. I went back to the hotel and thought I would get some sleep, ha ha.

The next morning, after about six hours of sleep, I went to have brunch with SF, a friend who grew up with my mom, she is CFL’s mom, who I had dinner with Friday night. It was SF, CFL, her husband and their two kids, we had a great time and a good breakfast.

After breakfast, back to the house for a minute, then SF drove me out to see Red Rocks, I had never been before, it was amazing and fascinating and bizarre, so cool! Then we drove the park, no hiking for me yesterday, I had a race later, headed back to the house for a bit, then SF drove me to the hotel, or tried to.

I had wanted to go to the hotel about 4 so I could rest, maybe take a nap. We got near the hotel and all the streets were blocked off, so she dropped me about half a mile from the hotel and I walked. I get to the hotel to check some stuff and sit down and I realize that the run started at 4:30! What?

My Swiss cheese brain, in typical JJ fashion, thought the run started at 6, like the 5k, not so! So I changed as quickly as I could and ran out the door! I wasn’t terribly worried, my corral was 46! I knew I would have some time. I ran to the monorail, talked to a few people who were staring at me then ran the almost one mile from the monorail to the start and they were only up to corral 36! Phew!

About 5:15 we started and we were off! We ran down the strip past McCarren Airport, the executive side, private planes and helicopters and all to just past the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign! Then back down the strip, very surreal to be running down the strip, let alone just walking down the strip! No cars!

We continued all the way down the strip and could see runners on the other side finishing. We went past all the hotels, down towards my hotel, which I can tell you is about six miles from the airport! Past the nicer hotels, down towards the 39.99 per night, or could be per month, hotels, past all the wedding chapels, I think I saw Elvis!

I ran the first 3.5-4 miles and then I was kind of done running, I haven’t trained and I was fighting a cold, I’m ok with it though. We continued past the Pawn Stars shop, people stopped to take pictures, I did too, GES and ACS like it, so snap, snap. Down to old Las Vegas, parts of it were weird, we went through what we thought was a residential area, but it was a bunch of law firms, The Freemont Street Experience and then back onto the strip.

I have tricks to tell myself where I am and to motivate me to keep going. 3.1 miles, I just did a 5k, 4.5 miles, 1/3 done, stuff like that. When I got to mile 8, I got a bit of a second wind, then ten miles, “only three to go, you got this”.

Let me tell you…the last two miles were hard as hell! Then it was down to one mile, oh my gawd, I can do this, just 1.10 and let me tell you, all those shirts are right, I have always said it, that last .10 is brutal! I can do it, I can do it!

I finally crossed the finish line! I got my medal and foil blanket! I accomplished my two goals…FINISH AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE BEHIND ME. I did it!

My final time was 3:40:24. I was hoping to beat my first half marathon time, 3:21:21, but I am thrilled with what I accomplished! I finished a half marathon people! 13.1 miles! ‘That’s because I’m only half crazy!’

I got my banana, water, protein bar, foil blanket and headed to the monorail. The only bad part was it was at least a quarter or more miles to get out of the race area, then it was about half a mile to the monorail, let’s just say my body didn’t like me last night.

I can officially attest, it does get cold in Las Vegas! It was about 70 most of the weekend, then yesterday, got down to about 40, maybe less, but it was windy. I wore the new shirt and Capri pants with the sleeves and my black running shirt over it, I also had gloves and I’m glad I did! At one point, I took the black shirt off and a few times, the gloves, but I was glad to have them!

After the monorail, I got to the hotel, stood under a hot shower for about 20 minutes, I was freezing! Then I packed, I did not want to have to do it in the morning. It was a painful experience. Then I got into bed, wrote to you and passed out!

I woke up at 6:30am, for good, with the sun shining in my face, too early! I sat in a cold bath, which I should have sat in an ice bath last night when I got to the hotel, helps with the inflammation, and then a nice hot shower, got dressed and headed to SLS, albeit slowly, for breakfast.

I ended up at The Griddle, ordered some eggs, potatoes and toast and a pancake. I sometimes like one pancake, I did not expect what I got! It was the size of a small pizza! Can you believe it?

I took three bites and the rest, along with the eggs and potatoes went into a container, hopefully my taxi driver found someone to give it to!

I finished packing, then headed to the airport, where my flight was delayed, oh joy. I did get to talk to a lot of other people who participated and felt about as sore as I did, at least I’m not alone!

The flight finally leaves and the guy who sat next to me was from Staten Island! What are the odds? I’ve sat next to people from New York City before, but never where I grew up! He’s done quite a few runs, including the New York City marathon a few weeks ago!

He travels for work and sometimes races, like this one and like I do, so I told him about a few races I’m doing and I sent him the link for a few and told him if he’s ever in one of my cities for a race, ha ha, to let me know! Small world!

Now, I am at GES’ house, I am exhausted, my body hates me and I am going to go downstairs and get some sleep! You have to be as tired as I am after this post!

Goodnight!

{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} The Call

Tonight I watched the movie, The Call, with Halle Berry and wow!

I say rent it, download it, whatever, but if you are into suspense films, watch it! And if you’ve already seen, what did you think?

I might give a wee bit of a spoiler alert, but not much, and the movie came out last year, so you will just have to deal with it!

Halle Berry plays a 911 operator who is top of her game, a star, she even has a regular caller who gets thrown in jail for DUI all the time and uses his one phone call to call her, how sweet. One day she gets a call from a girl who gets kidnapped and it changes her life and leaves her broken, for lack of a better term.

Move forward six months and she is now a teacher, I think instructor or trainer is a better word, but that could be because I am one! Anyway, she is now a teacher to the newbies and a call comes in to a probationary operator, six months on the job, who is lost after a few minutes and Jordan, Halle Berry, takes over and she is thrown back into it and has to find the strength within to stay with the girl, played by Abigail Breslin, fabulous by the way! [Little Miss Sunshine is all grown up!]

She stays on the phone with Casey and does everything within her power to help her, keep her calm, keep her talking and hopefully keep her safe. There are some plot twists and turns, a few Oh My Gawds! a few Did that really just happen? Even an Oh Damn! here and there!

I can see how this would have made a great book and I have to tell you watching it in the living room and being able to talk during it definitely helped! Having to keep quiet in the movie theater would not have worked! TS and I are so glad we do not have long blond hair!

Does this movie have a happy ending? I don’t know “happy” is the right word. I would go with satisfied.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1911644/?ref_=nv_sr_2

{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 3, 2014} What a day!

The day started too early, as always, but that’s a Monday morning for you.

Unfortunately, MGS wasn’t feeling well last night, she had an upset tummy late and even after she…she still felt bad, mommy was there to rub her back and rock her to sleep. She had a few more bouts through the night, poor little bit. When I talked to GES, we both thought at first, it might have been too much candy and junk. Now, we know that’s not the case. Why, you ask? I’ll tell you.

After I kissed EJS and headed to the airport for my flight that had been delayed by 30 minutes, based on the text I had gotten last night, due to crew availability. They can only fly so many hours, so they weren’t allowed to leave until at least 9:30. I waited with everyone else for my turn to get on the plane, United Airlines, back of the plane. After it took forever to take off, the flight was uneventful. [I promise, I’m getting there]. But…since the flight was delayed leaving and so many people had connecting flights, it was oh so pleasant when we landed. First, it took forever to get to the gate, people were actually standing before we got to the gate, standing simply because we were on the ground, as if standing would have gotten the plane to the gate faster. Really people?

I finally got off the plane, about 30 minutes later, got my luggage and hopped in a cab, where the driver wanted to use the GPS on my phone, really?

I sent a text to my dad and sister to let them know I arrived, asked how things were and she was on her way to school to pick up EJS, who was sick at school. I checked on them a few hours later and it turns out everyone in the house was sick! Quarantined! GES and ACS had the shivers and EJS and MGS were sick. GES called the pediatrician and it’s going to be a long cold and flu season. It’s hopefully a 24 hour bug.

I don’t know how, but I got out of the house just in time! I feel terrible about not being there to take care of them, I would hope that if I had been there, I might not get sick, but I probably would.Sending them all good vibes, hugs and love for a speedy recovery!!! Please send them good vibes too!!

Email Subscription

What was I thinking?