What I love! | Peaches Prattlings

{August 29, 2014} Take a nap…this is going to be a long one!

Are you ready to hear about my day?

As you know, i drove to Boston today, so here goes.

Last night, I found a hotel, not necessarily a pet friendly hotel…they were friendly and I snuck my pets in! shhh…I put BOTH cats into one carrier and smuggled them into the hotel and up the stairs, yeah for side doors! I slept for a few hours, they were both with me, then I got up at 8, put them both back into the carrier and Peanut proceeded to hiss and wail and whine! Oh NO! Please be quiet! So I smuggled them back out the door and into the car! whew!

On the road I went. I made it to NY State!

I checked in with NB, or Twin, as i call him and we decided on where to meet for lunch, since I was going to be going right past his neck of the woods. He then informed me that, duh, I would be driving right past my Alma mater, SUNY Fredonia, http://www.fredonia.edu/index.html, how excited was I! I was on the phone with SH when I got off the highway and she was almost as excited as I was!

Oh my goodness! Not much has changed! I had the cats with me, so I couldn’t spend a lot of time on campus, but I promised everyone on FaceBook who messaged me, that I would definitely be making a trip back to see them! And I will be doing that sometime in the near future! There are so many people I would love to see!

I did make a stop at the Campus Bookstore and geeked out! Everything they have for sale online pales in comparison to all they had to offer in the store! Dad got a Fredonia Dad sweatshirt, GES got a t-shirt and sweatshirt, ACS got a long sleeve t-shirt, EJS and GMS got t-shirts, LaLa got a t-shirt and yours truly: 2 sweatshirts, a t-shirt, notebook, postcard and a bag. come on, it’s a Fredonia bag! It’s my old school, so there!

The campus is still lovely and warm and inviting, but now there is a Tim Horton’s and Starbucks? On campus! What? And some high end apartments, huh? Who cares, it made me long for those days! GES asked if I would go back, yes I would is my answer!

I couldn’t spend too much time, first, there was a 30 minute time on the parking spot, not heavily enforce, thank goodness and second, I had the cats. I left the windows down, it was 67 degrees and in the shade, felt great and they were fine. No worries people, whenever there is sun and it’s any warmer, I leave the car running with the AC on, every time I went to a rest stop, that’s what I did.

Back in the car and head to lunch with NB and on the way, got a text from JC a dear friend I knew from MCC that I met at Binghamton when we were both a part of NYPIRG, all these acronyms! He wanted to see me, so he came to lunch too! It was so great to see them both, we laughed and had a great time, got some good pics and I headed back on the road with a promise of a visit soon!

Then it was uneventful for the next, oh, I don’t know…8billion miles! Kidding. I got to my sister’s house about 9, not too bad for a days journey. We started at 8:30, stopped at Fredonia for about 45 minutes, a little over an hour for lunch, a few gas stops and we made it in about 9 hours. Go me!

The girls did great, for the most part, they’re cats, they are not as enthusiastic about car rides as dogs, so all in all, good girls!

The suck part…THE TOLLS! I bet I spent close to $20 on tolls. NY State, aren’t the road good enough? FIVE CENTS per mile, what? IF and I say IF I were to ever make this drive again…EZ Pass will be my friend!

I got to GES’ house about 9, as I mentioned and the girls were up waiting for me! Running into my arms and so excited to meet Jymy and Peanut, so many questions and now, here I sit, talking to you and Peanut is purring in my arms. Happy kitty! And Jymy just joined to say hello.

Ok, here is where I leave you because I am a very tired girl and I need some sleep…beach tomorrow!

{August 25, 2014} Meeting new people

A little flirting and a lot of fun!

As I told you last night, I drove to Louisville for a new project and today was my first full day. My hotel is less than a mile away from the office I had to go to, so I went for a walk this morning. Boy howdy, it was HOT!!! It felt like the surface of the sun! Ok, I know I’m exaggerating, but I’m ok with it!

You know it’s bad when it’s so cold inside that you are looking forward to walking outside where it’s 90 and muggy to warm up! I got a ride from a very nice RN back to the hotel and then it was time to meet one of my co-workers for dinner. PM is a very nice guy who was on the University of Michigan project with me, but we did’t get to spend much time getting to know each other and as we are the only ones from that project here, guess what we’re going to do over the next month or so!

Tonight we went to dinner at Gordon Birsch, had a great waitress, Rockin’ Robin, she was a lot of fun and better than the food. I’ve eaten at GB several times in Atlanta, with CKM, TS and a few other people, so I usually like it. The sweet potato fries were awesome!!

After dinner, I went for a walk, found a nice guy to give the rest of my dinner to and watched someone getting arrested, what else could you want for your evening activity? Louisville is interesting!

As I was crossing the street I started talking to a group guys watching what seemed to be entertainment for them and the oldest of them all, a very nice older gentleman, wearing a USMC t-shirt, Ooh Rah, asked if I needed help crossing the street, how sweet was he!

So, being a shy person, HA, I stood there and talked to some of the group for a while. The Marine was a sheriff and the rest of the group were S.W.A.T. in town for training. You know how guys like to make women feel good by telling them how young they look? I’ll take 31, he was sweet, a professed dirty old man with 14 grandchildren! Wow! But what a sweetie I enjoyed talking to and when we parted company I got a kiss on the cheek and a hug.

Let’s just say, I smiled all the way back to my hotel. A little flirting is good for the soul!

{August 25, 2014} Saying goodbye…I will miss you!

Today I left Ann Arbor for a new venture and had to say goodbye to my friends and family and I’m sad.

Over the last few days, I’ve been packing a little and saying goodbye to my friends who are now my family at the Hilton Garden Inn Ann Arbor, because today was the day.

I hope you remember me telling you how fantastic everyone was when I first got there oh so many months ago and i have to tell you, the experience only got better and better and better.

Kirsten became “the weather girl” because even if i didn’t ask what the weather was, she knew I wanted to know, so…I would know. I love talking to her and catching up on her family, we only got closer every day. Debra was fantastic and took care of Jymy and Peanut for me this week, they loved being with her. I got to meet her daughter and new granddaughter, loving on Baby K, I feel like one of the family.

So many of the front desk feel like siblings or my kids, but much older, more mature kids! Lauren is sweet and lives for that Chow of hers, Izzy and loves to share pictures. I can’t wait to hear how school is going as she’s going back this semester. I was glad I got to see her Friday, i didn’t want to miss her before I left. Speaking of going back to school, she is joined by Liv, who apparently could be my daughter! Someone asked us! I’ll take it, a fiery red head? I didn’t get to say goodbye to her today, but she happened to stop by yesterday to pick up her check and since I hang out at the front desk, then I was bound to see her! Jonathon was the newest addition, who eventually took over as night auditor and is a sweet kid, especially when he brought in some home made pumpkin bread his girlfriend made, how nice is that?

Sean was fun to talk to, about new tats,healthy living, sharing favorite new foods, his new living arrangements, hopes, plans dreams, belt buckles. I’m going to miss that and hearing him say “friend” whenever he hung up the phone. Adriana wasn’t there as much over the last few months, so every moment has been precious and I got to see her yesterday, so, so great! The last person from the front desk I had to say goodbye to last week was Ryan, the night auditor. I didn’t get to talk to Ryan as much as I would have like to because he was on nights, we chatted a bit, but not as much as everyone else, but a super duper nice guy!

Nel, the bartender, and I became fast friends, I loved hanging out at the bar talking to her, joking and talking about school, she was like another sister. I didn’t get to see her today, we said our goodbyes the other day. Betty is one of the servers/back-up bartenders who was fun to get to know, talk about some of the trips she would take with her boyfriend. Janet is another server who I loved, sassy and sexy and with it! Kristin, another server, I got to see before she left on her honeymoon about a week ago, just glad I got to see her! I can’t wait to hear how her career is taking off!

Bobby was one of the managers in the kitchen/dining/banquet area and a smart arse, funny guy who I enjoyed talking to and joking around with. CeCe was the chef in that great kitchen and she ran it and worked it like nobody’s business! She was so good to make things that I could eat since the majority of the menu was not vegetarian or vegan friendly. Yesterday, she gave me a going away present! All sorts of great things for the kitchen, WOW, thank you!!! Moe was the other great guy in the kitchen, he’s the one who baked and served the HGI bars, warm and wonderful! [oats, cranberries, white chocolate, among other wonderful things].

Running the housekeeping staff are Arlin and Tammy, two fantastic women who kept me laughing and made sure my room was clean and wonderful. Arlin is sweet and funny and always ready with a hug and a smile, maybe a salsa move or two. Tammy always has a smile on her face and never seems to have a bad day. They both spoiled me by taking such good care of me! Marisol was always very sweet when she came to clean my room.

The maintenance guys, Matt and Alex spoiled me rotten, taking care of whatever it was that I needed, be it a new fridge, issues with something in the room, you name it, they took care of everything right away!

Running the hotel, in the front/back office are Ashley,the AGM, a fun, fit, goofy woman who i loved talking to about her son, her weekend, whatever. Christina is a fun chick who always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude. She’s also the one who remembered that i love sunflowers, when they put the beautiful bouquet in my room that day! I didn’t get to spend much time with Patty, but always a pleasure, a down to earth, happy person.

Frank is the GM, an avid runner and by avid, I mean distance runner! He’s a 100 miler runner and I love talking to him about his experiences and participating in the fun things that the hotel planned for the guests. Be sure to wish him a very happy birthday on Monday!!!

There are so many wonderful things these amazing people did for me while I was staying at the hotel and today…I got a gift certificate for REI from my wonderful HGI Family! They teased saying they would rename my room to the “JJ Suite”! Too funny!

How can I say goodbye to these people? I have no idea! It wasn’t easy, but I did it and walked away with a smile on my face promising that I would be back to visit and now, I can be friends with them on Facebook and keep in touch, which you know I will!

{August 22, 2014} Lions vs Jaguars

Tonight KLS and I went to see a pre-season professional football game!

I got an offer from Groupon for $39 tickets to a pre-season Detroit Lions vs Jacksonville Jaguars football game, how could I not ask KLS if she wanted to go! Go figure on the answer! So, i got two tickets and sent out the meeting invite and we would be ready to go tonight!

The game started at 7:30, so based on advice from people on the traffic, we left at 5:30 and made it about 7:15 to the stadium. We were making good time until we got about 8 miles out, then we stopped and crept forward. Not only was there a football game at Ford Field, across the street [literally] at Comerica park, where the Tigers play, was an Eminem and Rhianna concert, think there was traffic?

While we’re driving, or creeping, as it were, we start seeing men getting out of cars on the highway, what? Eventually, we see them taking concert t-shirts out of their bags to sell, really? So, here we are trying to make headway and we have to wait for someone to block traffic buying a shirt? Great…

We finally get to parking and it’s $50??? FIFTY DOLLARS??? Seriously? Is it my fault that there are multiple events going on? I know you want to make money, but this is highway robbery. Disgusting, that’s all I have to say!

We get wanded heading into the stadium, you can only have a clutch [a small purse for those of you not in the know] or a clear bag. Then we head towards our seat and before we go in, we grab some food. Turns out you can’t have caps on any beverage, they’re afraid of people flicking the caps towards other people or the field, what? Who, above the age of 5 does that?

Popcorn, beer, water and Twizzler and $34 [WHAT?] later we were ready to find our seats.

We find our seats and they are great! We are in section 317, up, but right behind the goal post, how cool is that? The national anthem came and the arena was on its feet paying respect. Then the game started and we settled in to watch. Within the first 8 minutes, touchdown! I love watching the flags run down the field when there is a touchdown.

Some of the game was exciting to watch, some not, but I had a phone and there is great people watching, it was all good.

During half time, there were a series of pee wee football teams running plays, SOOO CUTE! And I SO see LB or Baby A in a few years on the field during a game playing football, can’t you just see it?

We hung out through most of the 3rd quarter, where Detroit was down 12 to 7 and headed to the car and breezed out of the city, much easier than it was when we went to the Tigers game! It took us no more than 45 minutes to get back to the hotel, where we went to the bar past the disco hopping party in one of the ballrooms where Nel told us that Detroit won in the end. Go Detroit.

We hung out until midnight, talking to Debra and Nel, then headed to our rooms so I could talk to you and sack out.

Can you believe how many sporting events I have been to in the last 3 months? More than in the last 3 years it feels like!

{August 21, 2014} Line Dancing…me?

Tonight I went line dancing!

This is not me! Anyone who knows me knows I am not into line dancing, never have been, never will be. I can no longer say that I’ve never been line dancing, but I don’t think I’ll be making a habit of it!

This was a great girls night! It was so much fun to hang with the girls and be silly and get a great workout! Let me tell you, line dancing is a great workout! It’s like an aerobics class!

I followed the steps, missed a couple, but all in all, we moved and grooved to everything from country to rock to hip hop, how could you go wrong! Doesn’t matter, as long as there is a beat, you can rock the house!

And you don’t have to “dress the part”, ie cowboy boots and cowboy hat, wait, shouldn’t it be cowgirl? Well, I didn’t have either of those things here in Ann Arbor, so I went in jeans, t-shirt and skips, I even wore lipstick! Go me!

Do it once in your life, line up with other people and dance! Go for it! Rock that boot scoot boogie!

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{August 20, 2014} A new opportunity

I got a new project!

On Sunday, i will be packing my car, going to Debra’s place, collecting Jymy and Peanut and heading to my next project. This adventure has me driving to Louisville, Kentucky for a new project and a new application.

Every new opportunity is the opportunity for a new adventure!

The only sad part in all of this is I am going to miss my family here in Ann Arbor. I am heading off to this project with one other person from my team and it’s going to be weird not to see KLS almost EVERY day and KNOB often, not to mention other great co-workers, but I have a good feeling that we will be on another project together soon and all will be right with the world.

What about the great people here at the Hilton Garden Inn who have become family? I guess I’ll just have to visit!

Here’s to the next chapter!

{August 17, 2014} Traveling with animals

It’s interesting.

Today, I packed up the car with some stuff, a cat box, food and two cats. How much do you think they liked that?

I picked up my car and cats to drive to Ann Arbor and then next week I will drive to my next project. Let’s just say they weren’t the happiest creatures; dogs, at least most of them, like going for rides in the car. Not so with cats.

After we wrangled each cat into a carrier, loaded the car and took off. The crying started. Who are we kidding, it started as soon as they were in their crates! After I was on the main highway and knew I was in for a long stretch, I let them out of their carriers and let them roam around, that seemed to help a little.

Peanut thought she needed to be at my feet or on my lap, the lap was fine and after a while she disappeared under one of the seats and didn’t come out until I got to the hotel. Jymy got on my shoulder like she did when she was a kitten and acted like a neck pillow for a while and eventually she sacked out on the passenger seat and slept there the entire trip.

I had no troubles when I got to rest stops or gas stations, they strayed right where they slept and never tried to get out and of course tried to stay in the car when we got to the hotel, go figure.

I’m in a pet friendly Hilton, which is great and I’m looking forward to having them with me on my next project, they’re calming…most of the time.

So…I drove about 9.5, maybe 10 hours today and have about 9 or 10 tomorrow with two cats, hopefully the crying won’t last too long…who wants to trade places with me?

{August 17, 2014} Warrior Dash…Go!

Today, I participated in the Warrior Dash at Copper Mountain, CO and had a blast!

I participated in the Warrior Dash two years ago in Georgia, actually, my first obstacle/mud run. Then, as I’m thinking about it, I’ve participated in 11 obstacle/mud runs over the last two years! WOW! One of the tag lines for The Warrior Dash is “The hardest, most fun you’ll ever have” and it was!

Admittedly, I skipped 4 of the 11 obstacles and I’m ok with that, I’m the only one who has to live with it! The obstacles that I skipped involved steep drops on the other side and I don’t trust what happens with my ankles in those cases. The first one I was already waiting 15 minutes to do because there was a bottle neck and it would have been another 15/20 minutes before I had the opportunity to go. But…it was awesome the way everyone was helping each other, especially on that first obstacle, either push or pull over the top and then the cheering was fantastic!

The last obstacle I skipped was the last one, which i would have enjoyed a lot. It was a cargo net climb and then a slide down into a pool. There wasn’t enough water at one point, so they had to shut down while they pumped water in so it would be safe. It was already a 30 minute delay and it would be another 30 minutes, maybe more, no thanks! Although, it did make the end of the run a little anti-climactic!

I will say, there wasn’t enough mud or barbed wire, like the first one I did, but…it was Colorado and there was SNOW! Before the mud pit, there was about .20 running through snow! What? Too cool!

All in all, it was a fun run, lots of people encouraging each other and just having fun and getting down and dirty, what more could you want!

After the run, it was time for a KILLER veggie burger and yes, you can say that, but only after I finally donated my sneakers, they had seen at least 6 of the mud runs for the last two years and it was time. I guess I’ll be calling RG to hook me up with a new pair of sneaks so i can turn my current ones into mud ones!

Hmmm…what’s next?

https://www.warriordash.com/location/2014-warrior-dash-colorado/

{August 14, 2014} My day…

Today was a good day…

Today was pretty simple, I got up, a motivated, had a catch up call with someone helping me to find a new project, answered emails and got work done.

Next, I walked 3.5 miles to a Pure Barre Class, http://purebarre.com, it was an interesting and intense class. After class, I walked to Ginger Deli for some vegetarian summer roles and a beet juice and some Sonic Lunch and some good music.

After lunch and entertainment I went to the post office, obviously to mail something and on the way in, a gentleman commented on my NY Yankees hat and we chatted about being from NYC and living in Ann Arbor.
After the post office, I headed to the shelter to drop off some toiletries and then turned around for the wall back to the hotel.

Got some work done, cleaned up and head out with KNOB and KLS, today is her birthday!! We headed downtown to The Black Pearl, http://www.blackpearlonmain.com,
which is a place we’ve been wanting to go.

We had a great time laughing, sharing stories and enjoying each others company. And there was a piece of cake and singing, what more could you want?

After dinner we walked and window shopped, then headed back to our hotels to relax, have a drink and hang out with some fun people on town for the week.

Lastly it’s time to talk to you and pack because I’m heading to Denver tomorrow to participate in the Warrior Dash on Saturday.

Good night!

{August 13, 2014} I am a truly lucky woman

Today two things happened to make me feel so very special.

The first wonderful thing that happened was when I got back to my hotel room and found a beautiful bouquet of fresh cut flowers and a wonderful card signed by almost everyone who works at Hilton Garden Inn at the front desk, maintenance and kitchen. How incredibly beautiful they are, don’t you agree? Sunflowers are my favorite flowers and Christina remembered that, I am so flattered!

There was also a fantastic card with a sweet and touching note “Hope these brighten your day as much as you do ours! We love you!” How lucky I am to have touched so many people to make them feel this way about me. LOVE

The second thing that happened was I got a package from my dad. It was two books we had been talking about the other day by one of our favorite authors, Jasper Fforde, http://www.jasperfforde.com/index2.html and a bunch of post cards illustrated by Edward Gorey, one of my favorite artists, http://www.edwardgoreyhouse.org/. Thank you daddy!

Thank you to those who think enough of me to send me such wonderful things!

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