What I love! | Peaches Prattlings

{April 13, 2014} Let’s get down to it!

You know whatFriday Was like, crazy, yesterday wasn’t much quieter!

Friday night we spent at a Hampton Inn, a few miles from lake Lanier, where the race was going to be held. This made it nice Saturday Morning, getting up leisurely, having breakfast and heading to the run.

I don’t I know if you remember me talking about participating in the Dirty Girl run last year. We had a great time and by the second obstacle we decided we were going to do this race again. This year let’s just say, we had a good time because we did it together.

There were some things that were frustrating with the organization the setup and part of the race itself but, we still had a good time. After the run and those in off I’m putting on clean clothes we checked out some of the merchandise walk to run a little bit and then walked mile back to the car. ( one mile walk to the packet pickup, 3.1 miles run/walk, multiple obstacles, & one mile walk back to the car, not too shabby)

We headed to Cracker Barrel for a bite to eat, our new tradition then on to pick up CKM’s car at the hotel, mala Georgia area to a running store to pick up some new super feet, Justice in the mall to pick up a gift for JK, just in time to head to Mimi’s to meet the gang for dinner.

Our waitresses name was DJ and when she asked what the occasion was I said “because I was here!” I told her about the races and how we all get together when I come to town.

We had seek CKM, DL and her hubby ML, SDL was there with Miss A & I got to snuggle and hug and kiss and jump with one of my favorite 4 year olds, her sister DJL. We had CC and JC and they’re adorable son, MC and rounding out the group was JBM, AL and their son.

When we got our checks, DJ gave me two of their fabulous muffins as a welcome home gift and I gave one of the muffins to Miss A because I know how much you love blueberry muffins.

After some good conversation, lots of laughs, and smiles, we went outside to take a picture and talk some more and then everybody went on their separate ways.

I’m always so moved and touched and amazed at how awesome my friends are that can make it out and take the time to come see me when their schedule permits. I know how lucky I am!

After Mimi I headed out to LK’s house, JK had had her birthday party and was now having a slumber party and I joined!

She had two friends over so they were for kids in the house and me and LK. We talked for a few hours caught up shot the breeze and had a great time. Then she gave me a Benadryl and I passed out on the couch.

I have to tell you one of the things I do not miss about Georgia on my allergies, when I moved I stop suffering when I got back to Georgia on Friday I started sneezing within 5 minutes.

I have to tell you about these couches, if you have been to an AMC and experienced the recliners this entire couch is made of those recliners, let me just say wow! I fell asleep in that spot and then wake up until just before my alarm went off. I might still be there at this moment if I didn’t have a plane to catch!

I got cleaned up headed to the airport got my flight, got to Boston where my dad picked me up brought me back to the house and I hit the ground running. I had a nice surprise, BR was in the kitchen with my sister cooking and I jumped right in.

We stop cooking when it was time for pizza, no I didn’t have any, boo hoo, I was good and had salad. After dinner and everyone else left EJS and I started baking. We made matzoh brittle and coconut macaroons.

After cooking it was upstairs with DJs for two books that she read to me, spelling, math, I’m exhausted.

Tomorrow there’s some more cooking, then people come over, and we will start the seder.

I gotta get some sleep or I’ll be no good to anyone tomorrow! Have a great night and

A very happy Passover to my friends who are celebrating.

{April 9, 2014} Steel Magnolias…then and now

Why?

First, I have to tell you, I honestly don’t care that much for Steel Magnolias as a movie, I never really fell for it, but for some unknown reason I feel compelled to watch it every time it comes on tv, don’t ask, i don’t know. Now, I do LOVE the cast, how could you not, with heavy hitters like Sally Field, Dolly Parton [with her original face], Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah [with her original face as well], Julia Roberts, Tom Skerrit, Dylan MacDermott, Sam Shepard.

In classic Hollywood style, another remake! Really? The interesting thing about this remake is that it was almost identical, word for word, character names, actions, everything, even down to the mediocre southern accents from some of the actors.

Most remakes are the same concept, but a new story line or similar story line done a whole new way, not this one. The concept of the movie was the same and the outcome, sad of course, but the classic lines were still there, including “My colors are blush and bashful”.

It was interesting to see the original movie, with a predominately white cast, remade by a predominately black cast. Certain dialog, actions and actors didn’t seem to be as comfortable and fluid in the remake, as if it wasn’t natural to or for some of the them. And along with some of the dialog not being natural, this wasn’t the best showcase for some of the actors, unfortunately, there were big shoes to fill.

That being said, it was kind of sad because there were some great heavy hitters in this movie as well. Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad, the actors I am most familiar with and enjoy and admire them as performers, some funny moments here and there, but overall, I didn’t feel that they could carry the entire film on their shoulders, even though they were trying.

I believe this was a made-for-tv movie and I found it on Netflix, not saying you shouldn’t watch it, but that’s my review.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/?ref_=nv_sr_1

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2328749/?ref_=nv_sr_2

{April 8, 2014} I can feel the burn!

My day started very early after 2.5 hours of sleep, but it was great!

Some of the guys from class and I participated in a cross fit type training at 7am, it was tough but really good, which I loved and next week, I have an appointment with Joey, the instructor, to see about working together as my trainer while I’m here in Michigan.

Back to the hotel at eight, to get cleaned up and then head out for a meeting with MH, one of my Instructional Designers, work on a few sections of the documentation hashing stuff out clarification, it was a great session.

Then a disappointing lunch and off to meet my co-trainer, AL, to do a dress rehearsal for the classes we are teaching.

Lastly, we all met at a tapas restaurant in downtown Ann Arbor, Aventura. The food was pretty good, but the service left a lot to be desired. Most important, we were all together and enjoying each other’s company.

After dinner, MH, walked me to my car and pointed out restaurant after restaurant. It was a great tour, I remember a few of the names of the restaurants, maybe if I’m lucky there will be a list coming my way.

I stopped in a very cute and local bookstore, I had to go! While I was there, I picked up some Amelia Bedelia books for Passover, score!

Then back to the hotel to write to you and hopefully fall asleep?

Hey…I’ll keep you updated on my restaurant adventures.

I was doing fine until about an hour ago, when I started to change into my jammies, I started to feel the different points scream out! Feel the burn!

{April 8, 2014} My movie watchlist

I love when I get to add new movies to my calendar wishlist!

Sometimes when I’m on imdb.com [Internet Movie Data Base – A MUST for any movie/tv puff or you just need to know anything about a movie: who was in it, directed, written, you name it, it’s there or if you need to know about an actor, writer, director: who they are married to, their work history, credits, you name it, it’s there!] I find a new movie I want to see, sometimes obscure, sometimes something I just didn’t know was coming out! In addition, what I might not want to see…ever!

Now, I’d like to share with you my movie list and the trailers, give you some enjoyment and something to do! I know you have nothing else to do, so here is a way to pass time and get an insight into some of the movies that catch my eye!

Cuban Fury with Nick Frost, Chris O’Dowd and Ian McShane [OMG FUNNY!]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2390237/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Lucy with Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman [KICK BUTT CHICK!]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2872732/?ref_=nv_sr_6
The Expendables with, well, EVERYONE!!! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2333784/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Godzilla [pretty sure, I say that because, well, I grew up in the 70s/80s and who didn’t love Godzilla movies on Saturday morning?] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0831387/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [hoping that KAB will bring BABY A!!! to Grandpa and JJ and her hubby, JB, it’s his ALL TIME FAVORITE moive!]
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1291150/?ref_=nv_sr_1 [are we willing to bribe to get the kids to visit? You bet your sweet buppie!]
X-Men: Days of Future Past [there’s a question?] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877832/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Jupiter Ascending [maybe] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1617661/
Transformers: Age of Extinction..UM YES!!! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2109248/
The Amazing Spiderman 2 [catchy title] [this is a maybe] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1872181/
Ida [I just found this and I figure if I need a good cry, this would fit the bill! but it looks interesting] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2718492/
Antboy [too cute! like Marvel jr!] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2436046/
Rio 2 [I hear birds singing] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2357291/
Maleficient [The BADEST of the BAD Wicked Queens and I LA LA LA LOVE Disney Villain Movies! I went as her for Halloween one year, scared a bunch of kids!] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1587310/
Bad Asses [OMG!! MUST!!! Danny Glover and Danny Trejo [kick arse!!!]- DCM…MACHETE!! MACHETE!!!] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2996648/

That should keep you busy for a while, right? Enjoy! I know I am going to!

Who’s bringing the popcorn?

{April 2, 2014} My HGI Family

;I have to tell you about the amazing staff that I have grown quite fond of here at the Hilton Garden Inn in Ann Arbor.

Now, I know normally, when I blog about people, I use their initials, but tonight, I am going to use their first names and some nick names because if you get the opportunity to visit Ann Arbor, MI and stay at this hotel, I want you to be able to recognize their names and say hello! [IF I miss anyone, I am SO SO SORRY!].

First, I want to tell you how fantastic these people are, it goes above and beyond the normal wonderfulness of Hilton. We have already discussed and agreed that I am a hotel snob and I prefer Hilton because of the great service I have received, forget the fantastic service that Hilton provides, but this team is peachy keen in my book! I have watched and they are good with all their guests, but if you are there for extended periods of time, they take the time to get to know your name and you, makes you feel welcome.

Now, let me tell you about the great staff here, this is who I see when I first walk in. Wow, this is almost like a movie credit list, “By Order of Appearance”

When I first walk in, I look to my left, I see Nell who is bartending. She will give me a wave and we exchange pleasantries, sometimes if she’s by the front desk we will hug, which is always nice. When she’s not working, she’s in school or studying, go Nell! I met her my first night at the hotel, we knew we’d be seeing a lot of each other.

In the evenings, working with Nell most nights, is Kristen, who waits tables in the restaurant. She is great and puts up with a lot! There was one night we did our happy hour and we ran her ragged, but she was a trooper and survived us! Go Kristen!

Then I go to check in and I get to see a bunch of great people, some in the morning, some at night. Sean works nights and the only guy I’ve seen at the front desk, he’s great and incredibly personable with an impressive belt buckle collection! Debra is a very nice woman who got me into the hotel one night when my reservation was all messed up, THANK YOU Debra! Her badge says “It’s a Jeep thing” because she loves her jeep! The cool thing about their badges is that they get to put whatever they want under their names, so whatever represents them, just as Debra did.

I have to tell you, I LOVE when I call down to the front desk now and most of the time they don’t even say “Front desk, this is…” they say just say hi or hey!

Everyone is so persobale, ready to chat and catch up and I love finding out about their families, kids, babies to be, I love that they share that with me! I’ve also introduced them to people that I work with and they recognize who I’m talking about because I’m always going on about them!

Phillipa I don’t see very often, but she’s always very cheerful and welcoming and her badge says Flip because her grandmother couldn’t say Phillipa, so she called her Flip! Lauren is very sweet, and I don’t see her very often either, but the other day I got to see pictures of her chow baby, the pictures were on her phone case, that’s a proud chow momma. Kirsten is on in the mornings and is always warm with a greeting and smile when I am heading out the door to go to work. And thinks I’m funny when I grab something from the pantry and get almost to the elevator before I remember and go back to let her know what I was getting! When I have a few extra minutes, we talk about her kids.

Last but never least are Adriana and Liv. Adriana “I like hugs” is a smart chick who is trying to decide between med school and teaching, I wish her a lot of luck in her pursuits! I love talking to Adriana to find out about her weekends and her new baby cousin that she was in the delivery room to see come into this world, how special is that? Adriana is always so bubbly and eager to please the guests who come to stay at her hotel.

Liv, short for Olivia, but prefers Liv, which is what’s on her badge is a fun and quirky girl who just turned 19 on Monday, Happy Birthday! I love catching up with Liv when I get in and during the week, what did we do on the weekends, movies she hasn’t seen and today, she found my blog and is loving it! Thanks! Liv is bright and funny and tries to remember everyone’s name and she’s doing a great job at it!

I’ve been wanting to tell you about my new family at the Hilton Garden Inn in Ann Arbor, MI for a while and here they are! I promise, if you stay there, which is where a lot of potential University of Michigan students and their families stay, you will not regret your decision for a moment. I hope that the management realizes what a great team they have, not just by Hilton standards, but by their actions, mannerisms, professionalism and warm welcome, they treat the guests as if they are guests in their own homes or even better and for that I am incredibly thankful. It’s not easy to be away from home for such long periods of time, but since I am, it’s great to come into the lobby and be greated by name by a friend and the hugs aren’t too shabby either!

If you’re in the area before June, I might see you!

{March 26, 2014} On A Clear Day…You Can See Forever

I love this movie! No, DCM, it’s not my favorite, maybe “one of my favorites” but not my favorite.

This is the story of Daisy Gamble, who goes to a psychiatrist to help her quit smoking because she wants to impress her fiance’s potential employers. As he tries to help her with hypnosis, they go through some past life regression and it turns out that she was several people throughout history. The psychiatrist falls in love with one of the past lives while Daisy falls for the doctor because she thinks that he is falling for her, in real time.

In addition to past life regression, she knows when the phone is going to ring, knows where to find things you might be missing and can make plants grow, I mean really grow! She reads Walt Whitman to them, go figure!

There is hilarity, confusion, stories, anger, love, hurt, great costumes and sets and song. Come on, when is there a Barbara Streisand movie that doesn’t involve her singing? So, now you know, it’s a Barbara Streishand movie! It also stars Yves Montand as the psychiatrist, Dr Chabot. Jack Nicholson plays Tad, her former brother, sort of and Bob Newhart as a college administrator.

I remember seeing this movie as a kid, I enjoyed it, mostly because I love Barbara Streisand’s older movies and because she reminds me so much of my mom, who loved Barbara Streisand and her movies. I smile when I watch it.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb0KLj9rnww
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066181/?ref_=nv_sr_1

{March 23, 2014} Saying goodbye…kids are funny

It’s kind of funny the way kids handle saying goodbye.

When EJS was “much littler” she didn’t like saying goodbye, she would hide or just avoid me, it was ok, i knew she just didn’t want me to go. There was one time she refused to say goodbye, then when I was driving away, she stood in the doorway waving excitedly, go figure!

Now, some days she is there to say goodbye or like today, she knew I was leaving, but still went across the street to play with one of the kids. That was ok, I went across to say goodbye, I’ll go to her.

MGS was different, she was heading out to play, I said I was leaving and she said “Ok, goodbye” and gave me a hug. She’s never been too woogie about saying goodbye or me leaving and trust me, if she didn’t want to say goodbye, she wouldn’t. She’s becoming quite the defiant little person, so very opinionated, but as much as she might drive you crazy on occassion, she will touch your hand, wrap herself around your leg and look at you with “that look” and you’re done.

So we have established that the kdis are funny about saying goodbye, sometimes it’s harder on me! Today, no problem, I know I’m going to see them very soon, but when EJS was first in daycare, I had the hardest time leaving! She prepared me so it wasn’t as rough when I was saying goodbye to her sister, don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t easy, but at least i was ready for it.

One of my fondest memories from my childhood was when we would go see my grandmother in Brooklyn and when we left, we would all turn around in the car and mom would say “Everybody wave at the grandparents!” I can tell you this is a tradition that we have carried on to today!

Wave goodbye everyone and goodnight!

{March 22, 2014} Day 2…EJS/March Birthday Celebration

The morning started about 7:15am, but I wasn’t quite ready to get up, so I lounged for about, oh…twenty minutes, ha, then it was time to get up.

I walked upstairs to the sounds of Frozen, of course, EJS got the DVD last night and then went to bed, I bet she woke up singing! There was breakfast and then all of a sudden it was time to get showered and dressed and head to the mall for the big birthday party!

EJS started selecting what she wanted to do for birthday parties when she turned five. She still loves the family/friend/neighbor gatherings, but she was ready for the big time. Five took us to a gymnastics studio, six took us to a dance party at a gym and this year was Build-A-Bear for 18 kids ranging from 3 to 7, wow!

We got there early to let EJS pick out the different types of animals for everyone to choose and the accessories they could select. While she was doing that, I took the party supplies to Sabarro at the other end of the mall. When I got back, ACS’s brother, JS and his wife AS and her nephew R were there waiting for us. Then the kids started to arrive, some siblings, some singles and almost all of the parents took the time to go run errands.

All the kids were great, they had their listening ears on and were all together. The girl who worked for Build A Bear was great, she kept the kids together and in line. My favorite part was when they had each finished stuffing their bear/dog/bunnies, they each got a heart and she gave them all these things to do: rub the heart in your hands so it will always be warm, hold the heart next to your ears so it will know your voice and your stories, hold the heart to your forehead so it will be as smart as you and after all the instructions, put it in the animal and then the folks that worked at Build A Bear closed the openings on the back and then back to the front of the store to get their accessory. They had a great time!

After Build A Bear, we headed to Sabarro for pizza, pasta, juice and brownies, and some singing of course! What a great party! After everyone went home, EJS went with Papa and LaLa to the American Girl store and EJS got her first AG doll, Julia with a matching outfit for them both! What a lucky girl!

Back to the house to prep for the evening’s activities. While we were setting up, EJS and I made her first batch of chocolate chip cookies with her Easy Bake Oven!

Then people began to arrive, everyone who was there had someone in their family with a March birthday! EJS, of course, neighbor across the street, COF and her daughter, JF, then the S family down the street, their daughter B is going to be 11 soon, SR is going to have a birthday in a few weeks and his twins S&E turned 3 on the same day as COF, we even took a picture with all the March birthdays, too cool!

We had brunch for dinner. Bagels, lox and cream cheese, whitefish salad, cheese and crackers, I even got some vegan cream cheese and sliced cheese for me and anyone interested, baked french toast and then here come the neighbors and the food! quiches and salads, fruit salad, desserts, everything was absolutely delicious!

We played, we laughed, we told stories, we sang happy birthday, there were presents to be opened and everyone was up way past their bedtimes.

Oh! When EJS was brushing her teeth, she lost one! Put it right in her toothfairy pillow I made her when she was losing her first tooth and then before bed wrote the toothfairy a note, put that under her pillow with the toothfairy pillow and it was lights out.

Here I sit writing to you, getting tired, wondering where the energy the kids had at almost 9pm came from because I know how to wear me out and on that note, I bid you a fond farewell and a great night!

{March 22, 2014} And so it begins…Happy Happy Birthday EJS!

I told you there would be more to talk about starting today!

The day started off too early, for the day, not for the lovin! I must have been expecting it, because as soon as I heard the little feet hit the top of the stairs of the basement, I smiled.

They got to the bed and EJS gently touched my arm and said, very softly, I might add, “Auntie J, it’s time to get up”. I said “Is that the birthday girl?” She jumped on the bed, hugged me and I covered her with kisses. MGS tried her best to get on the bed by herself [side note, it’s a blow up mattress on top of a pull out couch, the top of the bed came up to her neck!] so I grabbed her aned pulled her onto the bed, got my hugs and covered her with kisses!

We all stayed under the covers for a bit, then EJS left and MGS played for a while and then headed upstairs, I guess it was time to get up. I went upstairs for a quick shower and checked out EJS’ room, her daddy had decorated it with all sorts of shiny ballons including a giant 7! Can you believe it?!

For her birthday, EJS wanted to go to Starbucks for breakfast and away we went, with enough time for treats and then back home in time for the school bus. After she left for school, we had about 40 minutes before we had to be at her school as well. We were going to see her first grade class recite poetry! An elementary school poetry slam, so to speak!

We were greated by two classmates and escorted to her classroom, where we were treated to a lesson about poetry, then they recited two poems together, a song, then EJS read two poems that she wrote, one called ” I come from” all about family and what she likes to go and see and places she likes and movie, you name it, she wrote about it. The second poem was call “Cars”, it was short and sweet, just like her.

After all the kids read their poems, some one and others two, then they sang two songs, it was fantastic! I took some videos and some photos, boy does EJS look like her mommy! We had a great time, so proud of our poet!

Then it was home to get some work done, I ran some errands and then dad and LaLa got here and eventually, we went to pick up EJS from aftercare and we headed to meet ACS and MGS, along with ACS’ “big brother” S and his wife B at EJS’ restaurant of choice, The Cheesecake Factory. Luckily the company was terrific, because the service was awful! I did my thing and told the waiter that it was EJS’ birthday and of course, when we ordered dessert, it came out with a candle and serenade, she loved it.

After dinner, we walked a little, headed home and it was time to open presents. An Easy Bake Oven from Auntie J, books and clothes from LaLa, books, games and puzzlers from Papa, tomorrow we are going to American Girl after her party for Papa’s next gift! And last but not least, for tonight anyway, Frozen from mommy and daddy! BIG hit! MGS had some treats of her own, games, puzzles and books, a great night all around!

Then it was story time, new books for night night and lights out, well, for the girls.

The grown ups went downstairs, dad and LaLa bade us good night, I made some brownies for the party tomorrow and GES and ACS chilled for a bit, then said goodnight.

Told you it was going to be a jam packed day! Gotta get some sleep because tomorrow is packed: Birthday party, more shopping, birthday brunch for dinner with all the March birthdays in the family and extended family, it’s going to be another crazy day!

Sweet dreams and Happiest of Happy Birthdays to my wonderful, smart, caring, funny, sweet SEVEN year old niece, EJS. I love you!

{March 20, 2014} writer’s block…or maybe I’m just tired

What to talk about?

It’s 1:15am, I got to Boston a few hours ago, GES picked me up, we were able to catch up just the two of us for the ride home, it was great. I saw ACS when we got to the house, we caught up a little, eventually, they went up to get some sleep, I did a little laundry and here I am sitting talking with you. I have a lot to say, but I can’t think of one thing to talk about.

You should see the way they decorated EJS’ room for her birthday tomorrow, well, today! She’s going to be so very excited when she wakes up in a few hours!

I’ll have much more to tell you over the weekend! There’s a poetry reading, birthday dinner, birthday brunch, going into the office and then back to Michigan on Sunday, whirlwind! Of course, maybe with some Muppets Most Wanted thrown in…I can’t wait to be woken up by my two favorite wee tots in a few hours! Gotta get some sleep!

Good night!

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