What I love! | Peaches Prattlings

{February 1, 2014} What a day! Skiing, friends and visiting

As the title states…what a day! It is non-stop around this household!

Up about seven when my brother-in-law, ACS [I had to start using his middle initial!] came downstairs to the basement to get his skis and boots and turned on the light, really? Lucky for him, I had woken up about three minutes before that!

EJS and ACS were heading to Nashoba, http://www.skinashoba.com/, for ski lessons for EJS, MGS had her lessons later. So there was the packing of the bag, getting dressed, getting the skis in the car and evenutally, out the door, I was beat by then!

The plan was for ACS to take EJS to the mountain for her lesson, then dad and I would bring MGS to the mountain, meet ACS and EJS for lunch, then MGS would have her lesson at 1:30, sounds good. Dad and I were informed that we would be working as a team to take MGS to the mountain, sounds good.

Next it was time to get MGS set, first layer on, next layer on, last layer on. It takes a little longer because she is three and change and needs to examine everything she is doing, taking the time, piece by piece, to look at it, discuss it and then put it on. Then she was dressed and ready to go. I forgot to mention that while we had a few hours since the others left, we played games, made masks, just had some fun.

One of my sister’s college roommates, KP [that’s how she will always be to me], came in to town to visit her and was staying at SR’s house, they came over just as we were leaving and it was an interesting transition, but someone, not saying who…was smart enough to grab the iPad and say “Hey, MGS, how about Despicable Me2?” Perfect, she loves those minions! WIthin ten minutes of being on the road, she was fast asleep.

It was a nice drive for dad and I up to Nashoba, only about 40 mintues, we chatted, listened to the radio and all of a sudden we were there! I did miss a turn off from the round aout, but that’s the great thing about round abouts, just go around about again!

We got to the ski area, found a place to park, grabbed the sleeping munchkin who wrapped her little legs and arms around me, snuggled down and oh brother, what a feeling!

We went into the lodge, waited for EJS and ACS to join us. After her lesson, they went skiing together, they had such a great time! Side note…I don’t think I told you, my sister and brother-in-law met at a ski house they both had time in, so you know these two girls are going to ski!

We had lunch, not bad for what it was. Then it was time to put on layer after layer after layer on MGS and take her out for her lesson. The three year olds are SO cute! They wear a harness that has a handle on the back so you can pick them up easier if they are on the ground and then there is a stick, looks a little like a pogo stick that the parents use to pull the kids. TOO CUTE!

After watching about fifteen minutes, dad, EJS and I left to head towards the car, well, apparently that was the wrong thing to do, here comes ACS and MGS, she had had enough. We got belgium waffles from the waffle hut and headed to the cars and home.

When we got there, SR and KP were still at the house, we hung out for a while, then everyone by ACS and GES went to SR and LR’s house to see their kids, S&E, LOVE those little guys! EJS and MGS love playing with them, we went to the attic play room they had just finished and played for a while.

When it was time for S&E to have dinner, we all came back to the house, had dinner ourselves, then it was bath, games, books and bed time. For the kids, the grownups thought about going to sleep, we were wiped out by then, but we stayed up.

We went downstairs, had something to eat, SR and KP came back to visit and then they were gone and now everyone is upstairs in bed, except for ACS, who is at a birthday party and yours truly who couldn’t go to sleep without first telling you about my day!

Tomorrow is swim lessons, Sunday school, valentine card making, then the SuperBowl [go Broncos!], then a nap?

Are you tired yet from reading this? Sweet dreams!

{January 31, 2014} Nobody puts Baby in a corner

Do I have to tell you what that’s from? Just that line elicits so many emotions and memories, well, for me it does.

I almost didn’t say anything in the post, let the quote speak for itself, but on the other hand, so much to say!

I still remember my mom taking me to see it in the theater, I was sixteen, which means drooling over Patrick Swayze!

Isn’t it amazing how one line can bring so much to mind from any one movie. “I carried a watermelon”…”I carried a watermelon?”

“This is my dance space…This is your dance space”

“Johnny: What’s your real name, Baby?
Baby: Frances. For the first woman in the Cabinet.
[laughs]
Johnny: Frances. That’s a real grown up name.”

What else can I say? We all want the bad boy to take an interest, see us and leave his hot model girlfriend, I know Penny wasn’t his girlfriend, just the thoughts that go through our minds. We want Johnny to stick up for us, teach us stuff, get into fights for and over us, stand up to our dad’s for us, make us feel special and safe and laugh and experience life and become a woman and so much more.

Oh wow, how much like a teenager do I sound right now? Ah, who cares, it was Dirty Dancing and I wanted Johnny to pull me out of a corner and dance with me in front of everyone and do the lift and dance in the water and have secret moments with and see him give Mr Shumaker back his money because he was in la la land over me.

Sigh…now I’m just dreaming. Enjoy your daydreams, may they be filled with music, laughter and Patrick Swayze.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092890/?ref_=nv_sr_1

{January 30, 2014} Auntie J’s day

Yesterday it was Auntie J all the way!

Mommy and daddy had an appointment, so it was me, EJS and MGS all day. I set the alarm for six am, apparently it went off, it was quiet when the girls woke me at 7:20, actually, they didn’t actually wake me, they walked in the room and I knew they were there.

They told me it was time to get up, that I needed to take a shower and they were ready for breakfast. EJS asked if I would put a braid in her hair for school, of course! well, if I get hugs and kisses, I’ll get out of bed, I’m not above bribing!

I walked into MGS’ room and EJS was helping her get dressed! We both tried to tell her that her shirt was on backwards, but she was happy with it! She was dressed! We all went I to mommy and daddy’s bathroom to brush teeth, wash hands, brush hair.

Then it was downstairs for breakfast, I prepped the pancakes while they watched TV. I went to take a shower and when I came back downstairs, made lunches, got snacks and it was time to take MGS to school.

When I got here on Monday, MGS informed me that I was allowed to take her to school “one day only” and this was the day!

We piled in the car, iPad at the ready, put on Rio and headed to school without incident, except for an occasional sharing violation. Got to school, walked MGS in, then EJS and I headed out, we stopped at Dunkin Donuts for a treat.

We headed for EJS’ school, she had a late start for her school day. I dropped her off, went home, took care of a few things, had a great lunch with TRS and her youngest, SS, then we went to pick up her big sister, SS from school.

The evening was the most fun, when MGS and I picked up EJS we made a plan for the evening..and it was great!

As soon as we got home, we all went to our rooms and put on our jammies, I set them up with a movie, one guess! I made us egg, cheese and spinache sandwiches on English muffins, yes, my own egg mcmuffins! While we sat on the living room floor and had a picnic!

Someone, not me, had her sandwich, her little sisters and then oatmeal, good girl! Then it was strawberries and grapes for dessert and in a few minutes we were heading upstairs to read books and play games and guess who came home at that particular moment, perfect timing!

Upstairs we went to read books and play games and then bed.

It was a good day, a good day with my girls and Auntie J!

{January 29, 2014} How old do I look?

Let me start by saying, I love being JJ, the grandmother role to LB, A and now LS. I inherited that job by being with DCM, who is Grandpa to all three kids, and I’m so happy to be in that role.

As I’ve told you in the past, at least I think I have, I look like my mom, more and more so as I’ve gotten older, especially when I cut my hair short and dye it red. Yes, I am admitting that I dye my hair…and proud of it!

That being said, let me tell you what happened today. I was picking up EJS from the aftercare program at school and one of the second grade after care teachers asked me….”are you her grandmother?” That kind of threw me…I know I’m in the role of a grandmother, but I didn’t think I looked like a grandmother.

Then, when I told my sister and brother in law the story, he asked who’s mother I was!

Now, please don’t get me wrong, I’m only 42 and I’ve been told I don’t look my age, DCM is a little older than me and doesn’t look it, CG, grandmother to LB, A and LS, doesn’t look like a grandmother either! To me, a “grandmother” is someone who is in their 70s, 80s or older. Like mine were when I was a kid. And I don’t “feel” like a grandmother, I’m not talking about actions or love or feelings, I’m just talking about looks.

One of the things I like to say, when it came to my kids and now my grandkids, “I have all the joys and none of the stretch marks!”

I will revel being JJ and in the grandmother role as long as they will have me, but I’m not quite ready to think I look the role!

{January 28, 2014} Saying goodbye…a sad day

Today, my sister, brother-in-law and I went to a funeral for the father of a dear friend and neighbor, COF.

Her dad, WO or Bindy as he was affectionately referred to by his grand kids, passed on January 23rd and was laid to rest today, a very nice service that we attended. He was then was interned with Military Honors, a World War II US Navy Veteran. He was a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather, isn’t that a wonderful thing that he was able to meet his great grandson?

Since my sister moved into this neighborhood, I have gotten to know this family and grown to love them very much, MF and COF are terrific parents, COF even calls me Auntie J! The girls are fun to spend time with and talk to and they all adore my sisters family, especially my nieces who think that the sun rises and sets with their daughters. COF’s parents were also very fond of my nieces, always remembers them; when we were on the receiving line, we introduced ourselves as EJS’ mother and aunt, his wife, RO knew exactly who we were!

WO was a fascinating man, he was a radio news broadcaster in the Boston area for over fifty years! Even after he retired, he reported the news on Cape Cod and was involved in the Cape Cod Radio Mystery Theater, how cool is that?

He was married to RO for sixty eight years! Something that makes you think and marvel and appreciate, what a strong bond and relationship and what an incredible message for their children and grandchildren.

The eulogies today were so special and touching, there were some tears, laughter and great stories, just as a funeral should be, we celebrated his life. His son and grandson told stories that made us smile and one of his granddaughters, JF, read a poem that truly represented her grandfather, helping us to learn a lot about this man being honored today. He loved to play golf, smoke cigars, drink cheap whiskey and thought everything could be used at a later date so he wouldn’t throw anything away. (That made GES and I think about our grandmother and smile). The preacher read some scriptures that were so fitting and even some Dr Seuss, I bet there aren’t too many funeral services you could say you heard Dr Seuss!

I’m glad that I was here to share in the celebration of this amazing man.

{January 27, 2014} Small Town Girl

Small Town Girl is one of my all time favorite movies! It’s on TCM right now!

Kay, played by Janet Gaynor, is the small town girl who lives at home and works in the family store, every day is the same, but she wants something more, something different, she wants out of the small town.

She sees her opportunity, sort of, in Robert Taylor, a young doctor in town for the big Harvard-Yale game. He passes by in his model T, slightly inibriated, and asks for directions, then proceeds to persuade her to get in and guide her. Keep in mind this is 1936, no woogie or funny business.

She goes with him to the party, they get champagne and more champagne, she has all of one glass and he’s “blotso” then end up in the car again, good advertising for drinking and driving! They end up crashing near a justice of the peace and guess what happens next.

When they wake up, they head to his house to face his parents, quite wealthy parents, you find out that Robert is a prominent doctor and playboy and engaged to someone. Because he has had so many public scandals, they decide to stay married for six months, to save face, then they’ll get a divorce and he can marry the woman he really loves.

If you can guess what happens over the next six months, you’d be right. She finally leaves because she is watching him love someone else, but guess who comes to find her?

Happy ending!

I really love this movie!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028269/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

{January 26, 2014} Another race, brunch, tea, dinner, time well spent!

I figured out how to make the insomniac sleep…wear her butt out! I was so very tired last night after only three hours sleep, a 5k and a marathon of volunteering, walking, seeing friends that I got home about 9:30, got everything ready for today, blogged to you and then at 10:00, got in bed, turned off the lights and that’s all she wrote! I woke with the alarm, seven whole hours of sleep! Wow!

(Another marathon day, so…long post)

The alarm went off at 5:00, I did snooze four times, I didn’t realize I had done that, well, the fourth time anyway! I got up, dressed and out the door in six minutes, see…packing my bag the night before was smart! Only happens every other Saturday! Luckily there are very few people on the road at 5:30am on a Sunday. I met CKM at the Decatur parking deck, MB showed up a few minutes later and we piled in CKM’s SUV and we were off! It was so much easier this year! We came in from a different direction, that may have helped. We found a spot in the parking lot, sat for a while and a little after 7:00, headed out to the start, very layered up! It had gotten up to 29, wow! CKM said it was even colder when she got up at four! Brrrr

We lined up with all our 30,000 friends! We were doing the Hot Chocolate 5k, the 15k started a little later. National Anthem, very nice, then corral A, B, C, D, each spaced about three minutes apart, give people time to go and then E! We were off! It’s nice to have people to do the runs with, friends to talk to, keep pace with, laugh, CKM and I always have a good time and it was fun to have MB with us. We took some pictures before the run, ran across the start, then ran across the finish and then it was over! We headed to get our giant mug of chocolate. I asked for a “non chocolate” mug, that meant no dipping chocolate, still had dipping stuff (banana, marshmallow, yum) found a spot and enjoyed our treat and people watched.

I think they’re getting smarter, learning from past races, traffic coming in and leaving was better, the start was better, they had bags for everyone to put their cups in, we agreed it seemed to be smoother. People seemed to have a lot of fun! There were runners and walkers of all ages, always fun to see.

I think I said it earlier, but thank you again to CKM for getting the parking pass and driving us!

We headed back to Decatur to meet everyone for brunch, we had some time to kill so we went to Starbucks, enjoyed some warm beverages and picked the perfect time to leave when the guy next to us was talking to someone on the phone about someone else going to prison…exit stage left!

We walked to the restaurant and BG and his son, JAG, were waiting for us, we went in, got settled in and ordered some biscuits while we waited for everyone else, gotta have some biscuits! Soon after JC, CC and their son, MC arrived, he’s about 2.5, what a doll baby! I got to spend some time at thanksgiving with him, so we got to know each other better.

AB arrived next, great to see her, as always, then, just after went ordered, JB, AL and their son, E, arrived, we were complete! The food came and we ate, drank and were very merry! I was so happy that everyone who could came out and I got to spend time with them! It’s funny, I think I’ve said this before, there are some people I see more since I’ve moved, whatever works! I looked around the table and except for JB and AL, I had worked with each person at the table, that’s how I met most of them, the world is very small.

After brunch, everyone headed their own way, I went to meet TS for a cup of tea and some one on one time. We only had about an hour, but it was good to catch up and see each other in person. And she always tells me it feels like we talk more often, since she reads my blog, it’s like we’re sitting across from each other. The cool thing is that on my drive home, I called TS and we talked the entire way home and then some, almost two hours, not too shabby! A good visit!

(TS…go to the window, open it up…ha ha, inside joke, I hope you got it!)

After tea time, I headed to meet SDL, her sister Donna and “the pickle” Miss A, oh how I love that little one! Luckily, LK was available to meet us, along with her youngest, KK, and oh how I love that little one too! She’s a little bigger than Miss A, but she’s the youngest of her sisters, so, she’s still the little one, although, if she keeps growing, I’m toast!

I’ve talked about both of them and their kids to each other, I thought it would be great to introduce them, more one on one time with each of them, LK and KK had to get home, so the rest of us hung out and chatted a little while longer, then it was time to part company they left, I left and here I am.

I am packed for tomorrow, showered and ready to get to Boston to see my family! My dad is going to be there too, it’s going to be great.

{January 25, 2014} What a day! I can’t believe you’re still awake!

The day started waaayyyy too early, the alarm went off at six am! What? It’s Saturday! Is that what today was?

I got up that early and snoozed a few times, I knew there would be very little traffic on the road at 6:30am. I took a lighting quick shower to wake up, got dressed then headed out the door. Luckily, I arranged what I needed last night for the day, just like I just now, for tomorrow. Let me go back and tell you that I didn’t fall asleep until about 2:30 or 3:00 this morning, partly because I wasn’t very tired and partly because my body still thinks it’s two hours behind!

I got up that early because I was participating in the Atlanta Mission 5k, a run to help end homelessness. I made it downtown in plenty of time, checked in and got my number, then walked around a lot to warm up and I mean a lot, mostly because it was about twenty degrees out and I had to stay warm! I had three layers on top, a hat, gloves and neck thingy to keep my face and neck warm, yes, thingy is a technical term!

I’m not sure why, but the race started late, they kept delaying and delaying, I know a lot of people were enjoying the group dancing, but I was ready to go. We started about twenty minutes late, but I was happy with my time, 46:06, mot bad for not having run a race in a while and it was my first run of 2014. This was the fourth year for this run and they started with 300 participants, today 3000! Wow!

The main reason I was a little annoyed was the next thing on the schedule, I was meeting CKM to volunteer at the Hot Chocolate Race Expo. I was a little late getting here, but when I did, we checked in and got set up giving out race numbers, just like we do for the Peachtree Race, this was more techno savvy, we scanned their confirmations, the PC would tell us what corral they were in, then scan their race bib, it printed out a label with their names, we directed them where to go and off they went. It was fun, met a lot of nice people and THREE people with the same name as me ! What are the odds? One woman and I had the exact same birthday, year and everything! I’ve never met anyone else with my name and today, I meet three! Wow!

After our shift was over, 9:45-2:30, we got our numbers and goody bags, walked around the expo and headed our separate ways, well, walked about a mile from the expo to the entrance! We all said it would have been a little easier on our feet and backs if they had those cushioned mats for us to stand on, let me tell you, my feet loathe me right now, if they could, they’d leave me!

After I left the Georgia World Congress Center, I went to see my dear friend RJS, who’s birthday is tomorrow. She was kind enough to let me take a quick shower at her place. We would have had some tea there, but she’s having the floors redone, so the living room was in the kitchen, kind of inconvenient for tea time. So, we headed out to Choco-late for some tea and girl talk. I gave her her birthday present, a really cute cross stich, I’ll show you some time. We each had a limited amount of time, just enough to catch up and enjoy some tea and the company.

RJS headed to pick up her honey and head to Eddie’s Attic for some good music and a good time and I headed to meet some dear friends for dinner, which was a good thing, I hadn’t eaten all day, save half a granola bar, a few Cheetos and an orange! Needless to say, I was staving!

I headed to Taco Mac at the Perimeter, I know that won’t mean a lot to some of you, but other people will know where I went. I was meeting one of my oldest and dearest friends, LGR, who I met about a year after I moved to Georgia, so almost twenty years! The awesome thing about our relationship, is that even though we don’t see or talk to each other very often, the bond is there, we love each other very much and are never far from the other’s thoughts, sometimes it’s like no time has passed, aren’t those friendships wonderful!

I was meeting LGR and her husband, MR and their adorable daughter CR. We had a great time catching up,sharing stories and our lives, laughing and having a great time. We vowed to try to talk more often, I hope we do, but if we don’t, I’m not worried, I know the love is still there! (Thank you again!)

I hopped in the car, headed to the house and sat down to write to you because I know how tired you must be from reading all that! I know I’m tired and hoping to get some sleep very soon because the alarm is going off at way to early am! I am meeting CKM and MB to go down to a Turner Field to participate in the Hot Chocolate 5k, the one we were volunteering for today.

So…that was my day, how was yours?

{January 23, 2014} What a day…no skiing, but it was a good day!

Well, the weather forecast was snow and guess what it did? Started sometime last night/early morning and continued until mid morning/afternoon.

There went my thoughts about driving up to the mountains and going skiing, that’s ok, I took care of some stuff. First thing, I went to the DMV of office to take care of my tag, guess what I found when I got there…they had faxed a cover letter with my name and someone else’s title, for a Volvo, fun. I called Chase and they faxed a copy over immediately, interesting that they didn’t have to call the Philipines. After all was said and done, I had a tag, now I just need to put it on the car.

I asked about a personalized plate, it will take about 6-8 months once I order it, huh? CKM pointed out that it would make a great birthday present for myself! How funny is that?

Then I decided, since I wasn’t going anywhere, to take myself to the movies. I made myself a sandwich to take with me, bought a bottle of water, $6.50 for my ticket, I think that was the early matinee price, headed into the theater and watched ‘Saving Mr Banks’. It was very emotional, I’ll talk about it some day, there’s a whole backstory.

After the movies (and I will blog one day about going to the movies alone) I headed home, did some laundry, started watching Leap Year, got a few things done around the apartment, then it was time to head to DCM’s office, I was having dinner with the girls. We had a group of guys and gals to go get beers at a micro brewery and ended up staying and eating, good veggie burger!

It had been a while since I’d seen most of them, the holiday party beginning of December to be exact and I recently got a hair cut and gave a quick color, some people didn’t recognize me! Had a great time! Lots of laughs, good conversation, good times! I always have fun with TT (thank you so much again!), AN, EL, GW and some new people that I met at the holiday party and some tonight, I’m sure I’ll see them all again. It’s nice to know a great group of people to go out and hang with!

Then it was back home, bring the skis, poles, boots, pants, etc in (I had left them in the car the other day thinking I was going today), pack and get ready to head to Atlanta and Boston for the week! I can’t wait!

And guess what…DCM said I was right! I got the hands wrong in my post! Told ya! They were straights, not flushes! Who cares, I won!

{January 22, 2014} I went…

Skiing! Today I did something I haven’t done in almost twenty years! I went skiing!

(I talked to dead, GES, SDL and DCM, so sorry guys that you’ve heard all this already!)

My sister and I grew up skiing and I continued until I moved to Georgia. I even took a skiing class my last semester of college! It was great, we went to a mountain, had a twenty minute lecture/lesson and then we skied for an hour, how do you beat that? Thanks mom and dad!

My sister continued to ski after she moved to Boston, actually met my brother-in-law at a ski house they both had time in, that’s serious! And now, my nieces, 6.5 and 3.5 are both taking lessons, awesome! I was even on a ski slope the day I found out I got into college!

I used to love it and then when I moved to Georgia, I just didn’t go, said I would, but didn’t, there’s not a lot of skiing in Georgia, you can go to South Carolina, Virginia, places like that, just didn’t, so when I knew I was moving, I was stoked! And you remember the post about me buying skis, boots and poles? Well, now I need to use them.

For my birthday I got the Epic Local Pass, http://www.snow.com/epic-pass.aspx, how cool is that! My dad and my sister made it possible for me to go skiing today! I got up headed out to get pants, goggles and gloves and then I was off. It was about an hour and fifteen minute drive to Keystone and the drive is beautiful! I’ve made it a few times, going to Grorgetown, Breckenridge and a few other places to go sightseeing.

When I left Broomfield, it was 59 degrees, as you get deeper into the mountains, the temperature drops really quickly! By the time I got to Keystone it was 35! But the nice thing, no humidity, so it never gets too cold. Don’t get me wrong, cold is cold, just some cold is worse.

I found a place to park, free…wahoo! Geared up and headed towards the lift. Since it’s been a few years, ha ha, since I skiid, I asked what they recommended. I boarded the gondola and headed up to the top of the mountain, that’s where ski school was, along with green dot for beginner, blue square for intermediate and black diamond expert.

I was a little nervous and all I kept thinking on the way up in the gondola was “please let me like it again! please let me like it again and come back to me” I was afraid of not remembering what to do and not enjoying it and wasting all that money. I got off the gondola, put the skis on the ground, stepped into them, locked them in place and pushed off….

It was…awesome! Like muscle memory, I remembered how to push off, turn, speed up, snow plow, ball of it! It was an awesome feeling! I headed for a green dot and stayed with that the entire run. I took my time going down the mountain, slaloming and swooshing back and forth, going fast, going slow, taking some breaks in between, talking to the people who worked there who keeping an eye on the mountain and skiers. I laughed because during one break, there was a stereotypical group of snow boarders behind me, talking about shrooms and smoking the sweet stuff, that made me laugh!

It felt great! And all I kept thinking was, “let me get better, I want to be a black diamond again!”. GES is hoping that when she gets back on skis, she has just as easy of a time, I know she will, she’s skied longer and better than me!

I will tell you, one of the things I didn’t like was not eating before I went up the mountain, it had been about four hours since I’d eaten anything and halfway down, I didn’t feel so not, luckily, I got something to eat after I finished the run, which helped a little, I then decided it was time to go, I would be back! It’s always easier to leave someplace you enjoy when you know you’re coming back soon. I’ll also have to come up with a solution, I have a beaded ankle bracelet that I made when I was fifteen, this thing is not coming off the skis rubbed so hard I have blisters! Live and learn!

Bottom line, I have to tell you, it was soooo much fun! Especially when it all came flooding back to me again! One of the reasons I was so excited to move to Colorado..skiing! I am excited to go again!

Who’s coming with me?

Thanks again daddy and GES!

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