What I love! | Peaches Prattlings

{July 22, 2013} Despicable Me 2

Wee ooh wee ooh wee ooh (if you saw the movie, that will be really funny!)

I loved the original Despicable Me and I had a feeling that I would love this movie as well. The first movie had a happy ending, bottom line, family is everyone, this movie had a happy ending as well, go figure and to quote Dr. Nefario, “You can build a rocket, steal the moon, rob a bank, but you don’t mess with my family!”

In this movie, Gru was retired from the villain business, he was devoted to his girls, a dedicated dad, you see that right from the start. The girls want him to be happy, to “get out there” and date, not one of Gru’s strong points. It’s really cute how they go about trying to get him on a dating site.

Gru is recruited by the AVL, the Anti Violence League to help save the world, the girls are so excited! Along with that recruitment, comes a partner, Lucy, who is a great challenge to Gru, in that she matches him in a bit of deviousness and enthusiasm. Can you guess what happens?

There were a lot of laughs, hard not to, adventures, drama, no nail biting, jams and jellies, minions, teenage love, angst and heartache, daughters who dote on Gru heights, submarines, a cheesy music video by the minions, Agnes who wants to make toast, rockets with dynamite and a shark attached heading for a volcano, what could be better.

Ok, what’s with the shark? Is that like the three sea shells in Demolition Man?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1690953/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

{July 20, 2013} Red 2

Last night we went to see Red 2 and we loved it.

My dad was right, it’s even funnier if you’ve seen the first one, but you didn’t need to see it to enjoy this one. I know, you’re shocked, I went to a movie and didn’t blog about it the same night! I promised to tell you about the Firefly 5k yesterday and I did that and here we are.

DCM and I were very excited about Red 2, we’ve been waiting for it, almost as soon as the first one ended, so excited when we found out it was in the works!

The cast was incredible, Bruce Willis, John Malcovich, Mary Louise Parker, Helen Mirren and Brian Cox were all back la la la LOVE Helen Mirren in this role! Missed Morgan Freeman. There were some new additions that made the movie: Catherine Zeta Jones, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Byung-hun Lee, (As soon as i saw him, I immediately said I need to call SDL!) and David Thewlis, to name a few.

There were car chases, intrigue, theft, escape, firepower, things blowing up, guns, planes, bombs, shootings, fighting, knives, bad one liners, good dialog, bad dialog with a little love and romance thrown in, could you ask for more?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1821694/?ref_=sr_1

{July 19, 2013} Turbo

Today was a double wonderful whammy!

I got to see family and a great movie! It worked out perfectly that my meetings go moved to Wednesday-Thursday and I changed flights to Friday so I had an extra night in Atlanta and LK and two of the girls were available!

We were trying to figure out where to go dinner and then…lightbulb! Dinner and a movie! So, we met at Studio Movie Grill to go see Turbo! For those of you not in the know…Studio Movie Grill is a great place you can have dinner and watch a movie, what a novel concept!

Turbo was great! I don’t care who you are, how old or young you are, go see this! I loved it! It’s a little “Little Engine that Could”…if you believe it and you believe in yourself and that it is in you and you can do it, you can do it! Do not give up on your dreams, no matter what anyone else says or how they try to discourage you. When you believe in yourself, it’s catching, others will see in you even something that you don’t and will follow you, help you rise and realize your dream!

There will also be people who try to stop you, tell you your dreams are not good, stupid even, why don’t you just stay where it’s safe, don’t listen to them! Eventually, they will see how you shine and believe in yourself and don’t give up and then at that moment when it seems all hope is lost, there they are to lift you up!

Turbo is about a snail who dreams of more than the life/existence he has, he wants to be fast! He loves to watch car racing on TV! And one day, gets that dream! (Not a spoiler alert) he ends up in a street racing car and gets hit with some Nitro! Guess what happens!

His brother, Chet, doesn’t want anything to do with any of this, the crazy talk, the dreams, none of it. He wants his brother to come home and be an ordinary garden snail.

They end up in a run down shopping center and meet Tito and his older bother, Angelo. Interestingly enough, Angelo just wants Tito to give up his crazy dreams and work with him making tacos. See any correlations?

In the end, Turbo has a shot at the Indy 500, but not without the help of his friends…and eventually…. you guessed it, his brother.

There were some happy times, sad times, scary times, nail biting times, intense times and exciting times! The movie was animated, but you know it was written for adults.

Bottom line? Believe in yourself and don’t give up on your dreams, your friends and family with either support you or not, but you only have to believe in yourself and the rest will fall into place.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1860353/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

{July 16, 2013} Catching up

Back in Atlanta and back in the office today was great because I got to see my co-workers and friends.

Having co-workers become friends is what makes being in the office all the more worthwhile, it helps so much, breaks up the monotony, have someone to go to lunch with, makes the day go by faster and more pleasantly.

It was great to see DL, she was actually the first person I met at my current position, on my very first day. We went to lunch shortly after I started and we have been steadfast friends ever since. She was one of the people who made some bad days better, it’s always great to have a friend, isn’t it? We have such a good, honest and open relationship, we can talk about anything and tell each other everything without threat of being rebuked, fear of retribution or rejection. It’s good to have someone to talk to about work, things that make you mad, things you questions, things that make you scratch your head! And boy, do we have a good time, we laugh and laugh, cut up, joke and have a great time!

We got away for lunch, just the two of us and it was great! I don’t know when I’ll see her in person again, maybe I’ll get a visit…hint hint.

PC is my counterpart in Canada and we’ve become great friends. I tease and call him my WBF [work boyfriend], KAB is my OWBF [other work boyfriend!], everyone needs someone like that! It’s always fun to be in the same room with him, he has always been a great champion and friend in the workplace. He trained me on the systems we use and I still go to him with questions and for advice. He also translates when I can’t understand what someone is trying to explain or say. We definitely work well together.

After work, we drove out to Roswell to have dinner with a former co-worker and good friend of mine, who I worked with about 4 companies and contracts ago! ST is the one who got me in the door here and when we worked together all those contracts ago, I used to call him my work husband!

We realized that we worked and traveled well together a long time ago, but even more when we were the only two on a contract and when we would go out to dinner and he, who eats no veggies and I, who eats no meat, would ask what I wanted and I would eat the veggies off his plate!

He was let go almost a year ago and in January found a job that he absolutely loves and I’m so happy for him! We had a great time catching up and reminiscing and letting it all out on the table. I hope we’ll be able to see each other again in the future.

{July 16, 2013} Pitch Perfect

I finally watched Pitch Perfect and I really liked it!

I have been wanting to see it and it came on Xfinity On Demand, so I checked it out tonight. If you’ve seen it, you’ll understand the irony of me eating dinner as the movie started, specifically I was eating tomato bisque!

I don’t know if I liked it because I liked to watch Glee for a while and the concept was similar or I liked the cast or I liked the music or maybe a combination of all three.

It was the time old story of a bunch of misfits coming together; freshman new at college, the senior members of the group having been disgraced at last years competition, needing almost all new members for the group set in their old ways thinking that’s the best. In comes new talent, fresh ideas, meeting resistance and finally coming together realizing they need each other.

In addition, there is competition at the school with the all boy acapella group, they have lost count of how many times they have won the national competition, so they’re a bit, lets say, full of themselves.

Through all of that, you have the not so distant themes: There is a love story, parent/child turmoil, standing up and standing out, it’s ok to get nervous, speak your mind and be yourself, awe…

I really liked the music, what they were signing and what was part of the soundtrack, this I liked better than Glee, probably because I knew more of the music in the movie than Glee, that helped.

All in all, I enjoyed it and can see watching it again.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1981677/?ref_=sr_1

{July 15, 2013} What a day! Try to keep up!

Today was a whirlwind! Ok, the weekend was a whirlwind!

I got in to Atlanta yesterday afternoon. I know you’re saying, “What? JJ, you were just there last week” and to you I would say, “You are correct! Quite observant I might add! I have really smart friends!”

So, the whirlwind really started yesterday afternoon when I got to Atlanta. After renting a car, I called JCT to see when we were getting together and decided to go to Ikea, since I hadn’t been since it opened. After a while, we connected and there was a mis-communication so we didn’t get together, we were still going to see each other at brunch Sunday.

CKM and I were calling each other at the same time and it just worked out that we were both hungry and we decided to go to Farm Burger http://www.farmburger.net/ in Decatur, great burgers, fantastic veggie [quinoa] burgers, fresh cut friends and onion rings, great options for toppings. AL was able to join us, it was a nice relaxing evening, but by 9:30, I was done for, ready to get home and get into bed and away I went. I got to the house, registered for the Dirty Girl Atlanta for next year, Saturday, April 19th, to be exact if you want to join our team! Blogged, then lights out!

Today started at 10am, out the door at 10:30 to head down to Sun in My Belly, http://suninmybelly.com/, in Kirkwood for brunch. It was divine! I had a MLT! [Mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, basil and basil pesto panini Y U M!] I was fortunate enough to be joined by RS, CKM, SDL and her sister DJL and of course, wait for it, Miss A! [the fashionista was in top form! from the top of her head with a silver sparkly bow to her tank top [pink and orange butterfly with silver sparkly spots], jeans with a, wait for it…pink and orange belt down to her pink and orange sneakers!

We had fun at brunch, laughing, talking, catching up. It’s like no time has passed, love that!

JCT was on her way to join us and got a flat tire, had to wait for AAA, so she wasn’t able to join us, bummer! Unfortunately, she was heading back to Boston this afternoon, so I will have to wait until the next trip to Atlanta to see her or, maybe in Boston!

The best part…Miss A walked to me! she took about 6 steps from SDL to me, but she did it on her own! How proud am I? Can you feel it all the way through your pc?

Next, I headed to Smyrna to meet my dear friends, KH and JV and KH’s new baby girl, JH! What a DOLL BABY! cute face, big expressive eyes and wonderfully fat arms and legs, dimples everywhere! So squeezable and scrumptious! I got to feed her and hold and rock her. The rocking and patting finally worked and some of what had gone in came out, it was all good, no worries at all!

While I was feeding her we had a nice long chat, about all the things we would do together when she got older, games we would play, visits she would make, races we would run together [we’ll start off with a 100 yard run, then move to a kids 1 miler, then to the 5k, who knows where next!]

What a treat to see these two women, I haven’t seen JV in a few months and KH in over a year, both looking fantastic and KH, so happy and well in her new role as a mom, what a joy. The only person missing, TS! We all used to work together, JV and KH left on their own, TS and I, they said bye-bye. Looking forward to seeing them again, maybe our little foursome will be able to get together sometime when I’m back in town, only this time, it might be a 4.5!

After we parted, I went to see my friends and their new home, BG, CA and their son J. I’d seen pictures and heard stories when they were home shopping, always better to see in person! It’s a charming house, but you need a map to find your way! J helped give the tour, but you had to be careful! The hardwood floors were lava, you had to jump to the carpet and area rugs, then the kitchen tiles were ice, what were we to do! A few of the coolest features, besides the screened in porch, big back yard, great closets were the attic with a net up, almost like a batting cage, J and his friends and cousins love it! He has a bonus play room, which doubles as a guest room and the extra garage was fantastic! The previous owners had Harley’s and created this work space, it was a mechanic’s dream! I know that would have been my playroom!

After the tour, we sat down to chat, they realized what time it was, fed me some great salads left over from their family reunion and CA’s birthday [Happy Happy] and peach pie. Apparently it’s pie week at Whole Foods! All I can say is, who cares, it was yummy!

So happy for them that they found a house that they love, in a neighborhood they like and near schools that are great for their son, it’s been terrific so far and it’s only been a month!

All of a sudden, I realized it was after 10pm, BG had a 6:30am flight and had to pack, I had an hour drive home, so off I went.

Now, I’m at the house, writing to you and about to nod off, have to work in a few hours! G’night!

{July 13, 2013} Membership has its privileges

Today I was upgraded to first class and I loved it.

A few years ago, I was flying enough that I upgraded from just a skymiles passenger on Delta to Silver Medallion and not everyone was Silver, as it seems they are now and I was upgraded on almost every flight I took.

In three years, I think I flew coach about three times and I realized I went a fan! I didn’t want to sit in steerage! Ha ha . Well, when I lost my status a few years ago, I was back to steerage, sigh.

Since I’ve been Silver status again for a while, I am automatically added to the upgrade waiting list and today, when I was boarding, a new seat assignment popped up, 1A, wahoo!

So, there are a lot of advantages, one being more leg room, only two to a row and the customer service. I imagine when you’re paying those prices, you want a little extra. The flight attendants were very nice, and to be honest, I think these flight attendants were genuinely nice, they seemed that way when I get on the plane.

There is always a bottle of water waiting at your seat, along with a blanket and pillow. The flight attendants always ask if you want something else while you’re waiting to take off. Then when it’s time for food, for some reason, they were serving lunch on this flight.

There was a linen placemat (they called it a table cloth, since we had tables), then the food came it on a bamboo tray, real cutlery, wrapped in a cloth napkin, along with a salt and pepper shaker set. The food was very good, a Mediterranean salad with a side of grilled chicken, which I gave back, breadsticks and a giant oatmeal raisin cookie and if you wanted something else to drink, it came in a real glass.

There is something very nice about this level of service, it makes you want to fly and fly with them again. As we were landing, the flight attendant thanked each passenger individually for flying with them. This the of service is reminiscent of when people first started flying, they took pride in the way they looked for flying, you dressed, skirts for women, suits for men. There is something to be said for it, besides just nostalgic.

Not to worry dear friends, I promise not to get a big head about all this, it would be nice if it happens again or all the time, but if its only once in a while, it will be worth it, it feels good to be treated well, like you matter, but…

Why can’t this happen all the time? Why can’t we treat everyone like they’re someone all the time?

{July 12, 2013} A real rainstorm!

I know, I know, it’s been raining like crazy in Atlanta, why get excited?

As I said its been raining like crazy in Atlanta for the past few weeks and it might continue raining while I’m there next week for work. In Colorado, with 300 days of sunshine on average, we don’t see a lot of rain. Oh, it might rain, but for 3 or 4 minutes here and there, so rain is not something I expect to see.

There have been a few days where the forecast was thunderstorms, but nothing. Tonight, the sky got darker and darker, and not just because the sun was going down! It was dark and grey to the left and bright to the right (please don’t ask me if its east or west!), then you could smell it, a good rain was coming.

It had been thunder and lightning for a few hours and then…it started, sounded good, smelled great, felt wonderful, there was finally a cool breeze in that wind. For a long time, it was just hit wind, not refreshing, but when it cooled off, it was wonderful.

I told DCM, if we could put a screen on the balcony, I would get a futon or a porch swing and sleep right there, the sound of the rain, the cool breeze, what could be better?

{July 11, 2013} The pool was…open!

Yeah! The pool was open!

I decided it was time to get off my arse and get back to running/walking, so yesterday, I set the alarm for 6am, I walked the path across from the apartment, found out its half a mile to the end, so I did back and forth twice and did two miles. It felt good to get moving again.

The goal…two miles to start, add a third if I have time (in the morning), then start running it and be able to run the full three miles by December, I think that’s reasonable. There are a lot of walking paths around, but this is perfect for the start of my day, since I have to start work at 7am.

On my walk, I met Muskoka, a very cute six month old golden and her dad, John. I think I’ll be seeing them every morning, since they are in puppy training mode. I am meeting more and more dogs on my daily outings, it’s fun and then I get to meet a new neighbor, they’re usually attached.

Another reason I wanted to get up so early to work out, is so that I don’t feel as guilty when I go to the pool at 3:00 after work! Before when I didn’t go walking after work, I felt bad, not anymore! Yes I know I could go walking/running after work, but it’s a lot hotter at 3 than 6!

I did check after my walk and the chains were gone! The chemicals did their trick! I suited up, fit perfectly after fixing the straps, loaded the bag, applied sunscreen and off I went! There were two other people at the pool when I got there and two more showed up after. I ended up striking up a conversation with Holly and Christina, both very and live in the next building, we talked about Boulder, restaurants, shopping, skiing and college, yup, that about covered it! I made two friends!

So, the method to my madness paid off and I got to go to the pool and relax and enjoy myself, what could be better?

nice and

{July 8, 2013} Kids, Fellini’s, Vermeer, Goodbye

Today started leisurely, got up, watched a movie (it was way to early for both of us to be up) while I cross stitched, Safe..Jason Statham! Then DCM got up, we finished watching the movie, then got ready to greet the day, lots to do.

After we showered, packed and made sure we had everything, we headed out. We were meeting DCM’s middle daughter, AT and her boyfriend at Fellini’s on Ponce. It’s been a while scene we’d been there together, a tradition that I started a long time ago, whenever I would come back to Atlanta, I would stop at Fellini’s on the way home from the airport. I introduced DCM to this tradition and it’s stuck, well, since we seem to get in about 10:30 pm, it’s a little late by the time we would get to Fellini’s, so this time, on the way out. In addition, AT had never been there and it’s always nice to introduce people to things you like.

After we parted company DCM headed to the airport and I headed to The High Museum of Art to meet CKM for the “Girl with the Pearl Earring” exhibit. I had been looking forward to the exhibit and if you brought your Peachtree Roadrace bib, you got in free, sounds perfect.

The exhibit was nice, different Dutch Paintings from the Mauritius, which I enjoy, a lot of landscapes, still life’s and then we got into the self portraits and tronies, the face. One of the things I like about the Dutch paintings is the clean lines, sometimes, so clean, it looks like a photograph, as opposed to the impressionists, with great flourish and flair in their brush strokes. One thing I was disappointed with was that that there was only one piece, or very few if I am mistaken, by Vermeer, and The Girl With The Pearl Earring was the very last piece, on a wall to herself, behind glass, kind of like seeing the Mons Lisa the Louvre, except this was much easier to get close to!

It’s always nice to go to a museum with someone to get their perspective, see how they view differs prices and how their views differ from yours.

The exhibit is there until September 29th.
http://www.high.org/Girl-With-A-Pearl-Earring.aspx

Then it was off to the airport, drop off the car, get through security, hop on a plane, not sure what happened, when we booked we were sitting together…get off the plane, get on the shuttle, get in the truck, eventually get home, check the mail, check on the cats, unwind, blog, go to bed.

Good night!

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