What I love! | Peaches Prattlings

{August 5, 2016} First strep test…poor little bit

That first strep test, blech!

Oh my…what a day we had! It didn’t start so great. Last night I got to my sister’s house and MGS was already asleep, but over the course of the night she kept waking up, she was a little warm to the touch and had the sniffles.

This morning she didn’t have a fever, a little tummy ache, didn’t want to eat breakfast, but still wanted to go to camp.

We got a text from GES about 1045 this morning, who happens to be in Copenhagen this week…she got a call from camp, MGS is running a fever and we need to pick her up and bring her home. Ok…off to camp we go.

We pick her up, bring her home, give her some lunch and about 2pm we headed out to see the doctor.

In the exam room we met with a great NP, Nurser Practioner, named Lauren who asked a lot of questions and some of the answers were great…”did anything else hurt?” “My brain”, priceless!

Based on her answers, the NP came up with the same suggestion as GES, strep. Hey, a mother knows…

So, being that MGS has never had strep, this would be her first throat culture. I’m sure just about everyone reading this has had a strep test at least once in their lives. You know, the q-tip at the back of the throat and the nasty gag…let’s just say it did not go over well.

After a while she had calmed down and the results were in, positive for strep. So…off to CVS for medicine, Gatorade and treats for being a trooper!

I’m happy to say that when I left tonight she was doing much better! Thank goodness.

Feel better MGS

{August 4, 2016} Happy birthday daddy!

Today is a very special day! My dad’s birthday!

Have I ever told you my dad’s name? I don’t think so, so here it is, it’s DWS. Ha ha, what did you think, I was going to reveal someone’s ‘real’ name?

My dad…what’s so special about my dad? Well, what haven’t I told you? Well, he’s the best dad on the planet, sorry everyone else, that’s just the way it is.

He’s funny, not just when he tells a joke, but when he gets a joke, it’s awesome! Especially when he thinks it’s funny, he laughs so hard and heartily, it comes from his gut, sometimes laughing so hard he cries. Performers at comedy clubs love him and call him out after the show, his laughter is infectious. We have a very similar sense of humor and laugh at the same things, we love a lot of the same literature, music, movies, art, we can spend days talking about anything.

He taught my sister and I so much growing up, we learned so much from him and our mom. We learned love and patience, sometimes, and tolerance and acceptance. We learned what joy there is in a good back scratch.

Not only is he a great dad, he’s an amazing grandfather, or Papa to EJS and MGS. To see them together is a treat, he’s silly, goofy, generous, endearing, spoiling, you name it, he’s just that good!

We learned how to be good parents and I learned how to be a good grandparent. What could be more special?
He’s a confidant, a friend, a pal, a buddy, a co-conspirator, a hero, a teacher, an inspiration. Do you know the phrase ‘Anyone can be a father, not everyone can be a dad’, that’s who he is, a dad, our dad. And I fully admit, I’m a daddy’s girl, always will be! GES will tell you the same!

Now, if I tell you the three of us share a similar sense of humor, you might not believe me, but just check out the cards that GES and I sent to dad…the same goofy card!

Today, I started my day by sending him a text of me singing happy birthday and I got to come home early from Chicago so I could hug him and tell him happy birthday in person!

Happy birthday daddy, I/we love you!

{August 2, 2016} A great class!

Today I taught a new class and it was great!

A while back I was told I would be teaching this new class, I’m also the only one teaching it, no pressure!

I downloaded the materials and started looking and studying, but I had to hold off on some parts and testing because there we changes coming. The classes also got moved from July to this week and next, great, more time to prep!

I worked with a bunch of awesome people to get the data set up so we would be ready today and it was worth it! The extra time and staying late to get cases built.

The funny thing was, I was going through all the scenarios so much over the last two weeks that I didn’t really pay attention to how I would teach, but then when I started teaching today, it all clicked and made sense.

I also had a great co-trainer who works for the client and has been on the testing team so she has all these hear “real world” examples and can speak to b what works in the live environment.

The learners have been great, some were apprehensive about learning something new, worried they wouldn’t get it, it’s normal, no one likes change, but they all wanted to find out what’s coming and we worked together today and they left on a positive note and I think they’re ready for more tomorrow.

I was jazzed, it was great! I had my runner’s high at the end of the day! I love that!!! Can’t wait for tomorrow! Let’s go!

{August 2, 2016} A flight…work…first day of school…mani…dinner…football

Yup, that was just today.

I got to sleep in, ha ha. The alarm went off at 545am, normal weekday alarm. I snoozed until the backup 6am, for a Monday morning, when I’ve had to get up at 4am, this was sleeping in!

Showered, dressed, kisses and hugs for Miss A and SDL, then off to the airport with a quick stop for petrol. Return the car, drop the bags and head to security. Surprisingly, it was relatively painless. I was early, but that have me time to pick up breakfast and get settled on the plane. Uneventful flight, whew.

Head to the office, work, prep for my new class tomorrow, lunch with LJ, prep, work, meeting, done for the day, ahh…

Somewhere in all of that, my big girl granddaughter, LB, had her very first day of kindergarten. When I talked to her on Friday, she was nervous, today…piece of cake, she loved it and she’s ready for tomorrow. Now, her little sister didn’t feel the same, she missed her big sis!! I’m very proud of her! Go LB!

LJ and I left the office, went to my hotel to drip my stuff and then headed out to have some pampering, a much needed mani. Let’s just say the trip there was not so great, awful Uber experience, but it’s over, let’s see how Uber handles it.

The mani was great! It was vegan and organic and the best part…inexpensive for a mani! Looks good too! I didn’t even know that a mani or pedi could be non-vegan!

Hungry! Time for dinner. We went to The Handlebar, a vegan friendly restaurant I had heard about. Let’s just say…just because it’s vegetarian or vegan, doesn’t mean it needs over spicing to make it taste good! My mouth was on fire! No thanks!!

Off to the hotel, as I unpack I turn on the TV and I find one of my favorite movies was on, The Replacements. For those of you who know me, you know that I don’t know football or that in not that interested in sports. But, you also know that I enjoy many sports movies, football for one and I just love this one! I took a minute to sit down and watch the last thirty minutes. Man, I love that movie!

Now, I’m talking to you, chilling out, watching Air Force One, great action, love Harrison Ford, pretty good way to end the day, wouldn’t you say?

{July 31, 2016} A visit, a baby shower and a snuggle

It was another good day.

I got up and looked in and KS was gone already so I flipped on the bed and chatted with RJS and the cats in her room for a while. Then it was out to the living room for coffee and tea for more talking and snuggling with the cats.

Then off for some breakfast and Old Navy, she loved everything I got so we went in search of treats. She did get a fabulous shirt that was very her. Off to Target, I needed a baby shower gift.

The request was for books, diapers and wipes, done! I even got a book for the big brother to be! One of the books was The Ugly Duckling, the cool thing is it was in English and Spanish. I was inspired to get SDL The Three Little Pigs, since she’s prepping for a trip in the fall to a Spanish speaking county.

Of to the baby shower for CC, she looks and feels great! It was a very nice shower, we played one game, but I enjoyed how we started. We all talked about how we met CC and one thing we love about her. That was very sweet and touching, really nice to hear what everyone else had to say.

It was a nice shower, everyone was very nice and I got to meet CC’s sister, who’s been in the states for a while.

We played one game, then we all wrote something cute on a diaper for her to look at when she’s changing diapers.

After the shower, went to SDL’s, waited for SDL, Miss A and DJL. Dinner and then bath time while I drove DJL home, back to the house and snuggle with Miss A, talking talking to SDL while Miss A feel asleep.

This is my favorite time, just the three of us, talking, snuggling and just enjoying each other’s company.

Now, talk to you then crash, alarm is going off early!

{July 30, 2016} Good morning, goodbye, hello

I spent the night at SDL’s and got some good morning kisses from Miss A!

Could anything be better? Nope! I woke up to what I thought was a crash, nope…just her hitting the wall and mirror with her legs on the changing table, oh my! I’m up!

I got to catch up with her while she ate breakfast, we both wore a little. Then I helped her get dressed, did her hair, got her loaded in her car seat, kisses and they were off! I’m glad I’ll see her tomorrow for some quality time.

I was hoping to get together with TYL, but today was moving day into their new place, so it didn’t work out.

Fortunately or unfortunately, that left me with some time on my hands…tax free weekend in Georgia…so, first stop…The Children’s Place, guess who benefits from that! Next was Old Navy and Marshall’s, I think I am now officially “dressed” out! I can wear some of them in the fall with leggings and boots..ooh.

Then, off to RJS’ for a visit, dinner and Slimer l slumber party. I did a fashion show for her, like I used to do for my dad and she helped me make the go/no go decision.

Then it was catching up, eventually we got hungry and cooked dinner together for herself, me and KS. Yum! Spaghetti squash, green and yellow zucchini and sautéed Vidalia onions. According to KS, I did alright by the onions, fit not having grown up in the South! Why, thank ya kindly!

Then it was more talking and laughing. Lather, rinse, repeat! Until it was time for bed.

All the while being entertained by their babies, Max and Maddie.

A great afternoon and evening. Especially since PSM and I mark our one year six months today. Happy anniversary. Xoxo

Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings! I’ll keep you posted.

{July 29, 2016} ST>WH>KAB, CS, LB, LS, BA, BE>SDL, CKM>JB

Got your attention, didn’t I?

Well…the day started at ST’s house, I crashed at hours place last night when I got to Atlanta. We motivated and went to Waffle House! Yum!

I worked for a few hours then fought Atlanta traffic to get to Dallas and see KAB, Baby A and his sister Baby E, CS, Lily Bean and her sister, Princess L. It took me almost three hours to get there so I didn’t have a lot of time with them, but the time was well spent! As many hugs, kisses and snuggles as I could get. Oh and the giving of gifts of course!

I left just in time…as the no nap melt downs were about to start. Oh my but I do love those fabulous wee tots! Their mom’s too! And how much do I love my new artwork for our new place in Hawaii!! JJ’s ‘tweet hearts’! Those are Baby A and Baby E’s footprints turned into birds!
I left and headed straight to girls night dinner with two of my besties, SDL and CKM! We had Thai food, lots of laughs and catching up and then on to the movies to see JB…the new Jason Bourne movie! CKM noticed when we were sitting, she was in a J sandwich, ha ha.

After the movie, back to SDL’s, kiss the sleeping Miss A, talk to you and then pass out. Full day, huh? Wonderful day! Let’s see what tomorrow holds!

{July 28, 2016} A nice end to a busy day

Shouldn’t they all be like that?

The day started early with some time on the treadmill, the elliptical machines were both busy. It’s been a while since I’ve been on a treadmill, let the sweat pour!

Of to the office for a very busy day, good lunch company, more busy and work, problem solved, whew! then a good bi-weekly check-in with my manager.

After work, I went with one of my co-workers, who I have become good friends with, LJ, to get much needed pedicures and then we ordered food while we walked back to get apartment. IWe ate, talked and watched the Wednesday night fireworks at Navy Pier. I also got to meet and play with her sweet cat, Max, sigh.

Then back to the hotel, a prior work and now I’m talking to you.

Pretty good day, huh?

{July 27, 2016} Technology in hotel…good or bad?

I am a techno-geek! There is said it.

I like the latest and greatest. Sometimes I want it all! I have a work laptop, an iPad and my personal computer is a Surface Project 3, which is is pc/tablet. I have my fabulous “phablet”, that would be my large smartphone that is almost like a pc/tablet so they call it a phablet and finally, well, I think finally, my smart watch.

There might be more and I have forgotten! Could I have more, why not! If money was no object, go for it! I am a software trainer, I work with technology, I want to know about the latest and greatest and I appreciate what’s out there, don’t understand it all, but I appreciate it!

Hilton has implemented their digital check in and keys, which I love. If you don’t know about the digital key, you request it and when it’s ready, hold it up to the door you want to open and it does, just like a plastic key. No more carrying a key and worrying about losing it.

Down side…sometimes the digital key, like everything else, might be having a right day and just won’t work. I’ve had that happen at my room, I call and they reset it or bring me a new one. Sometimes it just doesn’t worth in front of some doors, case in point, yesterday, I stood in front of the girl gym trying to get in, then go down to the front desk for an actual key.

The new thing some Hilton hotels are putting in are the digital elevator. I’ve seen it in other hotels. You put in the number on a key pad, it decides which elevator you take and then it goes.

That’s great until you have too many people and the doors are closed and you don’t move. Hmm…that’s what happened last night when I got back from dinner. Hey, I hadn’t eaten that much!

After a few minutes we all started to wonder, jokingly, if we had hit the weight limit! Someone pried the door open finally and we all got out. There was a gentleman who worked for the hotel counting how many of us there were, about 11. Five adults and six little kids, really? Ok…

We all got off, I tried to take it again, no dice. Next elevator, all good. Apparently this is an old elevator, ok…Made it to my room, all that matters, right?

So, technology in a hotel…good or bad? Not stopping me…

{July 24, 2016} My date to The Secret Life of Pets

Today I had a movie date. Well, two dates to be precise.

EJS is leaving for sleep away camp in the morning for three weeks and I’m going to be gone for two weeks and I thought it would be nice to have a movie date with them and they agreed.

We loaded up in the car and headed to the movies. We got some popcorn and sour patch somethings, not for me, I can assure you! We found some seats and settled in.

It was a great movie, taking place in one day and my…was it a busy and long day!

As the tag line says “Ever wonder what your pets do when you’re not home?” So, I just ask you, do you ever wonder?

Different personalities for each pet, how they react towards and interact with their human companions and how they react and interact with each other. How they work together to solve a problem, learn to accept each other and when they don’t, asserting dominance, or trying to.

Sticking with your friends, sticking up to your friends and even telling your friends where to stick it!

There were a lot of funny scenes, we had some nail biting scenes with Animal Control and then there was the sewer scene with all the “Flushed Pets”, these were the pets no one wanted anymore, so they lived in the sewers, even they were funny! Especially when their leader is a teeny, adorable bunny named Snowball.

There was a point when Max and Duke got caught by Animal Control and EJS wanted to make sure they would be reunited with their human. I told her not to worry, this is a Disney movie.

All in all a great movie and a fabulous time with my girls. Holding hands, being silly, sittng in my lap when they get nervous, hugging me, do I love it? You bet your sweet bippie I do!

Go see it, totally worth it! You just have to get your own dates! Mine are taken!

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