What I love! | Peaches Prattlings

{August 6, 2015} 1000 Posts – OMG!!!

I have written 1000 posts! Can you believe it!

It’s amazing! I have done one thing 1000 times! And you’ve been reading it all along! Wow!

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit, and baby, it’s a hard habit to break! I mean it! When I decided January 6, 2013 that I was going to blog every day, I was really hoping I would keep that promise to myself. When I started my blog in 2009, it was just a way for me to express myself, a little bit of therapy, but then in 2013, it was something different and became something more.

Then it was one day, then two, then twenty one, then all of a sudden, it’s one hundred, then two and now it’s ONE THOUSAND! Who knew I could do it! Well, I’m sure my dad would say he did, thanks daddy!

There have been a few days I was too tired, so my posts might say “I’m sorry, I’m too tired, but here’s your post”! I’ve woken up in the middle of the night realizing “Oh No! I didn’t blog!” And proceed to write a post. Then there are other days I’m so sorry I have fallen asleep in the middle of blogging, wake up and finish. Then there have been 3 times [i am pretty sure it’s only been 3] that I have fallen asleep or forgotten altogether, mostly fallen asleep and missed it, but I’m pleased to say only 3 times! That;s not too shabby.

My friends and family have fallen under it’s spell and follow my blog every day and you know you’re in that group, thank you!

I can’t always think of what to write, I know you find that impossible to believe, but some of my posts that come very late at night, that’s because I can’t always think of something, but on the other hand, I blog late because that’s when I started and it feels wrong to blog before the sun goes down or 10pm. There’s that 21 days to form a habit thing again.

August 4, 2015, I had 1000 posts, go me! And go you for reading it. There is a part of me that thinks if you weren’t reading it I would still write, because, after all, it started out just for me, but on the other hand, well, who are we kidding, I’d keep writing, I like it and I like thinking of new and goofy things to talk about.

Wow, 1000 posts, here’s to the next 1000, stick around, it’s bound to be a fun ride!

{August 4, 2015} Happy birthday DWS…Daddy!

Yup, now you know his initials, DWS.

When I was a kid and I saw manhole covers in the street, I thought it was my dad…Department of Water Services…DWS! Cool, huh?

When I was a kid, I thought my dad was the bees knees, that hasn’t changed.

When I was a kid, my dad was my hero…nothing has changed.

When I was a kid, my dad kissed my boo-boos, cleaned and bandaged my skinned knees…nothing has changed.

When I was a kid, my dad listened to my problems and told me everything would be ok…nothing has changed. [thank goodness!]

When I was a kid, my dad was my biggest champion, telling anyone, and me, that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to…nothing has changed.

When I was a kid, my dad would make me laugh so hard I would pee in my pants…nothing has changed [that last part is unfortunate, ha ha].

When I was a kid, my dad would listen to my bad jokes and laugh…nothing has changed.

When I was a kid, my dad would recommend books and movies and music, nothing has changed.

When I was a kid, my dad would take us to Burger King and let us eat junk food when mom was out…nothing has changed.

When I was a kid, my dad and I would laugh at the same silly things…nothing has changed.

When I was a kid, my dad introduced us to art, music, opera, theater…today, nothing has changed.

I could go on and on and on, how much time do you have? I should really say our dad because GES and I share the same DNA and amazing experiences with our dad. My dad is still one of the first people I call with news, both good and bad, because he can help make the bad bearable.

How awesome is my dad…let me count the ways…one, two, three…ha ha. Yes friends, you have permission to blame him for my warped sense of humor!

When I was young, my dad was ten feet tall, figuratively, and to a wee tot, literally, as I have grown older, only the height has changed, not my opinion.

I talk to my dad every day and if I don’t, I feel lost, literally until I get to talk to him the next day. He gives great advice, sometimes sought after and sometimes not, but when he gets going, look out!

My dad is an amazing man, he is the world’s best grandfather or papa, as he is affectionately called, nothing slows him down, he’s enjoying being retired to the fullest, no moss growing on him!

I know I’ve told you different things about him from time to time in a post, he’s a page turner! There is so much and not enough reward!

I will leave you with this. I value and treasure my dad and the relationship, and I have felt this way for almost 44 years, think anything is going to change? I sure hope not!

Happiest of happy birthdays…papa, papa D…to one of my favorite people, I hope this year brings you joy and happiness, all that your heart can hold.

Happy birthday! XOXO

{August 3, 2015} Happy Birthday JCT

Happy birthday to my friend JCT.

JCT and I met in October 2009. I remember because that was the first well paying job I got after my divorce and it was the beginning of so much including a fabulous and true friendship. JCT and I met, started talking and we hit it off right away, within a day or two, she even gave me a piece of Star Wars memorabilia, how cool is that?

JCT is married to a great guy named JT and their daughter ST is a fabulous girl who is blossoming into a wonderful young woman. Her mom, who I affectionately call mom and brother, GT are wonderful people who have treated me so well and made me a part of their family, I love when I go to Atlanta and get to see them. The last time I was there, when we were saying good night her mom said “I love you girl”, that made me feel fabulous and loved, it was great.

JCT and I talk about once a week or every other week, we catch up, talk about work, commiserate and share joys, achievements, family news, whatever we can think of. The great thing is that when we talk it’s as if no time has passed, like we saw each other the day before.

I love seeing her, we have a kind of tradition if I am going to stay at her house for part of the weekend. I land, go to one of our favorite places, pick up food, then head to her house where I don’t eat half of it because her mom feeds me! Who’s complaining!

We watch movies, talk, laugh, goof off, giggle, stay up too late and enjoy the time we have together.

She is a confident, a sister, a friend, all rolled up into one and I wouldn’t have her any other way! Today, we celebrate the day she was born and what a day it was!

Don’t ask about the unicorns, it’s more her daughter’s thing, but I still think of her every time I see them!

Happy happy happy birthday JCT, I love you my friend! XOXO

{August 2, 2015} The perfect weekend! Happy birthday GES

You may have heard, but in case you haven’t, my baby sister, GES, turned 40 this year!

And when your sister turns 40, then you have to do something big! So…after several months of working on schedules…you try arranging a weekend away with a mother of an 8 year old and 5 year old! This weekend it was!

We headed out by The Acela, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acela_Express, the high speed train run by Amtrak, it took a little over 3 hours to get from Boston to NYC and if you read my post on Friday, you know I missed the train GES was on by seconds! I hopped on the next one and came in about an hour after she got to Penn Station in NY. We found each other!

We headed out of the train station and walked to the Grand Hyatt, which was literally right next to Grand Central Station, an amazing classic train station. It was about a half mile between the two locations, but it was fun to walk through Times Square and see all the people, commotion, hear the noise, smell the different smells, it was fabulous! I know I’m a New Yorker because as we were pulling into Penn Station, I saw all the graffiti on the buildings, felt the vibe and I had an overwhelming sense of calm come over me, it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and my chest opened, I was home, sigh.

We got to the hotel, eventually got to check into the room, they were a little busy. Went up to the 31st floor, settled in and then went to the Grand Club level to get some drinks, membership does have its privileges…Then we went ventured out to see what we could bring back for a nosh, found some salad, back to the hotel to eat and watch Pitch Perfect 2, don’t bother, sorry, we were disappointed.

Eventually, we turned it, but not after a few times marveling at how great it was to be together and that’s what it’s all about!

Saturday, we slept until 9:30am, what a treat! For both of us! We got out of bed eventually, then headed back to the club level, you have to use your room key to get to the floor, how fancy! We had breakfast on the outdoor patio, it was really nice to be up that high and having breakfast outside. GES sent a text with our photo to some friends and said “We slept in and having breakfast at 10:30…I can go home now!”

After breakfast, we headed back to the room, showered and got dressed, then headed out up to Broadway to meet dad near the theater. What theater you ask? We were meeting at the Palace Theater to pick up tickets for “An American In Paris”! Dad was taking us to see a 4 Tony award winning musical! http://www.broadway.com/shows/american-paris/?gclid=CjwKEAjw__atBRDfqe-9voylym8SJAAOBeQ_2siOl7q4i8Ihd82lMMywru2hEbAWUWls-F29JOPjpRoCx9Lw_wcB

After we picked up the tickets we walked to the M&Ms store, a three level store with candy, clothing, housewares and more! It’s an experience and if you’ve never been, you must go! I’ve been to the one in NY and Las Vegas. We stocked up on some Chanukah and Christmas gifts, how good are we!

Then it was off to the theater! Our first show, as I said, was An American In Paris and after waiting on line to get into the theater for what seemed like forever, we were in for a treat!

This was a fabulous musical based on the 1951 musical film starring Gene Kelley and Leslie Caron, which is one of my all time favorite movies! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043278/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1. The musical was a little different from the origianly screen production, but it was so amazing! Thank you daddy!

After the production, LaLa, dad, GES and I all walked around for a bit and went to Trattoria TreColore, http://www.trattoriatrecolori.com/menu.html, one of our favorite Italian restaurants in the Theater District. We had a lovely supper, celebrating my sister and dad’s birthday.

After dinner, we parted company and GES and I headed the few blocks to the next theater, the main reason for this trip…to see KINKY BOOTS!!! We have loved the movie Kinky Boots, Kinky Boots, The movie, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434124/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1, since we first saw it years ago. I’ve probably seen it close to 50 times, I’m not kidding!

It’s based on a true story, about a shoe factory that makes shoes for men and when the factory is going under, Charlie, the owner of the shoe factory, meets Lola, a fabulous drag queen and he has an epiphany…they go from “making a range of shoes for men to shoes for a range of men” thus going from Price and Son Shoes to…The Kinky Boots Factory!

RG had a connection who got us fabulous seats in the orchestra, row K off the stage! The show was fabulous! It was produced by Cindy Lauper, who I la la la LOVE! She’s one of my idols from my childhood in the 1980s! I had a poster of her, ala “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” over my bed growing up! She’s one of my favorites and Harvey Fierstein wrote the book!

I cannot begin to tell you how fabulous this show was. We love this movie and to see it come to life on the stage, which amazing music, lyrics and choreography. We got some tshirts and I got…a bag! It looks like an old fashioned Pan Am flight bag, I’ll show it to you another time! GES said it’s a great bag, thanks for helping my problem!! I’m not complaining!

After the show we walked back to the hotel, reliving the show and every wonderful moment, from the sounds, the sights, the drag queens, all of it. And being together, that was the best part! We got to the hotel, got some hot teas and took them to the room where we relaxed, I wrote to you, watched movies and just enjoyed our time together.

Eventually we both fell asleep, my faster than GES, imagine that! Slept until 9:30 again, how nice! This time we showered before we went to breakfast, took our food out on to the patio again and just enjoyed ourselves again, deciding that we needed to do this again, at least once a year. Well, we said that numerous times over the weekend! So it’s going to happen!

After we went back to the room, we finished packing and headed out towards Penn Station, stopping at the Crocs store, I found some shoes for work, hopefully they will treat my feet right after 12 hours! Then the two blocks to Penn Station to stand and wait and wait and wait until the train came in and they told us what track to get to.

People can get a little testy while waiting for the train, oh well. We found some seats, settled in and started to watch a movie. The WiFi didn’t want to help us, so I pulled out my portable hard drive and we watched Better Off Dead, with John Cusack, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088794/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1. Then we started watching We Hot American Summer, I’ll keep you posted!

We got to the train station, headed to the house and had dinner with the family and some neighbors, then I headed out to the hotel to check on my kids, unpack, write to you and then sack out, I have to be at work at 6am tomorrow, gotta go!

If you have the opportunity, when Kinky Boots comes to your town, go see it! Kinky Boots, The Musical, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinky_Boots_(musical)

Happy Birthday GES! It was such an amazing weekend! I cannot wait to take another sister/girls trip with you!

{August 1, 2015} Attending the theater…as a short person

Doable, but not the easiest thing in the world, not going to stop us!

Things are different when you’re of short stature, you can’t reach certain things, can’t see over certain things. And no, I do not need to sit on a phone book when I drive!

Today, GES and I were with dad and LaLa at a Broadway show, I’ll tell you all about the weekend tomorrow, it’s been awesome so far! The first show we went to, yes I said the first show, we were in the very top row of the balcony, we could see everything except if the actors were at the very edge of the stage, a fabulous view and if there was something we couldn’t see, we could always stand up, how cool is that!

The not so cool thing…the woman in front of me and the woman in front of GES spent most of the show leaned over, towards the stage. Really? So, did we see the show? Most of it, as long as we stayed leaning to one side or the other. When the action was towards the back of the stage, what was towards the front of the stage, not so much, but overall, it was still a fabulous show, the music was terrific, the choreography, the lyrics, the acting, top notch, the woman blocking the view…not so much.

Then we go to the second show, had amazing orchestra seats and the people in front of us were tall to begin with, how do you think it went sitting? Luckily, the seat one over and in front of me was empty, so I could see if I leaned to the left and GES was able to get comfortable sitting on her foot, crossing her leg. It all worked out fine.

Being short, you learn to adapt and accommodate and after that, a piece of cake.

{July 30, 2015} Happy 6 months…and I’m happy

Six months, but with all good relationships, it feels like a minute and it feels like a lifetime, it’s a good thing.

Who knew, way back when, well, January, that when AT and GES decided to introduce us we would hit it off as well as we did. I know part of it was, ooh, JJ’s single, PSM’s single, maybe they’ll get a long…and they were right, oh boy they were right.

We exchanged emails for about a week and he asked me on a date, I said yes, how could I not? In one of the earlier emails, he came up with a list of six things to do. The first one we chose was to go to a pub, so we went. Then after a while, we were thinking about the list, so we decided that every six months, we do something on the list, I like that idea.

Tonight, we were going to go to China Town, but the traffic was tragic, so we decided on Fanueil Hall, http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/faneuilhall.asp, a very cool place with lots of history and charm. We decided on Ned Devine’s Irish Pub and had a great meal with good company and good food, good until the sky opened, then we went inside, still good. It’s all about the company.

I’ve told you about some of the great things we’ve done, there are still private things I don’t share, they’re private! He’s a great guy and I am a very happy girl in a great relationship with a great and happy boy.

Happy 6 months, looking forward to the next six and the next and the next…

{July 28, 2015} In person!

I was going to title the post “Fantasy vs. Reality”, but that would be weird and wrong.

Tonight, I had a great double date of sorts…PM and his wife, PSM and I. I got to meet PM’s wife, AM! When he asked if I was available for dinner tonight and then told me AM would be joining us, I was stoked! I immediately texted PSM to see if he was available! He wasn’t at first, but the stars seemed to align and he was available.

So…my title is “Office Spouse meets Real Spouse”. It was really cool! As you know, PM and I have worked together on four projects, almost two years and you get to know someone really well when you travel together and go to dinner together. I’ve told you he’s my work spouse. Well, during dinners, we talk about family and life and I learn all about his wife and children, I’ve seen photos, but we’ve never gotten to meet or talk and tonight we were able to!

It was great, she is charming and funny and caring and crazy about her hubby, as she should be. As soon as we saw each other, I asked “Are you a hugger?” And she was! We talked about family, travel, work and a few times, when PM and I talked about work, PSM and AM paired off and talked to each other about other things, then we came back to the conversation.

We left each other hoping to see each other again, maybe even get a chance to set up a play date with their kids and my nieces. The best part is putting a face with a name.

A great evening and a new friend!

I just thought this was funny!

{July 27, 2015} I’m just not mommy

I totally get that and I’m ok with it.

This morning, GES and ACS got up very early to take EJS to sleep away camp! Second summer and this year, for three weeks! GES asked if I could spend the night and get MGS on the bus in the morning. Happy to!

I got up, took a shower and then went to wake MGS and in less than a minute it started. “Momma, momma, I want momma, mommy” and that went on for a good fifteen to twenty minute. I’m fine, promise! I’ve been through this once or twice!

I even got mommy on the phone, to no avail. So it was wait it out and eventually she’ll be ready. Yup, that happened about 8am when the bus left, but…all was not lost! GES texted the counselor to let her know we would take the next bus.

We got dressed, sun block, no bug spray, t-shirt on, ponytail installed, bag packed, lunch packed, snack packed, walked out the door and headed to the bus stop. We got there with a few minutes to spare, on the wrong side, duh on me! The counselor called MGS’ name, ran across the street to get her and away she went.

How did things go at pick up? All good, just tired!

{July 26, 2015} Pixels

I enjoyed this movie. But…I don’t think everyone will.

Now, let me tell you why.

If you are a child of the 1980s and spent any time playing video games or in a video arcade, you will enjoy this movie. If you enjoy Adam Sandler movies, no matter what, you will enjoy this movie. if you can suspend believe and see Kevin James as the President of the United States, you will enjoy this movie. If you like classic rock, music from the 1980s, you will enjoy this movie.

Now, If…you don’t enjoy those things, you might not enjoy this movie.

I know the movie didn’t get great reviews, well, actually, I didn’t know that until people told me about it after I saw it, but it wouldn’t have mattered, I wanted to see it and that’s all there was to it. When I saw the advertisement the first time, I thought, huh? Then…when I saw the preview, I immediately texted PSM a link to the trailer and said, “We are going to see that!” I don’t regret it and I will probably add it to the collection at some point.

It was a little long and it could have stopped after the Pac Man battle, but it didn’t, so there it may have gone a little too far, but I was engaged. The cast was top notch. The supporting cast was great and slightly surprising. Dan Ackroyd and Lanie Kazan played very small roles, but it was fun to see them, Sean Bean was a bad arse, as he always is, but then silly, Jane Krokowski as the First Lady, a little odd and…I am convinced that Brian Cox is typecast. Martha Stewart and Serena Williams were in it for about 30 to 60 seconds each, maybe, purely for comic value.

Rounding out the lead roles with Adam Sandler was Kevin James, his childhood friend, now the president and unfortunately, like you might imagine him to be and Josh Gad, better known to the greater human race as Olaf, who likes warm hugs and let me just say, a little odd to hear him scream at Navy Seals and use grown up language and then you get a hint of Olaf, then the final member of the team is Peter Dinklage, who just kills it whatever he does. Of course, you have to have a female lead and I really enjoyed Michelle Monagan, a bad arse herself yet, sitting in a closet drinking wine from a sippy cup, I liked it.

Like I said, or haven’t said yet, not an academy award winner and I do hope they make their $88 million back, but based on the very small showing at the theater today, I have a feeling they might miss the mark. But…having spent a lot of quarters and time in an arcade, Ms Pacman is my game, along with my dream of having my own game one day [either stand up or table top, hint hint]. The soundtrack really made the movie, http://www.songonlyrics.net/soundtracks/pixels-soundtrack-list.html and you know, if it’s an Adam Sandler movie and has anything to do with the 1980s, it’s going to be classic rock and it’s going to be good.

So, now you have my thoughts on the movie. Like video games from the 80s? Classic rock? Go see it. Can you wait until it comes out on video? Yup. Will it be on dvd soon? Yup.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2120120/?ref_=nv_sr_1

{July 25, 2015} Two birthday celebrations

First…Let me apologize! I missed my blog post last night! I fell asleep! It’s only the 3rd or 4th time in the 3 years I have been writing to you. I am sorry!

Second…this was the weekend of birthday celebrations and it’s been wonderful!

It started last night when there was a girls night birthday celebration for GES at the Birch Bistro. There were eleven of us and what a fabulous night it was! There were great friends, decent food, good conversation, what more could you want? The perfect way to end the day and celebrate another great year and fabulous woman!

Then today, PSM had an appointment to have the remote starter installed, so I surprised him and picked him up and took him to Revere Beach for the Sand Sculpting Festival, I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. After the festival, we picked up the car,, then to a restaurant for a good lunch, then back to the hotel to get some errands done.

Later, K&D N came to PSMs and we headed to meet his brother and wife and A and J T at East Coast Grill for a celebratory dinner. We were supposed to go to a different restaurant, but I forgot to make a reservation and we ended up where we did and as AT said “JJ, I’m glad you screwed up, this was great!” And as I like to say….there’s always a next time!

GES was out with two other couples celebrating her birthday, not too shabby.

Such a nice feeling, everyone coming together for PSM’s birthday. K&D N knew everyone except A&J T, but by the end of dinner, everyone was fast friends. This was a true testament to how much people care for and about PSM. We really had a great time, with the promise of doing it again soon!

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