Peaches Prattlings











{March 25, 2015}   Seeing old friends

Now, by old, I don’t mean “old” as in their age, I mean as in friends from way back.

Now that we got that out of the way, let me get to the heart of this post. Tonight I had dinner with two old friends from college. Let me clarify even further, two of my best friends from college.

One is ‘my twin’, who I have told you about before and the other is Bo or Oz, as it were and that is due to his name, and that’s all I’m going to say on the subject. I believe it was junior year they were roommates. Now, I know I’ve known them both since freshman year and what’s funny is they were trying to figure out how they met, who knows, it’s been bliss ever since.

One of the funniest thing about tonight is that we were talking about our college experience and our degrees and how no one that was in our respective circles went into the field they majored in, but isn’t that the way?

We talked about classes, GPAs, people we dated, people we were friends with, things we did, like watching Star Trek, TNG [The Next Generation, for those of you ‘not in the know’] and rearranging the furniture like the bridge of The Enterprise, how goofy and fun was that!

We ate, drank, talked, laughed, reminisced, but it really was as if no time had passed, we are just a bit greyer in the temple and maybe softer around the middle, but that’s not what I saw, I saw us exactly as we were in college, young and goofy, hanging out eating 3-mile island pizza, definitely them, not me! Geeking out the way we did, talking about nothing and everything all at once.

It was a place neither of them had been to and it was a success, the food was good, conversation awesome and the memories fabulous. It was so great to be with both of them, I have such great affection for them.

Then, on the way back to the hotel, what was on the radio but one of my favorite Van Halen songs “Hot for Teacher”…that was the cherry on the sundae! I can’t wait to see them again!



Today was a travel day, so get ready!

The day started at 4:15am, more like 4:30 with snoozing…two hours after I fell asleep, just one of those nights, unfortunately! My flight was at 7am, so the taxi was arriving at 5:15am, to be on the safe side.

Arrived in plenty of time, the airport was quite crowded at 6am on a Monday, a lot of high school and college teams traveling places. The agent at the counter where I dropped my bag off wasn’t in the best mood when she started helping me, but got a little better. Much better than the “oh so pleasant” security officer who got incredibly snippy with me due to the fact that in the 10 seconds from receiving the slip of paper regarding modified TSA pre-check and getting to the security screening, I had not read the piece of paper. I hope you have a pleasant day…

The flight was fine, eventually, I fell asleep, thankfully, sometime before we took off…30 minutes late. So at least I got a little sleep. Got the rental car, headed to my first class, stopped off at Wegman’s to pick up some provisions for the week [coconut milk yogurt, some yummy bars from Don’t Go Nuts, http://www.dontgonuts.com/, no nuts, just soy! I tried one at the wellness expo yesterday, really yummy and healthy! I also found some dairy-free ricotta cheese! I am so going to have to try that!

Off to the first class, wait for the room to be opened, which it’s supposed to be unlocked at all times…Eventually got in the room and set everything up, then start getting emails that there is an issue and part of the application won’t load. So…until they were able to get it fixed, I reviewed the PowerPoint with the guys that were there and I’m sure they will reschedule soon to get into the application and have hands on. A solution was finally found and all was right with the world. Classes could be taught again.

Except when no one registers, then the class is wide open, but I have to be there in case someone shows up. I left the first location, went to the second and performed the fix on the desk tops as everyone was effected.

I headed to the hotel, checked in, chilled out in my room, did some expenses, stuff like that. Then it was time to go out to meet my friend and his main squeeze for dinner in Rochester. Get the car from valet, head out, it was a little over an hour’s drive, not too bad, especially to see one of my best friend’s and his girlfriend.

Dinner was good, the conversation was great, they make a great couple, I can tell how much she likes him and that is all I ever wanted for him. Then it was time to go, kids to get, blog to post and sleep to be had.

Are you tired? If not right now, you will be when that alarm goes off at 5:30, so I will bid you a fond farewell, until we meet again upon the morrow!



{March 22, 2015}   What a weekend!

I was at my sister’s house, so you know what that means! Yup, sit back, grab a cup o’ caffeine and away we go!

I’ve told you a little so far, but there is so much more! Ready…Set…Go!

Friday, I arrived earlier than I have the past few weeks, got to see my less than happy niece, EJS, who had been sick for a few days, GES and dad were there as well, he had gotten in on Thursday. My sister had some great news to share, so GO GES! A good way to start the weekend, so there was good and there was bad.

Shortly after I got there, we left the house to head to…wait for it…Cheesecake Factory! ACS and both girls love it, so it is now tradition to go there on their birthdays. We arrived before ACS and MGS and after we put our name down for a table, since they don’t take reservations, we started to go to walk around the mall and ran into father and daughter, what a greeting for Auntie! Sigh.

Then it was walking around the mall waiting for our table, up the escalator, down the escalator, up the escalator, down the escalator…when does this stop being entertaining? No MGS! No more up the escalator, down the escalator and no, I’m not chasing you! I really couldn’t, I was wearing shoes with a wedge, not running.

Finally it was time for dinner and a lovely time was had by all, with cheesecake and a brownie with ice cream, candle and serenading, then head home to eat the cheesecake. Did I mention it had been snowing when I got to the house? Hasn’t Boston gotten enough? They already hit their record…108 inches!

Home was more singing and then night night. [remember, that was just Friday night!]

It continued to snow until Saturday afternoon and a few hours later, it was as if it never was! Saturday morning brought ACS making waffles, yum! [always reminds me of Shrek when Donkey says “And in the mornin’, I’m makin’ waffles!]. Then it was running a few errands with EJS and GES. Then turn around, head home, have a bite of lunch, that would be the pizzas for the cancelled party and true buffalo wings imported from The Anchor Bar in Buffalo with their own blue cheese. People were happy. [and no, I did not eat a chicken wing!]

Sometime during lunch, ACS’ brother and his wife arrived, JS and AS to join us for a snack and then we piled into three cars and headed to the movie theater, where we met some other folks who were joining us, making it a total of 13 to see Cinderella [four kids and 9 adults, how does that work?]

It was a really good movie, I’m loving almost all of the live action fairy tale movies Disney is coming out with! This was not a musical, but it had a great cast and a strong script enjoyed by all!

After the movie, we went to dinner at a nice restaurant, The Met Bar, http://metbarandgrill.com/, where we met, ha ha…B’s husband, SM and their son HM as well as PSM. Dinner was a grand time, everyone talking and laughing and then there was more dessert and singing, lucky girl!

Finally it was time to head home, so we gathered the troops and wondered where MGS was getting the energy at almost 9pm, don’t ask me, I raced with her and chased her! Home and time for bed! [now, remember, that was just Saturday!]

Sunday started too early, I was hoping to sleep past 7…nay-nay said my body. At 6:30,. the desire to go to the bathroom was greater than the desire to stay asleep! Boo

Up and then upstairs, eventually ACS made pancakes and a giant one that he wrote Happy Birthday EJS, put a candle in it and we sang again! Now, that’s what I call a birthday weekend!

Dad and I went to return my ski boots and get new ones, long story for another day, then back to the house. EJS was already gone to Sunday School. Arts and crafts with MGS, then it was time to get dressed and go to the JCC to see a performance of Curious George performed by a local community theater group, really cute, then a Wellness Expo with a bounce house, among other things for the kids and face painting , of course! Only problem…it had to come time for swim lessons and GES met us with all her swim stuff.

After swim, home to play and prep for dinner. Did I mention I did a load of laundry in there somewhere? PSM arrived around 6 and we sat down to dinner. Not everyone had the same thing, but it was nice to be together. After dinner, ACS ran to the grocery store and brought dessert home, among other things and while he was gone, I made a banana bread, it was yummy!

After dinner, it was time for stories and bed, Curious George for MGS, go figure! I said goodnight to both girls and told them I would see them in two weeks. Back downstairs to have grown up visiting, then it was time for PSM to head home, I finished packing and now I’m talking to you.

And that, my friends, was my weekend! Are you tired? I am! I’m a little beat and the taxi is coming at 5:15AM!

Don’t get me wrong at all! I love it! It’s just another typical weekend here!

Goodnight!

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{March 22, 2015}   What a weekend!

I was at my sister’s house, so you know what that means! Yup, sit back, grab a cup o’ caffeine and away we go!

I’ve told you a little so far, but there is so much more! Ready…Set…Go!

Friday, I arrived earlier than I have the past few weeks, got to see my less than happy niece, EJS, who had been sick for a few days, GES and dad were there as well, he had gotten in on Thursday. My sister had some great news to share, so GO GES! A good way to start the weekend, so there was good and there was bad.

Shortly after I got there, we left the house to head to…wait for it…Cheesecake Factory! ACS and both girls love it, so it is now tradition to go there on their birthdays. We arrived before ACS and MGS and after we put our name down for a table, since they don’t take reservations, we started to go to walk around the mall and ran into father and daughter, what a greeting for Auntie! Sigh.

Then it was walking around the mall waiting for our table, up the escalator, down the escalator, up the escalator, down the escalator…when does this stop being entertaining? No MGS! No more up the escalator, down the escalator and no, I’m not chasing you! I really couldn’t, I was wearing shoes with a wedge, not running.

Finally it was time for dinner and a lovely time was had by all, with cheesecake and a brownie with ice cream, candle and serenading, then head home to eat the cheesecake. Did I mention it had been snowing when I got to the house? Hasn’t Boston gotten enough? They already hit their record…108 inches!

Home was more singing and then night night. [remember, that was just Friday night!]

It continued to snow until Saturday afternoon and a few hours later, it was as if it never was! Saturday morning brought ACS making waffles, yum! [always reminds me of Shrek when Donkey says “And in the mornin’, I’m makin’ waffles!]. Then it was running a few errands with EJS and GES. Then turn around, head home, have a bite of lunch, that would be the pizzas for the cancelled party and true buffalo wings imported from The Anchor Bar in Buffalo with their own blue cheese. People were happy. [and no, I did not eat a chicken wing!]

Sometime during lunch, ACS’ brother and his wife arrived, JS and AS to join us for a snack and then we piled into three cars and headed to the movie theater, where we met some other folks who were joining us, making it a total of 13 to see Cinderella [four kids and 9 adults, how does that work?]

It was a really good movie, I’m loving almost all of the live action fairy tale movies Disney is coming out with! This was not a musical, but it had a great cast and a strong script enjoyed by all!

After the movie, we went to dinner at a nice restaurant, The Met Bar, http://metbarandgrill.com/, where we met, ha ha…B’s husband, SM and their son HM as well as PSM. Dinner was a grand time, everyone talking and laughing and then there was more dessert and singing, lucky girl!

Finally it was time to head home, so we gathered the troops and wondered where MGS was getting the energy at almost 9pm, don’t ask me, I raced with her and chased her! Home and time for bed! [now, remember, that was just Saturday!]

Sunday started too early, I was hoping to sleep past 7…nay-nay said my body. At 6:30,. the desire to go to the bathroom was greater than the desire to stay asleep! Boo

Up and then upstairs, eventually ACS made pancakes and a giant one that he wrote Happy Birthday EJS, put a candle in it and we sang again! Now, that’s what I call a birthday weekend!

Dad and I went to return my ski boots and get new ones, long story for another day, then back to the house. EJS was already gone to Sunday School. Arts and crafts with MGS, then it was time to get dressed and go to the JCC to see a performance of Curious George performed by a local community theater group, really cute, then a Wellness Expo with a bounce house, among other things for the kids and face painting , of course! Only problem…it had to come time for swim lessons and GES met us with all her swim stuff.

After swim, home to play and prep for dinner. Did I mention I did a load of laundry in there somewhere? PSM arrived around 6 and we sat down to dinner. Not everyone had the same thing, but it was nice to be together. After dinner, ACS ran to the grocery store and brought dessert home, among other things and while he was gone, I made a banana bread, it was yummy!

After dinner, it was time for stories and bed, Curious George for MGS, go figure! I said goodnight to both girls and told them I would see them in two weeks. Back downstairs to have grown up visiting, then it was time for PSM to head home, I finished packing and now I’m talking to you.

And that, my friends, was my weekend! Are you tired? I am! I’m a little beat and the taxi is coming at 5:15AM!

Don’t get me wrong at all! I love it! It’s just another typical weekend here!

Goodnight!

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{March 22, 2015}   What a weekend!

I was at my sister’s house, so you know what that means! Yup, sit back, grab a cup o’ caffeine and away we go!

I’ve told you a little so far, but there is so much more! Ready…Set…Go!

Friday, I arrived earlier than I have the past few weeks, got to see my less than happy niece, EJS, who had been sick for a few days, GES and dad were there as well, he had gotten in on Thursday. My sister had some great news to share, so GO GES! A good way to start the weekend, so there was good and there was bad.

Shortly after I got there, we left the house to head to…wait for it…Cheesecake Factory! ACS and both girls love it, so it is now tradition to go there on their birthdays. We arrived before ACS and MGS and after we put our name down for a table, since they don’t take reservations, we started to go to walk around the mall and ran into father and daughter, what a greeting for Auntie! Sigh.

Then it was walking around the mall waiting for our table, up the escalator, down the escalator, up the escalator, down the escalator…when does this stop being entertaining? No MGS! No more up the escalator, down the escalator and no, I’m not chasing you! I really couldn’t, I was wearing shoes with a wedge, not running.

Finally it was time for dinner and a lovely time was had by all, with cheesecake and a brownie with ice cream, candle and serenading, then head home to eat the cheesecake. Did I mention it had been snowing when I got to the house? Hasn’t Boston gotten enough? They already hit their record…108 inches!

Home was more singing and then night night. [remember, that was just Friday night!]

It continued to snow until Saturday afternoon and a few hours later, it was as if it never was! Saturday morning brought ACS making waffles, yum! [always reminds me of Shrek when Donkey says “And in the mornin’, I’m makin’ waffles!]. Then it was running a few errands with EJS and GES. Then turn around, head home, have a bite of lunch, that would be the pizzas for the cancelled party and true buffalo wings imported from The Anchor Bar in Buffalo with their own blue cheese. People were happy. [and no, I did not eat a chicken wing!]

Sometime during lunch, ACS’ brother and his wife arrived, JS and AS to join us for a snack and then we piled into three cars and headed to the movie theater, where we met some other folks who were joining us, making it a total of 13 to see Cinderella [four kids and 9 adults, how does that work?]

It was a really good movie, I’m loving almost all of the live action fairy tale movies Disney is coming out with! This was not a musical, but it had a great cast and a strong script enjoyed by all!

After the movie, we went to dinner at a nice restaurant, The Met Bar, http://metbarandgrill.com/, where we met, ha ha…B’s husband, SM and their son HM as well as PSM. Dinner was a grand time, everyone talking and laughing and then there was more dessert and singing, lucky girl!

Finally it was time to head home, so we gathered the troops and wondered where MGS was getting the energy at almost 9pm, don’t ask me, I raced with her and chased her! Home and time for bed! [now, remember, that was just Saturday!]

Sunday started too early, I was hoping to sleep past 7…nay-nay said my body. At 6:30,. the desire to go to the bathroom was greater than the desire to stay asleep! Boo

Up and then upstairs, eventually ACS made pancakes and a giant one that he wrote Happy Birthday EJS, put a candle in it and we sang again! Now, that’s what I call a birthday weekend!

Dad and I went to return my ski boots and get new ones, long story for another day, then back to the house. EJS was already gone to Sunday School. Arts and crafts with MGS, then it was time to get dressed and go to the JCC to see a performance of Curious George performed by a local community theater group, really cute, then a Wellness Expo with a bounce house, among other things for the kids and face painting , of course! Only problem…it had to come time for swim lessons and GES met us with all her swim stuff.

After swim, home to play and prep for dinner. Did I mention I did a load of laundry in there somewhere? PSM arrived around 6 and we sat down to dinner. Not everyone had the same thing, but it was nice to be together. After dinner, ACS ran to the grocery store and brought dessert home, among other things and while he was gone, I made a banana bread, it was yummy!

After dinner, it was time for stories and bed, Curious George for MGS, go figure! I said goodnight to both girls and told them I would see them in two weeks. Back downstairs to have grown up visiting, then it was time for PSM to head home, I finished packing and now I’m talking to you.

And that, my friends, was my weekend! Are you tired? I am! I’m a little beat and the taxi is coming at 5:15AM!

Don’t get me wrong at all! I love it! It’s just another typical weekend here!

Goodnight!

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What? Yes, there is now an eight year old in the family!

Today, EJS turned 8! Can you believe it? What happened, where did the time go? I am going to get sappy here, but I remember the day I met you! You were one week old and I walked into the apartment and they handed me the most precious, adorable little thing ever!

I remember the day GES told me she was pregnant, it was fantastic and I remember one of my questions was, can I get the Halloween costumes? She told me around June and I was already planning ahead, I knew that I was about to be inducted into a very prestigious club! I was going to become an Auntie! Auntie J!!! What a thrill and an honor and experience!

Didn’t I just meet the little ball of wonder yesterday and now you’re eight? Excelling at skiing, acing swimming, kickin’ it at karate, doing so well in school, a monster on the soccer field, hitting home runs at softball, there is no end to your abilities and wonder for life! Speaking of wonder for life, questions everything! So inquisitive!

No, she’s not perfect, but darn close! She can be a typical eight year old, but what a love when she wants to be, so good for snuggling and playing and clever, boy is she, you can see the wheels turning in that head of hers.

She is a great big sister, a club we have talked about many times as it is exclusive, not everyone can get in, there are rules.

I have had so much fun watching you grow into a wonderful girl who is smart, sassy, funny and a lot of fun to be around. Happy eighth birthday EJS, I wish you all the happiness in the world and I can’t wait to celebrate number nine and ten and eleven and…and…and…



It’s just a fact, right, being sick on your birthday sucks, to be blunt.

Tomorrow EJS turns EIGHT, more on that tomorrow, still OMG!

So…back to the point of the post. EJS had a cough that wouldn’t go away, they took her to the doctor this morning and she has croup, poor little bit. She stayed home from school yesterday and today, feeling like crud, not knowing what was wrong.

So, first, she had to miss the school field trip today, not a happy camper there. Then…her birthday party tomorrow was cancelled, bummer, but…it’s already rescheduled and almost everyone is coming, so that’s great! We went out for the traditional birthday dinner at Cheesecake Factory, enjoyed and not enjoyed when you’re not feeling well. She put up a good front.

Hopefully tomorrow she will feel better, there is still a big day planned, which I will tell you all about.

Bottom line, your birthday should be a fun and happy day, not a day that you feel like crud, so I am sending EJS as many good vibes as I can, hope you can do the same!



Face it, we all love bread, even if you don’t, you do.

We can buy it in the store, but we love when we get it on the table at a restaurant, it seems to taste better. Especially warm french bread and butter? I’d rather have that than dessert…

The reason I am inspired to write today is that I had a great sandwich tonight. Now…as you know I am a veg-head, a vegan, if you will and a lot of times, I need to ask for something special to be made. Now, I will tell you when I first became a vegetarian, I didn’t like vegetables, slightly awkward for a vegetarian, but understandable for a 14 year old. Not to worry, that changed, I love veggies.

I love veggies and I enjoy them prepared in different ways, grilled is ok, but I find that there are certain vegetables that I don’t enjoy grilled or on a plate, but put them in a wrap or between two pieces of toasted bread of some sort, with some sort of sauce on the side, say a garlic mayo…and I am there!

Bottom line, grilled veggie sandwich on toasted whole grain bread with a said of garlic mayo with a Caesar salad with the dressing on the side and I was golden! Happy happy yum.



{March 17, 2015}   Happy St Patricks Day!

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Today is St Patrick’s Day.

Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, “the Day of the Festival of Patrick”), is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland.

It is a religious and cultural celebration, but it also seems to be an excuse to party, which is not a bad thing, by any means! There are stories behind everything, for instance, wearing of the green, which is associated with a shamrock and a song, just to name a few.

There are celebrations all over the world, not just in Ireland and the US, it would be foolish to think it ends there! Even at the International Space Station, they are wearing green! Chicago, New York, Boston and Savannah have the biggest celebrations in the US, Chicago and Savannah dye the rivers green, that is a sight to see!

There are so many traditions…you get pinched if you don’t wear green, you should drink green beer and lots of it, corned beef and cabbage to feat on.

I was day dreaming about Ireland, wishing I was there, missing it and knowing I’ll be there again some day and I know I’ll go one day with my twin! I haven’t forgotten and there is so much more I want to see.

Today in between class, I had Irish music playing, Pandora had an Irish station, it was great! Then I went to run a few errands, got back to the hotel and I am a red head again! I could fit in with any Irish pub!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick’s_Day

I will leave you with this Irish Blessing…

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, may the rains fall softly upon your fields.

I hope today was full of fun and silly and all you hoped it would be.



{March 16, 2015}   What a day…start to finish!

I started in Boston and ended in Buffalo.

Today was a travel day, there was good, blech and great. Got up, showered and dressed, taxi to the airport, dropped my yogurt when I got out of the taxi, breezed through security, had a egg Mcgriddle, yum! Eventually boarded the plane, settled in and then the flight attendant asked for a volunteer to move to the back of the plane [it was a baby “planelet”] to help balance the weight. What?

Well, no one volunteered, so guess who raised their hand? Went to the back, ‘re’-settled in, put on Joe vs. The Volcano and fell in love with it all over again! Waited to take off and waited, de-ice something and waited. Multi-tasked by playing a game while I watched the movie. Get to Buffalo a little late, get off the plane, get my bag, head to car rental, get in the car, can’t find my license, ack! I get to the hospital where I am teaching, still can’t find my license, but I had to get to class to teach.

I get down there, where are the materials? over there instead of over here, where’s the presentation? Can’t get to it right now, no worries, taught without the presentation on the overhead, class still went well. Taught two classes, took care of things during the third as no one was registered.

Got the car, headed to the hotel, bumped my head not once but twice getting out of the car and looking for something, front and back seat! What? Checked into the hotel eventually, while I was waiting, the valet brought my license to me, wahoo! I didn’t have any cash, but I gave him a $1M chocolate bar to say thank you!

Headed to the room, same as the one I was in last week, what are the odds! Hung out, got some work done and then my friend from college, JC, well, when I knew him he spelled his first name with a G and that’s how I will always think of him GC. He came from Rochester to go to dinner, how awesome was that?! We went to Chef’s, http://www.ilovechefs.com/, which was a recommendation from someone in the office as well.

The food was good, company was great, décor typical, lots of famous people on the walls. Dessert is still in the bag waiting for me to eat it [cookie is mine], probably tomorrow, I couldn’t resist it! Then on the way out, the $5 for 3 raffle tickets for a FIFTEEN POUND chocolate bunny, what? If I win, who gets it?

So, all in all, a good day and now I’m chilling out in my room at the hotel, ready to start everything over again tomorrow. No head bumps please!

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