New Beginnings | Peaches Prattlings

{March 17, 2024} A walk, a ride, breakfast, a block shoot, and clean bikes

That was our Sunday, what was your Sunday like?

I decided the pups could sleep with me last night, it was great, until…Well, Ruby fell asleep next to me, Bee started in the crook of my left side, we were all good and then I woke up in the middle of the night had my beagle turned into a cat and was sleeping inbetween my legs! I felt like I was held hostage, I couldn’t move! ha ha. I moved her over to my left side, fell back asleep and woke up to her in the exact same place! No wonder I couldn’t pull the blanket over my legs, really?!

We stayed happy, cuddling, and content, until Ruby decided it was time to wake up, and by that I mean lick my face, and hand, and arm, and…until I gave up and got out of bed. I love the dogs, I do not love getting licked into oblivion! Ok, ok, I’m up! Got dressed and got them ready to go for a walk.

Came back from the walk, fed them breakfast and soon it was time for us to get some breakfast. On the bikes and off to Heisy’s Diner. We really like this place! I think I told you about it, it’s a train car that they just added and added to, it goes on forever! We sat at the counter, which we love to do, ate, drank coffee and tea, talked, laughed, planned, you know, the usual.

Back home we didn’t go into the house to get the dog’s hopes up, we just switched from bikes to truck and headed out towards Bethel, PA. In Bethel, we went to the Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club‘s Bethel Grounds for a Block Shoot. It’s a cool property, they have a building big enough to hold several picnic tables with benches, riding lawnmowers and garden tools, there is a kitchen, and around back there are port-o-potties. They have a firepit and a lot of space. In the summer, if you want, you can camp for $10 per night. I’m not sure what other events they have there, but the block shoot happens twice a year.

So…if, like me, you were wondering what a block shoot is…at the core, you are shooting at a block of wood with an index card on it. Ok, more details…Everyone signs up, if you want to shoot, you can, if you don’t want to shoot, you can have sponsor someone to shoot for you, yes, you guessed it, that’s what we did. It’s $2 per shot, we each put in $10 for 5 shots each and someone was assigned to shoot for us, there’s a prize at the end!

When it’s time for the shooting to start, there is a target, it’s a wooden block with a white index card on it and you shoot from 50 feet away from the target. There is someone in the big metal box-type thing who puts the block with the index card on the pole, there is a red slider up in between each round, when the person who is setting up the blocks is ready switches the red slider to green and the person knows they can shoot. This goes back and forth until everyone who has put in money has either shot or had someone shot for them.

At the end of the round, or first shoot, they bring in all the blocks and the index cards are examined and the card, which has a number assigned to it/you, with the pellet closest to the center of the X is hit, that is declared the winner! Guess who won $25 for the first round? PSM! Go PSM! And he didn’t have to do anything for it except sponsor someone to shoot for him!

The next thing they do is called a Spinner Round. There is a giant circle with boxes in them with everyone’s number assigned and the winner of the block shoot round gets to shoot the spinner, which is spinning, as the name suggests and the number with the closest X is the winner, not us, sadly!

The clubhouse, as it were, opens at 11 for food, they had hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, drinks, cupcakes, all sorts of goodies. There was a firepit outside and everyone socializes until the block shoot starts. They continue to socialize, but it’s harder to hear if you’re in the back, but it doesn’t stop anyone.

There were other raffles, a 50/50 for our club, a gun raffle and a cash prize raffle for another club. There are all these opportunities to fundraise and help each other out, it’s nice. After the first round block shoot and the 50/50 raffle, it was time to head out and head home.

At the house, we let the dogs out, PSM pulled all the bikes out and we got to work cleaning them. They were in desperate need of baths. Please don’t tell too many people but…we hadn’t given them proper baths since we went on our 3-week trip out west over the summer. We are embarrassed! We’ve wiped them down, but not the given them the detail they really need. And the bugs on the windshield… O M G! We cannot do this to them again! Don’t they look all shiny and pretty?!

Next…into the house, sit down and breath! Oh, and practice my Duolingo, more on that another time!

Who ever heard of sitting still on a Sunday!? Dogs are in the crate, writing to you…g’night!

{March 16, 2024} A meeting, brunch, a mud sale, a new brewery

It’s Saturday, why did I have to wake up first at 2am, no idea. I fell back asleep, thankfully, then woke up close to 7a, in a slight panic, why didn’t my alarm go off?! Oh yeah, it’s Saturday! Wahoo!

I went downstairs, the dogs had stayed out, meaning out of the crate, so about 730a, I went downstairs and whispered to them, ‘who wants to snuggle?’, you don’t have to ask twice! They came upstairs and got in bed with me. I fed them, then took them for a walk, a little out of order, but they were happy, they love the snuggles and their walks!

After we got back, PSM and I got into the truck and drove out to the monthly IMRG, Indian Motorcycle Riders Group, Susquehanna Chapter 1903, meeting, great to see everyone, talk about future rides and getting back out there. The meetings don’t last too long, which is good, no lunch after this month. Very excited to get to ride with these guys again, gotta love Spring!

Then we went to Starbucks up the street to grab some drinks, we didn’t get to get anything on the way. I called DR, who I had reconnected with at the funeral, and we met him for brunch at the Lion’s Pride Restaurant in Red Lion, PA. It was a cute little town, the best part, there was a Red Lion on everything, including the street signs, I love that!

The restaurant was a good down-home place, pretty big with lots of room for a lot of people with several rooms to eat in. The food was good and the beverages were hot. Not sure we’d go back there for breakfast, only because it’s about an hour from us, and we like to do breakfasts a little closer, but it was very much worth it to see DR and introduce him to PSM, they had some stuff in common. Always helps when your friends can get along with your better half!

After brunch, we all went to a Mud Sale in Airville, PA, DR had told me about this, it was really cool! It’s basically a fundraiser to help the local volunteer fire brigades! It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced, it was auction city! Outside, in tents, in the firehouse, everywhere you looked, there was an acution! And the auctioneers…the Amish men themselves! First, it was odd to see them using technology, like microphones, but they were also fabulous auctioneers, just like you see, or hear, in the movies, could barely understand what they were saying! I can’t think how to explain it in words, just check out the video!

The first tent we went to was animals, and animals galore they had! They had started the animal auction at 930, we were there close to 11a and they were still in full swing! They had bunnies, oh my the bunnies, that’s what was being auctioned when we got there. Babies, full grown, medium, brown, white, black, you name it, you could find whatever type of bunny you wanted. PSM said no…you know I asked!

Then…squeal..squeal…squeal…voice goes up a few octive…they had BABY GOATS!!! O M G! I want one sooo badly. PSM said no…Please? No…we could get a color for it, like we have for the dogs and they can stay in the backyard! Please? no… oh well!

There were grown goats, big kids, little kids, there were fluffy sheep, lambs, big pigs, baby pigs, chickens, pigeons, peacocks, swans, like I said, you name it, they had it! As we walked around, it seemed like almost everyone was walking around with a chicken or a bunny! I don’t know who got the goats! Can I come and play?!

We went to the next tent, crafts, PSM thought he lost me, but I done good! It was a lot of Americana, wooden crafts, rabbits, bird houses, yard signs. Then on to the farm tools, then beautiful wooden furniture, into the firehouse where they were auctioning these amazing quilts, oh my word! They had it down to a science. Pull one up for all to see, highest bid wins, it comes down as they are hoisting the next one up, it was pretty cool.

There were food vendors inside and out. Back outside we went to the other side of the property and they were bidding on plants, sporting equiment, tractors, mowers, generators, tool chests, you name it, they probably had it and were trying to sell it! Oh, and if you buy a bunch or can’t carry what you bought, there were Amish kids there with their wagons to help you get your purchases to your vehicle!

Oh, and gotta love the buggy parking! One of my favorite things today! besides the bunnies and the baby goats!

After we walked to every auction, we decided to head out. Back to the vehicles in the corn field, the reason we didn’t ride the bikes, although it would have been the perfect day for riding. I appreciate PSM giving me an out to not ride in the flattened corn field, it would not have been fun!

We decided to find a local brewery to get some drinks and food. We went to Wyndridge Farm, a large beautiful space with a spacious and bright bar area, we sat right next to the tasting room, they also have an event venue, it was beautiful. I sent a picture to BJS because it reminded me of where she got married, great memories!

We had some grub, drank, talked, laughed, shared stories, and just had a really nice time. We talked about being able to get together sometime soon, I told DR about the Lebanon Valley Libations Trail and he has agreed, well, I twisted his arm, to join us at some of the breweries. ha ha. I know it will be tough, but he’s a trooper!

Afte we parted company, PSM drove us back home, we were about an hour away, and aside from the Amish cologne, that’s what someone called the fertilizer smell! It would have been the perfect ride. I’m hoping we can do it again!

Home, take the dogs for a walk, well, take Ruby, Bee got just past the driveway and decided she wasn’t going and dug her heels in, at that point, just like with a child, you pick and choose your battles, so…battle won for Bee, we went back, I deposited her at the house and Ruby and I went for a nice long walk.

Back home, feed the pups and then I went upstairs and decided I wanted to take a shower, but…I remembered at the Mud Sale, they had a claw foot tub, which I love, so I decided to take a not hot bubble bath and oh my word it was wonderful! I practiced my Italian, watched some videos, and all around just basked in the bubbles, the heat, and the steam. What could be better I ask you!?

And now, dear friends, I am sharing my day with you, as I love to do. So…shared! And now…g’night!

{March 8, 2024} A visit, a new place for dinner, we got in!

A normal work day, in the afternoon MM arrived, picked up PSM at work, went to a new place for dinner, then a club meeting, a movie, nighty night!

MM came in because tomorrow, we’re heading to Staten Island to attend the funeral of a friend. I don’t know if you recall me telling you about the passing of AGM on February 14th, a good friend from high school, someone who comes in and out of your life and it’s like no time has passed and just thinking about him right now I’m smiling. Well…tomorrow is the funeral, and then following, the celebration of life.

Since MM lives in South Carolina and he was driving up, I suggested he stop here, it’s about 7 hours from here, spend the night and we go together. We further planned…we are going to go to the funeral, then the celebration, then spend the night at my dad’s, there’s a brunch on Sunday, then we drive back to PA.

So…MM is here, I drove PSM to work because the beetle bug is in the shop, so we went to pick him up, we came home, chilled out for a while, then decided to head out and get some dinner. We went to the Lebanon Valley Craft Brewery, now we’ve been there before, but they only had a giant popcorn machine and food trucks on occassion, now…they have a full kitchen! Let’s eat!

The place was packed, and when I say packed, I mean packed, there was almost no place to sit. I happened to see two spots at the bar, I asked the people at the bar if they could move down two spots and we could sit there, thank you! We siddled up to the bar and settled in, right behind the taps, not a bad place to be, I love beer taps, they are so creative!

PSM had joined the LVCB Bierverkosters, basically a beer club. For your entry fee, you get a discount on food and merchandise, you get a 20oz beer for the price of a 16oz pint, and you get to punch a timecard on an old fashioned machine, pretty cool! And even more…

We ordered food, it wasn’t bad, I ordered a grilled veggie wrap, my only feedback was that it was cold on the inside, it should have been a hot sandwich, but it was tasty. Would I order it again? Yup, I will definitely give them another chance on this! They had a few things I might be able to eat, a few salads, not sure about the spicy black bean burger…but they have options. PSM and MM both had burgers, said they were pretty good.

One thing that wasn’t a plus was how long the food was taking. We thought because the kitchen has only been open a short time and it was really slammed in the place, the kitchen got slammed, add to that, we were all hungry, not a great combination. But will we go back and go back for more than just drinks, we definitely will, it’s a local place for us, the drink selection is good for PSM, they have very salty popcorn, fun to have while you’re there, the staff is very nice, and now they have a full kitchen, what more could you want? I’m sure as they grow, they’ll get better and I’m willing to go on the journey with them!

After dinner, we headed over to the Lebanon Valley Motorcycle Club for the Friday Night Meeting. We got there shortly before 8p, walked in, we were greeted so warmly, they know us now, especially since we’ve been to a few meetings. They missed us last week, that feels good to know! The last meeting they had some desserts that we both enjoyed and I told someone that I enjoyed the cherry bars, tonight, she gave me the recipe! Someone else had a recipe for their cake last week, but we weren’t there. Way to make us feel so welcome!

When we went upstairs for the meeting, they announced that we had been voted in, which was read from last week’s minutes, we had missed that, but we had a rousing cheer for us! MM introduced himself, we all had a good time, laughing, learning, just the camraderie! The events are starting to happen and I’m excited to participate! Thank you LVMC, we are excited to be here!

We came home got comfortable and put on Harlem Nights, one of my favorite movies of all time, just a classic with Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Red Fox, Della Reese, Danny Aiello, Michael Lerner, Jasmine Guy, and so many other great performers and comedians, I’ll tell you more about the movie another time!

Right now…gotta crash, getting up to get some brunch, then head to NYC for, well, you know.

Good night all, hug each other!p

{March 5, 2024} I’m in planning mode! Weehoo!

So…last year, I haven’t had a chance to tell you about this trip yet, but PSM and I went on a 3-week motorcycle trip with some friends, and made new friends. We enjoyed the trip so much, we talked about the next year’s trip while we were on that trip. And here we are!

It’s almost a year later and we are in planning mode for our 10 day trip for this June. We would have loved to be able to take a 3-week trip again, but some folks don’t have the time this year to take 3-weeks, but there’s always a next time!

So…what are we doing this year? Well, let me tell you… and you know I will give you a day-by-day of what we’re doing, complete with photos! I tell you just about everything now, don’t I?! Ok, so…JD is our ride captain, he plans the routes and found the hotels, maybe one day he’ll let someone else help with that! ha ha.

My job, as cruise director, Julie McCoy, that was the nickname they gave me on our trip last year because I ended up in charge of figuring out where we were going to eat meals, dinners, at least, communicating these details, along with the meet time to head to dinner, and KSU, Kick-Stands-Up in the mornings. And don’t know I love it! I might need a name badge, or at least a t-shirt with that name on it!

So… we are starting in Middleborough, MA, well, some of us are, since we’re coming in from Lebanon, PA, if we don’t ride to Middleborough, we’ll meet everyone in Bar Harbor, ME, this is about a 6 hour ride and 360 miles. Our plan is to watch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain, you know that means an unseemly hour of the morning, I can’t wait, then ride to the ferry terminal in Bar Harbor to load our bikes and persons and sail 3.5 hours to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. When PSM and I were in Nova Scotia years ago, we found out it translates to New Scotland, when you look out over the landscape it looked like Scotland to those who named it, and after being there two years ago, I couldn’t agree more!

Our trip is along the Cabot Trail, so every stop is going to be a part of that, passports at the ready! When we land in Yarmouth, we are going to ride about 4 hours and 193 miles to Halifax, Nova Scotia [NS], I am so excited about seeing Halifax again, I loved it and wished we had had more time there! Then, day 3, yes we are only up to day 3, can you believe it?!…from Halifax, we ride to Baddeck, about 6 hours and 270 miles.

Days 4-5, we’re going to do day trips on the Cabot Trail, even staying at the Cabot Trail Motel. Day 6, we ride Baddeck to Tatamagouche, NS for the night where we get to stay in train cars! Cannot wait! Then Day 7, Tatamagouche to St John New Brunswick, about 5 hours and 200 miles. Day 8m we ride about 6.5 hours and 300 miles from St John New Brunswick to Freeport, ME, and we’re back in the US! The last day, sadly…day 9, we ride from Freeport, ME to Middleborough, MA, about 5 hours and 180 miles. Most likely, PSM and I will go from New Brunswick towards PA and then make our way home by June 16th.

I just sent out a spreasheet for us to keep track of everything and as I was filling it out/in, I was getting more excited! I cannot wait to share the trip with you, a daily recount, and as I promised, chock full of pictures!

But for now, dear friends, I am going to bid you a fare fondwell, wait, what?! no, that’s a fond farewell and bid you goodnight!

And…I have to tell you, I am so happy that I started sharing with you again, I have really enjoyed the past two months! O M G! It’s been two months and I’ve shared so much, being as consistent as I can, I know I’ve missed some days, but I’m not as worried about that as I used to be. But we’re talking again and that’s what matters!

g’night!

{March 3, 2024} A pahty, dinner with dad, drive home

I…am…beat…yeah, I’m done! I just got home from Bahston and dinner with dad, I’ll tell you about my day, then I’m crashing!

Got up, the pups had slept with me, they love that treat, I’ll admit, I love it too. It really is a treat because it doesn’t happen every day. I let them on the bed sometimes on a Saturday or Sunday morning, but spending the night on the bed, now that’s a treat. Ruby did her thing and turned around twice and laid down, Bee turned around twice and then dug herself into my side, it was soooo cute. She moved once or twice, but settled into the crook I made and it was warm and cuddly, sigh.

We got up, went for a walk, thank goodness the rain finally stopped! Oh my car window…we came back, they had breakfast, I took a shower, then we headed to J&A’s for Uncle A’s 80th birthday bash! I got there, asked if I could do anything and A said she completely forgot vegan stuff, and there was a gluten-free person coming, so I said I would go to the grocery store and get some, easy! GES is going dairy-free for a while, I wanted to share some of my favorite options with her too.

Ruby just came upstairs to tell me it was time for bed!

I went to Wegmans and picked up some vegan and gluten-free options. I forgot how much I really like Wegman’s and what a great vegan selection they have! And how expensive some of that stuff is! I know it’s expensive, but usually I’m only buying one or two things along with our other groceries for the week!

I headed back to the house and people were starting to show up, including my hubby, PSM! I hadn’t seen him since Friday morning when he headed towards Vermont, very nice to see him, the girls thought so too!

We were in town for Uncle A’s 80th birthday bash and what a bash it was! GES was able to come over for a little bit, try some of the vegan cream cheese and smoked gouda, oh my I was happy, I love this Violife brand! They have such good dairy-free options! She was able to have bagel-lox-and cream cheese, with onion, of course! Not for me, thanks!

We ate some good food, got to chat with friends and family, laugh, hug, tell stories, and have an all around good time! It was so good to see everyone, I don’t think we’ve seen them since the Chanuakah party the weekend of Thanksgiving!

We bade everyone goodbye, PSM loaded the girls in the Jeep and headed towards home, I got in my car, programmed the directions and headed to my dad’s house. Let’s just say, no one likes driving through Connecticut! Aren’t they done with construction yet? Maybe that’s the national pastime in Connecticut!

It was a 4.5 hour drive with no stops, I had to get gas once and use the facilities a few times, and with traffic, it only added about 30 minutes, not too shabby. And…it got up to 70, guess what I did…dropped Annie’s top and we wer rockin’ down the road, that helped! I got to dad’s about 5p, we hugged hello, then loaded up in his car, I needed a minute not to be driving! We enjoyed Zara’s so much on Friday we decided to go back and even got the same meal!

We had the appetizer platter with babaganoush, hummus, tabouleh, eggplant salad, and sauted eggplant, it was so good! And we had a shepherd’s salad, the bread they bring out is fabulous and enough for the appetizers, I had a cup of turkish tea and we ended the meal with an order of baklavah! Sooo good! I’m ready for the next time.

Back to dad’s house, I helped him with his new timer light and then it was time to drive home. It’s only 2.5 hours, but when it’s been a long day and you’re tired, and already drove 5 hours, 2.5 can be tough! Especially after driving to Boston yesterday! But…made it home safe and sound, hello to the hubs and the dogs, unloaded the car, I’m talking to you and as soon as I click publish…I’m going to introduce myself to the back of my eyelids. Now…you know me, I know this, and you know this is just me talking a big game! ha ha

I’m going to give it the old school try! Night!

{March 2, 2024} Breakfast with dad, drive to Bahston, dinner with my sis

All is a day, of course!

I got up way to early for a Saturday, why can’t I sleep past at least 6am!? I decided to linger, I didn’t feel like getting out of bed, going out into the rain, and the bed got softer and I kept sinking deeper and deeper into the warmth and comfort of my childhood bed. Don’t roll your eyes, it’s a very comfortable bed, the mattress is just right, and the blankets were piled on and just cozy! It’s a twin, yup, you know how much I love a king or california king bed, but I grew up sleeping on a twin bed. You should have seen the number of pillows and stuffed animals I had, used to give people ‘hives’!

I got up eventually, got dressed, got the dogs out of their travel crate, and took them out for a walk. It was still raining, not too hard, but enough, hoping it wasn’t going to get too bad on my way to Boston, but I was not so lucky! We walked around the block I grew up on, back to the house, say good morning to paw-paw, fed them, let them hang out for a few minutes, then back in the crate and dad and I went to Z-One for breakfast. First, we tried to go to Zara Forest Grill, we saw they had breakfast, but it turns out they don’t open until 11am on Saturdays, that’s brunch, not breakfast!

I love my one-on-one time with my dad, we talk about everything and nothing, we reminisce, we plan, we strategize, we joke, we tell stories, it’s just that good!

After breakfast, we made a pit stop at Michael’s, it was for him, not for me! But who am I to stand in the way of creativity! I had so much fun crafting with him last night! When we got back home, I packed up the pups crate, food, and bowls, and of course, the dogs, got in the car, made sure the window cover was secure, plugged in the address of the hotel and headed out into the rainy day for parts, I can’t say parts unknown, I know where I’m going! ha ha.

It was about a 4.5 hour drive with no stopping, well, we know me well enough to know that’s not possible! With the rain, stopping for gas, and one or two potty breaks, I made it in about 5-5.5 hours, that’s not bad at all! I got the dogs out, walked them in the rain, got them into the room, unloaded the car, got the crate and their bed set up and then I got to work feeding them.

After a bit, I got in touch with GES and we worked out that I would go over to their house so I could see MGS, and we would order take-out, but if they bring it to you, is that take-in? hmmm…it was good, we had pho, and it was pretty good. I definitely had leftovers to bring home! We hung out, talked, played with Bailey, their dog, and Piper, the labradoodle they were dog sitting for the weekend. We talkd, laughed, enjoyed just spending time together, then EJS came home, and then ACS, the gang’s all here!

It was nice, I hung out until about 10p and I was getting a little tired, only because I knew I had to drive back in the rain, then drive back to PA tomorrow, with a pit or dinner stop at dad’s. I got back to the hotel, they let me park my car at the entrance, so hopefully the plastic holds and no rain gets in, thank you Romeo!

I’m back in the room, the dogs have been walked in the rain, I think I’ll let them sleep with me tonight, I have this whole bed to myself, and I know they would love the cuddle. I’ll love the cuddle, except for the part where they push me out of the giant bed! grrr…

Tomorrow, it’s a birthday party for Uncle A, I get to see PSM, and his whole family, celebrate, then drive to dad’s and then back to PA. I need a nap!

G’night!

{March 1, 2024} Dinner and crafting with my dad!

Heading to Boston for a party on Sunday, so…since Staten Island, NY is mostly on the way, just a slight detour, so…

I worked all day, then loaded up the car with my bags, my Cricut Joy, the dogs, and me…and we were off! On the road again…ha ha, you are welcome for the ear worm!

It’s about 2.5 hours to get to my dad’s house from ours, not too bad, didn’t hit much traffic, thankfully! We got to my dad’s house, I took the girls for a walk around the neighborhood, gave them dinner while I unloaded the car, and then they explored their ‘paw-paw’s’ house. Check out this shirt I made him for ‘pawther’s day’ last year! World’s Best Paw Paw, with pictures of his grand-doggies! could you just diah! [you need to read that last word with a southern accent!]

I set up the travel crate and, after a bit, got the girls in, then dad and I went to dnner. We were debating where to go and I mentioned mediterranian and we went near the house to a place that used to be a Perkins, which is a 24-hour diner, and now is Zara Forest Grille, a very nice Turkish restaurant. I would say at least 90% of the people there were Turkish or somewhere from the mediterranian.

It was quite the experience! We sat at a small table for two, they brought out a long platter with a giant piece of pouffy bread and olives. We ended up ordering a Shephard Salad, cheese on the side, and an appetizer plate, it had tabbouleh, hummus, baba ghanoush, eggplant salad, and aci ezme. Everything was amazing, except for the aci ezme, it was sssppppiiicccyy! O M G! No thanks! It stayed on the plate! Dad had a soda, he was hoping for Turkish wine, he absolutely fell in love with Turkey and all things Turkish when he and my mom were there for her 50th birthday trip. No Turkish wine dad, sorry. I had a pot of green tea, maybe next time I’ll get Turkish tea, they said it was very strong, I think I’ve had it, but I’ll try it next time.

For dessert, we had…baklavah! It was soooo good! We reminised about living in Israel and him going to the Arab market and coming back with a giant pink box with nothing but baklavah, and I think it weighed about two pounds, and it cost… about 2 dollars! What an amazing experience that summer was…I need to think about it more, maybe share some stories, at least what I can remember!

What a great experience at this restaurant, they had this one dish, we asked about it because there was such a celebration when it came out! First of all, the lights go out, next the music and clapping starts, then the waiter, well almost the entire wait staff, singing over the flaming plate of meat! It was awesome! Not something I’ll ever get, but still fun to see! Thanks for the great evening out, dad!

Then, back to the house, I was going to show my dad how my little Cricut Joy works, I had been telling him about it a few weeks ago, so now he can see it in action. I helped him with an art project that he was working on, it was a win-win! We discussed, rearranged, and figured out where he wanted what and I was able to print some stuff for him to place. That was a lot of fun! Dad, if you need more stickers, or whatever, just let me know!

Eventually, it was time for the girls to go to be, for dad and I to climb the stairs, get in our jammies, and for me to get in my childhood bed, sink into the covers, tallk to you, then pass out. Sounds pretty good!

Tomorrow…Boston!

{February 29, 2024} Was it really four years ago today?

Four years ago today, February 29, 2020, was such a special day for our family. EJS became a bat mitzvah, wow and mazel tov!

What an amazing accomplishment! When a young woman becomes a bat mitzvah, or a daughter of the commandments, it means that she is a woman under Jewish law. And it’s a bar mitzvah for the boys. I know EJS is a young woman, but it’s still hard to say without waxing nostalgic. I’m actually tearing up a little talking about it.

It’s tradition for girls and boys to become bat or bar mitzvah at 12 or 13, I was 13 when I became a bat mitzvah, November 4, 1984, I know, can you believe it, that’s a date that I never will forget. My sister, GES, was 13, her husband, ACS, was 13, PSM was 13, apparently it’s a club! And MGS, she became a bat mitzvah last year.

There are some people who choose to do it later in life, CWB decided a few years ago, this was not an opportunity she wanted to miss and had her adult bat mitzvah, she studied just as hard and it was such a mitzvah for me to be there to watch her on this journey.

Oh, what a site to see, my niece on the bema, or bimah, that’s the podium on the pulpit that one would stand at to lead a prayer service, or read from the torah, the holy scriptures. To become a bat or bar mitzvah is not an easy feat, it involves years of study, study of hebrew, mostly prayers, some conversation, for me, it was hebrew school class every Wednesday from the time I was 10 until at least my bat mitzvah.

Then there is Sunday school, religious studies, going to Friday night and sometimes Saturday morning services, to study the word of g-d, and some wonderful prayers, I still know them to this day and enjoy reciting them when I’m in shul or synagogue. Some of them are uplifting, some can be scary, but all make you think.

Then, as you get closer to the big day, you work one-on-one with the rabbi, who guides you on your jewish studies, and preps you for your bat or bar mitzvah. They work with you on your torah portion, what passage[s] you are going to read from the torah, it tells one story of the history of the Jewish people. If you are chanting the prayers, you my work one-on-one with the cantor, who will guide you on the proper way to chant the prayers and your torah reading.

Then…you have to write a speech! Oh my yes! Some people pick a topic from current events, some people base their speech on whatever their torah portion is. Sometimes this can be more nerve wracking than the entire ceremony!

What a wonderful time to be together, to watch our loved ones blossom into adults before our eyes, we are still sitting there, looking at them wondering where did the time go? I was just holding her in my arms, meeting her for the first time, and looking at that tiny little person and thinking, “oh wow, I’m your auntie and I am gonna love you so much!” and here she is, standing up there, leading us in prayer, reading from the torah, giving her speech, and being an all around bad ar… I shouldn’t say that here! But she was!

And when all is said and done, it’s time to celebrate, and we should celebrate, look what you just did! You impressed us all with your bravery and knowledge, your strength, and fortitude, and skills, now let’s celebrate you!

Like her mother and I, EJS had the celebration right after the service at the synagogue and the place was decked out to the hilt! Their event planner, RachelG, was amazing, everything EJS asked for and a little bit more! There was games for the kids, the dj was great, the mc was great, got everyone involved and on their feet, the food was amazing, the decor, and it all contributed to everyone feeling amazing and there was love, and wonder, and pride, and just good feelings all around. And she deserved it.

It is now four years later, and in a few weeks, EJS is going to be…o m g…seventeen! What?! I still cannot believe it! Yet, I do! That little tiny creature, who grabbed my finger and my heart, who, when she could walk would run so fast to jump into my arms for a hug, then the time when she was about 9, she and her sister put my bras on their heads, yup, they did that, when she would come into my room, crawl in bed, and want to cuddle, when she would ask for me to sit with her while she fell asleep. Yup, that girl, she’s about to be 17, wow, what an amazing human being she is!

Yea, four years ago today, we got to watch something amazing and kvell, it means to be super proud, and we did. Mazel tov EJS, you were amazing that day and it hasn’t stopped, I cannot wait to see what’s next for you!

{February 28, 2024} It’s Wednedsay, back to doggie daycare!

It’s Wednesday and that means it’s doggie daycare time! And they…LOVE it!

We started taking them to Glamourous K9s a few months ago, some time after we moved into the house, and…conviently enough, it’s very close to the house, score! They were going every Wednesday and then they stayed at doggie daycamp or they were boarded when we went to the USVI over the holidays. They loved that too!

Lots of people paying attention to them, they get to sleep in a room together, interract with other dogs and all around have a great time! We sent them with their special food bowls, enough food for them to stay for three weeks, if needed, their treats, Bee’s meds, a bed for them to share, and some toys, what more could they want?!

When they go to doggie day care, they have a bag with a blanket, for nap time, of course, treats, and Bee’s emergency meds. As soon as I say “Who wants to go to doggie day care?” You have never seen two dogs run faster! Even little Bee the Beagle, her little legs get her there fast! They run to the car and wait for me, I can’t move that fast, sorry girls!

We load up in the car, drive down the road and they can’t get out of the car fast enough! Can you ask for anything more?! When it’s time for me to pick them up, they come running out and I get lots of licks, hugs, and tail wags, gotta love it!

Today was funny because getting them there, no issue, but when we got there and I was going over stuff with one of the staff, Ruby decided she’s going to head back to the door, and then when I started to leave, it seemed like she was going to go with me…huh? You couldn’t wait to get here, now you want to leave? Maybe it was since it was the first time since the beginning of January since they went, who knows. They stayed, it was all good.

All I know is that they love it, they are well cared for and it gets them out of the house and socializing with other dogs at least one day a week. And socializing where I don’t have to hold their leashes tight, not knowing how the meet-n-greet is going to go, where I don’t have to explain Ruby’s weird thing about ‘I’ll do the doggie greeting, don’t do it to me!” Very hypocritical!

As long as they enjoy it, we will keep sending them, and until they don’t…Who wants to go to Doggie Day Care?!

{February 27, 2024} I love watching things happen…organically, sort of.

What I mean…today I was teaching a class and everyone had access to the two applications I was teaching, goody! Yeah, that would be great, but…half the class had access to PROD or the production environment, which means live data, and the other half had access to the training environment, test data.

Now…we were only doing searches, so they weren’t going to make any updates or changes even if they were in production. Everything I showed them they could follow the steps in either environment to find the information, they just couldn’t use the same search data because what I was using in the test environment wouldn’t be found in production.

The part that I was loving…when it came time for the practice exercise, I had them review the scenario and talk about what they needed to do, then…I had someone share their screen, I muted myself, available for questions, but they would have to help each other find the information and get more comfortable with the process.

It took a minute, but soon, they were talking each other through the steps in each system to find what they needed, every once in a while asking me a question, but for the most part, they were rocking it! The second exercise came up, and we went through the same process, and I just sat back and let the knowledge, sharing, and excitement go!

I told them I was having proud trainer momma moments! It really is amazing when you teach something and you watch as your particpants, students, whoever you are instructing, start to get it, know what they’re looking for, know what to ask, and you can see the lightbulb go off over their heads.

They may walk out of class today not 100% sure of what they’re doing, totally understandable, I never expect anyone to be an expert by the time they leave my class, but if they go back to their respective workplaces and when they get into the system(s), something is going to click, and something else, and something else. Maybe it’s ‘that blue haired chick said this’, oh yeah, I remember now and eventually…boom, they’re in like flynn.

Yup, proud teacher moment!

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