One more work week to go and then 2018 is really drawing to a close! What a year…. Although most definitely not my type of song…. “Life is a Rollercoaster” is a fairly good title.

This blog will be one of more (not sure how many) that will start to summarise the year gone by. But first…..

OOPS I DID IT AGAIN…..

I can’t help but to see the humour in this so have to share in words! It will never happen that I share this with you in person……. You will see why in just a second….

On Wednesday night last I was staying in the beautiful (warmly recommended) Killaloe Hotel due to some work commitments. On this particular day I had opted to wear a pair of hold up stockings! Feeling good from the inside out and all that….. (ok probably don’t need to justify wearing them)….

Arriving to the hotel I got the stocking caught and it tore exactly around the sticky part that holds it in place….. and so it began to roll down. Now imagine managing this gracefully…… Pulling it up into position worked when sitting down but when standing up it immediately began to roll down….. slowly towards the ankle! So I had to pull it up and hold my skirt and stocking in place (with my good hand – the right one), get my bag, open the door, talk to the porter…….. By the time I reached the hotel room… one leg was skin coloured and the other black.

It is no wonder I ended up in West Clare and not New York….. they wouldn’t have been able for my classy lady behaviour nor attempts at being a sophisticated professional career woman!!

CLOSING IT OUT

So in starting to close out 2018 I thought I would start with picking 12 words which defines how my year has been with some words picked out by friends and family!! Here goes;

1. Rollercoaster
2. Self-Care
3. Power
4. Change
5. Turmoil
6. Adventurous
7. Passion
8. Excitement
9. Drive
10. Fun
11. Boldness
12. Weirdwonderfulness

There are more words belonging to the pile but….. leaving it at that!!

MARY, MAL, MUSIC & SEAWEED

Oh third time… The Riptide Movement. This time in Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick. And what a night!!!!

Started slightly uncomfortable! Decided to go out of my own comfort zone and wear a shorter, tighter & sparklier dress than I would normally wear! My fears of how I looked totally settled once I went to the bathroom for this first time.

This is where I met Mary. She came out of one of the toilets and commenced explaining the current toilet roll status and how we should all help one another. I politely replied (my mother has me trained) and in doing so Mary announced “You look only gorgeous” as she explained that she had make up on herself for the first time in 10 years and had cut her own hair as she was dying it black! She polished off our new friendship with a big hug and kiss on the cheek…… I sighed a breath of relief as a bathroom cubicle became free and one WITH toilet paper at that.

They night continued in amazing style! We sang, drank and danced lots and towards the end of the gig we headed up the front of the stage for a good old fashioned dance!! I had to film the band a little and in doing so got a wave from Mal, (well the camera did) the lead singer. I was slightly excited…. But it got even better!! After the gig when we had settled in quietly in the bar over another round of shots (tequilas this time I believe) the man himself, the lead singer, my second husband (although he doesn’t know it yet nor does my existing one) came into the bar!!! Like a true gentleman when asked to come over for a picture, he sure did and a small chat with it…… Aghhhhh so exciting!!!

The night ended around 4.00am (I think) with a pint of water and diversions from cider in the Killaloe Hotel!! Just one of those….

To finish this blog post I have to write about the best hangover cure I have ever been through! On Sunday afternoon I headed for a Seaweed Bath on the shores of Clahane in Liscannor together with Edel! Tucked in, side by side, in the foetal position in a barrel of hot salty water and seaweed….. well what more can I say! A truly different experience which left me feeling great from all the laughter (we are no good for tranquillity), the spray of water with the wind into the face and the slimy (apparently good for you) seaweed!!!

Go do it! It is well worth it 😄

 

 

It really is! Mainly because of me having spent a week with my family (mum and two brothers) behaving just like the kids we used to be but ….. as adults! It doesn’t really work that way, or does it?!

The giggles and follow up images and GIFs certainly said it hasn’t changed a bit! Burps, farts, snoring, sleep talking, sleep walking and getting very drunk…..Memories made and I do miss them already. (The Family that is)

A Yellow Cab with Strangers

It must be that friendly face of mine…??? Having reached the top of the queue for a yellow taxi leaving JFK the “check-in man’ asked  trip for two is it? I got slightly confused for a second as I was travelling solo. As I looked over my right shoulder I realised that the Cork man behind me (that accent doesn’t fool anyone) was standing slightly next to me with his wife still behind. So I couldn’t help myself but to say ‘unless you want to come with me?’. A great big laugh broke out which ended up with me sitting in between him and his wife all the way into Manhattan sharing great stories in a very un-awkward manner – very Irish!! (it was desperately warm however)!!!

Dead Rabbit Whiskey & Watermelon

Arriving to a NYC hotel late afternoon without an ability to check in is not a good idea…. Especially not the day after!!

I had five hours to spend with New York City and what better way to do so but a little bit of Black Friday shopping (consisting of a Christmas pyjamas) (I hate shopping) followed by a burger & beer, mingle at Time Square followed by settling down in the bar across the road from the hotel to await the arrival of the Swedish gang!

Spent the hours (2) with a New Orleans Man, an Irish Barman and later on in the evening a Welsh Barman drinking my regular drink of Jameson & Ginger Ale. Talking to the man from NO about Gaelic Football (gosh I don’t know where my Swedishness has gone) the Irish Barman decided it was time to introduce himself! A Dubliner having lived in NY for 10 years.

After my third drink I ran across to meet the family and when my younger brother wanted a drink….. I wasn’t one to say no and guess what. The bar stood a round of drinks on my return! This time the Welsh Barman introduced himself and another round was had one the house. We stayed until maybe, possible (I really have no idea) 2am, 3am which means it was now time to get up for work back home….. The finishing drink was a Dead Rabbit Whiskey cocktail….. with the word finishing having a whole new meaning…..

Came back to the hotel where my mother had to tuck me in (just like old days) and I fell asleep fully clothed…. Woke up at 8am with a slight hangover which left me in bed whilst the remainder of the crew had breakfast. I surfaced….  that’s all….  around 11am.

Felt ok, impressed with my own ability to recover so I bought some watermelon, red berries and a bottle of water. Walked on and suddenly……. An overwhelming sense of nausea…. Right in the middle to Time Square….. I will never live down the colourful creation….

Fuck Trump – He Stole My Weed!!

There are a lot of homeless people in NYC all competing for the attention of the people passing by. Three in particular stood out for me.

The first man was standing in the vicinity of Macy’s Department Store, better dressed than myself.  Tweed suit and all. He was asking for money….. Made us all stop in our tracks and I wonder was he doing a documentary….. It was just ‘weird”.

The second one had the best sign post….. the heading!!! Fuck Trump – He Stole My Weed. So he obviously doesn’t like Trump but he was also asking for money to replenish stock??

Then the last, he must be my favourite!! He said in his homeless husky (hoarse really) voice, as I was entering the hotel – “I love your hair”. It certainly gave me a fit of the giggles….. and a sensation of NOT AGAIN!!!!

Lace, Latex & Lubricants

Try walking through a 3 story Victoria Secret Shop with your younger brother. These are the items surrounding you. He looking for his girlfriend, me looking for me…. Just wasn’t happening without bringing us right back to childhood. Red faces, lots of giggles and confused faces (his more than mine) with how the hell all the strings, holes and ribbons were to be positioned!!

At least mum gracefully stood to one side waiting for us to come out and my older brother went to the more “not required to be censored section” Pink!

So did I end up empty handed…..?? Who knows. (my brother certainly doesn’t)!!!

Back Home

I love NYC and believe it truly was meant to be my home…. In saying that, there is nothing better than getting back to my true home, to my kids.

My Bella had prepared a scavenger hunt which had me running up and down the stairs in and out of rooms looking for clues until I found her in the kitchen with a bunch of flowers and quote jar…. Think they missed me…

Finishing off with a two year anniversary mention!!! This day two years ago was the day that started my SimplyMalin and MyMe journey!! The day of Strictly Come Dancing West Clare GAA Style!! So many great memories!!!

So here is to December one of my favourite times of year! Christmas is looming, lingering dark evenings, homes feel warm and fussy and there are lots of events and festivities to attend to and the excitement of what Santa might bring me is starting to brew…. Still a child at heart ❤️