Motoring Down the Road | Peaches Prattlings

{January 16, 2015} Hollywood Geek Out!

I know, I’m posting so early!

I’m meeting a friend, tell you about him later, and I may go back to the room and pass out (the race stats at 5:30am!) So I wanted to be sure I posted.

I am meeting my friend in Hollywood, so while I waited for him to get off work and meet me, to Hollywood I went!

I haven’t been here since college and I toured a little with AM, but no cell phones or Facebook. So…Hollywood sign, Mann’s Chinese Theater, Walk of Fame, stars and handprints!

Enjoy the photos! (I put my Chuck Taylor’s in a few…so you would know it was me! )

{January 9, 2015} My day..don’t blink…

You might miss it!

The early part of the day started off normally enough, I actually got to sleep in a bit, the girls didn’t wake me, go girls!

I got up as GES was heading out to get breakfast with a friend, took a shower, got some things done around the house, put up some curtains, made some lunch, got some work done, looked for a new project, made some phone calls, the usual. Then the excitement began…

Do you remember the other day when I had to get a new battery? Well, yesterday, I went to get in the car to pick up MGS, it wouldn’t start, the indicator lights came on but nothing…I called the garage, they sent a tow truck to pick it up and away went Annie. The driver said he had seen issues like this, it probably just needed a jump, what? I just got a new battery! Nope, take it away, let’s see what the garage says.

Back to today…I get a call..it’s the starter motor, what? I called around, they had the best price… please take care of it.

I head out in my car at 3:45 to get EJS from school, take her to karate, 45 minutes later back to the house, pick up GES, go to EJS’ school for Winter Fest! There was pizza, veggies, photo booths, flip book photo booths, a DJ, dancing, games and fun. We hung out for a while, ACS showed up with MGS for some fun, then took me to get my car from the garage. I drove back to the school because I had both car seats.

Then we leave school and head to temple for services, EJS is in the junior choir, a lot of fun to see her singing and enjoying herself, the choir was terrific and services were enjoyable.

After services, oneg with lots of sweets for a sweet Shabbat, lots of talking and good company. Eventually, it was back to the house for jammies and a few more pages of Harry Potter, we might get to the end of chapter one by the end of the weekend!

Have a great weekend my friends!

PS. Last night was my cousin MS’ birthday. Happy Birthday cousin!

{December 31, 2014} What a year it’s been.

It’s New Year’s Eve and what a year it’s been!

There have been a lot of changes, some good, some bad, but experiences nonetheless and like you, I have grown with each one. I would like to share some of the things that have happened to me this year.

I got a new job in February that I love. It gives me the opportunity to do two things I absolutely love: train on software applications and travel for work. I have been in multiple cities for this job, my friends on Facebook are trying to keep up! Someone asked me if I was traveling for work or did I win the lottery? My response “I love my job so much it feels a little like both!” This job not only allows me to travel to new locations for work, I get to travel to different locations on the weekends, it allows me to go to fun places to visit family and friends and do races in cool places. Aside from that perk, I am always learning new modules for the applications I teach, it helps build my skill set and makes me a better trainer.

I went to the Bar Mitzvah of one of my closest friends from high school. CS was pregnant at my wedding! Oh my! What an honor and treat to be a part of it!

You may or may not have guessed by my posts, that I am now single, DCM and I parted ways romantically, it was a mutual decision that was best for both of us. I hold no grudges or bear ill will towards him, we are still great friends and I am happy that he is happy with his life. I will always be thankful for our time together, our shared experiences and giving me something I never thought I would have, grandchildren!

Speaking of grandchildren… we have a new one! Baby W, DCM calls her Twig, too funny! She is a beautiful baby who I hope to meet one day. I got to see Baby A before the family moved to Texas, it was such a great visit, not only with Baby A, but his mommy, I felt really close to them both that day. Not to mention the fabulous mothers day gift I got!

I finally met LB’s sister, Baby L when I went to Las Vegas. LB was so excited to see me, she had me read the same book five times! I had the best visit with both wee tots and their mom, it felt good to talk to her one on one, so to speak.

I have gotten back in the dating world, gone out once or twice, but obviously nothing worth mentioning, but I have been enjoying life, who knows what next year holds!

I did a few races, 5k, 10k and mud runs, around the country, Disney, Atlanta, Colorado, Michigan and my second half marathon in Las Vegas. I drank some moonshine and Jameson! Ick but I did it!

As much traveling as I do, the one place I have never gone alone was overseas, so two months ago, I took myself to Ireland and it was feckin’ fantastic! I’m ready for more international travel!

I also had the fortune to visit friends and family around the country. I spent quite a bit of time in Atlanta with my favorite people and Miss A is walking! She is walking and running around like a champ! I had trouble keeping up with her a few times! Go Miss A!!! So very proud! You can only imagine how her mom, SDL feels!

As a result of being single, I got to spend more time with my sister’s family, I drove with two cats from Colorado to Kentucky to Boston, I know you’re jealous of that one! The girls get to experience unconditional love with the cats and even better, I have gotten closer with the girls they get so excited when I am there now, amazing!

I started skiing again after almost 20 years! I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but I loved it! I skied a little in the beginning of the year and now I am spending New Years at Breckenridge skiing!

A big thing that happened in 2014, I know I didn’t talk about it with you…my sister became a SURVIVOR!!! In October/November 2013, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and in November 2014, she got the all clear, so fantastic! 2014 was a really rough year for my family and we are so happy its over and looking forward to 2015

2015 will be a new year, duh. There will be so many new experiences to be had, projects, places to visit and work, nieces doing amazing things, I cannot wait to tell you all about them.

Along those lines, I have something that I will be sharing, medically speaking with you, I have shared with most of my friends, working through the list, and when I begin the process, there may be days I do not blog much, I hope I will at least be able to tell you what is going on.

Two years ago, January 6th, I rediscovered my blog, with the intention of posting every day and I did it and loved it. I feel lost if I don’t post and January 6th of last year, I decided to continue, guess what I’m going to do January 6, 2015!

You have all stuck with me throughout these last two years and I thank you! My blog has been viewed 4000 times THIS YEAR!!! O M G!!! THANK YOU! I will publish some stats in another post. I look forward to sharing the next year with you!

May 2015 bring you health, happiness and all the joy your hearts can handle!

Happy New Year!

thCHFBYUW9

{December 29, 2014} Luggage should arrive together, right?

Today was a travel day and it was quite a day, go figure!

Got up, packed my bags, impressed ST…it looked like I would never get it all in two bags, but I did! I was triumphant! I filled the second bag with the fabulous gifts I got, glad I had it! I was also able to leave the third bag in Georgia, since it was broken, it was filled with gifts for people here and to be shipped and I knew it wouldn’t be leaving with me!

We went to breakfast, stopped at the post office on the way back, shipped out belated gifts [they are on the way!] back to the house to collect my stuff, then headed to the airport.

During the morning, I got several messages from Delta that my flight was delayed 30 minutes, then back 20 minutes, then back to the original time, um….I was heading to the airport going on the original flight time. I returned the car, headed to the terminal and made it just at the mark, at least I was hoping. In order for your bags go on your flight, they have to be there 45 minutes prior to take off.

I made it! Mostly! The desk agent did a late check in and said I should be fine, whew! I have to tell you, membership [Gold Medallion] has its benefits! I went through security and got to the gate after boarding had begun, love being able to just walk right up and sort of cut in front of people, sorry. Upgraded to first class, go me!

The flight was fine, it was snowing when we got to Denver, the entire ground was blanketed in white and it’s always interesting when you can see your breath on the jetway! Good for skiing!

I went down to baggage claim and after a while the bags came around and it was about 30 minutes and I got one bag and then….. nothing. I had gotten a call from Delta about missing luggage and I thought it was odd since I had one, but off to the Delta Luggage Help Office I went, right behind me.

Oh… side note… there was a hard suitcase that was buzzing, for a while. I’m wondering if someone left their toothbrush [or maybe something else…] on or the switch turned on. It was interesting that no one seemed that worried, just curious. Hmmm.

I went to the desk and asked about my bag, I’m so glad I kept the baggage claim sticker! It turns out that one bag came on my flight and the other took a later flight. Huh?

She could not tell me how it happened, but it happens. I am sure it does, just a first for me. Don’t they scan the bags? To see that they need to go to the same place? I guess not.

My bag was on the next flight, having just landed and it would be another 30 minutes before the bags would get to baggage claim. Did I want them to drive the bag to my hotel? No, I’ll wait. Why make someone drive in the snow to bring my bag when I could wait 30 minutes and have it, so I waited.

The bag finally showed up and I was on my way.

{December 7, 2014} My weekend…swoosh!

Go grab a cup of coffee, cocoa, tea, whatever, this is going to be my entire weekend! You know how these go!

I arrived in Denver on Thursday night, eventually, after taking off an hour late, sat down at the airport to book a hotel, I know, I know, why didn’t I do it before I left Chicago? Not a clue, but I found one pretty quickly, went to pick up the rental car and off I went.

I booked a hotel in Golden, Colorado “Where the West Lives” is the town motto. This is a great little town, charming, quaint and a little old west town and could be called a “one horse town” because it’s not that big, but it has character. http://www.cityofgolden.net/

I remember the first time I was there, for my friend AM’s wedding, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was, lots of walking, a stream that people swim, practice kayaking, just enjoy.

Friday, I worked for a few hours and then headed to the storage unit to pick up my skies, what I didn’t expect to find were gifts that I had bought for different kids for the holidays, how happy was I! I loaded it all into the car and headed back to the hotel. I headed to the post office to ship them to my sister’s house to figure it all out there. Then I headed to Khol’s to see what I could use my coupon for!

I know, what do you care about the piddly stuff, well, there is a thought process! I was in Kohl’s and I got two pairs of boots, oh, I bought a pair of black boots for work, on my way back from the storage unit! At Kohl’s I bought a pair of boots that will be great in the snow, perfect for going to and coming from skiing and then I bought some knock off UGG type boots, much cheaper! And all man made materials, which makes me happy.

After I took my bounty back to the hotel, I decided it was time for a bite to eat and off to Golden I went. It turns out they were having a candlelight walk, everyone has a lit candle and walks while they sing Christmas carols. They are walking towards the end of town for the lighting of the Christmas tree, I was there and got to see it, charming!

After the ceremony, I got a bite to eat and headed back to the hotel, I wanted to write to you, get some sleep because I was going skiing in the morning! The morning came too early when someone called at 7am, what? But I got up, had some breakfast and headed up to Breckenridge to go ski!

The drive was about 1.5 hours and I don’t mind it, it’s a beautiful drive, the mountains, snow, simply beautiful. The best part…the roads were clear. I got to Breckenridge and parked in a lot, hopped on the shuttle and onto the gondola I went. The hardest part for me is buckling the boots, it takes a long time and when I’m done, I’m sweating! So happy to share that with you!

Off to the lift I went and as soon as I got to the top, I just stood there for a moment and realized just how amazing this was and how happy I was, blissful if I can say that! I turned on some music and downhill I went. I did a few runs, then about 12:30, it was time for some lunch and let me tell you, the view from this place was fantastic! After a short break, back to skiing, I had to go! And you know what happened on my last run [I fell on my personality]

After skiing, I was ready to head back to the hotel and as I was leaving, passed the Race of the Santas, http://www.gobreck.com/events/community-events/Victorian-holiday-wonderland, I wish I had known about it! How much fun would it have been!

Saturday night was low key and then today, I repeated the process by getting breakfast and then heading to Breckenridge for another day of swoosh. After several good runs, I was ready to go “I’m going to do two more runs and skip the second” Made it to the bottom, no problem. Lunch, walk around and then it was time to go, I didn’t groove on driving at night through the mountains, no lights, go figure!

After lunch, I headed to my friend AM’s house to bring my skis so I don’t have to drive all the way to the storage unit to get them each time, he is pretty close to the airport, wahoo! We hung out, caught up, went to grab some dinner and then back to the house to chill.

After a while, it was time to go to the hotel, pack and get ready to head to Chicago tomorrow!

Anyone else tired? I am! I will post pictures from the weekend, tomorrow.

Good night!

{October 24, 2014} My travel day…can we start over?

The day started WAY too early! 5:45am to be exact. Ugh.

My flight for Colorado was at 8:30am, I needed to be there by 7:30am, so I set up Uber and there was a car closer than I realized and I was in the car by 6:15am and we were on our way. I got to the airport about 7am, better early than late and checked in as a Gold Medallion flier, wahoo, go me!

I headed towards the gate, got some breakfast, sat down to eat and wait on my flight and ended up talking to the gentleman next to me, very nice. Then it was time to board my flight from Boston to Minneapolis, an uneventful flight, except for the woman next to me having issues with go-go in-flight wi-fi, oh well.

The flight to Denver was delayed, go-figure, rain everywhere, but the plane was late getting to Minneapolis. I got some lunch and checked some email, then got on to the next flight next to a very preppy and odd couple, but whatever, they were meant for each other.

Sometime in the last three days, I lost my license, don’t do this people, don’t do it! Hold on to your stuff! The reason I say this…I could not rent a car because I did not have a license with me and a passport wouldn’t work. I took Uber to a DMV, it cost WAY too much for this trip. Then I waited my turn to get a new license, better picture this time…well, I hope!

After I got my license, oh, making the woman taking my picture crack up, go figure! I use the phone at the DMV, to call a cab because by now, my phone is D-E-D dead! I even had to turn it off so I could turn it on for proof of address! All of my chargers were dead too, not a happy camper.

Back to the airport, pick up the car, plug in, drive to the apartment to pick up my mail and sign some paperwork ensuring I am completely off the lease, book a hotel and head into Denver, I decided to play tourist in my new hometown! I have the points, I love it! And I love being spoiled!

After I checked in, I went looking for a parking lot, I had no desire to pay $33/night for valet parking, thank you very much. After I parked, it was time for food, so I started walking around, it’s a great area! I found, wait for it…An Irish pub! I was in heaven!!!

The food was good, very simple, I ended up getting mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts and the strangest looking Caesar salad I have ever seen [whole lettuce leaves, sliced eggs, pickled onions, grape tomatoes, two pieces of fried bread for croutons], it was yummy! I saw next to a couple on a first date, I found out when I talked to the woman after the guy went to the toilet and she asked if I could tell she was on a first date! I wished her well and lots of luck, then I talked to her date when she went to the toilet. It was a fun experience.

After dinner, I walked to the hotel, got my luggage and went to the room, opened the door and said “Ahhhhh” this is it! I love Homewood Suites. i so want to get on a project and be able to spend the time in a Homewood Suites, they are wonderful, possibly bigger than my first apartment, much nicer anyway!

I fell down on the bed and thought about getting up, putting on jammies, writing to you and then passing out. So, here I am, it’s 9:47pm mountain time and I have been traveling since 6:15am eastern time, I am a wee bit tired.

So…I am going to finish this post, say goodnight and pass out.

Goodnight!

{October 18, 2014} Day Ten in Ireland

Is it really my last night in Ireland? Has it really been ten days already? Where did the time go? All of it brilliant!

I started the day with breakfast and then with my printout of directions, I headed towards Kildare County, Punchestown Racetrack, http://www.punchestown.com. I got a little turned around, so I decided to try the GPS and of course, it didn’t work, so I followed my instincts and ended up where I was supposed to be! Go me!

I got to the racetrack exactly when the 5k started, checked in and took off five minutes after the start. I had to have a potty break of course, I had been on the road for over 1.5 hours! I got on the course, there was a 5k and 10k going on and it really was a beautiful setting, I even saw a rainbow as I was running!

As I came around the bend, about 4k, I was joined by the 10k’ers, all encouraging me to keep going, it was cool. There were some hills and lots of wind, but we all made it. I saw some signs that for mud runs that were held there too!

I finished 43:15, I was happy, especially for not having trained at all, I’ve been walking a lot this past week and a half, just not running. No tshirt, but I have a Bibb, I’m happy!

After the run, I headed to the hotel to shower and get ready to head out again. I got on the bus and went back to downtown Dublin, just walking around, experiencing everything, the sights and sounds. I was looking for St Patricks Cathedral, but go figure, I couldn’t find it. Not horrible, I toured Trinity University a bit, what a beautiful campus and walked around until I found a vegetarian restaurant then walked off lunch, what a beautiful city!

I think everyone who lives in Ireland was in Dublin today! So very crowded, bustling and busy, I loved it! This is not a place for the faint of heart! I walked into a shopping center, Powerscourt Commons, a lovely indoor mall of sorts, three levels, all brick on the inside. I was about to turn the corner and was greeted by a guy who was raising funds for the Heart Association. We started chatting and a very nice guy, I finally met a red headed Irishman! Well, the hair he had left was red, lots of freckles.

We talked about travel, he actually lived on Tybee Island for a summer during his time at university, then he recommended a great place for dinner and did I miss my opportunity, “would you like to join me for dinner?” Yup, missed it. Oh well, wasn’t meant to be…

After a less than exciting Italian dinner, I headed back to the hotel, started writing to you and now I need to pack to get ready for tomorrow, heading home. I can’t believe it’s been ten days, what a great ten days it’s been and knowing that I will come back to see the things I missed makes it easy for me to go home with a smile on my face.

I think it is so fitting that I finished my positivity challenge, three things I am grateful for for thirty days, on my last night in Ireland.

I hope you have enjoyed my posts for the last ten days, I have enjoyed sharing them with you. It may take a few days, but I will get my photos to you, I promise. My next post will be from Boston at my sister’s house. Have a great night!

Positivity Challenge – Day #30
1 – I am thankful that I finished the 5k this morning in really good time for not having trained.
2 – I am thankful to know that I will come back to Ireland to visit and see all the things I didn’t get to see and I know that the next trip with be with my twin, Nathan Beach!
3 – I am thankful to KNOB for tagging me to do this, it’s been wonderful.

{October 17, 2014} Day Nine in Ireland

I got the sweater…where’s the boy?

Today I got up earlier than ever and then errand my book, showered, packed and headed down to the pub across the street for breakfast. My waitress had just gotten back from three weeks in Spain, why don’t we do holidays like that?

I stopped by the chemist on my way out because I did not want to bring this cold back with me as my souvenir! The sudafed is working wonders! I got on the road and drove and drove and drove, I stopped in Kildare, but realized I am going to be there tomorrow, so I headed on to Dublin.

As the gps couldn’t find things and I stopped using it last week, I wanted to do what I could from memory and I was pretty darn good! I did stop by a hotel at the airport for help, but I got there! Then I chilled for a bit and got on the bus for City Center. I got off at Trinity College and did something I haven’t done since I got here, retail therapy!

First thing I did actually, was get some lunch at KC Peaches, a lovely place with delicious, healthy, home grown ingredients sandwich. Then I headed to the Sweater Shoppe! And I got it! You guessed it! My Irish knit sweater! It was really hard to decide what looked right and felt good where I wouldn’t itch thinking about putting it on! Merino wool is itchy!

Ok, so I have the Irish knit sweater…where’s the Irish boy? Maybe I have to wear it to find him! Then I went into a few stores and picked up a few things, I can’t tell..someone might be reading this!

I walked up and down the streets, it’s a serious bustling city, I love it! It started raining on the way and never really let up. Someone asked me to pick up a tshirt at Hard Rock, so I headed to Temple Bar, http://www.templebar.ie, where all the bars seem to be, well, not all, but chunked together. This is where it happens! The noise, the music, the sites, the sounds, lovely! This is where you go for a bit of craic!

After The Hard Rock, I walked around the area and found…Boxty! http://boxtyhouse.ie, a restaurant that had and knew what a boxty was! OMG! I was in heaven! I ordered boxty scraps which were boxties cut like French fries, yum! And some awful vegetables, when the waitress said they were awful, I should have listened. But…the homeless guy I am sure enjoyed them both!

After dinner, I had the bread and butter pudding, yum! Very light and not a huge portion, easy to enjoy and walk off.

I spent some more time walking around, then found the bus and headed back to the hotel, unloaded the rest of the stuff from the car, brought it to the room, had a quick shower and headed downstairs for my complimentary drink and some live music.

I ended up getting an amaretto and cream, it was ok and I’m working through the effects of the cream, but that’s my problem! I sat at the bar for a while waiting for someone to notice me and ask what I wanted to drink. I saw out of the corner of my eye, a guy down the bar tell the bartender I was waiting. When I caught his eye later, I thanked him. I thought he was waiting for someone, he had a bouquet of confetti roses.

I told him they were pretty and he came over to ask me if I wanted to smell them and then tell me that he bought them at ya the grocers today and would give them to the first nice person he talked to..guess who.

We proceeded to talk for about an hour, I found out all about him, his company and the girl that got away that he’s trying to win back good luck! It was fun talking to him, he’s from Montreal and in Dublin in business.

I also talked to the singer, when he was finished, a great guy who was a lot of fun to listen to. He would ask if the crowd liked someone and I answered, so he directed a bunch towards me! He was funny and very talented and gave me his card, so I could email him to get a few tracks he wrote, lucky me!

Now, here I am sitting in bed writing to you and needing to get some sleep because I’m running a 5k in the morning! Wahoo! A 5k in Ireland! Go me! Something I wanted to do and now I’m going to do it!

Goodnight!

Positivity Challenge – Day #29
1 – I am thankful I found my way to the hotel…sans GPS (with a little help from a very nice person)
2 – I am thankful to have found a restaurant that serves boxty!

{October 16, 2014} Day Eight in Ireland

A bad day in Ireland is better than, well, anything, I’m still here!

So…my least favorite day in Ireland, aside from my fabulous activity, I could have stayed in bed!

So, the day started nice enough, oh, I got I to FaceTime with GES and the girls last night, so awesome! I can’t wait to see them in a few days!
I had a nice breakfast at The White House, why do I keep getting mushrooms and tomatoes with my eggs? I don’t like cooked mushrooms or tomatoes, go figure, I think I keep waiting to see if I’ll like them. Nope! Very filling though, well, that with the toast, brown bread and lot of tea, I’m not usually hungry for a few hours.

I walked around Kinsale like a bit, to walk off breakfast, find a post office to send out some more post cards…wink wink and get some cash, I used my last few euros for dessert last night. I also wanted to find the wool shop I saw last night, some of you remember what I want from Ireland, right? A genuine Irish knit sweater…preferably with an Irish boy in said sweater! I found a lot of sweaters, but the boys are a bit lacking! I didn’t find what I was looking for, so I headed for the car and out into the world.

I was going to see if I could find the 9/11 memorial, established by Kathleen Cait Murphy, who worked as a nurse for over 30 years in New York City. A tree was planted for each firefighter who died, including their chaplain. Father Michael Judge who was a personal friend of hers.
http://www.kinsaleheritage.com/911.html

About twenty minutes later, I turned around as I knew I had not found it. I turned around a few times…(I had put the GPS away about Sunday since it couldn’t find half the stuff I was looking to see, might be buying one for myself when I get back to the states for the next trip, can’t hurt to have, right? Saves me minutes on my phone) and headed to Cork.

I found it eventually…only about an hour later than I wanted to, but I found it, then drove around, off course and back on it, I’m getting pretty good at navigating these Ireland streets, bloody brilliant! I found my way to my activity for the day…Blarney Castle!

It was pouring while I was on my way and a right downpour when I got there, but as I started to climb the steps, it cleared up, beautiful! I made it to the top and the view, let me tell you…spectacular! Wait until you see the pictures!

I got up there and yup, you guessed it, I kissed the stone! It’s an interesting experience…you lay down and hold the bars and a man holds your waist as you lean farther and farther back looking down from above and then he tells you to kiss it and you do! I could not stop laughing, I was snorting! I know, you’re shocked! It was actually contagious, he started guffawing, it was awesome then I got a picture with him….we shared a moment after all!

Now, I don’t usually buy photos from things I do, but I bought this one, it comes with a certificate! I didn’t realize I could have had the other guy take pictures, but ok, next time. I still got the picture, show you later!
Kissing the Blarney Stone is silly and a must!

Then I walked down and walked the grounds, heading first to the poison garden! It shows you all the poisonous plants we come in contact every day! Some were even caged! Like the marijuana plant! What? Yeah, right! Did you know that the leaf of a rhubarb plant is poisonous? Me either! You do now!

Then I went for a walk on the grounds and it was lovely, lush plants and grass and very quiet, save for the waterfalls everywhere. I really enjoyed it. http://ri.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrBT9PNKUBUemoAfizBGOd_;_ylu=X3oDMTE0MzhnaXE1BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1RBVVMwNDlfMQ–/RV=2/RE=1413519950/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fwww.blarneycastle.ie%2f/RK=0/RS=xnRmAnSeP2_.s5KOtmCmCI3ZZcE-

After that, I went to Claddagh’s Italian Restaurant for some yummy veggie soup, I swear, I am going to soup myself across Ireland! Sometimes it’s the safest and all I need!

Then I walked to Blarney Woolen Mills, the largest Irish wool store anywhere, so the sign said. I walked in and it was like Irish knit sweater Mecca! I was going to find my sweater! I walked in and there was such a selection, I didn’t know where to start and it would have been nice to have help. I must have walked around that store for about thirty minutes…not one person asked if I needed help, said hello nothing and I watched them, including the manager, ask everyone else.

I tried on a few sweaters, couldn’t decide and felt kind of dejected and invisible, i know, not me! so I left empty handed. A little disappointed..
http://www.blarney.com

I got in the car and should have turned into the parking lot and gotten a room there, but I thought I’d head on to Limerick, find a place to stay and grab some grub, when I got there, I kept going, not sure if I was on the wrong side of Limerick, but I had the feeling I didn’t want to live there, oh well, keep driving.

I tried three places to find a toilet, or a place to stay…no luck, so I kept driving in the rain, finally pulled off another exit and now I am in a town I don’t know the name of, but I found a place to stay for 35€ with breakfast, which is across the street from the B&B and I found a grocers so I could get an air freshener!
I am now sitting in the Supermac’s (burgers and Papa John’s pizza (KAB could work here!)) because my room does not have wifi and when I mentioned where I was staying at the grocers, they said…oh…it’s ok, there are two beds, a TV and a bathroom with a nice looking shower. I just need to rest my head, right?

I went into the restaurant for the hotel, across the street, and had a VERY salty cup of vegetable soup and was ignored by the server after I got my food, that was the topper. So…like I said, I could have stayed in bed!

After I sign off, I’m going to the hotel, change into my jammies and get in bed and dream about how great tomorrow will be!

I’m still in Ireland! Wahoo!

Positivity Challenge – Day #28
1 – I am so thankful I found a toilet when I was desperate!
2 – I am so thankful to have found a hotel so I could stop driving!
3 – I am so thankful to have had a good belly laugh with the guy who held me when I kissed the Blarney Stone!

{October 15, 2014} Day Seven in Ireland

Only three days left? What? Hurry. Have to do everything!

Kidding! I decided a few days ago that whatever I don’t get to this time, that means that there will be a next time. I remember being physically sick when I got on the plane to go home from Paris, until I made the decision to go back and all was right with the world. Besides, NB and I have a date to keep in Ireland, so I will be back!

Isn’t it interesting, when you have a long trip ahead of you and you think you’ll get to everything and you have all the time in the world and then you’re on the back end of the trip and realize that it’s almost over and where did the time go? Well let me tell you where I went today! Have a seat, it’s gonna be another long one!

I woke up leisurely, well, sort of…the only thing that I didn’t care for at the B&B last night was the fact that I could hear the people talking next door, turn over in their beds and snoring, fun, huh? Other than that, lovely.

The day started very wet, I knew I would not be spending a lot of time outdoors until the rain cleared up and I was wishing I had brought my wellies, but a rainy day in Ireland is better than…well, anything else! I headed out down the road toward Midleton, I was going to go to my brother-in-laws Mecca…The Jameson Whiskey Distillory, yup, me! I had to represent!

It was a fascinating tour, we learned about the process of milling, malting, the kiln, I rang the big bell and we learned that it takes the trees used for the barrels between one hundred and one hundred and fifty years to grow and they only get about two barrels per tree! We also learned that you cannot reuse the barrels for whiskey, so they are used for other alcohol and maybe even made into furniture!

After, we had a choice, straight up shot or cocktail, I had the Jameson ginger lime, it was…yeah, just like I thought, but there will be a video posted soon! And guess who is getting a little something that he wouldn’t be able to get in the states or online! Who’s the rockstar now!

After the tour, I sat down for a bowl of soup and invited a woman to join me as there were no other seats available. She happened to arrange travel for different groups and she comes to Ireland about four times a year and just recently discovered a relative a few miles outside of Midelton! She and the group were from Boston, go figure! We chatted about where to go next as people often do and we were all going in the same direction.

The coach driver, Michael, gave me a recommendation for what to do next as well as where to stay in Kinsale. I thanked them and went on my way.

(I went to a pub/restaurant to listen to some music and now that I’m in my room, they’re finally doing Irish songs and singing along…go figure!)

I decided to go to Cobh, pronounced Cove, formerly called Queensland, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobh.
It has a fascinating history, Annie Moore, the first woman admitted to Ellis Island left from Cobh, it was also the final port of call for The Titanic, as well as a major embarkation port for convicts heading to Australia, among other emigrations.

There is a lot of rich history in Cobh, not to mention the amazing views, smells and sounds of the water…sigh. I went through the museum and saw some actual things left over from the Titanic, don’t tell, but I snuck a photo or two for EJS, who is obsessed with the ship! I also got her a com reactive coin, I can’t wait to give it to her!

After Cobh, I headed to Kinsale, the Gourmet Capital of Ireland! http://kinsale.ie. it is a beautiful coastal town that I have fallen in love with. Lovely people, views, boats and I have walked the town so much I feel like I could give directions! The hotel I am staying in, The White House is a very nice hotel, the nicest, aside from the Hilton, so far. One of the things I think I may have figured out is if you show up later in the day to a hotel, they give you a better rate because it’s getting late and they may not sell the room otherwise! Breakfast will be included.

I think the host is the former mayor of Kinsale! I believe that was his picture in the paper on the wall! There is a fantastic tribute to 9/11 the driver had told me about and on the way out of town, there is another tribute, a woman planted a tree for everyone who perished, I will check it out tomorrow.

After I checked in, I decided to go for a walk and then look for something to eat. The walk was lovely and then I decided in the Blue Haven for dinner, a very nice carrot, persimmon and ginger soup, wow! After dinner, I went in search of the ghost tour I was told about only to find out I was a week too late, bollocks! I went back to the Blue Haven for a pot of tea, a tart crumble and some great live music.

After a while, it was walk the 100 meters to the hotel, jump in bed and talk to you! Guess what tomorrow brings…Cork and the Blarney Castle…you know what that means!

Until tomorrow!

Positivity Challenge – Day #27
1 – I am thankful to be in a nice hotel across from some pubs and there is live music serenading me tonight.
2 – I am thankful to have met a nice person who recommended this hotel to me.
3 – I am thankful to find a toilet close by whenever I seem to need it!

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