TEARS AND CHEERS

Just back from having a few pints with a pal. He just split up with the wife,  not his decision,  and not feeling the best obviously.  He knows I, and his other pals are there at any time of the day or night.
Then I came home and saw a multitude of thank-you cards on the mantle, cards to my daughter the teacher from her six year old pupils.  The love was just tremendous!  A proud daddy goes to bed. I must be doing something right?

Do They Know It's.....

1St December,  and so it begins. Already the girls (Mrs.M and the three daughters) are nagging me to get the decs and trees out of the attic. I delay for as long as I can. If I had my way it would all start on Christmas Eve and end on 26th December.  I'm such a grinch!

First Christmas without Ma. Already it's strange 'cos usually we'd all be trying to think of pressies for her. Sis is going to Australia right after Christmas to spend some time with our Rob.  She will be there for her 50th birthday so we're going to have a party pre-Christmas for her, so that's something to look forward to.

I'm still hoping for my annual invite to the Big Fella's Christmas bash. It just wouldn't be the same without the Little Singing Fella now would it?

Things I've Learned

Worst thing about having a beard... getting food stuck in your beard.

Best thing about having a beard... finding food in your beard on the way home from the pub.

Real friends really love ya, no matter what.

REALITY BITES

It's quite a sobering thought when you realise you are now the oldest generation in your family.

Bad Week, Good Friends, Bad friends

That was quite a tough week that was! (We like repeating ourselves!)
You would think I would know who my real friends are at this stage of my life, and I do. It's just I now also know who aren't my real friends.
Two pals were shoulder to shoulder with me, day and night, and I will never forget that. The rest? I'm too long in the tooth to be bitter, it's a lesson learned.

The Ma has left a big hole in our lives, it's going to take some getting used to.

Thank you all for your love and support.

1925 - 2015

The Ma has gone.

Intermission

Right, no more posts 'til I have something positive to say. I've turned into a right auld whinge-bag.

Whistle...down the wind.

I suffer (yes, and extremely) from a condition known as Tinnitus... It drives me insane at the best of times. It pushes me right off the edge sometimes.  But I'm still here. And when I'm in a noisy/noise filled environment I'm just fine. But the quietness at end of day... That quietness is SO LOUD!!!!!! It drives me MAD!!!

So, Today.

Ma is in hospital again.
Annette's cousin was murdered in U.S.
It's 03:00 and I'm drinking the good stuff.
Alone.

72 hrs

Three days heavy drinking. Not good. Not recommended.
Battery of tests on Tuesday morning. Fingers crossed.

This Is True



20th July 1990

Six Years

Holiday...Celebrate...

My oldest friend, my drummer, my buddy Jim, well he just handed me a €1000 holiday voucher for me birthday. I'm blown away. He has had a bad few years and says I am the one who was always there for him. Of course I was, I love him, as do all my family. In fact my family consider him family, the 'other brother'.
We are the gayest non-gay couple ever. I love the fecker.

my love is not well.

UPDATE:
She is home today and the outlook is good. Thank you all for your love and kindness.


Mrs. M is in the hospital at the moment. It could be a simple thing, it could be very complex. We are all very upset right now. Please keep us in your thoughts.

duvet day

Maybe it's just the rain, but somedays, today, I just don't want to get out of bed.

Oh Hello

There has been a lot of activity on me auld blog here from the Ukraine and Russia recently. Someone is spending a lot of time going through all my posts. Curiouser and curiouser.

Jimmy Jimmy

Our pal Jimmy is singing this tonight, somewhere. His party-piece.

Jimmy

Jimmy, my favourite barman.
He listens to my bullshit, and welcomes me back tomorrow.

Face

Fadó Fadó

This appeared on Facebook. First Holy Communion, a long long time ago! Can you guess which little cherub turned into the Maurcheen you all know and love today? (Hint...I was a style icon and trend setter even back in the 1960's!)  ;-)

The Original Boy Band

That's me at the top, yeah, the one with the hair!
The two fresh-faced lads on the right are still my best friends. One of them is my drummer, the other is my drinking buddy. Both of them know me better than I know myself. Both have young kids who call me Uncle Stewie.

(Hope...can you tell which one reminds me of your sweetheart?)

;-)

Babies

Babies.. I have a love for babies, always have. Maybe it's because I have four younger siblings, and a heck of nieces & nephews.
I've been changing nappies (diapers) since I was about six years old, part of growing up in a large family. (Ma & my dear departed older sis were pregnant three times together!)
When I got married I wondered what my kids would be like should I have any. Well, we had three beautiful, talented, wonderful girls. Two of them now in their twenties.
But.
They are still our babies.
Always will be.
When any one of them hurt, a bit of my heart breaks.
Bits of my heart are breaking far too much recently. But I have to be strong, my baby is hurting, and when I look at her I don't see the adult she has become, I see the helpless little bundle who changed our lives forever. The one I promised I would always be there for. Her Da.

Dear Scarlet

Taste

As I get older, my love, and appreciation, for good whiskey, and whisky, grows stronger.
I bought four drams on New years eve for the band, a tradition I started many years ago. And still two of the guys threw it down the gullet like a shot. Some people never learn!
Whiskey/Whisky has to be respected, like a good friend. I learned a lot about the Golden Stuff from my good friend Jimmy. A great teacher, and not just about the delights of warming refreshments. Every trial I am put through in this life I hear your words speak to me.
Until we meet again dear friend, I will continue to raise a glass of something from the top shelf to the good health of you, Sinéad, and your family. Slàinte from your Limerick family.

Thank You

Things are looking better. We're not out of the woods exactly, but we can see a clearing.
Thank you.

oh ghod

The first day of the year had to be the worst day of my life, ever.
 I won't go into detail. Things are looking up since. That's the best I can say. I love you folks.

Keep your good thoughts pointed towards me yeah?.