Written by on 04/27/2018

Dusting Off My Top Hat And Cane

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Nothing too exciting to report…except that I’ll be going to NYC tonight to help Catholic A-lister Jennifer Fulwiler celebrate the release of her new book ‘One Beautiful Dream’!

via GIPHY

Since her party is at the upscale Yale Club in downtown Manhattan, I’m going dressed as the fanciest person I could think of- the Monopoly Man! (Did you know his real name is Rich Uncle Pennybags?) I’ve invested in a bowtie, a top hat, a cane, a mustache and even a monocle! I couldn’t resist, even though that’s more Mr. Peanut than Monopoly Man.

I figured since I’m the type of person an Ivy-Leaque club tries to keep out, I’d need to pull out all the stops to gain admission, even with a ticket. Last time I went to Jen’s NYC book signing, things got…a bit out of hand (though I still got that signature!).

I’ll be sure to have plenty of shiny coppers to grease the palms of any questioning doormen, or throw at adoring fan girls who are blocking my view of Jen.

To prepare for the bustling crowds of NYC, I’ll be spending the first half of today chaperoning Teddy’s first grade class field trip to the aquarium. The quickly moving mobs of people in Manhattan will seem calm and orderly after directing a group of seven year olds around a sting ray touch tank. At least once I’m in NYC I will have a cane to maneuver through crowds and poke insolent cads. Sadly, the school administration has already vetoed cad poking on this field trip.

So check back later as I will update this post with pictures from my evening out. You can also follow me on Instagram for timely updates. Will I see anyone there?? #prepareforaselfie

UPDATED!

Joe Fulwiler and I sporting our fancy Yale Club attire. Did anyone doubt that I would actually wear this??? BTW-no one else at the club was wearing a top hat. So weird.

Jen speaking to those in attendance.

Afterwards I reminded her that I still needed her to sign my book and she grabbed my cane.

Things escalated quickly from there.

Here’s Jen triumphantly wearing my top hat. That seemed to calm her down and I finally got my autograph.

Apologies to anyone who was following my Stories on IG and was expected less clips of me walking and talking and more of the actual party. I was busy taking pictures for everyone and being introduced by Jen as “the awesome Kelly Mantoan who dressed as the Monopoly Man” which was considered funny by approximately 2% of those in attendance (basically the Fulwiler family). But it was a great time. I love meeting new people at these things.

Lastly, to celebrate this excuse to dress up, I’m giving away a copy of ‘One Beautiful Dream: The Rollicking Tale of Family Chaos, Personal Passions, and Saying Yes to Them Both’. Enter using Rafflecopter below. One winner will be picked on May 1st, the book’s official release date.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Then, commence the usual linking up of the takes! Be sure to include a link back to this post so your readers can find the rest of the Quickest Takers. I look forward to reading posts!


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37 comments

  • Madeline has written:

    I would read the book on my couch. Then on my bed. I’d read out loud. Or in my head.

  • Clara has written:

    Have a smashing good time! Mr Mobeybags is making me think of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Wouldnā€™t it be nice to borrow one of Ginger Rogerā€™s dresses for the evening?

    If I win the book, Iā€™m giving it to my sister- she would love the book.

  • Jenny has written:

    I canā€™t think of a better person to dress up as then the Monopoly Man ??

  • mbmom11 has written:

    I”d take 7 yr olds in the aquarium over NYC any day. At least the chaos kids create is familiar, and bribes for good behavior do work with most of them. Enjoy your visit into the elevated realm of the Ivy League Club!

  • Colleen has written:

    If I win, Iā€™ll read it the only time I ever have to read books – to the kids at bedtime!

  • Mary has written:

    I will very likely read in my hammock my husband just hung up.

  • Melissa H-K has written:

    You’re making that stingray touch tank up, right? Right???

    I would read that book where I do everything unrelated to my grandchildren — in my bed. Why would I ever leave my bed if I didn’t have to?

  • Maureen has written:

    Have a great time tonight! I’d probably read on the couch, while pretending to admire whatever my children are building with blocks, or in bed, while pretending to sleep.

  • Kathleen has written:

    Have fun in NYC with Jennifer!!!

  • Marie has written:

    I would read the book at my kitchen table where I grab bits of reading during lunchtime.

  • Jane has written:

    Have a great trip!

  • Donna has written:

    Enjoy NYC!

  • Rachel has written:

    I’d read the book on my couch in a top hat while poking insolent children (I mean cads!!) With a cane šŸ˜‰ Hope you have a blast! Thanks for hosting the giveaway. I hear the book is amazing!

  • Colleen Martin has written:

    On the beach this summer! I am so excited for you to go to NY and be all famous and everything šŸ™‚

  • Ellen has written:

    I plan to read the book in my cozy bed hopefully by myself with children sleeping in their own beds. Haha as if

  • Rachel has written:

    I would read it while waiting for kids to get done with practices! My FAVORITE and only me-time that I have!

  • Jenny @ Unremarkable Files has written:

    How fun! If I win the copy of this book, I’ll probably read it in the bathroom hiding from my kids.

  • Rose has written:

    I would read it in bed, with tea and cake, consumed with jealousy. No, not really šŸ™‚

  • Kathleen has written:

    I usually read on my lunch break at work. I remember so clearly reading Jen’s last book on a fishing date with my husband – he fished and I read. I wasn’t Catholic at the time and on the way home I told him that I was going to convert. šŸ™‚

  • Brenna has written:

    I’d love to read at the beach!

  • Mary Kate Dempsey has written:

    I will read this book whilst bathing in my Olympic-sized bathtub of 24 karat gold and drinking all the gin I made in it. (Iā€™m a very conflicted member of the 1%).

  • Laura @ Life is Beautiful has written:

    During nursing sessions with my newborn! šŸ˜‰

  • Becky has written:

    On my zero gravity chair on my deck!

    Thanks!

  • Anna B has written:

    Nursing a newborn on my deck in the sunshine

  • Lisa has written:

    Insolent cads-? Please post some pictures of yourself as Pennybags on instagram!

    • Lisa has written:

      And that question mark was supposed to be a laughing emoji but I guess it didn’t compute. šŸ™‚

  • Shelley Knoll-Miller has written:

    I would attempt to read the book in my garage, over the squirmy body of my nursing toddler, surrounded by electronic manuals, wiring, actuators and small soldering torches. I’m trying to build a robot to clean my house, and it’s important I just keep working. I’m aiming for the voice and body of C3PO but with the personality of Woopi Goldberg and the efficiency of Kendra Tierney. It’s a challenging project, but it’s my beautiful dream.

  • Lindsey has written:

    Thank you for the giveaway! I plan to read the book on my couch during kids’ naptime!

  • Sarah Ortiz has written:

    Outside!!! Assuming it ever warms up again.

    Thank you for sharing the oh so delightful shots of you and Jen. Theyā€™re perfect. I was at the Yale Club a few years back for my grandparentsā€™ anniversary party, and come to think of it, I didnā€™t see any top hats either. What is this world coming to? ?

  • Rachel Anna has written:

    I would probably read this book in bed. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • MrsCptPAO has written:

    in my bed. bc i love my bed and spend not nearly enough time IN it!

  • Laura Dilanji has written:

    I plan to read this book at the beach this summer

  • Laura has written:

    At home during naptime ?

  • Sarah has written:

    I already got a copy – amazon just told me it’s SHIPPED! yay! but if I win, I am sharing it another momfriend. I can think of several!

    I have been on a “fun reading” rut. so excited to get this.

  • Nicole has written:

    Probably… in the bathroom. Or bed while nursing.

  • Ashley Strukel has written:

    I will read it everywhere I go. Which is basically just home. So Iā€™ll read it at home.

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