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Christmas Layoff: PA Visit
Dec. 20th, 2022 08:29 amThursday it rained for most of the day, but did let up around 3pm so I was able to take a walk around the neighborhood.
During that time Jameson was at LA Film School getting his five-year pin!
Can't believe he's been with them for five years.
He also picked up our tickets and whatnot for the company party on Friday at Universal.
And I made us reservations for Cowfish Grill!
One of our favorite restaurants, but it's very popular and can be difficult to get in without a reservation.
Full Sail/LA Film will be providing free food and drinks, but not until after 7:30pm, and it is a rare treat for us to eat at Cowfish so we are willing to spend the money.
Anyway, it was an otherwise boring day.
I got some stocking stuffers for Jameson, had my walk, and made the last HelloFresh meal for us, a "steakhouse pork chop" that was very good although cold because my timing is horrendous when I don't do my prep in advance. Thanks to the 2.5 mile walk and calorie counting, I had plenty of room to enjoy some Christmas cookies too :)
We had a mostly relaxing evening of Jameson gaming while I goofed off online and tried not to worry about visiting family next week.
I always feel tense and stressed in Bloomsburg, whether things turn out well or not.
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Friday, not much to do except eagerly anticipate the company party!
I had some data entry work to do in the morning, and picked up my pants from the tailor, and bought a few healthyish snack foods for the drive up to PA. I also finished packing, including extra layers since it'll be a 50-degree change and I'll certainly be shivering like a wuss.
We drove to Universal in time for our dinner reservation at Cowfish.
This is a restaurant we discovered in North Carolina while traveling with the circus; they only have three locations, two in the Carolinas and one here at the theme park. Their claim to fame is "sushi-burger fusion" which they call "burgushi". They're really good!
Jameson got the seared tuna "burgushi", which is served like a burger but on sushi rice "buns" wrapped in rice paper and topped with imitation crab. I also got a "burgushi" but mine was bison, which meant it was served in sushi roll form (see what they're doing there?) and topped with pickled green tomato and some lovely sauces and crispy rice bits. It was very delicious.
After dinner we waited in line to enter the part of the park that was reserved for the party.
We got in like 30 minutes early, but it was a good thing because the line stretched all the way back across one of the waterways, and we were near the front of it.
Soon enough we were let in, and visited one of the many pop-up bars for our free drinks.
We made the mistake of deciding to ride Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure right away.
Both of us have issues with motion sickness, and while this was listed as a "family coaster" it was NOT straightforward!
It was fun, but very twisty and turny, with fast forward-launches, one long fast backwards run, and even a straight 17-foot drop of the coaster car onto another track. I had researched in advance and had seen the drop so was able to warn Jameson right before it happened, but it was too late...he was already dizzy and messed up from the long backwards run we'd just had (I had shut my eyes to stop my brain from freaking out and making me nauseous).
Thus ended our evening, more or less.
We walked around Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, sipping butterbeer while Jameson tried to get his equillibrium back.
It was very beautiful, especially for this time of year.
We also got to watch a "frog choir" sing, which if you've seen the movies it's a children's choir holding huge realistic frog puppets that sing along. Because this was a company party Jameson recognized some people, including some good friends.
We ended up doing a photo op in the Jurassic Park portion of the park. Cute :p
We didn't get home until midnight, and then I still had some packing and showering to do, so by the time I fell asleep it was 1am.
That's ok, I knew such would happen!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, I woke up at 5:45 and left the house around 6.
Driving driving driving, with a stop at Buc-ee's in Jacksonville just to see how crazy their holiday merch is.
It's VERY crazy.
This is like, a taste, a fraction, of all that was there. In addition to all of this, there were full-on Buc-ee santa suits with beaver heads and tails; branded tree ornaments and stockings and wreaths and statuettes; housewares like "Live Love Laugh" signs but with the cartoon beaver on them; plates, and blankets, and tents, and coolers, and bathing suits, and every product you can think of sporting the Buc-ee's mascot. It's really wild.
They also sell non-branded stuff, but for sure that's not what people are coming for.
And of course there was the deli case of house-made jerky.
I didn't buy anything, but kind of bookmarked things in my mind to pick up on the way back to Jameson.
Mainly a few pieces of jerky, a jar of quail eggs for me, and possibly a Buc-ee's ornament or shot glass.
The drive continued pretty smoothly, and I got to my Aunt around 4:30.
We chatted while she assembled lasagna and salad, and my cousin David came over for dinner too.
We played a game after dinner, then talked a lot until it was time for bed.
I wish we'd had more time, but the time we got was very good :)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning my uncle made me an egg-in-the-hole, and we spent just a little more time together before parting ways.
I'm hoping to see them again on the way back down, but we will see what the weather does.
The rest of the drive to PA was supposed to be shorter, but getting through Richmond and then DC even on a Sunday is a chore, so I didn't get in until about 5pm. Then I got a few small groceries for the week, and went to my stepmom's house.
Tbh, I've been worried about how I'd be received considering some strained relationship moments last year.
But she hugged me warmly, and we went about things as though all of that was water under the bridge.
And that is fine by me. Last year was very hard for everyone...upcoming years will continue to be hard.
But they'll be easier if we can lean on each other for support.
We only talked and made plans for the next day before I said goodnight and went to my hotel room.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I got up early hoping to do some data entry work, but ended up getting caught up on LJ and DW instead.
So many missed messages, and doings from online-friends getting ready for the holidays.
It's very nice to see!
Eventually got to my stepmom's house, where we spent pretty much the whole day running errands.
Walmart, Marshall's, CVS, Aldi, Lowe's, and I forget where else, to do Christmas shopping and research sinks and pick up prescriptions and get groceries. My stepmom has a visual impairment and can't drive, and Bloomsburg has no cab system or Uber or any kind of reliable transporation option other than a car. So with my dad gone, she is reliant on her friends, or my sister who lives in town, to take her where she needs to go at her convenience.
That's why when I'm in town, I try to make myself available for her.
We had a break for lunch at Panera, which was really nice.
I think we were done with chores around 3pm, then she had rehearsal for a song she's singing in church.
While she was doing that I ran a few more errands and picked up dinner.
After dinner I went to my sister's house to visit for a bit before going to fetch my other sister, Raven, from the bus drop-off (she doesn't drive and she's coming in from NY).
It was good to see everyone briefly, but tomorrow is the real shindig, "Faux Christmas" as we are calling it.
We're just going to chill and eat cookies (I hope), and make little personal pizzas together, and play with Declan, my nephew.
He's gotten so big! Running all around and terrorizing his parents :)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tbh I am exhausted and wondering how I'm going to hold up for Actual Christmas when I get back.
Maybe tomorrow will be the day I sleep in. It's just difficult and annoying...I have such limited time with family, and don't want to snip even more off because of sleep. I mean Kate has a toddler and probably rarely gets to sleep, you know? I feel I should suck it up.
But, we will see what happens.
Today (Tuesday), "Faux Christmas".
Tomorrow, more errands and visiting, but possibly an extra hour of sleeping in.
And Thursday, it's supposed to rain and snow and ice here, so I may have to leave a few hours earlier than planned. Sigh.
During that time Jameson was at LA Film School getting his five-year pin!
Can't believe he's been with them for five years.
He also picked up our tickets and whatnot for the company party on Friday at Universal.
And I made us reservations for Cowfish Grill!
One of our favorite restaurants, but it's very popular and can be difficult to get in without a reservation.
Full Sail/LA Film will be providing free food and drinks, but not until after 7:30pm, and it is a rare treat for us to eat at Cowfish so we are willing to spend the money.
Anyway, it was an otherwise boring day.
I got some stocking stuffers for Jameson, had my walk, and made the last HelloFresh meal for us, a "steakhouse pork chop" that was very good although cold because my timing is horrendous when I don't do my prep in advance. Thanks to the 2.5 mile walk and calorie counting, I had plenty of room to enjoy some Christmas cookies too :)
We had a mostly relaxing evening of Jameson gaming while I goofed off online and tried not to worry about visiting family next week.
I always feel tense and stressed in Bloomsburg, whether things turn out well or not.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, not much to do except eagerly anticipate the company party!
I had some data entry work to do in the morning, and picked up my pants from the tailor, and bought a few healthyish snack foods for the drive up to PA. I also finished packing, including extra layers since it'll be a 50-degree change and I'll certainly be shivering like a wuss.
We drove to Universal in time for our dinner reservation at Cowfish.
This is a restaurant we discovered in North Carolina while traveling with the circus; they only have three locations, two in the Carolinas and one here at the theme park. Their claim to fame is "sushi-burger fusion" which they call "burgushi". They're really good!
Jameson got the seared tuna "burgushi", which is served like a burger but on sushi rice "buns" wrapped in rice paper and topped with imitation crab. I also got a "burgushi" but mine was bison, which meant it was served in sushi roll form (see what they're doing there?) and topped with pickled green tomato and some lovely sauces and crispy rice bits. It was very delicious.
After dinner we waited in line to enter the part of the park that was reserved for the party.
We got in like 30 minutes early, but it was a good thing because the line stretched all the way back across one of the waterways, and we were near the front of it.
Soon enough we were let in, and visited one of the many pop-up bars for our free drinks.
We made the mistake of deciding to ride Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure right away.
Both of us have issues with motion sickness, and while this was listed as a "family coaster" it was NOT straightforward!
It was fun, but very twisty and turny, with fast forward-launches, one long fast backwards run, and even a straight 17-foot drop of the coaster car onto another track. I had researched in advance and had seen the drop so was able to warn Jameson right before it happened, but it was too late...he was already dizzy and messed up from the long backwards run we'd just had (I had shut my eyes to stop my brain from freaking out and making me nauseous).
Thus ended our evening, more or less.
We walked around Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, sipping butterbeer while Jameson tried to get his equillibrium back.
It was very beautiful, especially for this time of year.
We also got to watch a "frog choir" sing, which if you've seen the movies it's a children's choir holding huge realistic frog puppets that sing along. Because this was a company party Jameson recognized some people, including some good friends.
We ended up doing a photo op in the Jurassic Park portion of the park. Cute :p
We didn't get home until midnight, and then I still had some packing and showering to do, so by the time I fell asleep it was 1am.
That's ok, I knew such would happen!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, I woke up at 5:45 and left the house around 6.
Driving driving driving, with a stop at Buc-ee's in Jacksonville just to see how crazy their holiday merch is.
It's VERY crazy.
This is like, a taste, a fraction, of all that was there. In addition to all of this, there were full-on Buc-ee santa suits with beaver heads and tails; branded tree ornaments and stockings and wreaths and statuettes; housewares like "Live Love Laugh" signs but with the cartoon beaver on them; plates, and blankets, and tents, and coolers, and bathing suits, and every product you can think of sporting the Buc-ee's mascot. It's really wild.
They also sell non-branded stuff, but for sure that's not what people are coming for.
And of course there was the deli case of house-made jerky.
I didn't buy anything, but kind of bookmarked things in my mind to pick up on the way back to Jameson.
Mainly a few pieces of jerky, a jar of quail eggs for me, and possibly a Buc-ee's ornament or shot glass.
The drive continued pretty smoothly, and I got to my Aunt around 4:30.
We chatted while she assembled lasagna and salad, and my cousin David came over for dinner too.
We played a game after dinner, then talked a lot until it was time for bed.
I wish we'd had more time, but the time we got was very good :)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning my uncle made me an egg-in-the-hole, and we spent just a little more time together before parting ways.
I'm hoping to see them again on the way back down, but we will see what the weather does.
The rest of the drive to PA was supposed to be shorter, but getting through Richmond and then DC even on a Sunday is a chore, so I didn't get in until about 5pm. Then I got a few small groceries for the week, and went to my stepmom's house.
Tbh, I've been worried about how I'd be received considering some strained relationship moments last year.
But she hugged me warmly, and we went about things as though all of that was water under the bridge.
And that is fine by me. Last year was very hard for everyone...upcoming years will continue to be hard.
But they'll be easier if we can lean on each other for support.
We only talked and made plans for the next day before I said goodnight and went to my hotel room.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I got up early hoping to do some data entry work, but ended up getting caught up on LJ and DW instead.
So many missed messages, and doings from online-friends getting ready for the holidays.
It's very nice to see!
Eventually got to my stepmom's house, where we spent pretty much the whole day running errands.
Walmart, Marshall's, CVS, Aldi, Lowe's, and I forget where else, to do Christmas shopping and research sinks and pick up prescriptions and get groceries. My stepmom has a visual impairment and can't drive, and Bloomsburg has no cab system or Uber or any kind of reliable transporation option other than a car. So with my dad gone, she is reliant on her friends, or my sister who lives in town, to take her where she needs to go at her convenience.
That's why when I'm in town, I try to make myself available for her.
We had a break for lunch at Panera, which was really nice.
I think we were done with chores around 3pm, then she had rehearsal for a song she's singing in church.
While she was doing that I ran a few more errands and picked up dinner.
After dinner I went to my sister's house to visit for a bit before going to fetch my other sister, Raven, from the bus drop-off (she doesn't drive and she's coming in from NY).
It was good to see everyone briefly, but tomorrow is the real shindig, "Faux Christmas" as we are calling it.
We're just going to chill and eat cookies (I hope), and make little personal pizzas together, and play with Declan, my nephew.
He's gotten so big! Running all around and terrorizing his parents :)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tbh I am exhausted and wondering how I'm going to hold up for Actual Christmas when I get back.
Maybe tomorrow will be the day I sleep in. It's just difficult and annoying...I have such limited time with family, and don't want to snip even more off because of sleep. I mean Kate has a toddler and probably rarely gets to sleep, you know? I feel I should suck it up.
But, we will see what happens.
Today (Tuesday), "Faux Christmas".
Tomorrow, more errands and visiting, but possibly an extra hour of sleeping in.
And Thursday, it's supposed to rain and snow and ice here, so I may have to leave a few hours earlier than planned. Sigh.
