This post covers Wednesday and Thursday.
Sidenote: I've not been very interactive on others' journals due to wanting to be fully present for family, but I have caught up on most posts and have "liked" when I could <3
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WEDNESDAY
We were all up early for breakfast or work. Aunt and I chatted as we ate, and she expressed interest in seeing some local stuff so once we were ready I took her to Celebration.
Celebration is an interesting town in that it was a "master-planned community" developed by Walt Disney, in collaboration with several famous architects. It was supposed to be sort of a scaled-down EPCOT (for those who don't know, EPCOT is an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.) I'm not sure that it turned out how they wanted, but it's very cute with clean picturesque streets, gardens, lakefront walking and biking paths, and many nice restaurants.
We did a loop of the lake and popped into several shops to see touristy stuff and recover in the AC. Before lunch I sidetracked us over to an Asian grocery that I'd never been to before (it was just ok, not great.) Then for lunch we returned to Celebration for Columbia Restaurant.

(stock image)
Founded by a Spanish-Cuban immigrant in 1905, this is the largest and oldest Spanish restaurant in the state of Florida. There are five locations, the original being in Tampa. The dining room is large and airy, beautifully tiled and decorated. My Aunt ordered the empanadas and the famous 1905 salad, while I had the "half-and-half" which is 1/2 Cuban sandwich and cup of soup (in this case Gazpacho Andaluz, a cold tomato, onion, pepper, jalapeno, and olive oil soup)

(The Cuban sandwich, photo courtesy the restaurant.)
We enjoyed our food very much and appreciated the fresh and vibrant ingredients. The gazpacho set off the rich Cuban sandwich very well. If I had one complaint it'd be that I only got a tiny sliver of pickle on the sandwich, but I think that was just bad luck. Otherwise the meal and service and ambiance were absolutely lovely. I really REALLY want to bring Jameson there! Got him a piece of their house-made key lime pie to go. When he ate it later he said it was one of the best key lime pies he's had.
Back home my Aunt packed her bags and was considering a dip in the pool, but it was after 1pm and the afternoon rain moved in (it is monsoon season here after all.) It was still raining as we were getting ready to drive to the airport.
Just as we were leaving Jameson came to tell us that Addison, his parents' Bernese Mountain Dog, had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She was 11 years old which is long-lived for that breed. We were actually present for her Gotcha Day way back in 2014, and visited with her many times over the years.
During one of these visits Addison did something unusual. We were all relaxing in the living room after a meal, lounging in various chairs, when Addison came up to me and grabbed my hand in her mouth. She tugged gently, and at first everyone thought she needed to go outside. But if so, why would she come to ME as I'd never walked her or taken her out? I let her pull me gently to floor level with her, where she leaned into me until I lay down, then she playfully wrestled with me for a bit! After that she pressed her back into my chest (little spoon!), took my hand in her mouth again, sighed deeply, and dozed.
Jameson's parents said they'd never seen her do anything like that before. His dad took the adorable picture below while we were wrestling. I was touched that she felt safe and comfortable enough to interact with me like this...to essentially "ask" me to join her at her level. It's my fondest memory of Addison.
Good girl. See you again soon.

On that unfortunate note, Jameson and my Aunt hugged goodbye and I drove her to the airport through the rain and rush hour traffic (which she seemed horrified about but it is soooo typical Orlando lol) I got her there in good time, we hugged goodbye, and parted ways. It's been absolutely wonderful having her here. I'm very glad that she made the time to come for a visit; if she hadn't taken the initiative it may not have happened. And it was SO NICE to have her and Jameson get to know each other better!! My two favorite people in the same room :) :) :)
An hour later I was home and eating a light dinner, then disassociating with Jameson because of course he is very upset about the loss of Addison. Her passing was expected, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.
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THURSDAY
Jameson was up at 7:30am and so was I. Now at last all of the company parties, family visits, and weekly flights are over, and there's only NINE DAYS until I rejoin Beauty and the Beast! Time to get to work!!
Coffee and breakfast and as soon as Jameson left:
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Friday: Early morning dentist appointment, more practicing, cooking dinner.
Saturday & Sunday: Practice and practice and not really sure otherwise. How is it that I've got THREE jobs and no work?
Sidenote: I've not been very interactive on others' journals due to wanting to be fully present for family, but I have caught up on most posts and have "liked" when I could <3
--- --- --- --- --- ---
WEDNESDAY
We were all up early for breakfast or work. Aunt and I chatted as we ate, and she expressed interest in seeing some local stuff so once we were ready I took her to Celebration.
Celebration is an interesting town in that it was a "master-planned community" developed by Walt Disney, in collaboration with several famous architects. It was supposed to be sort of a scaled-down EPCOT (for those who don't know, EPCOT is an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.) I'm not sure that it turned out how they wanted, but it's very cute with clean picturesque streets, gardens, lakefront walking and biking paths, and many nice restaurants.
We did a loop of the lake and popped into several shops to see touristy stuff and recover in the AC. Before lunch I sidetracked us over to an Asian grocery that I'd never been to before (it was just ok, not great.) Then for lunch we returned to Celebration for Columbia Restaurant.

(stock image)
Founded by a Spanish-Cuban immigrant in 1905, this is the largest and oldest Spanish restaurant in the state of Florida. There are five locations, the original being in Tampa. The dining room is large and airy, beautifully tiled and decorated. My Aunt ordered the empanadas and the famous 1905 salad, while I had the "half-and-half" which is 1/2 Cuban sandwich and cup of soup (in this case Gazpacho Andaluz, a cold tomato, onion, pepper, jalapeno, and olive oil soup)

(The Cuban sandwich, photo courtesy the restaurant.)
We enjoyed our food very much and appreciated the fresh and vibrant ingredients. The gazpacho set off the rich Cuban sandwich very well. If I had one complaint it'd be that I only got a tiny sliver of pickle on the sandwich, but I think that was just bad luck. Otherwise the meal and service and ambiance were absolutely lovely. I really REALLY want to bring Jameson there! Got him a piece of their house-made key lime pie to go. When he ate it later he said it was one of the best key lime pies he's had.
Back home my Aunt packed her bags and was considering a dip in the pool, but it was after 1pm and the afternoon rain moved in (it is monsoon season here after all.) It was still raining as we were getting ready to drive to the airport.
Just as we were leaving Jameson came to tell us that Addison, his parents' Bernese Mountain Dog, had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She was 11 years old which is long-lived for that breed. We were actually present for her Gotcha Day way back in 2014, and visited with her many times over the years.
During one of these visits Addison did something unusual. We were all relaxing in the living room after a meal, lounging in various chairs, when Addison came up to me and grabbed my hand in her mouth. She tugged gently, and at first everyone thought she needed to go outside. But if so, why would she come to ME as I'd never walked her or taken her out? I let her pull me gently to floor level with her, where she leaned into me until I lay down, then she playfully wrestled with me for a bit! After that she pressed her back into my chest (little spoon!), took my hand in her mouth again, sighed deeply, and dozed.
Jameson's parents said they'd never seen her do anything like that before. His dad took the adorable picture below while we were wrestling. I was touched that she felt safe and comfortable enough to interact with me like this...to essentially "ask" me to join her at her level. It's my fondest memory of Addison.
Good girl. See you again soon.

On that unfortunate note, Jameson and my Aunt hugged goodbye and I drove her to the airport through the rain and rush hour traffic (which she seemed horrified about but it is soooo typical Orlando lol) I got her there in good time, we hugged goodbye, and parted ways. It's been absolutely wonderful having her here. I'm very glad that she made the time to come for a visit; if she hadn't taken the initiative it may not have happened. And it was SO NICE to have her and Jameson get to know each other better!! My two favorite people in the same room :) :) :)
An hour later I was home and eating a light dinner, then disassociating with Jameson because of course he is very upset about the loss of Addison. Her passing was expected, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THURSDAY
Jameson was up at 7:30am and so was I. Now at last all of the company parties, family visits, and weekly flights are over, and there's only NINE DAYS until I rejoin Beauty and the Beast! Time to get to work!!
Coffee and breakfast and as soon as Jameson left:
- Washing the guest bedroom sheets and towels
- Running the dishwasher
- Quick basic wipedown of surfaces
- Vacuuming
- Mopping all of the tile
- Ironing some clothes for going out with Jameson tonight
- Groceries (mostly restocking paper products and meds, we still have a lot of food in the house)
- Lunch
- Bass trombone practice session, 2 hours
- Applying for New York-based unemployment though I don't think I'll get it
- Re-downloading Papa Pal since none of my THREE jobs has any work for me :(
- Packing some more things for tour
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Friday: Early morning dentist appointment, more practicing, cooking dinner.
Saturday & Sunday: Practice and practice and not really sure otherwise. How is it that I've got THREE jobs and no work?