About Last Week, 6 & 7: where we almost get stuck in VA

 Missed last week's post, so a lot to catch up to today. Getting back to being home has somehow been both quiet and hectic. Grateful, though, to be home and snuggling in for the winter.

Monday, 1-3-22.

This particular Monday morning we woke up bright and early in my hotel room in Orlando. The show closed the night before, and we set off straight away for home. We stopped in Richmond, VA, for the night. It was snowing out! There honestly wasn't a ton of snow, but the roads were really bad maintained and everyone was all over the road. Most of the bars and restaurants were closed early, but we wound up at a burger and beer place that had really fun trivia. We were completely annihilated. After being so cooped up due to protect the cast from more covid exposures, it felt good to be out and about for a little date night. This was one of those nights where I felt so young, and free, and happy to be out in the world.

Tuesday, 1-4-22

The next morning had us up and at 'em again. The night before, we had heard about conditions on 95 being so bad that the highway shut down. Crazy, we thought! The next morning we got up and jumped on 95 right away, because surely 12 hours later it would be taken care of? Wrong. Almost immediately we were in stand-still traffic from the night before. Cars had been stuck on 95, in the freezing cold, over night. We were very close to an ambulance turn-around, and Chris took it and got us off the highway. Thank goodness for that...we would have been stuck all day. 

The rest of the day was a lot of really sketchy driving, eating "car tuna melts" (crackers, cheese, and tuna packets), making fun of VA drivers, and generally just accepting that we were going to be stuck in VA. It took us 14 hours to get from Richmond to NJ. We ended up staying the night with Chris' parents there. A crazy day!

Wednesday, 1-5-22

Wednesday got us home! It rained all day, and I drove the rest of the way from NJ to NH (7ish hours) while Chris worked. We got home and after unpacking the car, Chris went to grab Bear! I ambitiously made chicken stew for dinner. We snuggled and ate food in our own kitchen, watched TV and went to bed early. A truly fantastic end to a stressful roadtrip. 

Thursday, 1-6-22

A true delight to come home to was that Chris had decorated before he came down to FL! Felt so cozy. I honestly spent most of the day doing nothing; I was so so tired! But I also cleaned and unpacked, and then Chris and I exchanged the rest of our Christmas presents at night. We had held back on bringing gifts to FL because it was just too much to pack, so it was fun to finally have our own little Christmas. Chris loved his new apron and has been putting it on if he so much as stands in the kitchen. 

Friday, 1-7-22

Friday I attempted to catch-up on some work stuff, got my nails done for the first time in my entire life, and made a pie for family Christmas with my parents! That night, after wading through freshly fallen snow I climbed into the passenger seat of Chris' car. I was wearing my big black coat. There were Christmas presents in the back of the car. And I had a still-warm pie, wrapped in a towel, on my lap. You know those moments when you convince yourself you are actually you parents? That was one of them for me. 

Saturday, 1-8-22

Saturday was my first day back to work coaching AND WE ALSO GOT OUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS TAKEN!!!!!! We lucked out on the snow and the whole day in general. I'll definitely be sharing more soon, I cannot get enough! We used Blue Locket Photography. 

Sunday, 1-9-22

A cold cold day! Morning walk with Bear, then just some chores before heading out to teach Theater on Ice. Chris worked that night so it was just me and Bear. 

Monday, 1-10-22

No pictures and I couldn't tell you much of what I did. Time at home. Putting Christmas decor away. Starting lessons at a local after school program!

Tuesday, 1-11-22

Got to see a lot of my private students again! A real highlight of the day was making these quiches though. I made them around lunch so that when dinner came, everything was done!

Wednesday, 1-12-22

Other than teaching hockey in the evening, I didn't do a whole lot. Tuesday night ended up being kind of *emotional* so I slept in, Chris brought me coffee and breakfast in bed, and I read my book for 40 minutes before starting my day. A God-send of a re-set, honestly. 

Thursday, 1-13-22

Thursday night I actually skated in a little show with Ice Dance International! Just a small holiday party at a local outdoor rink. We skated a trio-piece that I had done last year, so when the girl who skated this year couldn't make it they asked me to step in. It turned out to be a fantastic night of skating and then catching up with friends over drinks. A great time. 

Friday, 1-14-22

On Friday night we met up with a friend of ours for happy hour drinks, and then Chris and I went to a UNH hockey game. I'd actually never been before, and we had a really great time. It made weirdly nostalgic for college...which is weird, since I've never been. Not in the typical college experience way, anyways. But it made me sort of sad that 18 year-old Gillian hadn't thought a little harder about whether or not she wanted to go to a 4-year school right away. Looking back, it would have been fun. 

Saturday, 1-15-22

Saturday I coached and got some wedding things done, but most importantly I made this incredible Irish Soda Bread. Can't believe I'd never made it before! I am fully addicted now and prepared to make it every week until I die. 

Sunday, 1-16-22

Sunday was a back-to-normal full coaching day. A music-filled drive. A hot shower. Seinfeld with breakfast. Good chats over dinner. Flannel sheets on the bed. 

Whew. Looking back, what a good two weeks. So so full. But also fun, and with lots of quiet moments and friend moments. More of that. More of all those real things that make up a life. 

Hope your current week is off to a good start. <3

About Last Week #5

 This ALW is coming to you from somewhere on I-95 in Georgia, on our way home from SeaWorld! Last night was closing night of Winter Wonderland on Ice, and today we are on our way home. To be honest, I am sad to no longer be doing an ice show but am also extremely happy to be home for a bit. I miss Bear! And my local friends. And my kitchen, and my normal daily rhythm. This contract (my sixth!) really showed me that I am excited and ready to do more shows, but I am also happy to get to spend at least a few more months at home before running off to the circus again. 

MONDAY, 12.27.21

Monday morning I picked up Chris from the bus station. He had spent Christmas down in Ft. Lauderdale (I got to visit for a fast 12 hours Christmas Eve through Christmas morning!) with family, and then he took the bus up to Orlando to me. We stopped by Trader Joe's for some essentials and then spent the rest of the day organizing and prepping some food before we both headed into the park for the show. We actually had to go in early for a fast re-block last minute, so to be honest the night was fun but a little stressy. This was his first time seeing the show this whole contract!

TUESDAY, 12.28.21

Tuesday was another pretty chill day. We had a covid scare in the cast so we all essentially hunkered down and didn't socialize much outside of the show for the rest of the week. I'm actually pretty happy Chris was able to be here, otherwise this would have been a pretty lonely and even more sad time. We did so well this whole contract! It was sad to be dealing wit covid issues right at the end.

WEDNESDAY, 12.29.21

Covid tests were actually pretty hard to find in FL. We spent 4.5 hours Wednesday morning waiting at a drive-up testing site for a rapid. Even with the long wait though, the place was really efficient and well run. Just lots of people waiting too! We got our results emailed by the time we got back to the hotel and we were both negative. Definitely a big relief. Chris' parents came up from Ft. Lauderdale, and they got to see the shows that night and hang in the park for a few hours. 

THURSDAY, 12.30.21

After a slow morning in the hotel to ourselves we got into the park early with Chris' parents, around 12:30. We spent the day seeing all the animals and riding Atlantis (a must!), and just look at that baby manatee! So sweet. I love how they almost hold onto the rocks with their little flippers. Then off I went to work and they got to see the shows that night!

FRIDAY, 12.31.21

Friday was New Year's Eve, which is honestly a pretty eventful day at WWOI. First off, we do three shows instead of two, and the last one ends right before midnight when they do a countdown and fireworks right after the show. Plus, NYE means glitter shows! Each show we add a new layer of glitter. Plus, last minute some of my second cousins were able to come and I am so glad they got to enjoy the park on such a high-energy day!

Most of my cast mates at their significant others and partners at the show, and it was so fun having a little wives club out in the audience. Some night highlights were: running through the park last minute to buy everyone pretzels so they didn't have to leave their seats, getting to go out for photos with my cousins, running out for opening positions of the midnight show and watching a cast-mate have an epic fall in the dark haha, turning around to see everyone with crazy Christmas lights in the audience, and getting to have a New Year's kiss with Chris in my skates, right outside of the tunnel. A fantastic day, all around. 

SATURDAY 1.1.21

Saturday was a quiet day....everyone was still tired after NYE and we were still dealing with covid stuff. Chris and I bopped into the park (fully masked and sanitized, even with our negative tests) early to see the dolphin show, but otherwise it was just a workday. Hard to see in this photo but the way I pouf my hair for the show really shows off the little gray streak I'm starting to get!

SUNDAY 1.2.21

Sunday we closed! A busy day of packing, lots of bittersweet goodbyes, a walrus stuffed animal from Chris, and a bloopers video showing afterwards at the hotel. Then a late bedtime and up early to get back home...phew. Another contract in the books!

There were lots of special moments in this cast and with this show, but for right now I am excited to be heading back home and heading into the new year with lots of fresh starts. This week I'll share more thoughts from the year, and also a wrap up and photo dump from this show. Lots of thoughts to share! In the meantime, hope everyone's first Monday of 2022 is off to a great start. :)