Tuesday at Disney

This was a beautiful sunrise to wake up to on Tuesday.

We spent the morning at Hollywood Studios. We got in line for Rise of the Resistance before the park was open to the general public, then went on the Buzz Lightyear shooting ride (let's just say Andy's too competitive to keep it fun) and then sat in on the Frozen sing-along.

We went to our favorite people-watching spot for a beer and a charcuterie board when I noticed the DVC associate across the way. I texted L to see if, and where, her friend J was working today and she said Hollywood Studios across from us!

Of course, we went over to say hi and had a good conversation. He's enjoying the job and Florida. He and L met when she worked at Journeys in Yorktown Mall.

Then we talked our way into Saratoga Springs so we could see L before we flew home. She introduced us to her coworker, E, who took this selfie. She was calling us mom and dad and said it looks like a fantastic family Christmas card picture. Funny.

Monday at Disney

We were able to go into Epcot a half-hour early because we're resort fuests so we stood in line to get onto Soaring. The new show highlights places across the United States but no Chicago? No St. Louis? No cornfields? A bit disappointing for this Midwestern girl. We also went on Guardians of the Galaxy and almost melted in line. It's so hot - like 98 degrees and the humidity is ridiculous.

We got two beers from the putside stand in the English area. They were so warm, A dy took them i side and asked for cold ones, which they did. The server inside agreed the ones we were given were way too warm.

We were trying to walk around the world but it was hot we stopped in the America pavilion and were surprised to see an art display by President George W. Bush (the second one as I refer to him lol). Not my type of art but interesting to see.

We saw a custodian sweep wood chips into this design.

We made it to the Mexico area and got some margaraitas - very cold margaritas - to cool off. We went back to the resort and spent a few hours at the pool before meeting L and W in Hollywood Studios for dinner at Hollywood and Vine.

I guess I had forgotten that it's a character meal.

They were all dressed in their beach clothes. Andy got a fist bump from Mickey.

They had Goofy, Pluto, Mickey and Minnie. No Donald Duck. (Mickey liked my shirt.)

After dinner, we walked through a few stores then said goodbye to L. We don't expect to see her until we're back for another short trip in October ... unless we see her today before we fly home.

Back in our room, we saw the boat show with music and lighted characters. We have a great view.

And the ending with a few patriotic songs. That's Cinderella's castle in the far left side.

Dad’s Day at Disney

Andy and I started out Father's Day at Magic Kingdom.

We went on the newly refurbished mine train roller coaster (not sure what's new about it but it felt a bit smoother), then waited 10 minutes for Tiana's water ride. We also went on Haunted Mansion with no wait, about 30 minutes on Snow White's roller coaster and 40 minutes for Tron. This queue at Tiana's is usually full of people. Where is everyone?

We saw Pinocchio and Geppetto. Not sure I've seen them in the parks before.

We went back to the resort and hopped in the pool but it started raining ... really hard ... and we weren't sure when it would let up so we went back to our room to watch the U.S. Open.

Allison went to the house to feed the cats and to pull in a delivery for Andy from the front porch. Turns out it was his Father's Day present from the Seattle kids - a hot sauce making kit. Guess we'll be making hot sauce soon.

We dropped off L's beloved bear at her apartment on our way to dinner so he got a Father's Day hug.

We went to Celebration Brewery. We asked L and W to go with us but W wasn't feeling well and had to work early Monday.

Andy got a cigar for being one of the first 100 dads to be there.

Even with most of the TVs tuned into the World Cup soccer matches, Andy was happy to see one showing the end of the U.S. Open. after dinner we drove around Celebration. Such a cute community. From google: Celebration, Florida, is a master-planned community near Walt Disney World, developed by the Walt Disney Company as a nostalgic vision of a classic American town with a modern twist. It features a charming, walkable Town Center with shops, restaurants, and cafes, surrounded by residential areas with parks, trails, and community events like farmers' markets and parades. The community is known for its picturesque architecture, tree-lined streets, and a strong sense of community, with amenities like pools, playgrounds, and a hospital.

Let's go to Disney

We're back at Disney! Allison drove us to O'Hare Saturday morning and we had breakfast in the United Club. Our flight was delayed a bit while they changed a tire on the plane but the flight was otherwise uneventful.

A Mickey of rocks on the beach.

We're staying in the Polynesian Tower. Fifth floor right next to this viewing atrium.

Our room is perfect for watching fireworks.

This is our room. It's a studio so no full kitchen but we do have a microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher and the all important coffee maker.

A Mickey on our bed.

Dinner was at the Biergarten in Epcot.

Dinner and a show - the last one of the night.

On the way out of Epcot we saw a passholder giveaway with no one in line so we stopped and got two Toy Story magnets. Appropriate since "Toy Story 5" was just released Friday. I sent L this pic and she said she'd like one. Um, no.

We were back in our room to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks at 10 p.m.

Time for a new grill

We're not sure how old this grill was but it was time to let it go. We've replaced the burner covers a couple of times and were planning on pitching it last fall, yet here it sits.

We finally bought a new one Thursday night and Andy stayed out long after sunset to get the thing put together. The instructions weren't very instructive. My job was to hold the flashlight on his phone so he could screw the thing together.

Almost 10 p.m. and it's done! We did forget to slip the knob covers on but we can do that when the sun rises.

Crisis averted

L and W flew back to Florida on Thursday. Andy drove them to Midway early so he could get back home and then to work at a reasonable time. Just after I arrived at work, L texted and said she didn't have her bear. Yes, she's 23 but this is a special and sentimental bear that she brought home from her high school trip to Japan. It's very well-traveled (here, Champaign, Pennsylvania, Orlando). She thought she may have left it at the TSA screening but W said she didn't have it then. She had to wonder all day where the bear was and when I got home I checked Andy's car ... and there it was, face down in the backseat, looking sad.

We're headed to Disney this weekend which wasn't the best timing since we just saw L, but now we can at least deliver and reunite her with her beloved bear.

‘Traveling Cowboy’ cat puzzle

I was very careful to keep this puzzle covered up when I wasn't working on it.

Regardless, I found seven pieces missing. Seven!! It's headed to the recycling bin.

Taco Tuesday

It was Taco Tuesday last night so we took L and W to Margarita's for dinner. Only W had a taco. We all enjoyed the $7 margarita special. Andy and I stuck to the original versions but W had a raspberry margarita and L had a blue one.

I have enough fajita leftovers for two work lunches.

Monday happenings

L had my car Monday morning so I got a lot done at home - laundry, trash, vacuuming, packed for an upcoming trip, pulled some weeds, went for a walk - all of that exciting stuff.

L and W went downtown and had more deep-dish pizza. This time they went to Gino's East.

They took an architectural boat tour on a beautifully clear, not hot day.

Nice picture.

Their last stop was the Museum of Ice Cream Chicago on Michigan Avenue.

While they were still out, Andy and I went to Allison's mahjong night ... and Andy won again! He picked a yellow duck as his prize.

Another new visitor

Another new visitor stopped by today. This time it was a red-winged blackbird! According to google, folklore says a red-winged blackbird as a symbol of protection, good luck and prosperity.

We often have male (red) house finches stop by the feeder, but I'm pretty sure this one brought a lady friend finch this time. Again, according to google, a house finch visit "is widely seen as a positive omen, traditionally symbolizing joy, harmony, and resilience. Because they are adaptable, cheerful songbirds that often thrive near human spaces, their presence is commonly interpreted as a reminder to find happiness in ordinary moments and bloom where you are planted." That's neat.