Happy New Year everyone…hope everybody has a happy, healthy and safe 2009!
When we left off, it was finally time to head to WS. I was really not feeling great and we happened to walk by one of those McDonald Fry stands. Hmmmm, something actually smelled good to me. So on our way into one of the great culinary festivals, I have to have McDonald’s fries. We get them without incident, however, right before we hit Canada we are stopped by a guy with a microphone and camera crew. They want to know if they could interview us. Being the camera shy person I am
I immediately say “YES” before anyone else could say anything. They talk to DH and I and want to know why when headed into the F&WF we have McDonald’s fries???!! I think DH tried to say something, but I ended up taking over and for a few minutes actually forgot I had a fever and wanted to just curl up and sleep. See I just needed a camera in front of me and I would have been fine the whole trip
From what I remember, we (ok me) gave them some goofy answers about using the fries to help soak up all the wine we about to drink or something like that. We actually spent about ten minutes with them. However, and I blame the sickness for this, we forgot to ask why we were on camera. They did ask our names and where we were from on camera, but didn’t have us sign releases or anything (didn’t even look like they had any.) Anyone out there have any idea what they were shooting video for? I’d love to know.
Here’s where things start to get a little fuzzy. I actually don’t remember doing anything until we ended up in Germany. DFIL and I wanted to check out all the rooms, because we found out they are set up like someone’s house as if you were walking through it. Except that I
1-Forgot my cards that explained where to start
2 – Thought I might be going to the ER.
When we got to Germany, I let the group know I just had to sit for a minute…I was still in utter and complete denial that my body would turn on me this way…every bone just ached and my throat was killing me. I sat down and I think DH got scared…he begged me to go back to the room and just rest. I do remember be rather mean and snapping that I just need to sit and rest for a minute. DIL’s tried too, but I wasn’t going to listen to anyone.
I think I ended up on the curb for about 30 minutes and I may have even fallen asleep for a couple of minutes with my head in my hands
I then decided I was all better (yeah right!) and that I could push on. DH was still trying to get me to go back to the room, but I think my fever and whatever else just made me even more stubborn and clouded my judgment and made me determined to go on. So we walk through Germany and as it turned out later had the rooms completely wrong! We did stop to take my tradition picture under the Teddy Bear
See the water bottle – I was never without one that whole day.
I think we then wandered a bit more and then it was time for dinner at LeCellier. I really, really wish I could remember more about this dinner, because as bad I was feeling, I do remember laughing a lot. We checked in about five minutes early and ended up with only a ten minute wait. We were seated and Amanda was our server. This was DIL’s first time at LeCellier and they were excited to try it.
Amanda was very prompt at coming to get our drink orders and explain the menu and with the yummy bread and butter.
Our drinks arrive (ok – their drinks and my pop), but by another server asking if we were ready to order or still needed time. Hmmmm – wasn’t sure if we were switched or what was happening. We let them know we still needed a few minutes. Amanda made it back shortly after to take our order. We gave it to her and all seemed normal. Amanda did ask my DFIL if that was all he wanted and he said yes. For some reason, even in my haze, I questioned whether he had ordered a dinner or just the soup. He said he ordered the whole thing. Ok – but I didn’t hear it. Ours appetizers arrived in a timely fashion and were again delivered by a different waitperson. Didn’t really matter, as we had our food and that was all that mattered.
We finish up with the appetizers, they are cleared and we are waiting for dinner. We notice Amanda running back and forth with a table next to us that had a large party and just happened to be obnoxiously loud. And I’m from a loud Italian house and this even made me go Hmmmmmmmm.
Our food comes (again in a timely fashion…didn’t feel rushed or slow at all) which was again served by someone different and three of us have food. DFIL has nothing. Uh-oh…Even in my cloud I was right…I didn’t hear him order anything besides soup and neither did Amanda.
Just a couple of minutes later Amanda eventually made it back by to apologize for her lack of attention and to check on us. DFIL said he had placed an order but didn’t get it. She had nothing written down and it was then pointed out to him, by us his loving family, that I didn’t hear him order either. Thankfully everyone had had a few drinks and were in great moods. Amanda again apologized took his order and promised to get it out right away. We all were having a great laugh about this at this point. When DH’s food came out we remembered to get a picture of it – the only one we did remember! I think it was Halibut.
Amanda also brought him a little surprise – a light up Tinkerbell. The best part was he actually wore it, and someone called him Tinkerbern...a takoff on his name. It set everyone off again into laughter.
Amanda eventually explained that the large party we had noticed next to us (you couldn’t help it…they were obnoxiously loud!) that as they were getting ready to leave, they got their bill, but then needed it all split up as some or all (can’t remember) were Cast Members. So it took a lot of time to get all that done. That’s why she kept having someone else cover us. She then brought DH and I champagne with a raspberry in it as she noticed our anniversary buttons – it was a nice touch.
Even with all the craziness and all different people taking care of us- it was really enjoyable. It could have been a disaster, but Amanda really had us covered even if she couldn’t personally take care of us. My DFIL even asked for an autograph to remember her by
when we were leaving…and she happily obliged.
I think we must have thought about staying for Illuminations for about half a second, but I was ready to give up after dinner. It was time to go back and (for me) go to sleep!
We did try to get our “traditional” picture…it’s only traditional because we try every trip to recreate the first one…and we have yet to succeed.
The original picture - 1995:
2004 Version
2006 Version – we were waaaaay off
And finally the one from this year….we had the right place, just had the DIL’s reversed
Then just a couple of random ones on the way out as well…
We made it back to the AKL and this time I made DH switch sides with me so he could have the air blowing on him now
. Tomorrow is DHS day and hopefully I’ll be all better and able to ride TSM!!! Well, at least it’s wishful thinking……