Actually, there weren't many good smells. At all. TFI.
I had awoken just after midnight to the smell of something fairly unpleasant.
I'm sure it was five happyhaunts processing 73 pounds of pork sausage, wienerschnitzel and pickled cabbage. From the Biergarten. Whew! Gotta love those moments of family closeness. All together. In one room.
I was just glad we weren't in a igloo.
Besides being smelly. We would have been cold.
And the other stupid thought... that occurred to me... in the middle of the night was this: The Germans may have had NO PROBLEM breaching the Maginot Line.
But...
I'll bet the French could smell them comin'! TFI.
Again, perhaps, a disclaimer may have been wise.
But... I forgot.
And, really, I don't care.
So.
I also heard some noise. In the room.
Perhaps, after all, that was what had wakened me up.
A rattling. Of sorts.
I sat up and spied a little form, in the dark, jiggling the handle of the balcony door.
Me: Tommy! What's wrong?
Tommy: I may have to go to the bathroom.
Me: That's the door to the balcony, honey. The bathroom is the other way.
Tommy: I know.
Me: Come HERE! Now. Follow me.
We head to the bathroom.
Tommy: I may need to stay in here for a while.
Me: Well, it's a good thing you didn't end up on the balcony, then. Isn't it?
Tommy: Yes.
Me: Because I'm sure Mousekeeping would have appreciated THAT one. It'd be NO MORE towel animals for us! My friend.
I waited for him and then tucked him back into bed. The source of the awful smell had been located. And dealt with. TFI.
I chugged a bottle of water and went back to bed. Because while I had sobered up by the time we finished up at the Boardwalk and headed to bed... I still didn't want to wake up feeling the least little bit "icky". That sucks.
In general.
But... specifically when at Disney.
I fell back asleep.
And woke to throbbing pain. In both my feet.
I could hear the rest of the happyhaunts stirring. It was around 8 am or shortly thereafter. So I had no problem with shrieking...
"OWWWWWW!" I said. I didn't actually shriek. And it wasn't THAT unbearably painful. And, yet, something was wrong.
Pulled down the covers and looked. At my feet.
Oh.
That was the problem.
The five blisters. On EACH foot.
I got up and limped to the mirror. I looked at myself... and asked myself with my eyes. Just my eyes... "Why would you wear flipflops to Disney?" I also asked myself "Why would you wear high-heeled sandals to whoop it up at the Biergarten?" PLUS... I asked myself "Mel? Did we... I... whatever... drink and dial The General? Last night?"
I also, during this time, realized I had a sunburn on my nose. And a buttload of freckles. All over my face.
The General was right! Gotta watch those kids. Don't want them to turn out looking like me.
Mellyman was making coffee and saw me talking to myself with my eyes. In the mirror.
He said, "Melly... you are beautiful. Why even bother checking? Except for your feet, that is. Those look NASTY!"
I turned to him and gave him a hug. For thinking I look good in the morning.
Bless him. Gotta love a man who still thinks you look great... sixteen years after your first date. Together.
Yep. Sixteen years. It would be SIXTEEN YEARS in June '06. Since we got together.
Wow. I'd say that "Time flies when you're having fun". But, some of it wasn't that fun. We went through some hard, painful times. In those sixteen years. TFI. Just like everyone else does. Just riding that ride called... LIFE. I know this though: I wouldn't have wanted to have a crappy time with ANYONE ELSE! Heh heh.
Okay. Magical(ish) Moment... over.
It was time to deal with the pressing issue of my feet. And what I could wear on them. That wouldn't hurt too much.
I pulled my shoe bag out. And realized that I had FORGOTTEN TO PACK MY RUNNERS! OMIGOD! How did I manage that? With all the stuff I packed? I FORGOT TO PACK my runners!
I did, however, remember my
Crocs. But, THEN, something occurred to me.
And... my heart grew three sizes that day!
Not unlike the Grinch.
I figured I could spin a little shopping trip out of this injury thing. Heh heh.
Beth was IN! Mellyman agreed. The boys thought we were headed to the Magic Kingdom.
Tommy realized we were heading OFF PROPERTY when we went through the gates...
"NO! NOT LEAVING! GO BACK! GO BACK!" He screamed from the backseat.
He had no choice.
He was strapped. Helplessly. Into his carseat.
And, yet, he managed to whip a juicebox at Mellyman's head. While he was driving.
We had a small(ish) "talk" about car rules. And safety. And all that.
Then we got to the Outlet Mall. The one which is on the way to the
Walmart.
Just past the Ponderosa.
We got in and parked. Got out of the car.
I clicked the car lock. Like five-teen times. Because I have slight OCD. TFI.
We realized we were five-teen minutes too early. The stores were still closed. It was 9:45am.
CRAP!
We went to the food court building. Which was already open. And got some VERY EXPENSIVE muffins and bagels. The finest in the land, apparently, judging by the price of them. And had a quick breakfast.
Mellyman took the kids to play in the little playground thingie while I went to the Reebok Outlet.
I looked around and decided that I just LOVE America. The prices there were astonishingly great!
It was heaven for a girl like Me(l). Who aspires to one day rival Imelda Marcos
in both her shoe and lingerie collections.
I found a pair of Reeboks that I really liked. They were cross-trainers. I wanted them.
I looked through all the sizes. I am a size 8 1/2.
The largest they had was a 6 1/2. There. On the shelf.
I asked the woman who was working there to check in the back for me. For a larger pair.
Because... I had neglected to bring a bone saw. Along.
Again.
No dice.
I had to make due with a pair of tennis shoes. Which were fine. Just not what I wanted.
I also bought a bunch of socks. They were pricey. Yet they claimed to be able to keep your feet dry and odour-free.
Nice.
I went and grabbed Beth from the playground and we went shopping for her.
Quickly bought her two halter tops.
And... uhhhhh... another bikini. For me. Heh heh.
Ssssshhhh! I said. Don't tell DH...errr... Daddy.
Got back in the car and drove back through the gates. Back from OFF PROPERTY.
Whew.
We did a quick spin through the Epcot Parking Lot. Just for fun.
Actually we got lost. Yet ONCE AGAIN.
But decided to pull up to the front of the lot and park for a minute. While Mellyman RAN through to Test Track and grabbed FASTPASSES for us. For that day.
We blatantly ignored the CMs who were directing the flow of guests' cars into the lines. For parking.
We blew right by one CM who was trying to wave us down.
He threw his hands up in the air. And then made a gesture towards our disappearing back bumper. With one hand.
Actually... with one finger.
It was not "OK! Have a Magical Day!" TFI.
Heh heh.
No flames. Please.
Mellyman bolted from the car and I moved into the driver's seat. In case we had to make a run for it.
As we waited for him to return... Calvin moved into the other front seat. And we watched the guests walking towards the entrance to Epicot.
Calvin: Look Mom! Those girls aren't wearing shirts! They are in THEIR BRAS! Gross! BARF! PUKE!
Me: You forgot... ZZUB!
Calvin: Why aren't they wearing shirts?
Me: Those are white bikini tops, my friend. That they are wearing with their teeny tiny low shorts. Teenagers! Bethy sure won't be dressing like that. I'll tell ya.
Beth: Wha... what? (looks up from her book)
Her nose is always in a book. That girl.
Me: Nothing. Go back to sleep.
Beth: I was reading.
Me: Good. Go back to sleep.
About five minutes goes by.
Beth: Were you guys talking about me?
Heh heh.
Me: No. Yes. No.
Calvin: Look Mom! Here come the Bra Girls, again.
He was right.
They were heading back to their car... I guess.
I don't think they were allowed in with just bathing suit tops on.
Good for Disney! I say! Nothing wrong with their dress-code.
Mellyman returned and we headed out. Back to the BWVs.
Welcome Home!!!!
We parked and went back to our room. Got together our things and headed back out. To Epcot. And our lunch ADR.
In Italy.
Because of this: Beth and I lovelovelove the fettucine alfredo. There. It is like butter and cheese and noodles.
Actually... that's ALL it is. And it is WONDERFUL! Just like the alfredo I had many years ago. In Italy. Imagine THAT!
It seems like the restaurant in Italy doesn't get that many glowing reviews on the Dis Restaurant Board. From what I've read.
I don't know why. Tho. We've always had great service and fantastic meals there.
Great looking young Italian male servers, too. Pleasant and attentive service.
Go figure. We have nothing but raves for it. Tho.
We walked to Epcot and entered through the gates near World Showcase.
Took a quick pic on the way and paused for a while just past France. At the playground thingie and Kidcot. So the kids could do a craft.
This is our Chicken Little:
All three kids are left-handed. Just like Me(l). It's a little strange. Just like Me(l). Heh heh.
Oh.
One more:
That's NOT Mellyman. BTW.
We headed in for our lunch ADR.
On time! Yet, again.
Only 10 minutes late.
And now... I'm off. For an extended long weekend.
Take off, eh!
Just like Me(l).
Cheers!
To be continued. Up next: Lunch and other stuff.
......mine just seem like mindless drivel after reading this.
And now I get to go to bed with low self-esteem. Thanks much!
That'd be me partner. 
