eandesmom
I'm with Beast
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Messages
- 14,172
When I left you it was about 9 am and I was headed back to the WL. While in the cab I checked in with Jeff to see if anyone was up via text.
Nope. No one up.
Im on the balcony having coffee Nice .
Ok, can you wake them? They need to pack and get ready for photos.
Ok.
But we have a problem
What do you mean a problem?
Mom and Paul didnt make the flight
So are they on standby for the next one?
No. They arent even at the airport yet.
Huh? Why not
Paul had to go to the hospital.
WHAT???
Ok. Youd think he would have LED with that information.
I get on the phone, too much to type. I cant get him as apparently his mother is getting him on the phone as well to update him
Finally I get through.
Turns out, at 4 in the morning (their ride to the airport was coming at 5:00)
Paul wakes up Sandie and says
Honey, I think we need to go to the hospital
OY.
As some of you may recall, Paul has gout. And it was giving him a LOT of trouble, mostly pain. We knew about the gout, and the high blood pressure and both Sandie and Paul had minimized it saying Oh, hell just sit while we do stuff. Ok not terribly realistic but given that we learned about the gout maybe 1 week before the trip, not much we could do or say so we just decided to roll with it.
Apparently the pain was so bad, his meds so not working, he felt he needed to be seen so as to be able to have an ok vacation. And so off to the ER they went. And were still there at 9am EST as I headed back in my cab. Not really much we could do other than pray things were ok and theyd make it to the airport in time to catch one of the other flights. At this point it sounded like it was a pain management issue, they were getting it dealt with and chances were good to make a later flight. They weren't stressed at that point, so as a result, neither we we. Or at least we were trying hard to not be. The good news was that the kids knew they were on standby so it would be hours before they even realized they weren't there on time. We'd been pretty clear that the arrival time was an unknown and while we'd hoped they'd make it for dinner, it was possible they wouldn't. So we didn't need to say anything to the kids. And really, there wasn't much we could do other than go on with our day, keep our fingers crossed, hope they could help him, and wait for an update. And be really really glad Id hedged our bets by locking up their room. Or at least hopefully locking it up. While I felt great about it, it is one of those things that until you see that connecting door unlocked .you dont feel entirely secure that its yours.
All of this somehow had me now feeling a little behind the 8 ball. Kids had not only not gotten up yet, but still needed to pack. So did I for that matter. It didnt need to be pretty but it all had to get squished in and stuff we needed for the day, set aside.
Still. I REALLY wanted to do the WL tour and raced into the lobby at 9:05 to find Ranger Joe with a family of 3.
The family of 3 couldnt do a full hour tour and Ranger Joe offered to do a condensed 30 minute version, which worked perfectly for me! It wasnt ideal but it sure as heck was better than no tour at all and gave me a little breathing room for packing, baggage movement and pictures.
And so he began.
He spends a lot of time discussing the building of WL, the lobby, the meanings of the totem poles, the fact that when they went to have the lodge blessed, the poles were facing each other directly and thus caused bad energy and had to be moved (slightly rotated). Can you imagine MOVING a huge totem pole after it was in? Even though they arent structural, wow!
But they did, move them. We were treated to a wonderful story of one of the poles that explains the placement of each animal and the story behind it.
My pictures are SO bad, just not set up for zoom in low light like that. UGH. But they do prove I was there.
Carvings. These really resemble the headboards in the rooms, pretty cool.
Totem Poles
Light fixtures
After the short version of the lobby, we headed over to the Villas
Joe showed us his favorite Hidden Mickey
Some real memorabilia of Walts. Trains!!!!!!!!!
And...the man himself! Joe that is, not Walt. The picture he is pointing to is of Walt's home in CA!
I loved the fire screen in this little sitting room
With that, our time was up. Joe offered to keep going, just for me, but sadly I was starting to freak out about the time (it was maybe 9:45 at this point) and had to decline.
I cannot say enough great things about Ranger Joe and the tour. Here is a person who LOVES his job, LOVES the WL and it just shines through. Though I was worried about Paul, Joe really helped me step back, enjoy the moment and learn a little bit about the lodge. I know I will always think of the stories when I look at those totem poles and smile that much more at Humphrey and when I go to the fitness center, sneak in to see Joe's favorite mouse at the Villas.
Heading back to our room, I swung by the photopass desk to see if we could push our appointment a little as I had little faith that people were actually going to be dressed, packed and that we could get our stuff to Bell Services and make a 10:30 session.
They could! Not by a ton, I think they moved it to 11:15 (maybe 11:30) but it was enough.
It was a darn good thing I did. They were not remotely ready!
Which had a hidden benefit. It meant I had time to really reorganize stuff so wed have suits for later and in doing so, somehow I dug through every pocket of every bag and to what to my wondering eyes did appear?
A Key!
The long lost room safe key!
Upon opening the safe I had to thank my lucky stars for that bit of pixie dust. There was more in that safe than Id realized. Not only was there the tip envelopes, and a (mostly) empty wallet but one that had more back up cash than I'd realized (for Universal tips), there was also my ipod and something else that Id have been quite upset about once I realized it was gone. What it was I honestly have no idea but I had stashed way more than Id realized and was so incredibly grateful to have gotten it back. Finally, with everyone dressed in their new shirts (new white shirts, handed out the night before at bedtime so they couldnt get dirty before the pictures lol) we headed to bell services with our ridiculous load of stuff. Despite taking the time to sort of sort and repack, we seriously looked like the Clampetts once that cart was loaded up. All the luggage, most of our carryons, bags with our refillable mugs .it was something like 13 items! Bell services was busy and it seemed to take forever to get our stuff checked but finally, it was done. Which meant
Picture time!
My family was SO excited they could hardly stand it.
Nope. No one up.
Im on the balcony having coffee Nice .
Ok, can you wake them? They need to pack and get ready for photos.
Ok.
But we have a problem
What do you mean a problem?
Mom and Paul didnt make the flight
So are they on standby for the next one?
No. They arent even at the airport yet.
Huh? Why not
Paul had to go to the hospital.
WHAT???
Ok. Youd think he would have LED with that information.
I get on the phone, too much to type. I cant get him as apparently his mother is getting him on the phone as well to update him
Finally I get through.
Turns out, at 4 in the morning (their ride to the airport was coming at 5:00)
Paul wakes up Sandie and says
Honey, I think we need to go to the hospital
OY.
As some of you may recall, Paul has gout. And it was giving him a LOT of trouble, mostly pain. We knew about the gout, and the high blood pressure and both Sandie and Paul had minimized it saying Oh, hell just sit while we do stuff. Ok not terribly realistic but given that we learned about the gout maybe 1 week before the trip, not much we could do or say so we just decided to roll with it.
Apparently the pain was so bad, his meds so not working, he felt he needed to be seen so as to be able to have an ok vacation. And so off to the ER they went. And were still there at 9am EST as I headed back in my cab. Not really much we could do other than pray things were ok and theyd make it to the airport in time to catch one of the other flights. At this point it sounded like it was a pain management issue, they were getting it dealt with and chances were good to make a later flight. They weren't stressed at that point, so as a result, neither we we. Or at least we were trying hard to not be. The good news was that the kids knew they were on standby so it would be hours before they even realized they weren't there on time. We'd been pretty clear that the arrival time was an unknown and while we'd hoped they'd make it for dinner, it was possible they wouldn't. So we didn't need to say anything to the kids. And really, there wasn't much we could do other than go on with our day, keep our fingers crossed, hope they could help him, and wait for an update. And be really really glad Id hedged our bets by locking up their room. Or at least hopefully locking it up. While I felt great about it, it is one of those things that until you see that connecting door unlocked .you dont feel entirely secure that its yours.
All of this somehow had me now feeling a little behind the 8 ball. Kids had not only not gotten up yet, but still needed to pack. So did I for that matter. It didnt need to be pretty but it all had to get squished in and stuff we needed for the day, set aside.
Still. I REALLY wanted to do the WL tour and raced into the lobby at 9:05 to find Ranger Joe with a family of 3.
The family of 3 couldnt do a full hour tour and Ranger Joe offered to do a condensed 30 minute version, which worked perfectly for me! It wasnt ideal but it sure as heck was better than no tour at all and gave me a little breathing room for packing, baggage movement and pictures.
And so he began.
He spends a lot of time discussing the building of WL, the lobby, the meanings of the totem poles, the fact that when they went to have the lodge blessed, the poles were facing each other directly and thus caused bad energy and had to be moved (slightly rotated). Can you imagine MOVING a huge totem pole after it was in? Even though they arent structural, wow!
But they did, move them. We were treated to a wonderful story of one of the poles that explains the placement of each animal and the story behind it.
My pictures are SO bad, just not set up for zoom in low light like that. UGH. But they do prove I was there.
Carvings. These really resemble the headboards in the rooms, pretty cool.
Totem Poles
Light fixtures
After the short version of the lobby, we headed over to the Villas
Joe showed us his favorite Hidden Mickey
Some real memorabilia of Walts. Trains!!!!!!!!!
And...the man himself! Joe that is, not Walt. The picture he is pointing to is of Walt's home in CA!
I loved the fire screen in this little sitting room
With that, our time was up. Joe offered to keep going, just for me, but sadly I was starting to freak out about the time (it was maybe 9:45 at this point) and had to decline.
I cannot say enough great things about Ranger Joe and the tour. Here is a person who LOVES his job, LOVES the WL and it just shines through. Though I was worried about Paul, Joe really helped me step back, enjoy the moment and learn a little bit about the lodge. I know I will always think of the stories when I look at those totem poles and smile that much more at Humphrey and when I go to the fitness center, sneak in to see Joe's favorite mouse at the Villas.
Heading back to our room, I swung by the photopass desk to see if we could push our appointment a little as I had little faith that people were actually going to be dressed, packed and that we could get our stuff to Bell Services and make a 10:30 session.
They could! Not by a ton, I think they moved it to 11:15 (maybe 11:30) but it was enough.
It was a darn good thing I did. They were not remotely ready!
Which had a hidden benefit. It meant I had time to really reorganize stuff so wed have suits for later and in doing so, somehow I dug through every pocket of every bag and to what to my wondering eyes did appear?
A Key!
The long lost room safe key!
Upon opening the safe I had to thank my lucky stars for that bit of pixie dust. There was more in that safe than Id realized. Not only was there the tip envelopes, and a (mostly) empty wallet but one that had more back up cash than I'd realized (for Universal tips), there was also my ipod and something else that Id have been quite upset about once I realized it was gone. What it was I honestly have no idea but I had stashed way more than Id realized and was so incredibly grateful to have gotten it back. Finally, with everyone dressed in their new shirts (new white shirts, handed out the night before at bedtime so they couldnt get dirty before the pictures lol) we headed to bell services with our ridiculous load of stuff. Despite taking the time to sort of sort and repack, we seriously looked like the Clampetts once that cart was loaded up. All the luggage, most of our carryons, bags with our refillable mugs .it was something like 13 items! Bell services was busy and it seemed to take forever to get our stuff checked but finally, it was done. Which meant
Picture time!
My family was SO excited they could hardly stand it.
I love his Hidden Mickey!! So cute!!
My father had that once (gout is such an ugly word, isn't it) and it was extremely painful as I recall. I remember getting him some organic pure cherry juice from a store I shop at to help with the medication. 
All I could have gotten on my own by booking direct (sans a PIN which is unlikely for that time and location) was $75.
the Poly, the bedding is SO much better at YC, CR, and BLT. I'm not a huge fan of patterned comforters. I like the basic white at the YC, CR, and BLT, with accent throws and pillows to add some color. 
on finding the key! Isn't it always in the last place you look! And don't you HATE that expression. 
