off to neverland
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2004
- Messages
- 703
Cast:
Me, Rae, 34, Disney lover
Dix, 43, Great guy who will never again forget the Unofficial Guide
Boo, 4.95 year-old picky eater wearing a Brat Hat
Sis, 1.95 year-old who can holler louder than a blowhorn
Goldi Locks, Nice DVC member who traded her points with us
Laser-accuser guy: Nice man helping out with world safety
Mr. Customs Man: Grumpy, serious guy in uniform with no patience for drugs or childbirth
Mr. And Mrs. No Manners: Rude people who pop up with different faces throughout our trip
Cute little girl in the front: Loud mouth who unintentionally traumatizes kids young kids on rides
Cousin: Make-up-less advisor whose areas of expertise include hats and droopy b**b prevention
My Dad: Fearless landrover driver
My Mom: Woman who loves blues and yellows
Inventory of important trip items:
Three new premium annual passes
Fancy Laser Camera
Unofficial Guide to Disneyworld
Missing Disney Dining Experience cards
Brat Hat
After the Animal Kingdom bus dropped us off at Port Orleans, we promptly loaded in the car for the drive to Old Key West. We had packed the car before we left our Port Orleans room that morning so leaving Port Orleans took no time at all. The car was incredibly warm from sitting in the sun, and Siss eyes became heavy the minute the heat from the car radiated through her chilled skin.
The drive to Old Key West took only a few minutes, and as we drove onto the resort grounds, I immediately understood why Dix had been impressed with the landscaping. After having lived in terrain covered in snow and dead brown plants for the last three months, that greenery was so very welcome to our eyes! The light-colored hospitality building was a stark contrast to all the green foliage surrounding it, and images of cocktails, cabanas, and a smiling reception of Love Boat hosts came to my mind.
I stayed in the car while Dix entered the hospitality house to ask if our room was ready. I laughed when I realized that behind the white podium by the drop-off area, there were several cast members greeting people as they walked toward the hospitality house. They must have been the bell service staff and though they werent exactly Love Boat Captain Stubing, Cruise Director Julie McCoy, or 'Gopher' Smith, they still looked very welcoming and professional from the distance. I would find out later that afternoon how great that crew really is.
We had been assigned to Building 42, and I marveled at the size of Old Key West as we drove to our room. The units seemed like nice residential condos! The grounds and buildings appeared so established, I had to remind myself that people didnt actually live in these units and instead were short term vacationers just like me.
A home away from home.
We had requested a room in the Turtle Pond area, and found ourselves directly across from the quiet pool. Too bad it was so cold; that quiet pool was in a perfect location for us.
Disers have reported that the rooms at OKW are large. Theyve reported that theyre nice.
They werent kidding.
I absolutely loved the room! 950 square feet for the three of us was definitely adequate. The bathroom was enormous, and I was surprised to find a tile floor and a large tile shower with a glass door rather than a plastic shower with vinyl shower curtain. I knew from the DIS that the bathtub was an oversized jet tub, but I didnt realize that there would be one large tile step leading to it. I also didnt realize that there would be a pedestal sink in the bath section as well as a nice sink and countertop in the shower section.
The washing machine and dryer were larger than the ones I have at home and the kitchen was a nice full-sized kitchen, garbage disposal and all.
The faux wood blinds on the living room windows impressed me because sometimes the window treatments in hotels look exactly like what they are: gaudy hotel curtains. Those wood blinds were a nice change and made it feel more like home.
A home away from home. Thank you, Goldi Locks.
When we finished unloading the car, I made a grocery list for Dix to take to the store. Before he left, we made an Anti-Stress-And-Worry-Plan so that if he became lost like he did the night before, I wouldnt be so worried. He was leaving our room at 2:30. We would expect him back no later than 3:45. If he was lost, delayed, or just slow and wouldnt make it back by 3:45, he would call on his charged cell phone that was hanging from his belt. I handed him a piece of paper with our telephone number, room number and address. I considered writing my name on the paper as well to remind him who his wife was, but I decided not to because ribbing jokes like that really arent that funny and are kind of mean. Besides, why would I want to be sarcastic and make fun of him for getting lost the night before?
He told me he would stop by the bellhop podium on his way out and get directions from the Love Boat crew to the nearest grocery store. He thought that while he was near community hall he would buy a refillable mug of soda. I thought this was a great plan. We had covered all the bases.
Before he left, he quickly made me a pot of Starbucks coffee from the coffee beans I had stashed in our suitcase before we left. He is hands-down the best coffee maker I have ever known and makes all the coffee in our house. Though I love to cook, he has spoiled me with his coffee and if hes not around and I have to make it on my own, I usually have to call him for instructions. He often tells me that it isnt how he makes the coffee that makes it so good, its the love he puts into it.
As he walked out the door, he said, Dont forget to use your Old Key West key card instead of the Port Orleans key card. The Port Orleans card wont work anymore.
Yeah, yeah, I mumbled. I was looking through the sugar tray in the kitchen to find some sweetener that didnt have causes cancer in laboratory animals printed on the package.
We had requested a full size crib, and it had been placed in the master bedroom. Before I poured my coffee, I put Sis her in the crib and kissed her goodnight. I was surprised that she didnt cry or fuss about her new surroundings, and I imagine she was almost asleep by the time I left the room and closed the door behind me.
Boo had found his Peter Pan and Buzz Lightyear action figures in one of our bags, and was happily playing with them on the coffee table in the living room. I figured it would be good for him to just unwind with some private imaginary play.
I sat on the sofa and took a sip of coffee. It must have had a lot of love in it, because it was so good! Either that or the Christmas Blend from Starbucks is a good batch! I called my mother to let her know we had made it safely. She wanted to know all about the kids reactions to the surprise trip, and felt lonesome for them when I described their excitement.
You know, I told your father that I should have just come along to help you with Sis. I could babysit her while you do the parks with Boo, she said.
Unlike some of my friends, who would do anything to avoid being around their parents, I welcome the presence of mine. Living so far away from them all of these years has made me miss them terribly, and I covet any chance my kids have to spend time with them.
I hadnt invited my mom to come with us because our decision to go had been so spontaneous. Also, I hadnt considered that we would have the space. I looked around at our room. Theres certainly room, Mom. Theres more than enough room. You could hop on a plane in the morning with dads frequent flyer miles and be here by afternoon.
Its certainly tempting, but I dont think I can, she told me.
After we said our good-byes, I wondered whether she would show up at our door the following day. She had been threatening for years to get me back for a surprise visit I paid her about 6 years ago. I had been living in Brazil for about a year, and decided to come home for a week without telling anyone except my best friend Kate, who picked me up from the airport. As we were driving home from the airport on the dirt road to my moms house, we spotted her and my aunt in the car ahead of us.
Kate blew by those two women on the dirt road. As they looked over to see whom the maniac was that would pass someone on a 30 mph dirt road, I waved and smiled at them. The looks on their faces were priceless! They couldnt believe they were seeing me in that car! My mom appeared shocked, surprised and a little confused all at the same time. Though shes never admitted it, I secretly wonder if her first thought upon seeing me might have been that I had left my marriage. What DOES one think when their child shows up unannounced from a foreign country?
My marriage is fine, Mom.
The isolation is getting to me.
And I miss shopping.
Kate and I beat them to the house and were waiting for them on the front step when they drove up the driveway.
Im not the only one in my family who pulls stunts like that. My dad shocked me the year I was pregnant with Boo. Dix was out of town for work and my birthday was the following day. As was typical, my parents lived far away from me. One night at about 9:00 PM, my doorbell rang. Standing at my doorstep was my dad.
I was stunned. What was he doing there? I couldnt speak.
Wheres the nearest grocery store? He asked. We have spaghetti to make.
Throughout my childhood, my dad had always cooked spaghetti for my birthday. He had come all that way to surprise me with my very favorite birthday dinner.
So you see, surprise trips are not a foreign concept to my family. I didnt put it past my mother to show up at our Old Key West door. It would be a welcome surprise.
Shortly after my conversation with mom, and before I even finished my Love Coffee, Siss voice called me from the bedroom. That was a short nap! I was sure she would sleep at least an hour or more. Oh well, what could I do? I put her on the ground and she ran to Boo.
Quiet time was over.
It took about one minute before they were running around the room yelling. It took about five minutes before they were fighting. It took about ten before I was yelling and they were running and still fighting.
My mood was going south, fast. One of our main reasons for coming on this trip was to get outside and have some fun. Instead, here we were at Disneyworld, pent up in our room while it was cold outside. Thats exactly the scenario from home from which we were trying to escape.
I wasnt going to waste a WDW afternoon by staying inside in disharmony. Cold or not, we were going outside to have some fun. I put them both in their fleece pants, grabbed my key card, and pushed them out the door.
We walked over to the play area behind the quiet pool. Boo loved it, but I quickly realized it wasnt the place for Sis. First of all, she was wearing her fleece-lined jeans. She has a really hard time walking in them, and seems to lose her balance quite a bit when she is wearing them. That made climbing around on the equipment hard for her. Also, the slides and ladders were not really her size; I had to follow her to make sure she didnt fall or get hurt.
She became discouraged, turned her attention toward the pool, and spent her energies trying to escape from me to play in the pool. She cant swim, and even if she had a life jacket on, it was way too cold.
Boo wanted me to watch all the way dangerous things he was doing. To him a way dangerous thing is putting one leg up on the swing while keeping his other foot on the ground and balancing precariously like that. I tried to show appropriate appreciation for these stunts while I continued to block Sis from bolting toward the pool.
As Boo became louder in his demands for my attention and Sis became more forceful in her attempts to escape, my frustration grew.
I told the kids we had to leave. Wed just go back to the room and watch TV with NO FIGHTING!
I carried Sis to our door since those pants seemed to be holding her back. While I searched for my key card in my pocket, I had to set Sis down and hold her arm because she had decided the bolting game was fun and still wanted to try to run away from me. With one hand firmly on her and another in my pocket, I finally found the card key.
It didnt work. I tried it again. It still didnt work.
I studied the card. Oh no! It had Port Orleans printed on it.
Why didnt I listen to Dix when he told me not to grab the wrong key card?
We would have to get another key card, and there was only one place to do that: the Hospitality House. There was only one way for us to get there, and that was by bus. With Boo trailing behind, I packed Sis to the bus stop. It wasnt far from our room, but it sure seemed like it was while lugging a 25-pound child.
We waited a long time for a bus to come. I have to admit that my love for Old Key West wavered at that bus stop. I was irritated that it was going to take so long just to get a new room key. Why did the hospitality house have to be so far away?
Finally, an Animal Kingdom bus pulled up to the stop. Can you take us to the hospitality house? I asked.
I can take you anywhere, maam! the bus driver said. I smiled. I needed a little kindness.
The bus was empty except for us, so I chatted with the driver on the way to the hospitality house. He asked me if we had eaten at Olivias and mentioned that many locals go there because the food is so good. He personally loved the seafood.
There was no line to at the reception desk and it took no time at all for the cast member to issue me a new key card. The DVC salesperson offered the kids each a balloon which they happily accepted.
I was in a hurry to catch the bus back to the room, because I knew Dix would be back any minute. As I hurried out of the door, I realized our Anti-Stress-And-Worry-Plan was not working because I sure felt stressed! The Plan did not address a situation in which I might be lost or delayed!
Dix would have no idea where we were, and though I knew he wouldnt necessarily be worried, a late arrival back at the room would set back any plans we wanted to make for the evening. I also felt badly that he probably hurried back, and we wouldnt even be there. I had to laugh when I remembered my urge to sarcastically write my name on his grocery list to remind him who his wife was. I was the one that was lost now!
As we waited for the bus, I asked the Love Boat bell staff what time it was and how long they thought it would be until the next bus came. Their answer: 4:05 PM and would be 15-20 minutes until the next bus.
We were late. Dix was supposed to be back to the room by 3:45. He would have been waiting at least 20 minutes so far. One of the bellhops pointed and suggested that I walk over a bridge, through some grass, and across a road if I wanted to catch a bus in the next 10 minutes. My walk over to that stop would only be 5 minutes.
The other bellhop scoffed at this suggestion. Shes carrying a 20-pound kid, he said.
25 pounds, I corrected him.
We all laughed.
I decided there was no way I could walk to the other stop with Sis in my arms. I tallied up our time back to the room and decided to use the phone in the hospitality house to leave a message for Dix that we were running late. As I turned away, one of the bellhops stopped me. Hey look, if you need to get to your room, Ill just take you. Its no problem.
I wanted to kiss him! I loaded the kids and the new balloons into his van, and he had us to our room in under a minute.
Thank you, nice Love-Boat-bellhop-guy.
Dix was still not back when we entered our room with my new OKW keycard. The message light on the telephone was flashing. I picked it up:
He walked in as I was listening to the message. He was concerned that he had taken too long and we had been bored while he was gone. What little did he know!
Next Installment::
Part 8...The Hanky Panky Promise
Previous Installments:
Without Usable Points, Pretrip
Part 1...We are NOT wanted by the FBI!!
Part 2...I am NOT a drug addict!!
Part 3...Who put this diaper on me?
Part 4... Just leave me for dead on the side of the road!
Part 5... Where is Dix?
Part 6... The Brat Hat!
Me, Rae, 34, Disney lover
Dix, 43, Great guy who will never again forget the Unofficial Guide
Boo, 4.95 year-old picky eater wearing a Brat Hat
Sis, 1.95 year-old who can holler louder than a blowhorn
Goldi Locks, Nice DVC member who traded her points with us
Laser-accuser guy: Nice man helping out with world safety
Mr. Customs Man: Grumpy, serious guy in uniform with no patience for drugs or childbirth
Mr. And Mrs. No Manners: Rude people who pop up with different faces throughout our trip
Cute little girl in the front: Loud mouth who unintentionally traumatizes kids young kids on rides
Cousin: Make-up-less advisor whose areas of expertise include hats and droopy b**b prevention
My Dad: Fearless landrover driver
My Mom: Woman who loves blues and yellows
Inventory of important trip items:
Three new premium annual passes
Fancy Laser Camera
Unofficial Guide to Disneyworld
Missing Disney Dining Experience cards
Brat Hat
After the Animal Kingdom bus dropped us off at Port Orleans, we promptly loaded in the car for the drive to Old Key West. We had packed the car before we left our Port Orleans room that morning so leaving Port Orleans took no time at all. The car was incredibly warm from sitting in the sun, and Siss eyes became heavy the minute the heat from the car radiated through her chilled skin.
The drive to Old Key West took only a few minutes, and as we drove onto the resort grounds, I immediately understood why Dix had been impressed with the landscaping. After having lived in terrain covered in snow and dead brown plants for the last three months, that greenery was so very welcome to our eyes! The light-colored hospitality building was a stark contrast to all the green foliage surrounding it, and images of cocktails, cabanas, and a smiling reception of Love Boat hosts came to my mind.
I stayed in the car while Dix entered the hospitality house to ask if our room was ready. I laughed when I realized that behind the white podium by the drop-off area, there were several cast members greeting people as they walked toward the hospitality house. They must have been the bell service staff and though they werent exactly Love Boat Captain Stubing, Cruise Director Julie McCoy, or 'Gopher' Smith, they still looked very welcoming and professional from the distance. I would find out later that afternoon how great that crew really is.
We had been assigned to Building 42, and I marveled at the size of Old Key West as we drove to our room. The units seemed like nice residential condos! The grounds and buildings appeared so established, I had to remind myself that people didnt actually live in these units and instead were short term vacationers just like me.
A home away from home.
We had requested a room in the Turtle Pond area, and found ourselves directly across from the quiet pool. Too bad it was so cold; that quiet pool was in a perfect location for us.
Disers have reported that the rooms at OKW are large. Theyve reported that theyre nice.
They werent kidding.
I absolutely loved the room! 950 square feet for the three of us was definitely adequate. The bathroom was enormous, and I was surprised to find a tile floor and a large tile shower with a glass door rather than a plastic shower with vinyl shower curtain. I knew from the DIS that the bathtub was an oversized jet tub, but I didnt realize that there would be one large tile step leading to it. I also didnt realize that there would be a pedestal sink in the bath section as well as a nice sink and countertop in the shower section.
The washing machine and dryer were larger than the ones I have at home and the kitchen was a nice full-sized kitchen, garbage disposal and all.
The faux wood blinds on the living room windows impressed me because sometimes the window treatments in hotels look exactly like what they are: gaudy hotel curtains. Those wood blinds were a nice change and made it feel more like home.
A home away from home. Thank you, Goldi Locks.
When we finished unloading the car, I made a grocery list for Dix to take to the store. Before he left, we made an Anti-Stress-And-Worry-Plan so that if he became lost like he did the night before, I wouldnt be so worried. He was leaving our room at 2:30. We would expect him back no later than 3:45. If he was lost, delayed, or just slow and wouldnt make it back by 3:45, he would call on his charged cell phone that was hanging from his belt. I handed him a piece of paper with our telephone number, room number and address. I considered writing my name on the paper as well to remind him who his wife was, but I decided not to because ribbing jokes like that really arent that funny and are kind of mean. Besides, why would I want to be sarcastic and make fun of him for getting lost the night before?
He told me he would stop by the bellhop podium on his way out and get directions from the Love Boat crew to the nearest grocery store. He thought that while he was near community hall he would buy a refillable mug of soda. I thought this was a great plan. We had covered all the bases.
Before he left, he quickly made me a pot of Starbucks coffee from the coffee beans I had stashed in our suitcase before we left. He is hands-down the best coffee maker I have ever known and makes all the coffee in our house. Though I love to cook, he has spoiled me with his coffee and if hes not around and I have to make it on my own, I usually have to call him for instructions. He often tells me that it isnt how he makes the coffee that makes it so good, its the love he puts into it.
As he walked out the door, he said, Dont forget to use your Old Key West key card instead of the Port Orleans key card. The Port Orleans card wont work anymore.
Yeah, yeah, I mumbled. I was looking through the sugar tray in the kitchen to find some sweetener that didnt have causes cancer in laboratory animals printed on the package.
We had requested a full size crib, and it had been placed in the master bedroom. Before I poured my coffee, I put Sis her in the crib and kissed her goodnight. I was surprised that she didnt cry or fuss about her new surroundings, and I imagine she was almost asleep by the time I left the room and closed the door behind me.
Boo had found his Peter Pan and Buzz Lightyear action figures in one of our bags, and was happily playing with them on the coffee table in the living room. I figured it would be good for him to just unwind with some private imaginary play.
I sat on the sofa and took a sip of coffee. It must have had a lot of love in it, because it was so good! Either that or the Christmas Blend from Starbucks is a good batch! I called my mother to let her know we had made it safely. She wanted to know all about the kids reactions to the surprise trip, and felt lonesome for them when I described their excitement.
You know, I told your father that I should have just come along to help you with Sis. I could babysit her while you do the parks with Boo, she said.
Unlike some of my friends, who would do anything to avoid being around their parents, I welcome the presence of mine. Living so far away from them all of these years has made me miss them terribly, and I covet any chance my kids have to spend time with them.
I hadnt invited my mom to come with us because our decision to go had been so spontaneous. Also, I hadnt considered that we would have the space. I looked around at our room. Theres certainly room, Mom. Theres more than enough room. You could hop on a plane in the morning with dads frequent flyer miles and be here by afternoon.
Its certainly tempting, but I dont think I can, she told me.
After we said our good-byes, I wondered whether she would show up at our door the following day. She had been threatening for years to get me back for a surprise visit I paid her about 6 years ago. I had been living in Brazil for about a year, and decided to come home for a week without telling anyone except my best friend Kate, who picked me up from the airport. As we were driving home from the airport on the dirt road to my moms house, we spotted her and my aunt in the car ahead of us.
Kate blew by those two women on the dirt road. As they looked over to see whom the maniac was that would pass someone on a 30 mph dirt road, I waved and smiled at them. The looks on their faces were priceless! They couldnt believe they were seeing me in that car! My mom appeared shocked, surprised and a little confused all at the same time. Though shes never admitted it, I secretly wonder if her first thought upon seeing me might have been that I had left my marriage. What DOES one think when their child shows up unannounced from a foreign country?
My marriage is fine, Mom.
The isolation is getting to me.
And I miss shopping.
Kate and I beat them to the house and were waiting for them on the front step when they drove up the driveway.
Im not the only one in my family who pulls stunts like that. My dad shocked me the year I was pregnant with Boo. Dix was out of town for work and my birthday was the following day. As was typical, my parents lived far away from me. One night at about 9:00 PM, my doorbell rang. Standing at my doorstep was my dad.
I was stunned. What was he doing there? I couldnt speak.
Wheres the nearest grocery store? He asked. We have spaghetti to make.
Throughout my childhood, my dad had always cooked spaghetti for my birthday. He had come all that way to surprise me with my very favorite birthday dinner.
So you see, surprise trips are not a foreign concept to my family. I didnt put it past my mother to show up at our Old Key West door. It would be a welcome surprise.
Shortly after my conversation with mom, and before I even finished my Love Coffee, Siss voice called me from the bedroom. That was a short nap! I was sure she would sleep at least an hour or more. Oh well, what could I do? I put her on the ground and she ran to Boo.
Quiet time was over.
It took about one minute before they were running around the room yelling. It took about five minutes before they were fighting. It took about ten before I was yelling and they were running and still fighting.
My mood was going south, fast. One of our main reasons for coming on this trip was to get outside and have some fun. Instead, here we were at Disneyworld, pent up in our room while it was cold outside. Thats exactly the scenario from home from which we were trying to escape.
I wasnt going to waste a WDW afternoon by staying inside in disharmony. Cold or not, we were going outside to have some fun. I put them both in their fleece pants, grabbed my key card, and pushed them out the door.
We walked over to the play area behind the quiet pool. Boo loved it, but I quickly realized it wasnt the place for Sis. First of all, she was wearing her fleece-lined jeans. She has a really hard time walking in them, and seems to lose her balance quite a bit when she is wearing them. That made climbing around on the equipment hard for her. Also, the slides and ladders were not really her size; I had to follow her to make sure she didnt fall or get hurt.
She became discouraged, turned her attention toward the pool, and spent her energies trying to escape from me to play in the pool. She cant swim, and even if she had a life jacket on, it was way too cold.
Boo wanted me to watch all the way dangerous things he was doing. To him a way dangerous thing is putting one leg up on the swing while keeping his other foot on the ground and balancing precariously like that. I tried to show appropriate appreciation for these stunts while I continued to block Sis from bolting toward the pool.
As Boo became louder in his demands for my attention and Sis became more forceful in her attempts to escape, my frustration grew.
I told the kids we had to leave. Wed just go back to the room and watch TV with NO FIGHTING!
I carried Sis to our door since those pants seemed to be holding her back. While I searched for my key card in my pocket, I had to set Sis down and hold her arm because she had decided the bolting game was fun and still wanted to try to run away from me. With one hand firmly on her and another in my pocket, I finally found the card key.
It didnt work. I tried it again. It still didnt work.
I studied the card. Oh no! It had Port Orleans printed on it.
Why didnt I listen to Dix when he told me not to grab the wrong key card?
We would have to get another key card, and there was only one place to do that: the Hospitality House. There was only one way for us to get there, and that was by bus. With Boo trailing behind, I packed Sis to the bus stop. It wasnt far from our room, but it sure seemed like it was while lugging a 25-pound child.
We waited a long time for a bus to come. I have to admit that my love for Old Key West wavered at that bus stop. I was irritated that it was going to take so long just to get a new room key. Why did the hospitality house have to be so far away?
Finally, an Animal Kingdom bus pulled up to the stop. Can you take us to the hospitality house? I asked.
I can take you anywhere, maam! the bus driver said. I smiled. I needed a little kindness.
The bus was empty except for us, so I chatted with the driver on the way to the hospitality house. He asked me if we had eaten at Olivias and mentioned that many locals go there because the food is so good. He personally loved the seafood.
There was no line to at the reception desk and it took no time at all for the cast member to issue me a new key card. The DVC salesperson offered the kids each a balloon which they happily accepted.
I was in a hurry to catch the bus back to the room, because I knew Dix would be back any minute. As I hurried out of the door, I realized our Anti-Stress-And-Worry-Plan was not working because I sure felt stressed! The Plan did not address a situation in which I might be lost or delayed!
Dix would have no idea where we were, and though I knew he wouldnt necessarily be worried, a late arrival back at the room would set back any plans we wanted to make for the evening. I also felt badly that he probably hurried back, and we wouldnt even be there. I had to laugh when I remembered my urge to sarcastically write my name on his grocery list to remind him who his wife was. I was the one that was lost now!
As we waited for the bus, I asked the Love Boat bell staff what time it was and how long they thought it would be until the next bus came. Their answer: 4:05 PM and would be 15-20 minutes until the next bus.
We were late. Dix was supposed to be back to the room by 3:45. He would have been waiting at least 20 minutes so far. One of the bellhops pointed and suggested that I walk over a bridge, through some grass, and across a road if I wanted to catch a bus in the next 10 minutes. My walk over to that stop would only be 5 minutes.
The other bellhop scoffed at this suggestion. Shes carrying a 20-pound kid, he said.
25 pounds, I corrected him.
We all laughed.
I decided there was no way I could walk to the other stop with Sis in my arms. I tallied up our time back to the room and decided to use the phone in the hospitality house to leave a message for Dix that we were running late. As I turned away, one of the bellhops stopped me. Hey look, if you need to get to your room, Ill just take you. Its no problem.
I wanted to kiss him! I loaded the kids and the new balloons into his van, and he had us to our room in under a minute.
Thank you, nice Love-Boat-bellhop-guy.
Dix was still not back when we entered our room with my new OKW keycard. The message light on the telephone was flashing. I picked it up:
"Hey sweetie, its me. Im a bit late. Im in the cheese aisle and want to know if you want Cheddar or Monterey Jack. Love you and Ill be home in a minute. Im not lost."
He walked in as I was listening to the message. He was concerned that he had taken too long and we had been bored while he was gone. What little did he know!
Next Installment::
Part 8...The Hanky Panky Promise
Previous Installments:
Without Usable Points, Pretrip
Part 1...We are NOT wanted by the FBI!!
Part 2...I am NOT a drug addict!!
Part 3...Who put this diaper on me?
Part 4... Just leave me for dead on the side of the road!
Part 5... Where is Dix?
Part 6... The Brat Hat!
