Overdue and Overpacked III: A Tale of Two Cities ~Last Chapter~ 8/22 Page 33

[ILMICKEY]

As I pondered what could possibly be embarrassing about having your mom slide down the waterslide with you and reminding you to watch your little sister, my eyes rested on my son. As his eyes rested on a cute little girl in line directly in front of us. And then it hit me. He was trying to put out the prenager vibe and I was messing it up. So I grabbed him and gave him a big old kiss on the cheek and ruffled his hair with my hand. Squeezed his cheeks and called him Mama’s wittle man. Or at least I wanted to. Instead, I just stood there. The lone adult in a crowd of kids. In my dripping wet bathing suit. Suddenly feeling very... tall. And a little bit sad. Because that one look represented the start of it for me. The dreaded start of the breaking away. Before you know it, he’ll have no time for toys or playing anymore. He’ll be too busy heading out the door to meet his buddies or picking up his date for the prom. Which is how it should be. It’s my prayer that he’s able to experience all the irreplaceable joys those days will bring. I just don’t want it to come too soon.

Yet I know full well it will.

Oh Lala, I'm tearing up over this one cause it is SO true! My baby turns 16 3 months. My oldest son graduates this year. I'd like to think they need me, well they do really, but only when they can't find something. I remember holding their hands crossing the street, pushing them in carts, heck picking up and carrying them. I soooooo miss that.
No one can take the memories away though no matter how old they get.
You get to keep them FOREVER! I know by reading your trip reports that you have lots of them planted deep in that head of yours. And know what? You've planted them deep in theirs too!

Epicot.

Ahhhh yeah baby!

Up Next: The LaLas Get Publicly Humiliated. Again.

OH NO! This doesn't sound real good.

Great update. They make my day!

 

[TyRy]

Thanks for all the great updates LaLa - I'd missed the last three. Your pics and descriptions of IOA are great as we've never been there...almost makes me want to try and fit it in this trip. And two things I have to totally agree with you on:

On our last trip to the US side of Universal we stood in front of the Mummy and I didn't know what it was like...was it like Star Tours or Dinosaur? DH can't handle anything like Star Tours so we ended up not doing it...found out later is was more like Dinosaur....I'll be better about doing my ride homework from now on!

I have no sense of direction whatsoever. DH can visit a place once (like after our first trip to Disney) and when we went back 4 years later, he didn't have to look at any maps for getting around/driving anywhere. He just knew. UGH! As soon as I lose Lake Michigan (which is East for me and I happen to have a lovely view of at work) I'm doomed. When we live in NY for a bit, the picture of the lake had to be on the East wall so I could have some sense of direction Hey it was East - just if you went the long way around the world

Ty

 

[AshClan]

I got some quick directions, thanked him and we took off like a shot. In a half run, half walk. Wanting to hurry up and get where we were going but still not wanting to shift into complete dork mode just yet. In these instances, the half run, half walk, half dork is the ticket.

Sorry, La, but I think the half run/half walk thing is often dorkier than a full out run. Unless you were thinking of doing the run Phoebe Buffay-style, of course.

The point is that I have a horrible sense of direction. So over the years I’ve come to rely on my husband, who has an uncanny ability to find his way around even unfamiliar territory, to get me where I need to be.

Wait. Isn't this the man who drove you OUT of Disney World on more than one occasion?

He looked me dead in the eye, laughed and said one word. "No." Then he climbed back into his bus and left.

Sounds eerily like the "service" people at the THREE Game Stops I recently visited in my search for Mario Kart Wii.

About fifteen minutes later, I spotted a couple of housekeepers and became giddy at the thought of having another human being sharing our air space. As they walked past, I ventured, “Excuse me, miss?” One of the ladies hesitated and glanced back over her shoulder at me. And managed a weak “Aloha”.

Seriously. You had to know how this would turn out. At least she didn't try to teach you how to make coffee. Again.

So You Think You're an American Idol

DED. But yo, yo, listen up. Why only Simon and Paula? Dawg.

The guests, and there were plenty of them, were all wearing cocktail dresses and suits that even PDiddy would be jealous of.

Ah yes, the true test of fashion mettle. The Diddy Quotient.

A steady stream of water is dripping over our eyebrows and off our noses. Our eyes are blood red and 2/3 of us are sporting the type of red marks across our faces that come from wearing a pair of goggles tight enough to cut off all circulation to the brain.

So you're telling me that the boy was more embarrassed by his mom telling him to watch his little sister than he was by the fact that he had a pair of big honkin' GOGGLES on his face?! Not to worry, La. He's obviously not a teenager yet!

I ordered the Huli Huli chicken sandwich and it was served with “fried yucca” on the side. Honestly, I didn’t have high hopes for it but as it turns out, I loved it. It tasted like a cross between a steak fry and a dill pickle. Which sounds like a weird combo. But it worked.

Yum, sounds almost as good as an onion ring and an olive.

With full blown giddiness welling up in my belly,

Sure you're not pregnant?

I thanked her profusely and when I hung up, I did the Joe Horn dance, the Macarena, the Running Man, the Sprinkler, the Chicken Noodle Soup AND the Elaine kick shuffle dance all at the same time.

And what did the judges say about that one?!

Simon: "That was the most horrendous Running Man I've ever seen! Seriously, you would have been better off sticking to the 1/2 walk, 1/2 run, 1/2 dork."

Paula: "La, you show so much heart and creativity in your dance. Your spirit truly shines through!"

Randy: "Yo, listen up, listen up. Dawg, I don't know what you were trying to do there, but I think you made me a little sick to my stomach. I'm sorry, dude, but I don't think that performance is gonna get you to the next round. Oh, and by the way, don't ever try to shut me out again. Dawg."

Up Next: The LaLas Get Publicly Humiliated. Again.

Uh Oh.

 

[ukwildcat]

So I raised my hands up in the air and did the head banger thing as we walked up the steps for yet another go on the slide.

Which may have been why the boy began to distance himself from me.

Ever so slightly.

Ha! If it makes you feel better, then so be it. I think we both know better, though.

Oh, and we've had to cancel our US trip until next month. Something about our babysitter going off to college, or something else that doesn't really concern me. Except for the fact it's delaying our trip.

Nice chapter. Here's one of these for good measure:

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Lala, I think this was of one of your greatest chapters ever!

I can ALMOST forgive you for tanking my Disney 401K. Almost!

But you did save your hide a little by wanting to go to Epicot over Ersal.

Fantastc job!

 

[Chapter 11]

And to us, vacation without a waterslide is like Sonny without the Cher. Hall without the Oates. Luke without the Laura. Peanut butter without the jelly. Chang chang changity chang without the shoo bop.

Hollywood without Wolfman. Cougar without Merlin. We get the point.

In these instances, the half run, half walk, half dork is the ticket.

More Frick Math (NOFrick)?

Which is one of the reasons he always drives. Three guesses what the other one is.

'Cause he's a guy. Sheesh.

As the band began to play again, I dipped my head down into the pool to check out The Cooler Than Cool Underwater Speakers.

And then I smiled weakly and said “Huh. How ‘bout that? They actually work.”

To no one in particular.

Are you trying to make me depressed? Sigh.

Up Next: The LaLas Get Publicly Humiliated. Again.

Shouldn't this just be the title to the whole TR? I'm sensing a theme.

 

[PrincessV]

Pool hopping. Encouraged! Can you believe it?!

A thousand locked threads just rolled over in their graves.

You just gotta love a man who volunteers to do the laundry all by himself on vacation. That is allright in my book.

You've got a good one.

So while my sweet man laundered and folded...

He FOLDS too?!?!?!

As he rounded the corner and disappeared from my line of vision, I remember thinking how much his little back looked exactly the way it did when he was a baby. Only bigger. Broader. And stronger.

Funny the details Moms focus on.

Okay, this brought tears to my eyes! I know - that seems strange. But when my guy (now 6yo) firs started walking, I took a photo of him from behind at the beach. He was looking out to sea, little back stretched yet relaxed, his reflection captured in the back flow of a wave. I've taken that same shot year after year and continually marvel at exactly what you described - how his back looks exactly the same and completely different.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

And what did the judges say about that one?!

Simon: "That was the most horrendous Running Man I've ever seen! Seriously, you would have been better off sticking to the 1/2 walk, 1/2 run, 1/2 dork."

Paula: "La, you show so much heart and creativity in your dance. Your spirit truly shines through!"

Randy: "Yo, listen up, listen up. Dawg, I don't know what you were trying to do there, but I think you made me a little sick to my stomach. I'm sorry, dude, but I don't think that performance is gonna get you to the next round. Oh, and by the way, don't ever try to shut me out again. Dawg."



Uh Oh.

 

[micandminforever]

Thanks for letting us know we can pool hop at Universal. That is valuable information.

You should go on the road with your trip reports, you're better than the sign guy.

 

[tina_la]

She put me on hold for a minute or two, then came back on the line and said “Yes maam, they’re good for any park. You don’t have to use them at the Magic Kingdom, you can use them at any of Disney’s four theme parks.

HALELUJAH THANK YOU JESUS!

I was SO excited.

With full blown giddiness welling up in my belly, I verified with her one more time the fact that we would be able to use our P&PP tickets for admittance to any of the four parks the next day. She assured me all we had to do was use the tickets at the turnstiles and they would work just like a regular Key to the World/admission ticket.

Remember that part.

[/B]

I kinda got the feeling this is not going to go well.

 

[tinkermamaof2]

Lala,
I understand seeing your child in a different but same way. Not to scare you, but wait until you look at your 12 year old daughter from behind. I'm near tears daily, and I have another to go through it with. They look the same as the day they were born but somehow different. Beautiful in the end. When I look at my husband he looks the same everyday, but when I see old pictures I look at him and think...Who are you and what have you done with my husband? No matter who he is...I believe I can entice him with the Universal express pass, and some additional days at Disney.....Only because I look the same as I did the day I met Him!

Patti

 

[LegoMom3]

So I came on the Trip Reports board to see if our Zzub was around these days.

And instead I found LaLa. Which is a very good thing! I actually recognized the name from previous Zzub TRs.

I came on in, saw the date of the first post, and immediately felt like the last guest showing up at a wedding and trying to sneak in the back door.

Needless to say, I have a lot of catching up to do, but I will catch up!

Good stuff, this.


.

 

[ZZUB]

I came on hear to see if LegoMom3 was looking for me and accidentally got stuck reading your recent chapter.

Well, turned around may be a better word for it.

Actually, "turned around" are two words. But that can't possibly make a bit of difference.

Could he actually be…embarrassed? Of moi?

I'm going out on a limb here and say, yes. And at his tender age, too. He must be advanced. You said he was a Bama fan, right? That explains a lot.

As the band began to play again, I dipped my head down into the pool to check out The Cooler Than Cool Underwater Speakers. And then I smiled weakly and said “Huh. How ‘bout that? They actually work.”

You shouldn't talk under water, you could drown.

I can’t tell you how much we enjoyed that meal.

Why not? Because you hardly know us or because you would clearly violate the Disboard terms of service or because you can't think of any over-played 80's music or movie reference to liken it to?

Once we finished our meal, it was dark and the resort looked beautiful all lit up for the evening.

(Because Chapter 11 walked right past this one), we'll have to take your word for it.

Hands down one of your funniest chapters. Hands up and to the side as well, I suppose.

 

[nicolemarie]

LA!!!

Do you have ANY IDEA how much I could have used the hilarity of this latest installment this morning? During my 45 minutes of hell? (Will that be censored?) Oh, if only I'd known you had a new one posted.

Anywho, I may be late, but at least the smell is gone. ZZUB, have you been eating Mexican again?

Sheesh.

Girl, where do I begin? Maybe I'm delirious, but I honestly just laughed harder than I've laughed in a REALLY long time. That was one freakin' HYSTERICAL installment.

So.

Instead of trying to make comments on every single funny thing you wrote, I'm just gonna hit my faves. And then I'll make fun of your low light photography, and sign you up for my latest low light course. The registration fee is a steep $1000, but that includes a new camera. Cause it looks like you could use one.

Heh heh. (Where the heck is Mel???)

And in my book, that’s just downright bad. If not phat. With shades of bomb diggity.

You could take a neon orange inflatable three ring pool from the Dollar Tree, back it on up to a swingset and snake a garden hose down the slide and tell me you’ve got underwater speakers incorporated in it and MY TAIL WOULD BE THERE.

His eyes briefly rested on the overpacked beach bag I was dragging behind me and he observed the kids poking each other in the ears with spit covered fingers and laughing like there was no tomorrow. And then he quickly followed it with “but if you miss that one, another one will be along shortly after that.”

In a half run, half walk. Wanting to hurry up and get where we were going but still not wanting to shift into complete dork mode just yet. In these instances, the half run, half walk, half dork is the ticket.

And as she inched closer toward me, she smiled shyly and repeated “Aloha?”

Great. Here we go again.

You should assume she no speaka de English.

So I raised my hands up in the air and did the head banger thing as we walked up the steps for yet another go on the slide.

Which may have been why the boy began to distance himself from me.

(The mental image of YOUR CRAZY SELF doing this sent me over the edge.)

So I grabbed him and gave him a big old kiss on the cheek and ruffled his hair with my hand. Squeezed his cheeks and called him Mama’s wittle man.

So I shuffle the 3 foot wide beach bag I’m dragging over my shoulder and pick her up. Then I walk straight up to one of the servers, grab a lil sumpm sumpm off his tray, wave hello to him with my hair and cooly venture, “Pardon me. Would you have any Grey Poupon?”

It's me, baby. Even when it's you, it's me.

ALL of these were seriously funny. I enjoyed this installment so much. Too bad I didn't know about it earlier.

Girl, I'm so happy y'all got a bonus trip to Epicot!! That is some dang good bang for the PPP ticket buck.

And that's also a great picture of the Epcot ball with the Flower and Garden stuff in front. Almost makes up for that sad little picture of the Royal Pacific at night.

You know I love ya, though.

Thanks for the AWESOME installment. I don't usually like to agree with ZZUB, but I'm gonna have to. This may be your funniest installment yet.

Keep it comin', sweet friend...

 

[angelmav]

WOW, just spent the day blowing off my family to catch up with yours and what a ride it has been! Cant wait to see how it all turns out!

 

[Nie0214]

Pool hopping. Encouraged! Can you believe it?!

A thousand locked threads just rolled over in their graves.

I'm still laughing about this.

 

[Frickles]

LALA!!!!

Just leaving you a lil note to let you know that I am in serious 'catch up' mode here. I think I am about two pages away from having read it all!!!!! If you've been wondering where I've been and what I've been doing.... let me tell ya. I've been vacationing, perfecting my ham recipe, rehearsing moves from the show So You Think You Can Dance to use at the next party I go to, searching for Mel's lost blog, watching Top Gun so I can figure out what you're saying, watching the political news channels so I can figure out what Zzub is saying, working out the cramps in my toes from standing in heels all day, finishing my own tr (Z, kiss my grits), hanging out on the front row of the Kenny Chesney concert, working on getting crookedy teeth fixed, planning our 'we aren't going to Disney this year because DH wants to go somewhere else' trip and, most importantly, spending time with my kids & husband. BUT, tonight was the perfect time for me to catch up with the LaLa's and I'm glad I did. Y'all sure are funny! I'm loving it girl!!!!!

 

[MomofCKJ]

Great installment Lala! Side note, it is funny to call you that as that is the name of one of my DD's hermit crabs!

It sounds like you and the kiddos had such a great time swimming! I know what you mean about seeing your kids growing up and things moving so fast. It is so, so true.

Another public embarassment? Another one? Whoa, can't wait to hear this one!

Allyson

 

[LaLa]

The stench is STILL here.

Which reminds me.

Because the start of school is just around the corner, I took the kids shopping for school clothes the other day. And in the process nearly lost my sanity. But that's not the funny part. As we pulled into the mall parking lot, the first store that came into the boy's view was Sears. He immediately got irrate.

"Oh no. No WAY are you gettin' me in Sears. I'm not going in there."

I explained to him that I wasn't really planning on going in Sears in the first place and then asked him what Sears ever did to him. To which he replied "It smells like the No Fun Zone in there." The No Fun Zone?! That's a new one. Fighting back laughter, I asked him what on earth the No Fun Zone smelled like and he quickly responded "Lawyer's suits."

I almost drove off the road and hit a stop sign.

We already knew ZZUB smelled like the No Fun Zone (for obvious reasons) but apparently now Chappie's lumped into that category as well. But I'd take it with a grain of salt though, boys. This is coming from the same kid who informed us on our trip in October (very matter of factly) that maids are afraid of everything except their husbands.

We're still not entirely sure what it means.

Now then. I see Ash is a shoo in for the longest response award AND the funniest response award as well. And if I handed out either of those awards, she would be the winner. But since I don't, she gets the same thing everyone else is getting. Jacksquat. Well, that and my humble thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts. I really do appreciate the responses and I love reading every one of them.

Oh Lala, I'm tearing up over this one cause it is SO true! My baby turns 16 3 months. My oldest son graduates this year. I'd like to think they need me, well they do really, but only when they can't find something. I remember holding their hands crossing the street, pushing them in carts, heck picking up and carrying them. I soooooo miss that.
No one can take the memories away though no matter how old they get.
You get to keep them FOREVER! I know by reading your trip reports that you have lots of them planted deep in that head of yours. And know what? You've planted them deep in theirs too!

Thanks for this, IlMickey. It made ME tear up just a little. It really does blow my mind thinking about how fast they grow. We attended a wedding this weekend and the bride was just a little girl when I befriended her mom. She was roughly the same age as the boy at the time. As we watched her walk down the aisle, beautiful and glowing and all grown up, I watched my friend's face and knew she was wondering where the time had gone. Or maybe the look on her face was one of regret over how much they spent on the fruit tower. Regardless, its crazy how fast they grow up. Thanks for your words of encouragement.

Wait. Isn't this the man who drove you OUT of Disney World on more than one occasion?

In his defense, Tom Petty made him do it. Had he not been playing the air guitar to "Runnin' Down a Dream", or singing the words to "You Got Lucky" and tickling me under my chin while driving, he would've gotten us back where we needed to be. Safe and sound. I think.

DED. But yo, yo, listen up. Why only Simon and Paula? Dawg.

Ash, Randy's been done to death around our house. Seriously. If I hear another "yo yo yo listen up, it was a little pitchy, it was just a-ight for me dawg, you keep workin ya thang, dawg" , I just might scream. That's how much Randy speak goes on in our house. So in short, I guess they just weren't feelin' it.

Simon: "That was the most horrendous Running Man I've ever seen! Seriously, you would have been better off sticking to the 1/2 walk, 1/2 run, 1/2 dork."

Paula: "La, you show so much heart and creativity in your dance. Your spirit truly shines through!"

Randy: "Yo, listen up, listen up. Dawg, I don't know what you were trying to do there, but I think you made me a little sick to my stomach. I'm sorry, dude, but I don't think that performance is gonna get you to the next round. Oh, and by the way, don't ever try to shut me out again. Dawg."

And that's the ballgame. But should I be concerned that I can actually hear Paula slurring those words in my head?

But you did save your hide a little by wanting to go to Epicot over Ersal.

Was there ever any doubt? Hello? It's Epicot, baby!

Cause he's a guy. Sheesh.

Touche.

Okay, this brought tears to my eyes! I know - that seems strange. But when my guy (now 6yo) firs started walking, I took a photo of him from behind at the beach. He was looking out to sea, little back stretched yet relaxed, his reflection captured in the back flow of a wave. I've taken that same shot year after year and continually marvel at exactly what you described - how his back looks exactly the same and completely different.

PrincessV, that's so sweet. I know those pictures are such a treasure to you and I have no doubt they'll be that much more special to you the older he gets. I have several of the "from the back" pictures taken on the beach as well and those are some of my favorites. It's amazing how they can look so different yet so unchanged through the years, isn't it?

Thanks for letting us know we can pool hop at Universal. That is valuable information.

Glad to help.

Lala,
I understand seeing your child in a different but same way. Not to scare you, but wait until you look at your 12 year old daughter from behind. I'm near tears daily, and I have another to go through it with. They look the same as the day they were born but somehow different. Beautiful in the end. When I look at my husband he looks the same everyday, but when I see old pictures I look at him and think...Who are you and what have you done with my husband? No matter who he is...I believe I can entice him with the Universal express pass, and some additional days at Disney.....Only because I look the same as I did the day I met Him!

Patti

I loved this, Patti. Made me smile huge and then laugh out loud.

So I came on the Trip Reports board to see if our Zzub was around these days.

And instead I found LaLa. Which is a very good thing! I actually recognized the name from previous Zzub TRs.

I came on in, saw the date of the first post, and immediately felt like the last guest showing up at a wedding and trying to sneak in the back door.

Needless to say, I have a lot of catching up to do, but I will catch up!

Good stuff, this.

LegoMom3, so glad you found us! Thanks for jumping on board!

You shouldn't talk under water, you could drown.

Yes maam. Next you'll be telling me not to run with scissors and that my face will freeze like that.

Why not? Because you hardly know us or because you would clearly violate the Disboard terms of service or because you can't think of any over-played 80's music or movie reference to liken it to?

Yes.

I love your dancing abilities. I once broke out the "elaine" in the middle of Chili's and someone wanted to know if I was having a seizure. Ah well.

You must've had the lettuce wraps beforehand. Those are Elaine dance worthy.

LA!!!

Do you have ANY IDEA how much I could have used the hilarity of this latest installment this morning? During my 45 minutes of hell? (Will that be censored?) Oh, if only I'd known you had a new one posted.

Too bad I didn't know about it earlier.

What, ZZUB didn't send a message through his dog?! Slacker.

Girl, where do I begin? Maybe I'm delirious, but I honestly just laughed harder than I've laughed in a REALLY long time. That was one freakin' HYSTERICAL installment.

You must've been delirious. But thanks for the props anyway, chick!

Heh heh. (Where the heck is Mel???)

I don't know but if you see her around, tell her I miss her crazy, funny butt.

LALA!!!!

Just leaving you a lil note to let you know that I am in serious 'catch up' mode here. I think I am about two pages away from having read it all!!!!! If you've been wondering where I've been and what I've been doing.... let me tell ya. I've been vacationing, perfecting my ham recipe, rehearsing moves from the show So You Think You Can Dance to use at the next party I go to, searching for Mel's lost blog, watching Top Gun so I can figure out what you're saying, watching the political news channels so I can figure out what Zzub is saying, working out the cramps in my toes from standing in heels all day, finishing my own tr (Z, kiss my grits), hanging out on the front row of the Kenny Chesney concert, working on getting crookedy teeth fixed, planning our 'we aren't going to Disney this year because DH wants to go somewhere else' trip and, most importantly, spending time with my kids & husband. BUT, tonight was the perfect time for me to catch up with the LaLa's and I'm glad I did. Y'all sure are funny! I'm loving it girl!!!!!

Frick! So what you're saying is you've been jugglin', strugglin, closing big deals? Dancing backwards in high heels? Good to see you back around, chick! I thought you'd just up and gone into a ham and cookie catering business. Little did I know you'd been up to your neck working six days a week, wearing holes in the shoes on your feet. Glad to hear you're making time for the good stuff. In the summertime. And don't worry about the Top Gun stuff. I'll find a way to adjust so you can keep up, chick. LY/MI!

Great installment Lala! Side note, it is funny to call you that as that is the name of one of my DD's hermit crabs!

For some reason, LaLa seems to be a popular pet name. At least she didn't name her crab Elvis though.

And Alice28, TyRy, UKWildcat, TinaLa, angelmav, Nie0214: Thanks so much for posting. I really appreciate yall taking the time to read and respond.

Yall rock!

All of you except the ones in the No Fun Zone, that is.

 

[Quennifer2008]

Last edited by LaLa : Today at 01:24 AM. Reason: Banker's suits smell bad enough. But those lawyer's suits are THE WORST!

DUDE

What did I ever do to you

Besides, I shower almost everyday

And sometimes with soap

Anywho
Funny funny installment
And I see I am a little behind
Cause everyone else beat me to it

I was at the gas station doing my grocery shopping

NOCH11

As every chapter goes by I want to at least try out Universal
But it seems we have promised the next 50 years to Disney and the Villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge, I don't know if we will

I love me some Epicot