Two moms get away to act like teenagers...or do they? The End! (Feb 18-21, 2011)

[lbuzz52]

hope your move goes smoothly!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Just wanted to leave a quick note. As of next Monday, I probably will not have internet until the following Monday with this move. I know I will have a lot of catching up to do.

Vickie, take your time.

It's funny how about the time you run out of time, so do I! I found some time this evening to do a small update...I think.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Title being the opposite of: Hurry Up and Wait!

We had an appointment at one of my favorite parks, Epcot!!

This being February, they were just getting some of the lovely foliage out, and there was a lot to see. It was exciting for me, but also for Melissa, I think, because it was new for her, too! That was a treat -- that Melissa didn't know ahead of time what we'd see.

I post these pictures with the resigned knowledge that they won't hold a candle to what Melissa will post, but at least I'm first!!

While it looks easy to just get a picture of these, realize that dozens of people were trying to get them, too. And that many wanted other people in front of them, so we'd patiently take our time "in line" to wait for our chance just to properly photograph them without a body in the pic.

I like this one the best -- notice the kite in the far left corner!

It took a lot of time to get Donald. This was definitely the "Slow Down" part of our tour...

On our way through the Future World into World Showcase, there are some purple martin houses -- I didn't get a good pic of them, but here's what I got:

We had to stop here for a moment...I don't remember what Melissa was doing, but I waited here in Norway and snapped this pic.

Some kid walked by and said, "What is that?" to me. Here was my opportunity to prove that age meant worldliness -- that you should know about other countries and their culture, stories and ideals. I paused emphatically and said,

"I don't know."

He walked away with a look of "then why in the world are you taking a picture of it?", and I turned away and hung my head in shame.

I didn't tell Melissa about this encounter when she returned, but again returned to busying myself with taking unexciting pictures.

The second one might have at least been pretty if that tree was green.

We walked into China, and I distressingly took another lame picture.

We walked into the shop. Maybe some happy, chubby cats would cheer me up?

My DH likes elephants, and I saw a multitude on one table...I figured I would take a picture of them and share them in that way. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that a multitude of of multi-colored elephants, taken far away, would turn into little more than a bunch of indistinct blobs with trunks and tusks.

They had some BEAUTIFUL panda bears under glass, and I couldn't wait to take their picture! I must have taken 5 of them. Those Chinese vendors know what they're doing. This was not an easy shot, what with the glass overhead, the glass underneath, the lack of colors other than black & white, and not the best lighting, otherwise.

Melissa will probably come along behind me with a stunning picture of these.

I once heard that the second floors of WDW places have doll-sized furniture so as to make things look more proportional, as they get taller. Here's a picture that might show that...along with some people hanging out in the 'hood.

I don't know if these kids got into the creepy-looking hotel door, or not.

Don't ask me why I was stalking them.

There's more to come -- I think I got carried away, anyway, what with my BFF asking me to take it slow!!

 

[jmskinner]

hope your move goes smoothly!!

Thanks! Right now we need all the we can get. I'm ready to walk out the door and never return. At least I have this trip to remember and cheer me up.


Vickie, I didn't know Robert liked elephants. And you are right about that pic, looking at the Ivory (?) ones hurt my eyes. I'm wondering if in person it has the same affect?

 

[jmskinner]

Well, this is going to be short and sweet.

I took the exact same shot as Vickie of Mickie and the gang, but also took these




Vickie, was it you and I that kept having to wait for the family to take Daisy's pic and then Donald's? If it was, I just remember thinking "Oh come on!"

And too funny about that topiary in Norway. It is there every single year, but I don't know what it is either. If you haven't been to Epcot during the F&G Festival, a lot of the topiaries are reused, but placed in different locations. So, even though you may see the same ones, its fun to see them in a new spot. The entrance, behind Spaceship: Earth and in front of the WS is always a new setup though.

Well, I'm afraid I have let you all down. That's all the pics I took until the next installment. Ok Vickie, hurry up just a bit and I can post too. Hey, that title fit me perfect.

 

[TinksThree]

Thanks! Right now we need all the we can get. I'm ready to walk out the door and never return. At least I have this trip to remember and cheer me up.

This made me tear up slightly. That sounds so final! Best wishes on the move! And I just noticed your ticker...are you headed to my favorite resort!?

Isn't that topiary in Norway a troll? That's just my guess. Not much else can be so unattractive! I love F&G and really hope I can be there this coming spring!

Vicky: You crack me up with your comments on your pictures! Madison loves elephants too and actually purchased two on this last trip. The pandas were really cute and loved the chubby cats!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

This made me tear up slightly. That sounds so final! Best wishes on the move! And I just noticed your ticker...are you headed to my favorite resort!?

Isn't that topiary in Norway a troll? That's just my guess. Not much else can be so unattractive! I love F&G and really hope I can be there this coming spring!

Vicky: You crack me up with your comments on your pictures! Madison loves elephants too and actually purchased two on this last trip. The pandas were really cute and loved the chubby cats!!

She is moving right now!! I know how that is.

It is some sort of a troll, but I wondered if there is something significant about it? I don't know their stories, I guess.

And, thanks -- thank God we have pictures to remind ourselves of how silly we really are!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

As we made our way to our destination, we got side-tracked by the Flower & Garden display that China had to offer -- years and years and years of it...

Year of the Tiger:

Realize, these were made with seeds, beans and such!!

The Ox (don't remember what the sheaves are):

El Raton (wonder what Remy would think -- or, would he eat it?):

Um...a really ugly Dog? Too bad I didn't get the names...

A Rooster! (don't think his head is edible)

I know this is supposed to represent the Monkey...but man. (almost literally -- I think they made the "missing link")

Awww...the Sheep! (but it's so cute...it should be the Lamb!)

The Year of the Horse!

The Snake! (weird how half of him looks like it died, compared to the front of him)

The DRAGON!

The Biergarten!!

Okay...this is where we were headed, and after our pics in China, I don't think we dawdled much after that. In fact, we were early...can you believe it? We took our time...and hurried up...and now we gotta wait...

 

[IheartDDuck]

You totally crack me up, I tell you. I love your "uninteresting" shots.

The troll is significant in Norse mythology and they are a huge deal in many of the folk tales there as well, which is why they play prominently in the Norway pavilion. Did I wow you with my useless knowledge?

 

[jmskinner]

Guess who's here? Yup, movers haven't packed the office yet so I still have a computer. I knew Vickie would post thinking I couldn't respond.

You totally crack me up, I tell you. I love your "uninteresting" shots.

The troll is significant in Norse mythology and they are a huge deal in many of the folk tales there as well, which is why they play prominently in the Norway pavilion. Did I wow you with my useless knowledge?

I don't know about Vickie, but I am impressed. Guess that is why it is always a Troll and not a different topiary there in Norway.

This made me tear up slightly. That sounds so final! Best wishes on the move! And I just noticed your ticker...are you headed to my favorite resort!?

Isn't that topiary in Norway a troll? That's just my guess. Not much else can be so unattractive! I love F&G and really hope I can be there this coming spring!

Vicky: You crack me up with your comments on your pictures! Madison loves elephants too and actually purchased two on this last trip. The pandas were really cute and loved the chubby cats!!

Thank you and yes, we are off to one last weekend at WDW and POR is the closest to the golf course Jonas' tournament is being held. That's not the truth, POR is our home and just had to stay at our home one last time.

 

[jmskinner]

I took just about the same pics as Vickie, but did try to get some others of China









And yes we made it to Biergarten early. You notice I was in front, no one gets in the way of me and Biergarten. Vickie, did I push you out of the way?

 

[lbuzz52]

Of all your random pictures. Pretty much the only ones that were familiar were the topiaries. Shows just how much there is to explore at WS!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

You totally crack me up, I tell you. I love your "uninteresting" shots.

The troll is significant in Norse mythology and they are a huge deal in many of the folk tales there as well, which is why they play prominently in the Norway pavilion. Did I wow you with my useless knowledge?

I have a fan!!!

Thank you for sharing your knowledge (!!) -- I used to love to read fairy & folk tales, so I would love to have read some that originate in Norway.

Guess who's here? Yup, movers haven't packed the office yet so I still have a computer. I knew Vickie would post thinking I couldn't respond.

You're right...

And yes we made it to Biergarten early. You notice I was in front, no one gets in the way of me and Biergarten. Vickie, did I push you out of the way?

Actually, I was kind of sneaky in that I tried to get pictures with you in them...

Of all your random pictures. Pretty much the only ones that were familiar were the topiaries. Shows just how much there is to explore at WS!

I know, RIGHT?? Disney is so amazing like that...so much detail in all the little things.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

(Title to be spoken with a German accent, of course...)

I happily let Melissa take the lead in "checking in" to the place. I dislike this part, really. I always feel like there are some people are staring you down, daring you to TRY to get a table before they do. Don't mess with hungry people. Or, most assuredly, hungry German people.

I don't recall if it felt very intimidating -- there's usually some drama, somewhere, when a crowd of hungry people are waiting. In this particular case, I can only say that my camera seemed unhappy.

The German boyz who czech'd us in were very nice, if difficult to understand.

We had a while to wait, they told us. They gave us a device and sent us on our merry way. We were disinclined to sit around, so we went over the river and through the woods -- or, across the cobblestone court to the store.

There, I immersed myself in German lore.

See? I told you I like folk & fairy tales.

My aunt and her family were stationed in Germany back in the late 70's, and they brought my grandfather back a clock. Dunno what happened to it when he passed, but I've often thought I might like to get one. Makes me think of him.

These were outrageously expensive, so I had my private musings, and wandered on.

They have the most amazing figurine toys. I took this picture because it reminded me of Anne MacCaffrey's dragon, Ruth. Love those books.

BUZZZZZZZZZ!!

Much quicker than we expected, we found ourselves going down to the front of the restaurant, right by the dancefloor. There, we acknowledged the fact that we would be seated with a large family...squeezed in by the rail. Well. Not my favorite situation, but, there you have it.

Melissa and I both ordered the German white wine, having witnessed the HUGE, humongous vats of beer that they give you. I realized quickly that I could not manage that horrendously enormous amount of liquid, and hopefully the alcohol content of the wine would make up for it.

The one thing I'll mention is that my knee was hurting badly...it had been bothering me, but what really hurt was going down stairs. Every trip to the food bar was agony, coming back to the table. I tried to keep the grimace off my face...I hoped people just thought I was ridiculously drunk, and trying to keep my balance.

The Oompa band started (sorry, don't know really what they are called), and the children poured down the stairs to the dance floor. We got a great view of this action.

Can I just say, that guy in the lead of the band is REALLY GOOD! We enjoyed the show.

It wasn't too crowded, seems like.

I finally remembered to take a picture of my food. I can't say that German food is my favorite, but this was decent fare.

I have no idea what these desserts were, outside of the chocolate cake/brownie thing.

Melissa was SO EXCITED about this one particular dessert that came in a cup. She was so excited, in fact, that she promptly spilled it in a celebratory fashion, on the table.

This side of it really didn't appeal to me, so I declined having one for myself.



We were goofy. Here's Melissa's appropriate face for this disaster.

I thought we might be annoying to the family sitting next to us, so I spoke to one of them, at last. Too bad I was already drunk enough that the conversation has now slipped my mind.

The band struck up another song, and this time, adults came to play. The kids, believe it or not, were fairly well-behaved. Not so the drunken parents. We actually had people leaning against the rail...the rail that was right up against our table...yes, that's right, we got lots of @$$ and never even cheated on our husbands.

We were annoyed, but fortunately it didn't last long.

We finished up our desserts, squeezed past the large family, and went out into the night...to play in the World!!

 

[jmskinner]

Of all your random pictures. Pretty much the only ones that were familiar were the topiaries. Shows just how much there is to explore at WS!

Epcot was never one of our favorites until me and my DS took our time and really explored it. DH looked over my shoulder that night and kept saying "Where is that?"

Do I know my BFF or what?

 

[jmskinner]

Now I didn't take pics of the store, I was all about the food. But Vickie, wasn't there some man sitting on a bench we wanted who finally left, we grabbed the bench when the buzzer went off. Or did I dream that?

Ok, back to what I know for sure, I love, love, LOVE Biergarten. Sounds silly but I love their tomato salad, potato soup, and the wine sampler. This is important once we hit the buffet.

Once we sat down, I was ready to order the wine sampler... they had changed their wines. The new sampler didn't sound as good as the old, I like sweet wines, so I decided to try just one glass. Didn't care for it that much.

Got to the buffet and found my tomato salad. I love that stuff and the funny thing is, I fell in love with it when tomato were supposed to be bad and they were being thrown out everywhere.

I get ready for my potato soup, Potato Leak Soup, to be specific and no potato soup. This wasn't going well. I picked out some other nice foods and went on my way.

Vickie, I didn't know you were having such a hard time with the stairs. We were both hobbling, I have feet issues. But guess I should talk about that while eating.





I got video of the "cheer", is that what it is called "Ticka Tocka, Ticka Tocka, Oy, Oy, Oy!!!" One of my Disboard, FB friends loves Biergarten so everytime I go I have to let him know I am there. Don't know what I did with it though.

Now while Vickie was at the buffet, one lady literally sat on the rail. So her "ahem" was hanging over it in our table area. I was contemplating sticking a fork in it...thinking, "If Vickie were here she would." She finally stood up, but there were tables empty behind me, why not stand in front of those tables. Guess I should have had the large mug of beer and then I would have said something.

We still enjoyed the show. The band does a great job. And it amazes me that the number of times I have been it is almost always the same guys.







And here are my desserts before the great mess


I love the berries with the vanilla cream, or maybe its the vanilla cream with the berries since I also put the vanilla cream on that lovely cake.

So, did we drink around the World?

 

[SimmerBaggins]

It seems like I do remember that issue with the bench! I remember there was some reason we felt like the buzzer went off too quickly!

It doesn't surprise me that you like German food, since you're GERMAN! But I didn't remember about the wine sampler. I love those things.

I DO remember your telling me that I missed the opportunity to stick my fork where the sun doesn't shine... That was a great time. I'm glad we went there, even if my knees weren't happy with it. And, I didn't want to be a complainer and talk about my pain...I figured the alcohol would help me forget it!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Love, love, love the Biergarten! It is one of my favorites, so I would definitely be knocking people over on my way there. I think it's just everything together, the food, the fun, the beer (for me). Oh the massive beer......

I do hate the stairs thought. Although Vickie, it's never my knee bothering me.....it's just the fact that I'm normally drunk......

 

[jmskinner]

It seems like I do remember that issue with the bench! I remember there was some reason we felt like the buzzer went off too quickly!

It doesn't surprise me that you like German food, since you're GERMAN! But I didn't remember about the wine sampler. I love those things.

I DO remember your telling me that I missed the opportunity to stick my fork where the sun doesn't shine... That was a great time. I'm glad we went there, even if my knees weren't happy with it. And, I didn't want to be a complainer and talk about my pain...I figured the alcohol would help me forget it!

But you know how picky I am, German or not. I have been trying more and more foods lately.

I do hate the stairs thought. Although Vickie, it's never my knee bothering me.....it's just the fact that I'm normally drunk......

Nothing wrong with that!

 

[TinksThree]

I have Biergarten on my next trip list. DH loves the Greman beer so I figure that is a plus!! I got people staring at us through the window while we were eating at Crystal Palace. I guess there could be worse things!! I could just imagine that lady's face if you had "forked her where the sun don't shine"!

I love WS. The pictures from China were great. Love those topiaries!