May 22 – “Waffle Cheeks Woman”

We are leaving this morning for DisneyWorld, so here’s some quick notes about yesterday.

We started our morning at the hotel breakfast bar.  The waffle machine was one of those in the shape of the state of Texas, so I was greatly encouraged.  Sadly, there was no batter when we arrived.  I trudged along to the next station … cereal and/or a banana.  Now this was just not going to work at all. 

Suddenly, from a small room at the back, came movement.  Could it be?  Yes, it was.  A lady was bring out the batter.  I immediately recognized her aloud for who she obviously was, The Waffle Woman.  She chuckled and said, “If you promise not to laugh, I have a story to tell you.”  I am never one to turn down a story, and I never really promised not to laugh, so she began her tale.

Seems she used to live on an Indian reservation in Northern California.  She remembers sitting outside on those old milk crates when it got really hot outside, wearing short shorts, of course.  After all, it was really hot.  On one especially warm afternoon she rose from her perch, and a friend started laughing hilariously at her.  “You have waffle cheeks,” he roared.  Now at that point I couldn’t help myself.  I asked, “So did that become your tribal name, Waffle Cheeks Woman?”  Without missing a beat she said, “No, but Waffle Cheeks became my email name.  Still is.” 

I love having free continental breakfast at hotels. 

On the road:
We saw a pickup truck full of gigantic nachos pulling a food trailer … Mexican food, of course.  And later we saw a van completely covered with icee stuff.  That was just a lead-up to the place selling giant chicken statues.  That beats the one we saw the other day selling giant tin Mexicans wearing sombreros.  No, really.  I didn’t make that up.

We made our way up to Waco to watch one of Caleb’s baseball games.  His team was dominant, in the field and at bat.  Afterward the boys decided to ride back to Galveston with us and meet Mom and Dad here later after a wedding Josh had to do.  Chris mentioned something about having some extra baggage, referring to the boys.  Caleb commented, “Nani’s have lots of different words for people, don’t they?”

 

We stopped at Cracker Barrel for lunch and ended up settling in when a really strong storm cell blew in.  Caleb is deathly afraid of tornadoes.  We distracted him with a game of giant checkers. 

When the rain stopped we continued on.  And almost immediately had to take a detour.  High water in the road, so we couldn’t get to the freeway.  It wasn’t all that bad, though.  We enjoyed a nice drive through part of Bryan or College Station or wherever we were. 

Romans 5:3-5 says, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Father, we give you our Disney trip.  Grant us your safety.  And a little fun wouldn’t hurt, too.  Amen.