Thanks to everyone for your help. This is what I found.
I replaced the battery as explained and it fixed everything, except what I thought to be the easiest part, turned out to be my biggest problem.
I hooked the battery back up using the old battery and the sound returned from the front of the car. I didn't even want to find out what it was, so I just replaced the battery and the sound went away and the car works fine now, EXCEPT the horn.
When I hooked the battery up, the horn went crazy. I found the fuse for the horn and took it out. I drove to a remote area, where I could play around the key fob and the horn. I replaced the fuse and tried the fob, and it failed to turn off the horn.
So, now I am stuck without a horn (but a car that works - so I am happy about that - VERY HAPPY!!). So what do I do about the horn. I tried some searches and came up empty. I am hoping someone here has an answer for me.
Thanks.
And the smell was definitely the battery -- just like rotten eggs. ummm, umm good!
EDIT: the electrical is bone stock. No add-on remote starters or alarm systems.