NOW is the time! It's MINE & I AM WORTH IT! (friends welcome to tag along!!)

[goldcupmom]

So, the refrigerator is finally fixed.....Monday, & now I am waiting on someone to come about the Dishwasher....but that won't be until after I leave on Monday. This is not a good appliance month for us.

DS19 birthday is tomorrow & he is having a party here for himself....but doesn't know how many. Somewhere between 7 & 40 people. Easy to plan for, huh?

I am still not packed. House is a wreck, but oh well.....I'm leaving on Monday no matter what.

I keep trying to find time to Dis, but not having any luck on that, either. Seems like I am going non-stop.

Side is mostly better, but some days, like today, after pushing a grocery cart that constantly wanted to turn right, it starts to hurt again. And, DS19 had a weird rash/thing we thought was allergies about 6 weeks ago. All over his torso. Figured it out...I have a few spots of ringworm like circles on my right upper arm. GRRRRRR!!!!! Finally getting not so visible.

Hopefully I will get a chance to Dis before I leave on Monday, but no guarantees. Hoping & praying all is well with everyone.

I leave 7/13, Chicago 7/14, DC 7/15, FL 7/16 - 26 - DSis 7/16-18, FTW 7/19-20, DSis 7/20-23, Orlando 7/23-25, FtLauderdale 7/25/26, Cruise 7/26-8/1 & then right back home. Going to be busy but fun!!

In case I don't get back on here, I'll be back after 8/1, or hopefully from somewhere on the way....I'll have my laptop.

I won't make goal...or near it by when I leave, but I'm ok with that. When I get back must get serious again.

 

[momof2minnies]

Julie,
WOW I am exhuasted reading all that! Have a safe and fun, relaxing trip.

Don't worry about your goal now, come back and jump right in.You'll get there.

Linda

 

[Amy&Dan]

Julie, have a super trip, hope ds19's party was fun!

I can't believe your trip is here, it seemed so far away when you first planned it. You and dd will have a ball.

You did very well and that goal will be achieved when you get back!

Have a fun and safe trip!

 

[pearlieq]

I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful trip!

I'm sorry to hear about everyone's medical woes. It seems like there's some kind of summer bug going around this year--your DS is about the 10th case of sinusitis I've heard of, myself included!

One of these days it's going to work out to visit you as you pass through Chicago! I know I'm going to be doing time at this hospital on Tuesday, but I'll be thinking about you that day. I really hope you enjoy your stop--your DD is braver than I!

Take care--can't wait to hear all about it in August!

 

[goldcupmom]

Almost ready!

DD & I had a quick spa visit today....I discovered a discount gift cert I bought expires while I am gone. Had 30 min facials & massages. Hoped to relax in their sauna/jacuzzi/steam room, but they were running behind & we barely had time to shower off & make it home w/ time for her to grab her work clothes & change in the car.

So, I had to go to DQ to buy her some food & am sitting here feeding the dogs their 'pup cups' eating a kids hot fudge/peanut butter sundae. Just what I DO NOT need. Oh well......It is 101 out & I caved. After eating chinese yesterday, I hate to think what the scale will say when I 'weigh out' tomorrow morning. Oh well...as long as my clothes fit for the cruise, I'm ok at this point.

I'll be thinking about you when I pass thru Chi on Tuesday, Pearlie! Someday we will get together. I'll try to get DD to take pics on Sears Tower. NOT ME!!!

HOpefully there will be wireless in Union Station in CHI & DC so I can get on for a bit.

Have a GREAT rest of JULY if I don't talk to you before Aug!!!!!

 

[traceycooper]

wow you NEED that break Julie!!!!
have a great trip

 

[toystoryduo]

Have a wonderful time, Julie! Safe travels to you and yours!

 

[DisDee]

Have a great time and enjoy your cruise!

 

[goldcupmom]

At about 10:30 p.m. our train hit a tow truck in Goshen, Indiana. Split the tow truck in half and imbedded the tow truck on the front of our engine. 2 passengers in the truck were killed. Our female engineer was injured severely and taken by EMS to hospital. We now have power restored - a/c, lights, toilets still don't flush, but are still stuck here. An engineer is enroute, but the truck will have to be cut off the front. Likely won't be in DC anytime near when we were supposed to. Will keep you posted.

I can't believe I have internet access here in the middle of nowhere!! And it is FAST!!!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Oh my goodness, Julie! Thank God you are okay! Sending prayers for the families of those that have been killed and those that are injured. What a tragedy for everyone involved!

 

[Lesli54]

Oh Julie, what a terrible thing to happen. I just looked up the info and it appears that the tow truck went around the crossing gates. I hope that you and your DD (as well as the rest of the passengers) are alright and not too shaken up.

Other than that, it sounds like your life is as hectic as usual. However, it is great that you are getting away for awhile. We all need a chance to recoup.

I forgot that your DS had a birthday about the same time as my DD21. This is the first year that I am not "invited" to her party in 22 yrs. She and her fiance are having a bunch of friends over. A little different for me, but ok.

I truly hope the rest of your trip goes much better. Take care.

 

[goldcupmom]

Update now that we are off Amtrak......

Our car attendant viewed the engine video of the crash & said it was 'only by the grace of God' that we were not on our side or burning. Said it was the worst seen in his 30 yrs w/ Amtrak. He was clearly shaken the rest of the trip, but remained VERY attentive & professional.

Worst is that it was a purposeful meeting of train & LARGE diesel tow truck pulling flatbed w/ cycle on it. Apparently woman in truck had no connection w/ driver other than her cycle being towed. VERY SAD!!!

We were at site for 7.5 hours, then the backed us for about 3 hours back to Elkhart, pulled off 1 engine. In Toledo they gave us 2 freight engines. We were over 13 hours late to DC.

Crew on train was wonderful! Passengers were not! Complaining about everything!! Since this train usually only has breakfast on day they arrive DC, in Toledo they loaded Subway boxed lunches for all 250+ passengers. Then in Pittsburgh they loaded a hodgepodge of food - I suspect from other trains from what the cook was telling us - for dinner on small thin styrofoam plates w/ prepacked plasticware.

Engineer was male - a female passenger was treated for diesel inhalation at site. Engineer broke bone in shoulder saving our hides.

We were met in DC at 2:30 a.m. Those traveling on on Amtrak were talked to 1 at a time, then individually(by group) given $15 cab fare to HI Express. DD & I were one of the last & when we arrived HI, a line of about 10 in front of us & 4 behind were told 'no more rooms' - this was 4 a.m. Hotel called Amtrak who came out in vans to take us to a comfort inn. Arrived there just after 5:30 a.m. Amtrak expected us to eat breakfast at the hotel - which closed at 9, then skip lunch before our 3 p.m. train. Neither happened, so that was an expense each passenger incurred. They would not budge.

That and the lack of organization at the Cust. Svc office when we had to go over to get our luggage transfered to the new train were the worst. They simply could not figure it out! Took us over 2 hours & I had to don a hard hat & go w/ a baggage guy down below to identify my bags & help him tag them for new train. And, they still DID NOT MAKE IT!!!!!! Ended up in Tampa instead of here in Lakeland. We did receive them, but they argued that we needed to drive to Tampa to pick them up....NOT!!

Also, the sleeper attendant on our train to FL did not want to let DD & I on the train, w/ our tickets in hand as he said he could not allow us to board since our names were not on his printed list from the conductor & the person's name in that room just was a 'no show' & room had to remain empty. He finally relented, but EVERY single time he walked by our roomette, he commented that we 'were not supposed to be there'. When I asked for him to bring us breakfast as DD was still sleeping (we had less than 6 hours sleep in about 52 hours) he argued that it was not allowed & I would have to wake her to go down to diner if we wanted to eat. After LOUDLY challenging him, he finally relented. But it is standard practice & he had delivered several other breakfasts past our room.....

Other than that, Amtrak handled it well. My concerns I will address in a letter to them along with my praises.

Other than being totally exhausted (DD is sleeping now) we are fine. I'll try to get on again before the cruise. All I have done for 2 days is EAT!!! Tues night the diesel fumes were so bad DD was lightheaded & I had a headache until sometime last night. We spent the night while parked in Indiana walking up & down the train trying to get better air. Definitely need to lose a couple pounds in the next week or I won't have any clothes to wear on the cruise!

More later as I get the chance. Hope all is well with everyone!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Julie,

I am so thankful that you and your DD are okay.

You have been through a lot the past few days. It sounds like you got some good service from Amtrak and some not so good service from Amtrak. I think that considering the circumstances, the sleeper attendant on the train to Florida could have been more professional and much more courteous. I would definitely send an e-mail or a letter describing the situation.

Please be sure and take it easy for a few days if you can. Sending lots of prayers your way....

 

[lovinaz]

Wow, what a stressful way to start a vacation! Hopefully you are now able to calm down and get the relaxation you need!

 

[Lesli54]

Glad you finally made it to FL. The story of your trip alone wore me out for the day.

Thankfully the accident wasn't much worse. Too bad you had to listen to the other passengers complain. That just makes the situation harder to deal with.

Hopefully, your cruise will be relaxing. You deserve it.

 

[goldcupmom]

Just packing up this hotel, headed to Disney Quest, then off to Ft. Lauderdale....Cruise tomorrow! All is well....except, I'm sure, my weight, but oh well..........

Hope everyone is ok!!

So far no more train wrecks!!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Have fun on your cruise, Julie!

 

[Lesli54]

Enjoy your cruise. Can't wait to hear the details.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Julie, I am so glad you and dd are okay, but what a tragedy for the people in the truck (why oh why do people do that?) and a nightmare for you. I am hoping the rest of your vacation was uneventful except for all the fun you had!

Did you like Disney Quest? I love the POTC thing, it gets my frustrations out while I shoot those pirates!

Don't worry about the food, that's what a vacation is for!

Save travels friend.

 

[traceycooper]

wow julie,
i'm so glad you & DD are ok, so sad about the others though
Have a super time on your cruise - hopefully smooth sailing all the way