Braces, Books and Yo-Yo's...Oh, My!

So I had to take my 12 year old to the orthodontist today.  Personally, I don't think his teeth are THAT bad but it's something that needed to be done.  

Oh.
My.
Gosh.

If you look at Michael, there's not a whole lot that is obviously wrong.  He has one tooth that hasn't come in (and today we found out why) and his two front bottom teeth are a little crooked but other than that I was thinking this was going to be minor.

Silly, silly me.

After some lengthy panoramic X-rays and pictures I finally got to sit down with the good dentist.  Nice guy, no issues with him but once he started his presentation suddenly I felt as if I was a bad parent for letting my child leave the house with his mouth in the condition that it is!  Bottom jaw grew faster than the top jaw, top jaw needs to be widened, head gear will need to be worn, not enough room for wisdom teeth...blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!  And then when I seemed a little torn he was like "Or we can just do surgery and make the room faster."

Hey, hey, hold on there sparky.  Slow down with the surgery.  Why does everyone jump to surgery??  We finished discussing it slowly and then he left and one of his assistants came in to discuss the "contract".  For real? Well, long story short for a fee of $5,800 over two years my boy can have a spectacular smile!

You're lucky I'm not typing from the cardiac care unit right now.

I leave there feeling a little dazed and take Michael home and pack up a lunch so that I can head off to work.  But before I go I check my Amazon ranking.  Seriously, it's a disease!  I'm sorry!  I was pleasantly surprised to still be in the 90's and had a ranking of 1992 in Kindle downloads (out of a million titles) and so I had a little spring in my step.

I'm telling you, the hourly updates are hard for me.  I keep checking, I rejoice when it goes from 95 to 94 and then want to cry when it goes to 98.  It's like a 24 hour a day yo-yo!  It never stops!  LOL!!  Help a sister out and keep me moving toward the top 25!!!

I had the great pleasure of being the highlight story on a great website - Addictedtoebooks.com.  They are a great site that highlight some awesome ebooks and indie authors.  You should definitely check them out - and like my post while you're there!  



 

At least I'm in good company...

I don't know how much my old heart can take!  The road to publishing success is way more emotionally grueling than I ever would have imagined!  The numbers change hourly - damn technology.  I find it's like a mild addiction - that need to go and check the numbers and see where I'm at when nobody's looking.

Well, I think my boss has caught me a time or two but is being mildly tolerant right now.

So today when "The Christmas Cottage" disappeared off of Amazon's Top 100 list for Contemporary Women's Fiction, I decided to do some research.  Lo and behold, there were some pretty impressive names that were also surrounding me in the numbers on that list - even when we weren't in the Top 100!  Books that show up as being in the top 10 on one list are in the 100's and 200's on another!  

Finding myself on the Top 100 (and I mean I am nearing the 100) was very exciting and I had to make myself stop obsessing (a little) about why I'm not getting closer to the top.  Why?  Because the top is filled with some AMAZING authors!  Who am I to compete with the likes of Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery...I mean, I am NOBODY next to these women!  That Fifty Shades of Gray woman is all over the damn top 10 and that kills me - I can't even read it!  

But as you go down the list you find authors who are little less known but who have multiple, wonderful books and you know what?  It's kind of cool to see my book in the same category as these writers.  I have to remember that I AM an author and there's nothing wrong with me!  I have a book that is climbing the charts, I have talent, I have skills, I have stories to tell and it's okay for me to be in the company of these other super talented authors!

So I will continue to ride the emotional roller coaster with the numbers (I still want those 100 Likes on Amazon by Christmas!) and I'd love to get in to the top 25 on one of those lists and really, it would be a freakin dream come true to see my book listed on the same page as one of my writing idols.

It could totally happen...

The Christmas Cottage is an Amazon Best Seller!!

What a great way to celebrate my birthday!!!  I got up this morning and went on the computer and BAM! There it was...The Christmas Cottage was # 1724 in Kindle downloads and #82 (Yes, you are reading that right), #82 on Amazon's Best Seller Book List for Contemporary Women's Fiction!

I HAVE A BEST SELLER!!!!!!

I cried all damn morning.  Then, I have been blessed all day with wonderful birthday wishes on Facebook and phone calls and my dear sweet friend Danette stopped by with her hubby and brought me a Black and White cookie (an absolute FAVORITE of mine) and visited for a while...it's been amazing.

But quite possibly, one of the most emotional moments of the day came when Michael gave me my birthday card.  He made it himself.  So I'm sitting at the computer, crying, and he comes up and gives me a hug and gives me the card and it says:  Happy Birthday, Mom!  I hope it gets better and better every hour.  P.S.: Super duper congrats on your book rising like a never setting sun.  Love, Michael.

Seriously?  It doesn't get any sweeter than that.

So here I sit, in my jammies at 4:20 in the afternoon - I seriously will have to shower before going out to dinner but why rush?  The numbers have fluctuated a bit over the course of the day but it's all good.  I'm still #90 (which is awesome to be in the Top 100 of ANYTHING!) and I'm at # 1944 in downloads.

I sold several copies on Nook, I sold one through Smashwords, I have no idea how many have sold through Amazon yet but I am a blessed woman and I've never felt it more so than today.

I am so thankful for everyone who has clicked on any of the links and clicked like and ordered the book.  You have no idea the difference you have made in my life.  I wish I could thank you all individually.  Please continue to spread the word!  I would love to stay in the Top 100 a little beyond today.  

That would be awesome!!!!

I'M SAILING!!!

Anyone remember the movie "What About Bob?" starring Bill Murray?  Well, there's a scene where he conquers his fear of sailing.  How?  By being tied to the front of a large sailboat!  He's up there and he's smiling and he's yelling "I'm Sailing!"  That's become a bit of a long-running joke between me and a dear friend and we refer to it when life just seems to be spinning out of control - but in a good way.

Today, I am spinning.

Yesterday I was positively giddy to have "The Christmas Cottage" reach in to the 9,000's on Amazon downloads.  I mean, "Jordan's Return" never got any better than the 12,000's so this was pretty darn cool.  I had asked some people to post some reviews because that is helpful in climbing the list, too, so I when I woke up this morning, I wanted to see if anyone had submitted a review.

They had and I thank you.

So I'm getting ready to leave the page and then I happen to glance down and I just about fell out of my chair.  I was at # 2,829!!!  I was sitting there like an idiot, all by myself (Frank had to work today and Michael was sleeping), crying and shaking.  I couldn't believe it!  So I posted on Facebook, I texted some people and just sat there, feeling giddy and numb at the same time.

I had a bunch of errands to run today and I'm not going to lie to you, there was more than a little spring in my step.  No one knows who I am, no one really knows that I'm an author but inside I was like "Look at me!  Woo-hoo!" 

I came home, was kicking back, relaxing and got notification that the book is now available on Barnes & Noble's Nook!  That was some exciting news PLUS it opens me up to more readers.  THEN...because that wasn't enough, it got listed on Goodreads!  AND...people are pinning it on Pinterest!  So, I'm basically looking at my book all over the internet and decided to go back over to Amazon.  I wasn't going to but Michael was like "Hey, mom, has your book climbed anymore?" and I was scared to look.  I mean, what would I feel like if I went on there and suddenly I was at 420,000?  

Talk about a buzz kill.

But I took a leap of faith and went on over.

I AM AT # 2784!!!!

My company Christmas party is tonight and my birthday is tomorrow and THIS is a pretty damn exciting weekend for me!!!

Please keep sending friends and family to the page!  Please keep recommending it!!  Please write some reviews!!!  I would love to wake up tomorrow and be at #2500...

Just sayin...

Climbing the Charts!!

I have to admit, I think things are going well this time around with my latest book, "The Christmas Cottage".  Book sales are pretty good, we're getting the "likes" that I wanted - although when I put it out there as much as I have and only have 25 I tend to wonder what is going on with Amazon.

Which brings and interesting thought to mind.  My book is published under a pen name, I wrote the review under my read name.  The Review got published and then two hours later, it was gone!  So I submitted another review that was never even acknowledged!!  What in the world???

But I digress.  So today, I hit an amazing number on the Kindle download chart.  Out of over 800,000 Kindle titles (and it goes up daily), my book hit #9084!!!  That is like something I never thought would ever happen!!  It felt pretty darn good - and then a little disappointing because I was at work and could not celebrate!

I took Nick to lunch and he was moderately impressed but it wasn't the same as going out with someone where we could laugh and gush and dream about all the ways that I could possibly become famous!  As if!!!

So, again, please check out the book!  Please go to Amazon.com and click "Like".  We're getting ready to publish on Barnes and Noble this weekend.  A friend contacted the Hallmark Channel about the book, people are posting it on Pinterest...I honestly have some amazing people in my life who are just blowing me away with their willingness to to support me in this.

My birthday is this weekend and I would LOVE to stay in the top 10,000.  Can you help?  Please!!!

have a great weekend everyone!!!

A Social Experiment - Read With Caution

Okay, so yesterday I made the announcement of releasing my second book, "The Christmas Cottage".  I self-published again and I am responsible for all of my own marketing and promotion (with the help of my friend Dot).  So part of the whole process is essentially asking friends and family to go and go to Amazon.com and click "LIKE" to get some traffic tracked on the page and then, hopefully, for them to buy the book.

Early in the day I sent out an email to about 10-12 people - close family and friends.  Well, let me backtrack for a moment.  My first book, "Jordan's Return" was released a year ago.  Twelve months.  Fifty-two weeks.  Basically, a LONG time ago.  Over this last weekend I've come to find out that there are people who are supposed to love and support me that have NOT told ANYONE that I have written a book.  I mean, I know it's not all about me but...come on!  You can't mention to your friends or extended family that I did this - or buy the damn book???

Deep, cleansing breaths...

So last night I went on to Facebook to conduct a social experiment.  I sent out three private messages to three groups.  The first group was family, the second group was friends and the third was acquaintances.  None of the people in these groups were included in my early morning email - this was a totally separate thing.  Each group message was sent to a group of 12-15 people. 

Now, in a normal world, it would be your family members supporting you the most, right?  (Insert loud, obnoxious buzzing sound here).  Clearly, not in my world.  Out of the three groups, the acquaintances (women that I have never met face-to-face but have become friends with through mutual on-line interests) have supported me the most.  Almost EVERYONE in that group email has commented and either downloaded the book or bought the paperback (now available for $6.99 through Amazon) and all have clicked "LIKE" as I asked.

Next was the friend group.  Out of the 12-15 in that group, TWO responded and they were friends from high school that I have not seen in over 25 years.  And the family group?  ONE.  Yes, one.  And it was a second cousin of mine that I have not seen in over 32 years.

Seriously!  You cannot make this stuff up!  

So in the social experiment department, I've learned where my support truly comes from and while I am thrilled for the support of these wonderful people, the results of it all make me sad.  I remember a time when family supported one another, cared for one another and wanted to see others succeed.

What happened to that time?

The Christmas Cottage Release Day!

"Any couple who spends the night in the Christmas cottage shall have love everlasting...

Lacey Quinn did not believe in happily ever after or the legend of the Christmas cottage. As maid of honor for her best friend Ava, her duties included decorating the cottage for the newlyweds. It was a simple enough task, but she hadn't counted on sexy Ean Callahan, the bride-to-be's brother, to be assisting her.

Spending the evening ensconced in the overly romantic setting while a blizzard howls outside has Lacey wondering if fairy tales really do come true..."

Excerpt from "The Christmas Cottage" by Samantha Chase. 

So it's finally here!  My latest book which, ironically, was not something that I had planned on, what released today!  I had another book that I've been wanting to write but I just can't seem to get the words on the page.  Then, I have a book that is being reviewed right now by an agent.  So when National Novel Writing Month came up this month, I was amazed at how fast this story came to me.  I started late, finished early and basically have a finished product that is a sweet, romantic Christmas novella.

I guess when the story's right, you just know.  

My original plan had been to get this story done and as a Christmas gift to my readers, offer it as a free Kindle download.  Amazon is not letting that happen.  So for now it is a .99 cent download through Kindle and it is also available as a paperback for $6.99.

If you enjoy a good holiday themed story, I hope you'll give "The Christmas Cottage" a try.  My goal is to get 100 "Likes" on Amazon by Christmas.  Will you help?  You can contribute your help (even if you don't buy the book) by going to Amazon.com and following the link HERE and clicking on the "LIKE" button.

Thank you!!

"The Christmas Cottage" by Samantha Chase

This is what has kept me so busy that I have not had time to blog!  

 Released today exclusively on Amazon's Kindle, you can download it right now for only .99 cents!!!  Click HERE to order and don't forget to click "LIKE".

Have a great day, my friends, and enjoy!!

Choose to Remember the Good Times

So last week my stepfather passed away.  Well, I don't know if I can even call him that.  I mean, he and my mom were together for like 20 years but they had been divorced now for about 5.  They had a fairly complicated marriage and somehow we all never quite meshed.

There were many years where we didn't speak and weren't part of each others lives.  There were times when there was a lot of anger and hurtful things said.  I spent so many years of my life focusing on the negative that it got to be exhausting.  Wouldn't you rather laugh than cry?  Wouldn't you rather smile than frown?

So as many people rejoiced in this man's passing, I felt grief.  I was saddened by the fact that there were people who were happy that he was gone.  I don't ever want to think that there will be a day where people are dancing and clapping because I am dead.  I am choosing to remember the good times.

I can remember the time he brought me homemade chicken soup when I was in high school because I was home sick.  I remember getting take out Chinese on a Friday night just because.  I remember him calming me down after a fight with my mother and telling me that he loved me.  I remember all of the times that he was good to my children.

Believe me, if I allowed myself to truly be honest, there were much more harsh memories than good ones but what good does focusing on the bad do?  A life is over.  Wouldn't you rather be remembered for the things you did right than for the things you did wrong?

Rest in peace... 

Diet Issues...

Can You Please Help Me Reach My Goal???

As I mentioned previously, my book is still out there and I'm finally in a place where I have help with marketing it and promoting it.  For those of you who are just stopping by for maybe the first time, last year I wrote a book.  "Jordan's Return" is a contemporary romance that is available through Amazon in paperback and for Kindle as well as through Barnes and Noble and the Nook.

Part of my struggle is getting my rank to go up on Amazon.  In order to do that I need people to go to the page and click "Like".  Just having the page views and the "like" button clicked will help enormously.  If you frequently shop on Amazon and are feeling especially helpful, you can write a review!  It doesn't have to be a long review, it could just be a sentence or two.  I'm a particular fan of seeing "Great book!" or "When's the next one?"  LOL!  

My goal is to get 100 likes by the end of October.  We are currently at 10.  Kind of annoys me when I have over 700 friends on Facebook and I cannot get more than 10 people to just click "Like".  But that's a post for another time.

So please, if you haven't done it yet, please head over to Amazon (click here) and click the "Like" button.  I desperately want to see some action on the page.  I'm not looking to make a million dollars, I'd just be thrilled to see my page rank go up. 

Thank you for your help and I look forward to being able to update you with some positive news!

Uniquely Organized and Utilized

Remember how a long while ago I was looking for a virtual assistant?  Well, I have been blessed with a friend who is starting up her own business and that is one of her skills!  Who knew!

Uniquely Organized and Utilized is the brain child of my friend Dot and is described like this:

 "Offering wide range of consultation and coaching with passion and dedication to assist YOU with YOUR goals, plans and projects to improve your organization of your home, work and play. I am able to identify and understand health and learning challenges, difference of styles within the family, and lack of support and resources. Success and achieving goals of organization and utilization is possible with challenges, it just takes adjustments, accommodations and support. We will talk and write out a plan to get your goals achieved, resources found and fun and enjoyment for all. To achieve the goals we layout I can assist you with the work necessary and offer entrance into an understanding and supportive community of Unique, organizing and Utilizing people."

With her skills, we are finding ways to help market my book (yes, it's still out there!) and see what works and what doesn't.  Besides being my marketing guru, she offers services such as organizing your home, office, business and pretty much being a well rounded virtual assistant - meaning, you do not have to live near one another to utilize her services!  How cool is that?

You can learn more about her using the link above or by following her on Facebook.  So if you are in need of some organizational help or an assistant, look up Dot and Uniquely Organized and Utilized.  You won't be sorry! 

I Want to go Back!!!

Amtrak Sucks...Part Two

Okay, so on our last day at Disney our town car arrived a little before 5:30 p.m. to pick us up for our train that was due to depart Orlando at 7:24 p.m.  We were practically giddy with the fact that it was on time and I was extremely optimistic about the ride home - even if I never got anyone to approve the upgrade.

Michael and I had purchased our dinner while still at Disney's Coronado Springs and had planned on having a picnic on the train once we were moving.  They lined us up, the boarded us...and we sat.  And sat.  And sat.  At the station.  

WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF THIS???

Within 15 minutes, my bold twelve year old boy went in search of an attendant and asked when we were going to get moving.  The first response was that they were getting some elderly passengers settled in their sleeper cars.  

Um...I'm sorry.  But last I checked the CONDUCTOR does not tuck passengers in their beds for the night.  Sleeper car or no sleeper car.  Uh-uh.  Try again.  

The next thing we were told was that we were waiting for a Southbound freight train (Oh, how I LOATHE the freight train) to pass us but nobody knew where it was or when it would pass.  

Someone should have just shot me with a tranquilizer dart at this point because I was just vibrating with anger.  My son kept me sane.  We ate our dinner, I texted anyone and everyone I knew and let them know we were hostages AGAIN and then Michael and I settled in and watched some TV via Netflix on my iPhone.  

Unreal.

At 11:56 p.m., we finally pulled away from the station.  Turns out with the torrential rains earlier in the day, part of the tracks had washed away/there was a sink hole, no one REALLY knows for sure but the fact is, we are once again leaving 4 1/2 hours late.  The train was much less crowded this time around and so Michael and I each took two seats and I did get a good bit of sleep.  

Our train had originally be scheduled to arrive at 8:40 in the morning and by noon (and several more "unscheduled" delays") we were told that we wouldn't be getting in until almost 3 in the afternoon.  I was ready to peel my own skin off!  The crew came around and offered us a complimentary meal in the dining car.  Okay, this could work, right?  We're hungry and could use a good meal.

So Michael and I head down to the dining car (about 4 cars up) and get yelled at to sit down at a specific table.  Actually, I realized that Michael wasn't with me and so I stood back up to look at the car behind us to see if he was still in there and this same woman yelled at me again to sit down!   Seriously??  He joins me, gets yelled at to scoot in because they have to seat 4 to a table.  There were three empty tables...I think we were safe for the time being.

We looked through the menu, decided what we wanted when two plates were thrust in front of us with what can only be described as tiny portions of canned Dinty Moore beef stew (sans beef!) over rice a roni!  Oh, and unsweetened iced tea.  Did I mention how much I despise iced tea or tea of any kind???  So clearly, we are not entitled to a real meal of our choosing.  We ate it but it just added fuel to the fire.

My older son was supposed to meet us at the station but since we were going to be so late, he had to go to work so Frank was going to have to leave work early to get us.  The train finally arrived at 2:40 and Frank couldn't leave work until 3:00 so we had no choice but to SIT in the stink hole of a station and wait.

So I finally heard back from Amtrak and you know what their solution is?  A $150 TRAVEL VOUCHER for my next Amtrak vacation.  

I kid you not.

I asked the woman, "Do you seriously think that I EVER want to get on one of your trains ever again???"  She gave me corporates address.  They will be receiving a letter from me.  

I'll keep you posted.  

Disney World!!!

Although it took a while to recover from the trauma of the train ride down, Disney did NOT disappoint.  Bad weather and all!

We stayed at Coronado Springs Resort.  I had won a free night there through Magic for Less Travel and I could not have been more pleased with the resort.  It was HUGE.  When we arrived and checked in, bell services got our bags, check in was super fast and then bell services took us by golf cart to our room.  Which was a good thing because after 19 hours on a train, all I wanted to do was get to our room and change in to clean clothes!

The theming of the resort is southwestern and just beyond beautiful.  I've stayed at a lot of Disney resorts but this was our first moderate resort and I do believe we will stay here again.  Our first day (although 3/4 over by the time we arrived), we went to Magic Kingdom because it was open until midnight.  So after getting to our room and doing a quick freshening up, we ran to the bus stop which was fairly close to our room and hopped the bus to Magic Kingdom.  It drizzled a little bit but we were just so happy to be there that it didn't matter.  We ran like crazy people from 6 p.m. until midnight.  I don't know how we were still walking at that point but we slept very well that night!

We slept in a little the next day and didn't get up until 8:30.  Then we sort of just rolled out of bed and decided to not hit the parks right away but to go for a swim.  I am so glad that we did.  The pool was amazing.  There was a great water slide and after 15 minutes of trying to convince Michael to try it, it was a chore to get him to get off of it and leave! I'm not going to lie to you, I went down about 5 times myself before finally letting myself sit in a lounge chair and just enjoy the sunshine while relaxing.

After a quick lunch up at the main building, we went back to our room to shower and change and then caught the bus to Hollywood Studios - which was also open until midnight that night!  What I soon learned about my young son was that he is a thrill ride enthusiast!  I was hoping for a little less enthusiasm but he just loved it all so much that I had no choice but to let him take the lead.  We rode Tower of Terror twice and Rock N Roller Coaster twice.  My favorite ride was Toy Story's Midway Mania - which I made him ride.  Twice.  LOL!

We ate at Pizza Planet, we shopped, we ran all over the park and yet even with all of the time that we had, we missed a lot of things because they did not stay open all day.  I was a little disappointed but the things that we missed were trivial and the stuff that we did do was awesome.  We did leave the park by 11 p.m. and were fine with it.  Back in the room we realized that our trip was almost over and we'd have to check out in the morning.  I was so sad that it was so short!

We were up at 6:00 a.m. and out of the room with bell services taking our bags by 7:10.  By 7:20 we were completely checked out and at 7:30 we were boarding the bus to Epcot that had early morning extra magic hours so we could be in the park by 8:00 a.m.  

What hit me immediately when the gates opened was that there were no photographers.  I was a little alarmed but figured it was because of the early hour.  Well, when the park opened to the public, I still could not find one.  Now I'm mad AND disappointed because we had gotten our picture done in the other parks and I wanted one done in Epcot!  By 11:00 it was looking pretty gray out and by 11:10 it was raining.  I thought it was just that quick Florida rain but that was not the case.  By noon it was a full-blown storm with thunder, lightening and severe winds!  Luckily we had our emergency ponchos and although the weather slowed us up, we still were able to do almost everything.  Michael even rode Mission Space alone because I was too chicken to do it!

Except getting my picture with the Beast.  It's too upsetting to even talk about.

On our way out of the park at 3:30, we FINALLY found a photographer.  He got some shots of us and that slightly made me feel better.  We took a round trip tour on the monorail and headed back to the resort to pick up dinner and snacks for the ride home and to wait for our town car.

Can I plan my next trip now???

So Amtrak Sucks... Part One

Remember my excitement over taking the train to Florida?  Remember how I was almost giddy at the thought and how clever I was and how much money I was saving by traveling by train?

Well forget all of that because AMTRAK SUCKS!!!

That's right, Amtrak SUCKS!!!

I won't say it again until later, I promise.

So we arrived at the station the night we were leaving, an hour before the train was due to arrive.  Why?  No one knows.  I mean, there is NOOOO security, the station was in a sketchy part of town and essentially, there was nothing to do but sit there.  And just to be clear, the station itself was like having a train station in a gas station bathroom.  That hasn't been cleaned.  Ever.

So we line up and I specifically ask if we could NOT be seated near the family with the screaming child and I was assured that we were not.  Well, guess what?  Screaming child 6 rows up.  Thank you, Mr. Conductor.  We get to our seats, get settled and comfy and take off.  Michael and I are both super excited about the journey and comment to each other on how smooth the ride is, how much leg room we have...basically, we are pleased.  

Then we try to go to sleep.  

NOT as easy as it sounds.  I am a very fussy sleeper.  The planets have to align just right in order for me to sleep and so I already knew that it was going to be rough for me.  What I did not expect was how it was going to be near impossible.  I took Z-Quil, I took Melatonin... I FELT tired but could not get comfortable.  I finally managed to doze when the train stopped.  Okay, no big deal, we were making stops and I was fully aware of that fact.  But when we didn't start going again, I got suspicious.

A freight train had derailed ahead of us and we ended up sitting for 4 1/2 hours!!!  I was BEYOND pissed.  Was my towncar going to wait for us in Orlando?  What about our hotel reservation?  I tried contacting Amtrak but no one could tell me anything about how long we were going to sit, etc.

So we finally start moving and okay, we were assured that we'd make up some time and could be in to Orlando by maybe 12:30-1:00 (they were eliminating some stops to make up the time).  Then we stopped again.  And again.  And again.  Honestly, it was ridiculous.  The crew disappeared, the customer service people on the 800# had no idea why we were stopped and essentially we were like hostages on a train.  

Did they offer us a complimentary meal?  No.  We got a "snack pack" that had cheese and 3 crackers, some dried fruit and a cookie, plus some bottled water that must have been bottled in the now overflowing and extremely nasty smelling bathroom.  Gross.  So thank you, Amtrak, so glad that we're all stuck on the train without food and you cared about us so much.

We did not arrive in Orlando until 4:30 p.m.  We were supposed to be there at 10:20 a.m.  My entire day at Disney - which was already paid for - was gone.  I am now OUT that money.  Thankfully, our town car driver stayed and waited for us all day.  That man was a blessing.  When we were finally released from the hell-train, he helped us with our bags, waited for our checked luggage and got us in the car and out of there in a flash!  I was never so happy to be in a car in my entire life.

There was no traffic but storm clouds were coming and by the time we hit our resort, some rain was falling.  But I didn't car because I was off the train!!!  Three emails, three phone calls and no real response from Amtrak.  I was hoping for an upgrade for the ride home to the sleepette car (tiny 3x6 rooms with bunk beds) but no one can authorize that except customer relations and they're not answering their phones.

So on our trip down to Florida, just to re-cap, AMTRAK SUCKED!!!

Happy Birthday, Marine!

So flippin proud of my Godchild!  Happy Birthday, Punkin!!!

 

Let's Try This Again...

Okay, so I'm back.  Again.  Hopefully with a little more staying power.  I do think of this blog often but don't seem to have the time to really sit down and do a whole lot with it.  So for you who keep checking back, I apologize.

In the last month I have worked, worked and worked some more, faced the challenge of having my older son finally decide that he wants to go to college (and not here), I took my younger son to Disney (post to follow soon), I think I've found a new church and have had a a request from an agent to see more of my work.  All and all, when you add that to just the usual business of life, things have been pretty full.

So I do promise, staring tomorrow, that you will be seeing some new stuff here and I will get caught up on all of the craziness.

Tune in tomorrow...