Train to Nowhere

This morning a lady came into my shop.  She was very frantic.  She thought she might have missed her train.  She was going to Chicago to get a connection to Dallas.  I got on the website and found out her train was delayed for over 4 hours.  That meant she was going to miss her other train.  I told her to come in and make a call to Amtrak.  She was on the phone to Amtrak for over an hour.  Probably longer.  The major problem was she only had $7.00.  That's right.  To go all the way to Texas she had $7.00 and her ticket.  The more she asked questions, the uglier her situation became.  Even if she made it to Chicago it would be tomorrow before she could catch another train.  Union Station is not open 24 hours.  She would have nowhere to stay tonight. 
While she was on the phone, I started doing some research.  This is crazy.  Her ticket was sending her North to Chicago to catch a train that would come right back on the same track.  The train going South does not stop in our little village in the afternoon.  It does stop in a town 20 miles from here.  At this point the lady is crying and shaking and overly stressed.  I took the phone and asked Amtrak if she could get to Pontiac would she have a place on the train.  They said yes.  Next I sent a couple of text messages to see if I could find her a ride.  I called the taxi.  It would be $25 to take her.  I know how my little town works.  I put a note on Facebook asking if someone could give her a ride.  Within minutes her ride was arranged.  I packed her a bag with some water, tea, and peanuts.  Gave her some cash.  Helped her get her suitcases out the door.  I know the person that offered her a ride.  He is very kind.  She is in good hands.
There are a couple of hilarious points to this story.  The train she is catching 20 miles south of here was the train she would of gotten on in Chicago.  She had to go North in order to get South. Instead she went South, to catch the train she was going North to get on!  Amtrak could have offered to stop here and pick her up.  It was weather issues that caused her train to be delayed four hours.  They would not. 
The next point that I continue to chuckle about is, not only have I not had a paying customer today, I gave money away.  I am glad I was able to help her.  I am very glad I was able to help her along her journey.  I will hear from her again.  (Cannot remember her name.)

Happy New Year!

Coco's has completed 6 months as a business.  I have already learned so much.  I have noticed some positive signs in the last month.  Looking forward to good things in 2014.  Wanted to get my first post up for the year.  Here are some ramblings.

When I wake up and see the snow I do not immediately worry about the road conditions.  I all of the roads I drive will be clear.  I only drive on four roads.  They are all main roads in town and are plowed quickly.  It is impossible a bad snow can turn my 3 minute commute into 10 minutes.  Just not a big deal.  Much easier to enjoy the beauty of the snow now.  In addition to my short commute, I no longer have to worry about how many claims will be turned in at the insurance company where I worked.  Auto Claims means way more work in my old department.

The positive signs I noticed at Coco's.  People come in looking at my Melissa & Doug toys.  That means they have my shop in their mind for carrying toys.  People came in looking for small gifts to give.  People are thinking of Coco's when they need candy for birthday parties.

I am trying to locate additional sweets to bring into Coco's.  Something to go with coffee.  I continue to have hopes that I can get people to think of Coco's for a place to come and sit. 

Looking forward to Coco's evolving into a mainstay in our village.

Did not make resolutions.  Not going to set myself up for that.  I do have some goals.  Not the same as a resolution!

Hope you are filled with blessings in 2014.  (How did we get to 2014?)