03 November 2010

A train wreck is equal to 3 weeks out of the kitchen!

I had nearly forgotten about this event from our past until I read a post over at Yes, They're All Ours.  Her post was titled What to do when you don't feel like cooking supper!  So what would a major train derailment have to do with cooking supper?  Read on!  Busy mom of 10 had mentioned that when you eat meals out at restaurants for an extended period of time one longs for a home cooked meal.

Here are some photos of the dreadful day when our family, our entire town was evacuated for nearly 3 weeks on the morning of March 4, 1996.  My husband had already left for work and I was home with 7 young children. Gregg being only 8 months old.  The loud speakers sounded throughout our streets that a massive explosion was possible and we were to leave ASAP.

I'm thinking, okay, we'll be gone for a few hours so I grabbed only my children and a diaper bag.

WRONG-It was more like 3 weeks.  Seven children, no clothes, no diapers after the first day, no toys, books, nothing.  Only my diaper bag.  As the time wore on we were advised by the railroad to check into a hotel.  Holiday Inn here we come.  All nine of us!  And that is where we lived our lives out for the next few weeks.  We were taken well care of by the railroad.  We were given money vouchers for clothing, vouchers for many restaurants, and permission to purchase whatever we would need in order to get through until we were allowed to go home.  That included toys, books, toiletries, food, whatever would make us comfortable and they would settle with us in the end.  

So the point of this post is, Yes, Busy mom of 10, a good home cooked meal is such a blessing after eating out at restaurants 3 times a day for 3 weeks.  And even then we went home with about 50 voucher tickets for McDonald's meals.  Normally we do NOT do McDonald's but we did then.  Try guessing how many Happy Meal toys we gathered during that time!!  MANY

10 comments:

Mrs. Stam said...

Oh wow that is amazing, how God as been there providing for you all and keeping you safe, bonus I bet you all appreciate a good home cooked meal after that!!!

I love cooking for my family, well I love serving them too, but choosing scrubbing toilet or home cooked meal, you can guess what would win LOL

Pam... said...

Wow. What a memory!

Amanda said...

oh wow what a story! I am glad that the railway took care of you all though... it would have been fun shopping for new things ;)

I love to eat out once in a while, but I do love a good old fashioned homecooked meal more!

Glad everyone what safe when this happened...

Cinnamon said...

Scary!! Isn't it funny to look back and see how God has guided and worked in your life~

Thank you for sharing~ Cinnamon

Anonymous said...

Well, those pictures sure look scary!

I actually learned a valuable lesson from this: you don't know how good you have it until it's gone (even if it's for several LONG weeks, like it was in your case due to the evaculation).

I also agree that after eating-out for several days, it gets old real quick, and home cooked meals are the better option. We went on vacation back in June for a week. Trust me, after several days of repeated eating out, it was nice to return home to eat "normal" meals. :)

Blessings,

-Lady Rose

LLJ said...

Wow, I can't even imagine what that must have been like!

The Pauls' Family said...

One of the things we appreciate most after a holiday with lots of restaurtant meal is coming home to yummy home cooked meals.

That sounds like quite an adventure. Can't even imagine!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh my! That is really a long time to be out of your kitchen and home.

Simple Home said...

I can't imagine living 3 weeks in a hotel. I'm glad the railroad took care of you, but I know it was good to get home after this.
Blessings,
Marcia

dggp said...

With seven kids? In a hotel! That must have been an adventure.

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