[docsmomma]

Yesterday at 11:30 we dropped all 3 kids off at my moms, I went over Joey's meds for the millionth time, and installed the kids car seats in her van. Then me and DJ got into our van, for the first time free of car seats, toys, diaper bags, and all other kid-related stuff, and headed to Long Beach.

First stop, WalMart, to pick up a dress shirt for him and some nylons for me. Had to wear something nice for dinner last night, in case we went to Sir Winston's. The we headed to the Queen Mary, where we arrived at 1 PM.

Upon arriving, we pulled up to valet, and they loaded our 2 bags onto a bell cart and told us they would see us at the front desk. I stood there staring at the ship in complete AWE. It was bigger than i had expected, but then I had no idea what to expect! We headed up to the Hotel Lobby which is located on "A" Deck in front of the Main Stairs. Upon check in they handed DJ a few certificates, but no one would tell me anything. Our room was B433 - B deck, starboard side, with 2 ports facing the harbor. We headed down to our room and the bell attendant followed us. He placed the bags in our room, after asking where we wanted them.

OH MY GOODNESS!!!n The bed... WHAT A DREAM!, the bathtub... what I wouldn't give for one like that here! and the view... amazing!

So we arrived in the room and I stood looking around in complete awe. I mean here is this gorgeous room, with beautiful wood paneling, and authentic pieces from when it was still a luxury liner (a fan, the bathtub, etc...) BEAUTIFUL. I threw myself back on the bed and felt like i slipped into a cloud. It was soft, and comfortable. The pillows were like a dream. The comforter was a down comforter. *sigh*

So DJ tells me we need to go to promenade deck, passenger information. We get there and he begins booking all the tours which were included. Behind the Scenes, WWII, Ghosts and Legends, Haunted Encounters, The Russian Submarine. Pretty much every single day time tour.

First we took the WWII tour. I love history, and this was perfect for me. DJ was bored with it, but for me it was perfect and wonderful. Well the tour guide we had is one who is used to when the WWII tour and the Behind the Scenes tour were together, so he covered everything at the same time. We learned so much! Like did you know in WWII, the Queen Mary carried 15740 troops and 943 crew in just one crossing? That was a total of 16683 men onboard. During these times, meals were served in shifts, each man eating only 2 meals a day, and men were sleeping in every possible area, including decks, halls, and bunk beds stacked in the drained swimming pools! And at one point she was the fastest passenger ship in the waters, for 14 years until the SS United States took that (and still holds it today). Or that Winston Churchhill traveled aboard the QM? And after the war was over, the QM transported "War Brides" and their children to their new homes? And in 1967 she was brought to long beach was she remains today. This is just some of the stuff I learned about and LOVED IT!

So after that tour we had lunch at this little deli on the Sun Deck, Hollywood Deli. Great pizza!

After lunch we headed to the Ghosts and legends tour. To be honest, this tour was not that good. Too many special effects. And not enough valuable info. Even DH said it wasn't that interesting.

Since we had already gotten the Behind the Scenes tour, mixed into the WWII tour, we decided to skip that one and just started exploring the ship, afterall, everything else was scheduled for today so we had plenty of time. We wandered around, checked out the engine room and the propeller box, saw the isolation ward, and walked the decks (even in the rain). We returned to our room to get ready for dinner. At this point I'm fighting not to call my mom and check on the kids. I know she'll call if theres a problem but still... But we head to dinner at the Promenade Cafe (since they have the least amount of seafood) and enjoy a delicious dinner. Afterwards we wander through a few of the shops (the current shops are where the First Class passenger stores used to be) and head back to the room. DJ, determined to surprise me. sends me to take a bath in this amazing tub. Now, back when the QM was a luxury liner ship, people could choose to take a salt bath or a fresh water bath, so there are 4 knobs to turn (hot/cold salt, hot/cold fresh). Takes a moment but I figure out which knobs work (surprise, not the ones I expected! LOL) Ok, to explain this tub to you... long enough for my legs to fully stretch out, high enough that the edge was almost at my shoulder (with me sitting up). And absolutely heavenly. I love taking relaxing baths, but have always felt that tubs these days are just too small for adults. but this tub... oh I would love to have one almost just like it!

Well apparently while I was in the bath, DJ called room service. I found out later that they had given us a free bottle of Champagne and a plate of chocolate covered stawberries! So he had called down to have it delivered while I relaxed in this amazing tub. So when I got out, I see this surprise and am shocked! Now I am not a champagne person, but this wasn't bad. anyways...


Middle of the Night

We had been sleeping for a few hours when I woke up. I don't know why I woke, I just did. Looking around i saw the curtain in our room moving, like it was being pushed to one side. I was sure the port window was open (DJ enjoyed sticking his head out it) so got up to go close it and it fell abck into place. Checked the window, nothing. I still am choosing to believe it was something causing it to move (heat vent or something, right?) but DH is convinced of something else...

This morning:

I wake up and DJ has started coffee for me and had ordered breakfast to be delivered (another thing they gave us free... a certificate for a free breakfast for 2). So we eat, get ready for the day and head out. First stop... Self Guided Audio Tour. This tour takes you all over the ship and tells you little facts about each area (and gives directions on how to get to the next area too!) This was tons of fun and I again learned lots of interesting things. From there we headed to the Russian Sub tour, and that only took about 20 minutes tops... not my thing either... too small a space and not enough info.

After this we head up to the shops area for a little while. We had some time before our next and final tour. It was here that I met Amy Roloff, from Little People Big World. WOW, she is such a sweet woman in person. She talked to me for a good time, and wants to know about Joey's story and Histio. She gave me her card with her email address and told me to make sure to write to her and just let her know we met on the QM. WOW!

So now we head to the final Tour, Haunted Encounters. This tour was interesting. We started at the stern of the ship , port side. D deck. From there we went down to the engine room. One engine room remains, the other has been concerted into the Exhibit Hall. So we walk through Door 13, where apparently many people have seen the ghost of some man who got caught when the door shut on him. Ok... so from there we head to the Exhibit room, which used to be the other engine room. From there we head into the old boiler rooms. DJ again swears he sees a ghost. I don't know if he's trying to scare me or not. So, anyways. From there we continue on the the First Class Swimming Pool. Wandering around that room I find out that back then people though it was healthy to get full body x-rays done and would pay for them as a recreational thing, as well as a electric bath! UM, CRAZY STUFF! There was lots more they would do too! its amazing they didn't kill themselves. From there we went up to the hotel decks and I found out that the level we were on has the "most reported haunted sightings". yea, ok... I'm still not sure if I believe all this but hey... may as well just enjoy it. So yea, this was basically the end of the tour.

So we hit one of the shops, grabbed a small gift for each kid, then hit the shake shop and got a "crunchy shake" (and MMMM it was good!!!) and headed to our van. The bell attendant had already brough our bags to our car, and loaded them, and valet brough our van around and we headed home.

An amazing trip, I feel relaxed again... or maybe even for the first time. I took pictures of the ship with my and DJ's phones (I maxed out his phone since it takes better pics) and will try to post them as soon as he uploads them for me!

[KellyMerr]

Sounds awesome!!!!!!!!!! So glad you were able to get away! You very much deserved it

[canadian_ehngel]

Wow, that sounds incredible! I'm glad you got a nice get away, you really do deserve it! I'm glad you had such a good time, and I can't wait to see the pics!

[BensMom]

I can't wait to see pix, either. I'm so glad you got to have a little retreat!