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<p>Did I build up Day 74 or what?  :-) </p>

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<p>In preparation for Day 74, Laney insisted that I <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/01/day-64-christmas-pjs-to-be-continuedworn-on-day-74/" target="_blank"><strong>buy Christmas PJs</strong></a>.  She then assigned me the <a><strong>homework of watching the movie <em>The Polar Express</em></strong></a><strong><em>.  </em></strong>Worried that I was less than jazzed by the movie, she brought in the book and I staged a <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/12/10/day-73-storytime-in-corporate-america/" target="_blank"><strong>Corporate America Storytime</strong></a>.  And then...</p>

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<p>Day 74 arrived.  It's probably pretty obvious by now, but three guesses as to what Day 74 entailed. </p>

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<p><span style="color: #008000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>ALL ABOARD THE POLAR EXPRESS!!!</strong></span></span></p>

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<p>Way up North in my fair state, <a href="http://www.thetrain.com/polar-express-5679.html" target="_blank">The Polar Express</a> takes children and children-at-heart to the North Pole every December.  I have always wanted to go.  Weekend trips sell out nearly a year in advance!  I'm organized, but not <em>that </em>organized. </p>

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<p>About a month ago, Laney asked me if I wanted to go with her and her boys on a Wednesday.  I wasn't able to take the day off from work. </p>

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<p>Laney doesn't take "no" for an answer.  The train was scheduled to depart at 6:30 p.m.  We would start work before the crack of dawn, wrap it up early afternoon and leave for The Polar Express around 2 p.m. </p>

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<p>I looked at Laney as though she was smoking something funny. </p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  "Laney, isn't Williams more than 3.5 hours away?"</p>

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<p><strong>Laney</strong>, still not taking "no" for an anwer:  "Yes, we'll make it there in time.  The train ride is an hour.  We'll then get fast food and head home.  We'll be snuggled in our beds before midnight." </p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Can I have some of that funky stuff that you're smoking? </p>

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<p><strong>Laney:</strong>  We'll make it to the North Pole and back in 9 hours or less.  You need to do it for the blog. </p>

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<p><em>Crap!</em>  All my friends pull the blog card now whenever they want me to do something. </p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Sign me up. </p>