2nd Packet!

Well, DTM and I were driving from the Evansville area to Alexandria, IN and along the way my dad called while we were stopped in Terre Haute and said that I had received a package from fed ex from DL Blair, and that I got a small package from marlboro in the mail too. :) Well, we picked it up and it was our activity packet and gear forms. Yay!

We tore into it! Instantly! Sized ourselves for hats, gear, and did our activity preferences. When we got back to Alexandria, I faxed it to Marlboro around midnight EST. A tip to the wise, since I been looking at other blogs and checking out a couple other websites as well, it shows in many pictures that the brand of boot is either columbia or north face. Well, us country folk don't have much money and don't have the expensive boots. So, what did we do? DTM and I went to Dick's Sporting Goods and tried on theirs. Be careful not to just assume your size is the same size. DTM went from a 9.5 to an 11. So, its not too hard to just go try on shoes eh? I did! Gloves were smaller on him too. and coats were larger as most coat brands there ran sizes smaller than normally what we wear. Glad we did this little pit stop on the way home, cause we got our sizes as close to true as we can.

The activity forms are enclosed and was simple as pie to fill out. Just gotta make you choose between the main activities there. From what I saw on fb forum, there are other activities such as ice fishing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ect... so know that these on the sheet are not the only thing to do.

This morning I called the Marlboro Travel Headquarters and was greeted by a very kind and enthusiastic lady who verified that my information was received and imputed into the system and I didn't have to fed ex it back or fax again. Yay! At that same time, instead of having to wait for a phone call about verifying my address and everything, she started that process too. Double yay! Well, the system database went down about 10 minutes into it, so she said she would have to call me back when it is up again. So, the waiting game begins. Hopefully it won't be too long and we'll be on the phone again.

In the packet it said that by Feb 27 we should be getting our check in the mail and our travel documents (plane tickets and so fourth) and our luggage from UPS at the same time so Yay for a month away! Will update in a month when we get more stuff.

Stay safe, have fun!
MEM

DATES FOR TRIP! :D

Well, while working in the house that DTM and I are going to move into, we got a phone call from someone that we didn't recognize. We thought it could have been my work, my lodge people, or Marlboro, and low and be hold.............. Marlboro called!!!!!!!!! We are going to the ranch March 11-14th. I asked them about the weight limits we have been hearing about on facebook. Well, for all of you who may or may  not know about this or have questions like I have. During the winter the dog sled weight limit is 250 lbs, the zipline weight limit is 325 lbs, and the snowmobile weight limit is 300.... So, there ya have it. I have some weight to lose before I can go dog sledding. Other than that, we're golden. DTM only has less than 10 lbs to lose, and between us we can do it. We have been working hard every day at the house lately so we can move in together.

Marlboro said they would send via fed ex within a week our 2nd packet which would include our size requests for our gear, activity list and some other paperwork to fill out and send back. Then approximately a couple weeks before our departure, we will get our luggage. Yay! I am so happy !!!! Relief on our worried end of waiting to know when we were going to to.

Packet

After a really really long night at work, I came home utterly exhausted and ready to go to bed, however.... I was so psyched up about my packet coming. I didn't sleep! I rested but not well enough. The Fed Ex guy came around 2:15pm but it was there! I read through it really thoroughly (as well as I could without having much sleep) and started filling out both me and my companion's (aka DTM) papers. Everything was done except for his signatures and another couple good looks over the main papers to see if I missed anything. Fed ex was called and eventually it was picked up today. not even 24 hours after it was delivered! Our packet looked like this:

I was so excited to see this, you probably understand so I won't go into great detail on that. After DL Blair called back on Wednesday and after a friend off facebook showed me the screen shot for Fed EX I was so happy. It to me, shows that this is really real. its cemented itself within my mind. It's not just a crazy idea that gets me duped, but now its something that is either going to happen or I get some cash out of it. Can't be happier at this point. 

Here's the Fed Ex screen shot to show its being taken back to DL Blair:

It says in the paperwork you get that it takes up to 4 weeks to process the information and get your background check and driving record back and then to send you dates. I am hoping its not longer than 3 weeks, but we'll see. I'll keep you informed on that, but for now.... here's what all I found in the packet for those of you who want to keep informed:

A congratulations letter was enclosed. I expected that, but it was nice to see it in person.

NO NOTARY REQUIRED on this particular packet. So, have no fear, and enjoy not having to pay for that service. A medical release, a medical history, liability release, photo release, driving record release, and background check paper were all enclosed. Then the packet for your companion is the same. Things are looking up. The pre-paid air bill and fed ex envelope was ready to go back. It just needs your address and stuck on it. The numbers to Fed Ex and DL Blair were in the packet and everything was laid out so easily that as Gieco says "a caveman can do it".

Will update as we go along. Looking forward to hearing back from DL Blair. My fingers are crossed and my heart is happy at the moment. 

Until next time,
MEM

DL Blair!

So I called Marlboro today and they said it was going to take 4 weeks. Well, the forums I've been on: www.achilies.com and the facebook chill off the grid winter 2013 trip page. There was a number to the DL Blair company. the number they gave sent me to them directly. I left a voicemail and then also at the same time I was talking on facebook to another contest winner they called and confirmed the same thing that was on facebook! WE'RE GETTING OUR PACKAGE TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!! Here's the screen shot from fedex:

Yay! I can rest at ease now. 

Ahhhh. I feel so much better now.

Fedex

Waiting for the packet of information to come in. I called Fedex today and no package is on its way to my house. Many of the other people who received the very same email I did on the same day have already received their packages. I am going to call marlboro tomorrow. I really wanted to go to the ranch. I am keeping my fingers crossed. I could use the money pretty badly but really wanted the trip of a lifetime.

Any ideas? questions? comments? anyone out there?

Until later
mem