Thanks paintmejudy, anoka quilter, lawsonmugs, bluebonnets, and marshamarriot for your empathy and for not telling me I'm an idiot. I guess that's fairly obvious at this point and doesn't need to be stated.
The machine is at the doctor's. We gently put the bottom with the top of the machine this AM, put in the plugs for power and the foot control...and it worked!
No new machine!! The bottom had little plastic extensions that needed to fit into the bottom, and we just couldn't get it to seat exactly right. So she is now at the docs. Meanwhile, I'm going to read the posts and get going on selecting fabric.
I have a FW (not new or spruced up) that will be useable for this train. So, I'll see you Saturday!! Really am hopeful to not have any more adventures!!