T G I F

Good morning my Maryland pals (and lurkers) It would have been EASY to stay home in bed today with this rainy weather, but I have responsibilities, so here I am. I hadn't expected to be here today (thought I was going to be in a 3 day class that they managed to compress into 2 days . then into one .. Don't you wonder some times HOW they plan things ???) I will be finishing up some things and getting ready for my trip to Chicago next week. I leave early Sunday a.m. and get back about 9:30 Wednesday night. Mr Mo has finally commited to being my airport 'shuttle' service. I haven't figured out what I did to it but Wednesday night my left foot started giving me fits. I have a major pain in the joint at the base of my big toe. I tried wearing real shoes yesterday and that was a mistake with a capital M. Today I have on my sneakies with my orthotics. While there is still discomfort it's not nearly as bad as it was yesterday. If I have to keep wearing the sneakies and orthotics I am going to be quite the fashion statement!!! Weekend plans ??? I'm packing tomorrow and as previously said .. off to Chicago on Sunday a.m. Looks like the weather in Chicago will be a bit 'brisk' ... colder than it will be here at least. I had planned to have the full day to spend playing in Chicago before the conference starts on Monday, but if this foot thing doesn't clear up, I may just be moping about the hotel Have a wonderful Friday. Hugs, Mo

Hey Mo - Sorry about your piggie! Foot pain makes everything hurt! Yes, if you're going to be a fashion statement wearing sneakies w/a dress outfit, I think you should wear bright orange socks, too! I mean, if people are going to talk, give them something to talk about!!! Baby that piggie - which ought to be darn near impossible given Chicago!!! I was off yesterday, left work Wednesday p.m., and was welcomed (or not) by a dead battery! So, since I'll use any excuse not to be here, I took off yesterday so I could get a new battery. Unbeknownst to me, my Dad took my car long before I got up and bought me a new battery! I actually got to sleep in!!! Then, Mom & I did our usual Saturday thing of lunch/errands, except it was Thursday! So I'm a bit confused today! We have the kids tomorrow, if the playground dries up we're going there. I actually will be with them longer than normal, until about 9 p.m., because Gary has a bachelor party to attend. Have a blast in Chicago!!! Tia

Hey Tia I'm actually getting around better today on the foot than I expected to. It's still VERY tender, but I can walk without too much of a limp (and I'm not doing the 'Igor' thing of dragging my foot along behind me). Chicago is going to be pretty DULL (software conference and all) but the Tuesday night 'event' is at the Field Museum and the exhibit is the King Tut thingy. That should be pretty cool. Our group will have the museum to ourselves for the event. Buffet dinner, and wander the museum, etc. Of course, our group will probably be about 1500 people (I'm trying to remember how many we had last year in Nashville at the Opry event .. that was about 900-1200 I think) so it's not like the place will be empty. Have you ever noticed that car batteries always seem to c**p out at the worst possible time? We have had the battery in both the Blazer and my pickup go where they couldn't even be jumped .. the terminals corroded and fell off/out. We were in NJ when the truck battery choked. AND they both did it with absolutely NO notice that demise was on the immediate horizon. Have fun with the kids! Hugs, Mo P.S. I am trying to make sure I take the camera with me, so maybe there will be Chicago/King Tut pictures forthcoming, though I STILL haven't done anything with pictures from last week yet.

Mo - Wow! How are you going to tell the IT geesk from the statues at the 'useum? Oooh, the Tut exhibit sounds fabu!!! I'm always fascinated by that! Should I become rich and air travel safer - I've always wanted to go to the Valley of the Kings! Have a great time!!! But don't touch anything - I've heard it's all cursed!!! Sorry, just had to throw that in there! But do try to get in some shopping if you can! Yeah, isn't that spiffy about my battery? Oh, well, now it's good until something else goes haywire - which is always the way! Have a good, safe trip! Tia

Ouchie about the battery G/F! At least it wasn't something that went wrong while you were driving. My Mom had that happen to her one time on the beltway...car just died. That was nice of your Dad to take care of that for you I think it's supposed to be a nice weekend, maybe a little cooler than this morning. I'm off to Ocean City later on this afternoon. Hey, a party full of bachelors? Why don't we cra****!!! At least then I'd have finally met your brother...hehe. I know, all in good time, right? Have fun with the kids tomorrow Hugs, T

Wow, OC - one of my fave places - hope you have a blast! Who are you going with, where ya stayin' - inquiring minds, ya know! Um, no thanks, I know most of these guys at the bachelor party, and the ones that aren't married yet don't deserve to be!!! Who knows what's going on with my brother? He hasn't said any more, I think this week's craziness has gotten to him, and understandably so! You can meet him on Halloween if you come over. If not, I'll slowly work on it (timing, doncha know?) Have a good time and eat a Thrasher's for me! Tia

I'm going with my two g/f's from church. We're staying at the condo of another church member (on the bayside). We usually do this once a year, but we're overdue - haven't been in like 2 1/2 years. We usually go in Feb or March, but it hasn't worked out the past two winters. LOL@the bachelor's at the bachelor party. Oh I understand about your brother and the craziness/concern about B this week. Priorities...hey, like we've said before...and you just said (timing). I'm a somewhat patient person...hehe. When did we first start communicating about your brother? Besides, if nothing comes of it, I've still made a great friend in you and we'll be friends no matter what I am planning on coming over on Halloween. I just need to make sure that someone else can take care of the cider that I need to drop off for the neighborhood party. I'd like to make something and bring it, is there anything you need? Let me know. Also, what time? I will try to eat some Thrashers...sometimes the greasy stuff does not sit well in the pouchie and you know as well as I, the pouch rules! hehe T

Good Morning all!! Slow here in So. MD today. Rainy and gray - wait a minute, think I just saw the sun peak out. Laying low until this evening. Parent chaperone for my band geek at the football game. Tomorrow heading to a civil war re-enactment or to another band competition. Leaning toward the civil war re-enactment. Love my daughter to death, but enough is enough with the band competitions. Sunday is extended family birthday get-together. Always nice to see everyone there. Mo, have fun in Chicago, and baby that toe. Everyone else, have a great weekend. TraciL

Hey Traci - Wow - you ARE the band-geek Mom, aren't you? That's alright, I'm preparing to be the band-geek/chess club-geek aunt! K has decided to play the flute, in addition to being in the chess club, math club, jogging club and gym helper! She's got it all covered! I guess it evens out, though, because B doesn't want to do anything except sit home and play Legos!! I've got some friends (yes, I have friends) who are BIG into Civil War renactments - no wonder so many people died - those uniforms are HEAVY and HOT!!! Have fun with the family on Sunday! I am gonna sleep in!! WOO-HOO!! Tia

Hi Tracy, Good Morning We've got peeks of sun up here near Baltimore too, but overall kinda gloomy out. Yeah, I'd go for the Civil War Re-enactment too! Whatever you do, have a great weekend! Hugs, Terry