Good Monday Morning!

Before I get into everything here, please take a moment to send prayers and good thoughts to Terry's Mom, Loretta, also known as McMom. She's having surgery this morning, and it's expected to last about 6 hours or so. She's such a sweetheart, and has a positive attitude, so I know everything is going to go beautifully. Let's send prayers and good thoughts to Terry and her sister, Cindy, too, as they try to pass the time without going crazy with worry or getting on each other's nerves. I asked Terry to update me when she can, so when she does, I'll update you. We love you, McMom! Okay, so Saturday with all of you was a blast. If you weren't able to join us, I'm so sorry, you missed SUCH a good time. Poor Pat Spangler, I hope you're feeling better. We'll catch you on the next trip, hopefully. Our attendees were me, my Mom, Marie, Terry, Mo, Heather M. & Kylie, Heather M., Robin and Adrienne. We started out at the Amish Market, sat around and chatted for a while, then after hitting every stall there, moved onto Valley View Farms. Even though I go twice a year during the Christmas season, my senses are ALWAYS assaulted. I love it!!! After that, we headed over to Wegman's and had lunch at an outside table. The weather was lovely, Mo took some pictures and a very nice gentleman took our group picture after seeing that my Mom was photog-challenged. I love her, but I like to joke that she has "Sleepy Hollow Camera Syndrome," meaning everyone is headless!!! After that, some left, some went to Ulta (the make-up superstore), and then we kind of went our own ways. Mom & I went to Wally World, then we stopped at a couple stores on the way home, picked up my brother, tried to get into our fave Greek restaurant, couldn't get in the door, tried to get into our 2nd fave pizza joint, couldn't get in the door, and ended up at Germano's Trattoria in Little Italy. Great food - Mom & I shared an entree, and the service was fabu!!! After that, I dropped Mom & Gary off and went to Target, then collapsed at home around 10!!! What a long day! On Sunday, went to breakfast with Gary & KB - I HATE Golden Corral, but that's where they wanted to go and I wanted to see them, so.... After that, I hit Wally World, Toys R Us ($$$$$), and the grocery store. I got home and did some typing, and an exhausted Tia finally went to bed. I'm scheduled to be in the office for a full work week, but we'll see!!! B has to get an allergy shot tomorrow, so I'll probably treat them to dinner. Wednesday night is DVR's support group meeting, so I hope any DVR patients can make it. Other than that, the usual craziness!!! Have a great week! Tia

Hey Tia! I wish I could have hung out a little longer, but my girl was SO tired! hehehe Yesterday she went pee pee on the potty twice after asking me to go! WOOHOO! Guess I need to look into pull ups now So what's your favorite Greek and pizza restaurants??? I didn't realize you're just around the bend from me. Have you ever been to Amicci's in Little Italy? They are DELISH! Well wishes for Terry's Mom on the way!

Hey Heather - I bet Kylie was tired, because by the end of the day, so were Tia and Mom!!!! Yay for the big girl asking to go potty!!!! Wow, I don't envy you that, although girls do seem to be easier to train than boys! Our fave Greek restaurant is Samos on Oldham Street in Greektown, off of Eastern Avenue, and our fave pizza is Pizza John's, an institution in Essex for 40 years now! Our 2nd fave is Matthew's, an institution in Highlandtown for 40+ years!! Never been to Amicci's - we pass by it, but have never been. I've been to Vellegia's and Sabatino's, but in my opinion, they're both just trading on name now, I'm not impressed with the food. Yep, right around the corner from Rosedale! Have a great day, Tia

Girl, I could have taken a nap myself! hehehe I was working on school work that evening and kept waking up realizing I had zonked off! How did I know you would say Samos and Pizza John's??? Samos just needs to relocate to a larger location because carry out is about all I've ever been able to get there. We're trying to go to new places to try. Vellegia's and Sabatino's are old school for me. Been there done that and yes they've gone downhill. Never been to Matthew's. I'm sure you've been to Jad's Caddyshack! YUMMMY food, excellent prices, SLoooooowwww service. Can't figure out why. The kitchen must not be able to keep up.

I agree, Samos needs to enlarge, although I don't think it would still be big enough, and he'd never be able to keep up. As for Pizza John's, I wish they would deliver, but they'd never be able to keep up with demand. Matthew's has been around forever - but they are delish! We're going back to Little Italy during Thanksgiving week since my brother and I are both off, so I think we may try Rocco's - the menu looks pretty good. Of course, Vacarro's is always a must. We're also going to Nacho Mama's in Canton - it's such a quirky place, but so laid-back. Yep, pre-op, we went to Jad's every Friday - now, we go about every other week. Depends upon our server or what we order - if Mom orders fried chicken, I know we're in for a wait. Other than that, not too many problems. We'll have to get together on a Saturday when the weather's nice - KB like to go to Eastern Regional Park, past Bengie's Drive-In. They have some stuff Kylie would like, and I'm sure KB would love to play with her, if it's not too cold, of course. Okay, gotta ACT like I'm working. Tia

Morning! First I want to say how great it was on Saturday! Everyone is so nice and I had a good time....and the fantastic weather! Couldn't have asked for a better day! Already looking forward to next time!! I will definatly keep Terry's mom in my prayers today. Mo showed me the pictures she took on her camera and they all look good, can't wait until she posts them...except she can delete mine LOL I'm one who never likes any pic taken of me LOL Work is sooooooooooooo slow today. Really don't like the car business this time of year. Plus it's yucky out so I would have been alot happier under the covers all day! Hope everyone is having a WONDERFUL and HAPPY day! ~Heather

Hey Heather - Soooo glad to meet you! You looked great! The weather WAS beautiful, wasn't it? Personally, though, I'm looking forward to cold weather - I'm kinda sick that way! I don't like my picture being taken, either, but I'm glad there was a group shot! Yep, it sounds like a pj and hot tea kind of day - unfortunately, for both of us, it sounds like a desk and bottled water kind of day!!! Have a great day! Tia

Hey Tia, Then we must be a couple of sick pups LOL I love the cold weather! Maybe being a December baby has something to do with that! Fall and winter are my favorite...then Spring. Summer....hmmm maybe when I get these extra layers off I'll like summer a little better...I may even have to invest in a winter coat this year!!! Wouldn't that be something? I haven't owned a winter coat in years....I carried it with me all year round! Yep, chained to my desk....really sucks...and bored! Well, better try to look like I am working so I don't get into trouble. Found a way to access the MD board even through the firewalls I'll be so happy when my home PC is fixed! Looks like they are going to have it a week. ~Heather

Good morning. I had a great time on Saturday. I enjoyed both the Dutch Market and Valley View Farms. VVF was almost like a German Christmas Market. The only things missing were the bratwurst sandwiches, Gluwine (hot wine) and good old cold Germany type weather. I enjoyed the weather we had much better. It was a beautiful day. So much different than yesterday. I am fairly busy today. Couple of trips for my guys this week but those are all ready to go. I have re-checked trip details to make sure I am not missing anything. I have some other tasks that I hope to complete this week. I didn't get up to exercise this morning but I hope to get in some strength training at lunch and I brought my clothes for curves this evening. I am going right after work so I won't use the "I'm at home and don't want to go out again" excuse to miss tonight. I'm praying for Terry, her mom and sister today. Thanks for keeping us posted Tia. It was so great to meet everyone on Saturday. Y'all are such a great group of friends. I went home and fell asleep, woke up 3 hours later! I guess that going to bed at midnight the night before didn't help me much. I love taking naps on the weekend so I didn't really mind. I can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week already! This year has gone by so fast. We had Thanksgiving dinner with our church yesterday. I did really well with my eating choices. I made the lowfat no suger pumpkin muffins so I had a "dessert" to eat. I don't like not being able to measure or weigh my food but I think I did a good job. I didn't eat til I was stuffed and that made me feel good. Well, gotta run. Hope everyone has a great day. Hugs, Robin

Hey Robin - LOVED your hair! And Mo's, too! Glad you enjoyed Valley View, although like you found out, it can be overwhelming!!! Glad you have all the details worked out for your guys - maybe they'll pick on someone else this week! You're right, this year is flying by. I LOVE Thanksgiving - it has the elements of Christmas - family, friends, food - minus the stress!!! Mom & I are making candied sweet potatoes, mac & cheese and dessert for Thanksgiving at my aunt's. We're making it this weekend, along with cornbread stuffing for us, and freezing it. It makes the actual day pretty hassle-free. We play Christmas music while we're cooking and of course, we get our exercise because Molly the Beagle lays sprawled out on the floor (all the better to catch anything that hits the floor!), and we literally have to step over her! Glad you did well at your church's dinner - sounds like it was a nice get-together. Again, I REALLY enjoyed our get-together on Saturday - my fave part was sitting around the table outside. I'm so glad I met all of you, I feel like I have a whole new bunch of sisters! Well, have a great rest of the day! Tia