Ravens Win Against Steelers — Great Time in Downtown Baltimore Last Night

If you were unable to be at the stadium last night, you missed the huge electric energy flowing in and around M&T Bank Stadium in Downtown Baltimore.

The tailgating lots opened at 3:20 pm and many enjoyed the warm, gorgeous afternoon hanging out with friends and watching the earlier games on TV’s brought in their cars!

We didn’t head down until about 4:30, but it was a beautiful night, and the excitement was palpable. I was happy to see a friend who I haven’t seen in over 5 years since he moved to California, but was home and came to see the game with us.

We entered the stadium around 7:30 and many were already in their seats. There were quite a few Steelers fans around, and some Baltimore Ravens fans were a bit heated with them already.

Luckily everyone settled down at gametime, which began with spectacular fireworks set off from the tops of the lights on the stadium as the players ran out, and again after the National Anthem was finished.

We began our game on a great note, taking our first drive all the way downfield and scoring a touchdown!

Then, things got tough from there.

Dixon, the rookie 3rd string Quarterback on the Steelers is a fantastic player. He is smart and very fast. Once seasoned, he will be a tough opponent to beat!

The Steelers, though down two important players from their team, were there to win.

Luckily for the Baltimore Ravens, so were they. Going into overtime, Paul Kruger intercepted a pass, and they scored a field goal (thank you, new kicker Billy Cundiff!), creating the late night win over the Steelers, and leaving happy fans to disburse in Federal Hill.

Thank goodness for the rain holding off, and the beautiful night, and the Ravens WIN! Now onto Green Bay. GO RAVENS!

Downtown Baltimore for the Holidays — Dollar or Less Days

December ushers in a beautiful time in Downtown Baltimore and the this year, the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore has made it even more affordable than ever to enjoy!

Next weekend, December 5 & 6, 2009 are Dollar or Less Days! 15 Downtown museums are offering this great price.

One of these is Port Discovery, which on Sunday is offering the $1 admission price on Sunday. Admission is usually $12.95, so this is an AMAZING deal!

Add onto that the National Aquarium in Baltimore is offering limited tickets at this price, and theirs is normally $29.95 for adults, and the Maryland Science Center usually at $14.95, these are incredible offers that you should take advantage of! Visit Baltimore.org ’s website for a full list of participating museums.

Enjoy Downtown Baltimore for less this weekend. Just another great reason to live and play in Baltimore!

Patient First in Lutherville Provides Wonderful Care

This week has held a myriad of health issues in my household, all resulting in trips to Patient First at Greenspring Station off Falls Road and West Joppa Road in Lutherville.

It began with my sinus infection that was bad enough to make me go there last Sunday. I was in & out in less than an hour, prescription in hand.

Thanksgiving Eve brought my mother’s spill on my driveway, resulting in two fractured bones in her wrist, and yes, our trip to Patient First and the X-ray machine.

Thanksgiving Night, my husband sliced the tip of his finger off, creating another opportunity for a trip to Patient First. He handled it well with layers of paper towels and tape so as not to leave me with our 30 guests before heading there around 9 pm. (Thank you!)

This morning had a return trip for me, as my ears and throat were still hurting a week after going on antibiotic. A switch of medicines and I was ready to go.

From the professional courteous staff at the front desks and the caring nurses as you go back to the exam rooms, to the conscientious Doctors, I have to say, I have been impressed this past week.

I tend to go to Patient First when I need medical care on off hours – bronchitis, sinus infections & the like. My mother’s break was my first with the xray and staff working together to relieve pain and immobilize a break. I also appreciate that they didn’t like the way it was broken and referred her to an orthopedic rather than going ahead and setting it, possibly incorrectly.

There are multiple locations around the Baltimore area, so find your local one. If you are lucky enough to live in Lutherville close to the Patient First at Greenspring Station, please feel confident in your care. I was very pleased! Thank you, Patient First!

Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium in Downtown Baltimore Sunday November 29, 2009

Sunday Night Football comes to Baltimore in the form of a AFC North Division rivalry when the Ravens take on the Pittsburgh Steelers this week at 8:20 pm.

Pittsburgh is only a few hours away so this is always an exciting game with fans from both sides cheering their teams on.

Neither team has been playing up to their potential, and there is no lock on who could possibly capture the wildcard spot, so this promises to be a great game. This is always a tough game for our Ravens, and we, the fans, need to be a strong 12th man for them!

Parking lots open for tailgaiting about 5 hours prior to gametime at M&T Bank Stadium on the edge of Federal Hill in Downtown Baltimore .

Expect  Baltimore to be electric for SNF and look for a sea of purple all day long.

So join in & wear your purple – and come cheer on our home team!

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish each and every one of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

I have much to be thankful for, especially my family. My son, the best thing that ever happened to me (next to my husband), my father who is fighting cancer like a champ and still recovering after major surgery in May, my mother who is stronger than I ever imagined…my in-laws who are there for me whenever I could possibly need them…my brother and his family who moved closer to us last year so I actually get to see my niece and nephews…I truly have so much to be grateful for.

My clients who have made this year my best year ever. The trust and confidence you have placed in me is heartwarming and I am continually thankful.

My friends who make every day a better day.

My dogs, who love me and cuddle with me no matter what my mood may say.

My officemates, who help me problem solve and work together to be the best agents we can be.

And I know I mentioned him before, but I am truly grateful for my husband, who supports me, challenges me, and makes me a better person.

So thank you to all who have had an impact on my life this year. I am grateful and thankful for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Towson Realtor Sworn in as Line Officer of Greater Baltimore Chapter of Women’s Council of REALTORS(R)

On Thursday, November 19, I was fortunate to be sworn in as the 2010 Vice President of Membership for the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS(R) at the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors in Lutherville.

This is a very prestigious yet demanding position, and I welcome the challenge.

As a “line officer” for the Chapter, I have many responsibilities, one of which is upholding the Vision of the Women’s Council of REALTOR(S): “Through our influence as successful business professionals, women will effect positive change in the profession and in the broader community.”

I plan to do so by growing our membership and increasing retention of our current members.

I appreciate the opportunity to serve the Women’s Council and look forward to an exciting year of education and networking.

Let’s Say Thanks to Our Troops

I remembered this from last year, and was excited that Xerox was doing it again when I read about it on another website. I did this yesterday and it took just moments. Please take time to do this today. It will mean a lot to someone stationed away from home.

There are four easy steps to sending a FREE postcard to a member of our troops deployed overseas.

1) Visit Let’s Say Thanks website.

2) Choose one of the postcards scrolling across the top.

3) Choose a message from the predesigned ones or write your own message.

4) Hit “send”.

That’s it! A deployed serviceman or servicewoman will receive your card — at NO CHARGE to you or them!

We have much to be thankful for as Americans, and what a wonderful, simple, easy yet meaningful way to say THANK YOU to those who are on the front lines supporting our freedoms every day.

THANK YOU, TROOPS!

Holiday Train Garden at Shops at Kenilworth in Towson Opens Friday November 27, 2009

The Shops at Kenilworth in Towson has a grand tradition that my family enjoys each year, the Holiday Train Garden!

Children and adults alike can visit the Kenilworth Mall and view the trains, push buttons and control parts of the scene, and watch in wonder as all of the moving parts create a mini city in the middle of the mall!

The best part is that it is FREE!

I have been searching for my photos, because the excitement in both my son’s and all of the other children’s faces is just priceless. When I locate them, I will share!

**Update: I found one of my son from last year! Hopefully I will get some more good ones this year!**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Holiday Train Garden at The Shops at Kenilworth runs from November 27, 2009 – January 8, 2010. It is open during mall hours, which generally are Monday – Saturday 10 am- 9 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm.

 

The Shops at Kenilworth is located at 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson, MD 21204. Phone: 410-321-1909.

Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees Friday-Sunday November 27-29 at Timonium Fairgrounds

Believe it or not, it is that time of year again — it’s the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Festival of Trees!

As they put it on their website: “If Santa had a Themepark, this would be it!”

We thoroughly enjoyed this last year and are looking forward to this year! Our son LOVED the train garden last year, while my niece was onstage dancing with the entertainers.

This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Festival of Trees, and they are offering a special: $2 off Adult Admission when you buy your ticket online.

I will share with you something we learned quickly last year, at our first visit to the Festival. If you have children over the age of 1, BUY THE $20 ACTIVITY PACKET (which you can order online with your tickets or buy at the door if you buy your tickets there). It includes a wrist band for unlimited train rides, moon bounce, and carousel, plus a ticket for a pony ride, and 20 activity tickets. We did not originally, and ended up going back to wait in line to get them. Kids will WANT TO PLAY these activities and ride the rides.

The Festival of Trees is Friday & Saturday November 27 & 28 from 10 am – 9 pm and Sunday, November 29 from 10 am -6 pm at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. The cost before discount is $10 adults, $5 for children 5-12 years old & senior citizens. Children under 4 are free.

The Maryland State Fairgrounds are located at 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093.

Baltimore Ravens vs Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium in Downtown Baltimore Sunday November 22, 2009

This Sunday is a HUGE game for the Baltimore Ravens, so expect to see an even larger sea of purple than usual in Downtown Baltimore this Sunday.

Why is this such a big game? Because the Indianapolis Colts will be in town. The Colts used to be the Baltimore Colts until they picked up and moved in the middle of the night to Indianapolis in 1983. The city of Baltimore was devastated, and even more hurt when the team name was taken as well, as if they never existed in Baltimore. (Meanwhile the Baltimore Colts were named after Baltimore’s horse breeding tradition, so the name made little sense in Indy.)

The city remained NFL teamless until Art Donovan moved the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in 1996. Unlike the way things went before, Donovan left the team name in Cleveland, so that when they got a new team, that city could continue to have their legacy.

In 1996, The Baltimore Ravens became Baltimore’s home team, and purple has ruled the town since. But that age old hurt comes back whenever the blue & white & the horseshoe come into OUR hometown with a different city name.

So as you see the waves of purple on Sunday, understand the significance and pride behind the city of Baltimore in wearing it. I expect to be hoarse on Monday because I will be screaming my lungs out in support of our Ravens!

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