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An Impromptu AR Gathering in Annapolis Maryland...What a Holiday Treat!!

By Martha Brown

Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 DRE# 319853

December 22, 2008 04:35 PM

Last Friday, or was it Saturday??? This time of year all the days seem to run together, I received a contact from jeff The FHA EXPERT, Jeff Belonger. (Sorry Jeff, wrong photo but it looks good don't you think?) Seems he was coming down from his neck of the woods to watch the Redskins beat the Eagles on Sunday and while here he decided to contact a few Active Rainers for an impromptu holiday get together over lunch. After a little juggling over where that lunch would be we all met up at Famous Daves just outside Annapolis near our Mall. margaret

Margaret Rome was there and with her Type E personality had made name tags for all of us to wear. Is she together or what? She also brought along her newly published book and her publisher Peg Peg Silloway too which was an extra nice treat.

pat Pat Kennedy drove down from DC in her freshly cleaned real estate car and even gave us pointers as to the proper placement of our phones Blackberries during lunch. For all of you that do not know the politically correct placement of your phone while dining, it is on your right just above your spoon.

John John MacArthur flew down from Olney, Md. Well he drove actually. He was thrilled to be there because afterwards he was going right across the street to the Mall to Christmas shop. He is such a well organized man and knows exactly how to take care of multiple tasks at one time.

audrey Audrey-June Forshey came down from Gaithersburg. This 19 year Maryland Realtor has an Alabama accent to die for and the stories to go with it.

lewis Lewis Portez from Open Mortgage was there. Seems he had been hanging with Jeff for the past few days and no those are not his shoes hanging on the wall and no it is not a Maryland custom to do so as so many think it is. Lewis is a true gentleman and keeps his shoes on his feet as all us Marylander's do in restaurants.

rich Rich Iarossi was there as well. He and I work out of the same real estate office. He joined AR after me and has already passed me in points but hey, he has one grandchild, I have 17, he has a wife and I have a husband so our work loads are definitely skewed. I will catch up though so watch out Mr. Rich!! :)

Jeff brought his insurance man with him. Sorry but for the life of me I can not remember his name. Anyway, not sure if he was along because they are friends or if it is because Jeff has a freak accident phobia. Who's kidding who, it's the phobia that got him there. LOL

A few more showed just as I had to leave. Seems this time of year I never have enough hours in a day to accomplish everything but I am sure glad I found some time for this get together even though I had to leave early.

jeff Thanks Jeff. Your impromptu get together was a very special treat and the perfect way to start this Christmas week. Sorry your football team did not win. That certainly wasn't very hospitable of us but you know us Marylanders, we have just enough yankee in us to be that way. Quite frankly my dear, I do give a hoot. That was how Rhett said it, wasnt it?? Us yankees have trouble with those southern sayings you know

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Lets do it again next year!!

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Lynda Eisenmann

Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA

Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Martha,

Looks like everyone had a great time and you've got some of my favorites here. It's also so nice to see a few other folks along the way. No doubt you've got one of my all time favs, Miss Margaret Rome is one of those.

Dec 22, 2008 04:47 PM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Martha, What a delightful afternoon. Loved meeting and getting to know you.

Wow, 17 grandchildren...now that has to be a record even on Active Rain.

Dec 22, 2008 05:03 PM

Richard Iarossi

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD

Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Martha,

Thanks for the invitation to lunch. It really was great meeting the faces and personalities I see every day on my monitor. Thanks to Jeff for bringing it together, even if the Eagles did lose to the local team.

Our workloads may be slightly different but I am the senior member of the "47" club. Whatever distinction that carries.

Rich

Dec 22, 2008 09:47 PM

Amy Salisbury

Leading Edge Properties - Charles Town, WV

West Virginia Realtor/Jefferson/Berkeley

Martha,

Looks like you had a great lunch with some great people! Charles Town isn't horribly far from Annapolis..hint, hint...! Thanks for sharing the photos! Merry Christmas!

Dec 22, 2008 10:20 PM

Gita Bantwal

RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA

REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I am sure every one had a great time. happy Holidays to you and your family.

Dec 22, 2008 11:25 PM

Martha Brown

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD

Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

Lynda- We had a wonderful time and meeting everyone in person was a real treat. They are all as nice in person as they are on the screen. And Margaet is one of my favs too!!

Margaret- I feel the same. You are a delight and it was a true honor to met you in person and get to know you a little more.

Rich- Ahhh yes, but only by 11 days. :) I am so glad you were able to make it. The company was delightful for sure.

Amy- We did indeed. For my very first AR Gathering and an impromptu one at that I got to meet some amazing people. Next time for sure

Dec 22, 2008 11:35 PM

Brian Block

RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA

Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

Martha, I'm glad that you had the chance to get together with some of my very favorite local bloggers. Sorry I couldn't make it yesterday.

Dec 22, 2008 11:46 PM

Jeff Belonger

Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ

The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Martha.... it was nice to have met you also...thanks for joining us. And don't worry about the first picture, I have seen worse... lol And my friend, his name is John and he is an IT guy for Blue Cross.

@ Brian Block... so, I have to be local? Or just for the fact that you don't have any far and away favorite bloggers? ;o(

PS.... in regards to Lewis's shoes, you should have seen him at the skins game. He didn't have any shoes on then.... lol

jeff belonger

Dec 23, 2008 12:27 AM

John MacArthur

Century 21 Redwood - Washington, DC

Licensed Maryland/DC Realtor, Metro DC Homes

Martha - even for a moment......time stopped........we gathered.....we chatted........I had some chili...and then we went back into the whirlwind of our loves and lives.............it was good.........I feel fortunate that Jeff thought of me and that I got to meet such an eclectic group of Rainers.

Dec 23, 2008 02:07 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Martha: What a blast! And that accent of Audrey's is just great. She makes you feel instantly at home on the phone.

Dec 23, 2008 02:29 AM

Martha Brown

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD

Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

Brian- We missed you. I would have loved to have met you. Maybe next time.

Jeff- It was great meeting you and I am so glad you brought the gathering together. Thank you it was a real treat. Priceless actually. As for Lewis.... oh my!!! Those hot taddy's at a cold skins game are known to warm you to your toes :)

John- It truly was a pleasure meeting you as well. And even more so since I can now say I met, in person, the famous blogger that Wes e-blasted. How cool is that?? Yes we were an electic group and that made it even that more special. Merry Christmas

Chris Ann-It was a blast and you are right Audrey does have a way of making you feel instantly at home.

Dec 23, 2008 11:11 AM

Terrylynn Fisher

Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA

HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

Wow, sounds like a family reunion. I like family reunions...warm and fuzzy and fun. We feel that way at our Expos alot, seeing all the AR people and getting face time, it's wonderful.

Dec 23, 2008 11:30 AM

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor

Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ

AzLadyInRed

Martha, aren't these gatherings fun? I know we have one regularly here in Arizona, and don't you think people look different in person - from their photos? ;-) Merry Christmas!

Dec 24, 2008 12:23 AM

Peg Silloway

The Silloway Press - Beaverton, OR

It was a great time, for sure, and I really enjoyed meeting you and the other area Rainers, Martha. Love your comment about us Yankee-type Marylanders! That's right - this ain't the south even if we are below the Mason-Dixon line. Mostly, though, it's just a great place to be - remember when we used to be called "The land of pleasant living" and "America in miniature"? Hope we have another AR gathering soon - look forward to seeing you there.

Dec 24, 2008 01:36 AM

Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh

Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD

A doctor who makes house calls.

Sounds like you had a great time. It must be cool to see the faces you "talk to" all the time online. (I get the pleasure of seeing John MacArthur all the time in my office).

Dec 27, 2008 12:32 AM

Ellie McIntire

Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD

Luxury service in Central Maryland

And where was my invite? I am only 2 years late!

Feb 10, 2011 09:03 AM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Ellie, Must have gotten lost in the mail. You are always invited!!!

Margaret

Feb 10, 2011 11:01 AM