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Oh The Weather Outside Was Frightful! DC Active Rain Gathering.

By
Real Estate Agent with RLAH@properties AB95346

Yesterday afternoon and early evening, my phone was ringing out of it's little belt holder, with bloggers from all over the region calling to say they were afraid to brave the area roadways.  The sidewalks in front of my house started to look like a winter Olympics skating venue as a steady drizzle of freezing rain coated the city, and I couldn't blame them.

Still, the gathering happened!  It was smaller, but in some ways almost better!

Last night, I sat around my dining room table with Jonathan Washburn and some favorite area blog buddies, and we talked about all kinds of stuff, from Active Rain to the real estate meltdown to the new administration to his adventures at NAR yesterday afternoon. 

From left to right, we have James Downing, Margaret Woda (who brought some absolutely evil home-made cookies!), Jonathan Washburn, Craig Barrett, me, and Ken Montville.

Margaret Rome called in (the roads in Baltimore and we passed the phone to Jon, talking to her in front of my Christmas tree.  Yeah, yeah, it is still standing, although I did manage to get the ornaments off and put away!

If you ever get the chance to talk to Jon, get him talking about the early days of Active Rain.  His face lights up and he totally personifies that old adage that you find something you love to do and you'll never have to "work".

And I have to acknowledge John MacArthur for his efforts to make it.  He slid his way from Olney toward DC and after a couple of hours hadn't even gone half way, so he slid home again.  We missed you, John!

Comments(36)

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James Downing - Metro DC Houses Team REALTORS®, CRS, GRI, ABR,MRP, MilRes
Real Living | At Home - Washington, DC
When Looking to Buy or Sell - Make the Right Move

It was much fun Pat.  Thank you for hosting another wonderful event!

Jan 28, 2009 07:11 AM
Craig W. Barrett
RE/MAX 100 - Hughesville, MD
Hughesville MD Real Estate

Thank you for open your home to us Pat. The food was delicious, the company was great, and the weather was interesting. It was great to meet Jon and see you again!

Jan 28, 2009 07:20 AM
Kathy Opatka
RE/MAX CROSSROADS - Ocean City, MD
Serving Ocean City, MD, & The Delaware Beaches

Pat,

Sorry I couldn't make it, but you're wonderful for being a welcoming hostess! I love your dining pix room; just beautiful!

Kathy Opatka Re/Max OCEAN CITY,MARYLAND

Jan 28, 2009 08:20 AM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Looks like a good time for everyone. Sorry I couldn't make it. Maybe in May for NAR mid year meetiings

Jan 28, 2009 09:28 AM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Patricia - What fun!  That's pretty cool that you can get together with Active Rain folks...  :)

Jan 28, 2009 09:36 AM
Meyer Leibovitch
RE/MAX Elite Services, Nurit Coombe Team - North Bethesda, MD
REALTOR Boyds, MD

Hey Pat,

It looks like you guys had a great night! I am sure we'll talk soon :)

 

Jan 28, 2009 09:41 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Patricia, Looks like you all had a wonderful time--how nice to get to meet some terrific Activerainers in person.

Jan 28, 2009 09:50 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Red Hook, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Pat - Great you could have your gathering despite the inclement weather.  So what type of cookies did Margaret  make?

Jan 28, 2009 11:28 AM
Elizabeth Cooper-Golden
Huntsville Alabama Real Estate, (@ Homes Realty Group) - Huntsville, AL
Huntsville AL MLS

If it makes you feel any better, I still have my kitchen x-mas tree up, lol...aren't we bad?  I'm looking forward to an AR gathering in my future!  Tell us more about those killer cookies...

Jan 28, 2009 12:05 PM
Jeff Geoghan
Coldwell Banker Realty - Lancaster, PA
REALTOR, Marketing Manager

There seems to be a bunch of AR get-togethers happening this year already.  I'm looking forward to attending one some day myself...

Jan 28, 2009 12:30 PM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Patricia, It is just pure D cold here in Texas right this minute. I wore a turtle neck with a fleece sweater and a long scarf and my leather coat today. I moved like a robot but was still cold while showing houses! Stay warm my friend. Looks like a warm gathering. Warm hearts!

Later in the rain~Deb

Jan 28, 2009 01:03 PM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

What a party.  I knew I needed to put you on my blog tonight.  Party girl supreme!!!

Jan 28, 2009 01:42 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

That Global Warming is pretty tough stuff.  Glad you guys had fun... 

Jan 28, 2009 01:49 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Patricia - sounds like a fun time even though the weather may have dampened things a bit. So who took the main photo?

Jeff

Jan 28, 2009 01:56 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Boy,

That is a motley crew, glad the DC cops did not raid the place.

Jan 28, 2009 03:27 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Pat!  You're just rubbing elbows with ALL of the celebs, aren't you?!  First the Prez, then Jon AND Margaret (one of my absolute FAVS!)...  What's next for you dear?!!  Glad you had a great time and I'll keep in mind the topic that makes Jon tick! ;-)

Debe in Charlotte

Jan 29, 2009 12:52 AM
Emily Lowe
RE/MAX Homes and Estates, Lipman Group - Nashville, TN
Nashville TN Realtor

That looks like fun Patricia!  You were all brave souls to get out in the weather!  I think it's freezing down here in Nashville, and we don't even have any snow!!!  Cheerio - have a great weekend!  Stay warm!

Jan 29, 2009 04:36 AM
Ed Schneider
Evers & Co. Real Estate Inc. - Washington, DC
Washington DC Real Estate Specialist

Pat - count me as one of the weather wimps that evening. Sorry I missed it.

Jan 29, 2009 08:04 AM
Sharon Richards
Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

Pat - Looks like great fun.  Glad you all had the get together in spite of the weather.

Jan 29, 2009 10:14 AM
Sylvia Barry
Coldwell Banker Previews International (#1 Marin_Sonoma_San Francisco_North_Bay) - San Rafael, CA
Marin and Sonoma Real Estate Leading Expert

Hi Pat - it's good that you did not cancel the party... What would President Obama say... Coming from Chicago and all ....  :-)

Looks like fun!

Feb 01, 2009 11:55 AM