Bridget "Mortgage Mama" McGee

December Season of Celebrations And Sharing-Margaret Woda Operation Christmas

This holiday season will be a little brighter for our troops serving overseas, as well as for the children they encounter. By now the almost 200 care packages assembled by Margaret Woda and her team of elves have probably been delivered.

My family was blessed to be able to help Margaret, her Long & Foster officemates (including the lovely Annapolis Realtor Martha Brown), her garden club, Crofton Village Garden Club and neighbors with this project. Donations of books, small toys, toiletries, snacks, baby wipes, games, trinkets and more were wrapped, bagged and boxed up for delivery through OperationGive.org

According to their website: The mission of Operation Give is to bring hope and solutions to the deprived and disconnected people of the world, in many cases where the U.S. military operates. We will provide assistance to the U.S. Military men and women in winning the hearts and minds of the people in these regions where the military is serving, in order to ease their suffering, and prepare them for a brighter future.

Margaret's Crofton Long & Foster office is in the middle of Fort Meade/NSA, Andrews Joint Forces Base and the United States Naval Academy. Understandably, they have helped a ton of military families with their real estate needs. Margaret is passionate about our troops and has first hand knowledge of the needs of the military family having served as a Naval Officer's wife-She's been there, done that when it comes to military transfers!

Margaret feels that this project is a chance to show our troops how much their sacrifices are appreciated. Her first year, they gathered enough donations for about 30 bags, this year they were able to send almost 200 bags each tied with a jingle bell.

I bet if you wanted to start a similar project in your town, in your office Margaret would be willing to share some of her tips!

I am proud to know Margaret and grateful to our Troops for all that they sacrifice every day!

December Season of Celebrations And Sharing-Margaret Woda & Operation Christmas

Active Rain Meetup Westminster, Maryland at the Green Turtle.

You missed the meetup in Westminter, Maryland at the Green Turtle this afternoon. I know you did because Diane Phillips and I were a Meetup of two. But guess what? We had a great time! My apologies to Diane, the photographer didn't catch the best look it's the only picture of us I have!

Diane and I met the first time at RainCamp Atlantic City. We didn't get to spend much time together there. We kept talking about getting together, but schedules didn't seem to work out. Today we got to catch up. There were lots of laughs and too many similarities to count (We both have delusions of craftiness-I told her about my Christmas ornament exchange debacle and she told me about embroidering towels.

We talked about our backgrounds, getting into this business, blogging, family and our philosophy on helping people. We both hold our clients best interest as a top priority and we both love what we do!

We ordered the crab dip appetizer -It was DEE-LISH!! At the Green Turtle it is served with the most wonderful soft pretzle sticks. When you go, be sure to order it, some of the best I've had!

Our waitress April did an amazing job of being as attentive as we needed, but was never intrusive. April recommended the Philly Sandwich. It was so good! Is it wierd that Diane and I actually split the entree? Isn't that something that people do who have known each other forever? Well, that's the thing about ActiveRain. We share our lives in our blogs, we let down the curtain and include our readers into our lives, and as readers, we are included in the lives of the bloggers we read. Our comments are connections. Meeting face to face is just a formality, but what a wonderful formality!

If you haven't found a Meetup this go round, create one. If you don't get any response, make some calls and invite people personally, you won't regret it! This is a busy time of year, we get that. Make the time. It will do wonders for your spirit!

There is still time to make a Maryland Meetup. Martha Brown is hosting lunch in Annapolis on Thursday afternoon and Fernando Herbosa is hosting one in Gaithersburg on Thursday Night. Contact them to RSVP!

Thank you Diane for stepping out of your comfort zone and sponsoring the meetup. It was great to see you and learn more about you. I just know that 2012 will be one amazing year for you! I look forward to being a part of it!! Thank you again for lunch!!

To the staff of the Green Turtle in Westminster: Thanks for a lovely lunch. The Green Turtle is great for a lunch for two or twenty two, to catch a game or 50 (There's a ton of flat screens all over the restaurant.), happy Hour, and dinner or just to catch up with friends. The food was great. Our service was impeccable, from the moment we walked in the door to the moment we left! Rhonda, the manager, did a great job of decorating the restaurant, it's very festive! Thanks for your kindness!

You missed the meetup in Westminter, Maryland at the Green Turtle this afternoon. Hope to see you next time!

December's Season of Celebration and Sharing-Collecting New Or Gently Used Coats

If you are looking for an easy way to help someone in need, check your closet! Warm your heart by helping someone else keep warm!

Holiday Coat Drive

Thru December 20th

Benefit Montgomery County Charities

How can I help?

Drop off New or Gently Used Coats to: RE/MAX Realty Services

15020 Shady Grove Road#400

Rockville, MD 20850

or call your RE/MAX Services Agent to schedule a pick up. In Baltimore, you can also call me, Bridget "Mortgage Mama" McGee at 410-960-2061 and we will get the coats to Audrey June Forshey of REMAX.

December's Season of Celebration and Sharing-Collecting New Or Gently Used Coats

Not Feeling the Holiday Spirit Yet?

LOVE every twinkling' light, santa's helper, song,  smell of the season?

Either way, you will be hard-pressed not to feel the joy of the season when you take a trip to

CHRISTMAS ON THE POTOMAC

at Gaylord National Harbor

Millions of lights, Trees, Decorations, Santa and MORE! 

Dreamworks Extravaganza!, Scavenger Hunt, Breakfast with Shrek and a Madagascar character meet and greet. 

ICE! Merry Madagascar!  Walk through a wonderland created from 2 million lbs of block ice by 40 Chinese artisans!  It is truly amazing!

All this in a beautiful location just outside our Nation's Capital!

The customer service is impeccable, the staff truly makes each guest feel like an honored friend.  Even when there was a glitch, the folks of Gaylord went out of their way to make it right!  I can't wait to return!

What a way to share the joy of the season with the family! 

The Christmas season wouldn't be complete without a trip to the B&O Museum in Baltimore.

An amazing real and model train display awaits kids of all ages!

NEW this year is the Honorable William Donald Schaefer's toy train layout along with some of his treasured holiday memorabilia on exhibit for the first time ever and a new operating floor level G-scale layout. 

After you get your fill of exploring the trains, taking a walk through history and sharing in the joy of the model train gardens, there is still so much more to see and do!

• Indoor Train Carousel rides-A family favorite!
• Santa's workshop-decorate holiday crafts and ornaments
• North Pole Postage Bag-buy a postcard and mail a card to Santa.
• Weekend train rides along the first commercial mile of railroad track laid in America, Santa often rides along!
• Photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus & Frosty the Snowman through December 18. Frosty hangs around until December 31st.

A gift from you equals a gift for you.  Bring an unwrapped toy through December 18th for the US Marine Corp's Toys for and get 50% off admission. The Museum even offers 10% off for toys purchased from their shop for donation to Toys for Tots.