Public Knowledge

Being in real estate, we have certain obligations to our clients and customers. Local crime statistics is not one of our professional obligations; in fact, federal law prohibits us from giving opinions or information that is not our expertise. Our expertise resides in real estate, it's local laws and making sure we offer the best advice to our clients when buying or selling a home in this regard.
There are however public sites on the internet where you can do your own research. We personally take a neutral or noncompliant view of personal prejudices and preferences...and treat all our customers with the same respect and concerns as we would members of our family. We want you to be happy with your housing decisions. We can direct you to school district sites, mapping, local ammenities, and more. Below is an email we received some time ago. You may find it interesting.

www.FamilyWatchDog.us

"When you visit this site you can enter your address and a map will pop up with your house as a small icon of a house. There may be red, blue andgreen dots surrounding your entire neighborhood. When you click on these dots a picture of a criminal will appear with his or her home address and the description of the crime he or she has committed.

The best thing is that you can show your children these pictures and see how close these people live to your home or school. This site was developed by John Walsh from Americas Most Wanted. This is another tool we can use to help us keep our kids safe. Please pass this on to everyone!!!"

Clifton E. Files,
Domestic Violence SpecialistDepartment of Family AdministrationAdministrative Office of the Courts
580 Taylor Avenue Suite A2
Annapolis MD 21401-2310

Bad bad blogger Anniversary

Hi all, Best wishes for the new year!

I've been feeling guilty lately, for the past few weeks, that I havent blogged, and yet, things were happening around here that I wanted to talk about. And then I realized that it has been a year since I've started this blog.
So for right now, I just wanted to post and say that some of the missing stories will come, when life/happenings slow down a bit around here. But all is well with us all. Today I am taking down our Christmas tree, it's freezing cold outside..in the teens. Yesterday we had a lovely dry and sparkling 3 inch snowfall. We also made airport runs yesterday in the wee morning to BWI and Dulles in the evening taking 2 of our adult "kids" and their SOs to the airports to faraway places.
Our 3rd(middle) "kid" left for faraway again on 3 January.
While we miss everyone so much, it was soooo wonderful having their enthusiasms, ideas, humor, intellect and opinions around here for a while. How energizing! oxooxPaula

Ready for Christmas = Snow Blizzard!

It started snowing on Friday night, and continued till Saturday night. Beautiful big snowflakes.

We had lots of snow in Quince Haven..around 22 or 23 inches I would say. Sadly for me I have a bad cold, so I didn't go out to enjoy it. But Paul spent hours shoveling..2 shifts...to make all those snow piles and passageways. I would have helped if I felt better. Felt guilty, but also lucky he was at least home for the storm.

He loved listening to his book on tape on his ipod while he shoveled the white loveliness.

Can't wait for our grown kids to arrive from around the world to enjoy the snow and the holidays with us.

Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas, or whatever family holiday you celebrate together this season, to you all.

DC Christmas

Santa is very jolly because he knows where all the bad girls live. ~Dennis Miller

People can't concentrate properly on blowing other people to pieces if their minds are poisoned by thoughts suitable to the twenty-fifth of December. ~Ogden Nash

May your holidays be merry and full of people you love spending time with. oxoxP

December 5th, Saturday at my house

“The future lies before you, like paths of pure white snow. Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.”

My Computer Companion Sushi

She knows how to keep warm and "fe"lax.

Red Cross for our Soldiers

The Quince Orchard Red Cross Club of Quince Orchard High School, 15800 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, MD, is planning on making boxes to send to our troops overseas. Here is their information if you are interested in helping out or making a donation. Donations may be dropped off in the main office of the high school..walk through the front door, and the office is straight ahead. Donations will be accepted until December 11, 2009.
The Quince Orchard Red Cross Club is putting together care packages for our soldiers. We need our community to help us put together the care packages. The following items would be greatly appreciated and are being collected in a box in the main office.

Snack Items:
Ramen Noodles
Granola Bars
Popcorn
Candy Bars
Crystal Light drink Mixes
Canned Goods
Peanut Butter
Cookies
Fruit Snacks
Crackers
Chips
Ground Coffee
Non-dairy Coffee Cream
Sugar Packets
Beef Jerky
Gum
Easy Mac
Vitamins
Cereal
Pop tarts
Sunflower Seeds
Brownie/ Cake mixes
Dip
Peanuts and pistachios
Hygienic Items:
Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Shower Shoes
Foot Powder
Body Wash
Baby Wipes
Razors
Sanitary Napkins
Toilet Paper
After Shave
Nail Clippers
Hand Sanitizers
Chap sticks
Deodorant
Q Tips
Hair Spray
Floss
Lotion
Sun Screen
Mouth Wash
Tampons
Entertainment Items:
· DVD
· Crossword Puzzles
· Batteries
· Books
· Magazines
· Board Games
· Highlighter
· Blank Cds
· Pens
· Electronics
· Envelopes
· Papers
· Portable Radios
· Wireless Games for Ps3
· Music
· Card
· Jump Ropes
Other Items:
Bug Spray
Coffee Mugs
Mouse traps
Power strips (110,220)
Coffee Filters
Sun glasses
Febreeze
Calling Cards
Batteries
Tents
Tylenol
Aspirin
Cough Drops
Tooth Picks