The Philadelphia Story - Completed 2/18
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**DopeyGirl** · 02-18-2005, 12:33 AM

Great report Nancy!!!

Sorry everyone got sick at the end (except "the carrier"

)!!!

**LizardCop** · 02-18-2005, 05:35 AM

Excellent Report Everyone... THANKS for sharing!!!

GoofyMom · 02-18-2005, 07:40 AM

Except for all the sickness that developed, it really sounded like a great meet!

I hope all are feeling better now!

karmic · 02-18-2005, 08:03 AM

What a great time you all had! Thanks for sharing your adventures!

Tara O'Hara · 02-18-2005, 09:48 AM

Nancy, thanks for sharing your wonderful memories of that weekend!!

It truly was a blast, even if we all got sick!! I am still nursing this pneumonia stuff! I am on two antibiotics and have to go for a repeat chest x-ray today!

I hope to feel normal soon! (Well, you know what I mean!

) It was a pleasure to meet you all and I hope it won't be the last time!!

Love,
Tara!

luvnwdwgal · 02-18-2005, 11:22 AM

Thanks for sharing your Philly story with us gals! So sorry about all the sickness!

**DrDolphin** · 02-18-2005, 01:02 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Great updates, everyone.

Uh-oh, Tara. Glad I'm not your roommate in May

[/ QUOTE ]

I am!!!! Ok Dearie - there will be a Corona limit for you!!!

katspjs · 02-18-2005, 06:14 PM

Great report Marie! Sounds like you all had a blast!

Hope everyone is feeling better soon!

**CRCrazy** · 02-19-2005, 09:07 AM

Nancy - you are an AWESOME report writer - I feel like I'm right back there! Can't wait for the next one!

Okay - I'm ready to finish up my perspective now, and add in a few more pictures that I have. Tara, any pictures from you???

Okay - you've heard about our fun trip to Ralph's - but I don't have any pictures, as I forgot to bring my camera! This place was fabulous - the food was out of this world - I think EVERYBODY loved their meals - I had the shrimp scampi, and it was to die for! We had a lot of laughs, and great conversation - between Nancy and the IN-yocki - not gnocchi - and the hysterical Corona lime feats!! Nancy - don't feel bad - at the other end of the table, Janine wasn't having any more success - her dinner must have tasted of eau de Corona - because hers sprayed all over!! The dessert menu was just as great - they had five different options, I believe - and we ended up with one of each! I had some sort of ice cream balls rolled in chocolate - mmmmm - and somebody had some cheesecake in there as well. No wonder we all got sick, as we all tasted a bit of each dessert!! They were worth it (for me - I had the nasty virus and cough - but I caught it before it turned to pneumonia - poor Lynn and Tara!!!) More chit-chat in the taxi's back to the hotel, and then we were off to the karaoke bar!! The smoke was rather nasty - I'm pretty allergic to the stuff! The company and conversation was great fun however! I think Tara got in trouble when she switched from Coronas to Sam Adams - the size choices were 16 oz or 24! I don't remember how many she had though! I was busy drinking my chardonnay! Nancy and Lynn excused themselves once the bar started getting loud, and it was getting late. I stayed to finish my glass of wine, and enjoyed listening to the later few karaoke singers, that could really sing. Then Janine and I headed upstairs.

The beds at the Crowne Plaza really were heavenly! They were so cushy and comfy - and I loved all the pillows!! Nancy - I'll travel with you any time! (You don't snore - and John does!!!) After a great night's sleep, I woke up pretty early (my internal alarm tends to go off between 4-5 am!) I finally got up around 6 or so, and snuck into the shower - I tried not to wake up the girls, although I think Janine heard my travel bag crinkle when I got my stuff out of my duffel! I threw on my Patriots shirt (GO PATS!) but after watching the riotous behavior of the Eagles fans on the news the night before, I put my jacket on top! I then set off in search of a Sunday newspaper! This is NOT the place to look for one! I took a lovely early morning tour of Philly's Center City - there are plenty of Starbucks - but no "Wa-Wa's" or any other type of Store 24 stuff! The newstands were all locked up, and the little pull boxes were all empty. Oh well - I had a nice walk! It was a little chillier this morning, with a brisk breeze, and I felt really bad for the people wrapped in blankets sleeping on the streets! This is the sad side to city life. The city is really beautiful though

When I got back to the hotel, I asked if there was anyplace to get a newspaper, and the desk clerk said they usually had them right at the little coffee shop, but they hadn't received their delivery that morning. Oh well - coffee is good! I grabbed a cup, and went back up. The other girls were just starting to stir, and Lynn came over to clue us in about poor Tara! At least she was respectful of the Quiet Zone!!

Tara was sleeping, so Lynn used the blow dryer in our room to try and give her some rest! We took our time getting ready, packed up and went down to the little coffee shop to get some more joe, and a bagel to start our day. We then met up with Lynn, and a Tara who looked amazingly well considering all things - although she hadn't packed well - no nightie - and no stockings to wear with her cute skirt she had packed for today!! We picked up the car, and headed off for the train station to meet up with Joan and Rachel!

**chezp** · 02-19-2005, 10:46 AM

Great installment Marie - I love the way this report is continuing, because everyone's just contributing their part to it along the way, it's so much fun!

Tara O'Hara · 02-19-2005, 06:02 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Okay - I'm ready to finish up my perspective now, and add in a few more pictures that I have. Tara, any pictures from you???

[/ QUOTE ] I only have this one, Marie! The pictures from Gregory's came out really bad!

Dinner at Ralph's

**CRCrazy** · 02-19-2005, 06:20 PM

Okay - sorry I didn't get a chance to finish up earlier today - I had to be a good Mommy and take Sarah to her basketball tourney, then play Lord of the Rings Monopoly in honor of vacation! I'm raising this kid right - she was wrangling hard this morning for scheduling a trip to Disney - she doesn't like having vacation without her Jasmine!!

Anyway - back to Philadelphia! Okay - It's morning, and Janine, Nancy and I are downstairs munching on breakfast - Nancy and I grabbed coffee with sesame bagels from the hotel - Janine went in search of Starbucks, and returned with her fancy coffee (I don't remember what kind) and a chocolatey cupcake/muffin thing. As we sat in the hotel lobby eating our breakfast - I was noticing how many Eagles banners were festooned EVERYWHERE in Philly - and decided okay - I'm UNZIPPING!! I had my Patriots shirt out for all to see!

We grabbed the Tara-mobile - and off we went to find Joan and Rachel. Tara pretty easily found the station, and Joan had called to say that she was there - but we didn't see any sign of her - finally Tara called her back - and we realized that we were on the wrong side! We pulled around, and sure enough - there they were - instantly recognizable from their pics on the boards! I think they had as much luggage for their quick train ride as we did for our overnight!! They were prepared! Unfortunately - Rachel had developed a cough on the train, and Tara wanted to grab a little something to settle her stomach, so we were going to stop off at a Starbucks or something and a CVS for cough drops. We got the cough drops, and then detoured to Tara's for a wardrobe change - she invited us in - but we stayed outside to enjoy the Springfield air - it was another gorgeous day! We did see "Muffin" and Celery scooted out the door and ducked into the bushes! When Tara emerged - she had changed completely into pants, and Muffin didn't even come over to look at the damage - what a great sport!!! (It really was pretty minimal.) We stopped off at the local Starbucks - and every one ordered all kinds of cool drinks. I've gotta say - Starbucks INTIMIDATES me!! Dunkin Donuts is a piece of cake - just give me a large black! Between their funky sizes, and their funky names for all their frou-frou coffees - I was scared!! Even the iced tea had funky names/stuff in it! I finally ended up with a Frapuccino - because I've had one before, and knew how to say it!! Starbucks coffee is very strong when you're drinking it black - give me my Dunkin Donuts any time! I also got a sample of Nancy's fancy melted chocolate stuff - WOW! That stuff was rich! I couldn't drink all my sample if I tried!

As you've heard - we listened to Off-Kilter, drooled and gabbed all the way to Allentown! I was amazed at how comfortable and friendly Rachel was - Jr. high kids can often be quite awkward when meeting new adults - but she was just as sweet as could be! We got to Gregory's easily, and exactly on time - I think it was 11:50 when we got there! Sue was outside, having just checked on the room which was almost ready - it was so cool to be able to connect another Passporter to her posts on the boards! Within five minutes or so - we were all here, and ready to go!! There was a lot of picture passing and connecting going on - Debbie and her daughter Becca, who was an absolute angel! - handed out the cutest little calculator keychains with Minnie, Mickey or Tink on them! This little girl is a future accountant for sure! She not only had the little calculators - she had brought her own play money and cash drawer - she played store quite happily at the table for HOURS! I was really impressed - and she never fussed at all - even with no other little kids to play with! She was just adorable! Lynn had been busy with her computer - and she had name tags for all with our Passporter names on them - they looked just like real Passporter tags! Thanks Lynn! She'd also baked the cutest, and most delicious cookies in the shape of Mickey's, wrapped in sparkly cellophane star bags! Truly above and beyond the call of duty!

We ordered drinks, and this time, I think we all stuck to soft drinks! I know it was Diet Pepsi for me! I did laugh to see how most PA places were serving Pepsi products - in Northern NH - it's mainly Coke! The waitress was really great - even joining in teasing Tara! I had a tough time deciding on food - I was going to get a Caesar salad, but decided that since they were famous for their steaks - I'd try one - the waitress recommended the bigger ribeye (20 oz) I think. I decided to go for the petite ribeye - and I ordered it medium to medium rare. YUCK! The veggies and potatoes with the steak were fine - but the steak was literally cooked to DEATH! It looked like it had been braised for hours. Oh well - I'd been spoiled by Ralph's the night before I guess! Poor little Becca was horrified that there were veggies on her plate - Thank goodness there was a saucer on the table - I wish I'd gotten a picture of her face!!

We had a ball just chatting and talking to Passporters on cell phones! Here's what I got for pics - I kept forgetting to take any!

Joan in her safari ears with Rachel - before she started to fade out!

Lynn chatting with Tina on the phone!

Becca and Debbie with Becca's "Money"

Janine, Sue, Nancy (in her Eagles hat), and Evie's head!

Janine, Tara and Evie

Evie and Crystal trying to choose one of Lynn's cookies - will it be sugar or chocolate chip???

**CRCrazy** · 02-19-2005, 06:30 PM

Anyway - you've heard the rest of the story - we had an awesome time with our Passporter friends - but we did have a great trip back to Philly - got Joan and Rachel to the station JUST in time to catch their train (we didn't know it had been delayed!) and then it was off to the airport! We had about 4-5 hours to wait before our flight - and Janine was NOT feeling well - I talked the girls into checking our duffles. Although it would be late when we got into Manchester - it's such a small airport that there isn't much delay getting luggage. I didn't want to have to carry it around all evening! We were in Terminal E - and I knew there was a little mall in Terminal B - so we decided to check it out, when Janine felt well enough to walk over. Even after buying some Pepto in the little airport store - she wasn't feeling better - so we settled her into the rocker

and Nancy and I shopped, explored and ate! We met some great people - and took a lot of good natured ribbing for our shirts! We ended up grabbing some food court Chinese for our dinner - the eggrolls were truly delish! Nancy tried one last time for her Amish cookbook at the bookstore - but no luck - we'll just have to come back!

We enjoyed the first quarter of the game or so on the TV at TGIF's or one of those chains - but the TV reception was horrible - they blamed it on the airport radio traffic - but they had a table available in the bar - and we enjoyed another Diet Pepsi - and a comfy seat. They were soon overwhelmed with patrons - but never rushed us along with our drinks - so I left our waiter a very good tip for our DP! We checked on Janine - and decided we'd move over to our Terminal while the getting was good - she really didn't feel well! We went through security - found our gate, got Janine settled - and watched the rest of the 2nd quarter - and a TEENY bit of the half time show on the TV's right in the Waiting area - they had GREAT sound and reception - we should've come here in the first place!! The Southwest gates were pretty much deserted - only our flight, and a flight to Providence RI left to go! The local airport workers were all rooting for the Eagles at the TV on the other side of the waiting room - and we were a bunch of Pats fans on the right side!! When we left to board our flight - it was just ending half time, and it was tied! Luckily - our crew was great about announcing the Pat's scores! It was a different, but still fun, way to celebrate Superbowl Sunday.

Back in Manchester - I called my sister's cell - she and Sarah were parked outside, as Sarah was out cold!! I met Janine and Nancy at the parking garage and yelled out a last goodbye - got my car, and zipped back around to the baggage claim to claim my favorite baggage - my littlest girl! We finally arrived back in Whitefield about 1:15 am! I carried her up to bed, and hit the sack for a couple hours - my alarm went off at 4:45 am! UUgggh!

I didn't feel bad going off to work, but by 2:30 pm, I was coughing my head off, and just not feeling right. I ended up going to bed early - but just couldn't sleep and didn't feel well - so I went back into work at 4:30 am Tuesday - wrote up sub plans, and went back home - called my boss for a sub - and called the doctor! That was the only BAD souvenir of a great trip - the other memories are just filled with pixie dust!

Thank you all for a great trip - and I hope to meet up with you again some time soon - and all the other great Passporters as well!