What a day at Old House Family Restaurant..Known for Good food Bad attitide. Eat it or Wear it. Tip or Die. Tipping is not a city in China. Cash or death by diswashing. I got a barbie apron in 3x sitonmybrainsmothertrucker(it's one word sorry). Eat and get out. Break a dish, it's a death wish.

Anyone that wants to use these quotes are more than welcome too. I don't hold the patent on them.

After 12 hours of work and no mistakes on anyone's food, saw a ton of kids today who hugged me like i was santa claus. Laughed until we cried about a little girl telling everyone her mother lost her gift list, and she had her sad face on today! We hooked her up with a mickey mouse pancake with the works and it made here happy, as her mom was paying she showed us the gift list. She was really taking the fall for the lost list. The rent got paid, and to top it off, it's christmas and everyone's in a good mood. generous too.

I get home and there are posts thanking me for my italy report, and i can't believe anyone liked it. and i'm reading it on a new screen my husband got me for christmas it's a sony something and it's real thin( a refuge could have lived in the back of the old moniter) and the coolest part is you almost think you can jump into the water on the screen saver.

My Restaurant is 20 minutes north of downtown detroit.

44474 Mound Road
Sterling heights, mi 48313
586 739 5332
If your ever in the area please drop by, better if you call ahead to make sure i'm there. You know, i have done my 17 year prison sentence there, and i have some freedom. Ain't no stopping me now, I can pack in 30 minutes if i need too. and dang proud of it.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza and to the lovely neighbors to the north Canada, Happy Boxing Day.
Theresa

Hey, for all of you who loved this trip report (and who didn't?) I found a site that has a couple of pictures of the restaurant and staff. Can't tell which one is Theresa, but I can tell it is the family from the smiles on all their faces.

http://metrodetroitrestaurants.com/oldhouse/index.html

:-)

I would say it is Theresa wielding the rolling pin.

Theresa, loved your report and your humor. Are you going to post photos from your trip?

Theresa, Thanks for a fun, interesting report. Merry Christmas to you and your whole family!

Did anyone notice the sign on the wall (the photo of Theresa with the rolling pin)? It reads "I have PMS and a handgun. Questions?" Love it!!!

Theresa,

I pulled up your menu. The prices seem very reasonable, at least for breakfast in the Seattle area. I'm curious why you are only open until 3:00 in the afternoon, and only serve breakfast? Don't you have a lunch or dinner crowd?
If you make more money, perhaps you can get back to Italy sooner and post us another delightful trip report.

:-)

Theresa,
Thanks ever so much for posting your delightful, adventure-filled trip report. With your descriptive prose, I was right along with you & your family from start to finish! I especially appreciated the way in which you were able to deal with unfortunate circumstances, put the bad behind you, and move on...
Your sensitivity with regards to the gentleman in the wheelchair boarding the place shows what a big heart you have. My daughter is wheelchair bound, so I'm especially appreciative of your comments. Thanks for entertaining the readers!

THERESA10,

The best compliment I can give you, is that if I met you in person, I just know we would be friends.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hello Everyone; Hope Santa was good to you all.

The reason i'm only open till 3pm is when i first bought the restaurant 17 years ago, my daughter was 12 years old and i wanted to be home when she got home from school. it was perfect. i'm a morning person (not so much now) and we'd do breakfast and lunch out by 3. For the first time, i opened for fish fry on friday nites because of popular demand during lent. i don't know how i let someone (husband) talk me into it, some of those friday's i was there 6 am till 10 pm. great just what i never wanted to do, put in a 16 hour work day. I hated it. i was kicking myself for agreeing to do it. all the workers wanted too, but i didn't. the place was hoppin' on friday nites. but i made it very clear that after lent that was it, but we stayed open until end of june. here's where it get ugly, i let them start friday dinners back up early, nov 1st and i'm still kicking myself about it. we won't be open this friday nite though. thank god. we had a vote, open on new years day instead of friday nite.

Did someone call me...
Illiterate?

1. ignorant; uneducated;esp;., not knowing how to read or write 2. having or showing limited knowledge, experience, or culture,esp. in some particular field language.

I had to look that one up in the old dictionary, I knew what it meant. not able to read or write. but I don't like to use that word, I consider that not to be in my vocabulary. My Papaw couldn't read or write. He'd use an X as signature, and would have to have someone witness it. My Sita could not read or write english, but she could read and write arabic. I would not say either one of them were illiterate, they both did great with their lives and raised a family and ran a business. I don't appreciate you typing such an insult to me or anyone else on this forum. All I could think of was how sad and what misery you must be suffering. I feel sorry for you. I hope you get a life full of Peace Love and Harmony. Good luck. You may want to try a church, synagone, temple, it could bring you some happiness in your life.

Had dinner with the inlwaws today for christmas. What a spread we had. We all brought the pictures and video of italy, and reminised. I forgot to tell you all so many things that happened while in Rome. I laughed at the stories of some of the events, but at the time could have died from humilation. We all still Love eachother so much, and considering a cruise in 2 years with the whole family again. Great, it gives Me 2 years to recover and forget.

God Bless, and I pray God crosses our paths. Theresa

Theresa, this is one of the best trip reports I have ever read on this site. I love reading posts from people who write the way they speak. It makes reading feel like we could be sitting in the room with you listening to you share your wonderful experience with us. I got a tear in my eye when I read the part about your husband being so happy after his father told him what a nice time they were having. The only thing my grandmother ever wanted (that she was never able to have) was a trip to the Vatican. She was very old fashioned and wouldn't travel without my grandfather and he refused to travel overseas after his POW experience in WW2. I would have given anything to have been able to experience Rome with my grandma like you did with your family. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your trip. :)

Thank you Theresa! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. If we get to Detroit this summer (and we might) we will definitely stop by your restaurant.

Theresa....Many thanks.....reading your post was terrific fun!!!!!

We'll be in Detroit for the Super Bowl...husband is sportswriter...we'll be there for work....BUT we're planning a field-trip to Old House family Restaurant!!
We'll call first!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY!!!!!!

Hey, Theresa! Where is Henry Cow? I will be in Rome in March and after your description I want to try it.
I assume it is named after the British Rock Group.

(I still think this report is one of the top Fodors reports)

Found on a Google search: Henry Cow: Motor-cyclists' pub and seat of "Motoclub Ducati Roma", here you can taste our kitchen, listen to live music and play games. Via Salvatore Dl Giacomo 87 tel. 5404237; open from 8.30 p.m. to 2.00 a.m.. Closed on Sundays.

SeaUrchin:
I agree. It's the best one I ever read.

Catbert, that is interesting, after I wrote my question I found one on Via Flavia. How many Henry Cows are there for Pete's sake?

wliwl, I know what you mean, this one sticks with me, I guess I got caught up in Theresa's energy!

I think reading Theresa's trip report was the best New Year's Eve I've spent!
Sorry I missed it the first time it went around but am deeply grateful to the poster who brought it back to life.

Theresa ought to sell this to The New Yorker.

I read this entire trip report for the first time and had to finally take a break when I smelled my dumplings burning in the oven!
When I read the part about the newlyweds beaming together at the restaurant and your husband asking you if you still loved him that way too (you said, "I DO"), I burst into tears. I don't know why - it just touched me so. Thanks for an enjoyable read this New Year's Day 2007.

Happy New Year! I'm so glad you all are getting a kick out of the post I wrote. I reread it again and forgot about some of the thrills, chills and spills. I had butterflies reading it again. What an awesome trip and can't wait to do it all over again. Were trying to talk my FIL into going again, He said he'd think about it. To me that's I got my foot in the door. By my book anyway.

But now that I'm a mamaw, it's hard to leave on trips. I can't be away from my granddaughter very long now. I have to get her a passport and start her out early.

Thanks for all the compliments on this post. It was THAT GREAT! A trip of a lifetime.

Theresa in Detroit.

Theresa, just discovered your Trip Report and don't know how I missed it the first-time around, as I am going to spend a month in Italy in Feb/March and have been reading everything daily on this site. Let me just say this much to begin. I have just now read enough to know that I want to read it ALL, every last detail, and savor every minute of it when I can do so without interruptions to disturb my enjoyment. I mean this in only a complimentary way: You are truly an original character, an authentic personality, and a great writer (and I say this being an English teacher). You make all of us feel that we want to get to know you better, be your friends, and maybe even take a trip with you and your family. For the first time in my life (and I am from Chicago, nearby), I feel like I want to vist Detroit just so I can visit your restaurant and meet you personally.

Theresa, you are the real deal. Your trip report is filled with the authentic details (the good, the bad, and the ugly, especially the humorous) of travel with your family. As others on this line have complimented you already, I would like to add that this is the most genuine and heartfelt trip report I have read so far.

Thanks for giving this gift to your felllow travelers. jg

Theresa I Loved it...

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to share all your adventures with us.

We were in Rome around the same time as you, and you brought many happy memories back. We enjoyed the Christmas tree with the messages in Termini station, the 101 bus and so much more.

I hope you write more when you have the time, and thanks again for all the pleasure and useful advice you've given.

Happy travels in 2007!

Theresa, yes! Please do write more for us--even if it is just about your daily life in the restaurant and with your amazing family. I know it is not Europe right now--so, OK, just put it on the US forum. You have made all of us want to keep up with your daily adventures in your own special style of telling it jg

This is the best!! Bookmarking to read later. In fact, I think I will print it all out to read on the plane on my way to Italy in February! God Bless, Theresa.

Hi You Guys!

It's like 1 a.m. here in Detroit. I have been up since 4 am this morning, and I ain't feelin' no pain. No I'm not drinking or anything. But I can't believe I'm not dead to the world.

My Granddaughter is spending the night and I had to stay up until she fell asleep which was about 10 p.m. and then I couldn't sleep after that.

We did not do cookie decorating this year. First time in 15 years. My Husband and I went to Cancun for our 21st wedding anniver. and whenever we go to cancun we visit the childrens home. We take gifts and go by sam's club in the city and get milk, ceral, fruit and whatever else they need. Well this past Aug. we were there and my husband had to work on the stove and oven. He got the oven fixed by the stove was beyond repair and a fire hazard. That bothered us for months. While home here in detroit we surfed the internet until we found what could possibly be the right parts to fix the stove there and had them ups'd to the hotel we were going to stay at. The hotel put the parts together for us which was very nice of them. But when we got to the childrens home (la casita) the parts weren't going to work after all and they had to have a new stove. So a few days later we met the ladies that work at the home at a restaurant supply place in downtown cancun. My Husband and the ladies picked out the stove they wanted and then the ladies from the home proceeded to do a tag team fighting match on the manager there. I mean spanish was flying all over the place. I only understood about 1/3 of the coversation, but I knew they were bardering him about the price. By the time they were through with the manager, My husband was able to buy 2 stoves for the price of one. So what was supposed to be about a 200.00 dollar job fixing the stove turned into another 750.00 dollar stove job. But you know what, it had to be done. They needed a stove and we now go to bed everynight now knowing that over 100 children will have a hot meal everyday now. So no cookie decorating for the local kids (who really have it all anyways)because what extra money we had for cookie night went to set up 2 new stoves and the new parts we sent via ups my husband was able to set up another temp. stove for the girls to learn to cook on and make jelly the home sells to buy those little extra's. When we got home and broke the news to some of the children from the restaurant they were happy that we helped the children's home in Mexico and can they help with something for the home too. It made my heart just melt. Because these kids really mean it in their hearts to help. We are working on getting a freezer delivered to the home asap. So now we got the kids working on helping the kids there. Awesome. But I think were going to let our local kids do easter baskets this year for themselves. I haven't told them yet, I have to start that fund up first;)

Italy is really calling me back. I did get to go again last year with students to Italy, France and Spain. That was hard work though. But I did fall in love with a town called Montacantini. It was the most beautiful city (well Monaco blew my mind too) I have ever seen. I have to get my husband there. It is so romantic and the food was out of this world. And shopping, forgetaboutit. I broke down and bought an outfit there and can't wait to go back to the same store and shop again.

Hope your all doing good tonight/this morning. And I can't thank you all enough for all the nice things you said about my italy post. I don't think my head will fit through the door of the Restaurant when I work on thursday. No work tomorrow. That's my grandbaby day, and no one ain't stoppin' that from happening. I'd make my customers flip their own eggs. And it wouldn't be the first time they had to do it either.

Nighty Night....
Whole lot of love out of Detroit....
Theresa

Life is good in Theresaland!

Theresa's Montecantini trip report -
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34785718

Theresa, I just read your Montecantini report. Thank you, kybourbon, for posting the link.

Please keep us in mind and share your experiences anytime. I'd love to hear more about the children's home. You are now a Fodor's treasure!

And congratulations on that grandbaby!
Linda

Theresa,
As long as there are people like you in this world, there is hope!

Thank you, and, as we say in Alabama, Bless Your Heart!

Byrd

Theresa is the epitome of the really NICE people that inhabit the Midwest. Thanks for checking back in with us Theresa! Your Rome report still ranks as the best trip report ever posted on Fodors!

Theresa: it has taken me hours to read your report, along with the comments made by the Fodorites. It has been worth every second. You are hilarious and your trip would make for a great movie! What I most appreciate is your down to earth, genuine, real life, account of the events, people, and places you describe. It is so refreshing to hear from REAL people who tell it like it is. Without hidden agendas nor vanity. Thanks for the many hours it must have taken you to write up your report. I have laughed like you can't imagine, and even contacted some freinds to read your report. I will be in Italy in September and will think of you and your adventure as I walk the streets of Rome and Venice. Greetings to you and yours from sunny Orlando, Florida. I used to live in Toledo many years ago, so we were once almost neighbors. As they say in Rome...Ciao and buona fortuna!

Theresa, I think you need to go back to Italy just so you can write another trip report. You are adorable, and your personality shines through. I laughed so hard at some of the things you did and said, and I felt like I was right there with you.

One can write a trip report that is grammatically correct through and through and never put forth the sense of self in their writing like you are able to achieve. Nice job, girl.

RRT25 and AntinNY

You are tooooo kind. I am really shocked that the report of our trip would be accepted with all these great, heart warming, heading blowing up can't fit thru the door compliments. I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!

Sept. in Rome should be great weather wise if you ask Me. We were there in November (thanksgiving time) and it was like 50* everyday. Except Venice and Pompeii. I froze my ass off, both cheeks. But Pompeii was worth every drip of snot. I will go back there and see it again very soon. I'd love to dress the part. How cool to walk through Pompeii dressed in the clothes of that time period. I'd do it in a heart beat, got any suggestions where I could get a awesome costume there in Rome? I will also take a picnic lunch and hang out on the grassy knolls with a view that is out of a book/movie. I will go to the front entrance this time too. I want to start like normal people (though I don't know any) from the beginning and I will hire a guide. Who will love my outfit. And I'll share my Lunch with them too.

May I just take a shot at recommending the Empire Palace Hotel to anyone staying in Rome. It is a wonderful hotel with an outstanding staff. Who serves one heck of a breakfast. It is in a great location and I'll be way jealous of anyone going there soon.

One of my customers is going on a cruise in July. The port is outside of Rome and They wanted some info from me about staying in Rome a few days before the cruise leaves. Well after bombarding her wtih so much info online, travel packages I took the liberty of ordering for them and all my maps and travel stuff I brought back with me (which as been used by 2 other people already) and after all that, they are thinking of doing Rome, Venice and Tuscany. Though I have nothing against cruises, and the one they have reserved looks awesome,I think they just may be changing their minds and doing a land tour.

You all have a wonderful night.

Theresa, you deserve all of the compliments, and not just for your trip report but for being a genuine human being whose enjoyment for life is contagious. As the old yearbooks used to say: "Stay just as sweet as you are." jg

Hi Theresa,
You won't believe this, but I just read an email from a friend of mine in Wales and she said I had to read your Rome review. I had no idea I would be reading all evening... but it was worth every minute. I loved your review... loved your spunk and courage and sense of humor... wow! I could empathize with your troubles with Air France at CDG. Last year I flew through CDG on my way to Rome and of course they assured me the luggage would be on the plane when I switched (I left lots of time to avoid your problems with missed connections!), but of course when we got to Rome the luggage wasn't there. We were going on a cruise in three days and the woman at the hotel said Alitalia will tell you it will arrive in a day, but it will take three days, and sure enough she was exactly right. I did buy some necessities and they did eventually reimburse me for those, but what a headache!

I travel to Detoit for business from time to time... usually go to Battle Creek. I'll try to get in touch and stop by your restaurant some time. After reading all that I feel as if I know you and would love to actually see you some day.

Thanks again for such a great read!

Best regards,
Linda

Thanks Theresa
I just found your thread, too :)

jg and linda You guys cracked me up. The yearbook thing was awesome, because so cliche' but so true. "stay Sweet" I loved it.
Linda a friend from wales emailed you about this? Too wild. But Rome really rocked and it's so stuck in my head, I have re-read my journals and added some idea's for the next trip. I found some stuff in the journals I forgot happenend and I had to call my husband and mess with this head about it. We giggled, some things that happen in Rome, should stay in Rome.

Linda please swing by the Old House anytime. Battle Creek is a haul from here. I wish I could say it would be worth the drive without sounding big headed. Give me a heads up when your in Michigan.
Good Night Safe travels and no lost luggage. And may the person sitting next to you on the plane know all about irish spring.

Theresa, happy that my "high-school yearbook" quote made you happy. Here is the classic one I forgot: "U R 2 sweet 2 B forgot 10." Brings back memories, doesn't it? Let us hear from you again soon. It's been 2 long. jg

Getting ready to book a trip to Italy and I can't wait to re-write another chapter on this. Pompeii is in the works too.

bk

bookmarking to read later, thanks