Schaumburg IL Septemberfest, 2009

This year Jodie and I were on a girl's weekend--Travis had to bow out of the fun of doing the Schaumburg Septemberfest! Bonnie Dog and I went up to Jodie's house in the morning to load up. We managed to make it home in time for lunch--which with Bonnie exploring 35 acres is always a big question--with cousins, Roger and Barb. We left Rockford after Jodie got off work on Friday and hit the pizza place, Lou Malnatis, on Schaumburg Rd. while we waited for our room to get ready. It was great...that Malnati's salad is a thing of beauty--all those kalamata olives!



Saturday morning the load in went smoothly as always even though Jodie and I were sleepwalking. These volunteers really know what they are doing! We did miss the high school kids helping out though...they were either on the other side of the park--or--sleeping in!

We were thrilled to find our new friends, Deb and Jeff Foernssler were setting up beside us. These are the wood vendors we originally met two weekends ago in Dekalb. Jeff's Dad who helps them out at shows and does part of the woodworking lives in Schaumburg. They have some beautiful items if you want to take a look here:

http://www.lbswoodshoppe.com/

We found a Bahama Breeze on the way back to the hotel and since Jodie had never been to one, we stopped there for dinner on Sunday night. We had a GREAT time with great food and drinks. Let me just warn you--the second drinks are poured with a much heavier hand than the first--so be careful. We spent too much money, but, we would not trade it for anything. We did however miss breakfast with the Foernsslers the next morning. ;)

The show was a bit down from the prior year, but, all in all it continues to be a show I can count on every year. I love that Jodie or Mom always like to come with me to this one and we can have a relaxing time away from it all.

Mom had a bit of sad news for us when we got back to Rockford. It turns out one of my best friends from growing up, Diane (Wheeler) Reed's oldest daughter was killed by her boyfriend. This of course had everyone upset. Mom and Dad consider the Wheelers to be their best friends so it was hard to see the family experience that horror. On Tuesday night, when I was having dinner with my friend Robin, they were having a prayer vigil for Amanda. Turns out that Robin's daughter knew Amanda too. The visitation a few nights later was attended by hundreds of people and lasted well over the four hours. So very sad--our thoughts and prayers to the family and all of Amanda's friends.