Real quick

Real quick post, because I've been meaning to do one for so long...and I apologize if the spacing in this is weird - that always happens to me when I post pictures.

Things have been kind of crazy, both around the house and at work. At work I've been trying to get ahead so that I don't come back from vacation feeling like I'm way behind. Factor in getting a cold that had me take a sick day earlier this week and I was really starting to stress. Fortunately, I had the foresight to work ahead on a couple of major projects several months ago, so I'm now feeling pretty good about it. I'll take a couple of things home to work on tomorrow, and while I've made it a point not to take work home with this job (I just don't get paid enough to justify doing that, and I do enough reading for work on the train as it is), the fact that I won't be here for two weeks is a good reason to make an exception.

At home I spent the past couple of weeks cleaning like crazy because Trey's mom (Christi) & stepdad (Tim) visited last weekend with Tim's brother & sil, Mike & Laurie. Even though we were busy with work & rehearsals of our own, it was good to spend some time with them. I got to spend part of Saturday with them, meeting up with them at Navy Pier after a rehearsal, which resulted in my finally trying Garrett's popcorn. I know I've mentioned several times that the smell is absolutely heavenly, but good Lord, the stuff tastes AMAZING. There's a good reason people wait in line halfway around the block for that stuff. Holy crap.

Saturday night we went out to dinner at the Weber Grill, which I've since learned is actually just a local chain. They actually cook all of the meat on really big Weber kettle grills - yes, they use charcoal. It's really cool (pictures below), and probably one of the few places I'd get a burger that was seared on the outside, but nice & rare on the inside. Mine was topped with blue cheese. Yum!

Sunday afternoon was Trey's annual fall concert with the Round Lake band, and I ended up doing all of the narration. I think it was fun that Trey's mom got to see him conduct - he's so good at it. Later that evening was the Kindergruppe's annual Spaghetti Dinner, and everyone got a kick out of the kids and their "worm" dance. :-)

Ok, that's all for now - busy weekend ahead with Chicago Chamber Choir concerts! We've officially released our CD, Hymns & Spirituals: Strength for the Journey - they're great, and would make an excellent Christmas gift for someone you love! (sorry, had to plug it)

Mike with the bronze statue of George Stevens, inventor of the Weber kettle.

Inside the kitchen at the Weber Grill - hope you can see the really big charcoal grills!

All of us out front before going in - l-r: Mike, me, Trey, Laurie, Christi & Tim.