Close Encounter Experiences

[aklap]

Just a reminder for those of you that happen to run into on another at a Culinary Event in Denver You know who you are heheheee
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[nancw]

OK OK already Al! It's only been 14 hours since I met Claire!
It was so cool to meet someone from the forum in person. It was equally cool to be in a room with many other folks w/ gluten issues and to have all GF food offerings available! You don't realize how tense you can be about food until you get all the gluten out of the room. It's a true relief to not worry for at least a short time.
Claire was really mellow and nice, as were others I met. I do plan on contacting a local support group, because as much as I like you folks, I'll take as much support as I can get.

I will post my notes/observations from the event sometime soon...promise!

PS: One woman had her beautiful 6-week-old baby girl with her. Baby was quiet and happy the whole time. Mom says baby will be GF, well, as soon as she's done w/he Mom-supplied nutrition.

[aklap]

If I don't do it now, I'll forget about it. Just be glad I didn't bring up pizza. Speaking of pizza...did they have any at the class? Bwahhahahahaaaaa
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[aklap]

bump for Monica because she's probably not seen the picture
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[aklap]

When: March 27th 2007
Where: Lombardi's Steak House, Appleton WI
Who (L to R): Tim, Me
Why: Peg was having a dinner event at Lombardi's for work. Her co-workers know about my issues [probably bored to tears by it ] and allowed me to decide where this department wide group would go. They gave me a 3 or 4 choices. I sent out about 2-3 emails. When I received an email back [almost immediately] from Chef Matt stating they were familiar with the gluten free diet and would take all the necessary precautions relating to cross contamination - I stopped looking and started drooling. They had emailed me the menus ahead of time. Personally, I think Lombardi's should give me at least 1 free meal as commission for bringing in a group of almost 30 I think I will be sending an email to Chef Matt...heheheheee



Gang - this is Tim. <Gang says "Hi Tim"> He lurks often, and posts on occasion. When he saw I was going to Lombardi's, he PM'ed me with some hints on the menu and the staff since he had been there before. Thanks Tim!

Never wanting to miss an opportunity to actually meet the people from the board, I asked if he would like to stop by and meet myself and Peg. He so kindly took time out of his schedule to do so. Thanks Tim! Our conversation was short but great none the less.

~

As for my experience there, I'd have to say it was great! While I was talking to Tim, Peg explained everything to our server Lea. Peg said she was very knowledgeable and understood. I had emailed Chef Matt and told him I would dining with them that evening. He said he was looking forward to it. I requested the Garlic Cheese Smashed Potatoes, but was offered a [rather large] baked potato instead. I ordered the 20 oz Rib Eye steak. It was huge as well! As Lea brought my potato she explained about the salt on the outside and the butter they used to get the salt to stick.

I was curious what they had for dessert. I'm not sure why because I was stuffed and really didn't need any more to eat. As they were bringing out the 9" tall NGF strawberry short cakes and the 6" tall 4 layer NGF chocolate cake for the others, Lea asked if I would be interested in some sliced strawberries or a fresh fruit/melon medley. I opted for the medley. She comes back with a large martini glass filled with Cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and red grapes. Mmmmm good

Peg said some of her co-workers were ambivalent about their meals and the service. I thought both were excellent! I felt very well taken care of and looked after. In my book this would be classified as a high end place [by the price tag], I feel I did get the high end treatment. Even better...we didn't have to pay


OK - who's going to be next to put their picture up here? Anyone? Please?
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[Torrey]

Hi gang!!!

Well, Jenn (aka ilovechocolate) and I just had an awesome close encounter in New York City. We met up in the Village and had a late lunch/early dinner at Risotteria. It was FABULOUS!


We had some delicious panini sandwiches (mozzarella/pesto and mozzarella/tomato/prosciutto) and some even better dessert (carrot cake and a cupcake).








_________________
~Torrey

August 24, 1975
GF BD July 12, 2004

[aklap]

Hey that's really great!!! Thanks for adding some new [and beautiful] faces here.

Looks like good food and a great time. Let me guess, the 2nd dessert was Jenn's? hehehee

It would be so much fun to get everybody together...<sigh>
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[cruelshoes]

It finally happened to me! I have a close encounter to report! I got to meet none other than Long2Play at a support group meeting tonight. Sadly, though, I forgot to bring my camera. He was chilling and enjoying a GF root beer, while I was trying to keep my kids from tearing the place up.

Hope I didn't make you uncomfortable when I gave you a hug, Long, but I was so glad to finally meet one of my cyber friends. Next month I will bring my camera and I can paste our mugs up here for everyone to see.
_________________
-Colleen

Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handcart?

[aklap]

That's so cool!!!!! Lucky Long...he gets a Colleen hug...I'm jealous hehehee
Yes, you will bring your camera next month!

Long did ya bring one of yer guitars? hehehehe
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[aklap]

When: July 19th, 2008
Where: Marriott Courtyard, Lombard IL
Who (L to R): Sue [aka kb9oyo], Me
Why: I was to attend a Yes concert in Chicago. Because the lead singer was dealing with a life threatening illness - they canceled the entire tour. Since Peg and I had the days off anyway we decided head "south of the border" anyway.



We originally were supposed to meet up with TEC on Thursday night at Da Luciano's, but as luck would have it TEC has some family obligations she needed to take care. Sue was heading out of town that day or she would've been there too. Luckily we were able to able meet up at our hotel Saturday morning for breakfast.

It was really fun to meet and spend some time Sue and her hubby Jim. It's always a great time when you can swap stories with others like you. Sue's a sweetheart and Jim is an amazing historian and storyteller! Thanks for coming out to meet us!

One thing that I noticed down in IL is that restaurants are much more aware of the requirements of the GF diet. Sue was kind enough to talk to the hotel's restaurant before we got there to inquire about GF food. They assured her it would be no problem.

Once we got a table, we told our waitress of our issues. She said, "Yes, I remember that phone call". She made us aware the food on the buffet is all cooked together and not safe. She was going to take our order and tell the people in the back that our order was to be GF.

We also had a bit more of excitement that morning. After breakfast, we were still at the table talking. The next thing we hear is the fire alarm! We were told to head to the nearest exit. As we exited we wondered if it was a drill or if it was legit. Peg had heard the front desk gal mention smoke. Once we all got outside [and milled around under the canopy since it was raining], a gal fessed up that she was doing her laundry and the washer or dryer started smoking. Luckily the Elmhurst Fire Dept. was there in a matter of minutes. After the fire trucks left, we parted ways and Peg and I headed for home.




_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[kb9oyo]

I have a confirmed sighting of Al and Peg! They really do exist! When Al pointed out that he was going to be close by and was trying to line up a meeting with all who could be there, I was stuck going down to the Indiana farm that I own with my siblings for our yearly visit. There was also a local meeting about wind farming that I was supposed to report back to my brother and sister about since they are aligning property owners to sign up to have turbines on their farms. Try to wrap your mind around **that** if you are a "city gal"!

The only time that was left was Saturday morning for breakfast and they were available. I called the Marriott where they were staying and explained about the dietary restrictions. They were aware of Celiac disease and the cross contamination issues and said that they knew how to handle them. They said that they would have no trouble providing a gluten free breakfast for us. Peg and Al are charming and it was nice to get to see them face to face. It only got exciting when the fire alarm went off and we had to exit the building in the rain. It turned out to be only a smoky motor on a washing machine, but it was nice to know that the Elmhurst Fire Department can respond quickly.
_________________
Sue Beyer

[aklap]

When: April 19th, 2009
Where: Chicago, IL
Who (L to R): Caroline, Sarah, Al
Why: Thrive Allergy & Gluten-free Expo had a 2 day Expo at the McCormick Place - Lakeside Center.





We took the second picture before we knew Sarah was there. Sarah was not sure she was going to be able to make the show - but would call me if she got there. Later in the afternoon, we were checking out the booths and I happened to look at an email signup sheet. I thought I recognized Sarah's forum name in an email address. Since she didn't call me, I just dismissed it as a coincidence. Moments later my cell phone rang - it was Sarah. She said she was so excited after seeing all the GF goodies, she forgot to call me right away.

We got to meet Sarah's boyfriend and Caroline's friend Darrel. We found out Mark and Peg have a common acquaintance! Small world. I do want to say - Caroline has one great friend in Darrel. He took time out of his weekend to escort her there. He must've been incredibly bored with all the GF stuff. LOL! Darrel - you are a gentleman and a scholar!

These type of gatherings have that effect. You are so overwhelmed at seeing all this stuff that is OK for you to have - it's mind blowing. However at this show, we did have to be careful because it wasn't strictly a GF event. There were a couple of booths that had nut free products that weren't GF.

I highly recommend people attend events like this if at all possible. It's great to see all the vendors - talk to them - talk to the other attendees. It's just a great experience.
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[cruelshoes]

Great pictures! It sounds like you all had a great time. Were there any new vendors that you hadn't heard of?
_________________
-Colleen

Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handcart?

[Deb]

Come on guys, you know there are good things about being tall. Very few people are ever in your line of vision, you don't have to push through the crowd so you can see. Is the air really lighter up there??? It's very rare that you have to worry that your girl will be taller than you.

My sons are all over 6', 2 of them being 6'3. I was so surprised to have my sons taller than me. I guess in my mind, my babies would never be bigger than me. Thakfully, my daughter looks me in the eye, she can't tease me like they do. I have some balance issues, and my sons love to stand close to me and say, "Hey mom!" I look up to them, and tip backwards...they find that funny, thankfully, they always know to have an arm around me!!!

Back to the topic...last year I met a few people from another celiac forum at our vendor fair. This year I hope to also. I will have a name tag, and will put darlindeb on it, just in case!!!
_________________
You can't discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore!

[cardine45]

I do have to say that it was absolutely amazing to get to meet people from the forum. Especially Al, Peg, and Sarah. I told all of them that I don't think I would be doing things right even at this point if I had not found this forum. The people here are absolutely amazing, and so incredibly helpful.

Everyone keeps talking about how tall Al is, so I have to say that I didn't even notice until I was looking at the pictures. I'm so used to being short that I don't notice anymore. (one of my best friends is 6'8" so anything less than that isn't weird to me anymore). I also didn't notice I was that much shorter than Sarah, and I even had heels on. I really didn't think I was that short.

(sorry if my half-asleep rambling made no sense. I may need to fix this later.)