I came to Chicago to attend college and have spent most of the time since graduating, here. I'm happy here – so much diversity, such great food. I travel to Minnesota a couple of times a year and in so many ways it still feels like home.
I spent 18 years producing videos mostly of the non-glamorous corporate type. I left that to pursue a classic sort of dream come true experience and opened Barbara's Kitchen, a lovely, small, neighborhood restaurant. Meatloaf (great meatloaf) was the signature dish – really. I lost my lease after 7 years and now work as the marketing coordinator for a small manufacturing company run by folks with a lot of integrity and a challenging entrepreneurial spirit.
I'm married to a great guy who likes food as much as I do and comes from a wonderful family that has welcomed me. We share interests – traveling, sports (as spectators), and family. I have a most terrific son, Andy, who lives in Madison. We are very close so I'm grateful to have him near geographically. My step daughter, the lovely Morgan, lives just a few miles away.
Grandchildren will be way welcome when that happens – I'm ready for that phase.
I think this RHS get together is going to be a lot of fun. I am looking forward to it.