bulldog bull

As I write this many of my high school classmates are attending a fundraiser to try and save our high school. A few weeks ago it was formally announced that St. Bernard's high school will be closing after this school year. I have sat back and read the good, the bad, and the insane but I have to write a few of my thoughts somewhere so here goes...

If you really think this problem just started dream on! If you really think you can raise one million dollars ... and then get donors to commit to giving for years to come your dreaming... and if you think Pohlad and Nassaf will bail out SBH like they did Agnes you really are crazy!

I have worked in the Roman Catholic church for seven years. When something is decided they don't go back. They decided to pull the loan. Meaning SBH had to pay it up right now or close. Plus all the daily expenses the Arch has been paying for. There is no possible way for them to raise enough money to pay the loan, pay salaries and promise there will be givers in the year ahead.

I feel sorry for all the staff, students, and families that have kids in the school right now. I also feel bad for anyone who has donated money to the school in the last few weeks, or during the phone-a-thon. Way to send the money out of the north end and right up the hill to all the men waiting to laugh in your face!

Good bye SBH.... as someone suggested... You would make a great lightrail stop or senior housing location. No matter what the outcome... I hope the Church of St. Bernard can remain open and do the community some good with the building.

And we're OFF....

I have been working a lot lately and mostly the 1-9:30pm shift meaning I don't see Ryan much. When I realized Ryan didn't have school today and I was not working I begged... okay asked... Keith to take the day off so we could all do something together. I didn't have to ask twice and he said I am not working Friday... WOO HOO.

A few weeks ago my good friend Angela told me the MN science museum membership paid for itself in two visits (If you are on state insurance or reduced school lunches you get it 1/2 price and it pays for itself in one visit) and you not only get to see the exhibits but you get to see an omni show each time you go. We went a few weeks back and the kids had a blast. It has been a great place for the kids and Keith to go when I am working long weekend hours. When we learned we could also get a children's museum membership at a discount because we had a science membership we also jumped on that opportunity. (This was not part of 20/20 but rather... mission: hello tax return haha)

Yesterday it was decided we would visit both musuem's today and to make the day even more excited Dylan, my 6 year nephew,  would join us.

The plan for the day was.
1. Pick up Dylan at 8:30
2. Stop at the Science Museum at 9:00am and get tickets for the Elephant Omni show at 2:00
3. Go to the Children's Museum for the morning
4. Have lunch at McDonald's by the Children's musuem
5. Go to the Science Musuem for the movie and maybe some exibits
6. Dinner
7. Boys high school hockey games

Of course it didn't go like that...

The day started at 6:15am with Ryan coming up in our bed saying "good morning guys, it is museum day. I am already dressed so you need to get up." I informed him the sun wasn't up yet so it was time to cuddle. I also successfully got him to go back to sleep until 7:30am when Emmalee joined in the fun and she informed Ryan that the sun was up and mom was "kiddin" We all got up and got ready. We picked up Dylan by 8:45 and got Keith dropped off at the Science Museum door, only to learn the box office opens at 9:30 so we decided to risk it. We got to the Children't Museum and were met by multiple groups and buses. We started on the top and it didn't take long to find the crowds. We made it though the ant tunnels and the dino exhibit before my patience was wearing thin with the unchaperoned children and the chaperone talk circles with their backs to the kids. Although the mom that backed into the emergency exit and set off the screeching alarm was my breaking point and our que to get out of there. We headed down to the works room and we didn't last long down there and Ryan was asking to leave. We quickly stopped by the bus and the post office for a bit of play before leaving. Thank God we had a membership so I didn't feel like I was stuck there in the sea of name tagged kids with colorful t-shirts! After just an hour and a half we were out of there! We got to the Science museum and the kids were hungry so we headed up to the cafe. Everyone enojyed a slow enjoyable lunch with a couple of bathroom breaks. Everything was great until just before we were going to leave the table. Ryan shoved way too much food in his mouth and started choking, something he has been doing quite a bit lately. To be able to breath he ended up puking all over the carpeted cafe floor. I guess you could say we left our mark!

Next up we hit the musical stairs with the hopes of getting rid of some of the hyper bugs that had invaded our pants however it was obvious the kids were getting tired. We visited the Dino's, the sneezing girl, and the hand with the sores on it (Ryan's favorite exhibit) before hitting the snack counter for an ice cream sandwich... I could have bought 3 boxes for what I paid for 3 sandwiches but it got the kids to sit and relax a bit before we had to stand in line for the movie. At 1:30 we got into the que and thank God we did. Four school groups came in right after us. We were pushed like a herd of cattle but were able to sit third row from the top, center, in a sold out show. Everyone enjoyed the elephants and about three minutes into it Ryan claimed "this is awesome!" Then when the stampede took place he couldn't hold me tight enough or get out the words "this is scary" out fast enough. Just as the movie ended and went silent Emmalee felt the need to announce to everyone "we go to hockey now"? Well, hockey didn't happen because as soon as we got home she fell asleep and grandma called and asked the boys if they wanted to have a sleepover. It should be the easiest sleepover grandma has ever had, the boys were exhausted!

My house is a mess, I need to get stuff listed for Munckin Market but for today I accomplished the one thing that trumps everything else. I spent time with my family and made memories that will last for ever.

I got bugs! ...ladybugs!

Saturday when I got home from work Ryan informed me that "lady bugs were making a nest in his ears and it hurt really bad" of course priority peds closed 20 minutes early which meant Children's hospital  here we come. I felt blessed to see there was only one child waiting in the waiting room and Batman was on the TV. Score! Ryan didn't care about the blood pressure machine, or taking 5 syringes of meds as long as he could see Batman. When we got into our room about 10 minutes later it was like a mom's heaven. Nice dim lighting, clean and sterile with an over stuffed relining rocking chair. When the nurse said I will be right back with a movie for you to watch while you wait I thought I had died and gone to heaven and suddenly I didn't care how long I had to stay. All though when 45mins hit Ryan and I where ready to leave and find dinner and our beds. It was about 9pm by the time we got out and I knew I had to fill his prescription. At this point I didn't care who filled it or what the cost was. I knew CVS was open 24/7 and I could get him the Hersey bar I promised him.  So CVS filled all of our needs and I didn't have time to look for coupons or deals.

Now me on the other hand... over night last night I got an ear infection. I went to the doctor and he sent the prescriptions to Rainbow Foods (6 prescriptions gives you a gift card) but they didn't have the 4.00 prescriptions so I asked the lady to transfer it to target who not only had 4.00 meds but I remembered reading this week they had a coupon for a 10.00 gift card with a new prescription fill. Of course when I got there they didn't have any coupons left so I went up to customer service where the nice lady found me a coupon from the ad n her drawer. So I left with 3.09 off brand sudefed, a 4.00 prescription and a 10.00 gift card for target.

So before you fill your meds call around. Target and Wal-Mart both have 4.00 meds and often there are coupons out there for free gift cards. Plus, Rainbow is always running their 6 fills and you get a gift card. 

Now hopefully all of the prescriptions will work and we will all be better very soon.

Quote of the day from Ryan: "There are ladybugs making nests in my ears and lady's don't belong in boys ears because they are girls!!"

And the Grand Total is...

Here is what my Rainbow receipts for today look like:

TRIP NUMBER ONE
2@.99 white bread          1.98    reg price 3.50  
savings 1.52                              total 1.89
1 dt pepsi lime                  2.98    reg price 4.69    
savings 1.71                              total 2.98
1 dt mtn dew                    2.98    reg price 4.69   
savings 1.71                              total 2.98
1 cherry pepsi                   2.98   reg price  4.69   
savings 1.71                              total 2.98
3@2.50 fiber one              7.50   reg price 10.47  
savings 2.97    coupons 2.00     total  8.47
2@.99 can pears              1.89    reg price 3.78     
savings 1.80                              total 1.89
3@.99 pudding                 2.97   reg price 4.47     
savings 1.50                              total 1.89
2@.89 peaches                1.78    reg price 1.78                                                    
   total 1.78
4@.89 pringles                 3.56  reg price 6.76      
savings 3.20  coupon 1.00           total 2.20
4@.99 ravioli                    3.96   reg price 5.56     
savings1.60                                total 3.96
2@2.89 pace                    5.78   reg orice 5.78                     
      coupon 1.00          total 4.78
2@1.89 taco sauce           3.78   reg price 3.78                        
   coupon 1.00         total2.78
2@2.00 frz corn                4.00   reg price 4.00                         
  coupon 1.20         total 1.60
1@2.00 frz broc chz          2.00   reg price 2.00                        
   coupon 1.20         total .80
3@.99 lunchable                2.97   reg price 6.87   
  savings 3.90                               total 2.97
1shrp chdr                         .99     reg price 2.89    
  savings 1.90                               total .99
1 string cheese                    3.00   reg price 4.39     
savings 1.39     coupon .80        total 2.20
         TOTALS              55.10                 74.63            
     24.91           8.20                 46.96

TRIP NUMBER TWO
2@2.99 qkr bar              5.98  reg price 5.98                          
        coupon 2.00     total 3.98
1 Gatorade                      1.59  reg price 1.59                            
      coupon 1.00     total .59
2@2.45  progresso          2.45  reg price 2.45                              
    coupon 1.00     total 1.45
trky breast                       0.00  reg price 7.99   
  savings 7.99                                    total 0.00
lil sizzlers                         0.00   reg price 1.49   
  savings 1.49                                   total  0.00
pepperoni                        3.79   reg price 3.79                                 
  coupon 1.10    total   2.69
deli slect trky                   3.99   reg  price 3.99                                 
  coupon .70      total 3.29
cooks ham                      20.21  reg price 20.21                                                       
  total 20.21
eggs                                0.00    reg price 1.58      
savings 1.58                                 total 0.00
      TOTALS                 35.66            49.07               
11.06                     5.80                32.21

TRIP NUMBER THREE
Veggie Tale fruit                1.50     reg price 2.09     
savings .59                                  total 1.50
Choc Cheer'o                    3.69    reg price 3.69                                
  coupon 1.00    total 2.69
cin chex                             2.29     reg price 2.99     
savings .70           coupon 1.00    total 1.29
 choc chex                         2.29      reg price 2.99     
savings .70           coupon 1.00    total 1.29
hny nut cheer'o                  2.29      reg price 2.99     
savings .70           coupon .31     total 1.98
chwy bars                         3.49       reg price 3.49                               
   coupon 1.10  total 2.39
rld gold pretzel                 2.50        reg price 2.99     
savings .49           coupon 1.10   total 1.40
fudge shop                       2.49        reg price 3.49     
savings 1.00        coupon .51     total 1.98
3@ 2.59progresso           7.77        reg price 7.77                               
  coupon 1.50   total 6.27
fisher nuts                         4.55        reg price 4.55                               
  coupon 2.00   total 2.55
frz chix breast                   8.99        reg price  8.99                              
   coupon 4.22  total 4.77
bacon                               5.79       reg price 5.79                                  
coupon 3.30   total 2.49
ribs                                  4.99        reg price 5.99      
  savings 1.00       coupon 2.00   total 2.99
TOTALS                    52.63              57.81                    
    5.18                 19.04            33.59


TRIP NUMBER FOUR
2@4.19  fiber 1 cer       8.38          reg price 8.38                                                  
     total 8.34
coco puffs                     2.99         reg price  2,99                                
   coupon 1.25  total 1.74
cheero's                        3.69         reg price 3.69                                  
  coupon 1.31   total 2.38
2@2.89 chwy bar        5.78         reg price 5.78                                  
coupon 1.25   total 4.53
club crks                      2.49         reg price 3.99          
savings 1.50        coupon 2.00   total .49
cookies                        2.49         reg price3.49             
savings 1.00       coupon .51     total 1.98
chili                              2.39        reg price 2.39                                      
coupon  1.00  total 1.39
prez snacks                  3.69        reg price 3.69                                     
coupon 2.00    total 1.69
2@2.29 ice cream       4.58        reg price 6.78       
     savings 2.20     coupon 3.21     total 1.38
cool whip                   1.99          reg price1.99                                                            
   total 1.99
truffles                        3.99         reg price 3.99                                   
    coupon2.00      total 1.99
frz chix breast            8.99          reg price 8.99                                      
  coupon 4.22    total 4.77
bacon                         5.79        reg price 5.79                                       
  coupon 3.30   total 2.49
2@3.00 hot dog         6.00        reg price 9.18            
   savings 3.18                              total 6.00
sure deo                   1.99          reg price 2.49              
  savings .50         coupon 2.00   total -.01
bananas                   1.04          reg price 1.04                                                              
   total 1.04
salad 2@1.69          3.38         reg price 3.38                                                                
  total 3.38
2@ 3.89 OJ            7.78         reg price 8.58               
  savings .80        coupon 2.00      total 5.78
2@2.50 go-gurt      5.00         reg price5.98                 
  savings .98         coupon 2.00     total 3.00

TOTALS                82.52          91.49                          
10.16                    28.05              54.34


                             225.91        273.00                           
51.31                    61.09              167.10


      GRAND SAVINGS OF $105.90
plus I have .70 off per gal of gas because of the fuel perks program AND on the back of the slip there are coupons for .05 off per gallon of gas.


A few notes on this project:
1. I rarely read my food slips closely but there are 2 costly mistakes I found. One was I had grapes that were .99 a pound ring up at 2.29 a pound. (going back to complain) The Fiber One cereal didn't scan for a 1.00 off a box which made it UBER expensive.
2. As you can see the kids went shopping on this trip and added in a few "bonus items" which made the savings a bit less
3. You may be asking yourself what is she going to make with all that random stuff? Well really thins was a fill the cupboards trip with a few meals. I will have to buy things along the way to be able to use everything I bought in meals....aka there was no meal planning involved.
4. I have spent way to much time on coupon's today... it is now 2am!
5. A huge Thank You to my husband Keith who took the kids and my crazy lists and did his best at fulfilling my crazy envelopes while I worked.


Keith's tip: go early to get the best selection on sale items on coupon days.


Final thought... well at least we won't smell because they paid us .01 to take deodorant off their hands!

Food savings

To get back to my original plan of talking about how we save money on everyday purchases... tomorrow is a great day to buy your groceries at Rainbow. Wednesday's are double coupon days! Here are the basic rules for rainbow double days:
1. The coupon must be worth $1.00 or less (doubled $2.00 or less)
2. The first 5 coupons you give the cashier will be the doubled ones
3. Store coupons and manufacturer coupons can both be doubled
4. If the coupon says "do not double" it will not double
5. If you print them from the internet they must be in black and white and have a bar code. (the whole coupon has to be there)
6. The shelf price of the total items must be $25.00 or more
 7. Buy one get one or try this free coupons are not able to be doubled. 

So here is my strategy:
1. I go threw my coupons and see if any of them expire this week.
2. I go threw the rainbow ad and see if there as any on sale products I can match up with coupons for free or nearly free items.
3. Next I make envelopes. I pick 5 coupons to be doubled for that envelope and I write them on the outside of the envelope and then I list a few other things some I have small coupons for or things that might be on sale but the goal is to make the RETAIL / SHELF price equal $25.00. I make 5-10 envelopes worth of shopping lists.
4. When I go shopping I go in and out as many times as I have envelopes.
5. Lastly don't forget to search the internet for coupons on any items you many need for the week.

Right now Rainbow is also running double coupons on Saturday and this week they are doubling 10 coupons on Wednesday.

The first couple of times it takes some time to get into the swing of things but once you get it you will be amazed at how much you can save on your food budget by using double coupons at Rainbow.

My other money saver is shopping at Aldi's. Aldi's is especially great for produce but it is a very different shopping experience. The very first thing is you need a quarter (not .25 cents) to get a cart. But don't worry you will get it back. You also have to buy your shopping bags so I suggest bringing your own. You might not know the brand names at Aldi because they are all Canadian brands or privately labeled to keep the cost down. I highly suggest trying many of their foods and taking advantage of the ready to eat cheap produce. 

Share your coupon, Aldi or food saving success story!

Happy shopping... and cheap eating!

ETA: rainbow has changed the rule about your total of your bill. Now that they are doing 10 double coupons your total AFTER coupons has to be $25.00. So if you get down checking out and you haven't hit your $25.00 grab a gift card and add it to you order then use it on your next envelope/ order.

Welcome to the "system"

Saturday Keith and I received a letter that has summoned us to court next Tuesday. Why you ask? Because Ryan is a truant student. We got this letter stating we could be fined or have jail time blah blah blah and I figured no big deal this has to be a mistake. I will call school on Monday. I called yesterday and the truant officer doesn't have voice mail so I left a paper message but didn't get a call back so I emailed Ryan's teacher asking where this lady's office was because today I was going to show up at her door and get an explanation. Well the threat to show up worked I got a call first thing this morning. Except I didn't get the explanation I was looking for. You see every time Ryan has missed school I have emailed his teacher, just like I had been told to do. Well really you have to call the "absent hot line" everyday the child misses school and the child must have a handwritten note restating the reason for absent on the first day back or it is not an excused absent.

What happens now? Well we first go to court. Hopefully I have a copy of every email I ever sent to his teacher. Then hopefully there will be no fines or jail time but most of the time a social worker from the child protective agency will be assigned to your child and will make a few home visits before we are release from the "system"

I don't know if I should scream or cry! and if I should scream who should it be at? 

Munchkin Market is coming

The Munchkin Market is another piece of 20/20 and it is fast approaching. The Munchkin Market is a kids consignment sale that happens for three weekend's every spring and fall. This a great place to sell all your kids old stuff and get new-to-you stuff. if you need baby / kid equipment the prices and quality can't be beat!  New mom's and those that consign get in early on Friday night to shop before the public. Visit the website for more information

This year the spring dates are:
April 17 & 18 at the MN State Fair
April 24 & 25 at the Anoka County Fairgrounds
May 1 & 2 at the Washington County Fairgrounds

You can find more information here: munchkinmarkets.com

note to self: don't put the tubs of kids clothes in the shed that is snow and iced over.