Vacation 2013

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We recently went on vacation. One of our stops for gas and food was in Le Claire, Ia. This is where the tv show American Pickers. It is located right behind a gas station/ A&W. If you have never been to an A &W they have decent burgers and frosty mugs for root beers. The Antique store isn't too big but it is packed with items. We just looked outside since we are traveling with our dog.

For road trips I recommend looking online at www.roadsideamerica.com/

to find spots to stop on your road trip.

Zoo Weather

Spring and fall are the best times to go to the zoo in the Midwest because summer can be unbearable for humans and animals alike.  Our zoo has lots of shady trees and even a sprinkler in the kids play area, but walking around and looking at animals sunning themselves isn't as exciting as when they are roaming.  Today hit about mid 80's, which is outstanding for March.  There have been years where it is snowing in March and here people are breaking out the shorts and wondering if it's time to put away the parka.  The bad part of going so early is that some animals are not back from their winter vacations, so some exhibits were empty and others are being redone.  Any ways, I hope you had a good day and enjoy my video of my favorite animal.

Road Trips

I mentioned that I would be out of town when writing my meal plans.  The trips have worked out very well and the budget hasn't been too bad.

Our trip for Memorial day weekend was to Wyoming.  I found out a week before that my dad was going to see his sister with my nephew for the weekend.  All I had to do was drive a couple hours to meet up with my dad, and he drove the rest of the way.  We had plenty of snacks on hand, and when we got there we stayed for free at my aunt's ranch.  Every year they round up the cattle and give vaccines and brand the new cattle.  It was a new experience for the family and the kids had fun.  We did get rained out the next day but we were able to stop at a zoo and see the monument in Scotts Bluff, NE.  We got into the zoo for free because I had purchased a zoo pass with my sister to our local zoo.

Our next trip was to Chicago to see more family.  We didn't have a lot of time to spend, and it does cost $5.40 if you take the toll roads to get there.  Gas was also $.10 more per gallon.  While there I wanted to spend some time in the city, and we were staying with relatives which was close to the El train.  I hoped to be able to go to a couple of museums but we just didn't have the time.  It was a shame, because there was a lot of free days available when we were there.  When we were gone for Memorial Day my daughter missed Japan day so I thought going to China town would be a good substitute.  When we got to the train the machines to get tickets weren't working so they let us on for free.  We ended up transferring from the pink line and going to get on the red line.  While figuring out our plan a lady at the platform gave us two day passes she had that were to expire in an hour, so we got on for free again ( kids under 6 are free to ride).  So we ended up only paying for $2.25 plus a $.25 transfer for each of us ( I was with my sister-in-law).  One tip is that Chicago is very hot, and we ended up getting drinks for the kids.  It was too hot to want to eat anywhere.  Then my daughter had to go to the bathroom.  NEVER go to the bathroom at the library in Chinatown.  It smelled like they had never cleaned the place.  They had the door open and it still smelled like you were in pee central.  I would say all but the places to eat have restrooms but you can only use them if you eat there. In addition to gas being more expensive in the big city, their sales tax is 10%.  That is up from 8.75% when I was in college in 2003.  Also if you have a car you need to watch where you park since they street clean often and many places require a permit to park or you be a resident at certain hours.  If you can afford to stay in a hotel near downtown you can take a train from any of the airports and walk around down town.  The people of Chicago are very friendly and there is a lot to do.  They also have day passes for the train and a city pass for the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Sears Tower, Adler Planetarium or the Art Institute, and Museum of Science and Industry, or the John Hancock Observatory.

A good way to keep cost down is to stay with some relatives.  Even if they don't live in the city, you could always drive in for the day.  Also residence get discount to local attraction, so they could help you get into places for cheaper.  When we went to Mall of America last year we got a discount to Nickelodeon.  We had wrist bands and spent most of the time there instead of spending a lot of money on the  mall stores.

Menu Plan Monday 5/23- June 5th

Summer heat feels like it is here today.  It has been raining so it is humid.  My son is out of school this week and my daughter the next.  My schedule will change to have one more day off during the week, but I will be working later.  Soon we start road trips, picnics and t-ball, all things to plan quick meals around.

Monday 5/23- bacon and feta stuffed chicken, and fries
Tuesday 5/24-pork chops and baked potatoes
Wednesday 5/25- Mexican Chicken thighs and spanish rice
Thursday 5/26-Monday 5/30- out of town till Monday night (see below for road trip food)
Tuesday 5/31- meatloaf and mashed potatoes
Wednesday 6/1- buffalo chicken sandwiches and coleslaw
Thursday 6/2- cubano quesadillas
Friday 6/3-picnic pepperoni salad
Saturday 6/4-cresent taco ring
Sunday 6/5- moo shu pork

Dessert: Reese's Squares

Things I'm packing for an almost 10 hour trip:
there:
frozen grapes
containers of water
juice boxes
celery and carrot sticks
hard boiled eggs
oranges
I hope to have time to make pizza pockets from "A Slob Comes Clean"
back:

string cheese

crackers

summer sausage

apples

juice boxes

granola bars

See more menu plan monday's at orgjunkie.com.

Update:

Monday 5/23- bacon and feta stuffed chicken, and fries: easy to make and good

Tuesday 5/24-pork chops and baked potatoes

Wednesday 5/25- Mexican Chicken thighs and spanish rice

Thursday 5/26-Monday 5/30- out of town till Monday night (see below for road trip food)

Tuesday 5/31- meatloaf and mashed potatoes

Wednesday 6/1- buffalo chicken sandwiches and coleslaw- was ok, could have been hotter

Thursday 6/2- cubano quesadillas- good and easy to make, worth repeating

Friday 6/3-picnic pepperoni salad- my husband liked it but I didn't

Saturday 6/4-cresent taco ring- I was kind of scared to make this since it seemed a little complicated, but it wasn't too had, and is worth repeating. It was even better cold the next day.

Sunday 6/5- moo shu pork

Spring Fling Budget Control

So on spring break I decided to go travel to my parents house since I don't get back to town as often as I like.  I figured I should lay out a budget for myself since I don't want to get into debt for no good reason.  I have a bad habit of a unconscious competition with my sisters when we go to the stores.  I want to buy things I really don't need, we are all picking up things that look nice, and we have a good experience taking our time shopping.  My sister's are in the medical profession (not doctors, but still good paying jobs).  I on the other hand am currently a part time retail worker whose pay isn't quite as rewarding.  Don't get me wrong, I do like my job, and my hours, but doesn't quite support a shopaholic habit.  My husband likes to tell me that most people really can't afford the fancy car their driving, or the designer clothes they are wearing, and they are probably are in debt trying to keep up with this image.  I can believe this to a point, but I would also like to believe that their is a way to balance life.  So today through Sunday when I return home I am going to spend $40 between any shopping, supplies, and food.  I am not going to include gas, which I am splitting with my sister, who took the trip with me.

So far today:
Dairy Queen: $10.03 for 2 small shakes and a iced latte
Redbox: $1.07
$28.90 left to spend.  This is going to be hard work.

The nice thing about staying with family is that there is a kitchen for meals so I don't have to eat out, and my parents house has plenty of food and snacks to munch on.

Vacation Minneapolis

I just got back from vacation and I am more tired than when I left. We had to go out of town for a graduation in Minneapolis. While in the area we went to Albertville Outlets. We found a lot of good deals. The Coach outlet had 50% additional off clearance purses plus they handed out 20%off coupons. I didn't buy one but will save some money for the next chance we get to get up there. Old Navy had an additional 40% off on women's clothing so I bought a flag shirt for $3.00 for my mom. Children's Place Outlet had 40% off clearance racks and I had an email for an extra 20% off. Gap had an additional 20% off a $75 purchase for fire, police and medical workers so my sister, an RN, and I compiled our purchases to save. The VIP coupons, we received for free from our hotel, we didn't end up using, but my daughter's teacher gave us a thick book for the Mall of America, and I did hand a lot of those out to family. I went online and ordered some tourist magazines for free and received a map of the mall ahead of time. I was able to map out the stores I wanted to hit since the mall is so big, but most of the store were at Albertville anyways. Next trip I plan on going to Albertville the morning of the first day, staying near the mall ( the teacher received the $10 coupon book free at her hotel) and going to the Mall's Aquarium that next. Then the next day we can ride all the rides at the mall since it was less busy in the morning, and going to Ikea before going home, or on to maybe Valley Fair or the Renaissance Fair. I remember doing these things as a kid and would like to share with my kids as they grow. I may live and play in the Midwest, but it is my comfort zone and I don't feel bad about never going too far from home.