Very funny story of a guy with way too much time on his hands – he spent it learning the “IRS” scam script.  who knew you could pay taxes with iTunes cards?

Yes it’s that time again where I reclaim my dining room and piss off the recycling guy all at once.  My method is to check on the coupon database for what inserts are unexpired, then go through that insert to see what the actual coupon is – and it’s always just one coupon.  If it’s for something that would never go on sale, I’ve got no use for and can’t sell or donate (think large chunks of water softener salt here), then the insert goes.  If it’s one coupon I pull that page out and clip them all together with the date written in marker so easily found if a deal appears.

Today I prepared a large French omelet with stewed fresh tomatoes, onions and poblano peppers accompanied by charred tortillas and black beans.  PITA alone ate six tortillas!  Then off to Naperville for their annual Riverwalk Art Fair (close to 30 years now!).  Great time in the sun and the ice cream was only $5 for two scoops in a waffle cone!  How could it get any better than that???  That’s PITA in the lime green skirt and my left shoulder walking out of the first photo (really, DH, that’s the best you could do?)

Lisle has a weekend celebration every year honoring its past called Depot Days. Named for the train station that gave the settlers a reason to stick around, Depot Days offers a petting zoo, apple pie and cornbread baked in a brick oven, old farm implements, depot/station master’s house, some restored houses (one an inn) and of course, an almost completely-restored caboose, although the CB&Q Railroad called them waycars.  Here are some photos to amuse you – the celebration continues Sunday from noon ’til 5.  Heard the telegraph operators will be there (not sure – FirstBorn calls it the old time version of the internet).  Lots of fun for the kiddos!

This sponsored post showed up on my FB feed.  It’s a YouTube video for a product called which claims to be 100 times stronger than duct tape.  Very, very funny and really makes me want to buy this stuff to keep around the house… Amazon FiberFix link here.

Went to Cantigny Park today for a Revolutionary War reenactment – – it does not look good for the fighting colonists!

Here the colonists are marching into position against…

The British regulars, aka red coats.  These are the career soldiers who knew their stuff and had the best weapons.

The cannons weigh about 350 pounds; no easy task to move but critical to keep the other side from nabbing them.  And the sound they make!!!  Soldiers primarily fought with muskets with bayonets attached for close fighting (stabbing?) since they were able to fire and reload 4-6 times a minute.  The speed meant sacrifices in accuracy, though.  So your choice would have been to shoot a lot and miss or only get a few shots in with a rifle, but make them count.  Also, rifles weren’t able to have bayonets attached (I’d rather have a knife to stab and a rifle). Tough call.

’cause the only good red coat is a dead red coat

Some of these people were actually looters; if a soldier’s dead or dying, no need for any shoes, right?

First one to the golf cart wins!!!!!

The Hessians (blue coats) were German auxiliary forces hired by the British when unable to recruit enough soldiers.  There were also Hessians wearing bright yellow/gold cone-shaped helmets…must be from a little town in France.  But speaking of money:

Here is some info on the origins of two bits and four bits – so now we know what Shave and a Haircut…two bits actually costs!

In addition to Hessians, red coats and colonists, there were also colonists loyal to the Crown eager to impede the rebels (as DH called them – – I said, not when you win, you’re not!).

Really odd article in The Huffington Post today about an exhibit called The Kittens’ Wedding.  I mean, we’ve all tried to dress up the family cat (with varying degrees of success), but we’re talking dead here, folks.  Read more and up the creep factor.

Was just at the Melrose Park Costco last weekend, but you can never have too much Skinny Pop.  Or if you’re more of a DIY-type person… Some things make sense at Costco, dollar-wise, while others, no.  Skinny Pop is $4.99 for plain or $5.39 for white cheddar for 14 oz bags.  You can’t beat that with a stick for a deal.  They had warm packages of rosemary, garlic, parmesan bread to seal the deal.  I buy generic allergy meds here when there haven’t been any deals and I really like their bakery goods.  Don’t know if these are a good deal, but Duracell batteries are pretty much top of the line.  I have enough batteries stockpiled that you need a strong arm to open the drawer…

Get your $1.31 Baskin-Robbins scoops on Wednesday from 10 AM – 9 PM ET to celebrate the 31st of August!  Hey, it’s as good a reason as any for an ice cream deal.

Next opportunity will be October 31st and then December 31st and neither month comes to mind when I think ice cream weather…

PITA needed new clothes since she’s started eating more and has actually put on weight!  yay!  Lucky, 7 for all Mankind, Paige, Loft and other brands pants plus adorable sundresses and tops (not pictured).  She also found a bikini and a one piece that looks like a tankini.  I bought a few almost-new belts (one alligator) plus a skirt.  Total damages – – $75!