Florentine Opera Camerata

Florentine Opera Camerata  hosted a free performance and free food at the room last night. We hadn't eaten dinner, so this was a great, relaxing way to end the evening. I'll make sure to take advantage of this again. :)

Fall Gallery Night 2011

We started out at the Grohmann Museum at MSOE for a great photographic exhibit of trains from the 40s through 70s. Entrance was free for Gallery night and they serve great appetizers-wine was $4, so we skipped it. :)


Then on to the condos at 1st place on the river, across the bridge into the 3rd Ward. Our dentist is in the building and had some photos, glass work and free appetizers, 'natch. :) An 11th floor condo was open-spectacular views of downtown and free champagne. Met up with some friends at Tulip, the Turkish restaurant. We had a Groupon, so had a bottle of wine and appetizers. Then went to Walker's Point Center for the arts. A phenomenal Day of the dead exhibit. Here's a picture of a Marilyn Monroe wannabe.

Next was Humboldt Park to see their pumpkin carving display-a huge number of pumpkins. They also had a band playing some sort of rock, folk art.
Got a little chilly so heade to Thief Wine in the public market-we had a gift certificate so had a carafe of wine.


Last stop was the pfister, where Shelby Keefe, the artist in residence, was painting. It was nearing 11pm by now, so took a quick walk around the 2nd floor of the Pfister looking at old pictures and artifacts before heading back to Brewer's Hill.

The Secret to Living Well on $20,000 a Year

I like articles like this in Yahoo! Finance. I use them to get ideas about where I can cut corners. I was able to live pretty comfortably last year at around 30-some K. Now that I'm making more, I see that I'm starting to splurge a bit, so have to be careful. I'm putting money in my 401K again, and saving for unforseen expenses. We went to Chicago yesterday for the opera and ate at a BYOB wine place. For $38 we had a great meal for 2 and leftovers (in the old days we would have spent well over $100). Plus, my Yaris fit into a small parking space some behemoth of a car tried to get into. Another reason to get a cheap, small car. :)

At the Movies with Todd

I've been volunteering at Milwaukee Film so I can get vouchers for films. Now I just have to find time to go. :)

Todd goes to church...for free food!

I always pick Roger up from church on Sunday. Lately I've been going in to catch the end of their coffee hour. The coffee isn't very good and the cookies are store-bought, but it'e free. :) Today they're having a picnic, so the food should be better. We went to our neighborhood church's grand opening of their new school addition. The food was great. Via Downer bruschetta and pizza. Some decent wine, rum and bourbon from Great Lakes Distillery-I was in heaven. ;)

Pantherfest/Tosafest

Last night, Friday, we went to Pantherfest at Summerfest. Free food from Whole Foods. Beer/wine was $6.50, unfortunately. We also had free admittance to Indian Summer and their beers were $5.50. :) Parking was free-we parked on the street. Tonight we're going to Tosafest. Free, but will probably pay too much in beers. :) Tomorrow we plan on seeing a free movie at UWM and the popcorn is only $1.50. :)

Laborious Day

Today, Labor Day, we're going to a cookout. Went to one last night at my friend Dan's House, and Saturday at Hope's. Roger has been tricking me into going to the grocery store with him and then sticking me with the bill. I went to the gym today so he'd have to pay-he's very sneaky, I'll have to watch him. The MKE Film festival is coming up-I plan on volunteering so I get free tickets and also get invited to the volunteer party! Last Wednesday we went to a preview film for MKE film-part of my member benefits. I'm trying to use my memberships at Milwaukee Art Museum and MKE Film to make sure I get all the benefits in excess of the individual admissions-so far, so good. This week I start teaching at UWM-Monday through Thursday nights. It's extra cash, I like doing it, but I'm sure I'll be real tired. I'll let you know how it goes.