Back from San Francisco

As usual, we stayed at our friend Gary's house, so no hotel costs. We shared some meals out and had the last meal at a friend's house where we had a collaborative meal. I got us in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art with my Milwaukee art museum membership, so that saved us $50. I picked up a class at Carroll University, but won't be paid until the end of August, so will start depleting my savings. I'd like to visit Becky in NY, but will have to use airline mileage to accomplish that one-lets see if I do. :) Summerfest starts tonight. I got a free ticket by attending an early event. Roger gets in for $3-the advantage of getting old. ;)

The Summer of Todd!

Well, no teaching at UWM this Summer, so I'll have to go into super frugal mode. We'll see how I do. I'll update the blog as my savings slowly dwindle. I need a super Groupon! My goal is to concentrate on getting my stuff together-hopefully doing better than George Costanza did. :)

George: I'm really going to do something with these three months.
Jerry: Like what?
George: I'm gonna read a book. From beginning to end. In that order.
Jerry: I've always wanted to do that...
George: I'm gonna play frolf.
Jerry: You mean golf?
George: Frolf, frisbee golf Jerry. Golf with a frisbee. This is gonna be my time. Time to taste the fruits and let the juices drip down my chin. I proclaim this: The Summer of George!

Riverwest Spaces and Traces Walking Tour

Saturday was the Historic Milwaukee Spaces and Traces walking tour of the Riverwest area. Luckily there was a Groupon for this so I snatched it up-glad I didn't get my ticket early. :) One of the houses we toured was Thallis Drake's house (featured in last week's Journal/Sentinel). Roger knows her from an early music program she founded. We took a lunch break and shared an omelet at Stonefly Brewery which was packed because of the walk. They were so busy one of the bartenders left a bloody mary, unspoken for, in front of me. The frugal part of me wanted to take it-I asked a few times but got no response. ;( After a few more houses-we'd been at this since 9am and now it was 2pm-we went to Waterford wine for a free Rose' tasting. We finshed the last few houses, and went to a fundraiser my niece was having-Cookies for Kids' Cancer Bake Sale. I got a big bag of cookes for only $10. Now I have to give them away so I don't eat them all! :) Sunday we went to the Haggerty art museum-the last day of a great photgraphy exhibit. The Haggerty is always free-a real gem of a museum in Milwaukee. Tonight heading to Ned's for leftovers-Roger doesn't approve (some beans and potato salad from a party), but I do-it's free. Plus, plenty of wine! :)

Casa Happiness

Update: The exhibit was mention in the Shepherd Express in July.

We went to the Portrait Gallery last night where our friend Joe Drinka's aunt had a showing of old Kodachrome slides from her 1957 honeymoon in Cuba. Free mojitos, plantains, and other Cuban-style food was served-free of course! :)

“Casa Happiness” a collection of printed Kodachrome slides of local attorney Judy Drinka’s 1957 honeymoon in Cuba. Ms. Drinka was 19 years old and had never been out of the country. Her new husband, Martin, was a camera buff who took many slides during their three-week trip.

There is such a thing as a free lunch...

UWM Alumni Association had a free lunch Wednesday sponsored by Beans and Barley-great healthy food at the right price. :) I went to a Summerfest release party that night and got a free ticket to opening day-who's going to spend $15 just to go and spend more money. :) Roger gets in for $3, but I'm not at his advanced age yet. ;) Friday night we went to an event for the Gathering (where Roger volunteers cooking once a month). They had sandwiches which I ate for a pre-dinner snack. Met my friend Dan and his son Doug at Sugar Maple and Dan bought some beers-thanks Dan! :) Dinner was at Transfer where we shared a pizza and a bottle of wine. Saturday was the Kentucky Derby which we watched at the Iron Horse Hotel. I got two free mint juleps ($10 each) because the service was so slow-I'll have to remember that trick. ;) Today, Mother's Day, I'm taking my mom to our friend Ned's house. Roger and Ned are cooking her favorite meal-spaghetti and meatballs. Knowing Ned & Roger it will be the haute cuisine version for sure!

Financial Literacy Party!

April was  Financial Literacy Month, so the party's over. :( WI is leading the coalition to financial literacy due to the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. Every Tuesday morning I listen to the Joy Cardin show on WPR. She and financial planner Kevin McKinley celebrated Financial Literacy Month last Tuesday. If I miss the show, I listen to her archives. He has great, common sense advice, and, most importantly-he's funny. Important to me, I guess! ;) I specially listen to advice on spending, planning for retirement, and budgeting.


Today I'm going to UWM to see a free Italian movie (with free parking and cheap popcorn), then over to our friend Ned's for a nutritious dinner. I won't tell you what I did Friday night since it involved spending too much money going out. Though we did split a meal at Emeror of China and did use a coupon yesterday for Indian food. I'm punishing myself this afternoon by staying home and blogging and doing schoolwork. I really should get out and exercise, but it's easier to sit inside and watch the cat sleep. ;)

Easter Weekend

Friday Roger went to a free wine tasting and didn't invite me! We got a free bone scan at Whole Foods before heading out-at least one thing not wrong with me, yet! We went for 2-for-1 drinks at a local bar where we know the bartender. Then out to dinner and used a Groupon. Saturday morning was a groupon for Brewed Awakenings on Brady Street-2 cappuccinos and a breakfast burrito. Saturday afternoon was a free tasting at Thief Wine in Shorewood. Brunch at Joannes' tomorrow. Not sure what else is in store. Hopefully the Easter bunny will bring us some goodies!