Friday, November 13, 2009

Cookie Sale Fundraiser


Reminder:

It's almost time for our annual cookie sale fundraiser! For those of you who don't know - this is our biggest fundraiser of the year. We depend on the proceeds of this sale to help out all year long with sitter fees not covered by semester fees and childcare fees paid weekly by our members. We are asking that all members bring at least 6 dozen cookies to our Christmas Brunch on December 4. We will package them after the meeting and sell them at the various Mass services that weekend.

We will be looking for ribbon so please let us know of any sales you might find!

We need ribbon to decorate the boxes (preferrably the kind with the little bit of wire to help add character to the box!) and for toulle!
We will also need volunteers to help sell at masses. Our cookies are USUALLY GONE by the 11:00 mass! Clearly, they love us ;)
Any questions, please contact Elana or Molly.

Friday, September 25, 2009

9/25/09

Clare house blankets were a huge success!
Thank you to everyone who participated.
Next weeks topic: RETIRE WITH COUPONS!!!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Fondue Night-Moms Night Out September 22nd 6:30pm

Directions to Stephanies House:

Veterans south turn right onto Fox Creek RdTurn Left into Fox Lake Subd. on Savanna RdRight onto Spangle Rd first house on left corner of Savanna and Spangle (CIFSBO sign in yard)2802 Spangle Rd Bloomington 61705Have questions or get lost call 828-0396

The items to be "fondue-d" Tuesday include:

Stephanie- lemonade, funnel cake
Cara S- strawberries marshmallows
Molly V- bread / marinara (will bring a small crockpot)
Elana H- mozarella sticks
Michelle Z-
Cathy L- cheese salsa dip
Amy S-
Iris- Chocolate fountain
Sarah I-
Trish F-
Katie E_
Kristy H
Becky S-
Elsa K-

++++Fondue Pots are not necessarily needed, a crockpot will do just fine!++++

Additional ideas: Cheese: broccoli, bread, pears, pepperoni, pita bread, mushrooms, baby potatoes, peppers, cherry or grape tomatoes, popcorn chicken, chicken stripsChocolate: rice crispy treats, pound cake, angel food cake, coconut pieces, cherries, brownies, blondies, macaroons, raspberries, pretzel rods, graham crackers, lady fingers, dried fruit, cookies, frozen bananas slices, (try adding caramel, cookie crumbs, chopped butterfinger bars, twix bars, chopped nuts, Kahlua, Amaretto or Bailey's to your chocolate or try using white chocolate - or dip your final concoction into sprinkles, jimmies, nuts, coconut)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Fall Schedule

September 4th-Welcome Back Mixer
September 11th-Tea & Treats (bring your favorite dessert and recipe to share)
September 18th-Vicki Yarbrough with Homemade Gourment
**week of September 21st-Moms Night Out Fondue Night....more details to come**
September 25th-Clare House Blankets
October 2nd-Kimberly McCormick with Retire with Coupons
October 9th-Vicki Voegel-Current issues with Womens Health
October 16th- Jazzercise (wear comfortable clothes & meet in Shamrock Hall )
October 23rd-Project day (bring in "stuff" you need to get done and work on it)
October 30th-Fall Festival (Shamrock Hall)
November 6th-Becky Skibo-how to discuss religious issues with your child
November 13th-Carrie Bussman & Sara Thompson discuss strengthening your marriage
November 20th-Julie Gizzi with Pampered Chef
December 4th-Annual Christmas Brunch

Monday, July 13, 2009

Pizza Sale! First Fundraiser......

At Mom's Morning Out, our mission is to provide a nurturing forum for mothers that fosters personal growth and spiritual enrichment while providing information and support concerning issues important to women, children and family life.

Help support Mom's Morning Out with a purchase of Awesome Schwan's Special Recipe Pizzas!

Please return order forms to the Welcome Desk after mass July 25/26th or August 1st/2nd. Orders need to be submitted by August 2nd after the 11:00 mass. If you are not a parishioner of St Patrick Merna's and need to get an order form, please contact
Stephanie at the number listed below!

Pick up orders at church on August 16th, 9-Noon.
Any questions, please call Stephanie Rayniak 828-0396
***At the pickup time, additional items may be purchased off the truck with the same percentage going to MMO!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Garage Sale Information!!!!

Sale location:

Cheryl's House
1513 Courtland Ave. Normal (give me a call if you need directions)
862-3742 or 826-0742 (cell)

Dates:

Drop Off:
Wed. May 6th 1:45-?
Thurs. May 7th 1:00-?
Fri. May 8th morning
Presale:
Fri. May 8th 6-7:30
Sale day:
Sat. May 9th 8:30-3:00
We need items to sell:
1. There are no restrictions on what we’ll sell.
2. Please price your items in $.25 increments. If the item is worth less than $.25, then pair it with something else or mark it free. One exception: there will be a box marked 2/$.25 for Happy Meal type toys. There will also be a free box.
3. Indicate on the tag if something is stained, broken or missing pieces and price accordingly.
4. It would be helpful, if you could please pre-sort your items before you drop them off. For example, put girls 6-9mo. clothes in one bag, boys 2T in another, kitchen type things together, etc. This will save us set-up time.

What I need from you:
1. Items to list in the ad. If you have something larger or a lot of something (toys, baby gear, scrapbooking, etc.), we should mention it in the ad. Also if you can give me an idea of kids clothes sizes, that would be helpful. Really just trying to get an idea if I can say something like -Kids clothes 0-5T.
2. Let me know if you have an idea when you'll be coming by to drop off your "stuff". I'm still not sure about early Thurs afternoon, but I will be here definately after 3:00. You can bring your baked goods with you during drop off times or during the presale. If these times don't work for you, please let me know and we'll try to work something out. If you already signed up for drop off, you don't need to let me know again.
3. I am hoping to have all the clothes hanging up, so if you have any extra throw away hangers (especially kids size), please bring them with. I do have a bunch of hangers here, but maybe not enough for everything.
4. Let me know if there is anything you would like back if if doesn't sell. Also if your price is not negotiable.

Here's who I have signed up for Sat.
8-10
Beth G.
Cara S.
Cathy L.
Stephanie R. (9-10)
Molly V. (8-9)

10-12
Becky S.
Rebecca G.
Michelle Z.
Heather B.

12-2
Elsa K. (12:30-2:30)
Heather B.
Chalene H.

2-4
Elana

Come out and join us if you can, anytime!
Please let me know if you have any questions or if I missed anything!
Cheryl

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Important Dates To Remember for MMO

  • Garage Sale

May 9th @ 1513 Courtland Ave in Normal

Member presale Friday May 8th (times to be determined)

Public Sale Saturday May 9th from 8:30-3
We will have the sale as well as a bake sale!!!!
More info to follow on dropoff procedures
and bake sale info
  • Spring Brunch

May 1st 9:15-11am

A-L Baked/Dessert Item

M-S Hot Entree item

T-Z Fruit or Veggie

Childcare will be provided and you are welcome to bring a friend!

Bloomigton/Normal Fun Things To Do!

Erin Watts from the Bloomington Normal Conventions Bureau came on Friday and spoke to us about many events within the area.

Some of the family events she focused on were the following (same dates are set, some are not!)

-Gamma Phi Circus April 24th and 25th
-Shakespeare Festival, T, Th and S at 6:45 (dates??)
-Hot August Nights downtown Bloomington (area vendors stay open later and entertainment is provided)
-Sweet Corn Blues Festival- flea market and live music with boiled corn
-Parent and Child golf tournament-July 25th and 29th

Places of Interest:

-Stoneridge Dairy in Bellflower
-Twin Groves Wind Farm and lookout point offers land tours
-David Davis Mansion offers tea parties
-Harvest Moon drive in theatre
-Museum of History (old Mclean county courthouse)
-Funks Grove-Funk purity home and Gem and Mineral museum
-Twin City Tours-bus tour highlighting attractions (2 hours long, cost is $1) May 29th-August ?

Area Farmers Markets:

-Bloomington-Mid May on Saturdays
-Normal-June on Tuesdays
-Downs-Wednesdays

Sites:

http://www.bloomingtonnormalcvb.org/ (there is also a link to community events as they are reported to the cvb--they said they would include garage sale info as well!)
erin@visitbn.org Erin's direct email in case you have questions or want more details!

Erin also gave each of us packets FILLED with info! I am sure we will have an extra at the share table :)

Monday, March 9, 2009

Pampered Chef Recipes

I was not there Friday for the power cooking, however I did find this website that offers most of the pampered chef recipes!
If you were there, let me know and I will post the important info~
http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/pampered-chef-recipes/index.htm

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Go Green


If you're going to clean, you want to do it without using nasty chemicals that can end up in the water supply and your bloodstream. To help, Earthshare.com offers some of helpful hints.
A few of their tips:
For cleaning kitchens and walls, use a cloth dipped in hot water, baking soda, and little bit of dish soap.
Clear your drains with a mixture of 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup salt, and ¼ cup cream of tartar. Pour ¼ cup of this mixture into the drain, followed by a pot of boiling water (cream of tartar is is the common name for potassium hydrogen tartrate, a salt often used in cooking.)
For a home-made air freshener, try simmering cinnamon, orange peel, and cloves on the stove. It'll give your home the fresh smell of, well, cinnamon, orange peel and cloves.
Clean windows Windex-free using a solution made from 2 tablespoons borax or washing soda and 3 cups water.


Q: What's the best cleaner for wood floors (figure A)?

A: Tea is all you need to clean wood floors. Brew two teabags in hot water and cool to room temperature. Use with a mop or a cloth on the floors. Rinsing is not needed.Q: How do you clean silver?

A: Apply white, nongel toothpaste to a damp cloth and work into the silver. The mild abrasive in the toothpaste will clean the silver. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Q: How do you remove household odors naturally?

A: Bring a cup of water and 1/4 cup white vinegar to a boil, then let it simmer for 30 minutes to an hour to remove odors.
Five Natural Cleaners:
There are five natural cleaners no home should be without:
Baking soda A mild, natural abrasive; can be used for cleaning
without worrying about scratching surfaces.
White vinegar A mild acidic product; won't destroy surfaces; works great for soap scum.
Lemon juice Nature's bleach and disinfectant; a great natural stain remover and deodorizer.
Borax A natural laundry additive and booster.
Club soda A great stain remover.

Removing Coffee Stain on Sweater with Club Soda
Steps:
1. Place a pad of paper towels under the spill.
2. Pour club soda over the spill. The carbonation in the soda bubbles up the stain and the salts keep it from staining.
3. Blot the fabric.
4. Repeat the process if needed, changing the towels under the fabric as they absorb the stain.
5. If the stain remains, sprinkle the stain with borax, work in with your fingers and launder.

Tips in General:

For an eco-friendly flea repellent, sprinkle salt in the doghouse to deter fleas.

Visit BPAfree.org. There is belief on both sides of the fence about this, but more and more products are coming out BPA free. Use glass baby bottles, warm up items in glass containers vs plastic! Avoid microwaving plastic containers!

Use Hydrogen peroxide for whites in the laundry.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Let's get organized, organized, I want to get organized!

Let's get it organized, ladies! Here's how!

1. Vertical Storage: When you think vertically you utilize more space. ie: Bathroom vanities that have a cabinet w/o drawers underneath the sink. If you can see the wall, that is space that can be used if you store things vertically (like with a Jumbo helper shelf)
2. Grouping - activity centers- Group things together that are used together ie: scizzors, tape and a pen go with your wrapping supplies (store things together)

3. Get it on the wall!!! Get things up off the floor and out of your way ie: brooms, garage items, swiffers
4. Double Duty Doors- Don't let them just hang there...
+Door way doors
+Locker doors
+Cabinet doors ie: spice rack
+Refrigerator doors
5. Be motion minded-Big time saver
+Point of first use
+Trash cans in each room
+Dishes near the table
+Hot pads near the oven
+Tape by VCR/Stereo
Minimize Steps
+Cleaning supplies in each bathroom
+Activity Centers-like a traveling bill pay center with checkbook, stamps, envelopes, and pens with storage for bills
One-Motion Storage
+most often used items-store in front or on top

+least often used items-store in back or on bottom
6. Four ways to store--shelf, floor, drawer, hang-CLOSETS!!! You may use a hanging shoe rack for many, many things. When purchasing one, make sure it secures to the hanging bar. Also, if you have clothes that you don't wear try turning your hangers around and if they remain that way for 3 mo, 6 mo or a year, you know it is time to get rid of them. Also, purses, scarves, belts, necklaces, bras, and scrunchies (for moms stuck in the 90's) can all hang on a tie rack.
7. Throw things out... or garage sale it or give it away . If you keep it, you must organize it.
8. Want vs. Need... save time and money
**Ask yourselves, do I want it? Do I need it? Do I want to dust it? Do I want to store it?
9. "To Do" Baskets, use while waiting at home, in the car, at the doctor's office to reduce paper clutter
+To Do
+To File
+To Read
+To mend
+To pay
11. Label, Label, Label...save time and aggrivation
Use labels, not permanent marker (because relabeling gets confusing). This way, everyone knows what is in the box, where to return things to, and where to find them.
12. Art projects from our kids- a few suggestions:
+A Xerox paper box for storage
+School supply kits boxes for storage
+Videotape the picture with your child explaining or reacting to the project
+Photobook of scanned or photographed images with your child's comments for captions
+Holiday artwork gets packed up with the holiday decorations, other artwork gets displayed on the bulletin board then thrown away
13. Where to Shop?
www.containerstore.com
Target, K-mart, Walmart, Lowe's Menards, Home Depot, Office Depot, Bed, Bath & Beyond, but I start at the dollar store :)
14. Sorting -- toys, take a picture of the toy and place it on the outside
of the container.
-As submitted by Carrie Soares, thank you!!!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Food Volunteer Schedule

Here's the food sign up schedule for Spring Semester'09
Please let me know if the date you signed up for does not work for you.
I'll send out a reminder email before your Friday.
Thank you for volunteering!
Stephanie
Feb 6 Courtney T & Missy T Kids snack Cheryl S
Feb13 Michelle M. & Iris Kids-Michelle M
Feb 20 Everyone brings a dish to pass Kids- Stephanie R
Feb 27 Patty H.& Denise M Kids-Patty H
Mar 6 Drinks only Amy Samet Kids-Rebecca G
Mar 20 Michelle B & Ashley R Kids-Denise M
April 3 Rebecca G & Barb S Kids- Heather B
April 17 Carrie S & Kristy H Kids-Elana H
April 24 Charlene H & Ashley N Kids-Cara S
May 1 Drinks only-Stephanie R Kids- Amy S

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Books We Love to Read Part 2

Adult books from the table I was at (Stephanie Rayniak)
Sheet Music Kevin Leman
Is there really sex after kids? Jill Savage
Professionalizing Motherhood Jill Savage
Really Bad Girls of the Bible Liz Curtis Higgs
Christmas Jars Jason F Wright
The Wednesday Letters Jason F Wright
Mitford Series Jan Karon
TheYadaYada Prayer Group Series Neta Jackson
Anything by Jodi Picoult
Janet Evanovich
Swim to me Betsy Carter
Anita Shreve--Sea Glass, Last time they met and Light on snow

Kids Books
Once upon a potty
Everyone poops
Giving Tree
I love you forever
Magic Tree House books
Secrets of Druin books
Pinkalicious
Parts Tedd Arnorld
ABC books from places you vacation to or visit
Little Red Hen makes a Pizza
Manana Iguana
Clown Of God Tomie dePaola

Great website to find books www.paperbackswap.com

Monday, February 2, 2009

Books We LOVE to Read--Part 1

Adult Books:
The Glass Castle-Memoir by Jeanette Walls
The Kite Runner-Khalid Hosseini
Thousand Splendid Suns-Khalid Hosseini
The Shack-WM Paul Young
Any Janet Evanovich Book, 1st Book in the series, One for the Money
Little Earthquakes-Jennifer Weiner
Any Nickolas Sparks books
Heres the Story-Maureen McCormick (Marsha Marsha Marsha from the Brady Bunch)
Five People You Meet in Heaven-Mitch Alborn
The Last Lecture-Randy Pausch
Any Sharon Kary Penmen book (that aren't mysteries)-Here Be Dragons (1st in Trilogy)
Other books by Penmen: When Christ and His Saints Slept, Time and Chance, The Devils Brood
Michael O'Brien Children of the Last Day Series-Father Elijah (1st Book)
Chronicles of Narnia-CS Lewis also, Mere Christianity and The Great Divorce
Phillipa Gregory Books
Harry Potter Series
The Inheritance Series (Eragon, Eldest, Brisninger) by Christopher Paolini
Inkheart, Inkspell, and Inkdeath by Cornilia Funk as well as, Thief Lord and Dragon Rider

Reference Books/Magazines/Websites:
Birnbaum's Official Guide to Disney World
Taste of Home Magazine
Cooking Light
Southern Living
Family Fun
Tip: Put articles/recipes into a binder with clear pocket inserts into categories

Websites:
Goodreads.com-you can go to the website and enter books you've read/reviewed and add friends who can then see what you've recommended

Childrens Books:
Little Miss Spidern books
Fancy Nancy books
Runaway Bunny
Dr Seuss Books
The Story of Valentines Day--also other books like The Story of Jesus, Christmas
Click, Clack, Moo
Jan Brett Books
How I Became a Pirate Series
Richard Scary books
Stellaluna
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Joseph had a little Overcoat by Simms Taback

Older Children:
Fly Guy Series
Skippy Jon Jones Series
Andrew Lost Series-1st Book is Andrew Lost on the Dog

Friday, January 23, 2009

Kids Eat Free List




Moe's- Kids eat free Wednesday evenings
Cosi sandwich restaurant has a kids eat free on Sundays
Fiesta Ranchera Parkway Plaza on Sunday Kids eat free
Lone Star on Saturday from 11-4 and all day Tuesday Kids eat free
Quiznos - a$.99 kid's meals Saturdays and Sundays w/ the purchase of a full price adult combo.
Q'Doba - Kids eat free Sunday
Chevy's - Kids eat free Sunday. One child per adult
Alexander's - $1.50 kids meals on Sunday, Kids eat free Mondays and Tuesdays
I-Hop - Kids eat free Mondays and Wednesdays
Famous Dave's - Kids eat for $2.00 Sundays
Denny's - Kids eat free Tuesdays and Saturdays (after4 p.m.))
Flat Top Grill - Kids eat free Mondays
Fazoli's - 99 cent kid's meals on Tuesdays
Carlos O Kelly's - Kids eat free Sundays
Lone Star - Kids eat free Tuesdays
Buffalo Wild Wings's - 99 cent kid's meals on Wednesdays
Wings etc. Kids eat free on Tuesdays
Schlotzky's - Kids eat free Thursday
Redfire Grille- Kids eat free with purchase of adult meal on Sundays


*from the wjbc website
**Note that this is all subject to change, applies normally to kids 12 & under

How to Live Frugally!!!

For those of you feeling the pinch of the times, here are some suggestions for living frugally! Even if you aren't feeling the pinch, we all could use a little extra money in our pockets!!! Hope these ideas help. If you think of more, please comment below!

Online:
  • Go to your favorite stores website and join the mailing list! For instance, Gordmans sends coupons and Borders offers rewards.
  • Before you make a purchase online, google the stores name and coupons. Often times you can save on shipping or get a percentage off.
  • Dollarstretcher.com offers weekly tips as well as everyday cheapskate
  • mint.com offers a budgeting website

Cooking:

  • Find ways to spread out your grocery shopping by using what you HAVE. Try stretching the length between shopping outings to 4 or 6 weeks!
  • Find recipes for meatless meals. Use more beans in your cooking! (we all could use a little more fiber in our diets :) )
  • Shop the orange tags/red tags in your meat department. They are the 'use by' meats that are perfectly fine to be frozen as soon as you get home!
  • Buy a deep freeze for your home to stock up on items. Remember to keep this freezer in your basement so it isn't running as much in the summer!
  • Shop the perimeter of the store for the freshest/healthiest items
  • Shop Aldis
  • Make sure that if you have a regular store you go to and an item is cheaper somewhere else--make sure they pricematch!

Around the house:

  • Make games for at home (ie: make the pizzas like they have at the Discovery Museum--cut some white felt for the crust-red for the sauce, shapes for pepperoni and cheese)
  • Use netflix.com. It's super easy and the kids look forward to getting a new video and sending it back! You can use this for games as well!
  • Hang clothes instead of drying them! Saves on shrinkage as well :)
  • Call the repair depot in Normal. They have parts for the do-it-yourself folks! Or, if you are going to get something done, shoot me an email--we've had painters, repair guys, etc and I've shopped prices! I can give you great names!
  • Use a pay as you go cell phone
  • Complain if you get something that doesn't do what it says it will or if it breaks! Get your money out of something!
  • Fill out surveys and earn $

Credit Cards:

  • Just because you have a limit doesn't mean that should be your goal
  • If you carry a high $ on a card, look for a card with a free balance transfer and 0% for a year to pay it off!
  • Always try to pay it off when you receive your statement.
  • Use cards that reward you somehow. Use marriot rewards or hilton rewards, disney rewards, etc!

Other:

  • Feed picky eaters before you go out so you & your husband can enjoy your meal! Feed them dessert or french fries--something they will eat so you aren't wasting money by their not eating! (as soon as I type up a revised kids eat free list, i will send out as well!)
  • Free 411 : 1-800-373-3411

Welcome To Our New Blog

Please bookmark this page. I will be adding our content from this mornings meeting while my kids nap! Thanks-MMV