Drinkin' and Eatin' on the Cheap

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6

I must remember to always put the checkbook in the same place.  Whenever I don't, it goes on the "lam" for awhile.  Like it is right now.  

Met Kevin and Kelly at Half-Times in Johnsburg, Illinois, and enjoyed the $1 Lite pints and the $11.50 (half price) slab of ribs, fried and garlic bread meal.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Hey, Half-Times has $1 Lite drafts and half price pizza, sandwiches and ribs Monday to Thursday until the end of February.  I have to take advantage of ths deal.  I was back again.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

I found the wayward checkbook and put it where I always do.  Let's see how long  remember to do this.  Went to Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and played live trivia with Kevin, Kelly and a host of others.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Met Kevin and Kelly at Bulldog Ale House in McHenry, Illinois.  They have their old special back.  Any of their draft beer pints for $2.  And, that includes domestic, import and craft beer.  That's talking my language.  Plus, 89 cent chicken tenders.

Too Good of Deals to Pass Up.  --RoadDog

JSS: Your Math Problem for Today-- Gas Under $2!!!-- The Last Panic

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  YOUR MATH PROBLEM FOR TODAY--  I was in Jewel (our local grocery store for you non-Chicago area folk) last week and bought an apple pie.  Regular price was $6.99.  It was marked down $3.85, such a good deal.  How much did I pay for it and why was it marked down so much?  (Hint.  Pies haven't been found to spread you-know-what as of yet anyway.)

2.  GAS UNDER $2!!!  Friday,I got gas in McHenry, Illinois, for my Dakota at $2.05 (well, $2.04.9) and thought that was a great price.  But, yesterday, on our way over to Sunnyside in Johnsburg for St. Patrick's festivities, my eyes espied $1.86 at the Mobil station.  And, no lines.  We were getting down to below half a tank so filled up.  Never thought I'd see gas under $2 again.  But, I'm sure the virus will send it back up again.

Of course, back in 1970, had you told me I'd get excited about how low $1.86 was, I wouldn't have believed it.

3.  THE LAST PANIC--  Friday, I went to Meijer in McHenry for their fantastic Buy Ten for $10, Get One Free Deal.  This was in the afternoon and the first thing that should have tipped me off was the full parking lot.  Then, when I went in, there were only a couple shopping carts available and then I saw all those really, really full shopping carts.  Was there a hurricane on the way?

The last time I remember seeing a panic like this was back in the infamous Y2K.  Remember that?

--RoadDog

TOP TEN COUNTRY SONGS:  "I'm So Miserable Without You, It's Like Having You Here."

Last Weekend: Gas Gouge, Famous Freddie's, Legion, Yard Work,

Another busy weekend for us.

THURSDAY. APRIL 18

Gas gouge in Fox Lake, Illinois, with gas at $3.10.  I was kind of hoping we wouldn't see it that high again.  Oh well.  Saw the creepy movie "Pet Sematary."  Stephen King can sure write a creepy story.  We went to Famous Freddie's on Pistakee Lake for 25 cent wings and $1 Hamm's 12 ounce beers and then to the Legion on Nippersink Lake.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19

I was going to see movies, but remembered most schools are off today because of Good Friday which means parents will be sending their kids to the movies.  I don't much care for crowds.  Met Usual Suspects Barb and Glen at the Legion for 50-50, which Barb won.

It's rare that we win 50-50.

--RoadDog

TRIVIA:  Which actress was censured by the U.S. Congress in the 1950s after deserting her Swedish husband and children for film director Roberto Rossellini?


Ingrid Bergman

JSS: Halloween Deals-- Halloween-- Boating Season Officially Over

JSS-- Just Some Stuff.

1. HALLOWEEN DEALS-- In just a little bit, I am going out to look for those 50% off Halloween decoration deals. I shouldn't as we have enough stuff, but you never know what you'll find.

2. HALLOWEEN-- We had between 40 and 45 kids come by last night despite the pouring rain. Definitely not a good night for them. Our house was fully decked out in Halloween decor with orange and purple lights across the front, the pumpkin men, wreath of death and lighted pumpkins in every window.

The neatest thing was when the now-grown daughters of our neighbors across the street came by with their two little ones in tow. Shows that we have now lived here 20 years.

3. BOATING SEASON OFFICIALLY OVER-- Took the boat over to the barn in Hebron, Illinois, and it is now up for the year. How long before spring?

Just Some Stuff --RoadDog

Doing the Cheap Thing

I sure love good deals on food and drinks, and I know where to find them in this area.

MONDAY-- Hello Folks-- Fox Lake, Illinois-- 6 wings for $1.99 and $1.50 domestic pints on Mondays. Also $2.99 Italian beef and fries.
American Legion-- Fox Lake-- 50 cent 10 oz drafts.

TUESDAY-- Rookies--- Ingleside-- 25 cent tacos and half price pizza on Tuesdays.
Pug Mahone's-- Fox Lake-- $1 domestic pints on Tuesdays.

WEDNESDAY-- Tommy's-- Spring Grove-- $5.99 four-piece broasted chicken dinner with fries and cole slaw. $1 Miller and Coors bottles on Wednesdays.

THURSDAY-- Donovan's Reef-- Twin Lakes, Wisconsin-- $4 giant Polish with fries and $1.50 domestic pints during happy hour.

FRIDAY-- Hello Folks-- 99 cent Chicago-style dogs and $1.29 fries.

Love Dem Good Deals. --RoadDog

McRibs Are Back!!!!

Without a doubt, my favorite offering from McDonald's is the McRib sandwich. This sandwich's appearance guarantees a few stops while it is available. And, for $2.19, it is a good deal, used to be $1.99, but that non-existent inflation, you know.

Here in Fox Lake, Illinois, you can get a meal for about $4.

It made my poor, sick drive home from Tennessee a much better time when I got off I-65 by Remington, Indiana, and saw it advertised at the local McD's. Real fast stop.

Then that savory, tasty treat that I've been waiting for all these past months.

Other McD items I like: Johnsonville brats (also seasonal), the $1 double cheeseburger, and the steak, egg, and cheese breakfast bagel.

Of course, McDonald's history goes back to Route 66 in San Bernardino, Ca., with the original McDonald's, and the very first Ray Kroc McDonald's in nearby Des Plaines, Il., on the historic US-12. I've been told, Ray Kroc could often be found out cleaning the parking lot.

Crazy 'Bout Dem McRibs. --RoadDog

A Great Independent Grocery Store in McHenry

I originally was writing about this when I ended up writing about the newspapers. I DO tend to get off-track.

While Frances was reading the comics and working on the crossword puzzle, I read the Northwest Herald and saw an ad for Angelo's Supermarket. They had some great sales, so decided to stop by on my way home.

The store is located in shopping center west of downtown McHenry on Illinois Highway 120. It is called Elm Street on that stretch.

Get these prices!!! $2.99 for a pound of roast beef, same for corned beef, seedless watermelon for $1.49, and local corn for 10 cents an ear. I'll go back to this place, plus it's an independent grocery store struggling against the corporate behemoths. Around here, that's Jewel and Dominick's, although I don't expect the latter to be around much longer judging by lack of business. Then, K-Mart and Wal-Mart have also gotten into the grocery business. It has to be a rough job to combat them.

Jewel and Dominick's might have prices like the roast beef and corned beef when they're on sale, but that will be for a half-pound.

The place was busy, so that's good.

In nearby Johnsburg, we have another great little independent called Val's which is the main place we go to for groceries. They have one of the best delis ever. Most everyone swears by them in this area.

Support Your Local Independent Grocer. --RoadDog