Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Brookhaven Coupon Matchups November 9 - 15
Portabello Mushrooms - $2.99 lb. (Their quality is the best in the area)
Avocados - 99 cents each.
Roma Tomatoes - 49 cents/lb. (Their tomatoes are always good)
Pork Schoulder Roast - $1.69/lb bone-in $1.99/lb boneless (their meat is fantastic)
Miller Amish Chicken Drumsticks - $1.19/lb
Brookhaven's Bratwurst - $1.99/lb (great flavor!)
Whole Whitefish - $3.69/lb
Little Neck Clams - 3/$1
Other than that, let's see
Chobani 5/$5
Pillsbury Cake Mix 99 cents
Korio Wildflower Honey 2lb for $8.99 (Korio honey is produced in Lithuania and is not filtered)
Organic Valley Heavy Whipping Cream, Half & Half, French Vanilla & Hazelnut Coffee Creamers, all $2/5
So no coupons this week, but good quality products for a decent price!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Brookhaven Coupon Matchups Oct 19-25
Brookhaven is a very small store that focuses on interesting ethnic foods and high quality meats and produce for reasonable prices. There are three locations: Burr Ridge, Darien, and Mokena. I highly recommend their produce, its of great quality and its usually where I go for most things.
In fact, you'll probably find me in there for the President cheeses and the produce this week!
Produce:
Whole White Mushrooms 99 cents per package
Zucchini 49 cents per pound
Sweet Potatoes 49 cents per pound
Dry Onions 99 per 3 lb bag.
Bananas 39 cents per pound
MacIntosh Apples 69 cents per pound
Tomatoes 59 cents per pound
Plums 69 cents per pound
Organic Celery 99 cents per bundle
Fuze 10/$7 after in-store coupon (as advertised in the ad, I don't have a copy in front of me yet)
Coffeemate 32 oz. $2.99
55 cent coupon: http://www.coffee-mate.com/Offers/Default.aspx
75c/2 coupon: http://www.coffee-mate.com/Offers/Default.aspx
Chobani 5/$5
30 cents coupon: http://www.chobani.com/coupons
Swanson's Broth 2/$5
$1/2 coupon: http://www.campbellskitchen.com/coupon.aspx?fbid=R9QW5i-AWUn
Mazola Cooking Oil $3.99
50 cent coupon: SS 10/2
Pillsbury Family Size Brownie Mix 99 cents
Golden Grahams 12 oz, Trix 10.7 oz, Cocoa Puffs 11.8 oz, Cheerios 8.9 oz $1.88
$1/3 coupon: GM 09/11
$1/3 coupon: GM 10/2
Organic Valley Pourable Yogurt $2.99
50 cent coupon: http://www.organicvalley.coop/coupons/
President Brie, Camembert, Light Brie, Presidente Plain Bree, and Herb Wedges: $4.49
$3/2 coupon: http://www.greatcheese.com/partyplanner/form-coupon.php
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Why the Argument "Its Too Much Money & Takes Too Much Time" doesn't hold water anymore (or prevent fires)
The Isanti County Historical Society in Minnesota had their building attacked by arsonists.
They lost everything.
Everything.
The first two comments on the Eastman page said it all to me.
"Shouldn't the arrest and conviction be of those that didn't get the records digitized? Clearly something is broken in the historical society model."
"If it did not require thousands of dollars and thousands of man-hours, I’m sure all societies would “get the records digitized.” When someone makes such a comment, I can’t help but wonder how much money and how many volunteer hours they give to their local historical and genealogical societies in support of digitization projects…"
You know, this is the same argument that's been waging on for a while.
Digitize and back up records?
"No, I can't, its too much money and too many hours"
"But you must, what happens if there's a disaster?"
"That would be horrible. But its too much money and too many hours. We don't have enough help or money to do it."
Here's where I think most people are lacking. It IS possible to do a digitization project without having thousands in the bank and armies of volunteers!
I understand. You're tired. You've been with the same core of volunteers since 1911, and it ain't about to change anytime soon. If it needs to get done, you've got to do it, and that's one MORE thing you have to fit into your schedule.
But...there's a thought. What if you did go out for more volunteers? What if you did start working on a project. What if you could get people energized about history and genealogy? Maybe you wouldn't have to be the ONE volunteer left.
If you're with me, and ready to make that leap, read on. If not, and you're already irritated with what I've said, feel free to comment or move on.
Need volunteers? How about posting on volunteermatch.org? How about reaching out to your local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts troops? How about reaching out to the local Junior Chamber and your Chamber of Commerce? Have you reached out to your local university or community college? Developing a digitization project could be a great project for some interns! Have you reached out to local bloggers, Google+ users, Twitterers, Facebook users? These people can all be a source for volunteers.
Need money? Run a project - sell a digital cookbook or history book. Or a hard copy one. Or sell Tupperware, run a fundraising night at a local restaurant or bakery, or open a cause on Facebook. Work with a local group to fundraise like the Junior Chamber or Chamber of Commerce or Development Corporations. Do a calendar like Calendar Girls did! Auction off hours of your time for other people. Think like any other organization - wash cars - do whatever it takes to get some seed money together. So many organizations I've seen solely confine how they fundraise to just genealogy type projects - a local history, a history day, selling research time, selling memberships. Those are great, but they aren't the ONLY things you can do!
Or work to partner with a local organization to help with some of the costs - one of my favorite societies partnered with a local library to get ALL of their newspapers scanned. The library hosts the data the society scans for them and OCRs for them.
Another group I've worked with worked with their local phone company to sponsor pages on their member-only website with old phone records. It just depends on where your group's strength lies - sponsorships work great for orgs with members in the business community.
Need knowledge of how to do the process? Reach out to people like Dick Eastman and others that willingly give out tons of good instruction guides and reviews.
All you really need to do is make sure that there are digital copies of your documents out there with your members. You don't have to build some slick website. You don't have to OCR your files (though that is nice...). You don't have to even have them in PDFs (TIF files in a labeled folder work just fine). You need to get those digital copies, and put several discs/hard drives/flash drives out there with your members (you know, in case one of their houses burns down or floods). All the rest can come later.
To end this off - my point is, you CAN do a digitization project. Focus on things unique to your library - there's no point in doing a US Census book, for example - like local history books, local censuses, photos of the area, etc. Start small and work your way up. There's no need to do all of your books and documents RIGHT NOW.
One society that I've belonged to in the past had a goal to do one book a week. By the end of the year, the entire library was digitized, and they discovered a new revenue stream as other people (including myself) could buy copies of books we liked and have them emailed to us.
It IS doable. People just need to make that leap between making the excuse (aka the comfortable way) and doing it (aka going into the unknown).
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Much Less Frilly Moccasins - Additional Explanation
I've sent this to a few people on Ravelry, so I thought it might deserve some follow up attention because I think it might be confusing people, and I've slightly altered how I do them to make them more secure on the sides.
Most people do simple slippers as rectangles. Fold and Sew. I've found I don't like that style, as it leaves a weird elf-like quality to the slippers. So I do mine differently - a circle and a rectangle put together, like this:
The problem is that I think people are viewing it is a flat circle, when its not. Its in the round, like a cup. So you are always joining, they doing the chains.

The circle is at the front of the slipper, and the rectangle is at the bottom, like this:

If you can imagine it, you look at the circle in front of you and the rectangle flows behind.
Hopefully it makes sense that the circle looks like a cup when done correctly. A flat circle will have to be folded to make the shape.
So the instruction which I need to update is that at the end, I now take my sewing needle and sew a couple of the hdcs up each side of the circle giving it more definition.
Look for next month I'll do some step by step photos - this really is easy!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Sanctuary - "Out of the Blue" the Magnus Knitwear show!
I know I have been very busy this year in keeping with all my commitments. But I was simply amazed at the gorgeous knitwear in the Sanctuary episode just prior to the Season finale. It makes me so excited for Season 4! Anyway, I thought you might enjoy some looks at the 2 most outstanding pieces, a long-colorway, Noro-like Shawl, and a piecework/freeform sweater that looked super comfy!
Enjoy!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Kangaroo
I haven't been working on a whole lot lately. Mostly trying to clean up the fiber that is all over my living room, as my knitting and crocheting group just did an exchange/donation night and is planning another for June.
And I've filled another bag with fiber to go already, and I've realized I have entire plastic crate of fabric, too. How crazy is that? I don't even collect fabric and I've got a crate full.
Anyway, the kangaroo above is a test crochet of a darling project by Elizabeth Harac along with her new friend Pouch the Beanie Buddy. I apologize I can't link to her work as her designer page on Ravelry is not set up for outside viewers. If you are a ravelry user, look for eharac.
So I apologize if I haven't been very active lately. My designer mojo is at a low, so I have been focusing on getting my stash in order, cleaning up other parts of life, etc. I haven't even been working on my genealogy files much as I've been trying to get that mess cleaned up as well.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Reinvigorating the blog by participating in a contest!
Anyway, one of the conditions of the contest is to share the contest with my blog friends and spread the word of her awesome blog! So here goes...
Check out Laura William's blog.
Her specific post on the contest is here.
And the link to the giveaway - yes, 20 inserts IS that awesome! Is located here.
Check it out - there is a wealth of fantastic nice people over at WeUseCoupons, and I've found their advice invaluable.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
History Repeats Itself

Title: Free ice in New York
Creator(s):
Byron (Firm : New York, N.Y.), photographer
Detroit Publishing Co. , publisher
Date Created/Published: [ca. 1900]
Reproduction Number: LC-D401-13643 (b&w film copy neg.)
Call Number: LC-D4-13643
[P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Thursday, June 24, 2010
1911 Census: How to find the full reference numbers
I had this for each entry:

But a real reference number looks like this:
"For example, the full reference given for the 8 year-old Yeo-Thomas is:
RG14PN5076 RG78PN225 RD78 SD1 ED5 SN313"
-quoted from the excellent Lost Cousins tutorial on Mastering the 1911 Census.
So what was I to do? I, like many others, were trying to hurry and get as many copies of documents needed from the 1911 census as possible, so I just downloaded and went on my way.
The secret is actually inside the Lost Cousins tutorial:
Go to the Findmypast Census Reference Search.
But wait - you have to have a piece number!

Ah hah! But where's the schedule number?
That's on your census, silly! Look at the upper right corner and it will give you the number.

Click search.
And in the results, you will see:

And that is the full reference number needed to record your census entry. Do yourself a favor and save that number - write it in your tree and add it to the file name.
Monday, June 14, 2010
ConcettaPhillippsResume051010
Concetta Phillipps
concettaphillipps@gmail.com Multiple Forward Phone (630) 286-9413
Summary of Qualifications
With 8 years of experience in architectural and engineering administration and marketing, I can provide your company with strong organizational skills and an in-depth knowledge of the unique processes behind such companies. My marketing coordinator knowledge makes me an ideal candidate for helping a professional services firm grow, and my administrative knowledge makes me ideal to help your office stay organized, and focused on the primary goal of making it easier for your architects and engineers to build their buildings in an organized and profit-motivated environment.
Computer Skills | Office Skills | Research Skills |
Adobe Illustrator CS2 | Copier Maintenance | Internet Research |
Adobe Photoshop CS2 & CS3 | Editing | Social Media Research |
Adobe InDesign CS2 & CS3 | Reception Experience | Contact Management |
Novell GroupWise | MS Office Troubleshooting | Maps & Directions |
MS PowerPoint 2003 & 2007 | Professional Communications | Schedule Tracking |
MS Word 2003 & 2007 | Proofreading | Vendor Research & Proposals |
MS Access 2007 | Customer Service Experience |
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MS Excel 2003 & 2007 |
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MS Outlook 2007 |
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Relevant Work Experience
Stivers Staffing/Client: Lions Club International Oak Brook, IL 2010 – Present
Administrative Coordination for the Language Services Department which receives upwards of 150 translations requests per month in up to 10 languages. Responsibilities include coordination, TRADOS project management, project tracking, proofreading, filing, reporting, and invoicing.
SPAAN Tech, Inc. (STI) Chicago, IL 2008 – 2010
· Marketing Coordinator: Prepared Responses to RFQs and RFPs. Updated and maintained all marketing records associated with each RFQ and RFP. Used databases to maintain client proposal results, sort project descriptions, and test generation capabilities. Performed market research using databases, websites and new media, such as Twitter, to find information about competitors, clients and interview participants. Reviewed and updated SPAAN Tech listing on websites useful to the A/E/C community and ensured information accuracy. Led effort to update client marketing materials including resumes and project experience description pages. Attended local business development expositions hosted by various local entities.
o Coordinated CDB 255 project that won a Prime Civil Engineering contract with the State of Illinois Capital Development Board
o Coordinated RFQs that won multiple City of Chicago Target Market and Non-Target Market Blanket Contracts.
o Coordinated effort that won STI’s first Veterans Administration contract in Danville.
o Served as sub-consultant marketing coordinator for STI’s first US Navy contract.
o Led other winning marketing coordination efforts for US GSA, Kane County, Cook County, and the State of Illinois Central Management Services.
o Led update effort of client project proposal response database. Started with over 300 open proposal lists and narrowed the open list to less than 100 entries.
BLDD Architects, Inc. Chicago, IL 2002 – 2008
· Business Development Assistant - Prepared marketing submittals using Adobe InDesign at discretion of the Marketing Director. Prepared PowerPoint presentations for use in interviews and public events. Conducted research for the Business Development Director. Analyzed data for marketing executives. Utilized WebEx services to liaison with clients. Made development calls and consultant calls as needed.
o Relied upon as the “cool under pressure” person for tight deadlines.
· Administrative Assistant/Executive Assistant – used MS Office products for databases, logs, cost estimates, reports, letters and transmittals; acted as a liaison with clients, engineers and consultants; answered, managed and coordinated conference calls for 5 phone lines on a Intertel system; purchased all office supplies; shipped materials; edited architectural specification documents, coordinated all bidding documents.
o Sole administrative assistant for an office that grew from 4 people to 12.
o Impressed company Principals with quick turnaround and dedication to my executives.
South Suburban YMCA Harvey, IL 2000 – 2002
· Annual Campaign Administrator – managed and publicized YMCA’s Annual and Capital Support Campaign effort to raise $40,000; performed donor tracking including creation of donor files; developed and managed databases and invoicing; designed donation “bid” presentation.
· Interim Business Manager - Prepared and entered budget; communicated with current vendors; monitored bank drafting and membership statistics; assisted in payroll.
o Filled the role “on demand” to keep systems running over 3 month period without a system failure.
Applicable Non-Profit Experience
GenWeb, US & Canada 2004-Present
· County Coordinator – manages websites, mailing lists, and message boards of genealogical content for use of genealogists in the following counties: Iroquois County, IL; Alpena Co., MI; Bay of Quinte Region, ON; Prince Edward Co., ON; Lennox & Addington Co., ON; Hastings Co., ON.
· Former North East North Central Regional County Coordinator Representative – for National Board on behalf of 13 states of Coordinators. Researched and guided the Region through such events as a mass website migration and delicate negotiations with vendors and potential project partnerships.
US Junior Chamber (Jaycees) Berwyn, IL 2003 - Present
· Member –active contributor, project manager, and fundraiser for such charities as the American Cancer Society, ASPCA, and Habitat for Humanity.
· President – managed Board of Directors, motivated chapter, recruited new members and wrote award nominations, ran projects as necessary and worked as a "problem solver"
o Declared The Outstanding President of 2005 for the Northeast Region
o Held monthly membership meetings that attracted an avg. of 30 people,
· Membership Vice President –
o Planned all membership recruiting events attended by an average of 30 people
o Held call nights in which over 2000 calls were made per night
· Public Relations Chair
o Designed all public relations materials for chapter and coordinated public relations activities.
US Junior Chamber (Jaycees) State of Illinois 2007
· Public Relations State Chair – Train members across the State in how to use PR resources, write PR materials for the Illinois Jaycees and act as a personal press agent for the State President
US Junior Chamber (Jaycees) Northeast Region (Chicagoland), IL 2006- 2009
· Webmaster – maintained the Region website and made changes as requested
· Management Program Director – promoted the use of Planning Guides throughout Region, edited and updated the Region website, trained all members on management practices, promoted documentation of Region projects
Education
Keller Graduate School of Management Chicago, IL 2009 – 2011
Currently pursuing Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing Management
St. Xavier University Chicago, IL 2000 – 2007
Bachelors Degree in Business Administration/International Business


