The MEAT Blog Entry. Deals to Devour. January 29, 2009

A Woven Mat of Bacon.

Spread Some Sausage.

Add More Bacon.

Roll.

Grill/BBQ. = The Bacon Explosion.

Meat, meat, and more meat. I actually tried some, and it was smoky and pretty good!

 

This is the meat-lovin’ concoction dreamed up by a couple of Metro guys, that made it all the way into the New York Times.  It’s creation was being demonstrated during the 7-8am KCWE show this morning.

 

I wasn’t sure if I should be delighted at the thought of so much of my favorite breakfast meats, all rolled up…or feel nauseous at the thought of so much meat in my 113-pound body.

 

This doesn’t really pertain to much, except that it’s a talker around the station…and I did find a neat coupon online if you want to get a piece of beef for less…. Hardee’s.  BOGO burgers.  Buy a Thickburger, get a smaller Thickburger for free!  Here’s the link:

 

http://www.hardees.com/promotions/coupon/free-little-thickburger-with-a-purchase-of-a-little-thickburger/

 

Problem with coupons like this, and the Burger King ones you get in the mail sometimes, is you end up buying too much.  At McDonalds, for example, I’ll say it.  I’m a fan of their apple pies.  Something about compressed hand-held crust, and gooey sticky sweet apples is really appealing when you need a sweet in a pinch.  The apple pie is either 85-cents for one…or two for a dollar!  You’d have to be dense not to realize the “good deal” here. 

 

It becomes a bad deal when I devour both pies, and feel ill afterward.

Speaking of ill, I called out sick Tuesday for the first time since arriving at KMBC. My favorite quote coming back was “I didn’t know you GOT sick”!

 

(Don’t worry, nothing major, I’m 100% okay today!)

 

Dion

 

PS:  Remember how I told everyone about www.restaurant.com a few months ago?  The site is offering $25 dining gift certificates for just 10-bucks?  I’ve got good news again!  The site is offering those gift certificates for just $3 now.  Yes!  Just type in this code: SUPER when you check out.  My personal favorite has become the Ted’s Montana Grill, which doesn’t have a lot of restrictions, and is applicable for takeout orders.  We end up with $50 worth of food for $28 including the coupon.  Get yourself some BISON!

Makeup! Free! Where? What!? January 23, 2009

“NUH-UHHH!”

“No. Way.”

“Where? When? Can I Go Now?”

I made Jana pose with her swag. She was the one who tipped me off that this offer was real. That mascara...yeah, $35 retail price. SCORE.

 

This kind of expression happens every time I tell people Nordstrom, Macy’s, Dillards and all the big department stores are giving away free makeup.

 

“Whaaaaaaaaaat?”

 

No, I’m not kidding.  This story actually broke a few days ago, and I didn’t get around to blogging about it, because this week I’ve been busy with a story about Kansas City’s Most Frugal Family (*this story’s one to watch for next month, this family’s pretty incredible) and another story about teens preventing fashion disasters.  (*the inner Stacey London in me.) Then there was the day with breaking news of a murder-suicide.

 

But yes, this is possibly the best deal on the planet. Here’s the breakdown:

 

1. Cosmetics companies accused of price-fixing.
2. Settlement.
3. Consumers can get one free product, valued at 25-dollars or more.
4. No strings attached.

 

There’s specific products, so it’s not everything, but just to put it into perspective…yesterday, I went into the Macy’s store and asked the first sales associate I see “where’s the goods?” and she knew what I was talking about.  She ushers me to a line of people.  I sign my name on a list, then pick out a Lancome mascara that currently sells for $35!  I could have my pick of about 7 items. One was a Clinique eye/face cream.  Another, Sarah Jessica Parker’s body wash.  The list goes on.

 

Some people I know went to several department stores to get their swag! We’ve got a link to the whole lawsuit settlement thing under “Newslinks” if you want to check it out.  NUTS!  (The only downside is, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle body lotion is on the list, but stores in our area aren’t offering it for free.  Darn.)

 

Anyway, I’m off for the weekend!

 

LIM

Krispy Kreme Is Tyring To Make Us Fat + The .54 Rice Pudding January 20, 2009

It’s happened again.

Magically.

Four dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts have appeared at the station. 

We’re on-air folks…this is not good for us.

 

Byt the time I realized I should take a picture of this doughnut for my blog, it was too late.

Needless to say, Krispy Kreme has made it’s way into our newsroom once again. To celebrate the New Year we got 4-dozen, and again, today for the Inauguration.  Today you can get a freebie too…and unlike the past KK promotions, I think they’re letting you get any doughnut flavor free today. (Change…choice…get it?)

 

Anyway, yesterday I found a coupon online for $1.50 off Jell-o sugar free rice pudding. (This really balances out the sugar in the doughnut, and the sugar coating glaze on the doughnut.) (If you’re looking for a coupon, go to www.kraftfirsttase.com and sign up.)

By the way, when the line is long at the car wash, the drivers can get aggressive. I saw someone cut another driver off so they could get into the washer 30 seconds before the other guy. Sheesh.

 

After a loooooong line at the carwash….(which by the way offers a free re-wash within 24 hours should it rain or snow.)

 

I found the rice pudding on sale for $2.04 at Target.  Yessss!

Brilliant. The person who invented rice pudding is brilliant!

 

Did I mention today was when the Girl Scout cookie order arrived at KMBC?

 

Dion

The BLING + Cereal Stock-Up January 19, 2009

Forget about betting on sports.

Forget about playing the lottery.

Around here, the unofficial game of choice: When’s Dion Getting THE ROCK?

 

Let me explain.

I looks somewhat like this-- however the center is round. My vision might have been impared that night, after looking at hundreds and hundreds of jewels.

 

 

 

In early December, 2008, my significant other (let us call him Mr. X) and I went to Meierotto’s to look.  Just LOOK at engagement rings.

 

Three hours after our arrival, and trying on countless of jewels…I had found the dream ring.  In fact, it was the same design as the one our saleswoman wore. (Creative, I know, but I couldn’t stop looking at her hands…and knew this must mean something.)  I thought we were going to part ways with the blinding rock, but Mr. X proceeded to put a deposit down. 

 

I, of course, later, burst into tears of joy at the thought of it *really* happening.

 

Since then, my FirstNews friends have been asking me “did you get it? Did you get it?” (“it” sounding like the flu or something!) on a regular basis.  My good friend, Weather Woman Supreme, Lisa Teachman and one of my producers, Abbie Sanderson have been the ringleaders in asking where the rock is.

 

Trust me ladies, if the rock were to arrive—you’d be getting phone calls, screams, and all sorts of commotion, and you would NOT have to ask. I would most like then have a glaze on my face the entire morning of FirstNews, staring at my hand.

 

I’ve since discovered most engaged women/married women have some kind of interesting story about their engagement.  Not too long ago, one of our photographers proposed to his girlfriend during the 10pm news! Our audio woman and friend of mine, Cassie got engaged by way of her boyfriend saying “I need to get down and tie my shoe…”.

 

**(If you have a good engagement story, I’d love to hear it!)**

 

I don’t think Man-X is the type to ask me on-air.  I do think he’s the type who loves sports and would propose on the Jumbotron at a basketball game. He also loves our dogs, and maybe he would strap the ring on to Georgie’s back…but anyway, I digress!

 

In the end, I’m not really in a hurry—more like in a “sparkle daze”.  I also keep saying “no pressure, no pressure”. I suppose a diamond isn’t always thought of as a “deal”…but I like to think…the price of the diamond, divided by the number of years I’ll be alive…then it’s just pennies a day.  (HA, like my logic there?)

Honestly, if Mr. X gave me one of those lollipop Ring Pops I’d be happy.  Although, with my sweet tooth, I’d probably eat it, and then require another one.

Mine would have to be strawberry flavored. (Sorry, this isn't my hand...it's a hand I found on the Internet!)

 

 

Until tomorrow,

Dion J

 

PS: This week, Kellogg’s cereal is on sale everywhere.  There’s a coupon in the Hy-Vee flyer that advertises Special K at 4 boxes for $7.  This means each box is $1.75.  At www.coupons.com there’s a manufacturer’s coupon for $1-off any Kellogg’s cereal. Combine the two:  75-cents a box!   

 

A Play: “Ma’am Can You Spare Some Gas” January 16, 2009

The Scene:  QuickTrip

Reason: Dion, filling up on 1.89 a gallon gasoline

Time:  Early afternoon, after work

 

<Dion pumps gasoline in 10-degree temperatures, minding her own business, wondering why her Blackberry’s browser isn’t working.>

 

Man Who Looks Like Don Cheadle: “Excuse me, excuse me, ma’am?”

 

<Dion looks around, wondering if there’s a viewer wanting to say “hello” or someone telling her Ugg boots don’t go along with her pink business-like suit.>

 

Dion: “Hi!  How are you?”

 

Man Who Looks Like Don Cheadle: “My car is a few blocks away, and I don’t have any cash…I ran out of gas.”

 

Dion: “I’m sorry, I don’t carry cash on me.” (which is the truth)

 

Man Who Looks Like Don Cheadle (AKA: M.W.L.L.D.C)- “No, I don’t want any money, just a gallon of gas so I can make it to work?”

 

Dion assesses the man.  Dion would usually give anyone TRULY in need a hand, but the thought crosses Dion’s mind, that this man might be trying to swindle her.

 

Dion: “You didn’t bring any money with you?”

 

Dion says as she stares as the man’s gas container.  When he shakes his head, Dion has a flashback to several months ago, when she forgot her wallet on her way into work.  The gas gauge was pointed to “E”, so her fabulous co-worker, Kay, lent her 10-dollars.

 

Dion proceeds to give the man a gallon and a half of gas. (Premium, nonetheless.) Dion then wonders if she should have been nicer and given the man a ride back to his car…but in this day in age, she’s just happy to help out.

 

End of story: I never know if I should trust people who ask for a handout. I’ve volunteered at soup kitchen regularly in the past…given Burger King Whoppers to homeless folks on the street…but there’s always the rotten egg who uses your $1 for booze.   

 Have a good weekend everyone. We’ve been on snow patrol around here, since we have a couple of inches, and there’s accidents ALL OVER the place. I might have some exciting news, come Monday…but we’ll see how this weekend goes! (There I go again, being cryptic…but let’s just say this could, potentially, hopefully, be an eventful weekend…involving…a…gulp…diamond?)dl