2012 Contacting Companies for Coupons Challenge

[sandyks]

One of the best ways to get organic coupons is to contact the company directly either via email or phone. What companies did you get coupons for or who said they didn't have any? Share your info here.

This is a continued thread from rbunnymom's thread of the same name of 2011.

[cody82414]

Sandy, you are rockin' it with 70+ contacts already this calendar year.
Go go go!!!

[Mrs_Koehn]

So far I haven't had time to contact, but I'm planning to sometime this month. Maybe next week. :) I haven't contacted since fall, so I'm good to go on who I can contact now. :)

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

Great job Sandy. You motivated me. I am going to have a goal to contact 5 companies each day. I will post it here with results.

Today I contacted: Dannon, Florida Natural OJ, Barbaras Cereal, Seventh Generation and EarthBound Farms.

[sandyks]

These companies said either "no" or "not currently available"
Annie's Homegrown
Chebe gluten free foods
Conte's gluten free pasta
Daiya dairy free
Fage
Honeysuckle White
Musselmans
Seventh Generation
Silk Pure Almond
Skippy
Terra Chips
Udi bread

These companies said yes
Allens Vegetables
Amy's Kitchen
Applegate Farms
Barbara's Bakery
Better Oats
Bolthouse Farms
Caesar's gluten free pasta
Cal-Organic
Chobani yogurt
Coombs Family Farm syrup
Earth Balance
Earthbound Farms - printables sent
Foxy Organic Produce
Frigo / Saputo
Hodgson Mills
Katz gluten free foods
Mann's Packing/Produce
Newman's Own Organics
O'doughs
Oregon Chai
Purely Decadent
Saffron Road gluten free
Schar gf products
So Delicious Coconut milk
Soy Joy
Stahlbush Farms
Stoneyfield
Zevia
Lifeway

These companies never responded via email but sent coupons anyways
Lindsay Olives
Lundberg
Fresh Express

I've contacted these with no response as of yet
Castor & Pollux Organix
Method
Quorn
Alexia
Almond Dream HAIN
Blue Diamond
Brown Cow
DeBoles pasta
Earth's Best
Eden
Enjoy Life
Florida Crystals
Food for Life
Galaxy Foods /Veggie cheeses
Glutino
Maple Grove Farms
Sunset / Mastronardi Produce
Thai Kitchen
Van's
Wholesome Sweeteners
POM Wonderful
Apple & Eve
Avalon
Bearitoes
cabot cheese
Cherrybrook Kitchen
Clif bar
Country Choice
Dr. Bronner's soaps
Driscolls
Gold n' plump
Hansen's Natural soda
Health Valley Organics
Helen's Kitchen
Honest Ade / KidsIan's
Imagine / Hain Celestial Group
Immaculate Baking
Jason
Julie's organic ice cream
Kettle Chips
Kiss My Face
Late July

That's 87 companies so far. :)

[purplemoon2008]

Wow! You go Sandy! I also contacted Lunberg...haven't gotten a response (and no coupons either). It's only been a couple of weeks.

[sandyks]

You may need to recontact Tammy. I emailed Lundberg on 12/27 and already received my coupons. I got 2 (or 3)coupons for $1 off any product.

[purplemoon2008]

Thanks Sandy...I'll try (they have THE best rice cakes. Like, everrrr!)

[sandyks]

Hmmmmm that's one product of theirs that I haven't yet tried. I'll have to buy some. Which flavor do you recommend?

[purplemoon2008]

Oh gosh, Sandy, ANY of them are great. We like the caramel corn rice cakes, flax with tamari, mochi seaweed, and the wild rice ones. These are all organic. They have a honey oat (or honey nut..but that's not organic). The sweet ones are nice if we (me!) are craving something sweet for dessert after dinner. I noticed on their website they have a cinnamon french toast ~ yummmm!

[rbunnymom]

Way to go Sandy! I am so busy with work and school that couponing has been neglected. I need to factor it back in somehow. I will be encouraged by following this thread. Thanks :smile:

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

Thanks Sandy for posting such great information, I am going to work off your YES list.

Today I contacted, Newmans Organics, Stoneyfield Farms, Hefty Garbage Bags, Better Oats Oatmeal and Muir Glen.

[sandyks]

Oh I did a bunch more but forgot to post which ones. Let me see if I can figure it out.

[sandyks]

More YES responses:

Country Choice
Eden
Kettle Brand
Laura's Lean Beef
Mi-Del

Allen's vegetables only sent one tiny little DO NOT DOUBLE .35/1 coupon. Sheesh.

[DakotaSommers]

Great job so far Sandy!
I think it's funny when they spend more for the stamp than even the coupon is worth.

[sandyks]

Thanks Dakota! :)

Dr. Bronners - YES
Lightlife - NO

[Mrs_Koehn]

Great job so far Sandy!
I think it's funny when they spend more for the stamp than even the coupon is worth.

Yes it is, thought it's actually pretty stupid of them.

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

So far, Muir Glen and Danno responded "No"
I also received the IP link from Earthbound Farms to print coupons and a "Yes from Barbara's.

Today I contacted: ZipLoc, Chobani Yogurt, ECOS, MI-DEL and Kotex.

[sandyks]

Thanks Michelle! Muir Glen has peelies on their tomatoes right now though. :)

Organic Bistro - YES

[sandyks]

Popchips - Yes

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

Today I contacted Old Home, Daisy Sour Cream, Old Wisconsin, Marzettis Salad Dressing and Lifeway Kefir.

[sandyks]

Organicville - YES

Michelle - Lifeway now has a printable coupon on their website that you can print once per month they said. Yay! (In addition to what they mail you.)

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

ZipLoc said No, Mi-Del said Yes, ECOS said Yes.

Today I contacted:
Viva Paper Towels, Tribe, Sabra, Azteca tortillas and C&H Sugar

[sandyks]

Dorot - Yes
Apple & Eve - Yes
Organic Valley - Yes
Pamela's - yes
DeBoles - yes
Earth's Best - yes
Annie's had said no but sent 2 coupons for cereal anyways
Buddy Fruit said not yet
Kiss My Face - no
Almond Dream - no

[sandyks]

PJ's organic burritoes - yes

[purplemoon2008]

I'm not really too active (or constant) in this thread, but I received the following in the mail today:

Lundberg (Sandy..guess they just pop 'em in the mail; no email response)
Amy's

Lundberg sent a great little brochure with recipes...did you get that Sandy?

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

Viva and Sabra said Yes.

Today I contacted: Bolthouse Farms, Luna Bars, Dr. Bronner, Mann's Produce and Kashi.

[sandyks]

Yes I did get that Tammy. :)

Michael Seasons - yes
Beechnut - yes
Biokleen - no
Blue Buffalo - no
Organic Girl - no

[Alexdur85]

I'm back to couponing and just contacted a few companies. Nothing that hasn't been mentioned yet. Will keep ya'll posted!

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

Bolthouse Farms said "Yes", Kashi said "No".

Today I contacted: Jollytime Popcorn, BARE Chicken, Glad Trash Bags, Fruit2O and Odwalla.

[sandyks]

Boulder - yes
McCormick - yes
Burt's Bees - no
Bear Naked - no
Coconut Bliss - no

Coconut Bliss said that they aren't giving out coupons right now because of the coconut milk shortage. I guess there was a terrible drought in Thailand where they get their coconut milk. They are starting to get it again regularly so coupons may be out at a later time. I didn't even know there was a coconut milk shortage.

[Mrs_Koehn]

Drought in Thailand? I guess that followed Bangkok's massive floods a few months ago? Friends of mine are missionaries there and lost everything they had in the floods.

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

Odwalla said Yes, Hefty said No.

Today I contacted: Organic Valley, Mrs Meyers, Skippy Peanut Butter, Breyers Ice Cream and Van De Kemps frozen fish.

[sandyks]

Today I received coupons from

Organic Valley (they had already responded yes)
Bush's beans - They didn't respond but sent coupons
Brown Cow - They didn't respond but sent coupons
Nature's Gate - They didn't respond but sent coupons as well as samples

Wow Michelle. I'm shocked that Odwalla said yes. They've always so no in the past. I'll have to shoot them an email!

[sandyks]

Vitalicious - yes

[sandyks]

Ahlaska - no
Nasoya - yes
Alden's - yes
Julie's - Yes
Odwalla - Yes
GT's Kombucha - yes
Naturipe - yes
Pictsweet - yes
Nate's - yes
Ian's - yes

[sandyks]

Aubrey Organics - yes
20 Mule Team Borax - yes

[DakotaSommers]

I'll have to try Ian's again...they never responded last time. Awesome job to ya'll!

[sandyks]

Uncle Matt's Organic Juices - yes
Olivia's - yes
Rice Select - yes
Turtle Island - yes

[sandyks]

Ocean Spray - yes
Jamba Juice - no

[sandyks]

Mail!

Florida's Crystals - yes
Newman's Own - yes
Imagine - yes
Mara Natha - yes
Health Valley - yes
Gold n Plump - yes
Crofters - yes
Naked Juice - no

[purplemoon2008]

Garden of Eatin' ~ 2 .55 coupons:( ~ I guess it's better than nothing. They even sent a letter saying that the coupons expire in 2/12 and if I lose them or don't use them by that date, they won't send anymore. Sheesh....

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

Today I contacted Earths Best, Rosetto Pasta, Diamond Nuts, Bushes Beans and S&W Beans.

[sandyks]

Oh wow Tammy! I sure hope they put it a little nicer. Either way though that's not very professional on their part. I'm also surpised they sent coupons. I'm going to have to write them now! lol They've always said no in previous attempts.

[sandyks]

Bon Ami - yes
Food Should Taste Good - yes
Pirates Brand - no

[Mrs_Koehn]

I'll be wondering what Bon Ami sends. They first sent 35 cent ones and then a free or two. Then they only sent the 3 5 cents. LOVE the frees on those and LOVE Bon Ami!

That was not very nice of Garden of Eaten. Guess someone's been eating off the wrong tree and now they're grouchy.....

[purplemoon2008]

Sandy; it *was* put a bit nicer, but still....it's the undertone. It wasn't only me; DH read it and said "sheesh, we're not idiots, we can read!" I guess since they've never sent out coupons, I should feel privileged! lol!

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

Today I contacted: Branam's Barlean's, MegaFoods, Madhava and Bob's Red Mill.

I am asking for samples and coupons as they have some products I want to try. We will see?

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

Fast responses, Branams and Bob's Red Mill said NO.

Megafoods is sending samples not coupons.

[sandyks]

Thanks for posting Michelle! I'm enjoying doing this challenge with you. :)

[sandyks]

Apple & Eve - yes
Northland Juice - yes
Ruffies - yes
S&W - no
Annie Chun's - no

[sandyks]

RW Knudsen - yes
Santa Cruz - yes
Blue Bunny - yes
Woodstock - yes
Zensoy - yes

[sandyks]

I've learned this year a few things I never knew before. The economy must be making companies send coupons for multiple brands in one envelope whereas before they were sent out seperately in the matching brand envelope.

The Hain Group is sending multiple brands together although I did know they owned multiple brands, they always sent to coupons seperately.

Santa Cruz and RW Knudsen came in one envelope with Santa Cruz on the letterhead. I never knew these 2 were the same company!

Apple & Eve and Northland Juices are co-owned also coming in the same envelope.

[purplemoon2008]

Michael Angelo ~ 3 $1 off coupons ~ yay!

[Mrs_Koehn]

Santa Cruz and RW Knudsen came in one envelope with Santa Cruz on the letterhead. I never knew these 2 were the same company!

No wonder I don't really see a diff in them. I get what's cheaper or I have a coupon for most of the time. :)

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

I wanted to provide a better summary of what I have received so far, so it will be more helpful to everyone contacting companies. Sandy, you have done such a wonderful job!!

Here are the coupons I have actually received to date:

Florida Natural Orange Juice two 50 cents
Dr. Bronner - as assortment of $1 off
Bolthouse Farms - four $1 off beverages
Old Home - Three Frees
Newmans Own - four 50 cents
Earthbound Farms, IP link for two $5 and three $1
Mi-Del - two $1
Ecos - samples plus three 75 cents
Stonyfield Farms - a sheet of assorted coupons, all 50 cents
S&W Beans - two 50 cents
Daisy - four 45 cents
Better Oats - two 55 cents

I hope more roll in, some companies have been disappointing.

Old Home was the nicest surprize!!!!

[knittingintheround]

Going to keep track of my contacted companies here:

--Wish Farms organic berries (emailed 1/23/12)
--Late July (emailed 1/23/12) YES
--Mi-Del gluten free (emailed 1/26/12) YES
--Marcal Small Steps (emailed 1/26/12)

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

A few more coupons came in:

Breyers sent a sheet of Unilever Coupons which included one for Breyers Ice Cream.
Manns Produce sent two $1 and three 55 cents off
VanDeKamps sent one $1
Bushes Beans sent two 55 cents off

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

Today I contacted Dole, Method, Borax, Wacky Mac and Blue Bunny.

[sandyks]

More responses: (I'm noticing that more and more companies and just sending the coupons without any email notification.)

Cascade Fresh - yes
Wolfgang Puck - yes
Tofutti - yes
Dr. Oetker - yes
Alba - no

[purplemoon2008]

Bizarre, but I'm not complaining....I received two more coupons .55 from Hain for Garden of Eatin' chips. THIS time, they expire 12/13...and I got a really nice letter to go along with them:encourage12:!

[sandyks]

That's odd Tammy. Maybe they got a lot of complaints from people about their customer service? Either way, yay for you! (They are on sale this week at Kroger if you have one nearby or probably at other stores as well.)

Wild Planet - yes
Bubbies pickles - yes
Yogi tea - yes

[purplemoon2008]

I know...I don't *think* I sent two requests?? Nah, don't have a Kroger near me, but I Big y had the HUGE bag on sale for 4.99 and they double q's:) ~ bought two bags:)

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

Just an update on what I have received:

One Free Fruit2O up to $4.00
Six 55 cents off Blue Bunny
Two $1 off Bare Chicken
Two $1 off Method
One Free No Yolks - I had requested Wacky Mac
Four 50 cents off Borax plus two Purex 50 cents off

[purplemoon2008]

Driscoll's ~ ONE $1 off coupon. ONE:harried1:!! I know I shouldn't complain, but....really? really?

[Mrs_Koehn]

Ya Tammy, those are a little weird. I've had some before that don't cove the stamp, paper, ink, and time spent to send it. But I think, Okay, so the $0.25 or $0.40/3 probably don't count for my time to mess with cutting them out either but I do. Lol

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

I kind of took a break from contacting companies too busy with school, work and the kids. I want to try and get back on track.

I have noticed several companies said yes but never sent coupons. I might start recontacting some of those.

I will wait and just post the companies that actually do send coupons after I receive them in the mail this time.

Most recently I did receive coupons from:

Earths Best - several 50 cents off
Rosseto Pasta - several $1 off

[cody82414]

Okay,
I need to get serious about this again:shrug2:

so I have contacted:
Smart chicken
Lauras lean Beef (IPs on website)
Just Bare chicken (IPs on website)
Bolthouse Farms
Sambazon
Annie's
Newman's Own
Earthbound Farms (sent links for 1/1 and 5/1 IPs)
Cal-organic/Grimmway Farms
Stonyfield (coupons on website)
Barbara's Bakery (IPs on website)
Lifeway Kefir (1/2 on Mambosprouts.com)
Fresh Express
Driscoll's
Arrowhead Mills
Bob's red mill
Chobani
Voskos
Garden of eatin'
Odwalla
Late July
Alexia (referred to IPs on facebook)
Eden Foods
Kettle Brand
Country Choice (IPs on mambosprouts.com)
Lundberg
Enjoy Life
Food For Life
Quorn
Ian's Natural Foods
Hodgson Mill
Amy's Kitchen
Terra Chips

[cody82414]

Earth's Best
Pamela's
Boulder Canyon
Food Should Taste Good (coupons on website)
Nature's Path
Enviorkidz
Back to Nature
Simply Organic
Good Health Natural Foods
McCain - "no coupons"

[cody82414]

Westsoy
NearEast
Hansen's
Kashi
Mi-Del
Nature Sweet
R.W. Knudsen
Spectrum Essentials
Wholesome
Silk
Michael Season's
Bragg
Pirate Brands - "no coupons"
Popchips
Cascadian Farms
General Mills
Bear Naked
Mom's Best - (referred to IPs on website)

[cody82414]

Mary's Gone
Organic Valley
Naked Juice - referred to vote on facebook for IPs
Hunt's ketchp
Simply Orange
Light life

[cody82414]

Applegate Farms
Bunny Bread
Greek Gods yogurt
So Delicious - (referred to IPs)
Noosa
Anderson Erickson - "no coupons"
Pictsweet

[cody82414]

Always Pads
Nasoya

[DakotaSommers]

You're on a roll Cody! Can't wait to hear what goodies you get :)

[cody82414]

yesterday I received:
Fresh Express (2, .55/1 packaged salad)
Bob's Red MIll (3, .55/1 single product)
Chobani (3, .30/1 single cups)
Hodgson Mill (3, .35/1 any)


today I received:
4, 1/1 Bolthouse dressing
4, 1/1 Bolthouse beverage
2, .50/1 cal-Organic

[DakotaSommers]

Awesome Cody! Anyone else every receive coupons from Bob's Red Mill? I had heard they didn't send coupons.

[sandyks]

I've never received from Bob's. They've always told me they don't participate in a mailing coupon program. I didn't even contact this year because of it. Apparently they have changed their minds now! :)

[cody82414]

I've never received from Bob's. They've always told me they don't participate in a mailing coupon program. I didn't even contact this year because of it. Apparently they have changed their minds now! :)

Interesting,
because I have never NOT received from Bob's.

Weird!

[sandyks]

Definitely weird!

[cody82414]

in today's mail:

2, 1/1 Barbara's
1, 1/1 Ian's
2, 1/1 Mi-Del
2, 1/1 Lundberg
2, 1/1 RW Knudsen
2, .75/1 Mom's Best
1, .55/1 Amy's
4, .50/1 Food For Life
1, 1/1 Popchips


Today I contacted:
Florida Crystals
Yogi Tea
Seventh Generation
Twinings Tea

[sandyks]

One thing I noticed this year is that there are less coupons sent and the values of the coupons are less, too.

Mi Del sent frees last year. Amy's send a slew of coupons last year. Popchips sent frees and $1 off coupons last year.

The economy is hitting everyone hard I guess.

Florida Crystals still sent me a free still, so I was happy about that. Just in time to make some jelly, too. :)

[GrowingUpNatural]

Garden of Eatin 2 - $.55/1!! Yay! Here's the link to contact them: Talk to Us | Garden of Eatin' (http://www.gardenofeatin.com/talk)

[jtjohns]

Jumped back on this last week, and am seeing some great responses:

Ecos: (1) $1/1 any Ecos product x12/31, (4) 75¢/1 any Ecos product x12/31, (1) 50¢/1 any 25 oz. Ecos Dishmate dishwashing liquid, (1) $1/1 any 100 oz. Ecos Laundry Detergent. They also included two four oz. same bottle -- one of their dishwashing liquid, and one of their stain and odor remover

Ecover: (1) 75¢/1 any Ecover laundry cleaners x12/31, (1) $1/1 51 or 100 oz. laundry liquid or 48 or 96 oz. laundry powder x 12/31, (1) 75¢/1 Ecover household cleaner, (1) $1/1 Ecover dishwashing product x12/31. They also included a one-load sample packet of their laundry detegent (the new Ecover Zero free and clear line), and a sample packet of their dishwasher tablets.

Hansen's: (1) free multipack Hansens's soda (max. value $4.49), NED

Santa Cruz Organic: (1) free any Santa Cruz Organic product (max. value $5) x4/30/13. FYI -- their cover letter mentioned that SCO is a J.M. Smucker company; just a reminder that so few natural and organic products are still independent...

Getting great coupons in the mail is awesome motivation :smile: Planning to send some more requests this afternoon...

~JJ

[sandyks]

I started contacting them again in mid May. Getting LOTS of great responses and coupons so far! (ps Santa Cruz and RW Knudsen are co-owed as well) All of the Hains Celestial companies so far have surprisingly said no right now. They must be temporarily out or waiting on coupons.

[jtjohns]

All of the Hains Celestial companies so far have surprisingly said no right now. They must be temporarily out or waiting on coupons.

Thanks for mentioning that Sandy, I'll hold off on sending those requests.

[Mrs_Koehn]

I wrote several organic and conventionals, mostly just got no response. I did get $1 from Driscolls, $5 from Santa Cruz, I Think that's it though so far. I need to write a few new companies. Just haven't had time to think about making a list of those yet.

[sandyks]

Here are the ones that I've wrote since May and received coupons or got a yes response from.



All Whites - Crystal Farms


Amy's Kitchen


Apple & Eve


Applegate Farms


Arizona organic tea


Arnold Bread


Barbara's Bakery


Bigelow tea


Blue Diamond


Bolthouse Farms


Boulder Canyon


Breyers / Unilever


Bushes Baked Beans


Cal-Organic


Cascade Fresh


Cedar Lane


Chobani yogurt


Clif bar


Coleman Natural


Crown Prince


Domino


EAS bars


Evol burritoes


Follow Your Heart vegenaise


Food for Life


Food Should Taste Good


Foxy Organic


Fresh Express


Gardein


Garelick Farms


Glutino


Greenline Greenbeans


Honeysuckle White


Izze Beverages


Jovial gluten-free


Julie's organic ice cream


Laura's Lean Beef


Mann's Packing/Produce


Method


MI Del cookies


Michelina's


MoriNu tofu


Nasoya/ Vitasoy


Nate's Meatless Products


Naturipe berries


Newman's Own


Newman's Own Organics


O'doughs


Olivia's organics


Organic Valley


Pacific Natural


Pamela's


Pepperidge Farm


PJ's organic burritoes


POM Wonderful


Pretzel Crisps


Rudi's Organic Bakery


Santa Cruz


Seeds of Change


Seventh Generation


So Delicious Coconut milk


Stoneyfield


Tofutti


Turkey Hill


Wholesome Sweeteners


Woodstock Farms


Wyman's frozen fruit


ZenSoy

[sandyks]

These companies said either no, not right now, or I have to wait longer.



Alexia



Annie's Homegrown



Bonne Maman



Country Choice



Egg Beaters



Hanson (once per year so I have to wait longer)



Health Valley Organics / Hain Celestial



Imagine / Hain Celestial Group



Jason



Kettle Chips (none right now)



Kind bars



Made in Nature



Marzetti (once per year so have to wait longer)



Organicville (none right now)



Sabra hummus



Snyder's pretzels



Way Better Snacks



Wolfgang Puck Soup

[sandyks]

I have TONS more that I've contacted that either never responded or it's been too soon to respond to as of yet. :)

[DakotaSommers]

I just got 2 .25 coupons from Meditteranean Snacks.

[sandyks]

Jovial sent 4 coupons - 2 for brown rice pasta and 2 for cookies (gf)

[cody82414]

is it every 3 months or every 6 months to recontact ?

[Mrs_Koehn]

I think it depends on the company.

[sandyks]

It really depends. A couple say monthly (like Chobani) but that is rare. Some say 3 months (like Apple & Eve), 6 months (like Arrowhead Mills), or even once per calendar year (like Horizon).

[cody82414]

It really depends. A couple say monthly (like Chobani) but that is rare. Some say 3 months (like Apple & Eve), 6 months (like Arrowhead Mills), or even once per calendar year (like Horizon).

thanks!

[sandyks]

Is anyone besides myself contacting companies for coupons in 2013? They are just rolling in to my mailbox by the handfuls with lots more to go! :)

[jujubee]

Good for you Sandy! You should start a new 2013 thread. :)

[kristen.c]

I always say I am going to but then I never make the time.

[Mrs_Koehn]

I've thought about it, but with Ana, I barely get time to do anything. I didn't get a shower and dressed till AFTER school (short day, thankfully!) and I didn't get to even start supper till after hubby got home. She's kinda clingy. I have a Kindle now so I can get online a little more but haven't thought of any companies I know will send good coupons. I've been getting so much stuff online and Safeway organic brand lately.....
In other words, No. :(

[kristen.c]

I need to remember to do this on my downtime days where I'm not feeling well and spend most of the day on the couch. It would be a much more productive activity than tv or blog-surfing.

[sandyks]

I usually do it on my laptop during commercials and things. You'll be surprised how many companies you can write during commercials especially if you have auto fill. :)

[purplemoon2008]

It's been a few months since my last surge. time to get back at it again:)