Showing posts with label family life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family life. Show all posts
Thursday, March 13, 2008
200th post
We walked to McDonald's today, the girls and I. We had fun. We ate lunch, I fed the baby and then we headed back. McDonald's is about 2 miles from our house. Then we took Daddy for a walk tonight too. We got about 1 mile in with Daddy before his knees started to ache. Tommorrow is another beautiful day so we will get out again. Next week it is supposed to be cold, rainy and/or snowing everyday so we will not get out much if at all. It is really great to get outside with the kids. They enjoy it and I enjoy the exercise. Hooooray for spring!!!!
today
Today the kids and I are getting out for a walk again. Going for a walk, even a short one, has greatly improved the mood and sleeping of K. She is much better now in the evenings. Today is a double walk day. We are going out during the day today and this evening for a short walk with daddy. Daddy said he is getting a gut on him so he needs to get out and exercise. He showed me his belly last night and he is starting to put on some weight.
My garage is flooding. The melting snow is running under the garage door and refreezing at night. OH joy. I have started parking in the driveway because the ice is about 2 inches thick in spots and I am afraid it will either freeze the garage door shut along with my car in the garage, or freeze my tires to the garage floor. We are not forecasted to get any accumulating snow for at least a week. Maybe by then I can get the garage cleaned out. I went through yesterday and checked out what we had in there to make sure nothing would get ruined if it got wet.
My garage is flooding. The melting snow is running under the garage door and refreezing at night. OH joy. I have started parking in the driveway because the ice is about 2 inches thick in spots and I am afraid it will either freeze the garage door shut along with my car in the garage, or freeze my tires to the garage floor. We are not forecasted to get any accumulating snow for at least a week. Maybe by then I can get the garage cleaned out. I went through yesterday and checked out what we had in there to make sure nothing would get ruined if it got wet.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
My darling 2 year old, K
oh has she turned into a little stinker! She has started taking her clothes and her diaper off and pooping everywhere put the toilet. UGH! She does it when I am feeding her sister or when we put her in her room for the night. She plays in it. It is DISGUSTING! I am about to my wits end with her. I have had a to clean her carpet every other day for the last week. My mom said it was maybe because she needed more attention so I took time every night before bed to play with her in her room. I also took time out of every day for just her. Didn't matter. Tried putting her potty in her room. Didn't matter. I think she is forcing herself to poop so she can do this. You see, K is somewhat lactose intolerant. She can handle dairy stuff but in moderation. She has always, since she was about 5 months old, only pooped every other day, like clockwork. I don't know why but that is how she was. Now all of a sudden she is pooping 2-3 times a day, each day. I won't go into details but suffice it to say the poop has changed and that leads me to believe she is making herself do it. For example, she did not poop last night at all but I fixed her. I took an older pair of PJs that were given to us and cut the feet off them. I put them on her backwards so she could not unzip them. Try as she might, she could not get them off and gave up. She did not poop. Hmmmmm...coincidence?!?
There are other little things she has learned to do. Turn down the thermostat. Turn off the thermostat. Climb the gate at the bottom of the stairs. Open the fridge and move everything around or help herself to a soda (which she cannot get open....yet). Get into my pantry and tear the labels of vegetables (I started marking the tops of all my cans with what is in the can. Not fun to open a can of tomatoes and green chiles when you wanted corn...not a fun guessing game!)
I think parenting a 2 year old is mostly about being creative and trying to outsmart her. She is too damn smart. I am glad to have a smart child but she figured out all my childproofing already and can even open a bottle of "childproof" medicine. Ones that I sometimes have a hard time opening!
There are other little things she has learned to do. Turn down the thermostat. Turn off the thermostat. Climb the gate at the bottom of the stairs. Open the fridge and move everything around or help herself to a soda (which she cannot get open....yet). Get into my pantry and tear the labels of vegetables (I started marking the tops of all my cans with what is in the can. Not fun to open a can of tomatoes and green chiles when you wanted corn...not a fun guessing game!)
I think parenting a 2 year old is mostly about being creative and trying to outsmart her. She is too damn smart. I am glad to have a smart child but she figured out all my childproofing already and can even open a bottle of "childproof" medicine. Ones that I sometimes have a hard time opening!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Homemaker
God how I hate that title. I prefer Stay at home mom or household CEO but whatever.
Anyway I bring this up because as of late I have run into many people that I have not seen in many years. Maybe because I am out and about more because I have cabin fever, who knows. We get to chatting and inevitable the question comes up about what I am doing now, am I using my college degree, etc etc. So I proudly say I am a stay at home mom. Most of the older women and men that I talk to (you know, old teachers, parents of friends, older previous co-workers) are pretty excited for me. Most think it is wonderful that I have this opportunity. Alot of them though were also SAHP at some point in their childrens' lives. They tell me how much better it is for the children and being poor at this point will really not matter in the future. I agree. I just wish that some of my old friends, now known as acquaintances, could see the value and importance in this decision. They tell me I am wasting my degree. They ask how I can be satisfied just serving my husband and raising children. They ask if I get bored. They ask if we are rich or something. They think (although it is not spoken, I KNOW they are thinking it) that I am LAZY. These people generally do not have kids. They don't realize how much I actually do or how I have to be creative with meals and with budgeting. They can't imagine how I can do this every day and we are not buried under a heap of debt. I can tell you my secret. I don't bother to explain to the others because they don't get it and probably won't at least until they have children of their own and even then some will not understand.
My secret: BUDGETING! and watching sales
That's it. We budget. I lived very frugally the 2 1/2 years it took me to earn my associates' degree in Business Management. I worked 60 hours a week at 3 jobs plus went to school full-time. I honestly believe that even though I don't use my degree, the college experience and my life experience from that time helps immensely in this. I do not regret going to college at all. While working and going to school I only had myself to support (except for 4 months during which I supported my brother as well). I had tuition to pay, books to buy, plus all the regular living expenses. I figured out how to budget. I learned how to feed myself and my brother on $20 a week on some occasions. The $400 we budget for groceries now...HA that's a breeze and most months I can feed the 4 of us on $250 or less( this does not include soda however because Hubby takes soda in his lunch everyday and it must be Mountain Dew. Although I have been sneaking in a generic orange or grape lately and he hasn't complained). Then the extra money gets put in savings for emergencies or when there is a really great sale on something we need.
Shopping sales.
First of all, you must figure out if it is something you will actually use. No sense in buying that name brand ketchup on sale for $1, if you usually use the generic and it is normaly 85 cents for the same size. Sure it is only 15 cents but that 15 cents saved on numerous items will add up. Check out your local grocery store. My biggest money saver is on meat, particularly ground beef. I watch when they have it on sale. They always have too much after the sale is done and it is perishable so they must get rid of it or throw it out. I check on Sundays in the evening. If there is a lot left I check the dates. Expiring the next day or in a couple days? Cool! I know to go into my local store at about 9 AM the day it is expiring and it will be marked down to 99 cents a pound. I usually buy $20-$25 worth and repackage and freeze it. Of course you have to be a little careful and check it out. If it is really brown and not red anymore, I pass on it. When I get home to repackage it, I smell it. If it has a bit of an odor ( it is hard to explain this odor but meat that is about to go bad has a distinct smell to it) I use it right away that day. One thing that will preserve it a little longer is to brown it and then freeze it. You can use the crumbled browned meat in casseroles or other dishes that call for it and you will have saved yourself a step.
Shopping at a discount grocer.
One other way I save money is to shop at Aldi's. If you are not fortunate enough to have an aldi's near you, I feel for you. Aldi's is fantastic. They sell their brand of food, generic, basic, pantry staple type stuff, as well as milk, meat, vegetables, etc. We generally only buy freezer stuff and noodles, soups, canned vegetables, etc there. My basic pantry stuff. They have special buys sometimes but I usually ignore them because A. we don't need it B. It sometimes costs more there than if you were to buy it at Walmart.
I do a lot of my shopping at Walmart as well. Aldi's and Walmart are in the same town, about 20 minutes away. I make a once a month trip. I hire a sitter for the kids and I go. It is much easier and cheaper to bargain shop without the kids. If I have to take the kids, I take a break with them in between stores and we will go to McDonalds' (it is a treat for K to eat at McDonald's and it doesn't happen often and usually comes from the dollar menu.). My once monthly trip is very involved but saves money in the long run. I get enough diapers for K for the month (ouch! we use cloth on O but not at night so she usually only requires one package to Kait's two packages), I get all of our paper goods, cleaners, all the cat food, cat litter and anything else we will use for the next month, with the exception of bread and milk and fresh fruit and vegetables. Those items I get enough for a week and then shop my local store for those items when needed.
We also have a bent and dent grocery in the area. I generally go there for canned veggies only. They are the cheapest by far and have name brand veggies. I go once every 3-4 months and get a case of 60 cans of veggies (mixed to my liking) for $18. Can't beat that!!
A few other tips:
Use generics when possible. Of course there are some things that you just want or like better in the name brand (we do too) so we buy them but most things there is little to no difference between generic and name brand.
Clip coupons. Granted they are only helpful when you actually use the item. On occasion I have had coupons that make the name brand cheaper than the generic version but usually that is not the case.
Watch sales.
Don't shop on an empty stomach.
If you don't need it or use it, don't buy it. Even if it is a great price.
Make a list of what you need before you go, if it is not on the list don't buy it. Of course there are exceptions to this but it is a general rule that I follow.
Most of these tips have been preached over and over but they work well for me. I am sure there are more I use that I haven't thought of but I am getting long winded.
The reason I went off on this is because I got thinking after talking to a lady I knew last night. She said it must be really hard to live on one income and no really, it is not for us. We set ourselves up for it when I got pregnant with O so we are in good shape. We have enough money to live on for at least 3 months if something catastropic were to happen. We used our extra money when I was working to pay down our debt so my car is almost paid for, the SUV is paid for (with a little help from changing jobs), we have less than $1000 in credit card debt (which will be paid off this month). We only have the mortgage, utilities, and our living expenses (groceries and gas) to pay each month so we are doing pretty well for ourselves.
ONE more thing:
I do NOT advocate getting free stuff from the government but I will say that if you are eligible for WIC or other assistance, by all means, you should look into it. We get WIC for the kids. We are eligible for other assistance which we did not accept. We did not need the heating assistance as we pre-bought our heating fuel for the winter and felt the money should go to those in more need than us. We did not accept the food stamps we were offered because we are not in need currently. If at some point in the future we are in need, we will look into it.
Judge me if you must but honestly, my feelings are that my husband and I have both worked for years full-time, we paid our taxes, we volunteered time, we donated to the food pantry. We helped when and where we could. If a time comes where we need the help, I will not feel guilty taking it because I have paid into the system for all of my working years and my husband is still paying in. The programs are there to help people that need it. Of course, you may think well go get a job. But then someone else will be raising my children for the way less than minimum wage I would be make after taxes and childcare costs. who wins (or loses) then? In the way we are doing things now, the children win. And in reality, isn't that the most important thing?
I also want to add that we by no means live in a mansion. We live in an older house. We drive older vehicles. Not extremely old but older. We do not have big screens TVs or fancy electronics. We do not have any "toys" such as motorcycles. I hear so much about people who take advantage of the system while earning 6 figure incomes. That is NOT us. We buy our clothes at the thrift store, not the mall. I do not own a prada or gucci or coach anything. My kids wear old navy, baby gap and other name brands ( as well as $2 walmart clothes) but that is because I buy them at garage sales or the thrift store, not the actual store.
Why do I feel the need to defend myself and my actions? Simply put, Judgemental people. I am judged by some people that I once considered friends because of my decisions. These people have not walked in my shoes, nor know what we have been or are going through. Most of them cannot fathom the amount of planning and discipline it took to make this decision and be able to do it. Those are the people that will never understand me. I shouldn't have to explain myself to them but to those that don't know me, many things could be inferred from my decisions and if there are any questions, I am willing to explain. I do not hold back. I do not lie. I just tell it like it is, for better or worse.
Anyway I bring this up because as of late I have run into many people that I have not seen in many years. Maybe because I am out and about more because I have cabin fever, who knows. We get to chatting and inevitable the question comes up about what I am doing now, am I using my college degree, etc etc. So I proudly say I am a stay at home mom. Most of the older women and men that I talk to (you know, old teachers, parents of friends, older previous co-workers) are pretty excited for me. Most think it is wonderful that I have this opportunity. Alot of them though were also SAHP at some point in their childrens' lives. They tell me how much better it is for the children and being poor at this point will really not matter in the future. I agree. I just wish that some of my old friends, now known as acquaintances, could see the value and importance in this decision. They tell me I am wasting my degree. They ask how I can be satisfied just serving my husband and raising children. They ask if I get bored. They ask if we are rich or something. They think (although it is not spoken, I KNOW they are thinking it) that I am LAZY. These people generally do not have kids. They don't realize how much I actually do or how I have to be creative with meals and with budgeting. They can't imagine how I can do this every day and we are not buried under a heap of debt. I can tell you my secret. I don't bother to explain to the others because they don't get it and probably won't at least until they have children of their own and even then some will not understand.
My secret: BUDGETING! and watching sales
That's it. We budget. I lived very frugally the 2 1/2 years it took me to earn my associates' degree in Business Management. I worked 60 hours a week at 3 jobs plus went to school full-time. I honestly believe that even though I don't use my degree, the college experience and my life experience from that time helps immensely in this. I do not regret going to college at all. While working and going to school I only had myself to support (except for 4 months during which I supported my brother as well). I had tuition to pay, books to buy, plus all the regular living expenses. I figured out how to budget. I learned how to feed myself and my brother on $20 a week on some occasions. The $400 we budget for groceries now...HA that's a breeze and most months I can feed the 4 of us on $250 or less( this does not include soda however because Hubby takes soda in his lunch everyday and it must be Mountain Dew. Although I have been sneaking in a generic orange or grape lately and he hasn't complained). Then the extra money gets put in savings for emergencies or when there is a really great sale on something we need.
Shopping sales.
First of all, you must figure out if it is something you will actually use. No sense in buying that name brand ketchup on sale for $1, if you usually use the generic and it is normaly 85 cents for the same size. Sure it is only 15 cents but that 15 cents saved on numerous items will add up. Check out your local grocery store. My biggest money saver is on meat, particularly ground beef. I watch when they have it on sale. They always have too much after the sale is done and it is perishable so they must get rid of it or throw it out. I check on Sundays in the evening. If there is a lot left I check the dates. Expiring the next day or in a couple days? Cool! I know to go into my local store at about 9 AM the day it is expiring and it will be marked down to 99 cents a pound. I usually buy $20-$25 worth and repackage and freeze it. Of course you have to be a little careful and check it out. If it is really brown and not red anymore, I pass on it. When I get home to repackage it, I smell it. If it has a bit of an odor ( it is hard to explain this odor but meat that is about to go bad has a distinct smell to it) I use it right away that day. One thing that will preserve it a little longer is to brown it and then freeze it. You can use the crumbled browned meat in casseroles or other dishes that call for it and you will have saved yourself a step.
Shopping at a discount grocer.
One other way I save money is to shop at Aldi's. If you are not fortunate enough to have an aldi's near you, I feel for you. Aldi's is fantastic. They sell their brand of food, generic, basic, pantry staple type stuff, as well as milk, meat, vegetables, etc. We generally only buy freezer stuff and noodles, soups, canned vegetables, etc there. My basic pantry stuff. They have special buys sometimes but I usually ignore them because A. we don't need it B. It sometimes costs more there than if you were to buy it at Walmart.
I do a lot of my shopping at Walmart as well. Aldi's and Walmart are in the same town, about 20 minutes away. I make a once a month trip. I hire a sitter for the kids and I go. It is much easier and cheaper to bargain shop without the kids. If I have to take the kids, I take a break with them in between stores and we will go to McDonalds' (it is a treat for K to eat at McDonald's and it doesn't happen often and usually comes from the dollar menu.). My once monthly trip is very involved but saves money in the long run. I get enough diapers for K for the month (ouch! we use cloth on O but not at night so she usually only requires one package to Kait's two packages), I get all of our paper goods, cleaners, all the cat food, cat litter and anything else we will use for the next month, with the exception of bread and milk and fresh fruit and vegetables. Those items I get enough for a week and then shop my local store for those items when needed.
We also have a bent and dent grocery in the area. I generally go there for canned veggies only. They are the cheapest by far and have name brand veggies. I go once every 3-4 months and get a case of 60 cans of veggies (mixed to my liking) for $18. Can't beat that!!
A few other tips:
Use generics when possible. Of course there are some things that you just want or like better in the name brand (we do too) so we buy them but most things there is little to no difference between generic and name brand.
Clip coupons. Granted they are only helpful when you actually use the item. On occasion I have had coupons that make the name brand cheaper than the generic version but usually that is not the case.
Watch sales.
Don't shop on an empty stomach.
If you don't need it or use it, don't buy it. Even if it is a great price.
Make a list of what you need before you go, if it is not on the list don't buy it. Of course there are exceptions to this but it is a general rule that I follow.
Most of these tips have been preached over and over but they work well for me. I am sure there are more I use that I haven't thought of but I am getting long winded.
The reason I went off on this is because I got thinking after talking to a lady I knew last night. She said it must be really hard to live on one income and no really, it is not for us. We set ourselves up for it when I got pregnant with O so we are in good shape. We have enough money to live on for at least 3 months if something catastropic were to happen. We used our extra money when I was working to pay down our debt so my car is almost paid for, the SUV is paid for (with a little help from changing jobs), we have less than $1000 in credit card debt (which will be paid off this month). We only have the mortgage, utilities, and our living expenses (groceries and gas) to pay each month so we are doing pretty well for ourselves.
ONE more thing:
I do NOT advocate getting free stuff from the government but I will say that if you are eligible for WIC or other assistance, by all means, you should look into it. We get WIC for the kids. We are eligible for other assistance which we did not accept. We did not need the heating assistance as we pre-bought our heating fuel for the winter and felt the money should go to those in more need than us. We did not accept the food stamps we were offered because we are not in need currently. If at some point in the future we are in need, we will look into it.
Judge me if you must but honestly, my feelings are that my husband and I have both worked for years full-time, we paid our taxes, we volunteered time, we donated to the food pantry. We helped when and where we could. If a time comes where we need the help, I will not feel guilty taking it because I have paid into the system for all of my working years and my husband is still paying in. The programs are there to help people that need it. Of course, you may think well go get a job. But then someone else will be raising my children for the way less than minimum wage I would be make after taxes and childcare costs. who wins (or loses) then? In the way we are doing things now, the children win. And in reality, isn't that the most important thing?
I also want to add that we by no means live in a mansion. We live in an older house. We drive older vehicles. Not extremely old but older. We do not have big screens TVs or fancy electronics. We do not have any "toys" such as motorcycles. I hear so much about people who take advantage of the system while earning 6 figure incomes. That is NOT us. We buy our clothes at the thrift store, not the mall. I do not own a prada or gucci or coach anything. My kids wear old navy, baby gap and other name brands ( as well as $2 walmart clothes) but that is because I buy them at garage sales or the thrift store, not the actual store.
Why do I feel the need to defend myself and my actions? Simply put, Judgemental people. I am judged by some people that I once considered friends because of my decisions. These people have not walked in my shoes, nor know what we have been or are going through. Most of them cannot fathom the amount of planning and discipline it took to make this decision and be able to do it. Those are the people that will never understand me. I shouldn't have to explain myself to them but to those that don't know me, many things could be inferred from my decisions and if there are any questions, I am willing to explain. I do not hold back. I do not lie. I just tell it like it is, for better or worse.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Good morning!!
All is well here. The concert is Saturday and I am pschyed!! Took the girls to a birthday party last night for a bit. They both had fun. hubby enjoyed his quiet time. We are going to take the girls to the Easter Bunny on Saturday. We are off to run errands today.
Monday, March 3, 2008
It's been awhile since I posted
Almost a week! Gosh, I can't believe that. It has been really busy around this house. Potty training (or at least trying to), My friend is home from Iraq for 2 1/2 weeks then she heads back over, Hubby's cousin (actually I am not exactly sure how she is related~she is in her 50's so she really isn't a cousin but she is somehow related) rolled her truck and broke vertebrae in her back, and just a slew of other things have kept me from the computer most of the last week. I have had about 5 minutes here and there to jump on, visit a few sites and that's about it.
I didn't meet a single one of my weight loss goals last month. I started out the month not being able to work out because of my illness. I have been feeling better but lacked the motivation. Yesterday K and I got out for a walk, which did help my motivation. I weighed myself yesterday and have only gained back 2 lbs of what I lost so that is encouraging. I know once I start working out again I should get back on track and start losing right away. I am going to try to fit in some exercise each day this week. Even if it is not structured exercise, I plan to do some deep cleaning at the homestead and that should get me sweating. I am going to also up my water intake, I NEED to get away from the diet cola.
That's all for now. It's off to start our day. UGH Mondays!
I didn't meet a single one of my weight loss goals last month. I started out the month not being able to work out because of my illness. I have been feeling better but lacked the motivation. Yesterday K and I got out for a walk, which did help my motivation. I weighed myself yesterday and have only gained back 2 lbs of what I lost so that is encouraging. I know once I start working out again I should get back on track and start losing right away. I am going to try to fit in some exercise each day this week. Even if it is not structured exercise, I plan to do some deep cleaning at the homestead and that should get me sweating. I am going to also up my water intake, I NEED to get away from the diet cola.
That's all for now. It's off to start our day. UGH Mondays!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
clean house
We have had decent weather the last couple of days. We still have a TON of snow but it has been warmer and the snow is melting, plus we haven't had a storm in almost 1 1/2 weeks!! I have been in the mood for spring cleaning today. The deep cleaning that makes my house feel like spring is here. I have washed down all the appliances, cleaned the bathroom completely, shampooed the couch and chairs and scrubbed down all the surfaces. I love the way my house feels and smells after a deep clean. My next project is to clean the inside of the windows. They are full of little kid smudges.
The baby is in a much better mood so that makes it much easier to get stuff done.
The baby is in a much better mood so that makes it much easier to get stuff done.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Scared and more
My mom has a lump in her stomach. Dad told me today. Mom did not want me to know. As much as we sometimes argue, she is my mom and I love her. I am scared. I PRAY that she does not have cancer. I pray it is just a benign mass. She is going in next week to get some tests done.
O is teething and she is by far worse than K ever was. K would pop 2 teeth through without so much as a whimper. O hasn't even popped any yet and is whiny and just awful. AYE! It was a long night last night.
My parents took the kids for a few hours today. K went sledding and BEGGED to spend the night at my parents' house, so we let her. It gives up a little bit of peace and gives her some much needed time away from the house and the whininess that is a teething baby.
My hubby got a raise. Makes life a little easier.
My ol' reliable finally went kaput! My bissell carpet shampooer has died. I freecycled it to a lady that runs a daycare. She said they would try to fix it. Good riddance! I talked Hubby into buying a Bissell proheat steam cleaner. I am in LOVE!! I cleaned the whole house today and it smells fantastic. The carpets look like new again. It was a good deal for $160. I clean carpets every other month in the whole house and do the kitchen (yes, I have a STUPID carpeted kitchen. The dumbest idea EVER!!!) every month. Just in rental fees alone for getting one every other month would come to almost $200. So even if the new one only lasts 18 months, I saved money!! I love have a carpet shampooer. My house doesn't feel clean unless my carpets are clean as well, probably because of the kitchen.
Hubby and I went out for a burger and a beer today while the kids were with my parents. Very relaxing. I love doing that once in a while.
O is teething and she is by far worse than K ever was. K would pop 2 teeth through without so much as a whimper. O hasn't even popped any yet and is whiny and just awful. AYE! It was a long night last night.
My parents took the kids for a few hours today. K went sledding and BEGGED to spend the night at my parents' house, so we let her. It gives up a little bit of peace and gives her some much needed time away from the house and the whininess that is a teething baby.
My hubby got a raise. Makes life a little easier.
My ol' reliable finally went kaput! My bissell carpet shampooer has died. I freecycled it to a lady that runs a daycare. She said they would try to fix it. Good riddance! I talked Hubby into buying a Bissell proheat steam cleaner. I am in LOVE!! I cleaned the whole house today and it smells fantastic. The carpets look like new again. It was a good deal for $160. I clean carpets every other month in the whole house and do the kitchen (yes, I have a STUPID carpeted kitchen. The dumbest idea EVER!!!) every month. Just in rental fees alone for getting one every other month would come to almost $200. So even if the new one only lasts 18 months, I saved money!! I love have a carpet shampooer. My house doesn't feel clean unless my carpets are clean as well, probably because of the kitchen.
Hubby and I went out for a burger and a beer today while the kids were with my parents. Very relaxing. I love doing that once in a while.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Will it EVER end?
Said Family member is causing trouble again. Said family member called my hubby last night and said he needs part of K's money back for "taxes". If we give him back what he said he is probably going to need, her inheritance will be "taxed" at almost 65%. Does he really think I am that stupid? There is no way there is that much tax on it.
I am so done with all of this. I have been thinking. The mean streak in me is pretty active today and last night. I was thinking I should take out what he wants all in quarters and throw the rolls of quarters at him. If I throw them hard enough, they could leave some nice bruises. A$$hole. Anyway I called him back after he talked to hubby and we are discussing it this weekend, Sunday to be exact. And if he thinks he is ripping us off, he can think again. I am about to the point of just telling him to leave me and my children alone. Don't buy my kids any gifts with your stolen money, just forget we exist. Don't call, don't send cards. Just stay away from us. I have seriously had it with everything and just want it to go away. If hubby still wants contact with him fine, and the kids can too if Hubby wants to take them both to visit but I want nothing do with them. My stress level is that high right now. All over some money that my child could do without. She is not any worse without it.
A side note on that, Hubby is such a softie at times. So much of a softie that he ordered almost $200 in parts for said family member. I am not really pissed that he wanted to help out but I am pissed about the amount of money he spent without getting some of it up front. I informed hubby last night that under no circumstances will said family member get those parts without us getting the money first.
I am so done with all of this. I have been thinking. The mean streak in me is pretty active today and last night. I was thinking I should take out what he wants all in quarters and throw the rolls of quarters at him. If I throw them hard enough, they could leave some nice bruises. A$$hole. Anyway I called him back after he talked to hubby and we are discussing it this weekend, Sunday to be exact. And if he thinks he is ripping us off, he can think again. I am about to the point of just telling him to leave me and my children alone. Don't buy my kids any gifts with your stolen money, just forget we exist. Don't call, don't send cards. Just stay away from us. I have seriously had it with everything and just want it to go away. If hubby still wants contact with him fine, and the kids can too if Hubby wants to take them both to visit but I want nothing do with them. My stress level is that high right now. All over some money that my child could do without. She is not any worse without it.
A side note on that, Hubby is such a softie at times. So much of a softie that he ordered almost $200 in parts for said family member. I am not really pissed that he wanted to help out but I am pissed about the amount of money he spent without getting some of it up front. I informed hubby last night that under no circumstances will said family member get those parts without us getting the money first.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
It feels soooo good
Our local United Fund auction is going on. Last night I bid on and won some towels. My family usually donates something but ALWAYS buys something. So last night I ran around the house trying to find something to donate. I ended up coming up with a $10 restaurant gift card and a new bath and body works gift set. Total Value of $40 for everything.
I like donating to this organization because they help alot of charities in our area. Rather than donating $5-$10 here and there. I like to make a bigger donation to one agency. I took the girls down to the donation center and let K turn in our donations. She was so pleased with herself. The ladies accepting donations were so nice to her. They were telling her how nice she was to donate, etc. She was grinning from ear to ear.
So tonight and this afternoon I will be watching the auctions to see how much they go for.
I like donating to this organization because they help alot of charities in our area. Rather than donating $5-$10 here and there. I like to make a bigger donation to one agency. I took the girls down to the donation center and let K turn in our donations. She was so pleased with herself. The ladies accepting donations were so nice to her. They were telling her how nice she was to donate, etc. She was grinning from ear to ear.
So tonight and this afternoon I will be watching the auctions to see how much they go for.
Monday, January 28, 2008
I AM A B*TCH
and I am not afraid to admit it. When someone is trying to screw over my immediate family, the mama bear in me comes out and I am not afraid to show my teeth and take a giant bite, so to speak. I did just that last week and I got results, the results I wanted.
Said family member, mentioned in previous posts, actually gave my daughter part of her inheritance this weekend, a little more than 1/2 of it. Hubby says we probably won't see the rest and I agree but at least we got some of it. I had to be a total b*tch to get it but we got it. Quite honestly, I don't give a flying f*#$ what that side of the family, or anyone else for that matter, thinks of me. Said family member was trying to mess with my daughter and her future and I will NOT tolerate that. My mama bear instincts will not allow for me to sit back and knowingly take a kick in the a$$. Said family member's wife was not exactly happy about it but too freaking bad.
Said family member, mentioned in previous posts, actually gave my daughter part of her inheritance this weekend, a little more than 1/2 of it. Hubby says we probably won't see the rest and I agree but at least we got some of it. I had to be a total b*tch to get it but we got it. Quite honestly, I don't give a flying f*#$ what that side of the family, or anyone else for that matter, thinks of me. Said family member was trying to mess with my daughter and her future and I will NOT tolerate that. My mama bear instincts will not allow for me to sit back and knowingly take a kick in the a$$. Said family member's wife was not exactly happy about it but too freaking bad.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Random things today...
let's see....
I took K outside with me while I used the snowblower to make a path for the propane delivery man to reach our tank without having to trudge through a 3-4 feet of snow. I am pretty sure there isn't that much back there but it is alot. Anyway I was watching K and she was playing in the garage. I turned my back for 2 minutes, finished the path and checked the tank's gauge. I turned around and she wasn't there. I ran to the garage. GONE. I ran into the house. NOT THERE. I run back outside and start screaming her name. NO ANSWER. I was in a full blown panic. I was about to run into the house and call the police and here she comes, happy as can be. OH thank GOD!!! She went to the front porch and was swinging on the porch swing.
I got hubby's name put on the kids' accounts today. Hubby and I decided that we needed to get our wills, medical directives, etc all in order so that if something should happen to either of us, there are no questions or fighting. We have been meaning to do this and did it somewhat before I had that baby. We officially did it today though. I drew up our wills the other day and we just had to have them signed, witnessed and notarized today. We had to have our medical directives witnessed and signed but they did not have to be notarized so we did that later this evening with a couple friends. Now we just have to make copies and give them to our doctor for our files at the clinic and the hospital. We decided to finally get off our butts and have this done now because there is some in-fighting on hubby's side of the family regarding hubby's deceased brother's money. Said family member is being a jerk and if it was all written out we would have a legal recourse, but because my deceased brother-in-law was not much of a planner and never thought he would pass away so young, there are problems. We don't want that so we decided that we best get this done now. We did our wills and medical directives with this program that cost $30. You can download a free trial at the link. The free trial will not allow you to save or print. The program itself comes with a lot of great features besides will writing. It has request letters for records, cancelling accounts; lease agreements; sub-lease agreements; reciepts; many types of notices; and pretty much any legal document you could ever dream of.
We ordered a new car seat for K today. We got this one. I did not have the money to spend on a car seat but my daughters' safety is first. She is almost 40 lbs and has just about outgrown the car seat for her in my car. The one in the SUV goes up to 65 lbs so we have a ways to go there. I could have gotten her a cheaper seat but I wanted her in a 5 pt harness as long as possible and this seat will go to 65lbs with the 5 pt harness so I feel much safer with her in this seat versus the one we have for her for the sitter where she would only be secured by the car's seat belt once she is over 40 lbs. She very rarely rides in the car with the sitter, but we are in the car frequently. This is the cheapest seat I have found with the 5 pt harness that goes up to 65 lbs.
We really do not need to have 2 car seats for K and 2 car seats for O but it is such a pain to continually move car seats back and forth, especially in my car. Hubby doesn't drive stick shift so he can't just take my car if he needs to take the kids somewhere. Plus he is really bad at installing the car seats so if I install it, I won't worry so much. I told hubby this should be the last car seat we ever have to buy. He said "thank god!" In total since having K we have spent $740 in car seats!! Can you believe that?
Here is how it breaks down:
Infant car seat~$45-ish dollars. I wasn't going to get one and just go with a convertible to start but a wise momma told me that the infant carrier type car seats are really nice for going into stores or visiting with someone. You can carry the baby in the seat and the baby has someplace to sit, etc. I am glad I listened to her. There were times even after K outgrew the infant seat, that we used it as a seat for shopping carts, etc. before she could sit up on her own.
Britax Roundabout for my car~$199. At the time I bought this seat, we were both working and had money to burn so I bought the highest reviewed seat at that time. I do not regret this purchase at all. It is a fantastic car seat and will last through O as well
Graco Comfort Sport for hubby's car at the time~$80-ish. We tried this seat for 2 trips. Hubby HATED it with a passion. He could never get the straps to tighten right, he could never get the straps to loosen. So we gave this seat to my mom and she loved it. We now have it back and it will go in the SUV for O to use as soon as she gets moved to a convertible seat, which will be within the next month.
Britax Marathon for Hubby's car~$240-ish. I did not want to spend this much on that car seat but hubby fell in love with the speedway pattern and he loved how easy the Roundabout in my car was for him to use so he bought it. It is K's current car seat in the SUV.
Cosco Scenera for the sitter's car~$40-ish. Once K outgrew the infant seat, the sitter asked that we get her something for K to use if she had to take her anywhere. I wanted a 5 pt harness and this one was cheap enough. It is easy to use and installs in seconds but I wish I would have looked a little closer at the specs for the harness before I bought it. Live and Learn I guess.
Apex 65 for my car~$136
YIKES!!
We filed our federal taxes today. We have to wait to do our state but that is done.
I was driving the SUV tonight and slid coming into the driveway. We have a giant ice pond at the end of the driving from the last thaw and re-freeze. It snow a bit today so the ice was slicker than usual. I hit the snowbank on the side of the driveway but I was going so slow that it didn't do any damage. Our driveway is just wide enough at the end for the SUV because of the massive snow banks, that you have to pull in just right with it or you don't get in. Seriously, they are like 6 feet tall.
I took K outside with me while I used the snowblower to make a path for the propane delivery man to reach our tank without having to trudge through a 3-4 feet of snow. I am pretty sure there isn't that much back there but it is alot. Anyway I was watching K and she was playing in the garage. I turned my back for 2 minutes, finished the path and checked the tank's gauge. I turned around and she wasn't there. I ran to the garage. GONE. I ran into the house. NOT THERE. I run back outside and start screaming her name. NO ANSWER. I was in a full blown panic. I was about to run into the house and call the police and here she comes, happy as can be. OH thank GOD!!! She went to the front porch and was swinging on the porch swing.
I got hubby's name put on the kids' accounts today. Hubby and I decided that we needed to get our wills, medical directives, etc all in order so that if something should happen to either of us, there are no questions or fighting. We have been meaning to do this and did it somewhat before I had that baby. We officially did it today though. I drew up our wills the other day and we just had to have them signed, witnessed and notarized today. We had to have our medical directives witnessed and signed but they did not have to be notarized so we did that later this evening with a couple friends. Now we just have to make copies and give them to our doctor for our files at the clinic and the hospital. We decided to finally get off our butts and have this done now because there is some in-fighting on hubby's side of the family regarding hubby's deceased brother's money. Said family member is being a jerk and if it was all written out we would have a legal recourse, but because my deceased brother-in-law was not much of a planner and never thought he would pass away so young, there are problems. We don't want that so we decided that we best get this done now. We did our wills and medical directives with this program that cost $30. You can download a free trial at the link. The free trial will not allow you to save or print. The program itself comes with a lot of great features besides will writing. It has request letters for records, cancelling accounts; lease agreements; sub-lease agreements; reciepts; many types of notices; and pretty much any legal document you could ever dream of.
We ordered a new car seat for K today. We got this one. I did not have the money to spend on a car seat but my daughters' safety is first. She is almost 40 lbs and has just about outgrown the car seat for her in my car. The one in the SUV goes up to 65 lbs so we have a ways to go there. I could have gotten her a cheaper seat but I wanted her in a 5 pt harness as long as possible and this seat will go to 65lbs with the 5 pt harness so I feel much safer with her in this seat versus the one we have for her for the sitter where she would only be secured by the car's seat belt once she is over 40 lbs. She very rarely rides in the car with the sitter, but we are in the car frequently. This is the cheapest seat I have found with the 5 pt harness that goes up to 65 lbs.
We really do not need to have 2 car seats for K and 2 car seats for O but it is such a pain to continually move car seats back and forth, especially in my car. Hubby doesn't drive stick shift so he can't just take my car if he needs to take the kids somewhere. Plus he is really bad at installing the car seats so if I install it, I won't worry so much. I told hubby this should be the last car seat we ever have to buy. He said "thank god!" In total since having K we have spent $740 in car seats!! Can you believe that?
Here is how it breaks down:
Infant car seat~$45-ish dollars. I wasn't going to get one and just go with a convertible to start but a wise momma told me that the infant carrier type car seats are really nice for going into stores or visiting with someone. You can carry the baby in the seat and the baby has someplace to sit, etc. I am glad I listened to her. There were times even after K outgrew the infant seat, that we used it as a seat for shopping carts, etc. before she could sit up on her own.
Britax Roundabout for my car~$199. At the time I bought this seat, we were both working and had money to burn so I bought the highest reviewed seat at that time. I do not regret this purchase at all. It is a fantastic car seat and will last through O as well
Graco Comfort Sport for hubby's car at the time~$80-ish. We tried this seat for 2 trips. Hubby HATED it with a passion. He could never get the straps to tighten right, he could never get the straps to loosen. So we gave this seat to my mom and she loved it. We now have it back and it will go in the SUV for O to use as soon as she gets moved to a convertible seat, which will be within the next month.
Britax Marathon for Hubby's car~$240-ish. I did not want to spend this much on that car seat but hubby fell in love with the speedway pattern and he loved how easy the Roundabout in my car was for him to use so he bought it. It is K's current car seat in the SUV.
Cosco Scenera for the sitter's car~$40-ish. Once K outgrew the infant seat, the sitter asked that we get her something for K to use if she had to take her anywhere. I wanted a 5 pt harness and this one was cheap enough. It is easy to use and installs in seconds but I wish I would have looked a little closer at the specs for the harness before I bought it. Live and Learn I guess.
Apex 65 for my car~$136
YIKES!!
We filed our federal taxes today. We have to wait to do our state but that is done.
I was driving the SUV tonight and slid coming into the driveway. We have a giant ice pond at the end of the driving from the last thaw and re-freeze. It snow a bit today so the ice was slicker than usual. I hit the snowbank on the side of the driveway but I was going so slow that it didn't do any damage. Our driveway is just wide enough at the end for the SUV because of the massive snow banks, that you have to pull in just right with it or you don't get in. Seriously, they are like 6 feet tall.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
To top it all off....
On top of my already stressful day yesterday, my hubby received a call from a family member. Said family member is in charge of the inheritance from hubby's brother that was killed just before the baby was born. Our older daughter was to receive an inheritance. Well some stuff happened and said family member spent the money to pay off some of his bills. Said family member told us he will pay it back at some point but both hubby and I know this will not happen. If said family member is already having financial issues how is he going to come up with the money to pay back our daughter.
I was stressing about it and did not agree with hubby's approach to waiting and seeing if our daughter gets the money. Sorry but that doesn't work with me. Said family member is basically stealing from a child's education (we were going to invest the money so it would be saved for her future education). So I was proactive today and called someone who could do something about it.
I am feeling much better because the person that I spoke to will make sure our daughter gets her money, even if it is in the form of personal property of said family member that we have to sell to recoup it.
I was stressing about it and did not agree with hubby's approach to waiting and seeing if our daughter gets the money. Sorry but that doesn't work with me. Said family member is basically stealing from a child's education (we were going to invest the money so it would be saved for her future education). So I was proactive today and called someone who could do something about it.
I am feeling much better because the person that I spoke to will make sure our daughter gets her money, even if it is in the form of personal property of said family member that we have to sell to recoup it.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
so stressed...
Hubby's leg and back are killing him. The kids are whiny, clingy and crying and I just want to curl up into a little ball and go away from it all. All day long K has been doing everything she can think of to get on my nerves. EVERY THING!!! She has taken to hiding her crayons so she can color when SHE wants to color. I think I finally have found them all but not before her little sister's bedroom wall sustained some damage. The baby is having an allergic reaction to something my mom was wearing (I'm guessing her tanning lotion). Mom was cuddling her and must have rubbed faces with the baby because the baby's face looks like it has been sunburned or windburned. I washed her with a cool rag, it didn't do any good. Hubby fell asleep right after work, I woke him up for dinner. I had to repeat something to him 5 times before he finally answered. He didn't even realize I was talking for the first 4 times I spoke.
I WANT TO RUN AWAY, of course it would be only for a short time because I would miss my family too much.
My dad gave us an old snowblower that he fixed. I am happy about that. No more shoveling for my poor back or shoulders.
I WANT TO RUN AWAY, of course it would be only for a short time because I would miss my family too much.
My dad gave us an old snowblower that he fixed. I am happy about that. No more shoveling for my poor back or shoulders.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
First "accident"
Not really an accident per se but K told me she had to go potty so I got her PJs unzipped she said she wanted to go by herself, so I let her. She couldn't get her underwear down fast enough so she peed on the potty through them. LOL. I know she is not ready full on constant potty use but at least she is trying.
big girl underwear
So K asked me this morning if she could have big girl underwear. We talked about it and I explained that big girl underwear are for girls that can use the potty all the time and not pee in their pants. They have to know when they have to go potty and then go on the potty. She said she could. So we tried it and she did. Off she and I went to the store. We got groceries and the last stop was the underwear aisle. I gave her 4 choices and she mulled them over for a few minutes before deciding on Dora. So my little girl is sporting some Dora panties now.
Friday, January 18, 2008
last night and this weekend
Starting today our high temperatures for the next week or so is only going to be in the single digits. AYE! so cold. I can say for certain that me and the kids will be staying home. If I do get out in the afternoon, it will be when hubby is home so I can leave the kids here. The only thing nice about temperatures that low is that it rarely snows here when it is so cold.
Last night was a bit difficult in mi casa. The baby went to sleep fine as did the older kid. I should have known they had conspired against me. You see, my shoulder has been hurting so I decided to take 1/2 of a prescription pain killer before bed, 1/2 because the full one sometimes leaves me feeling worse in the morning than if I had never taken the pill. 1/2 is enough to numb the pain yet leave me coherent and able to function fully. I fell asleep almost immediately last night. At 1 am the older child woke up scared. She had a nightmare of some sort. I am still not sure what, she has no recollection this morning of screaming and scaring the daylights out of her mom, who was in the midst of a very peaceful, drug induced, relaxed sleep. So of course I had to go to the bathroom and check on the baby since I was already awake. I finally fell back asleep about 1:30. At 5:30 the baby woke me up. She was happy and just a cooing away in her crib. Daddy was awake but daddy is no help in the morning because he is slow as it is getting ready for work, the last thing he needs is to feed the baby. He gets out the door just in time every morning. So the baby gets fed and starts playing. Just as the baby starts to fall asleep, I curl up on the couch, hoping to catch a quick hour or so nap before the older child wakes up. No such luck this morning, K woke up 1 hour earlier than normal. So K is wide awake, the baby is sleeping and momma feels like lying on the couch and not moving for the whole day. Definitely not taking any painkillers until nap time. Today is going to be a nap day for momma as well as the kids.
Last night was a bit difficult in mi casa. The baby went to sleep fine as did the older kid. I should have known they had conspired against me. You see, my shoulder has been hurting so I decided to take 1/2 of a prescription pain killer before bed, 1/2 because the full one sometimes leaves me feeling worse in the morning than if I had never taken the pill. 1/2 is enough to numb the pain yet leave me coherent and able to function fully. I fell asleep almost immediately last night. At 1 am the older child woke up scared. She had a nightmare of some sort. I am still not sure what, she has no recollection this morning of screaming and scaring the daylights out of her mom, who was in the midst of a very peaceful, drug induced, relaxed sleep. So of course I had to go to the bathroom and check on the baby since I was already awake. I finally fell back asleep about 1:30. At 5:30 the baby woke me up. She was happy and just a cooing away in her crib. Daddy was awake but daddy is no help in the morning because he is slow as it is getting ready for work, the last thing he needs is to feed the baby. He gets out the door just in time every morning. So the baby gets fed and starts playing. Just as the baby starts to fall asleep, I curl up on the couch, hoping to catch a quick hour or so nap before the older child wakes up. No such luck this morning, K woke up 1 hour earlier than normal. So K is wide awake, the baby is sleeping and momma feels like lying on the couch and not moving for the whole day. Definitely not taking any painkillers until nap time. Today is going to be a nap day for momma as well as the kids.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
I don't feel like doing anything
I am not sick. I woke up this morning before the kids. They are both still sleeping away. I am looking aroung the toy scattered livingroom. I usually clean up a bit after both kids are in bed but last night Hubby said I looked tired and told me just to go to bed, so I did. There is laundry to do, clean dishes to put away, a bathroom that needs to be cleaned and I don't feel like doing a thing. Of course I will do all that and more, because it is my job. Hubby gets up every morning and goes to work, whether he wants to or not, and I will do the same.
We talked quite a bit last night. He really likes me being home and is dreading the day that I return to working full-time. He understands that it will have to happen at some point but he says he likes coming home to his wife and kids and no stress. I told him that I am beginning to enjoy this stay at home mom thing and I am also dreading returning to work. I enjoy the break that working gives me but I also really love being here with my kids. Now that the baby is startling to babble and smile and want to play it is much more fun than it used to be.
We talked quite a bit last night. He really likes me being home and is dreading the day that I return to working full-time. He understands that it will have to happen at some point but he says he likes coming home to his wife and kids and no stress. I told him that I am beginning to enjoy this stay at home mom thing and I am also dreading returning to work. I enjoy the break that working gives me but I also really love being here with my kids. Now that the baby is startling to babble and smile and want to play it is much more fun than it used to be.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
whew!
I worked out to the Cindy Crawford video again today after having done my new one for the last 2 days. WOW. The other one is definitely a breeze compared to the Cindy one.
It is not yet 8 am here and I have already started on my water intake for the day. That is good. I did have a diet cola when I woke up. K and I are cleaning the upstairs today so I will get a workout carrying the vacuum and the carpet shampooer upstairs.
I asked Hubby if we can buy a better carpet shampooer when we get our tax return. He said I could. I really don't need to ask his permission to buy things but because I want one that is almost $200, I felt I should discuss it with him first. I would also like to get a better vacuum cleaner as well but the shampooer is more important right now. Our current one only picks up about 1/2 the water it lays out. Not cool. I have to go over the carpets 2-3 times in order to get it partially dry.
I have been asked on a board I am a member of what my fitness program is. So here goes.
I work out a minimum of 6 days a week. Because I can't get outside for cardio and I do not want to pay for a gym, I am doing light strength training everday but doing a different video. I recently bought a cardio video so I am going to mix it up a bit. My plan is to do my Cindy video one day, my cardio the next, Then either the Cindy one or the Kathy one and so on. The light strength training also has bits of cardio in it. I know that once I can get outside with the kids, I will slack on the weight training so in the end it will work out ok. I will probably only strength train once or twice a week in the summer, not because I don't like to, just because I LOVE being outside and will spend a lot of my time taking the kids for a walk or playing in the yard with them.
I am eating between 1500-1800 calories a day, keeping my fat % below 30, but shooting for below 25. I try to eat 1600-1700 a day but wanted to give myself a range for those hungry days. I eat 4-5 times a day. Dinner is my biggest meal. I work out in the morning as much as I can and then finish up when the kids are napping. I am drinking a minimum of 8 cups of water a day. I don't eat withing 2 hours of bedtime. Nothing is off-limits in my diet. I can eat whatever. I just have to write it down and eat it in moderation. If I know we are having a dinner that I love, I eat a lighter lunch and smaller snacks.
It is not yet 8 am here and I have already started on my water intake for the day. That is good. I did have a diet cola when I woke up. K and I are cleaning the upstairs today so I will get a workout carrying the vacuum and the carpet shampooer upstairs.
I asked Hubby if we can buy a better carpet shampooer when we get our tax return. He said I could. I really don't need to ask his permission to buy things but because I want one that is almost $200, I felt I should discuss it with him first. I would also like to get a better vacuum cleaner as well but the shampooer is more important right now. Our current one only picks up about 1/2 the water it lays out. Not cool. I have to go over the carpets 2-3 times in order to get it partially dry.
I have been asked on a board I am a member of what my fitness program is. So here goes.
I work out a minimum of 6 days a week. Because I can't get outside for cardio and I do not want to pay for a gym, I am doing light strength training everday but doing a different video. I recently bought a cardio video so I am going to mix it up a bit. My plan is to do my Cindy video one day, my cardio the next, Then either the Cindy one or the Kathy one and so on. The light strength training also has bits of cardio in it. I know that once I can get outside with the kids, I will slack on the weight training so in the end it will work out ok. I will probably only strength train once or twice a week in the summer, not because I don't like to, just because I LOVE being outside and will spend a lot of my time taking the kids for a walk or playing in the yard with them.
I am eating between 1500-1800 calories a day, keeping my fat % below 30, but shooting for below 25. I try to eat 1600-1700 a day but wanted to give myself a range for those hungry days. I eat 4-5 times a day. Dinner is my biggest meal. I work out in the morning as much as I can and then finish up when the kids are napping. I am drinking a minimum of 8 cups of water a day. I don't eat withing 2 hours of bedtime. Nothing is off-limits in my diet. I can eat whatever. I just have to write it down and eat it in moderation. If I know we are having a dinner that I love, I eat a lighter lunch and smaller snacks.
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