``Belly dancing performance

Oh my, I forgot to tell everyone that at belly dancing class on Sunday our instructor told us that we were all invited to be in her instructors recital/show next March. We would be performing the veil dance that we have been working on in this session.

I don't know yet if I am going to do it, probably not. But it would give me plenty of time to practice. We would have to wear actual costumes and everything. We'll see. If I decide to do it I'll let you all know,, all you locals could come see me preform ;)

Weight loss blog

I started another blog today. Its for me to keep track if exercise and what I eat and stuff like that. I always want to write about it but am worried that the readers here might get annoyed with hearing about what I eat and such so I am just starting a new blog so the ones that aren't interested don't have to hear about it! If you would like to follow my weight loss journey the 2ND time around you can find it here at http://losingit-jill.blogspot.com/

Late menu

I just realized I didn't post my menu for the week-----and can you imagine the world didn't come to an end??? lol------I've just been super busy with lots of things. And as I was writing out May on my marker board calender today I realized this next month isn't gonna slow down any!! We are having a garage sale this Sat...,, there is gonna be so much stuff here it isn't even funny,, because my whole family is bringing all there stuff to my house to try to sell!! I dont care as long as whatever doesn't sell they take right back with them upon sale ending because I certainly dont need all of it to stay here!! Then after the sale we are going over to my mom's to celebrate her and my grandpa's birthday. Then the next weekend is the weekend of Jess' birthday and mother's day,, they actually fall on the same day this year, May 10. She is gonna be 10 years old,, double digits,, its crazy!!!! Any who, back to this weeks belated menu:

Sunday-B-pancakes, L-lunch meat, D-hot dogs on grill, mac n cheese, carrots, cucumbers

Weekdays:
subway,
chicken tacos and re fried beans
ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans
salsa chicken, and rice
homemade pizza

Sat_B-oatmeal and toast, L-lunch meat, D-at moms

I have noticed that as it gets warmer I am losing my want to cook...... Obviously I am gonna continue to cook but I think things wont be quiet as fancy, lol,, not that they ever really were. :)

Help

Anyone know how to get the smell of gasoline out of clothes?????

Stuff

Stuff....clutter....crap.. there's lot of words for it and I have come to realize that I have way to much of it!!!! How much stuff does a family really need? Why do we think we need so much?

It really is ridiculous!!! We are having a garage sale next Sat., and so I've been going through things, cleaning and organizing, and getting MAD!! It makes it hard to clean things when there is stuff on everything! Sometimes I long for the days when Ben and I first got together and had hardly anything. Honestly, when we moved into our first house there wasn't even a stove, and we didn't have the money to buy one so we did without. It actually didn't even bother us that much because back then we just ate junk and I never really cooked anyways, we also didn't have a kitchen table. So needless to say, we didn't have a lot of extra crap laying around the house cluttering up things........................... now don't get me wrong, I'd much rather be in the situation that I am now, but there is a happy medium I think. Somewhere there is a point where its just enough. I am sure that that point is different for each family, for example, I have 3 kids, so the stuff needed in my house would obviously be different than say for example, my sisters house who will just have herself and her husband in it.

My point I guess is that I am on a mission to find out what I really need, and what is just cluttering up everything. And also I need to figure out the best place to store the things that I really need due to lack of space. It's bothering me so much today that I am debating on if I really even want/need to go to the big set of garage sales that I am planning on going to this weekend. Will I just be bringing in someone elses junk that I don't need? There are things that I do need for my kids though..... UUggghhhh,, I don't know what to do.

People just remember that STUFF doesn't make us happy!!!

The gym

The whole Y/gym/fitness center ,,,,is a whole new concept for me. I've never been big on exercising, and especially not in front of other people!!! I am to much of a worrier. Worrying about what people will think of me,, but then I joined belly dancing class and loved it, and realized there are people out there in this world that are bigger than me... and certainly if they can do these things than so can I. After all isn't it really all about what makes ourselves happy? So I decided the only way I am ever going to start really losing weight again is if I start exercising, but it proved to be to difficult at home. When I"m here Emma demands all of my attention and when she doesn't have it, she is screaming!! (anyone have any suggestions for that?)
So I decided that I would join our local YMCA,, they have the workout room, free childcare while you workout, and all the programs are discounted that they offer for the kids! I love it! And the big kids love it too! Even hubby, who was very sceptical likes going now too!

Its funny though,, as I'm working out so many things are going through my head. It's usually when I'm doing cardio, cause when I'm using the weight machines my full concentration is on lifting, but there I am working away at the elliptical,, sweating my hinny off(I never knew I was such a sweater until I started working out too) and these things are running through there,,I'll just list them,that will be easier
-why am I doing this?----so I can be healthy and get in shape
-will I ever be skinny?---will I ever be happy with the way my body looks?
-will I ever look like that girl?----remember Jill, the big goal is to be healthy
-I wonder why that guy is here? or that girl? I wonder how long they have been coming, they are still big,,,,,, will I be big forever?
-look how skinny that girl/guy is, are they only skinny because they workout---do they have an eating disorder?
-will I stick with this----YES
-I wonder what they are thinking about right now.
-will Bennie stick with this????
-I wonder what my body will look like at Dawn's wedding
-Man I'm tired
-wow only 5 min left
-I'm so happy I'm doing this!


I know now ya'll think I'm crazy,, but those things really run through my brain pretty much ever time I'm there. And it may sound like I'm judging other people, but I'm not,, I'm really just comparing myself to them. I shouldn't do that, but I do.

I really do enjoy it though,, I look forward to that hour of alone time(even though I'm not really alone), it is a great stress relief for me.

What do you guys think about when you workout?

Mondays stuff

Wow,, what a weekend. Saturday the big kids had the first soccer game/practice of the year. So its on.. we will be busy with that for the next couple of months. It really is fun though to see them doing something they truly enjoy,,, I found out though it will be a little more difficult for me to actually get to see the games this year due to our adventurous 15 month old.... Sitting in the stroller is just no fun, she wants to be out and running around like everyone else!

Then Saturday Jess got sick, then Sunday morning I was sick and down for the count pretty much all day. Emma had had it on Thursday, so I think shes in the clear,,, she actually started it all I think. Gary wasn't feeling to hot yesterday either.

I don't feel 100% today but I really think I need to get out and go over to the Y this afternoon. We cant go on Thursdays or Saturdays now due to soccer :( I know right now exercising doesn't sound to appealing to me but maybe by this afternoon I'll feel better. On Friday we went and did 60minutes of cardio!! 20 on treadmill, 20 on bike, 20 on elliptical,, one right after the other... I thought I would die,, but we managed. It was Ben's idea,, crazy boy!!!

MY menu plan is kinda lacking and thrown together this week but I did manage to figure one out so here it is:

Sunday----all up to Ben, due to my illness
Weekday meals:
fried veggie rice
tuna noodle casserole
crock pot steak
homemade pizza
Fri-Ben and I will be going to Paige's Crossing for a IPFW Warsaw center night out so the kids will probably eat at grandma's
Sat- ??

The new ride

Here is the view of my driveway from my front door. It's a 2006 Dodge Durango Limited Edition!! Now first let me say we are not fancy show off type people. We went to the car lot with a budget and price range in mind . We were very happy to find out that in the last few years our credit score has went up over a hundred points!!! And our interest rate went down by over half of what it was!!! Out of all this craziness, that was just the best news ever to me. We have worked very hard to repair our credit and now I can finally see it has paid off!!!

Anyways, back to the new car. It fits 8 people, leather seats, heated front seats, sun roof, DVD player, 18 inch wheels,,,,it pretty much has everything you could ask for. I LOVE IT!! OH yeah,,, and it has a HEMI!! :) LOL Jess told me she felt like a rich girl riding in that car! The kids love it too! This is a big step up for us and it feels kinda nice.

I am still a nearvous wreck though about the driving, but I would say its better to be extra careful, than careless. Have a super great day.
Jill

Easter pics

Here are a couple of pictures from the Easter egg hunt at my moms yesterday. They arnt real great ones but they work. Emma does have a cute little leather skirt on, but she hasn't grasped the concept of sitting like a lady yet, so its hard to tell and looks like shes just wearing tights:)

Overall it was a good day. For some reason being around everyone at once stresses me out.

After moms we went and surprised my dad! That was fun and nice to see him. I wanted to show him our new car. I knew he would appreciate it because he likes Dodges!

Menu plan 4-12

Here is whats on our plates this week. If you wanna join us, just call first! :)

Sunday:biscuits and gravy
grilled chicken salad
Easter dinner at moms

Weekday meals:
boneless pork chops, garlic potatoes, corn
grilled chicken, baked potato, green beans
????? this night is still up in the air,,, its gonna be a crazy night and I haven't figured it out yet
stir fry and rice
homemade pizza

Saturday: scrambled eggs, toast
steak, baked potatoes, corn

updates

Wow, its been a long week here! This little one always manages to make me smile though. We finally found out yesterday that the insurance company is going to call our van a complete loss.....totalled! So now we wait longer and find out what kind of check we might get to help get us a new vehicle....So guess who isn't going to get to see what no vehicle payments is like :( The car shop called us this morning and told us the cost of fixing the van would be $5,522.00-------------------OUCH!!!! Our van def. wasn't even worth that much... I guess I really know how to do some damage!

On a better note,,, I lost another 2.2 pounds this week, for a total of 19.6 lost in all! I put a thing in the side bar to help track my losses. WE have really utilized out Y membership this week. Here's what I did so far:

Monday-30min. cardio(treadmill and elliptical)

Tuesday10min on treadmill to warm up, then did the weight machines for the arms for about 40min.

Wednesday-break

Thursday-30min cardio (treadmill and bike),, then leg weight machines for 30 min.

Tonight we are going and the plan is 45 min of cardio, and Sat. morning we are gonna go and do 20 cardio and then the arms again. -------I would like to get there at least 5 days a week, and so far I am doing pretty good at it. I had been fixing dinner then going to workout, but I read yesterday that its not good to exercise on a full stomach, so last night I fed everyone a snack and then worked out , then came home and ate dinner. The majority of my loss this week happened last night so I think that is what I'm gonna try to start doing.

Emma is doing okay in the play room while we work out, she cried last night when we dropped her off in there but they said she stopped shortly after we left. I can see her on the t.v.'s on the cardio machines in the fitness room, so that makes me feel better. I know kids cry sometimes when their parents leave them, because I myself run a childcare business, but I rarely ever leave my kids, so that was very hard for me to walk out of the room when she looked so sad:(

I'm sure she will get used to it though. The big kids love going to the youth room because there is a air hockey table, wii system, computers, mini exercise equipment,,, and other kids to play with so they are loving it!!!

Here it is

Here it is for your viewing enjoyment.... it looks even worse when your actually there and up close

Update on van

Well, so here's what I know so far... the insurance guy called this morning and is having it towed to one of their shops and they will evaluate it there and then decide if its worth fixing or not. HE said we should know sometime tomorrow. Ben had to leave work this morning to go get the rest of our stuff out of it, because they are taking it about 35 miles away, his beloved golf clubs are in there so he wanted to make sure he got them out in case they decide to trash it. Then he went back to work. Our insurance covers a rental vehicle so we are going to get one tonight. When Ben went to get the stuff out he didn't have my camera, and could only take a pic on his phone and I don't think I have the cable to download it onto the computer. So I'm not sure if I will be able to post a pic,,, he was surprised though,, he said it was more damaged than he expected it to be. He said its a tough call to figure out if they will fix it or not,,,, the van is a 2002 with a lot of miles on it, and it would need a whole new front end and hood,,,, I don't know what those things cost. I guess we will find out tomorrow.

Thanks for all our well wishes!

Car accident

I got into an car accident today. I was driving and Jess was with me. We are both okay and so are the people that I hit, thank God. But I am very shook up. Nothing like this has happened to me before with the exception of the weekend after I got my drivers licence when I was 16, but no one else was involved, so I am freaking out. The van is probably totaled! The had to tow it away, the whole front end was torn off and it was leaking fluid everywhere. We just got that thing paid off too,, like a month ago. I'm so mad at myself and I feel so bad,,,,,,, I think I will wait til tomorrow to go into details,, it would just be a bunch of gibberish right now. I keep trying not to think about it but the whole scenario just keeps running through my head. We have to get a rental tomorrow afternoon and will try and go take pics at the tow place of the van and I will post them here and tell you all what happened in more detail.
So I'm signing off,, happy to be alive.

Big menu plan for week 4-6

This is our spring break week so all my kids plus the babysitting kids will be home! So I had to make sure I planned well so I wouldn't run out of food! So this week you will see breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner.

Sunday: eggs in a nest, sausage patties
cavatini, salad

Monday:B-oatmeal, L-tater tot casserole, S-purple cow, D-bean burritos, nachos

Tuesday:B-eggs, grapefruit, L-grilled cheese, chips, grapes, S-cheese and crackers, D-toastado casserole

Wednesday:B-cereal, L-noodle stuff and fruit cocktail, S-cinnamon crisps, D-BBQ sandwiches tater tots, green beans

Thursday:B-french toast sticks, L-lasagna skillet, S-popcorn and grapes, D-spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Friday:B-cereal, L-pizza wrap, S-fruit snacks, D-fried ravioli, garlic bread, salad

Saturday:B-cereal, L-pizza, D-cheesy bread, broccoli salad

Weigh in day

I managed to still lose a pound this last week,, so that puts my new total to 17.4lbs total. I still have a lot to go but that's still progress. I think we are gonna go and get a membership at the YMCA tonight,, now I just need to get over my fear of looking stupid and everything will be fine,, I guess if I can go to belly dancing class working out at the Y should be okay right?
I ordered a hip scarf off of eBay,, its one of the things you see tied around the dancers waist that has the coins on it and jingles when you wiggle and shake :) I'm super excited to get it!

Everyone have a great weekend!

Wednesday night (I'm not very creative with my titles :)

Tonight after Ben left for bowling I decided to take the kids out for a walk. We ended up walking to a local park that's not to far away. So they really enjoyed that. There wasn't anyone there accept us, so I had Jess help watched Emma and I ran around the big grassy area that they have there. Let me tell you,, I am not a runner! I was so outta breath, but I kept going, then I walked a lap. I think I might keep trying that when we go there, but I'm not sure if I am brave enough to do it if others are there. I don't like people watching me.

Today I made out a full menu for next week, all the kids will be home for spring break so I wanted to plan lunches so I would make sure to have enough for everyone! I got it all done, and I already have my shopping list planned for the weekend.

Pizza :(

Good morning all! There hasn't been much to blog about around here lately, so I thought I'd just post some more rambles.

I have been doing really well with counting calories and staying within my recommended number until last night,,, Bennie wanted to go to the Pizza Hut dinner buffet,,,I love pizza, and when we go out and pay for something like that I feel the need to get my moneys worth. I know, its awful,, I overate by way to much! It sure was yummy though,,, but I payed for it, all night my stomach hurt and I felt nauseous. I have noticed that whenever I am trying to eat right and then blow it my stomach always feels yucky! That will teach me I guess. So then this morning I was up 2 pounds on the scale :( But I'm sure its salt and water retention, so hopefully I will do really well today and then be back down tomorrow.

I need to get on that freaking treadmill. Its been calling my name for weeks, I just cant seem to ever figure out the right time to do it. Excuses excuses....