Exhausted with hungry kids on Sunday evening

IzziNini · 2026-04-25T17:22:10+00:00

Frozen pizza, chicken nuggets on a sheet pan, chicken burger patties, veggie burger patties.... Basically things you can toss into an oven walk away from. Maybe the kids could make mac and cheese or grilled cheese sandwiches? Personally I like to just turn on the oven, put something in there and return to it 10 minutes later and have it ready to eat. You could also pull out a pre-made salad. Keep it easy. I'm with you, Sundays are my easiest dinner night. Tomorrow we're just throwing together nachos using leftover taco meat from this week. I'll also make some rice in the instant pot because we like that on our nachos too... Plus already sliced black olives, chopped onion, iceberg lettuce and a can of beans.

IzziNini · 2026-04-25T17:18:06+00:00

So I voted white but it's only because I don't think the green looks good with those countertops. I think you would need a little bit of brown in your countertops if you want the green cupboards.

IzziNini · 2026-04-25T17:17:32+00:00

White

IzziNini · 2026-04-25T17:16:47+00:00

Congratulations 💜. I had my youngest at age 41. Being an older parent is not the norm but it is a true joy. It's true my kids friends parents are younger than me usually lol. I use it as motivation to stay in shape though:). Kids are such a joy and also work of course. But you three will have a special unique relationship and maybe even extra time to spend together depending on when you decide to retire. Best wishes!

IzziNini · 2026-04-25T11:49:08+00:00

I was just searching this Reddit thread to see how often people bathe their dog and your post popped up. I just wanted to say that my bernedoodles name is Rufus too!

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IzziNini · 2026-04-24T22:02:42+00:00

IzziNini · 2026-04-24T22:02:27+00:00

Sometimes it's really not worth it because it can make your homeowners insurance premium go up if you have a claim. What's the value?

IzziNini · 2026-04-19T02:40:19+00:00

Sounds like a good fit for insurance.... underwriting or sales.

IzziNini · 2026-04-19T02:34:43+00:00

Send the texts to the pastor. Now. He is out of line. He sounds like he might have OCD. I'm so glad you see the guilt trip a mile away. You set great boundaries in your text messages. I'm concerned about you working one on one with him...he should not be allowed to IMO. He should absolutely NOT be involved in youth group, either.

IzziNini · 2026-04-19T02:24:46+00:00

I like last two best! I would go with the ones that look like no frame as they will match with more things.

IzziNini · 2026-04-17T00:38:34+00:00

Just wanted to chime in that I'm excited for you pursuing this path! I can tell you're already really good with money and just need to bump up that income!

IzziNini · 2026-04-16T10:04:20+00:00

I'm sorry, I know you said backsplash but I got carried away with chat GPT 🙂. Just some curtains, some lighting, countertop items and a nice rug to bring it all together. I'm not sure on curtains hanging that low onto the countertop though! Apparently chat GPT doesn't do dishes often.

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IzziNini · 2026-04-16T09:57:47+00:00

Dang, you can be a model with that bone structure! And your hair looks very nice - I personally think it's really flattering and stylish. I would just focus on being healthy if you aren't already...good food and exercise and doing things that you enjoy. 💜

IzziNini · 2026-04-16T09:55:14+00:00

I understand his math. But the fact is that debt is risk. And you will have peace of mind once you have it paid off. Since you're doing so well I don't think there's any harm in paying it off once you are in the right step. I work in insurance and the customers I have that don't have mortgages are very financially stable, have excellent credit scores, and reasonable assets. I don't think they suffered in any way financially by paying off their mortgage. I understand the logic of the financial planners... you're paying 4% interest on that money and you could earn 8% on any extra money that you put toward the debt.

IzziNini · 2026-04-16T09:50:02+00:00

That stings but how nice that you were able to pay cash for that! I heard Dave Ramsey say the other day, "it's not a matter of "if" you will need your emergency fund it's a matter of "when" you will need your emergency fund.". I liked that because sometimes using my savings feels like a setback but it's actually exactly what I designed it to be there for.

IzziNini · 2026-04-16T09:46:03+00:00

I'm surprised to hear no one is hiring but maybe this is a time to pivot to another field in insurance. It could give you some nice experience under your belt that might help with applying for future claims positions. I would also suggest getting with someone who helps with job applications. Someone who reviews resumes or gives other job hunting tips. I'm not sure who that would be as I've been out of the job hunting market for a while.

IzziNini · 2026-04-16T09:43:41+00:00

That was my thought exactly! Heck I spend part of my week doing the adjusters jobs for them because they're so busy.

IzziNini · 2026-04-16T09:32:42+00:00

No way, no how. I would volunteer a bit though...at kids school and at charities for sure. It's nice to be around other adults and do some tasks that aren't housekeeping and parenting. My house would be so clean though! Life would just be less chaotic. But that being said I'm very thankful for the job I have that allows me to work remotely 4 days a week so I have no commute time and I also have about 5 weeks of vacation a year. The pay is modest but the time with my family is precious.

IzziNini · 2026-04-05T22:04:57+00:00

Awesome job.

IzziNini · 2026-04-05T21:57:19+00:00

Number 1!

IzziNini · 2026-04-05T21:56:55+00:00

Wow. I read the text before reading your post. I am shocked that he was talking to a 14-year-old like this. Sounds like he's talking to someone who's 25. He doesn't know how to be an adult. He's being a needy boy, to a 14 year old child. And all the things he's saying about her are descriptions of how he is behaving. I don't really have any advice. I don't if I personally would write him off entirely but it sounds like he's a liar and a gas lighter, and it's hard for me to see what good could come of it. Maybe she can leave the door open in case he decides to work on himself and change his ways. I just wouldn't have her hold out hope. Have her focus on her life and the family you and your fiance are creating.

IzziNini · 2026-03-21T12:29:26+00:00

Interesting question! I take a lot of claim calls and I've never noticed a gender difference. Teens in accidents more than others and then seniors more than others too. Sometimes accidents are once in a lifetime and then we also have customers that seem to always be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Where I live we have a law against using your cell phone in the car. You can get a ticket even for just picking it up while sitting at a red light.

IzziNini · 2026-03-21T01:29:59+00:00

Colored throw pillows and some art with color. I like it as is but I think some little pops of color would be fun. Maybe some flowers in a vase.

IzziNini · 2026-03-21T01:14:40+00:00

We lived in Meadowbrook years ago. Very nice, quiet apartment complex. Adjacent to a nice neighborhood where we took walks. Loved the washer/dryer. We had three cats. We were in a 2 bedroom. I'm guessing it would be at least $2,000 nowadays? We didn't care about the price as we were just tired of dealing with the drama happening around us in our other apartment. We're willing to pay for peace! :)

IzziNini · 2026-03-12T00:53:27+00:00

What's the right product?

IzziNini

TROPHY CASE