Awakening

I had an awakening tonight.  I realized that I am trying to maintain my blog as I did before I started my full time job.  I am used to spending all of my time on my blog.  I have realized that trying to update my blog every night is tiring and very difficult.  It is taking away from my personal time, family and other things. 

I am going to finish up on my current reviews and try my hardest not to accept any new reviews.  I have been selective in the last few weeks but I am still exhausted when I get home from work.

My blog was my full time job and I am still treating it as a full time thing.  I am unable to do this anymore because I am at work for 9 hours a day.  By the time I get home, I am very exhausted and just want to relax.  Tonight was the breaking point. 

Our toilet flooded tonight which meant we had to soak up all of the water with our towels.  By the time we caught it, the water was a good inch or two in the bathroom.  I threw about half of towels in the washer and the other half is in the tub for now. 

I go to sleep around 9pm because I set my alarm for about 5:20am and get out of bed around 5:40am or so.  I want to be well rested when I wake up in the morning. 

Blog Convention

Today, I received an email stating that I was chosen to be a volunteer at a blog convention.  I am excited, however, I am now trying to find sponsorship.  This is the biggest and most popular blog convention out there.  I have heard of bloggers getting so many freebies that they had to ship them home. 

The convention is in Chicago, the week of my birthday.  I may have to get there early and have training on my birthday!  =) 

It is still undecided if I can/will go.  I definitely want to go. 

More hours this week

Shannon was called in for extra hours this week.  He is working tonight and tomorrow night.  Hopefully it will be like this for a few weeks because they had to let someone go.  We hope he will be the one to help cover most of those open shifts! 

I finished polishing up my book reviews!  They now have amazon affiliate links and they are SEO friendly!

Properous Month with my Blog

It is only the second day of April and it has been very prosperous for my blog!   The major portion of my earnings is from last month's work from one site.  I earned the other part from sponsored posts from two other sites.  I am transferring most of my earnings to our bank account.

Shannon hasn't been feeling well the last few days, so he was unable to work any extra hours.  My blog earnings are helping us through these times.  Hopefully he will get more hours soon.  He is feeling better today but no call to come in to work.

I spent the majority of today going through all of my book reviews to edit them to make the SEO (search engine optimization) friendly and also change/add my affiliate links.  I hope that all the time I am spending on editing my posts will help improve my page rank and traffic to my blog. 

Long week finally over

This was definitely a long week, or at least it felt like it.  I hated that Shannon had to go out of town for training.  However, in the end, the "certificate" will look good on his resume.  He will receive a "certificate of completion" but there are more hours he needs to complete before he receives an official certification.  He came home early on Wednesday, Thursday and today. 

He goes back to work tonight.  We hope he will be given more hours this week since he went about two weeks without very many extra hours. 

This week, I stocked up on toilet paper from Walgreens.  Their store brand (Nice!) was on sale for 2 (6 rolls) for $5!  Plus, you earned 250 points when you bought 2.  250 Points = $0.25.  Which equals to $2.38 each.  I ended up buying 2 on Wednesday and went back on Thursday and bought 2 more.  The rolls looks like Charmin too.  We have a pack of Angel Soft (a name brand) and the rolls look so small compared to the Nice! brand. 

Every Friday of this month, we had to pack a lunch for Kyle.  It seems they are practicing/participating in the Special Olympics!  The first two weeks was basketball and (I think) bowling.  This week was track & field.  This morning, I could tell Kyle wasn't feeling good.  He was coughing, but he seemed well enough to go to school.  Today he came home and he's coughing more.  I think it will be a long weekend of him getting better.  Hopefully he will be better by Monday because next week is a short week.  He is off Thursday and Friday and the rest of the week after that for Spring Break.  

Earlier this week, it seemed I received at least 4 or 5 boxes a day!  That only happened Monday and Tuesday.  By the end of the week, it was less boxes.  I am receiving so many pitches for skin care products that I am adding a reviewer to my blog.  Thankfully, the person I added is already a fellow blogger, so I am excited.  She also does reviews and I told her she could do the reviews on both her blog and mine! 

So much done!

It isn't even noon and I have done so much today!  I am doing my last load of laundry (I did two loads earlier).  This morning, right after I put Kyle on the bus, I threw away all of the boxes that were taking up our kitchen.  As a blogger, I get a lot of packages.  I also cleaned our floors and washed our mats.  Our sheets have been changed and our towels are being washed. 

In between all of that, I wrote two product reviews.

This weekend, I received a frame and my two salt lamps that I purchased from Walmart.  My poster is now in a frame and it looks gorgeous! 

Since we are moving in May, I am saving every big box we receive.  So far, I have three boxes from Walmart orders that I am saving. 

Shannon called to let me know that he will be working until 8:30pm or so tonight.  There was a call off so he's going to cover another site after he finishes his 8 hour shift. 

Blog Conferences

I would love to go to a blog conference, however, they are very expensive.  Most bloggers find sponsors to pay for their trips and in return, they offer advertising, features, etc on their blog and offer to represent their company at the conference. 

Conferences are a great way to meet other bloggers and also network with companies. 

This year, I entered a giveaway to win a ticket to a blog conference, hotel stay and a little spending money.  I figured, it can't hurt to enter.  I also just applied to be a volunteer at another blog conference.  We'll see if I am chosen.  If not, no biggie.  However, if I get chosen to volunteer, I would have to pay for hotel, transportation (airfare) and other expenses (food, etc).  I believe they have meal tickets included as a volunteer but if I wanted to eat outside of the conference. 

I talked to Shannon about attending a blog conference and he is encouraging me to.  I told him that I haven't pursued it in the past because of funding the trip. 

Blog issues resolved?

For the last month or so, I have been having issues with my other blog, Beauty Brite.  Beauty Brite is all about product/book reviews, giveaways and more!  It has also become my "full time job/hobby."  I love it.  It has also helped me earn money here and there.  Over a year ago, I switched to self-hosted wordpress, which means I own my blog and my content.  When I was "hosted" with blogger, I saw it as "unsafe" because blogger had the ability to delete my blog without warning or without notice for any reason they wanted.  I wanted to protect all of my hard work and my writing by switching to wordpress.  I also pay for my own hosting. 

Anyway, in late January/early February, I started having issues with posting and editing content.  I was unable to post new posts and edit current posts or pages.  You can read about it here.  After getting it fixed, it started happening again.  It would happen after I logged on to my blog from one computer and then log on from another computer.  Anyway, I found out about a security plugin to install and every since I installed it, I no longer have an issue.  With the plugin, I was able to run a scan and then whatever issues they found, I was able to "remove" the threat!  I am so glad my blog seems to be working again with no issues. 

Still sick or sick again...

Kyle is still sick or sick again.  He pretty much stayed in bed all day today.  His daddy came home around 7:30am or so because he worked the graveyard shift.  Shannon stayed up with us until about 9am-9:30am.  Kyle went to lay down with him and ended up staying in bed/sleeping the entire time.  Kyle was coughing throughout the day.  He won't drink water or take medicine.

Since Kyle was sick in bed, I was able to get a lot accomplished.  I was able to post several reviews and do two loads of laundry. 

I hope he's better by Monday morning because I would hate for him to miss more school.

Blog is working again!

My main blog, Beauty Brite was not allowing me to post or edit posts and pages.  Essentially, I was unable to update my blog.  I couldn't post reviews, giveaways, paid/sponsored posts, etc.  In January, I earned $260 in sponsored posts on my blog, it may be more that from other sites that I haven't reached payout yet. 

My blog was down from Wednesday mid-morning (I was able to post early in the morning) until Friday early afternoon.  I called my hosting company yesterday and today and finally had them walk me through how to restore my blog.  I ended up restoring my blog from January 2, 2013.  After the restore, I was able to post again and everything seemed to be working.  As I was updating plugins, I realized my blog was back to not letting me post.  I realized it was the plugins, so I had to remove each one to see which one was causing the issues. 

My blog is back and fully functioning! 

Thankfully, I did not miss out on two more paid posts.  One was due tomorrow and will earn me $15.  I just wrote another one tonight that will earn me over $20. 

While my site was "down" I typed up my reviews in WORD so they were ready to paste on to my blog. 

Two more products

I received a delivery from FedEx and UPS today.  They literally stopped by within 5 minutes of each other.  It was pretty funny!  I received two more products to review, plus a book to review. 

I also wrote two product reviews tonight.  I am trying not to get behind on reviews and make time for other things.

New blog opportunities and waiting

I am axiously waiting for my casserole dish to get here!  I don't know when it was or will be shipped but I hope to get it soon.  I am looking forward to using it. 

I am also waiting for my Jillian Michaels' DVDs to get here.  I can't wait to try her workouts!  I love my current workout program but to add something new will be a treat! 

I have not heard anything more from the credit union, so I don't know if I was approved or will be approved.  I just want to start out with a savings account and then apply for a credit card or even a secured credit card to rebuild my credit.

We are doing better financially with Shannon working two jobs.  He has a separate bank account and his own credit card with another bank.  He has his security job paychecks going straight to that account.  He uses that account for his own spending money, such as gas, food, etc.  He just switched his Best Buy direct deposit to our joint account.  I will be using that to pay our bills!

I ended up pitching a PR firm that represents Soda Stream and I will be receiving the "genesis system" to review!  I am excited!  We don't drink a lot of soda, but this sounds like a healthier alternative since it uses water to make the soda! 

I am still on schedule with my new workout program: Les Mills Combat!  It's a little difficult but very motivating and fun!  Once I receive my Jillian Michaels' DVDs, I may add them here and there.

Good to be home

It is so good to be home.  Nine days is too long to be away from home.  I started feeling homesick and I think Kyle did too.  I was ready to return home after only 4 or 5 days. 

I have a few obligations at home that I want to keep up with. 

Today is our first full day home.  I am caught up on laundry!  I woke up early to update my blog.  I also did yoga and pilates after nine days without it. 

I won an iPad 2!!!

I checked my email this morning and was notified that I had won an iPad 2 from a giveaway that I entered on a blog.  At first, I wasn't sure if it was even real mainly because the email she used is not an email address I use for giveaways.  However, with the system that is used, we can login with Facebook and that's the email address she contacted me at, the email address I use on Facebook. 

I love entering giveaways and even hosting giveaways...but to actually win a high ticket item is incredible!  There were a total of 47606 in this giveaway.  I am still in shock but so excited!  It will be delivered this week!  

Here are the iPad 2 Features: 

• 16gb storage
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
• Back camera: Video recording, HD (720p) up to 30 frames per second with audio; still camera with 5x digital zoom
• Front camera: Video recording, VGA up to 30 frames per second with audio; VGA-quality still camera
• Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music
• Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system
• Audio formats supported: HE-AAC (V1 and V2), AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
• AirPlay Mirroring to Apple TV support at 720p

In the box:

• iPad
• Dock Connector to USB Cable
• 10W USB Power Adapter
• Documentation

It's mine, again

I feel like a huge weight has been lifted.  In late December, I started a virtual book tour company and soon after, I took on a partner to help.  Well, I quickly learned it turned into me answering to another person which I didn't like.  We decided to part ways and my blog and virtual book tour company is mine again!  I feel free! 

I can run my virtual book tour company the way I want to and build it the way I want to! 

New Year, New Start, New Beginning

Welcome 2012!  It's a New Year, which means a new start!  I like to look at the New Year as a new beginning.  Last week, I decided to re-start Turbo Fire.  Since it's been a few weeks, I realized that I am unable to just jump back into the regular workout schedule, so I am starting with the PREP schedule. 

I hope to work on myself as well this year.  In addition to parenting, I am making health, college, and my blogs a priority in  my life!

Our last night!

We had a busy day today!  After we got Kyle on the school bus, we packed up and organized everything else that needed to packed away into the UHaul.  I pulled out our clothes for tonight and tomorrow.  We wanted everything [that needed to be packed into the UHaul] to be ready to go at 9:30 AM. 

Shannon, his dad, and the neighbor left around 9:30 AM to drive the UHaul to our new apartment to unload it.  Apparently it only took them 30 minute to unload all of our stuff.  The neighbor did most of the heavy lifting and moving everything, he kept insisting on doing everything. They were back around 12:30 PM or so. 

While Shannon was gone, I did a little more cleaning and organized our stuff to make sure it was all ready to go for another trip we were taking after Kyle got home from school.  I also had time to update my blogs!  I wrote two book reviews for my blogs!  I am trying to get caught up on my reviews.  I have 4 product reviews to do and 3 books to read and write reviews for!

Shannon packed the car while I waited for Kyle at the bus stop, so by the time Kyle and I got home, we were ready to go.  We left shortly after we let Kyle get settled in.  I washed his hands and gave him a snack and water.  We spent about 2 or 3 hours at our new apartment.  Shannon and I both had our own agendas!  He set up the TV stand, TV, cable box, computer table, etc.  Meanwhile, I cleaned our dining table and kitchen counter tops.  I also unpacked our clothes and hung them in the closet.  I also tried to empty as many boxes as I could so we could take them back to pack more.  I "helped" Shannon set up our mattresses.  We are considering getting a new TV because the one we have isn't digital as we bought this TV about 5-7 years ago! While we were at our new place, we realized that there is no light fixtures in the bedrooms or living room, so it was kind of dark.  We had to improvise and turn on the light nearest to the rooms we were in.  So, we need to buy lamps for the bedrooms and living room! 

I am a little concerned that my houseplants won't survive in our apartment.  Our windows don't get much light since they are covered/surrounded by bushes or trees.

Tonight is our last night here.  I can't wait until we are officially in our new place!  I hope we can figure out how to hook up the washer in the kitchen!  We still have a lot of cleaning and organizing to do!  I can't wait until our moving is done and over!  We plan on going grocery shopping this weekend so we'll have food!  We've been eating out all this week and I am already tired of it. 

New Blog

I started a new blog about 3 weeks ago and it's going good!  I found a whole new world of blogging and it's been fun so far.  I found blogs that offer giveaways and host "blog hops."  I've been entering giveaways that look appealing to me and I have joined blog hops and will start hosting blog hops too.  Blog hops are a way to make new friends, network, gain new followers, and gain more traffic to your blog. 

Since I want to host more giveaways on my blog, I was contacted by a fellow blogger and she gave me a short list of companies that are looking for bloggers to host giveaways or do reviews of their products.  I contacted a few companies and one of them gave me a $35 discount code for their site.  I used it to purchase a food processor.  I will be doing a review on the product on my blog.  I chose a food processor because I want to start making homemade energy bars! 

Birthday Weekend

On Friday, July 24th (my birthday), I decided to treat myself and I bought more mineral makeup. The company that I represent is having a really awesome sale, so I had to take advantage. Plus, I am in need of more makeup. The makeup that I bought will last at least a year, if not more! A little mineral makeup goes a long way!


We had another quiet weekend. All I can think and hope for is the two recent jobs I applied for! I am really hoping to get a call back for the County Job, although the other job would be just as great! From what I hear, this city/area hires based primarily on nepotism, friendships, and schoolmates. I am still keeping my fingers and toes crossed!

I've been blogging like crazy this weekend. Some of my blogs have been neglected, so I am trying to keep them updated. In addition, I did a "paid to blog" post, now I am just waiting for it to be approved. There's another opportunity for me to do, I may work on it when I have free time. I was looking for other ways to get paid to blog and joined a site where I can submit my articles/writings. I get paid when people read them. All but one has been approved so far!

Shannon and I went out to Chili's today (Sunday) for my birthday! I originally wanted to get the 3 courses for $20 special, but Shannon didn't want to. Shannon got ribeye steak and I got a shrimp alfredo dish. The food was so-so, nothing to be impressed about, but the service was great.

Keeping Up

My in-laws return home tomorrow evening. Shannon and I are going to do a quick tidying up around the house before they return, I am also going to do last minute laundry.

I worked out with Turbo Jam yesterday and it was really fun. I couldn't wait to do it again today! It looks like I won't have a problem staying motivated to workout, it gives me a ton of energy. So far, I am only on the beginning workout. I just want to familiarize myself with the "elite 11 moves" before I go any further. I woke up a little sore today, but it was a good type of sore!

I checked my email today and found that my paid blog post was approved, which means I earned money for that post. The minimum payout for that site is $50, so I will have to keep checking for more assignments.

Shannon was chosen to try and review a product for MySurvey, a reputable survey site that I belong to. He gets to try a deoderant product, it's unmarked, but Shannon says it's Speedstick, just from smelling it. We don't necessarily get paid to take these surveys, but we do earn points that we can redeem for cash or prizes.