His First Visit To His New School

Kyle starts school in just a few days!  He will be starting 6th grade at a brand new school, in a new school district.  

The Target Order Mistake

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I know it's been a few years since I last posted.  I was focusing on my main blog: Beauty Brite.  

Last minute back to school shopping

Sunday is our only day for family and we took the time to go to Target for last minute shopping for Kyle.  His teacher gave us a list of things he needed so we bought everything he needs.  I will miss his first day of school and the rest of the days because Shannon will be dropping me off at work first and then drop Kyle off at school and head home.  His school is not too far from where we live. 

I packed everything so that it will be easy for Shannon to carry everything and bring Kyle to school and walk him to his classroom. 

While at Target, we also bought Kyle more underwear (he now has 15 pairs), which helps with rotating them from school and home.  We also bought him new socks because most of his pairs have holes or just look old and worn out. 

We now have a Keurig machine!  We were sent a box of different flavors of hot coffee and tea and a small sampler of ice coffee.  I tried the ice coffee and it is delicious!  I bought a big box of ice coffee at Target!  I look forward to making ice coffee at home.  I no longer need to spend the money at McDonalds for an ice coffee and can make it at home. 

New clothes for school and work

Last weekend and this weekend, I bought Kyle new clothes for school.  He was in need of new pants as his old ones were ripped and too short for him.  His new pants have an elastic waistband.  I also bought him new shoes for school.  This time, I bought him Skechers brand.  They are perfect because they have velcro. 

I did not have time to really shop for me because Kyle was with us, but I did manage to buy one new pair of flat shoes to wear for work! 

When I got home from shopping today, I searched Kohl's and Target.  As I was trying to add items to my cart on the Kohl's website, it would redirect to yahoo each time. 

Instead, I ended up going to the JC Penney website and spent over $111 on new clothes for work.  I also used a coupon code to save $20 off my order!  Every item that I bought at JC Penney is on sale or clearance!  I am looking forward to slowly building my wardrobe for work.  I bought two new pairs of pants and 4 tops that are suitable for work and 4 additional tops suitable for casual Friday or my days off.  The 4 additional tops for casual Friday would work for any day at work as well.  They are neutral enough. 

School and Expenses

Kyle starts school at the end of August.  I still do not know what day he starts, but I am thinking it is around the last week of August.  He is starting a new school this year, so he will have a new classroom and teacher.  When it comes to school, Kyle adjusts pretty quickly.  He just loves school and the routine of going everyday. 

 

Shannon was accepted into law school.  He will start in early September.  He will continue working part time and be there for Kyle to take him to and from school. 

 

I will continue with my full time job as well. 

 

With law school, there are a few expenses, such as books and other computer programs he needs.  Everything should settle down once we both start receiving regular paychecks.  He and I get paid on the same day, so that helps. 

New school next year

After two years of attending his current school, Kyle will be attending a new school next year.  Since we moved, it put us in a different zone. 

I wanted to get him enrolled into the new school before school ends because it would give me one less thing to worry about.  I tried calling the elementary school closest to us and after being transferred to the Pre-K EC teacher and then having to call back, I asked if we should just come in.  We stopped by and I was able to speak to the head EC teacher and she was able to determine that he would not attend their school.  She gave me the number to her supervisor at the main office/district office. 

I called the number from the parking lot since Shannon has a cell phone and we were already out and about for this purpose.  Anyway, she took down Kyle's name and address and looked up what school he will attend.  She said she will email the principal to let him know.  They will set up transportation too.  She gave me his teacher's name and said I could call her about a week after school ends to meet with her if needed.

I feel better that he will be ready to attend his new school.  We even drove by the school.  It is an elementary and middle school on one campus.

I was also informed that they use the same program as his current school. 

Back at school

After staying home on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and having Monday off, Kyle is back at school!

Kyle was really excited about returning to school.  He was getting bored.  I am glad he will be attending school all this week.  Shannon is working on Friday, so his mom will help get him to school that day.

My in-laws are moving on Wednesday.  They are driving up on Wednesday and their neighbors are driving their U-Haul for them on Thursday.  They will be staying with us on Wednesday and Thursday night for now. 

Work = Money = Missed School

Shannon was asked to work today, Thursday and Friday.  He is working split shifts, however, that also means Kyle will be unable to get to school.  Since we moved, we are driving him to school. 

Shannon said that he'd rather earn money and have Kyle miss three days of school.  I hate that's he's missing school, but we do need the money!  Shannon won't be taking any extra day shifts at work until after Kyle is out of school. 

Everything is new and exciting

Last night was our first night at our new apartment.  I did not sleep well because Kyle didn't want to go to sleep.  It didn't help that he was excited about being in a new place and running around.  I also think having soda a few hours before didn't help either. 

The phone rang a few times last night as well.  First, he was called in to work from another manager with the company.  He was asking Shannon to cover another security contract.  He is working 3 hours this evening, as well as Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!  Since he is working the rest of the week, we won't be able to take Kyle to school.  I was really thinking of getting a cab to take him to school in the morning but the expense of it and cabs are so unreliable here. So, Kyle will be missing school the rest of the week.

Changed Major Twice

I am looking at returning to college to earn my Bachelor's Degree.  This week, I changed my major twice!  Although, I won't be able to start until June.  I need to print out some forms, sign them and then scan/email them to the school or fax them.  We won't have our printer hooked up until after we move and even then, that depends on when Shannon will get around to setting up the printer. 

My original major was Sociology.  Earlier this week, I changed it to Social Science but then I read the description and courses for the Psychology Degree and that seems more interesting to me even more so. 

I am still against "loans," however I have been wanting to earn my degree for some time now.

Pink Polka Dot Plant

Earlier this week, I finally threw all of my plants away that I had in soil.  I kept my air plants.  I knew I needed to get rid of them for our move.  I already miss my plants. 

Yesterday, we stopped by Time Warner to return our cable box.  While we were there, I saw two plants in the back of their office near a window.  One was a peace lily plant and one was a lime green color plant!  It looked like a philodendron!  I even pointed them out to Shannon.  I already have plant-fever! 

Today, Kyle came home from school with a Mother's Day gift he made at school.  I received a Pink Polka Dot Plant in a cute clay pot that he painted blue with dots and other decorations on them!  It is so cute!  I put the plant in our kitchen near the window and as we were getting ready for bed, Kyle brought the plant in the bedroom and put it on our nightstand!  I tried putting it back in the kitchen, but then he brought it back into the bedroom.  So, we have it on our nightstand! 

Weekend

Kyle wasn't feeling well all of Saturday.  He kept coughing throughout the day.  Saturday night into Sunday morning, he woke up around 1am and was coughing like crazy.  I tried sitting him up with a second pillow.  He coughed like that for about an hour and he finally fell asleep after that.  I could hear him wheezing too.  Then he woke up coughing around 4am but that didn't last long. 

On Sunday, he seemed a little better than Saturday.  I am going to send him to school on Monday.  He has a short school week this week.  He is off on Thursday and Friday. 

Shannon worked his regular shift of Friday night and Saturday.  He was just called in to work tonight for a full shift!  Hopefully there will be more shifts needing coverage this week! 

Shannon found a full time position with his current employer.  They are hiring for a manager and the pay is really good.  I just hope he actually applies for it.  I told him not to tell anyone at work about it, but knowing him, he will and everyone else will end up applying it and he will forget to apply for it.

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! 

I passed my certification test!

I had my "big" test on Thursday morning.  After the test, I was unsure as to how I did and I did not feel as confident.  I was told it would take two business days to get my results, which would make Monday the day my scores would be posted online.  I just checked online and I passed!!!

Not only did I graduate with honors, but now I am certified.  Here is a screenshot of my "temporary" certificate:

I am so excited and surprised!  I am very happy to add this to my resume now.  My scores will be sent to the school as well. 

My Certificate

Look what just arrived!!!!  I definitely want to get a frame for my certificate.  We'll need two frames because Shannon earned his Bachelor's Degree a few months ago! 

Home Alone today

It was a long weekend!  We kept Kyle home on Friday because he wasn't feeling good.  Which left me with him for three very long days.  I was really looking forward to Monday because it would give me some quiet time. 

Shannon is working this morning.  He's working 7am until 3pm or so.  Kyle gets home around 2:40pm or so and Shannon should get home about an hour later. 

Since I am home alone, I am taking advantage to get things done!  I also plan on turning in our notice with the apartment office to let them know we will not be renewing our lease at the end of our lease.  Hopefully, we will hear back from the other apartment that we have been accepted!

I scheduled my certification test for this Thursday morning at 9am!  I am nervous, but definitely want to get it over with.  I plan on studying my notes here and there. 

Tax Refund and Certification Test

This morning, I checked our account and our State refund was deposited into our account!  

I choose to pay for the certification test online today.  I had to wait until today when there would be more money in our account.  I have to wait until tomorrow to actually try to schedule to take the test.  I want to get the certification test done and over with while the information is fresh in my mind.  In the meantime, I am going over my notes and trying to memorize and recall the questions from the final exam.  The certification test is very similar to the final exam. I definitely want to get certified so that I can add that to my resume and it's something to fall back on if we ever need it.  

I am also interested in taking a Medical Assisting course.  There is a school that offers a program, which can be completed in less than a year.  I may look into it more after we move since the apartment complex has a bus line right there! 

We still need to give a 60 day notice with our current apartment complex.  Shannon has been busy working.  I need him to write up a notice so I can turn it in.  But first, we need to figure out when we're moving... 

My in-laws called this afternoon just before Shannon had to get ready for work.  They asked if we were approved and based on what we were told, it looks like we will be.  They said they are going to apply too and get that process going.  I am surprised they don't want to see the property and the inside of the apartments.  They said they drove through the complex two years ago, but I don't think they've seen the inside of the apartments.  Maybe they are just really needing to move and want to save on rent.  Plus, they will be VERY close to us!  I am honestly surprised they are moving back here because they were very happy living near the beach (literally 10-15 minutes away). 

They also asked us if we wanted their artificial Christmas Tree and Shannon said we do.  I had mentioned to Shannon months ago that I would like to have an artificial tree so that we can decorate it.  It would be so pretty to have one!  In all the years we've been together, we've never had a tree at Christmas. 

Good news and still waiting on other news

I saw someone post a picture of their Salt Lamp on Facebook and it reminded me that I have a salt lamp but haven't been able to use it because the bulb went out.  I went to wipe down my lamp and decided to plug it in another outlet.  As I was trying to remove the stand, the lightbulb turned on!  Now that I know my salt lamp still works, I have it in the living room on our TV stand.  I will bring it back in the bedroom in the evening.  I am hoping it will help us sleep better and clean our air at the same time. 

We still have not heard back from the apartment.  I hope they call soon. 

I received some great news this evening.  I passed my final exam.  I was taking an online course in Medical Administrative Assisting through Career Step.  As an NC resident, our tuition is greatly reduced.  I had until April 30th to complete the course, but I finished and took my exam on March 1st.  I received an email today letting me know I passed.  When I went to check my score, I realized I passed with HONORS!!!! 

I am waiting for the school to let me know how I can receive my certificate of completion and they will also let me know how to go about taking the CMAA test, which means that I will be certified if I pass that test.  Certification means more pay with employers.  I am unsure if I am going to take the test.  If I can take it online, I will definitely look into it. 

Roughly 36 hours

For about 36 hours, I was feeling very dizzy and nauseous.  Yesterday, I pretty much threw up everything in my stomach (even water), including stomach acid. 

Every time I stood up, or moved just the slightest, I would feel dizzy and almost feel like blacking out.  I also felt light-headed.  Every movement hurt.  I felt like I had very little balance because when I stood up to walk, I would waver a bit.  It was like trying to walk on a trampoline when someone was jumping on it or walking on an unsteady boat. 

Thankfully, during this time, Shannon was off of work.  The whole time I wasn't feeling well, I was hoping I would feel better before Friday, when he would have to return to work.  It is Thursday morning and I am feeling better.  Last night, Shannon brought home some Italian frozen ice dessert cups.  I had two of them last night. 

While I wasn't feeling well, Shannon really stepped up and helped get Kyle ready for school yesterday and took him to the bus stop.  He even met him at the bus stop after school. 

I am still not sure why I was feeling sick and dizzy. 

Shannon got called in to work tonight.  He came in to the bedroom around 12:40am saying they want him to come in to work.  I told him I was feeling better.  He is working until 7am.  I am feeling well enough to get Kyle off to school today.  I've been up since 12:40am or so.  Catching up on emails, blogging and making a list of what I need to do today. 

Also, Shannon received some good news at work.  He said that any time he is working (even if he's called in) he will be getting his normal rate of pay!  Next week, they are wanting him to work at least 40 hours, maybe more! 

Back to school...again

I sent Kyle to school today since he looked well enough to make it through the day.  He seemed like his happy self this morning.  He is still coughing but I didn't want him to miss too much school.

I was feeling much better too.  I haven't missed any workouts either, so I am happy about that. 

Shannon is feeling what I was feeling a few days ago.  His body is feeling achy and tingly!  I hope his isn't as bad as ours!  He got the flu shot, so I didn't expect he would catch the flu from Kyle and I.