Snow!

It ended up snowing yesterday evening and all throughout the night.  The school district decided to close the schools for Friday and let everyone know yesterday evening.  I found out on Facebook from a local radio station's status update!  There were other people who commented saying they received phone calls (we never received a call).  I was planning on watching the local news station's website for updates if I didn't hear anything.  We do not have local TV, so I have to depend on the internet for news and updates. 

Since Kyle was home all day today, I did get a few loads of laundry done.

I am not sure what I will be doing this weekend.  I'm thinking about making soy candles!  I still have 3 more batches to make!  I am still burning candles from the first two batches I made in December.  I just love soy candles!  I also have a plugin tart warmer, which I use for any leftover wax from burned candles or from my tarts that I make from the leftover wax from when I make the actual jar candles.  I have the plugin tart warmer right next to my desk, so I turn that on while I am online.  It's nice to add scent to the room. 

Christmas Tree Soy Candles

Yesterday, I made another batch of soy candles!  This time I made Christmas Tree scented candles and tarts!  The color is supposed to be "Forest Green" but it looks more turquoise.  Either way, they smell great! 

Candy Cane Soy Candles

 

I just made 3 8oz soy candles tonight.  I made candy cane scented candles.  I picked candy cane to be festive for Christmas! 

Each pound of wax makes 2 8oz candles and at least 4 or 5 1oz tarts!  Instead, I stretched this batch to make 3 8oz candles.  So one of the candles is smaller than the other two.  Next time I will only make 2 8oz candles and tarts!

They smell really good and now our home smells like candy canes! I am addicted!  I plan on making more batches of candles this weekend.  I may need more candle supplies by next week!

The weekend

I am looking forward to this weekend because I just received my candle jars!  I plan on making my soy candles! 

I don't have any other plans, except watching Kyle and maybe get through our laundry! 

Going to make soy candles again

I was considering joining a home business that sells soy candles, tarts and other accessories for soy products but I didn't want to worry about making a purchase here and there and pay a fee to maintain an affiliate website.

Instead, I decided to try making my own soy candles [and tarts if I have wax leftover] just because it was so much fun!  While it can be messy, it's a great hobby for me!

I bought the soy wax, wicks, fragrance and color.  I just need to buy the jars from Walmart.

I love soy candles so much, I figured it will be more affordable for me to make my own!  This will give me something to do while Kyle is at school and Shannon is at work.  We are also doing a little better financially, so it's not a big expense. 

The things I love!

Happy Monday!  It's a new week! 

I decided to do the things that make me happy.  This past weekend, I made more soy candles and had extra wax leftover to make tarts too!  I also put some candles up for sale through my Facebook page.  Once I sell the soy candle sets I have for sale, I hope to buy more candle supplies! 

Last week, I was still getting over the flu but while I wasn't feeling 100%, I was working out.  Instead of doing Turbo Fire, I went back to Turbo Jam all of last week.  This week, I am back to doing Turbo Fire!  I am restarting the schedule from the beginning.  I hope to stick to the schedule as much as possible! 

Yummy smelling day

This morning I made more soy candles!  I made lavendar colored candles in a Pineapple Jasmine scent.  I had plenty of soy wax leftover to make tarts too.  They smelled so delicious as they were curing.

As my candles and tarts were curing, I decided to make blueberry muffins.  I am having a hard time finding one ingredient to make them, so I also bought "Duncan Hines" blueberry muffin mix.  They turned out pretty good!  I put most of them in the freezer and will take some out the night before so that Shannon can eat them.

The entire day, our home smell like candles and blueberry muffins!  

Something old and new

While I was working out yesterday, I looked down at my abs and was not happy with what I saw.  Since I don't want to use belly wraps or spanx, mainly because I can't afford to buy them, and second they are only temporary solutions.  There is a home business out there that sells "body wraps" and other wraps to "melt the fat" I believe.  But they seem to be temporary solutions.  I was tempted to look further into them but I'd rather go back to something that actually worked for me.

This morning, I woke up sore [from my workout yesterday] and thought about doing pilates again.  I did a 30 minute pilates workout and felt really good afterwards.  I am going to start incorporating pilates in my workout schedule.  If I am feeling sore, I will do pilates instead.  Or just add it on after my cardio.   I already know pilates works for me, so I don't need products to "hide" my fat.  I am going to use pilates to tone my body. 

Pilates worked for me after I had Kyle.  Eight days after I had Kyle, I started doing pilates again.  I had done pilates before and loved it so I couldn't wait to start doing it again.  I think pilates really helped me tone my stomach and my entire body. 

I am having a lot of fun trying to figure out how to make soy candles.  I love burning soy candles, so making them seems to make sense.  For now it's a hobby.  Plus, burning soy candles has an additional benefit, it adds fragrance to our apartment!

Moonlight Path

I made another batch of soy candles last night.  My monkey farts candles are almost gone, I am on my second candle and it's halfway gone.  I've been burning my candles as often as I can, especially while Kyle is at school. 

I made 2 8oz soy candles in "Moonlight Path" scent.  It's described as: This BBW duplicate has top notes of pink rose, jasmine, and light violets. Base notes of sweet musk enriched with unique woodsy notes. A true favorite.

I still need a few more candle making supplies, such as a "candy thermometer" since the one I am using doesn't seem to work right.  I also need tart molds since I have soy wax leftover and I can make tarts with the unused wax.  Lastly, I want to get an electric candle warmer that can melt tarts and container candles. 

Monkey Farts!

I made 2 8oz soy candles the other night.  I decided to make Monkey Farts first!  I love this scent and the name!  The thermometers that I have weren't working right.  Thankfully my candle is burning correctly.  I need a few more candle making supplies such as a different thermometer and tart tins (to use for the leftover soy wax).  I am hoping I can find both at the local craft supply store. 

I've been burning my Monkey Farts yesterday and today and so far so good!  It smells wonderful too!  No issues with burning or with the wick!  I am so happy! 

My 2 oz candle

I am still in shock that my 2 oz candle that I made came out so perfect!  I've been burning it here and there and I finally brought it out in to the living room for a bit.  I blew out the candle about 15 minutes ago and I can still smell the candle scent throughout the room! 

I've been searching all day for a soy candle making kit and finally found one I like that was reasonably priced.  It comes with everything I need to make more candles, including the jars.  Next time I plan on buying the jars at Walmart.  I hope to get these by next week, so I chose a kit that included the jars.  I really hope to make more candles soon.  I love burning candles and it will be nice to have some on hand if the power goes out.  It rains here frequently and sometimes there is lightning and thunder, which can also result in a power outage. 

The moment of truth: soy candle making

Well, as Dora the Explorer says...



My soy candle turned out perfect! I didn't mess it up. I burned it this morning and there were no issues!  I am so happy with the result.  I can't wait to make more soy candles!!!

Second attempt at riding the bus

When we picked Kyle up from school yesterday afternoon, we were told by his teachers that he could start riding the bus tomorrow [the Assistant Principal also came out to introduce himself].  The teachers also gave us the harness that he will have to wear on the bus going to school.  The school bus he rides home already has a built-in harness! 

So this morning, Kyle rode the school bus to school.  He seemed happy to go to school, just like any other day.  He didn't like the harness at first but after a bit, he seemed to forget about it.  He was just excited to get on the bus! 

While Kyle was at school, I made my soy candle.  I followed the directions and now I'm letting it cure for 24 hours before burning it!  If it burns correctly, I *hope* to get more soy wax and fragrance oils! 

I want to try again

I want to try soy candle making again.  I want to try something crafty to do while Kyle is in school.  Today I made a homemade batch of chai tea mix and it was pretty fun!

Instead of buying a starter kit for $70, I found a itty bitty kit to try.  This kit will make a 2 oz candle.  I'd rather start with this little kit instead of something bigger.  This should give me an idea of soy candle making.  Plus, if my candle turns out okay, I can try to make more candles!  I love having candles burning, so I want to try making them again! 

One day of school

Kyle was well enough to go to school today.  I think he could have gone yesterday but it was better to make sure he was feeling better.  He ended up missing Monday and Tuesday of this week, and only attended one day this week. 

We decided not to go to Kyle's therapy tomorrow due to the weather.  It's been raining and our tires are so old, Shannon doesn't feel comfortable driving in the rain with our tires.  The last time we had the tires changed was in 2004...yes, it's been 6 years since we bought new tires.  During those 6 years, the tires went through driving across the United States in 2007! 

I have been thinking about getting a soy candle starter kit!  I think I would really enjoy making soy candles!  Yesterday, I ended up buying two tart burners on facebook.  I went a little crazy and plus they were really cute!  Now I am considering making tarts for myself to see how that goes.  I have never burned tarts before, so I am really looking forward to trying it out.  It may be safer to use (no fire required to melt tarts), especially around Kyle! 

 

I have also been thinking about getting a small food processor.  I can use it when I make our homemade laundry detergent.  It would only take a few minutes to grate the soap if I use a food processor, rather than grate it by hand!  Also, there are a few recipes that I want to try, that require a food processor.  I found one I liked on amazon and Walmart!  I may buy it from amazon and save my gift cards to get it for free! 

June 9th

Kyle has 3 more days left of school and then it's summer vacation!  Kyle's last day of preschool is June 9th!

Shannon has his LSAT test tomorrow!  I sharpened his No. 2 pencils today, otherwise, he waits until the last minute.  He's only allowed to bring in a one gallon ziploc bag.  He can carry his pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener, beverage, snack, and ID.  That is all he's allowed to bring in to the test.  His ziploc bag is packed with his pencils, erasers, and pencil sharpener so far and ready to go.

Kyle has school tomorrow, so I will be alone until I have to get Kyle at the bus stop at around 2:45pm-3pm.  I am not expecting Shannon home until 9pm-10pm maybe even later.

Last night I was thinking about making soy candles again.  I was searching online for starter kits and think I may have found one that I like.  I am interested in making votive candles for now.  I don't like the BIG jar candles anymore.  Votives are a perfect size.  I love burning soy candles and enjoying how good they smell.

4 Stores Before Work

My MIL and I went shopping before I had to go to work tonight. She wanted to take me to a place called Shoe Rack Room. It's a discount shoe store. I found 2 pairs of shoes that I liked but when I put them on, they felt really tight around my toes, like they were too small for me. I even tried a half of a size smaller and it was the same feel. I am not sure if it was the shoes or me. It was two different NAME brands too. I ended up not getting them because the store had a "no returns" policy.

In the same shopping center, they also had a store called JR Cigar. In addition to cigars and cigarretes, they also had toys, perfumes, lotions, towels, etc. It was a knick knack place, plus a discount store all in one. They had so much to look at. We didn't buy anything there. Then we went into Dollar General, which is like a Dollar Tree but not everything is a dollar. Dollar General also carries NAME brand products or at least product brands you have heard of. I ended up getting two makeup brushes by e.l.f. (for $1 each), which is a really good brand. I bought an eye shadow brush and an all over makeup brush.




I also bought a pack of 10 black pens. I needed new pens for work as well as writing letters. The pens were only $2!

Then we went to the grocery store, called Food Lion. My MIL needed a few things and I also picked up soy milk, milk for Kyle, and bread! While we were there, I saw a display of candles by Nature's Finest, they are made of palm wax oil! I love palm wax oil candles because they have a crystallized appearance! Plus they are just as good as soy wax candles! It's good to know that we can get these candles at a nearby store. We didn't buy any since we still have our soy candles that we bought a few months ago.

Soy What!

My MIL wanted to go "downtown" to pick up some picture frames and I ended up going with her. She saw a candle at the store and said we should pick up some soy candles on the way home! She knew just the place. She gets all of her soy candles there.

After getting the frames, we went to an antique/other knick knacks store. They happen to sell soy candles and they had a candle display with a 50% off sign! I ended up getting 4 candles, 3 - 4.5 oz candles and 1 - 16 oz candle. They are heavily scented, which I love! I currently have one in the bathroom and one in the bedroom!

I plan on getting a soy candle making starter kit! I can't wait to try to make candles myself! It doesn't sound too difficult. It will end up saving me money in the end, since I love soy candles so much.