Rent Due

We needed to pay rent, so I wrote the check and turned it in to the rental office.  Since we didn't have enough in our main checking account, we had to go to Shannon's bank to pull out some cash to deposit into our account.  By the way, our banks are across the street from each other.  Anyway, after I deposited the cash into our account, I realized it wouldn't be enough to cover the rent, so we had to go back to his bank to pull out more.

That's when Shannon and I got into a disagreement over where our money is going.  He knows that I was sent money from my parents for Christmas/Kyle's birthday.  I bought a few things with the money, plus it's been helping to pay the bills for the last month.  Shannon was confused as to where the money went because he was under the impression that we should have at least $1400 in the account.  I told him that we do have utility bills, groceries to buy, etc.  He wanted to see the bank account for himself to know where the money went.

We logged on when we got home and he saw that the money went to the toys we bought for Kyle at Toys R Us for Christmas, bills, HIS cell phone belt clip thing, and other things.  All he seems to remember is the money going in and not the money going out...  He doesn't pay the bills, I do.  He said he had the same problem with his own account.  He received an alert that he only had X amount of dollars left in his account and he had to check his account to see where all the money went.  

Toys R Us

We just got back from Toys R Us!  Shannon wanted to spoil Kyle for Christmas since this is the first Christmas we have been able to get him any presents!  Shannon and I ended up getting over $128 worth of toys for Kyle!  We bought him Spiderman toys, a boat and many other things. 

We also stopped at Cricket because Shannon needed a case for his phone. 

Now that we have new toys, I am going to go through his current toy box and get rid of most of the toys!  When we moved here, I wanted to get rid of most of his toys then but Shannon wanted to keep them.  While Kyle is in school, I will be going through his toys and getting rid of them so he won't see me throw them away. 

In California for a bit

I am in California for my grandpa's funeral.  He passed away on October 1st.  I am staying at a hotel while I am here.  I was supposed to stay two nights at my Uncle's house but I could barely make it one night.  They have 4 cats and I am allergic.  I can handle living with one cat with the help of homeopathic medicine but 4 was too much for me.  About 30-40 minutes after I entered the house, my allergies started flaring up.  My eyes got puffy, my nose got stuffy, and to top it off, my asthma flared up!  I got about 2 or 3 hours of sleep that night.  I am now staying at the hotel and feeling much better.  I slept like a baby at the hotel.  I can tell I am still on East Coast time because I woke up at around 4:30am PST, which is 7:30am EST.  The hotel has continental breakfast from 6am til 10am so I filled up on food from there.  I will have a nice healthy breakfast every morning I am there!

The hotel is located near shopping so I just walked next door to Old Navy!  I spent about 45 minutes there, but didn't buy anything.  My mom and I went shopping at Walmart and Kohl's.  We ended up getting a zip-up cardigan/sweater with a hood for myself and 5 toys for Kyle!  Two of them are remote control cars and the other three are Toy Story 3 toys.  The Toy Story 3 toys were on clearance.  They are so cute, they are a flashlight and they talk!  Then we headed over to Kohl's.  My mom bought a black tie for my Dad, shoes for herself, and shoes for me.  I found a pair of toning shoes that were on sale by Avia.  I've been wanting a pair of toning shoes for awhile now and so glad I have a pair. 

More Good News!

First, Kyle is not sick!  He started feeling better shortly after he threw up yesterday!  So he is better, but isn't eating much these days.  I guess he doesn't have much of an appetite.

Today we found out that we were approved for Food Stamps!  I am so surprised that we were approved so quickly.  It's only been a few weeks since I sent in our application!  But I am not complaining.  The Food Stamps will definitely help with groceries!  We are still waiting to hear whether or not Kyle is approved to receive SSI.

Earlier this week, Shannon bought Kyle his first remote control car!  It's a police car and he's been playing with it indoors for now.  At first, Kyle was not interested, he would run away from it.  But then he saw his Daddy playing with it and making the car move.  When he's not playing with it or when he's done playing with it, we put it away.  It's more exciting for him to play with it when he has to look for it.

The other day, I used my Amazon gift cards to buy two motivational posters!  My entire order came to $0!  I can't wait to receive them and put them in frames!  It was really difficult to select these posters, since there are so many to choose from!  The first poster reminds me of Shannon, he is always coming up with new ideas and ways of doing things.  It reads,  "It takes only a single thought to move the world"

This one reads, "It is not the position you stand, but the direction in which you look" 

I start a new job today!

I got the job at Sears and I start training today.  I have no idea how long I will be there, I was just left a voicemail by the lady in personnel that I should be there at 2pm today.  Although she never specified, I am hoping it's just computer training.

If I get off early enough, I plan on doing a little shopping at JC Penney's for some work clothes.  Hopefully I can find the right colors.  I need more clothes since we only do laundry once a week.  I am looking forward to working at a place that actually closes each day.  In the last 10 years, I haven't worked in a place that closes!  The jobs I've had in the last 10 years were at hotels and casinos, and Walmart!  Hotels and casinos never close, and Walmart only closes once a year!

I am also looking forward to getting out of the house every once in awhile.  Since Kyle has been out of preschool for the summer, he's been attached to my hip.  He doesn't like to leave my side.  If I leave the room, he has to follow.  My time away from home will give him some time with his Daddy!

I told Shannon that I want to get two new toys for Kyle.  One of them is Mr. Potato Head and the other is legos!  Mr. Potato Head can teach him the different parts of the face and body.  We can use that to show him where his eyes and ears are.  I also want legos so that Kyle and I can have something to play with.  He doesn't really like playing with toys, he'd rather hang around us.  Legos are colorful and I think he'll like putting them together and taking them apart.

She hasn't called you back?!

I called Speakability again today since it's been almost a week since I called to leave a message with the person who answered the phone.  The lady that answered today even remembered that I called before!  She sounded surprised that "what's her name" hadn't returned my call!  So I left my information again, let's see if she'll call me.

Kyle went to school today!  I sent him to school with an order for his school pictures.  I ordered their "most popular package" since it was so hard to decide, plus it was at a decent price.  He came home with an easter basket that was made by the local high school students!  It has more toys than candy, which is good!  One of the toys was bubbles, so I took that out and played with Kyle.  He LOVES bubbles!  He loves trying to pop them!  I took him outside to play with them but it was windy so the bubbles were going in every direction too fast for him.  I'll have to wait another day until there is little to no wind. 

Shannon received his last shipment of LSAT study materials he ordered.  He's been reading through his books since he received them.  He officially registered to take the LSAT in early June!!!  I am so glad that the books are giving him so much confidence!  They are full of tips and methods to help take the test. He wanted to register as early as he could for the test in June because there are only a certain number of spots available to take the test.  If they are all gone, he would have to wait until the next one. 

I've been wanting to try a different type of workout using kettlebells.  I saw an infomercial for "kettleworx" and after reading the reviews on amazon, they were mixed.  They were saying he doesn't show the correct way to do the exercises AND he doesn't do the same amount of reps on each side of the body.  For example, he'll work the right arm 23 times and the left arm 19 times.  Some people were bothered by that, which I can understand.  I found that QVC sold kettleworx, but while looking at it, I saw someone mention another program called "kettlenetics."  I looked further at the product and found that it was customer top rated which told me something.  I ended up getting that set to start with!  I was impressed with the QVC price and what you get with the set!

So Ready

I am so ready for my day off tomorrow! The last two days I had 8 1/2 hour shifts! I couldn't wait for this day to be over.

My MIL and her friend brought home a toy jeep for Kyle, it's a power wheels toy that is big enough for him to sit in. They saw it on the side of the road and since it had been sitting there for days, they brought it home. It doesn't have a motor, so Kyle can push it around if he wants. He isn't ready to sit in it yet.

I bought arch supports about 2 weeks ago and they are already starting to wear down. I wasn't expecting much, I bought the least expensive pair and it wasn't a name brand either. I finally looked into a product I saw and heard about on an info-mercial called walkfit. I have a bid going on ebay for now. In the meantime, I will continue to use the ones I have.

The next few weeks I have less hours than before, I have less than 30 hours or so. I am not complaining, I need the break. Just glad to have a job.

Shannon also received news that his unemployment will be extended! He's covered for the next 6 months or more! After that, I don't know what we'll do.

Saturday

Yesterday was my day off. I had a chance to relax and even take a nap in the afternoon. I did some cleaning and a few loads of laundry.

Shannon did a load of laundry for me today as well. I had an 8 hour day with an hour lunch. I have a 9 hour day tomorrow that I am not looking forward to it. Although, I am glad that I have 3 days off this week. As for pain, I am still feeling it after working so long. I did find that if I take an ibuprofen before work, I don't feel as much pain after work. Sad, but true!

I had to buy some things after work today. I needed more snack foods for my lunches that I bring to work. I also bought a few other things. I still don't have a lunch bag, many people use an insulated lunch tote. I haven't found one that I like. They has some out for "back to school" but they all have kiddie stuff on them.

Kyle's leap frog DVD arrived today! I've been playing it for him ever since I got home. I didn't pay a dime for this DVD, since I had enough amazon gift cards to get it. It was well worth it. He seems to like it. We don't have a DVD player, so I've been playing it on my laptop.

Kyle also has some new toys from his Grandma. This past week, she bought some race cars and a little race track and today Kyle had some new toy trucks.

As for his speech therapy, it's on hold for now. It turns out we have to reapply for Medicaid! UGH! Medicaid is also changing their policies that all applicants must submit a birth certificate, which is good I guess. I am confused with the application process because she included an application plus a big packet of other papers to fill out. So I may have Shannon go in with the paper to apply. In the meantime, Kyle's speech therapist called yesterday and gave me a number to a preschool with the school distract to get him a full evaluation. She said to keep on them because they get many referrals. His speech therapist also said she would call again and go over her report with us.

Goodies all around

I received my soy protein mix and night night balm today! I am waiting until I receive my Tupperware shake mixer from the ebay seller before I try the soy protein shake. In the meantime, I am still working out and did so today! I felt like I "fell off the wagon" so I am trying to stay on track and keep myself motivated. I am really trying to eat better and not have as much chocolate and junk food, but I do spoil myself a bit. I am trying to be more aware of what I am eating.

I am looking at getting another Turbo Jam workout DVD from amazon.com. I plan on using gift cards to purchase another workout DVD! I have some gift cards that I earned from a site that I use.

Shannon set up the basketball hoop and Kyle is loving it! He's been playing with it whenever he's outside. He's been watching the boy next door play basketball, so it was fitting that my MIL get him his own basketball hoop! She said this was his birthday and Christmas gifts from the last 3 years, which sounds pretty fair to us!

New toys

My MIL and I went shopping today. First, we went to Kmart and she bought him an adjustable basketball hoop and two puzzles made of wood. The puzzles are the wooden ones (like the one below). The ones we bought have animals, planes, helicopters, etc.


Here is what his basketball hoop looks like ~



I also bought Kyle some sunscreen because he spends so much time outside. It's made for babies and great for sensitive skin. I bought a few other things that I needed as well.

Then we went to Walmart and I picked up some food that we needed! My MIL went to go look at bedding, she wanted to check out the new line of bedding called Canopy that they are now carrying. I have seen the commercials and it sounds like their products are made of high quality materials! While I was putting the groceries in the trunk, this lady pulls up right next to me and rolls down her window. At first it scared me, I am always aware of my surroundings. I took a step back because I wasn't sure what she was going to do. Then she says, "Hi, how are you?" She pulls out an Avon catalog and hands it to me. LOL I asked her for another one for my MIL and she gave me one. I don't have any plans to buy anything from Avon at the moment.

When we got home, I checked the mail and I received the samples from Monet Minerals! Instead of receiving 5, she sent me 6! I can't wait to play with the colors more. I did play with a few of the colors this evening, but I am looking forward to experimenting more!

Long Odd Day

Shannon was up early this morning by 9 AM or so! He's been waking up pretty early lately, it's so weird having him up with us in the morning.


My in-laws had doctor appointments this morning. My in-laws were also having DirectTV installed, and they were expected between 12 PM and 4 PM. They were also putting a cable cord through the room we stay in, so now we'll have a TV to watch.

I told Shannon that I need to order more homeopathic medicine for my allergy to the cat. I think my allergies are slowly coming back. I ran out of my medicine a few weeks ago and have gone this long without it! It's pretty surprising. I ordered more medicine, as well as another item.

Shannon received some good news this afternoon, he will be receiving unemployment! The court ruled in his favor! His former employer have until April 15th to dispute the ruling. Once we get our first check, we definitely need to get the car fixed! We also want to get Kyle a power wheels toy.

He always wants us to push him up and down the yard in his tricycle! He loves being on the move! So he would love this toy!

Now that Shannon will be receiving unemployment, he can be picky with which jobs to accept! It's nice knowing we'll have some income coming in, some is better than none. We will be applying for WIC and Medicaid soon as well! I am also thinking about taking the CNA course for sure! Although, the school is 45 minutes away! I have looked at the CNA jobs in this area and they are all for private homes. I have seen a few job ads to work at a facility/hospital/rehab center type of place. I am not really wanting to work at someone's private home.

The DirectTV guys were for over 4 hours! It was such an inconveniece because we had to keep Kyle away from the guys while they were working because he would just run up to them and stand next to them to look at what they were doing! LOL So we stayed outside most of the time they were here. My in-laws also got a DVR recorder and Shannon showed them how to use it, they are going to see how much easier it is! We were so spoiled with our DVR! I would record all of my favorite shows!

My mother-in-law made chocolate covered strawberries! YUM! The last time I had those was back when I was working at the hotel where I met Shannon (my first hotel job). They were leftovers from conventions, meetings, or room service. I do miss that job because we did get a few plates of free food from the conventions!

The talking toys

Shannon brought out 2 of Kyle's toys, they are the toys that talk/make music, etc. He changed the batteries and now they work again. Kyle has been playing with them here and there! Hopefully they will get HIM talking!

Every so often, we'll put away his toys and bring out "new" ones that he hasn't played with in awhile. So it's make more fun and different for him.

Could it be?

Not even 5 minutes after Shannon left for work today did I hear a delivery truck outside. It was FedEx with our dining set! I never thought we would actually receive it. Third times a charm! I called Shannon to let him know that it was here and he sounded excited. He may put it together this week. He canceled his video game subscription a few weeks ago so he has time after he gets home from work. I can’t wait for our table to be set up, Kyle needs to learn how to eat at the table.

I caught up on a few chores today. I had 3 loads laundry to do! I also cleaned our bathroom.

Kyle received some Christmas presents early. He’s been playing with his new toys since this morning. He got toy cars, coloring books and crayons. I showed him how to color and he colored a bit but he loved playing with the crayons more. He also got a one piece pajamas and a pull-over sweatshirt.

New toy for Kyle

Shannon went to the store today looking for a specific item. He ended up buying us all a little something. He bought Kyle a new toy! He bought him wooden blocks with the alphabet on them. They were the last set there and we’ve been wanting to get something like this for Kyle for the longest time! Since Shannon opened them up, Kyle has been playing with them non-stop! He loves them. Kyle knew right away that they were for him when his daddy took them out of the shopping bag.

I took out his Elmo Aquadoodle earlier today and he played with that for awhile. I like to keep that toy put away since it has a couple of pieces to go with it. So when I take it out the aquadoodle, it’s more exciting because he doesn’t get to play with it all the time.

We also realized that we haven’t bought a new toy for Kyle since he was about 6 months old. We have received several toys from his grandparents instead. He’s happy with those as well.

I checked out bank account online and saw that our stimulus check is pending! It wasn’t as much as we thought it would be. So I am wondering if married couples get two separate checks? Anyway, we already have plans for the check! We still need a few things around the house.