Cleaning frenzy

Right after I put Kyle on the bus, Shannon and I went to breakfast and then went to Walmart for groceries.

Shannon's parents are coming to visit sometime this week and want to stay overnight in our second bedroom.  So, we've been cleaning like mad.  He is cleaning the bathroom top to bottom and I have been removing clutter, throwing as much as I can away, going through clothes and vacuuming.  Shannon even bought Comet and a scrub brush so he could use them to clean the bathroom.  He doesn't like my "green cleaning" products. 

They want to stay with us and then go look at a few apartment complexes the next day.  They don't want to spend $100+ on a hotel room.

We still have a ton of cleaning and de-cluttering to do.  Two years ago when we moved to our current place, we went through our things and threw away as much as could.  This time around, we plan on doing the same.  I am going to get rid of anything and everything I possibly can. 

Shark Vacuum is here!

My Shark vacuum arrived today!  I heard the FedEx truck pull up and couldn't wait for it to arrive at my doorstep.  Kyle helped unpack it and throw things away.  He also helps remove labels and stickers. 

I even put the Shark vacuum together myself.  Thankfully, I didn't need any tools! 

I used my Shark vacuum at least 3 or 4 times just vacuuming around the apartment!  I am very happy with the results. Our carpet looks so clean and even feels clean on our feet.  The vacuum also comes with a HEPA filter and I could feel the air being cleaned as I was vacuuming!  I just love it.

Our beloved Dyson Vacuum

We bought our Dyson vacuum in 2005.  Back then, they didn't have the smaller versions like they do now and ones that use the ball technology that make it easier to steer around furniture.  Our Dyson is big and bulky, especially now that we live in a small apartment. 

Our Dyson is close to dying.  The hose is ripped pretty badly and it's not picking up as good as it did before.  It has been through the ringer with moving, years of use and Kyle!  Kyle likes to play with the vacuum!

I went searching online for vacuums.  In the past, I noticed the Shark vacuum.  Their commercials say they offer "no loss of suction" just like the Dyson but they cost much less.  Since we don't have $380 or more to spend on a vacuum, I looked at the Shark vacuums.  I know Shannon is a little against the Shark because when we went shopping for his Mom's Christmas present a few years ago, he wanted to get her a Dyson, NOT a Shark.  I read the reviews on QVC and Walmart regarding Shark and a few reviews were from Dyson owners.

I ended up purchasing the following Shark vacuum:

Although, I saw the one below and really liked it, but chose the one above instead because of the price:

The professional model comes with an attachment that would have been nice, but not a necessity! 

I also compared the prices between Walmart and QVC.  QVC may have cost less but their shipping was almost $20 while Walmart was free shipping!

My new Shark vacuum should arrive by the end of next week!  I can't wait to try it out!  I paid for the vacuum out of my paypal account and it's almost already paid for from my blog earnings! 

Carpet Cleaning Friday

While Kyle was at school today, I shampoo'd the carpets -- the carpets we walk on everyday! They really needed to be cleaned, there were various stains and it started to smell. I haven't had any carpet cleaning solution since I bought my carpet cleaning vacuum (it came with a sample size), so instead, I use some Shaklee product that is super concentrated all purpose cleaner. The carpets look so much better and our rooms smell better!

I happened to find a "rug & carpet shampoo" product that is earth friendly and safe to use around pets and children. I am excited to try it, as the reviews are very positive. There are still some stains and hope to get them out with this product. I miss using my carpet cleaning vacuum, it was fun shampooing the carpets! I plan on shampooing the carpets on a regular basis now. I like having clean carpets to walk on.



I also needed more homeopathic medicine for my allergy to cats! I am running low and don't want to risk running out.

I am job searching daily for Shannon. I am only focusing on finding State, City, and County jobs. I have applied for several so far. I check several times a day and search at least 4 or 5 surrounding cities and counties in addition to the State website. Every once in awhile, I will apply for other positions that are not State, City, or County jobs. Hopefully we'll get a call back soon.

I am looking forward to Kyle's doctor appointment next Thursday! Hopefully the doctor can direct us on what we should do and give us a few referrals to other specialists.

Christmas in a Nutshell

We have all been feeling sick for the last week or so. Kyle and Shannon seem to have it the worst. Thankfully we don't feel sick the entire day, it will come in waves. I have started feeling a little sick when I first wake up, but as the day progresses, I feel better.

Shannon has been smoke-free for about 3 or 4 weeks now! He stopped smoking a few days after Thanksgiving. He used the e-cigarettes to help him quit. After awhile, he didn't feel the need for the e-cigarette either. He's had withdrawl symptoms from not smoking, plus he's been sick.

I had to be at work on Christmas Eve for 9 1/2 hours! It was a long day but it went by pretty quickly. I was scheduled to be off at 8 PM, however, all cashiers had to keep working until the last customer was checked out. We all did very well and worked together. I am glad I didn't have to work until 8:30 PM because those workers had to stay until the store was clean!

Our store was closed on Christmas Day, so that meant everyone was off that day. I was also off the day after Christmas! We opened presents just after noon on Christmas Day. Kyle wasn't feeling all that well, so he was not in the mood for all the excitement. My MIL gave me a zip-up hoodie with faux fur lining the hood. My husband received a long sleeved shirt and pajama bottoms, he really needed both! We took some pictures and I hope to have some of them printed out, I plan on putting them in a frame (that holds several pictures) and hanging it up on our wall. Kyle also had a present for Shannon and myself. His teacher wrapped it for him, but he made it at preschool for us. It's a 2010 calendar, the pictures are made of Kyle's handprints! His handprints are in shapes to form a picture, for instance, for October, his handprints are in the shape of a ghost. It's really cute! I remember the day he came home with paint all over his clothes. As long as he had fun, I didn't mind the mess.

We gave my MIL a Dyson vacuum for Christmas. We bought her the Dyson ball so it will be easier for her to clean her house. She loves it! She used it all day yesterday. I think she was looking for things to vacuum! She realized how much dirt and dust is in her house and how fast it accumulates with her old vacuum.

Speaking of Dyson vacuums, my vacuum really needed to be emptied and Shannon finally did that for me yesterday. My vacuum now works much better! Since I was off the day after Christmas, I used that time to catch up on cleaning and laundry! I literally have not had time to do any cleaning in the last month. Shannon has had to do the laundry for me since I was barely home. I was able to clean our entire bathroom! I also did 3 loads of laundry!

The 6th day

Today is my 6th day of working without a day off. I only have a 4 hour shift tonight. I definitely enjoy working in the evenings, it's so much more laid back!

I am off tomorrow. Shannon and I may get my in-law's Christmas gifts. Instead of getting his Dad a camera, his Mom suggested we get him a stereo system that he wants. She was worried about us spending so much on a camera, which ranges from $500 - $1100, depending on what accessories you want to get with it. We can get both of their gifts at BJs. Thankfully I still have my membership card. I asked Shannon if we're going to wrap their gifts and he said we could, which actually means I would be the one to wrap them! I am not sure how I am going to wrap a vacuum box! That should be a challenge! I am not sure how big the stereo is.

I have seen a few little gifts I could get for Kyle and wrap them for Christmas! They have a lot of little gifts out for people to buy!

I can’t believe I forgot

I almost forgot to pay our rent for this month! I was reminding myself as the first of the month got closer. We didn’t pay rent until July 2nd. Thankfully they give us until the 5th of each month before it’s considered late.

Shannon has split days off this week. Tomorrow he is off so I did my cleaning today instead of tomorrow. His manager is still out of town. She doesn’t return until next Tuesday. So Shannon’s been running the department with the help of his division manager for the last 2 weeks. He also did the schedule for both weeks.

There are a lot more changes going on at his work. They are cutting hours like crazy! When they cut hours like they are, they are also cutting key positions, so some of the duties those people were doing aren’t getting done because everyone else is trying to do their work as well as do the work of 3 other people. They also sent several people home in the middle of a banquet, so the people that stayed ended up having to do twice the work. The people that went home, also lost out on their hours. The cut backs don’t make sense, and they also end up costing more in the end. They are also putting more strain on the supervisors and the employees that do end up staying.

As far as ordering the supplies they need, they only order what they need for the week and if they run out, they either go out and buy it at the store, or they work around it. This method ends up costing more because you have to send an employee off property in the company van, and buy the products you need. Their methods don’t make sense to the employees, supervisors and even me and I don’t even work there.

I’ve been taking a 10 in 1 liquid vitamin for the past few weeks and finally I had Shannon start taking it. On the first day, he noticed the benefits and he loves it. So I remind him to take his vitamin before he goes to work. Since his job is making some odd moves with cutting hours and putting strain on him and everyone else, I figured he could use the vitamin during this time. I joined a home business and their product is the 10 in 1 liquid vitamin. It is delivered to us every month.

We’re still waiting for Kyle’s potty! Kyle seems so ready to learn too. He’s always interested in our potty and it seems he’s ready to sit down on it.

I steam cleaned our carpets last weekend as well. I ran out of the manufacturers brand of recommended formula so I made a solution from Shaklee products and it worked fine. I actually think it worked out better. There was no chemical smells during and after the cleaning.

Peaceful and Rain

Shannon had 2 consecutive days off this week. It literally felt like a very long weekend, it was nice to have him home. We didn’t do much, except hang out at home. Shannon went to Walmart on Tuesday to pick up my steam vacuum. It actually rained for most of the day on Tuesday as well. Even though it was raining throughout the day, it was HOT. It’s been raining at least once a week here. Just perplexing, considering we used to live in the desert!

Shannon also had a chance to spend time with Kyle, which Kyle always enjoys. Shannon had stayed up all night on Monday due to over thinking work issues. He had a chance to see Kyle first thing in the morning, which he NEVER gets to see. I am so used to seeing Kyle first thing that I am used to his smile and cuteness. Anyway, he said he said hi and waved to Kyle and Kyle waved back! I wish I had seen it.

Our friends in Las Vegas had their second child last week as well. They had a baby boy. Since their first one was born via C-Section, their second child was born the same way. Shannon and I are in awe with the idea of having a second child. I think it’s more of a “no way in hell do we want to think about doing that” or “ no way in hell can we see ourselves doing that.” We are ecstatic for them, don’t get me wrong. But for us, we aren’t planning for another child. Perhaps if some of our circumstances change, we can reconsider, just not at this time. But then again, I love my body and I don’t know if I want to have to work again to get it back afterwards. It wasn’t hard to lose the weight, it literally just melted off itself, but other parts of me were being stubborn.

Work Schedule

Ever since we moved, Shannon has had split days off which hasn't given us much time to spend together. When he does have a day off, he just wants to veg, which is understandable. So I was really looking forward to his weekend this week. However, this morning, he said he only had one day off this week. I guess they are really busy tomorrow, so he has to work. His boss said she would give him 2 1/2 to 3 days off next week.

When I checked my email this morning, there was an email from Walmart saying that my steam vacuum was ready for pick up! Shannon will be picking that up sometime this week! I can't wait to clean our carpets!

The Vacuum be Saveth!

My husband was able to fix our vacuum last night! It was so nice to see our carpets cleaner! Now it will be easier and quicker to vacuum. Plus we really LOVE our Dyson!

Our beloved Dyson

I basically complained/explained to my DH today that I really want to buy a new vacuum, only because he’s said (for the last 3 weeks) that he “would take a look at it.” Since he never did, I am stuck vacuuming our house with the hose…and my back is hurting like H*LL! So he said he’d take a look at it today and he actually did. I even spent some time this morning looking at a variety of vacuums to buy! Anyway, he took the filter out and cleaned it. We have to let it dry before we can put it back in the vacuum to use… I am really hoping that it’s JUST the filter that needed to be washed for our vacuum to work again. Our Dyson is the BEST when it does work.

My DH was successful at FINALLY depositing his paycheck into our bank account. LOL He gets paid again in a few days. My DH also went to get our car smogged, oil changed, and our tail light fixed. He also picked up some draino for our bathroom sink. It’s been clogged for the last week and a half or so. After this, I plan on using baking soda and white vinegar once a week to keep our drains clean. I did have a blast using baking soda all over the house to clean! It’s cleaner, safe for the environment, safe to use around my son, and really does work.

We got the Walmart ad in the mail today and I was really surprised to see Walmart encouraging their customers to go green to save the environment and save money.

Tomorrow we have to go to DMV -- fun… I am SO excited about this too… Not really, the DMV’s here in NV are really organized. I’ve never had to wait longer than an hour or less… Plus they have a DMV Express near our house that we can go to. I have to renew my license, just need to change some info. We also have to go grocery shopping tomorrow! I AM excited about this because I have some new recipes to try!

Our DS ended up taking 2 baths this evening! I won’t go into details as to WHY, but he really did need the second one. My husband even had to take a shower too. But the whole situation was very funny!

Unexpected

It looks like our vacuum is working again… I guess she just needed a rest. I am really glad when she started this afternoon. I decided to give it a try since I didn’t really want to bother buying a new one or getting it fixed. This is a Dyson vacuum, so I thought it would be a lasting product. I have to use her daily because we have a dog and he likes to shed, just to bug me. LOL

There are also a few doctor bills I had to pay this month totaling over $330!

Vacuum Went Kaput!

Our vacuum died today. I could tell it was getting close. The suction wasn’t as good and the hose was barely sucking… We’ve had this vacuum for almost 2 years so I am sad that it died. DH said he’d take a look at it later… I really hope it’s salvageable.