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. 

Apartment Update and Light bulbs

Our closest Post Office is inside of an ACE Hardware store.  I decided to get a shipping box and also pick up the light bulbs I needed for my Salt Lamp.  I also needed a new nightlight for our personalized light bulb that has our picture on it.  I am happy that my salt lamp is working again!

Shannon works every day this week.  He is working 8 hours today and then the next two days, he is only working 4 hour shifts.

This afternoon, we finally heard back about the apartment!  She said "everything looks good."  They are waiting for verification from our current apartment complex.  However, our complex managers cannot release the information until we give notice.  This does not make sense to us.  What if we were to give our notice and then we end up not getting approved at the new apartment?  LOL So, I guess we'll be giving our notice this week.  They are also waiting on employment verification.

We are excited about moving because we will be saving at least $100 every month on rent.  I will also have my Walgreens across the street on the corner and a grocery store with other little shops across the street.  I do hate the fact that Kyle will have to change schools. 

I went to Walgreens earlier this week to stock up on things with my coupons.  We are more than fine on shampoo/conditioner (I have 10 bottles total) and 4 bottles of Head and Shoulders for Shannon.  I also have plenty of feminine napkins and liners!  LOL  Seriously, I am good for at least a year on feminine napkins and liners.  We have plenty of soap to last us a few months as well.

I need to go back to Walgreens this week to stock up on paper towels and toilet paper.  I also need a few other things! 

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. 

Salt Lamps at Walmart?!

Shannon is working every day this week, which means we won't have time to do any shopping.  As of today, we still have not heard back about the apartment we applied to last week.  If we don't hear anything by the end of this week, I plan on calling!

The other day, I received a 16x20 poster for review that I just love.  I want to put it in a frame.  Ours is personalized with our last name! 

I was also searching for a replacement bulb for my salt lamp because the bulb went out for good!  While I was searching online at Walmart, I found that Walmart sells Salt Lamps too!  I ended up getting two lamps for only $20 each!

While I could not find the right size/wattage of bulbs, I decided to get my picture frame and two salt lamps!  I plan on putting a salt lamp in the living room and one in our second bedroom/my computer room! 

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. 

Apartment/Moving, Work and Workouts

Shannon talked to his mom the other day and apparently, they are wanting to move back to NC.  They are interested in the apartment complex we applied to.  They had looked at it two years ago when they were moving out of their house but on a whim, they decided to move to the beach instead.  Now, they want to move back to NC.  After my father-in-law's health scare a few months ago, they realized that it would be better for all of us to be near each other.  They can help us and we can help them.  Plus, they are already familiar with the area.  We also have Trader Joe's and a few other natural foods store that they like.  In their current city, the closest Trader Joe's is a few hours away. 

We still have not heard any word from the apartment complex regarding our application.  They told us it would take around 3 days (we turned in our application on Wednesday), so hopefully on Monday we will hear something.  We drove by that area again.  They have Walgreens on the corner (there is also a CVS across the street on the corner) and Harris Teeter (grocery store) and many other stores directly across the street from the complex.  The entire apartment complex property is on 32 acres of land.  It's a huge looking place.  When we drove through it, it looks so quiet and peaceful.  Very family oriented.  Plus, the office does a criminal background check. 

Shannon worked 12 hours last night.  He had to work from 7pm until 7am.  He had to work one site from 7pm until 11pm and then do his supervisor shift from 11pm until 7am.  But during the 12 hours, he will be paid the same rate of pay!!!   The acting manager (they still haven't filled the position of the former Account manager) told Shannon that he will have more hours for him this week!  I am so glad there are plenty of hours to be given out to everyone.  It sounds like everyone is getting extra hours or overtime if they want it. 

Since I am feeling completely better and no longer have dizzy spells, I started March off to a great start.  February was not a good month for me.  I am back to doing pilates for now.  I am going to continue with pilates and then add yoga here and there.  Once I have done that for a few weeks, I plan on adding Turbo Jam and then Turbo Fire.  I am just taking it day by day. 

2012 Taxes are done and filed

I filed our taxes yesterday.  Luckily, we qualified for free tax filing, for State and Federal.  Unfortunately, our refund isn't as big as we hoped it would be, but it is better than nothing (like last year).