Another Round

My in-laws informed us today (I wish they had given us more notice) that they are doing another round of using the septic tank cleaner in their septic tank! Which means we have to conserve on the water for 24 hours. Since the last time they used the cleaner, we were limited to doing one load of laundry per day. I have only done two loads in the last week and a half!

I am taking the weekend off from working out. I did 30 minutes of pilates yesterday and my body is paying for it today. I am sore all over!

When it was time to pick Kyle up from the bus stop on Friday, the bus was already there waiting for us. Apparently they arrived early and they tried calling us. They said every time they tried calling us, they would get the fax machine noise. My MIL and her friend were trying to send a fax during that time! It sounded like the bus had been there for at least 10 minutes! I felt so bad. I am going to give the bus driver our cell phone number. I don't have the voicemail set up on it, but they can always text us too (since many people have cell phones these days).

We went to Walmart yesterday to pick up a few things. I talked to one of my former co-workers and he said that I could come back to work there (he already asked for me). It made me wonder if I really want to go back to work there. I've been thinking about taking the certified nursing assisting course. I guess North Carolina doesn't have a requirement of how long the course has to be, because this course is only one day! Once I take the course, I can take the State tests to get certified. There are actually several places that offer the "one day/fast track CNA course." Typically they are taught by one or two Registered Nurses, it sounds like they do this on the side for additional income. I have also looked on the local hospital website and they are currently hiring for CNAs.

Lately, we've been letting Kyle play on the computer. He plays around on the Nick Jr. website. They have games, art, videos, and radio of all their cartoon shows. As he plays, he's learning eye-hand coordination, he gets to hear music and cartoon characters talk to him. He loves it!

Our forecast is calling for a "winter mix" on Tuesday, which usually means snow and/or rain! Hopefully it won't be so bad to where Kyle will miss school on Wednesday!

Nice Monday

Today was a nice day. Kyle had school, so it was a nice quiet break for us!

I did a Turbo Jam workout this morning and a pilates workout this afternoon! I was feeling energetic and decided to take advantage! I am feeling a little more energetic since I started taking my vitamins!



Kyle looked like he just woke up from a nap when he got off the bus! So cute! When we got home, I gave him a little snack, which he gobbled up! He still looked a little tired. We came upstairs and I pulled out some coloring books and he colored for a bit. Meanwhile, I took that time to skim through my new pilates DVDs! While I was watching them, Kyle came up and ended up falling asleeping next to me!

That was fast!

My pilates DVDs that I ordered last week arrived today! I was so surprised they arrived so quickly! I watched them just to see how they were. They look challenging, but fun.

I already did one of the videos. I had intended to do one section but ended up doing the entire workout! This video is broken down into 3 sections with a bonus 4th workout. This was definitely a nice change and they are different from other pilates workouts I have done.



This video looks like a challenge since it's a 43+ minute workout. The first 28 minutes of it is standing pilates inspired cardio. The last of the video is mat exercises.

Lazy Weekend

This has been a lazy weekend for us! Besides going grocery shopping yesterday, we haven't done much! It's been a nice relaxing weekend! I did write two letters today, so hopefully I will have two new pen pals! One of them is in San Francisco, CA which is exciting to me, as I am from California!

Earlier this month, I ordered a workout DVD on amazon and have yet to receive it. Per the vendor/seller, it was shipped on February 3rd. According to their email, they said it should arrive within 4 to 14 days. Well, it's been 18 days! I am tired of waiting so I emailed the vendor asking for a refund. It was shipped via USPS and I know things don't take that long to arrive.

I am anxious to receive my pilates workout DVDs! Yesterday I did a few different pilates workouts from videos I found on youtube! I forgot how much I enjoy pilates.

Kyle still enjoys school! He loves riding the school bus too! He's always so happy when he gets off the bus, I can see it in the way he acts while we are walking home (from the bus stop). The school already has snow make-up days set, which is great! I didn't like that Kyle had to miss a whole week of school.

Vitamins, Picture Frame, Movie, and More!

A few days ago we re-applied for Food Stamps. They called us yesterday wanting additional information and she said we probably won't qualify for the month of February but we could be "pre-approved" for March. We are really hoping we get back on food stamps!

We went to Walmart today since we were almost completely out of food! We bought our usual groceries. I also bought lotion, vitamins for myself, and a picture frame. I bought the picture frame for Kyle's class picture. It's his first class picture and I thought it deserved a frame! Shannon also bought a movie that he's been wanting to see. I ended up using a little over $6 in coupons too! So proud, since I am not that good at couponing.

I had a choice between buying the name brand of vitamins but decided on the store brand. This bottle of vitamins cost me about half the cost of the name brand! I wanted to start taking vitamins again since I am working out and trying to stay healthy.

Finally!

After almost two days, I was finally able to take a shower! I also worked out for the first time in three days. Since I couldn't take a shower for the last two days, I didn't want to workout and work up a sweat! I definitely do not like going without a shower, my scalp and hair starts to look and feel greasy! I always hated that look!

After a short break from working out, it felt great to workout again! I couldn't wait to Turbo Jam again!

In the last few days, we couldn't take a shower, run the dishwasher, or do laundry! Why?! My in-laws had their septic tank pumped again (it's only been a few months since the last time). They bought this product that is supposed to be a septic tank cleaner. After they had their septic tank pumped, they had to dump the product into the septic tank. Apparently, you are supposed to refrain from using water as much as possible for the first few days!!! So basically, we have been eating off of paper plates with plastic forks. We have all refrained from taking showers too! UGH! I am just glad that it's over.

I must be bored!

I must be bored with my current workouts with Turbo Jam. While I love Turbo Jam, I just need a change. I've been doing the same 5 workouts for almost a year now and it's definitely getting old. I am still waiting for my workout DVD that I ordered a few weeks ago! I am still looking forward to that workout.

Since I had another $15 gift card from Amazon from another online program that I used, I just ordered two pilates DVDs tonight! Soon I will have a small collection of workout DVDs to rotate!

I definitely miss my pilates workouts! I did a few pilates videos online last week and I could tell it's been too long! The challenge will be good for me. Now I just need to find my pilates mat that's still packed away.

I am looking forward to working on my core and other muscles. Turbo Jam helped me slim down, but pilates can help in many other ways that Turbo Jam can't.

Overall, I am just bored and need a change! I am excited to try my workouts and ready for the new challenge!

Snow Make up Day

Kyle has school tomorrow, it's a "snow make up day." A few weeks ago, Kyle missed a whole week of school, due to the weather/snow! Tomorrow was originally supposed to be a holiday, but it's a make up day for all students. Either way, Kyle loves school!

Since Kyle takes the bus, I have to set the alarm a little earlier just so I can get up early enough to get ready, get Kyle up and dressed and to the bus stop on time. I don't want to be one of those moms who takes her son to the bus stop in her pajamas! LOL I like to get dressed and semi-presentable! I have to slap on some "war paint" and warm clothes! I don't put on all of my war paint, just my foundation, bronzer, and mineral veil!

First Day on the Bus!

Today was Kyle's first day riding the school bus to school! I was nervous that he would get scared and/or freak out! He woke up pretty quickly as usual, especially since I told him it's a school day! He just loves going to school. I got him dressed and ready to go. I walked him to the bus stop, which is just down the street. He was just fine with the walk because he knew he had his school clothes, jacket, and backpack on. I asked kept singing, "we're going to school, we're going to school..." I also kept reminding him that "we're going to see Ms. Pam (his teacher)." When the bus pulled up, he got scared and tried to walk away. To him, the bus must be HUGE and it's a loud vehicle! I think the noise scared him, if anything. I lifted him up on the first step (since it's about 2 feet off the ground) and helped him up to the second step and into the helper's reach.

This afternoon, Kyle's teacher called to let us know what time to pick him up from the bus stop. She said the bus driver said that he did really well on the bus. He didn't cry either! He was just fine! I am so glad he adjusted so well to riding the bus, as it is a brand new experience for him!

When it was time to meet him at the bus stop, my MIL walked down the street with me. She brought her digital camera and took a few pics of Kyle getting off the bus. Apparently, Kyle fell asleep on the way home on the bus! These were taken just after he woke up to get off the bus!




Kyle came home with Valentine's Day goodies! He made a few Valentine's at school! They are really cute! Both are in a heart-shaped! One of them is decorated with buttons and glitter. The other has his handprint in the middle, decorated with glitter! Both are adorable! He also has Valentine's candy, which I will be raiding (he's too young to have that much candy). I feel bad I didn't get Valentine's cards for Kyle's classmates. I forgot what it's like being in elementary school, I remember exchanging Valentine's cards with my entire class!

No Butts, No Cuts, No Coconuts!

I received my coconut oil today! This was from the order that I placed on Amazon and it cost me $0!!! I am still waiting on the second half of my order from Amazon. They are from different vendors, so they are sent from two different locations. I can't wait to get my new workout DVD!

Here is a list of uses for coconut oil. I love that this is all natural and has many uses for beauty! I can also use it in my cooking! I also love the NOW Brand, a lot of my natural products are made by them.

Fun pics

Here are some fun pics I took with my son.

I can't believe I caught him smiling here!

He realized he saw himself on the screen and he was reaching out towards the camera!

That's Daddy's knee on the left. Kyle was distracted when we took this one.

Homemade Baby Announcement

Some friends of ours recently had a baby. Their baby was actually born on the day that Kyle was due, according to his ultrasound. Here is a picture of the homemade baby announcement they sent us!

Anyway, I thought the homemade card was so cute! I am now interested in making cards or at least trying it! I am looking at starter kits for card making.

Sharing Some Pictures

I wanted to share some pictures since I figured out how to take pictures with my webcam on my laptop. I only know how to take pics with my webcam on myspace. Enjoy!

Last Friday, I posted a blog about buying a new plant. Well, here's a picture of my plant:


Yesterday, I blogged about buying two new plastic pots. I took a picture of my new pots. For now, I have my plants sitting in them, they aren't planted in the pots yet. The bigger pot will house two plants, one is a cutting sitting in water.

Rookie Flyer

For as long as Shannon and I have known each other, we never had to fly in an airplane. We have both flown in an airplane before, however, it's been several years! I think the last time I had to fly was in 1997.

Shannon told the story of his experience going through security on the way home, and it sounded like he raised a ton of red flags with TSA! It was funny to hear because he sounded like a "rookie flyer." First, he put his laptop bag on the conveyor belt at the security checkpoint and the TSA agent asked him about having a lock on the bag. He asked if he needed one and she said that there are "TSA approved" locks that he can buy. He asked her if it was required that he have on because "it's not like it's going to blow open, right?" I guess she kind of raised her eye brows at that but didn't say anything. Then he asked her how he can get to Gate A (he was at Gate C). She asked him why and he told her that he had some friends he wanted to meet up with. As he's telling us the story, I am thinking he must be raising all these red flags with her, he's saying all the things a possible terrorist could say! LOL I am just glad he didn't say the B-O-M-B word in an airport! I can't imagine what the would have done to him then... After he asked her about how to get to Gate A, that's when she pulled him aside to say that he would need additional screening! LOL

He's Home Day 1

Shannon arrived home this morning around 2:30 AM! I was able to track his flight online and I saw that it was delayed. Both flights were delayed by at least an hour or more. He had to wait around at least 2 hours for his connecting flight home. I am just glad he got home okay. I woke up when he got home, since I am still sick and my dripping nose would wake me up throughout the night. We cuddled and talked for a bit before we both realized he needed to go to sleep!

Kyle woke up this morning around 7 AM and Shannon slept in a bit. We had a nice quiet day spending time with each other. I did Shannon's laundry today since I had some things to wash too. He has to go back to work on Monday and will stay on property for the week. At least this time he will be in another city! While he's there, he hopes to look at apartments and pick up rental applications.

We had to go grocery shopping today since we were almost out of food and other things. Kyle rode in the booster seat for the first time and he seemed okay with it. It's not as sturdy as the car seat so he would lean over to one side to look out the window and the booster seat would lean to one side too.

We ended up getting plenty of food! I did manage to make it out of the store without buying candy! I know for sure that if I buy it, I will eat it, and the end result shows up on my face in a few days! I did, however, buy snack foods! Every once in awhile I need snacks to munch on! I picked up plastic planter pots for two of my plants, I will pick up soil on our next trip. We also needed cotton balls, paper towels, and toilet paper. Even before we left, I warned Shannon that this trip will be a big one! I had a lot of things on my list that we needed, so I knew that the total would be extra $$$! We are no longer on food stamps, so it hurts a little. I do plan on re-applying for food stamps once we get moved in to our own place.

Shannon and I realized that 12 days was way too long to be away from home. I could tell that he got home sick.

The 12th Day

Shannon is coming home tonight! He's already at the airport and waiting for his flight later this evening. We're hoping his flights aren't canceled due to weather! It's been snowing, raining, and icy all over! This has been a long 12 days away from each other!

Kyle has missed every day of school this week due to weather and the school closing the schools in the district. I can tell he's getting cabin fever and wanting to get out there and play. I am just glad he's able to play with other kids at preschool.

Kyle seems to be better. He's still coughing here and there. Meanwhile, I caught what he has/had. My throat hurts and can make me cough. My nose is also runny or stuffy here and there. I've been wanting to sleep during the day, so instead, I take little naps when I can.

It's been raining throughout the day. There are flood warnings in surrounding counties. There was a mix of ice, snow, and rain last night. The weather has been wild this week.

She went through my trash!?

I am a little upset! My MIL confronted me this afternoon and said, "If you have anything that is of use to anyone else, you can add it to the box." Meaning she keeps a box of things she plans on giving away to charity. I was a little confused as to what she was referring to, but then I had to think back to what I threw away. I ended up throwing away some clothes and things I don't use, only because I don't want to have as much to pack when we move! I do recall that I threw away 2 pajama tops that have HOLES in them and are very old. They are OLD because my parents bought them at a thrift store YEARS ago! I have had these tops for YEARS, they were worn out and were way past their prime. I wanted to make more room and have less clothes to pack. I just wanted less things. I also threw away a few tops that she gave me, but they had stains and grease stains on them that aren't coming out. The last thing I can remember that I threw away was an old purse that has a broken zipper!

Why is it HER business what I throw away? Is it any one's business what I throw away?

It's embarrassing to know that she went through my trash. What if I had some personal items in there that I don't want anyone else to see?

No School Again

There's hasn't been any new snow fall. It did rain here and there today. It's supposed to rain tomorrow as well. I don't think we'll be getting anymore snow until the weekend.

We just received a call that there is no school tomorrow! Surprise, surprise! I have a feeling there won't be school on Friday either. Either way, I am kind of glad because Kyle is still sick. He woke up this morning at around 2:45 AM, but that's only because he fell asleep at about 7:45 PM! He's been coughing and still have a running nose. He also felt "warmer than usual" to the touch, but I am not sure if it was a fever. I have him on cough medicine today.

Last night, I placed another order on Amazon and my order came to $0!!! I saved up enough gift cards to pay for the order. I ended up buying another workout video and coconut oil. I plan on using the coconut oil for my hair and skin. It's supposed to be really good for your scalp, softening your hair, and making it more healthy. I can also use coconut oil as body lotion and it's good for those with eczema! Another use for coconut oil is as deodorant, I am curious to see how that works. I bought a new workout video because I need a little change from my current workouts. Not that I don't like my current workouts, I just need a little change here and there.

I also found Winsor Pilates workout videos on youtube! They are entire workouts! So I plan on going back to Pilates here and there!

Snow and No School

We had plenty of snow over the weekend, we got about 8 inches. They canceled school for Monday and all the city, state, and county offices are closed as well. There are a few more snow storms in the forecast for this week! School may be canceled this whole week, from the looks of it.

Kyle is sick. All day yesterday he had the sniffles, sneezing, and stuffy nose. A few hours after he fell asleep last night, he woke up to coughing and coughing up liquid. I could hear it when he tried to swallow that it wanted to come back up! He had to struggle just to swallow.

I finally got a little more insight from Shannon, regarding his training. From what he was telling me, his training isn't anything special. I just wasn't seeing the point of him being out of state to do "on the job" training! He wasn't doing any special corporate training or specific training that needed to be done only in Kansas City. He's not in any meetings or training courses with corporate people either. The other new managers are tired of working 10 hours a day cleaning rooms. All the training they got was watching an instructional video and follow a check list on cleaning a room. There is also one manager saying he wants to quit once he gets back to North Carolina. It just sounds like all this "training" could have been done close to home, instead of spending hundreds of dollars per manager to fly them out there AND keeping them from their families for 12 days!!! Not only that, they had them work on Saturday, so they only had ONE day off last week!!!!

Shannon was able to get a month off from school. This will give him one less thing to worry about while he is training and we are finding a place/moving.